Interfax cited Mr Dmitry Medvedev President of Russia as saying that Russia will act in a civilized way in gas cooperation with Ukraine.

Mr Medvedev said during talks with Gazprom CEO Mr Alexei Miller that "We will act in a civilized manner. How else would the Russian side act?"

Mr Miller said in turn that Russia will be a civilized partner and comply with the terms of the current contract.

Mr Miller also said that Russia fully abides by the contract for gas transit across Ukraine. He said that "I would like to make a point that gas transit across Ukraine shrank by 5 billion cubic meters in 2011 compared to 2010, adding that Russian gas exports have increased.”

He added that the directions that emerged last year are no less competitive than Ukrainian. He also said what is meant here is the Belarusian direction and the Nord Stream pipeline commissioned last year.

(Sourced from Interfax)