Ukraine took a step toward compromise over its huge gas debt to Russia Thursday, approving a measure that would allow the state gas company Nafotgaz to pay off $2 billion to Moscow this week as agreed in a tentative deal mediated by the European Union. Kiev still hasn’t officially confirmed it will make the payment, despite Moscow’s threat to demand prepayment for future supplies starting next week, a move that could lead to a cutoff of shipments. Officials from Ukraine, Russia and the EU are scheduled to meet in Berlin Friday for more talks on a compromise. The Ukrainian government on Thursday formally increased the charter capital of Naftogaz, a technical step necessary to allow the government to transfer the money to the company to make the payment. However, a Naftogaz spokesperson couldn’t immediately comment on whether the payment would be made. Moscow and the EU […]