KIEV, Jan. 23 - Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Boyko believes that a compromise will be achieved with Russia on gas purchases by Ukraine in 2012.

"From time to time we have disputes with our Russian partners, not always we can achieve a compromise, but now we are much closer to this. We will defend our interests in the matters, which are critical for us, including the volume of gas purchases," he said on the Big-Time Politics with Yevgeny Kiselyov talk show.

Boyko noted that the ministry in May 2011 sent a request to Gazprom to set annual gas purchases at 33 billion cubic meters. The minimum volume of this figure is calculated under the take or pay principle, which amounts to 27 billion cubic meters. This allows Ukraine to state it will buy only this volume of gas.