11 Apr 2014 17:30

Situation around Ukraine gas debt absolutely unbearable - Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO. April 11 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has called "unbearable" the situation around Ukraine's failure to pay for the Russian natural gas it has consumed.

"The drama of this situation is that the first quarter of this year saw the lowest prices in effect, but the Ukrainian partners stopped paying even at these prices. April 7 was another deadline for payments under the gas contract for March this year. Of the $540 million, not a single dollar, not a single ruble has been paid. Nothing at all, zero," Putin said at a Security Council session.

"The situation is absolutely unacceptable," the president said.

Gazprom has removed all discounts in accordance with the earlier agreements, he said.