RUSSIAN Economy Minister Yevgeny Yasin said in remarks released yesterday that Russia could face similar problems to Romania under dictator Nicolae Ceausescu if it failed to win a big new loan and a deal restructuring its debts.

In extracts from an interview to Mr Yasin was quoted as saying negotiations on a $9 billion (£5.7 billion) loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were well advanced but failure to secure it would be a deep blow.

In a veiled warning to the State Duma lower house of parliament not to pass any measures which might endanger reforms, Yasin noted that an accord on restructuring foreign debts would also collapse if the IMF deal failed.