KIEV, March 18 - Ukraine, at upcoming talks with Russia, will seek to lower natural gas prices closer to levels at which Belarus buys Russian natural gas, Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Tyhypko said Thursday.

Belarus has been buying Russian gas at $168 per 1,000 cubic meters in the first quarter, while Ukraine has been paying $305.2/1,000 cu m, according to Naftogaz Ukrayiny, the national energy company.