Ukraine can use part of the macro-financial assistance provided by the European Commission to pay off the country's debts for natural gas.

"This is support for the Ukrainian budget with a view to enabling Ukraine to meet its external funding requirements. This includes payment requirements in the energy sector. This is therefore support that is aimed at the Ukrainian budget," a spokesman for European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn, Simon O'Connor, said in Brussels on Tuesday.

When asked if this means that Ukraine can use these funds to pay off its gas debt, he said: "Yes, this is part of Ukrainian external financing requirements."

O'Connor noted that the documents on the allocation of the macro-financial assistance to Ukraine will be signed on Tuesday, May 13, during the visit of the Ukrainian government.