Ukraine seeks resumption of gas supplies from Turkmenistan as alternative to Russia

In this photo taken on Thursday, March 26, 2015, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, left, shakes hands with Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov during their meeting in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukraine has said it wants to restore natural gas deliveries from the energy-rich Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan as it tries to reduce it reliance on Russia for the fuel. (AP Photo/Mykhailo Markiv, Presidential Press Service) (The Associated Press)

In this photo taken Thursday, March 26, 2015, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko listens to Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov during their meeting in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukraine has said it wants to restore natural gas deliveries from the energy-rich Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan as it tries to reduce it reliance on Russia for the fuel. (AP Photo/Mykhailo Markiv, Presidential Press Service) (The Associated Press)

KIEV, Ukraine – Ukraine has said it wants to restore natural gas deliveries from energy-rich Turkmenistan as it tries to reduce reliance on Russia for the fuel.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's office said in a statement Friday that the option was discussed during talks with the visiting Turkmen foreign minister. The meeting took place Thursday.

Until 2006, Turkmenistan supplied Ukraine with 36 billion cubic meters (1.3 trillion cubic feet) of gas annually in exchange for cash and goods.

Turkmenistan wishes to widen its client base, while Ukraine wants to wean itself off Russian gas, so any deal would be eagerly embraced by both parties.

A deal would require acquiescence from Kazakhstan and Russia as transit nations, however. Kazakhstan is unlikely to pose an obstacle, but Russia would be expected to be less forthcoming.