KIEV, Nov. 13 – Ukraine, which suspended imports of Russian natural gas last week, may stay away from the purchases through the end of the year, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytskiy said Wednesday.

He said Naftogaz Ukrayiny already imported 18 billion cubic meters of gas this year, in line with the government’s projections, and that the country now has enough gas in its underground gas storage facilities to survive the winter.

"We believe that we can do without buying Russian gas until the end of the year," Stavytskiy told reporters.