Money is on the way: says President Viktor Yushchenko
Kiev pays up and awaits Russian apology
Ukraine will pay for Russian gas supplies received in May on Friday, ahead of a Sunday deadline, state energy company Naftogaz and President Viktor Yushchenko said today, adding that they expect an apology from Russia regarding comments it made about Ukraine’s ability to pay.
"We will pay during the day," Naftogaz spokesman Valentyn Zemlyanski told Reuters.
Agencies cited Yushchenko as saying the payment would come "within an hour".
Yushchenko's energy envoy, Bohdan Sokolovsky, was also cited as saying that Ukraine expects an apology from Russia over comments made about the ability of state energy company Naftogaz to pay for gas supplies.
"We expect, after the payment is completed, an apology to follow from the Russian side, considering these incorrect and humiliating statements ... concerning the ability of Ukraine to pay for gas," Interfax Ukraine cited the envoy as saying.
The amount to be paid this month is about $500 million.
Russia had warned it could cut gas supplies if Ukraine does not manage to pay for gas on time.