KIEV, May 26 (RIA Novosti) - Naftogaz, Ukraine's national oil and gas company, is hoping to secure a $60 million loan from a leading Russian bank to pay for natural gas exports, a source in the country's fuel and energy ministry said Friday.
"The fuel and energy ministry approved a credit agreement on securing a $60 million credit from Alfa Bank at an interest rate of 8.25%," the source said.
Alfa Bank declined to comment on the matter.
Naftogaz said last week that its debt to trading company Rosukrenergo for natural gas exceeded $400 million, but it would repay the debt as soon as Ukraine received payment for Russian gas transit.
Supplies of gas to Ukraine are now handled by Rosukrenergo under a deal to end a bitter price row between the former Soviet neighbors early this year.
