The leadership of the National JSC Naftogaz Ukrainy must on Thursday settle with Russia's Gazprom the issue of the Ukrainian company's debt for consumed gas, Energy and Coal Industry Minister of Ukraine Eduard Stavytsky has said.

"I gave two days to board chairman of Naftogaz Ukrainy to settle this issue. I'm sure that he will cope with this task… The time will run out today after lunch," he said in Kaniv (Cherkasy region) on Thursday.

Soon the Naftogaz head will report on what agreements he achieved during the talks with Gazprom, the minister added.

"The main thing is that this issue has to be removed from the agenda, that is has to be resolved… It depends on how the talks go," Stavytsky said.

The minister said he hasn't familiarized himself yet with statements by the Russian side about the possible transfer of Ukraine to making advance payments for gas.