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Ukraine's $3Bln Eurobond Debt to Russia 'A Rope Around Its Neck'

© Sputnik / Stringer / Go to the mediabankГодовщина событий на Майдане в Киеве
Годовщина событий на Майдане в Киеве - Sputnik International
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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has determined that Ukraine’s $3 billion debt to Russia is sovereign and not commercial, as maintained by Kiev. Financial analyst Andrei Kiprovich says that, in any case, Ukraine will be forced to pay it back: it is like "a rope around its neck," with gallows in every direction.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) arrives on day two of the G20 Turkey Leaders Summit on November 16, 2015 in Antalya. Putin said on November 16 that the attacks in Paris showed the need for his proposal for an international anti-terror coalition to be realised - Sputnik International
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"Sovereign debt it is not just a debt owned by Ivan to John," he explained to Radio Sputnik. "It is a relationship between the states Ivan and John are living in. And, accordingly, the level of this debt does not depend on the willingness of a private individual to own up to it or not."

Kiprovich further described the international system of law which stipulates that debts shall be either paid back or restructured. While Ukraine has tried to downgrade the obligation to the level of private borrowing, it is, by default, a debt between the states.

Earlier this week Russia offered Ukraine a debt repayment restructuring plan envisaging three $1 billion yearly installments between 2016 and 2018, on the proviso that it is guaranteed by an international financial institution, the European Union or the United States.

"The offer is rather simple," Kiprovich said. "You don’t pay in 2015, you’ll pay it in 2016, 2017, 2018, but on condition of special guarantees. And who will now underwrite a bankrupt?"

All Ukraine’s suggestions, he added, are just "story-telling, with a rope around its neck."

The expert however said that he believes it is unlikely that any of the suggested institutions or countries would volunteer to act as guarantors of the Ukrainian debt.

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"They need Ukraine essentially for the purpose of putting spokes in Russia’s wheels," he figuratively explained, "or creating military conflict with Russia."

However he added that the only outcome will be that Kiev will be forced to pay its debt.

"Whether you bow to the Kremlin or reject the rules by declaring your independence, at the end of the day there can be only one result – the debt must be paid back. For them, there are gallows all around, wherever they choose to go."

Ukraine's $3 billion Eurobond debt to Russia was made in late 2013 by the previous government of Ukraine, under then-President Viktor Yanukovych. Ukraine's total government debt reached an all-time high in 2014, exceeding 70 percent of the country's GDP.

On Friday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk rejected Russia's restructuring proposal for the repayment of Kiev's eurobond debt.

 

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