KIEV, Nov. 19 - Ukraine will import 26 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia in 2012, less than the 27 billion cu m originally expected, because of high gas prices, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Boyko said.

"This year, we will buy 26 billion cu m of gas from Russia," Boyko said in an interview with Inter television broadcast over the weekend. "First, we announced plans to import 27 billion cu m, but will actually buy 26 billion cu m."