MOSCOW, March 07. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s gas monopoly Gazprom has received no payments from Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz Ukrainy for February’s Russian gas supplies, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller told journalists on Friday.

“Today, on February 7, was the deadline for payments for February’s gas deliveries to Ukraine,” he said. “Gazprom has received no debt payments. With a discount in the first quarter, Ukraine’s overdue debt for gas has significantly increased, reaching 1.860 billion dollars.”

“This actually means that Ukraine has stopped paying for Russian gas. This contradicts completely provisions of the contract and international trade practice,” Miller said. “We have always fulfilled and we will fulfill our contractual obligations.”

“However, we cannot supply gas for free. Either Ukraine clears the debt and pays for current deliveries, or there is a risk to return to the situation in early 2009,” he said, referring to the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, when Gazprom temporarily halted deliveries to Naftogaz.

“We will keep the Russian government informed of the current situation,” he added.