MOSCOW, September 24 (RIA Novosti) - Gasoline prices will not change drastically in Russia in the foreseeable future, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said on Wednesday.

"Gasoline prices are already declining, and there will be no drastic changes. It would be good if the prices leveled off," said Sechin, who supervises state policy in industry and energy.

Overall gasoline consumer prices increased 20.5% over the first eight months of 2008, but did not change in August, the country's top statistics body said.

However, a rise in consumer prices for gasoline was registered in 39 Russian regions last month, with the largest leap of 12% in the remote northeastern Chukotka Autonomous District.

Gasoline prices did not change in 13 regions, and declined in 31 regions in August.

Manufacturers' gasoline prices decreased 3.8% in August.