KYIV. June 3 (Interfax) - Ukraine currently owes Gazprom (RTS: GAZP) a balance of $500 million for gas delivered in May, Ukrainian Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan told journalists in Kyiv on Wednesday.

"Right now, according to my information, we have another $500 million [to pay]. There is still time before June 7 and I think the money will be found," he said.

Commenting on concerns over Ukraine's ability to pay expressed by senior Gazprom officials, Prodan said. "We hear that a lot, but Ukraine has always settled on time and I think that's the way it will be in future," he said.

Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller had previously expressed concern over whether Ukrainian national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy would be able to pay for gas delivered in May on time and in full. He did not rule out a shift to 100% prepayment for gas.