Naftogaz Ukraine subsidized Ukrainian customers for over $1.3 bln in March - company CEO Vitrenko

KYIV. April 12 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Naftogaz Ukraine subsidized Ukrainian consumers for more than $1.3 billion in March, and the company would welcome any assistance from international partners, Naftogaz Ukraine CEO Yuriy Vitrenko said in an interview with CNN.

"We understand that [...] many people cannot pay at all [at the moment] and some cannot pay the full price. We need to maintain the infrastructure. So, our costs are up. But we cannot just cut them [people] off from some critical utilities like heating, electricity and other stuff," Vitrenko said.

About 90% of Ukrainian households depend on natural gas for heating, and it is a challenge for the company, he said.

"It also an economic challenge, because it's more of humanitarian assistance at the moment rather than business. This month alone, March, Naftogaz subsidized Ukrainian customers for more than $1.3 billion," he said.

Therefore, Naftogaz Ukraine would welcome any international assistance in order to be able to maintain electricity and heat supplies in Ukraine, he said.