KIEV, Feb. 26 - Ukraine plans this year to significantly boost imports of natural gas from Europe, while at the same time cutting imports of gas from Russia, a senior official at Naftogaz Ukrayiny said Tuesday.

Ukraine plans to import up to 7 billion cubic meters of gas, mostly from Germany, in 2013, up from 57 million cubic meters imported in 2012, Viktor Chuprun, deputy head of Naftogaz, said.

“We plan to sign additional contracts for supplies of up to 7 billion cubic meters of gas this year via Slovakia and Hungary,” Chuprun said.