KIEV, May 4. /TASS/. The Kiev Economic Court of Appeal will consider the appeal of the Russian gas giant Gazprom concerning a lower court refusing to review the company’s complaint about the fine imposed by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (ACU) in the amount of 85.966 billion hryvnia ($3.42 bln), the court’s press service reported.

"The company’s appeal was reviewed by a panel of judges chaired by Judge Alexandra Agrikova. The hearing is scheduled for 11:30 on May 18," the court said.

On April 13, the Economic Court of Kiev has rejected the claim of Russian gas giant Gazprom, in which the company challenged the fine imposed by the ACU.

"The reason for the return was improper execution of the claim - namely, the failure to prove the authority of the person who signed the lawsuit," according to the statement.

The ACU decided to fine Gazprom for the sum of 85.966 bln hryvnia for abuse of its monopoly position on the market of natural gas transit in Ukraine in January. Gazprom appealed against the decision.

In its statement, Gazprom said that it regards the decision of the ACU to fine the company as an attempt of putting pressure on it and intends to defend its interests.

"That is astonishing because the" Gazprom does not carry out any business activities on the territory of Ukraine and passes natural gas to Naftogaz of Ukraine on the western border of the Russian Federation. Such a decision by ACU cannot be regarded otherwise but as an attempt to put pressure on Gazprom," officials with the Russian company said.