Interfax cited Ms Yulia Tymoshenko PM of Ukraine as saying that only Naftogaz Ukrainy, the Ukrainian national energy provider, will be authorized to supply natural gas to the country starting from March 1st 2008.

Ms Tymoshenko said "We made a clear decision that, starting from March 1, not a single bit of gas will be supplied to anyone but Naftogaz Ukrainy. There will be no UkrGaz-Energo. She said UkrGaz-Energo's registration as a business company will be annulled and the company will be stripped of the license to sell gas on March 1st 2008.

Ms Tymoshenko said "This Company will cease to exist on March 1st 2008. She said that she was sure that there will be no restriction of gas supply to Ukraine on March 3rd 2008 and there will be no gas supply suspension."