Naftogaz, Gazprom talks for March 20-21 fall through at last minute

Talks originally planned to take place on March 20 and March 21 between Ukraine's national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy and Russian gas giant OJSC Gazprom have fallen through at the last minute, a source from the Ukrainian government told Interfax.

"The Naftogaz Ukrainy delegation was prepared to fly out [for the meeting], but the head of the company [Naftogaz Ukrainy] was not allowed to leave the country at the last minute," the source said.

The main issues to be discussed were supposed to be the purchase and transit of natural gas, as well as the payment schedule for existing debt.