Naftogaz to seek 12-month Russia gas deal next week

Andriy Kobolev, chief executive of Ukrainian state gas company Naftogaz, addresses a news conference after gas talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels April 10, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ukraine's Naftogaz [NAFTO.UL] Chief Executive Andriy Kobolev will seek rapid progress on a deal to secure gas from Russia for the next 12 months in talks brokered by the European Commission in Berlin next week.

Last week, Ukraine signed an interim three-month deal for cheaper supplies of gas from Russia, providing breathing space for both sides in their protracted wrangle over pricing..