Yanukovych to seek gas price deal in talks with Putin
Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych is expected to try to
secure an agreement for Kiyv to pay a lower price for Russian
natural gas during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in
Moscow on December 18, Radio Liberty reported.
Ukraine says the current price of about $430 per 1,000 cubic metres
is draining its budget, but it has balked at Moscow's demands for
concessions to achieve a reduction.
Russia has, in particular, said it wanted to buy into Ukrainian gas
pipelines through which pump much of the Russian gas bound for
Europe.
Russia would also like Ukraine to join a customs union comprising
Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
A senior Russian official has said accession to the customs union
could allow Ukraine to buy Russian natural gas at a lower
price.