Russia's $15-bln loan for Ukraine not charity - Federation Council Chair Matviyenko
MOSCOW. Dec 18 (Interfax) - Russian Federation Council Chair Valentina Matviyenko considers "absolutely normal" Russia's decision to extend a $15-billion loan to Ukraine.
Asked by Interfax whether this might be too high a price for Russia, Matviyenko replied, "I don't share this opinion. It is Ukraine's sovereign right to decide with whom it will stay. But whatever choice Ukraine makes, I am absolutely sure that Russia and Ukraine are two brotherly nations, and whatever choice Ukraine makes, Russia will continue to cooperate with it in both the economic and humanitarian fields. Ukraine will remain our strategic partner," she said.
The economic situation in Ukraine is very difficult today, and Russia "has lent its shoulder to Ukraine not in words but in deeds," she said.
"This assistance has been offered without any conditions. This is not charity, this is a well thought-out decision made by the leadership of our country, which will help not only stabilize the economic situation but also open new horizons for expanding and developing our cooperation," Matviyenko said. "We are not asking anything in exchange," she said.
Russian-Ukrainian cooperation can be mutually beneficial in all areas, she said.
"This [the extension of a $15-billion loan] is an absolutely normal decision, and this loan has been issued by Russia as part of commonly accepted international norms and Russian law. I'd like to repeat that this is not a charitable deed but an element of mutually beneficial cooperation," Matviyenko said.
