Russia indirectly helps Ukraine by not penalizing under take-or-pay arrangement - Peskov
MOSCOW. April 8 (Interfax) - Russia's decision not to penalize Ukraine in relation to the take-or-pay arrangement in natural gas deliveries is an indirect confirmation of Moscow's readiness to help Kyiv in the present situation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
"This undoubtedly is indirect assistance to Ukraine, it's an economic issue. Russia has always been ready to pragmatically demonstrate flexibility. This is more proof," Peskov said to journalists on Wednesday.
That was his commentary on the outcome of the meeting of President Vladimir Putin with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller at which the relevant decision was made.
Peskov quoted the president as saying that "economic issues should always be kept separate and not mixed with questions of politics or other aspects of bilateral relations, even critical aspects."
"At the most difficult moments it was precisely Russia that always quite unequivocally directly or indirectly helped Ukraine," Peskov said.