Alexander Lebedev has made two five year agreements over the Independent newspapers, which he is poised to buy from Independent News & Media.
Firstly, the former KGB colonel has agreed to honour the Independent printing contract with rival Trinity Mirror for five years, according to the Sunday Times.
Secondly, the London Evening Standard owner has agreed a five-year deal with INM to supply articles to its other newspapers in South Africa and Ireland, the paper said.
This differs from his agreement with Daily Mail and General Trust over the London Evening Standard, where he agreed to fund the Standard at £30m over three years when he bought the paper last year. DMGT gave Lebedev a £6.3m loan when he bought a majority stake in the title, which it then wrote off.
Last week Lebedev indicated that the stumbling blocks around the printing contract had been resolved. The Sunday Times says that INM will guarantee the rest of the 10-year deal.
INM has agreed Lebedev's terms because closing the Independent and Independent on Sunday would cost an estimated £30m, including breaking the printing contract with Trinity Mirror, which would cost £19m.
