MOSCOW - The deal to provide Ukraine with discounted gas will expire Friday, the Russian news agency TASS quoted a Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak as saying Thursday.

Ukraine enjoyed a $17.77 discount on gas in a previous contract with Russia, buying the much-needed resource at 212 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters, Novak said.

Novak said the discount was agreed on within the framework of the so-called "winter package" by Russia, Ukraine and the European Union.

On Jan 1, the Russian government approved the discount for Ukraine through the first quarter of 2016.

In 2015, Ukraine halved the purchase of Russian gas due to strained revenue.