 Russian President Vladimir Putin has explained the economic assistance to Ukraine as helping a "brotherly country in a difficult situation".
"We often hear phrases like 'brotherly country' or 'brotherly nation', and we see today that Ukraine is in a difficult situation economically, socially, and politically," Putin said at a press conference on Thursday, cited by the Kyiv Post.
"If we really say that this is a brotherly nation and a brotherly country, we should act as close relatives and support the Ukrainian nation in this difficult situation", he added.
On Tuesday, Russia agreed to buy USD 15 B worth of Ukrainian government bonds and cut prices for natural gas.
However, Ukraine's pro-Western opposition has demanded to know what Ukraine offered in return. |