Moscow to study legal options to protect itself from Naftogaz's $5 bln claim - Kremlin

MOSCOW. June 23 (Interfax) - Russia will explore every option to legally protect its rights in response to the $5-billion claim made by Naftogaz Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Reporters asked Peskov on Friday to comment on the intentions of Naftogaz and asked how the Kremlin would assess the prospects of litigation.

"I am unaware of the details, so I cannot give a precise answer to your question. In any case, [we will] consider all the legal aspects of this decision, and [explore] the options to protect our rights," Peskov said.

Naftogaz Ukraine and five companies of Naftogaz Group have filed a motion in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to confirm the earlier decision by the Arbitral Tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague requiring Russia to pay $5 billion, including interest, in compensation for the damages and property losses sustained by Naftogaz in Crimea, says a statement on the company's website.