Russia may suspend the coal supplies to Ukraine in reply to the stoppage of electric power supplies, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on the air of the Vesti FM radio.

"Russia supplies coal to the Ukrainian energy industry and in this regard this is possible and needed to decide on stopping coal supplies to our commercial organizations, which deliver coal to Ukrainian power stations," he said.

This will yield practically no effect in the short-term prospect, because Ukraine has some reserves and its own coal extraction, but a deficit will emerge in the long-term prospect, he said.

The restrictions on coal supplies will be one of counter-measures, the minister said.