MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Commenting on Russia's decision not to impose penalties on Ukraine in the next three months for violations of the 'take or pay' clause in the gas deliveries contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz, Peskov said:
"It is unquestionably an indirect assistance to Ukraine. Russia has always been ready to show 'pragmatic flexibility.' And it is just another example of this approach."
"Economic issues must be always viewed as a separate subject and they should not be mixed with politics or other aspects of bilateral relations," Peskov said citing a quote by President Vladimir Putin.
Despite paying Russia's energy giant Gazprom $30 million for supplies in the month of April, the Energy Ministry says Ukrainian state-run Naftogaz's outstanding debt stands at $2.4 billion for 2014.
Nonetheless, Putin told the CEO of Gazprom Alexei Miller earlier on Wednesday that his company must adhere to the terms of its gas delivery contract with Ukraine.
