KIEV, April 15 - Ukraine will pay for Russian natural gas supplies immediately after Gazprom revokes its recent 80% gas price hike, the national energy company Naftogaz Ukrayiny said Tuesday.

Gazprom increased gas price for Ukraine by more than 80% to $485 per 1,000 cu m in April, up from $268.5 per 1,000 cu m charged in the first quarter.

The development indicates that chances are growing for a new round of confrontation between Naftogaz and Gazprom that may potentially lead to disruption of Russian gas supplies to Ukraine.