MOSCOW, Oct 13 (Reuters) - If Ukraine fails to pay off a $3 billion Eurobond in December Russia will consider this a default, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Tuesday. Reporting by Darya Korsunskaya; writing by Katya Golubkova, editing by Jason Bush
Russian Finance Minister , Anton Siluanov , is increasing its pressure on Ukraine with his statement yesterday that Russia will declare it a default if Ukraine fails to pay off a $ 3bn eurobond in debt , and has called on the International Monetary Fund to help Ukraine repay the bond . Russia 's finance ministry is preparing a " concrete plan of actions " in case of a default , which includes taking Ukraine to court on the bond , said Siluanov . As we have previously noted , the bond , which Russia bought from former President Viktor Yanukovych in 2013 , remains a milestone in Ukraine 's debt overhaul , needed to keep an IMF - led bailout on Ukraine and help lift the country from recession .