KIEV, Feb. 11 ??“ Turkmenistan, Ukraine??™s biggest source of natural gas, indicated it would boost by 54% gas prices within the next eight months in a move that may increase pressure on the Ukrainian economy.

Turkmeni President Separmurat Niyazov apparently told the national television Friday the price for Turkmen gas will increase to $100 per 1,000 cubic meters in September, up from $65 currently.