Doris Leblond
OGJ Correspondent
PARIS, Dec. 31 -- Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz said Dec. 30 it would pay the $1.5 billion it owes RusUkrEnergo, the Swiss-based natural gas trading company used by Russia's OAO Gazprom to supply gas to Ukraine.
Naftogaz's agreement to pay follows shortly after Russia's announcement that it would cut off gas supplies to Ukraine Jan. 1, 2009, if that country didn't pay off its debt.
The money covers Ukraine's gas supplies for November and December. The $1.5 billion total does not include penalties for delayed payment, which amount to $450 million.