No gas payment problems expected in Ukraine this winter - official
"Russia hopes that it will be possible to avoid a repetition of last year's crisis in Russian gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine," Chizhov said.
"The main question now is whether or not Ukraine can pay for the gas," he added.
"Ukraine has money now, but the situation is complicated by the upcoming presidential election... Moscow hopes for a successful resolution of all existing problems," the official said.
President Viktor Yushchenko said Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko and the top management of Naftogaz Ukrainy were responsible for payments for Russian natural gas supplies.
"There is no doubt that Ukraine will make all payments for the gas consumed. But the penalties facing Ukraine are absurd. Gas relations in 2010 should be revised," Yushchenko said; Kazinform cites Itar-Tass. See www.itar-tass.com for full version.