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Mr. Putin said that Russia still has a debt burden, but that it is dealing with it without resorting to foreign refinancing, that is to say, it is not taking out new loans. Instead, Russia is financing its debt payments through its national economic growth. The president also said that Russia has no intention of handing over the Kaliningrad Oblast as payment for its debts. He made this statement in response to a question from one of the census takers about rumours going around that Russia would supposedly give up the Kaliningrad Oblast in order to clear itself of debts.
Mr. Putin said that solutions have been found to the problem of transit to and from Kaliningrad Oblast, but that there are still some technical problems to iron out. Agreements on the matter have already been reached with Lithuania and the European Union.
The president plans soon to take part in training exercises for the Baltic Fleet.
June 11, 2003