Andriy Klyuyev told the cabinet that the country has a gas deficit of around 8 billion cubic meters and Ukrainian energy companies are under financial strain.
Russia briefly shut gas supplies to Ukraine in January during a price row. Ukraine ended the dispute by agreeing to a twofold increase in Russian gas tariffs.
Ukraine now pays $95 per 1,000 cubic meters instead of $50 previously. On his return from a trip to Moscow, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych said on August 17 that Russia has promised not to change the price this year.
(Reuters, AP, Interfax)
RFE/RL Belarus, Ukraine, And Moldova Report
RFE/RL Belarus, Ukraine, And Moldova Report
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