Finance Minister Siluanov says Russia is concerned over Ukraine's growing gas debt
WASHINGTON. April 11 (Interfax) - Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov expressed concern over Ukraine's growing debt for Russian gas exports at a meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew.
"The main issues that we discussed dealt with the situation in Ukraine and the prospects for signing a FATCA [Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act] agreement," Siluanov told reporters after the meeting.
The Russian minister said he had noted during the meeting that "Russia and Ukraine have a history of close economic ties, and the Russian side has extended aid [to Ukraine] worth $35.4 billion in the gas sector alone over the past four years."
"I voiced our concern over the increase in Ukraine's overdue payments for Russian gas deliveries, especially in the context of preparations for the 2014-2015 winter season," Siluanov said.
The Russian finance minister also assured his U.S. counterpart that Russia was prepared to contribute to the support that the International Monetary Fund and the European Union may extend to Ukraine.
Siluanov said that, when analyzing the Ukraine events, he reaffirmed the legality of accession to Russia by Crimea and Sevastopol as this step had been overwhelmingly approved by the population of the peninsula.
Siluanov reiterated the need to normalize the political situation in Ukraine, which, according to the Russian minister, should implement constitutional reform in order to be able to form a legitimate government.