VEON completes the sale of its 50% stake in Wind Tre to CK Hutchison

Amsterdam, 7 September 2018 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a leading provider of connectivity and internet services for emerging markets, today announces the completion of the transaction to sell its 50% stake in Wind Tre to CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. (“CK Hutchison”).

VEON expects to use cash proceeds from the sale, equal to EUR 2.45 billion (approximately USD 2.9 billion¹), to reduce debt and for general corporate purposes. As a result of the completion of this transaction, the net pro-forma leverage ratio² of the Group (“Group leverage”) is now approximately 1.7x, significantly below our previously announced target ratio of 2.0x.

In closing the transaction, VEON will record a net gain of approximately USD 1.2 billion³ in Q3 2018.

Ursula Burns, Executive Chairman of VEON, said: “We are pleased to announce the closing of the Wind Tre deal. As we’ve said before, this sale not only simplifies our Group structure, but also reinforces our emerging markets focus while crystallising value for shareholders, who can be confident that our dividend policy is underpinned by a strengthened balance sheet.”

¹USD/EUR = 1.16
²Q2 2018 Net debt/LTM EBITDA
³Based on book value at Q2 2018

About VEON

VEON is a NASDAQ and Euronext Amsterdam-listed global provider of connectivity and internet services.

For more information visit: www.veon.com.

Disclaimer

This release contains "forward-looking statements", as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and include statements relating to, among other things, expectations regarding management plans and the ability to successfully execute operating model and development plans. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which VEON cannot predict with accuracy and some of which VEON might not even anticipate. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this release. VEON does not undertake to publicly update, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws, any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such dates or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Furthermore, elements of this release contain, or may contain, "inside information" as defined under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014.

Contact Information