Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) and American partners are interested in the speedy conclusion of court proceedings in the United States against ex-Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko. If the rulings are positive, talks on divvying up Lazarenko's assets will begin.

In an exclusive interview with the Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency, deputy PGO head Yevhen Yenin said $15 million of Lazarenko's assets has already been returned the state as per a ruling by a Swiss court.

"His assets, some $200 million, are on deposit in five countries: Switzerland, Guersney, Lichtenstein, Antigua and Lithuania. The assets are under arrest pursuant to a criminal case in Ukraine and a case in the United States," Yenin said, adding that Ukraine and its American partners are seeking the swift conclusion of the 8-year old case.

As earlier reported, Lazarenko is accused of money laundering during 1994-1999. He was found guilty by a California court in 2016 and sentenced to nine years in jail for money laundering and other crimes. On November 1, 2012, he was freed from prison.