Ukraine will pay for Russian gas already delivered to the country at a rate of $268 per 1,000 cubic meters regardless of Gazprom's position on the matter, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk said.

"Ukraine's position is that we can pay for the overall amount of gas at a price of $268 per 1,000 cubic meters. Gazprom may see it in its own way, but our position is that the gas already shipped to Ukraine will be paid for at $268," Yatseniuk said at a government meeting on Thursday.

Ukraine has $3.1 billion on its accounts earmarked for this very purpose as financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union, he said.

"Therefore, the Ukrainian side accounts for the volume of natural gas at a price of $268, and Ukraine has all the necessary funds for this purpose to completely cover the bills for natural gas shipped previously," he said.