KIEV, Nov. 24 - Ukraine may be able to reach an agreement with Russia on lower natural gas prices before the end of the year, President Viktor Yanukovych said Thursday.

The timeframe is more than a month later than had been previously expected, suggesting that talks with Russia may have been making slower progress.

“This issue is very important,” Yanuko0vych said while traveling in the Sumy region, the presidential press service reported. “We are holding the talks. I hope we can reach the agreement this year.”