Ukraine in the period from October 1 to March 31 next year can take from 5 to 7 billion cubic meters of gas, the bulk of purchases in the 1st quarter of 2016, told reporters the head of "Gazprom" Alexey Miller.

"If there be a very cold winter, 2 billion cubic meters will be enough, even with the reduced consumption (gas for Ukraine - ed.) in Our estimates, Ukraine will need anywhere from 5 to 7 billion cubic meters of gas in the period from 1 October to 31 March. The main volume of purchases in the 1st quarter because most will be cold, " said Miller.

Russia, Ukraine and the EC on the last working day of the week initialed a tripartite Protocol on winter package of gas supplies from Russia to Ukraine. According to the Protocol, Ukraine takes on its own shoulders the obligation to buy 2 billion cubic meters of gas from "Gazprom" for injection into underground storage facilities. This gas must be purchased in October.

A source close to the leadership of the European Union, later clarified to reporters that the winter package does not specify the volumes of gas that Ukraine needs to buy from Russia, except these 2 billion cubic meters.

sections: Politics