Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov on Wednesday called on his fellow countrymen to do everything possible to save energy.
"A closed window, insulated doors and economical use of gas stoves -- energy saving is a question of patriotism and survival in terms of the bonded gas contract," Azarov said at a government meeting.
He stressed that the country should also create necessary conditions and set an example in energy conservation.
Azarov asked Andriy Klyuyev, first deputy prime minister and minister of Economic Development and Trade, to mobilize all resources available to eliminate risks of accidents and avoid loss of energy.
Complaining the Russian gas price is extremely high, Ukraine has already announced plans to reduce its consumption by two-thirds in a few years.
Ukrainian officials have been seeking lower gas prices from Russia by negotiating with their Russian counterparts. Currently, the Ukrainian cabinet is preparing a plan for reorganizing the state-run Naftogaz energy company, which will help revise gas contracts with Russian gas giant Gazprom.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych threatened to take Russia to international arbitration courts over an energy dispute.
But on Wednesday, Ukraine's Energy and Coal Minister Yuriy Boiko expressed the hope that diplomatic talks between Kiev and Moscow could continue.