Ukraine has filed a bid to buy 27 billion cubic meters of gas in 2012 from Russia`s gas giant Gazprom after a 33 bcm bid this year, President Viktor Yanukovych said on Friday, according to RIA Novosti.
"We have filed a bid for 27 bcm for next year," Yanukovych said.
Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko said last month that Ukraine, which is in a bitter row with Moscow over prices for gas, bought 40 bcm of gas this year. Gazprom said Kiev must pay for 33 bcm of gas a year regardless of actual purchases.
The 10-year gas export contract with Russia, signed in 2009, ties the price for gas to oil prices, which have been rising recently boosting Ukraine`s bill. Former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko is now on trial for signing the deal, and Kiev is at pains to revise it.
