KIEV, Dec. 24 - President Viktor Yushchenko is expected to soon meet his Turkmeni counterpart Separmurat Niyazov and both parties may sign a 25-year natural gas supply agreement, Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov said Saturday.

The agreement, which has been postponed for two years amid mutual disagreements, is crucial for long-term supplies of energy to Ukraine and is an important leverage in a natural gas dispute with Russia.