KIEV, Dec. 15 - Ukraine and Russia will hold a round of natural gas talks next week in an attempt to reach a compromise over gas supplies to Ukraine and transit of gas to Europe, Energy and Fuel Minister Ivan Plachkov said Thursday.

Plachkov, who was in Moscow earlier this week for talks over the issue, said Ukraine had suggested Russia a plan that anticipates a gradual increase of gas price and gas transit tariffs to match world market prices in four years.