The Ukrainian government has announced the imposition of a moratorium on the payment of a $3.582-billion debt on the so-called Russian eurobonds issued at the end of 2013 for $3 billion and on the state-guaranteed loans the Pivdenne Design Bureau and Ukravtodor owe Russian banks, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk said on Friday.

"Starting from today, payments on these debts amounting in aggregate to $3.582 billion in favor of the Russian side are stopped either until the moment when our restructuring proposals are accepted or until a relevant court ruling," Yatseniuk said opening a Cabinet meeting on Friday.

"We are prepared for litigation with the Russian side," Yatseniuk said.