UPDATE: Gazprom says Kiev asks to resume gas supplies in Jul–Dec

(Adds comments by Naftogaz Ukrainy in last three paragraphs)

MOSCOW, Jun 7 (PRIME) -- Ukrainian energy holding Naftogaz Ukrainy has applied to Russian gas giant Gazprom to resume gas supplies in the second half of the year and the first quarter of next year, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller told reporters Tuesday.

“Yes, we actually received yesterday an official letter from the director of Naftogaz Ukrainy with a request to resume supplies of Russian gas. We are talking about nine months – the second half of 2016 and the first quarter of 2017,” he said.

Kiev suspended purchases of Russian gas in late November 2015 due to price disagreements.

Naftogaz Ukrainy said it offered Gazprom to sign a supplement to the contract on gas supplies for the next three quarters.

“Naftogaz Ukrainy sent an offer to Gazprom to sign a supplement to the contract between the sides, which will allow Gazprom to return to the circle of Naftogaz’s potential suppliers. This supplement is assigned to settle dispute issues about terms of Russian gas supplies to Ukraine during the next three quarters and is part of a “winter package.” Signing of such a document is a standard commercial practice between the companies since 2014,” the company said.

The purchase of Russian gas is possible if Gazprom offers a price lower than that of European suppliers, Naftogaz Ukrainy said.

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