KYIV, June 11 – Naftogaz Group's Chief Transformation Officer Otto Waterlander considers it appropriate to conclude long-term contracts on natural gas imports with Ukraine.

"The economic case for long-term 20-year LNG contracts in Ukraine proves difficult because it is unlikely that long term-contract will include a guaranteed discount versus European prices. The political case is equally difficult. While the USA may seem an attractive partner, does Ukraine really want to return to the era of dependence and enter in long term, inflexible, take or pay contracts?" he wrote in the column for the Interfax-Ukraine website.