Russia Ready to Help Ukraine's Economy, Putting Politics Aside - Kremlin

Russia is willing to assist Ukraine in economic recovery, including in energy sector, as Moscow believes that economic issues should not be mixed with politics, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

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.

The Kremlin's sympathetic stance toward crisis-hit Ukraine comes a week after both sides clinched a gas delivery deal for the second quarter of 2015 at a discounted price before the previous agreement expired this month.

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.