(KIEV) - Ukraine will not disrupt Russian gas supplies to the European Union via its territory, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko was quoted by Interfax as saying on Wednesday amid a payment row between Kiev and Moscow.

"Ukraine is a reliable partner and we will not violate our obligations in the area of transport and export of gas to the EU countries," Tymoshenko told a cabinet meeting.

Her comments came after Russian gas monopoly Gazprom over Monday and Tuesday reduced its supplies to the Ukrainian market by 50 percent.

Ukraine is the main transit route for Russian gas supplies to EU states.

Ukraine's state energy monopoly Naftogaz warned on Tuesday that the dispute might lead to it diverting some Russian gas earmarked for Europe.

The dispute centres on Gazprom's demands that Ukraine settle an unpaid debt of 600 million dollars (395 million euros).

Ukraine is seeking reforms to the system by which it pays for gas delivered from Russia as well as increases in the price it charges Russia for transit of gas across Ukrainian territory.

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