Negotiations into the price of Russian natural gas supplied to Ukraine in 2008 will begin in summer, Ukrainian Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko said, Cabinet press office reported.
According to him, the gas balance in Ukraine in 2008 won't change. Ukraine annually consumes 75 to 76 billion cubic meters.
Starting from January 1, 2006, the exclusive supplier of Russian and Central Asian gas to Ukraine is the company "RosUkrEnergo", created in July 2004 and managed by daughter companies of Gazprom and Raiffeisen Investment AG 50% to 50%.
Presently Ukraine buys gas from Russia at 130 USD per 1,000 cubic meters.
