Putin says Russia won't demand early repayment of $3 billion lent to Ukraine

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia does not intend to demand early repayment of $3 billion which it lent to Ukraine last year, President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with German TV channel ARD, a transcript of which was released by the Kremlin on Saturday.

"If we do it (demand repayment) the whole financial system will collapse. We have already decided that we will not do it. We do not want to aggravate the situation," Putin said. "We want Ukraine to get on its feet at last."