BRUSSELS, Nov. 19 – Ukraine is ready to start talks with Russia, mediated by the European Union, over the so-called 'summer package' of agreements on natural gas supplies to replace the current 'winter' package.

Speaking at a conference organized by a European political centre in Brussels on Tuesday, Naftogaz Ukrayiny chief executive Andriy Kobolev said he would not try to predict the course of such negotiations.

"Previous experience shows that it took us six months," he said.

The talks will depend primarily on the Russian position, he said.