KIEV, Aug. 10 ??“ Energy and Fuel Minister Yuriy Boyko, following a round of talks in Moscow, said his top priority is to secure sufficient supplies of natural gas to Ukraine this year and next.

This is the first time that a government official has admitted that Ukraine actually faces gas shortages despite earlier assurances from the government that the problems have been solved. It also provides a glimpse on issues that Boyko has discussed with top Russian officials Wednesday.