KIEV, Feb. 16 ??“ Russia apparently turned down Ukraine??™s proposal to replace RosUkrEnergo, a Swiss-based controversial gas trader, as the key natural gas supplier to the country during the next five years.

???RosUkrEnergo can be replaced only if there is another entity that is understood by the parties,??? Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko said Thursday. ???One shouldn??™t seek a good thing to replace a good thing.???