UPDATE: Russia files lawsuit against Ukraine to recover $3 bln debt

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MOSCOW, Feb 17 (PRIME) -- Russia has filed a lawsuit to the High Court of Justice of England and Wales to recover a U.S. $3 billion debt from Ukraine, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told reporters Wednesday.

“Today, the Russian Finance Ministry filed a lawsuit against Ukraine with the High Court of Justice of England and Wales seeking to recover a debt on Ukrainian bonds with a nominal value of $3 billion and compensate Russia’s legal costs,” Siluanov said.

The lawsuit was filed after a number of unsuccessful attempts to hold efficient talks with Ukraine over the debt repayment, he said.

Russia has demanded that Ukraine pay the main debt of $3 billion, as well as $75 million of the last coupon income and additional interests accrued since December 20, 2015, the maturity date of the bonds, the Finance Ministry said on its Web site.

Russia bought Ukraine’s $3 billion 2-year Eurobonds in December 2013 and rejected restructuring conditions offered by the country to its commercial creditors. Kiev insisted that the terms of debt repayment to Russia are the same as for private creditors. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recognized the Eurobond debt to Russia as sovereign.

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