Ukraine in 2015 is unlikely to import more than 20 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas, according to Director for Business Development at Naftogaz Ukrainy Yuriy Vitrenko.

"We honestly told Frontera that last year we imported 20 billion cubic meters of gas, we don't know how much we will import this year, but it is likely to be less," he said at a press conference in Kyiv.

Vitrenko also said that Ukraine intends to continue its policy of maximum reduction of natural gas imports and by 2020 buy no more than 3 billion cubic meters of gas abroad. To achieve the reduction in import purchases, increases in domestic production energy efficiency are planned.

The forecast balance of natural gas receipt and distribution for 2015, approved by the Cabinet on April 15, states that this year Ukraine will import 25.985 billion cubic meters of natural gas, which is 33.5% more than in 2014 (19.466 billion cubic meters.). In particular, it is planned in the first quarter to import 6.891 billion cubic meters (actually 5.771 billion cubic meters), in the second quarter - 6.963 billion cubic meters (actually 4.305 billion cubic meters), in the third - 7.128 billion cubic meters, and in the fourth - 5.003 billion cubic meters.