KIEV, Dec. 5 – Ukraine and Russia will “probably” conclude an agreement by the end of the month to lower natural gas prices, Russian gas giant Gazprom said in a statement on Monday.

Gazprom issued the satement following talks between Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller and Ukrainian Energy and Cal Industry Ministry Yuriy Boyko in Moscow.

“A single opinion has been expressed that the talks over Russian gas supplies to Ukraine will probably be concluded before the end of the year 2011,” the statement said.

Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukrayiny also signed an agreement allowing the Ukrainian company to make payments for natural gas supplies in rubles, the Russian currency, as opposed to U.S. dollars.