Russia's Putin urges talks with Kiev on gas debts
Iran Press TV
Wed Apr 9, 2014 5:15PM GMT
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has called on the Ukrainian government to come to the negotiating table over its unpaid energy bills.
Putin made the comments on Wednesday, adding that Moscow will not at present take any measures against Ukraine under their bilateral deals.
Putin said he had asked Moscow's energy giant, Gazprom, to refrain from taking drastic measures against Ukraine until consultations are held between Moscow and Kiev.
In case the two sides fail to resolve the issue, the Russian gas giant has been ordered to receive payments for its gas supplies a month before deliveries are made to Ukraine.
While Moscow does not recognize the authorities in Kiev it still continues "to render it economic assistance and subsidize Ukraine's economy in the amount of hundreds of millions and billions of dollars,' said Putin, adding, "This cannot last forever."
This comes as Ukraine failed on Tuesday to pay off any of its USD 2.2-billion debt for Russian natural gas supplies despite a deadline to start reducing its debt by midnight (Moscow time) on April 7.
Last week, Gazprom increased the gas price for Ukraine to USD 485 per 1,000 cubic meters, as Ukraine has failed to disburse its unpaid bills.
Ukrainian officials, however, say Moscow increased the gas price for Kiev with political motives amid a crisis over Crimea's declaration of independence last month that has fuelled Moscow-West tensions.
CAH/AB/SS
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