Russia said on Wednesday it had reached a deal with Ukraine over a large gas debt after threatening to reduce supplies, but Kiev denied that it owed as much as the $1.3 billion cited by Moscow.
Russia's gas export monopoly Gazprom will cut supplies to Ukraine if Kiev fails to agree repayment terms on a $1.3 billion debt for earlier deliveries, Gazprom said on Tuesday.
Exit polls in Ukraine's parliamentary election appeared to produce a near dead-heat on Sunday between the backers of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich and "orange" groups linked to President Viktor Yushchenko.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko's decree to dissolve parliament came into force on Tuesday, putting him in direct confrontation with his prime minister and rival Viktor Yanukovich.
Ukraine's two main airlines threatened Thursday to cancel all flights, blaming a sharp hike in jet fuel prices.