DHAKA: Russian natural gas producer Gazprom said on Tuesday Ukraine had failed to pay for its March gas supplies on time but did not say whether the company would take any action against Kiev.

‘They haven’t paid for March,’ a spokesman said, confirming that Ukraine’s total debt of US$2.2 billion had not been reduced by the deadline of midnight on Monday.

Gazprom has often in the past not taken any action when Kiev failed to pay its bills on time. But it cut off gas supplies to Ukraine during price disputes in the winters of 2008-2009 and 2005-2006, disrupting supplies of Russian gas to Europe that are carried via Ukraine.

Gazprom said Russian gas transit via Ukraine to Europe remained stable on Tuesday, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1707 HRS, APR 08, 2014