Ukrainian News Agency reported that presidential envoy for the international energy security Mr Bohdan Sokolovskyi has said that the Russia gas monopoly, Gazprom may impose sanctions against the Naftohaz Ukrainy national joint stock company for the insufficient gas import in 2009.

Mr Sokolovskyi considers that Russia may impose these sanctions at the end of this year. He aid that that Russia is already preparing Ukraine and the European Union for possibility of these sanctions. He reminded that so far no amendments into the gas contracts have been introduced regarding the cancellation of any sanctions for the insufficient import and purchase of the Russian gas despite the fact that Ukraine has held relevant talks for a long time.

Mr Sokolovskyi considers that the aggravation of the gas conflict with Russia may considerably complicate the implementation of Brussels’ agreements on the modernization of the gas transport system of Ukraine. He also said that Ukraine is ready to provide all information about the gas relations with Russia at the summit of the European Union.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Prime Minister Ms Yulia Tymoshenko has said that Ukraine and Russia have agreements regarding no sanction for the insufficient import of the Russian gas in 2009.

In 2009 Naftohaz Ukrainy plans to import about 33 billion cubic meters of gas however the contract envisions import of 40 billion cubic meters of gas.

(Sourced from Ukrainian News Agency)