Prime Minister Vladimir Putin proposed Friday that Russia pay Ukraine five years in advance for natural gas transit, to help Kiev buy gas to fill its underground storage facilities and ensure uninterrupted supplies to Europe, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports on its Web site.
The announcement came amid fears of a new disruption in Russia's Europe-bound gas supplies via Ukraine, as the country needs to buy 19.5 billion cubic meters at a cost of over $4 billion.
Speaking after talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko, Putin is quoted as saying: "We propose advance payment for transit of our gas to European consumers."
He said supply stability is under threat due to "the upcoming elections in Ukraine and the possible reorganization of its gas pipeline network."