Putin denies plans for hostile takeover of EADS

Visiting Germany, Russian President Vladimir Putin denied any plans for his government to take control of the EADS aerospace giant.

"We have no plans for a hostile takeover," Putin said in Moscow News.

Last month, Putin aide Sergei Prikhodko said the Russian government would not rule out buying a blocking stake in EADS.

Russia's state-owned foreign trade bank Vneshtorgbank bought up 5.02 percent of EADS shares this year, and did not inform the company of its stake until September.
Putin’s aide Sergei Prikhodko said in mid-September that he did not rule out the purchase of a blocking stake in EADS, which holds an 80 percent stake in Airbus, and other assets.

Now, Putin denies that his state-owned gas monopoly Gazprom is seeking to takeover the European defense conglomerate. "Gazprom has never had plans for the acquisition of EADS," he said, acknowledging Vneshtorgbank's purchase.