RPT-Ukraine's PM says Russia will not cut gas supply

(Repeats to widen distribution)

By Natalya Zinets

KIEV, March 1 (Reuters) - There will be no cutoff of Russian gas to Ukrainian consumers despite threats to reduce volumes over payment arrears and contractual issues, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said on Saturday.

Tymoshenko made her remarks two days before a reduction in supplies Russian giant Gazprom says it will implement unless outstanding issues are settled. That deadline falls the morning after Russia's presidential election.

Gazprom has often threatened to cut gas supplies during disputes over price with Ukraine and Belarus, but has never made good on the threats except in the New Year of 2006. That brief disruption cut supplies to Gazprom's west European customers.

"I am certain that there wll be no cutoff of gas. Ukrainians will be able to use gas without fuss. No one is going to cut off anything," Tymoshenko told a news conference.

Tymoshenko, long an opponent of intermediaries in gas trade, said that one such go-between, Ukrgazenergo, would no longer distribute imported gas to Ukrainian consumers from March 1. That would now be done by state oil and gas company Naftogaz.

"We have decided firmly that not a single cubic metre of gas will be supplied through anyone other than Naftogaz," she said.

"I believe Russia will be conciliatory towards Ukraine and form relations with no go-betweens...I always believed there should be no intermediaries, no shortlived corporations. We have Gazprom and Naftogaz. Let's sign an agreement and buy gas. "