Under a 1994 "zero option" agreement with ex-Soviet republics, Russia inherited all of the assets and liabilities of the former Soviet Union. Russia is to repay its remaining $21.3-bln debt to the Paris Club by August 21 through its state-owned bank, Vnesheconombank, which will act as the Russian government's payment agent.
Sergei Storchak said the ministry has already signed the relevant agreement with Denmark for $120 million, and was expected to sign another one with Switzerland today on the repayment of $65 million.
He said Wednesday will see a deal on the early payment of $1.8 billion signed with France, and added that all the documents have been signed by the countries' ambassadors.
The deputy minister said Vnesheconombank has already transferred over 1 billion euros ($1.28 billion) to one of the creditors.
The remaining creditor nations have sent their signed draft agreements to Moscow. "They [the documents] have already been agreed to by e-mail, and I will sign them either today or tomorrow," Storchak said.
