WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland and Ukraine say they are taking steps toward developing a regional gas hub that would end Central and Eastern Europe's dependence on Russian supplies and keep prices in line with European standards.

The region still relies to some extent on Russian natural gas and has been exposed to political pressure from Moscow, which has limited supply volumes or hiked gas prices in the past.

Government officials participating in a debate Tuesday said the hub should be in place by 2022 on the Polish-Ukrainian border to supply the region with gas from Western Europe, liquefied natural gas from Poland's ports and from a new Baltic Pipe that will bring gas from the North Sea.

The existing pipelines, interconnections and storage facilities will be developed for the purpose.