KIEV, Oct. 27 - A recent energy deal signed in Moscow ecuring gas for Ukraine at lower-than-market rates will not be affected if Central Asian suppliers increase their price, a top energy official said Friday.

"Regardless of the actions of any gas seller in Central Asia, this contract envisages supply of no less than 55 billion cubic meters," Ihor Voronin, the head of gas supplier UkrGaz-Energo, told The Associated Press. "If it is Russian gas or gas of any other origin it will be supplied at the price of $130 per 1,000 cubic meters."