KIEV, June 17 - The government plans to increase the capital of Naftogaz Ukrayiny in order to help the company pay natural gas debts owed for Russian gas supplies, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said Wednesday.

The government will seek to tap budget revenue to inject up to 18 billion hryvnias in Naftogaz, Tymoshenko said, adding she will soon submit budget amendments to Parliament.