KIEV, Dec. 22 - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday assured Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko that Russia will increase deliveries of its natural gas to Ukraine if gas supplies from Turkmenistan are disrupted.

Ukraine is concerned that gas supplies from Turkmenistan, its biggest source of gas, may be affected following the death of Turkmen President Separmurat Niyazov Thursday that may increase political tensions in Ashgabat.