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Russian demand to Ukraine to pay gas bills unrelated to politics - Putin

MOSCOW, April 19 (KUNA) -- President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday Russia's demand to Ukraine to pay gas bills is not related to the forthcoming presidential elections in Kiev, set to be held on May 25.
"It was back on April 7 that we were to receive money for the gas supplied in March, but it never happened, and I am repeating once again - it is USD 525 million. Zero received," Itar-Tass news agency quoted Putin as saying during an interview with a Russian TV channel.
Putin added that his country will immediately move to the initial price formula if Kiev failed to pay arrears, calling on all EU members to help Kiev with finding ways to pay its debts in order to bring stability to Ukrainian economy.
"We are calling on all European countries, all the countries interested in supporting the Ukrainian economy, to get involved in the process of assisting Ukraine and offering measures aimed at financing the budget," said Putin.
On the other hand, the Russian government expressed disappointment at US interpretation of the Geneva agreement on Ukraine.
"Some officials in Washington are waving for further sanctions, which indicates exchange of diplomatic logic with warnings and sanctions tone," the foreign ministry said in a statement. (end) as.ma