U.S. promise to give bank guarantees as part of Ukraine aid means no real aid - Putin
NOVO-OGARYOVO. April 11 (Interfax) - The United States' proposal to provide guarantees for banks as part of its $1 billion aid for Ukraine in the absence of the banks prepared to carry this out, means there is no aid at all, Russian President Vladimir Putin said
"Our U.S. partners have reacted negatively to our proposal, and it is very strange that it is happening that way. As you know, they said they are ready to provide $1 billion, not as loans but as guarantees. What are these guarantees? The guarantees for those banks that would be ready to finance, there are no such banks and, therefore, no aid either," Putin said at a Security Council session on Friday.
The situation is very strange, he reiterated.
"This raises our legitimate concern," the president said.