This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25411118

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ukraine leader 'seeks loans' in Russia, amid pro-EU rallies Russia cuts Ukraine gas price by a third
(about 3 hours later)
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is discussing closer co-operation with Russia, as protests continue in Ukraine over his move not to sign an EU deal. The cost of Russian gas supplied to Ukraine has been slashed from more than $400 (£245; 291 euros) to $268.5 at talks in the Kremlin.
Securing badly needed loans and a discount on Russia's gas are reportedly on the agenda as Mr Yanukovych meets President Vladimir Putin. The deal between Gazprom and Naftogaz was signed in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
But pro-EU protesters in Ukraine fear Mr Yanukovych may sign an accord tying Kiev to the Russian-led Customs Union. It amends a controversial 2009 deal signed by ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko.
His U-turn on the EU association deal last month sparked the mass protests. Protests are continuing in Kiev over Mr Yanukovych's deepening ties with Russia and rejection of an EU deal.
Mr Yanukovych has admitted his decision was influenced by heavy pressure from Russia. His U-turn on the EU association agreement deal last month sparked the mass protests.
Mr Yanukovych admitted his decision had been influenced by heavy pressure from Russia.
The current protests, the largest since Ukraine's 2004 Orange Revolution, are pushing for the resignation of Mr Yanukovych and his government, and snap elections.The current protests, the largest since Ukraine's 2004 Orange Revolution, are pushing for the resignation of Mr Yanukovych and his government, and snap elections.
'Wrong' visit Gas bill
Mr Yanukovych was shown with Mr Putin during their meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Ukraine relies on imports of Russian gas - and heavy energy-intensive industries in eastern Ukraine are especially anxious to keep the price of gas down. Some 75% of Ukraine's engineering exports go to Russia.
"Russia and Ukraine are... united both by many centuries of our friendship and by having lived a long time together in the same country," Mr Putin said.
Trade between the two countries, he said, had dropped over the past two years, by 11% in 2012 and 14.5% this year.
"It is of course time to take vigorous action not only to return to the level of previous years, but also create conditions for moving forward," he said.
Mr Yanukovych said Ukraine would work with Russia and other ex-Soviet states to implement the free trade deal they signed two years ago.
"In the near future, we will not only have to co-ordinate this work between our countries, between Russia and Ukraine, but with other CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States] countries as well, so that our free trade area could finally start operating at its full capacity," he said.
With talks on resuming credit from the International Monetary Fund stalled, Ukraine requires urgent financial assistance in the coming months to keep the economy afloat.With talks on resuming credit from the International Monetary Fund stalled, Ukraine requires urgent financial assistance in the coming months to keep the economy afloat.
Kiev also needs to find about $17bn (£10bn) next year to pay its outstanding gas bill to Russia.Kiev also needs to find about $17bn (£10bn) next year to pay its outstanding gas bill to Russia.
Ahead of the Moscow meeting, the Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed media reports that Customs Union deals could be signed by Mr Yanukovych and Mr Putin. Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers on Monday used a high-level meeting to reassure Russia that the association agreement with Ukraine (guide here) would not undermine Moscow's interests.
However, Mr Putin's aide, Andrey Belousov, was quoted as saying that such agreements may be on the agenda.
Vitali Klitschko, a Ukrainian opposition leader, said "no-one from the media or amongst Ukraine's citizens knows the true aim of this visit and we will only know afterwards".
"I'm sure that the visit is wrong and nobody knows the conditions of these negotiations," he added.
"If the (Customs Union) agreement is signed, he (Mr Yanukovych) can remain in Moscow and not return to Kiev," another opposition leader, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, warned.
If he were to sign, it would enrage the crowds in Kiev even more, says our correspondent Steve Rosenberg.
The opposition is now planning another huge rally later on Tuesday.
Call for EU cash
Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers on Monday used a high-level meeting to reassure Russia that a possible association free trade deal with Ukraine (guide here) would not undermine Moscow's interests.
Supporters say closer ties with the EU could make the economy more open, transparent and prosperous, with greater competition and protection for investors.Supporters say closer ties with the EU could make the economy more open, transparent and prosperous, with greater competition and protection for investors.
But the EU partnership requires far-reaching and expensive reforms, which the government says would put at risk many enterprises reliant on trade with Russia.But the EU partnership requires far-reaching and expensive reforms, which the government says would put at risk many enterprises reliant on trade with Russia.
Moscow has already put economic pressure on Ukraine, with customs delays and a ban on Ukrainian chocolates, and could escalate such measures.Moscow has already put economic pressure on Ukraine, with customs delays and a ban on Ukrainian chocolates, and could escalate such measures.
Ukraine relies on imports of Russian gas - and heavy energy-intensive industries in eastern Ukraine are especially anxious to keep the gas price down. Some 75% of Ukraine's engineering exports go to Russia.
Russia fears that such a deal would damage the country's economy by letting in a massive flow of EU products via Ukraine.Russia fears that such a deal would damage the country's economy by letting in a massive flow of EU products via Ukraine.
Moscow wants Kiev to join the Customs Union instead of signing the EU pact.Moscow wants Kiev to join the Customs Union instead of signing the EU pact.
The Russian-led union now also includes Belarus and Kazakhstan, but pro-EU protesters regard the grouping as modern embodiment of the Soviet Union. The Russian-led union now also includes Belarus and Kazakhstan, but pro-EU protesters regard the grouping as a modern embodiment of the Soviet Union.
Mr Yanukovych has said he eventually aims to sign the EU deal. Mr Yanukovych has said he eventually aims to sign the EU deal, but wants at least 20bn euros (£17bn; $27bn) a year to pay for the necessary upgrading of Ukraine's economy.
But he has said the EU would need to provide at least 20bn euros (£17bn; $27bn) a year to pay for the upgrade of Ukraine's economy.