Kremlin Cannot Confirm US Authorities Warned Banks Against Russian Bonds

The Kremlin cannot confirm recent media reports that US authorities have advised banks not to bid on Russian bond deals, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing "people familiar with the matter," that several top US banks had been warned against Russian bond deals as they could undermine sanctions against Moscow.

"These are media reports that are not based on any official statements or decisions, and we cannot say anything specific based on such reports. We simply lack the relevant information," Peskov told reporters.

Last year, foreign investors bought some 140 billion rubles (about $2 bln) worth in Russian sovereign bonds in 2015. According to financial experts, Russian bonds linked to inflation rates are most sought after by foreign investors.

The United States, the European Union and their allies have imposed sanctions on Russia over its alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis in 2014 — a claim which Moscow has firmly denied.

In late January, Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak stated that Russia is likely to issue Eurobonds this year to finance its government debt for the first time since 2013. Storchak expressed hope of attracting foreign investors despite the anti-Russian economic sanctions.

The Finance Ministry is authorized under Russia’s budget for 2016 to borrow $3 billion in international markets.