Ukraine has asked for payment deferrals on old debts for gas and for gas received since the beginning of the year, when Russia began delivering gas at a lower price, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said, adding that the issue needed to be included in negotiations with Ukraine's new government.

"[Ukraine] has once again requested another deferral on historical debt and, still worse, on current payments," Medvedev said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin and members of the Russian government on Wednesday.

"More precisely, they are ready to pay, but not in full, given that we, in a substantial way, as a result of your agreements, substantially revised the price of gas. This of course, changes the situation in a substantial way and needs to be taken into account in constructing relations with the new government," Medvedev said.

Implementation of the agreements reached between Putin and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych continues, he said.

Putin said waiting for the new government to be formed was a reasonable proposal, but asked the government not to lose contact with its Ukrainian colleagues.

"Aside from financial relations, aside from agreements on energy and other plans, namely cooperation in industrial production, aircraft manufacturing, shipbuilding, and atomic energy…I proceed from the assumption that the Russian government, even before a full-fledged Ukrainian government is formed, will continue conducting all of this work with its colleagues," Putin said.