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Ukraine determined to reduce import of Russian gas

The price of Russian gas is unaffordable for the Ukrainian economy and for its people
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

KIEV, March 6 (Itar-Tass) —— Ukraine is going to reduce the import of Russian gas in the future, President Viktor Yanukovich said on Tuesday.

“The gas problem, the price of gas is one of the greatest challenges to Ukraine. But we have very great hope that we shall be able to overcome this problem in various ways,” Yanukovich said.

In particular, he recalled that Ukraine had already reduced the import of Russian gas from 41 billion cubic meters to 27 billion cubic meters.

“In several years to come we plan to reduce purchases. The reason is one. We have no such money. The price is unaffordable for our economy and for our people,” Yanukovich said.

According to the Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Ministry, Ukraine in January reduced the consumption of gas by 5.6 percent in contrast to January 2011 – to 7.8 billion cubic meters.

In February, the company Naftogaz Ukrainy said that it had paid Gazprom 808 million dollars for the gas it imported in January, proceeding from the assumption one thousand cubic meters cost 416 dollars.

In several days the company will pay Gazprom another 1.3 billion dollars for gas imported in February.