Ukraine cuts gas imports by 19.7% during January-April

Ukraine's gas imports dropped 19.7 percent year-on-year in the first four months this year, official data showed Thursday. Gas imports plunged 2.935 billion cubic meters to nearly 8.552 billion cubic meters during the period, the country's Coal and Energy Ministry said in a statement. In January-April period, the country's gas consumption shrank by 7.3 percent or 1.937 billion cubic meters to 24.463 billion cubic meters year-on-year, it said. Ukraine, which is paying 426 U.S. dollars for per 1,000 cubic meters of Russian gas in the second quarter, has been seeking to reduce gas imports burden on its budget. Last year, Kiev slashed its gas imports from Russia by 27 percent to 32.874 billion cubic meters.