KIEV, March 18 - Ukraine will make a “serious diversification” of natural gas imports this year unless Russia agrees to lower its gas prices, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytskiy said Monday.

Ukraine will probably be importing gas at $250 to $280 per 1,000 cubic meters in the second half of the year, down from $406/1,000 cu m in the first quarter, he said.

“We will either make a deal with our Russian partners on a fair price based on market principles or we will make a very serious diversification,” Stavytskiy said at a press conference.