MOSCOW, April 10./ITAR-TASS/. Russia subsidized Ukraine’s economy by $35.4 billion over 4 years by cutting gas prices, Russian President Vladimir Putin says.

EU’s inaction regarding Ukraine gas debt looks like attempt to shift blame for Ukrainian crisis to Russia, he added. Putin calls on EU to urgently convene consultations and work out steps to stabilize Ukraine economy.

Russia’s supplier of natural gas, OAO Gazprom will have to change over to prepayments in supplies of gas to Ukraine, as the country’s debts for gas are growing, President Vladimir Putin said in a letter to the heads of a number of European countries.

Putin warns EU that Gazprom will have to switch to advance payments due to Ukraine’s gas debt or stop supplies if no payments are made.