KIEV, Feb. 5 - Ukraine does not expect Russia to increase natural gas prices this year despite recent political disagreements, acting Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytskiy said Wednesday.

Russia lowered by 33% gas prices to Ukraine in January along with a promise of $15 billion two-year loan after Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had walked away from a free trade deal with the European Union in November 2013.

Yanukovych pledged to increase cooperation with Russia, but he had immediately faced massive street protests in Ukraine with people demanding to continue the pro-European course.