KYIV, July 5 – Ukraine is looking for ways to avoid massive hike in natural gas prices and has recently proposed a new, moderate option, a government official said Thursday.

The massive hike is demanded by the International Monetary Fund as a key condition for resuming $17 billion loan, but the measure is sensitive and highly unpopular.

Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman suggested the new option as a compromise on gas prices, which envisages a package of steps, including monetization of subsidies, liberalization of the gas market and a discount from the single price of gas for ordinary consumers, the source said.