KIEV, Oct. 6 - Naftogaz Ukrayiny, the national oil and gas company, late Tuesday made a $400 million payment to Russian gas giant Gazprom for gas imports in September, narrowly meeting a deadline and avoiding crippling sanctions.

Naftogaz must pay within the first seven days of each month for previous month’s gas imports to avoid the sanctions from Gazprom, include requirement to pay for gas imports upfront that would most likely lead to supply disruptions.