Russian energy giant Gazprom announced a sharp increase Tuesday in the price it charges Ukraine for natural gas, in a move that will heighten pressure on the interim government in Kiev.
Starting Tuesday, Ukraine will be charged $385.50 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas, up from the previous rate of $268.50, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti quoted Gazprom’s chief executive Aleksey Miller as saying.
The move ends a discount that was agreed before Ukraine’s Moscow-leaning President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted in February following months of street protests.
Amid the political tumult that ensued, Russia annexed Ukraine’s southeastern Crimea region and tensions between the neighboring nations are high.
