MOSCOW, April 28 - Russia remains interested in operations on Ukraine's retail gas market, Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko told journalists.

"Without a doubt, we are interested in entering Ukraine's retail market," he said.

Gazprom is already present on the Ukrainian market in the form of Gazprom Sbyt Ukraine, a 100% subsidiary. The company is examining opportunities to receive a portion of the gas Russia exports to Ukraine "We planned for a certain amount of the gas delivered to Ukraine at a discount to be handled by the subsidiary," Shmatko said.