The latest news in what has seemingly turned into an annual battle over gas in Eastern Europe is Ukraine’s desire to cut the amount it imports from Russia in half, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko has said that in 2012 his country will reduce the amount of natural gas it uses by 50 percent.
Boyko said the country would only consume some 27 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas this year, down from the 54 bcm total Ukraine used in 2011.
Such a reduction means that Ukraine would only need some 16-17 bcm of Russian gas.
The problem with this is Ukraine already agreed to purchase some 33 bcm of Russian gas, which officials at Russian gas giant Gazprom say it will need to pay for in full.
In the past, squabbles between Russia and Ukraine over gas left Ukrainians without heat during cold winter months and stalled transport to the rest of Europe.
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