MOSCOW, Dec. 26 - There is economic appeal in transitioning to calculating in rubles for Russian gas because it would preserve Ukraine's forex reserves, National Bank of Ukraine Governor Serhiy Arbuzov said in an interview with Channel 5.

"This issue is politicized, although I see the economic appeal for the country in that we have a trade turnover with Russia of around 50 billion dollars, which is calculated in the national currency and the currencies of third countries. Therefore, if we transfer to calculating at least at 10% [with Russian rubles], it won't add any risks, and for our commodity producers it will provide the opportunity of choosing which currency to pay in. We're not saying that we refuse to pay in U.S. dollars - we are just providing the opportunity.