Naftogaz asking Gazprom to delay payment for new gas?

Naftogaz of Ukraine is reportedly asking Gazprom to postpone the payment for new gas imported since the beginning of the year, Reuters said yesterday. So far neither Naftogaz nor Gazprom have commented officially on the matter. According to Naftogaz, municipal heating enterprises have incurred debts to it of UAH 4.6 bln, a figure that is continuing to rise. Based on the new gas accord signed by the two companies in January, in the event of nonpayment by the deadline (7th day of each month), future imports must be prepaid.