KIEV, Jan. 31 - Ukraine is preparing for a spell of extremely cold weather during the next 10 days and has already increased imports of Russian natural gas despite earlier assurances that such imports will be reduced.

President Viktor Yanukovych on Tuesday instructed the government to make sure the freezing temperatures won’t disrupt the economy and the people.

“God forbid that the people find themselves in a difficult situation,” Yanukovych said while traveling to the Kirovohrad region in central Ukraine. “If this happens, the government will react in a systemic, serious way.”