Ukraine and Russia should reach a compromise on gas purchases, based on a full range of bilateral relations, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn has said.

"I think that if no agreement is reached, there will be one way out - to apply to respective international courts. But experience shows that those who go to court lose," Lytvyn said in an exclusive interview with Interfax- Ukraine, when asked whether the reduction by Ukraine in the purchase of natural gas from Russia will lead to a new "gas war," or whether the parties could reach an agreement.

"We must reach a compromise. But I think it will be reached only when we consider the gas problem in the full context of Ukrainian-Russian relations," Lytvyn said.

He said that the "take or pay" principle was disadvantageous, first and foremost, for Ukraine.

"I think that Russia has no problems. Ukraine has problems, because we won't be able to pay such a price for gas," he said.

"But I will tell you that there is a positive thing for Ukraine. It's an obligation to deal with alternative sources and saving. If the gas were cheap, I think this situation would corrupt Ukraine," Lytvyn said.