Interfax cited Mr Volodymyr Lytvyn speaker of Verkhovna Rada as saying that Ukraine and Russia should reach a compromise on gas purchases based on a full range of bilateral relations

Mr Lytvyn said that "I think that if no agreement is reached there will be one way out to apply to respective international courts. But experience shows that those who go to court lose. We must reach a compromise. But I think it will be reached only when we consider the gas problem in the full context of Ukrainian-Russian relations."

He said that the take or pay principle was disadvantageous first and foremost for Ukraine. I think that Russia has no problems. Ukraine has problems because we won't be able to pay such a price for gas. But I will tell you that there is a positive thing for Ukraine. It's an obligation to deal with alternative sources and saving. If the gas were cheap I think this situation would corrupt Ukraine.