Gazprom warns Ukraine over 'huge' debt

Moscow - Ukraine owes Russian gas giant Gazprom a "huge" debt of $1.55bn for unpaid gas and may not be able to keep the discount it currently enjoys for Russian gas imports, the firm said on Saturday.

"We have good relations with Ukraine, the transit is working, but they just need to pay for the gas. The debt is $1.549bn, it is huge," Gazprom spokesperson Sergei Kupriyanov told the RIA Novosti news agency.

"Clearly, with this debt Ukraine may not be able to keep its discount (to market price) for the gas. The agreements on the discount forsee a full and timely payment."