Russia doesn't want a repeat of the natural gas spat with Ukraine that at the start of the year left part of Europe without supplies, although there is concern on how its neighbor will be able to pay due to the financial crisis, said its top energy official Monday.
"We are interested that the January spat isn't repeated," said Russia's Energy Minister Serge Shmatko at a press conference during a Group of Eight leading nations meeting in Rome focusing on energy.
"Our concern is the financial situation" in Ukraine and its ability to pay future supplies, the minister said.