Russian Federation Will Sue Ukraine If it Fails to Repay Debt

Moscow is open to discussing handing over to Kiev a Ukrainian pilot charged with the murder of two journalists once there is a verdict in her trial, the Russian justice minister said on Friday, in contrast to previous statements.

It was the first meeting between the countries’ finance ministers since January, when Ukraine announced its plans to restructure its foreign debt. “One needs to meet, of course, talk, that is always correct and beneficial”, Siluanov told reporters on the sidelines of the worldwide Monetary Fund and World Bank semi-annual meeting.

Jaresko said that Ukraine was spending a few $5 million a day to defend its borders, exacerbating its economic crisis.

A spokeswoman for the State Air Service in Kiev said the Russian carriers would not be allowed to land in Ukraine but would still be permitted to cross its airspace to other destination points.

He said that he reiterated to Yaresko Moscow’s position that the $3 billion in the debt Ukraine owes Russian Federation is not a commercial debt.

Ukraine has been pushed to the brink of bankruptcy following over a year of political upheaval and conflict with pro-Russia forces in the east.

“We are a sovereign (lender)”. “All creditors can participate in the exchange until October 29”.

Friday’s meeting was brokered by Germany and attended by German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.

Russian Federation said on Saturday it wanted to see a bigger European monitoring mission in Ukraine to help oversee withdrawal of mortars, tanks and light artillery under recent agreements.