"The ministries should conclude talks with Russia on terms and conditions of natural gas supplies to Ukraine and sign relevant contracts by November 20," Azarov said at a conference devoted to pricing policy.
Speaking at the same conference also attended by the president, Prime Minister Yanukovych said Ukraine would have to live with Russian gas prices approaching average European levels of $230 per 1,000 cubic meters, in line with the policy Russia is pursuing with its former Soviet allies.
"The gas price for Ukraine will be approaching global levels," the premier said.
Ukraine currently pays $130 per 1,000 cu m for a mixture of gas pumped from and via Russia. Media reports have suggested that in 2008 the price could appreciate to $180.
Yanukovych said Ukraine would try to retain a privileged position in terms of gas prices next year.
While instructing Ukrainian officials, earlier this week, to complete the deal in the near future, Yanukovych said the price for next year should not exceed $150-$160 per 1,000 cu m.
Yulia Tymoshenko, a former prime minister, is likely to replace Yanukovych soon and form a new government by the end of this year after the pro-Western coalition won snap parliamentary elections last month.
The gas talks resumed after a week-long spat between Moscow and Kiev in October, when Russia demanded Ukraine pay off its gas debt and threatened to cut supplies otherwise, reviving memories of the early 2006 pricing row, which affected gas transits to Western Europe.
