Russian Bank Chief Denies Putin Link to $2 Billion Offshore Loans
- VTB's Kostin rejects allegation subsidiary made unsecured loan
- State media largely ignores controversy over Putin circle
Kostin: Putin Never Involved in Panama Shell Companies
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The Kremlin said Vladimir Putin is the target of attempts to destabilize Russia through the publication of reports linking him to as much as $2 billion in offshore transactions alleged to involve people close to the president.
The Russian leader isn’t even mentioned in leaked files from a Panama law firm, though he’s in the spotlight “because Putin, Russia, our country, our stability, our upcoming elections are the primary target to destabilize the situation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call Monday.