Ukraine and Russia Gas Contract for Only 2008

According to Alexander Shlapak, vice-chairman of the Presidential Secretariat, Ukraine will sign a gas contract with Russia through 2008, given that the 2009 price for natural gas from Central Asia is highly uncertain. Previously, the contract was anticipated to have a mid-term horizon. President Yushchenko announced that the agreement is scheduled to be signed within a week of Russia’s parliamentary elections, which were held on Sunday.