Ukraine has proposed that Russia resume negotiations on the distribution of the former Soviet Union's property abroad, in particular, in the format of bilateral talks at the level of the foreign affairs ministers of both countries, Ukraine Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesman Oleksandr Dykusarov has said.
"Ukraine has proposed to Russia the resumption of negotiations on the distribution of the former Soviet Union’s property abroad, in particular, in the format of bilateral talks at the level of the foreign affairs ministers of both countries, regarding a transfer to the Ukrainian side of real estate objects for its diplomatic and consular institutions," Dykusarov said, asked by Interfax-Ukraine about Kyiv’s position in the issue of the distribution of the former Soviet Union’s property.
He noted that, firstly, the agreement between Ukraine and Russia on the settlement of succession issues concerning the external state debt and the assets of the former Soviet Union (the so-called ‘zero option’) has not come into force, therefore it cannot be considered the legal basis for the registration of the former USSR’s property on the Russian Federation.
"The fact of Russia’s repayment of the former USSR’s debts to the Paris Club of creditors does not relieve it from commitments undertaken according to international agreements signed with Ukraine," he said.
