KIEV, June 16 - Ukraine will be able to provide safe transit of Russian natural gas to Europe, but will also seek to begin massive imports of gas from European companies, Ukrainian officials said Monday.

Russia on Monday suspended supplies of gas to Ukraine, but said it will continue to supply its gas to European markets via Ukrainian gas pipelines.

“The Ukrainian party is ready for these developments,” Energy and Coal Industry Minister Prodan said. “We are providing reliable transit of [Russian] gas and deliveries to domestic consumers.”