Ukraine calls in gas talks with Russia

Ukraine hopes to find a "reasonable solution" to its gas dispute with Russia soon while a compromise is needed during the negotiations, President Viktor Yanukovych said Friday. "The gas issue is a cornerstone of the bilateral relations, and I believe talks will lead to a compromise solution," Yanukovych said during a visit to the country's eastern region of Dnepropetrovsk. To ease Ukraine's financial burden, Kiev has sought to import less natural gas from Russia at lower prices, an intention that Moscow said violates their energy deal signed in 2009. Under the contract between Ukrainian state-run Naftogas and Russian gas giant Gazprom in 2009, Ukraine agreed to buy 52 billion cubic meters of gas per year or pay for a minimum of 80 percent of that volume, regardless of the actual amount taken. However, Ukraine is currently seeking to reduce both the price and the volume of gas imports.