Ukraine to import 30-32.5 bn cubic meters of gas

Ukraine will import 30-32.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2013, compared with 32.926 billion imported last year, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytsky said here Monday. "This year Ukraine will import from other countries 30-32.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Gas consumption will decrease due to energy efficiency measures," Stavytsky told journalists. Ukraine, which imported 32.874 billion cubic meters of gas from its largest supplier Russia in 2012, almost stopped taking deliveries of gas from Russia in early May. Ukraine aims to start reverse gas supply from Slovakia. The first test gas supply in a reverse mode from Slovakia to Ukraine will be held on May 15, Stavytsky said. Ukraine imports European natural gas via Poland and Hungary as it seeks to multiply supply sources besides Russia. Ukraine imported 52.702 million cubic meters of gas from Germany in 2012.