Russian wants break for early debt payment

MOSCOW, March 17 (UPI) -- A top adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin says the nation deserves a discount for early payment of its foreign debt.

Igor Shuvalov said the issue of early repayment would be discussed during Putin's visit to Paris March 18, Novosti said Thursday.

"We believe that we should demand a discount even if only for political reasons," Shuvalov said.

He also said early repayment of debts to the so-called Paris Club without a discount would "be beneficial but incorrect" for Russia.

"I think it would be politically wrong to repay debts without a discount; we must have a discount," the presidential aide said.