ASSESSMENTS

Ukraine, Russia: Compromise on the Horizon?

Aug 28, 2012 | 10:30 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich on July 12

ANDRIY MOSIENKO/AFP/GettyImages

Summary

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 25 at Putin's Black Sea residence, Bocharov Ruchei. The leaders meet regularly to discuss bilateral relations, particularly regarding energy; the last such meeting occurred six weeks earlier. However, Yanukovich hinted that the latest meeting might have been more than a standard visit, saying the Ukrainian government "would like to slightly alter our positions" on its negotiations with Russia over natural gas supplies.

Yanukovich did not offer any concrete details on what such a change would entail and did hedge on the topic, adding that the natural gas issue "will always remain sensitive." However, his statement — combined with a number of recent developments between Russia and Ukraine — indicates that a compromise on the controversial natural gas issue between the countries could be forthcoming. Still, any significant movement on the matter likely would not occur until after Ukraine's parliamentary elections in October.

A recent presidential meeting indicates that Kiev and Moscow may reach an agreement on natural gas supplies....

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