Russia has threatened to cut off its natural gas supplies unless Ukraine pays the gas bill in advance as of June 1, in a letter by Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed to European leaders on Thursday SIA reports quoting Anadolu Agency.
Putin complained in the letter over Ukraine's growing debt to Russia, which stands at $3.5 billion, and pointed to Kiev's recently-acquired International Monetary Fund loan of $3.2 billion as a means to pay it.
"Given the circumstances, the Russian company Gazprom issued an advance invoice for gas deliveries to Ukraine which is completely in accordance with the contract, and after June 1 gas deliveries will be limited to the amount prepaid by the Ukrainian company," Putin said.
In the letter, he also called on the European Commision to take a more active role in dialogue among the parties for reaching a solution to stabilize Ukraine's economy.
The president added that Moscow remained "open to consultations and work together with European countries in order to normalize the situation."
European Union countries warned Russia this week it would face EU sanctions if Ukraine's planned presidential election on May 25 is disrupted.
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