KIEV, January 25 (RIA Novosti) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov said Wednesday that his country had been using more natural gas than usual lately.
"We have reached a consumption mark of 427 million cubic meters per day, including 161 million cu m for consumer purposes," Yekhanurov said. "That is 70 million cu m more than before."
Ukraine consumed 568 million cu m of natural gas in the last 24 hours alone, he said, adding that the government had instructed regional authorities to reduce gas consumption.
He also said Europe had expressed understanding over the difficult energy situation in Russia and Ukraine caused by the recent extreme cold spell.
"We do not have problems with Europe," the Ukrainian prime minister said responding to rumors of European criticism over shortfalls in natural gas supplies due to excessive gas consumption by Ukraine. "The problems are being created by those who want to wage a new round of information wars."
