Ukraine ready to pay Russia $2.16 bln for gas - Finance Ministry
KYIV. May 12 (Interfax) - Ukraine's updated state budget for 2014 provides $2.16 billion to pay for imported gas, Finance Ministry Oleksandr Shlapak said at a briefing on Monday.
"Our principle position is that if the Russians are ready to maintain the gas price at $268.5 [per 1,000 cubic meters] until the end of the year, we will pay for the gas immediately," he said.
"The corresponding amount has been earmarked. There is now a discussion about the obligations that we [the Cabinet] will issue for that purpose. Naftogaz Ukrainy can use that money to buy the necessary amount [of foreign currency] and pay," Shlapak said.
Russian Deputy Energy Ministry Anatoly Yanovsky has said that Russia is willing to discuss a lower gas price for Ukraine in the event it pays its debt for gas.
