KIEV, May 29 - The Ukrainian government on Thursday authorized the issuance of bonds to recapitalize the national energy company Naftogaz Ukrayiny, a move that signals the company may be preparing to pay its Russian gas debts.

The government will replenish the capital of Naftogaz by 22.23 billion hryvnias, or $1.93 billion, abut the size of debt that Naftogaz has owed Gazprom as of April 1.

Russian officials said earlier that Naftogaz has to pay at least $2.2 billion in gas debt to Gazprom this week to open way for talks to prevent a possible gas supply disruption on June 3.