Russia Agrees To Write Off Most of Syria's Debt

MOSCOW — Russia's parliament on June 6 ratified an agreement to write off nearly three-quarters of Syria's roughly $14 billion debt from the Soviet era.

The State Duma, the lower house, registered its approval of the 2005 deal and a 2007 supplement in a 401-40 vote.

According to the law passed by the Duma, Russia is writing off 73% of the debt. Part of the remaining $3.6 billion is to paid in a single sum and part over a decade.

Russia has written off large portions of Soviet-era debts owed by several Middle Eastern nations — much of it for military equipment — as it has moved to bolster relations in recent years.