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Russia-Ukraine 'closer on gas price' after Sochi talks | Russia-Ukraine 'closer on gas price' after Sochi talks |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Russia says differences with Ukraine on reducing the price of Russian gas have been narrowed after talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. | Russia says differences with Ukraine on reducing the price of Russian gas have been narrowed after talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. |
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the talks would continue at a later date. | |
Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had been expected to debate Kiev joining a Moscow-led customs union. | Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had been expected to debate Kiev joining a Moscow-led customs union. |
But both Russia and Ukraine said the issue had not been discussed. | |
Street protests have continued in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, where a new call was made for the resignation of the government. | |
'Gap being bridged' | |
Last month Mr Yanukovych shelved a partnership deal with the EU, triggering angry protests in Ukraine's capital Kiev. | Last month Mr Yanukovych shelved a partnership deal with the EU, triggering angry protests in Ukraine's capital Kiev. |
Russia was unhappy with the deal and Mr Putin has been urging Ukraine to join a Russian customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan. | Russia was unhappy with the deal and Mr Putin has been urging Ukraine to join a Russian customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan. |
The two neighbours have also been trying to resolve a long-running dispute over energy supplies. | The two neighbours have also been trying to resolve a long-running dispute over energy supplies. |
Ukraine depends on imports of Russian gas, but the supplier, Gazprom, has recently complained that Kiev had fallen behind in payments. | Ukraine depends on imports of Russian gas, but the supplier, Gazprom, has recently complained that Kiev had fallen behind in payments. |
Disputes over supplies to Ukraine before 2009 saw Gazprom temporarily cutting off supplies. | Disputes over supplies to Ukraine before 2009 saw Gazprom temporarily cutting off supplies. |
Pipelines passing through Ukraine also pump Russian gas to many EU member states. | Pipelines passing through Ukraine also pump Russian gas to many EU member states. |
Mr Peskov told Interfax news agency that "great attention [had] been devoted to the co-operation in the energy sphere". | |
"Both sides narrowed the gap between their positions as a result of the discussion," he said. "However, no final agreement has been reached." | |
The issue of Ukraine joining the customs union was not discussed during the meeting in Sochi, according to both Mr Peskov and a statement from Mr Yanukovych's office. | |
Correspondents had earlier speculated that an agreement on Ukraine joining the customs union might be reached in return for reduced energy prices. | Correspondents had earlier speculated that an agreement on Ukraine joining the customs union might be reached in return for reduced energy prices. |
Three conditions | |
Many Ukrainians were furious that Mr Yanukovych refused to sign the association agreement with the EU, which had followed years of negotiations. | Many Ukrainians were furious that Mr Yanukovych refused to sign the association agreement with the EU, which had followed years of negotiations. |
On Saturday, several thousand supporters of the EU deal braved snow and swirling winds as they maintained control of Kiev's Independence Square for the seventh successive day. | |
Protest organisers say they expect up to 300,000 people to turn out on Sunday for fresh demonstrations. | Protest organisers say they expect up to 300,000 people to turn out on Sunday for fresh demonstrations. |
Protest leaders have set out three conditions for any negotiations with President Yanukovych: the resignation of his government, the release of protesters arrested during clashes in Kiev and the punishment of those responsible for beating demonstrators. |
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