Ukraine may purchase up to five billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas from Russia as part of the "winter package" of agreements, Naftogaz Ukrainy CEO Andriy Kobolev has said.

"We are likely to purchase up to five billion cubic meters of Russian gas by the end of the winter season," he said during the Ukrainian Investment Summit organized by the Adam Smith Institute in London on Wednesday.

Kobolev added that the purchase of this gas would help cover the deficit and ensure reliable supplies to consumers during a peak regime.

As reported, Ukraine started importing Russian gas as part of the "winter package" on December 9. Ukraine has currently transferred an advance payment of $378 million to Gazprom for one billion cubic meters of gas.