“I hope that talks with our European partners with the participation of Russia will be held on [March] 20 in order to agree on gas supplies during the summer period,” he said.
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said earlier in the day that different dates are still being considered.
Last week, Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission held talks in Brussels on future Russian gas supplies to Ukraine after the April expiration of the so-called winter package agreement. The parties as yet have reached no decision on future supplies.
Russian energy giant Gazprom said last Friday the volume of gas prepaid by Kiev will last Ukraine until mid-March.
The current deal between Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz requires advance payment from Kiev at a discounted price of $100 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas.
