KIEV, Nov. 16 - Ukraine will reduce imports of natural gas from Russia next year after starting alternative imports of gas from Europe, Vadym Chuprun, deputy head of Naftogaz Ukrayiny, said Friday.

Ukraine plans to import 20 billion cubic meters in 2013, down from 24.5 billion cu m originally expected, and down from 27 billion cu m that is likely to be imported in 2012, he said.

"First, we thought the imports will be 24.5 billion cu m, but now we see [the imports] at only 20 billion cu m," Chuprun said at a press conference.