Mr Putin instructed Mr Kasyanov to completely repay between July and December 2000 all food-ration debts owed to military personnel. He also requested that the Cabinet work more quickly to draw up the Russian fuel and energy balance for the period until 2005.
Mr Putin and Mr Kasyanov also discussed preparations for the latter’s visit to Ukraine, slated for February 22. In Kiev, Ukrainian leaders and Mr Kasyanov will discuss the repayment of debts owed by Ukraine for Russian fuel and energy supplies and the ratification of the so-called “zero agreement” by the Supreme Rada. Under the terms of the agreement, Kiev will cede all its rights to Soviet-era assets to Moscow, provided that the latter undertakes to repay the foreign debts accumulated by Ukraine before the break-up of the Soviet Union.