KIEV, May 7 - A gas price dispute with Russia must be resolved by June so Ukraine can guarantee stable flows to Europe and avoid a new gas war, Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan said, Reuters reported.

Ukraine, dependent for more than half of its gas needs on Russia, has balked at demands by Russia's state-controlled Gazprom to pay an almost 80 percent price increase, accusing Moscow of using energy supplies "politically" to punish the country for trying to break free from Kremlin influence.