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| Ukraine and Russia leaders hold talks in Kremlin over loan and trade deal | Ukraine and Russia leaders hold talks in Kremlin over loan and trade deal |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The presidents of Russia and Ukraine are holding talks in the Kremlin on a possible loan deal and a range of trade agreements, as protesters continue to rally in Kiev against the government's decision to abandon an integration deal with the EU in favour of closer relations with Russia. | The presidents of Russia and Ukraine are holding talks in the Kremlin on a possible loan deal and a range of trade agreements, as protesters continue to rally in Kiev against the government's decision to abandon an integration deal with the EU in favour of closer relations with Russia. |
| The deals, if signed, have been seen as the Kremlin's reward to Kiev for not signing the EU deal. Ukraine's president, Viktor Yanukovych, pulled out of the deal at the last minute last month, saying it would prove catastrophic for the Ukrainian economy. | |
| In brief remarks to the media before they began talks, Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine "is without doubt, in the full sense of the word, our strategic partner and ally". He said that over the past two years, trade levels between the countries had dropped, but that a range of agreements due to be signed on Tuesday would rectify that. | In brief remarks to the media before they began talks, Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine "is without doubt, in the full sense of the word, our strategic partner and ally". He said that over the past two years, trade levels between the countries had dropped, but that a range of agreements due to be signed on Tuesday would rectify that. |
| "The time has come to take energetic steps not only return to the levels of recent years but to go further," said Putin. | "The time has come to take energetic steps not only return to the levels of recent years but to go further," said Putin. |
| Membership of the Customs Union, a Moscow-led trade grouping into which the Kremlin has been keen to entice Ukraine, is unlikely to be on the agenda in the near future, but it is believed that in return for a package of loans and trade concessions, Yanukovych has agreed not to sign the EU association deal. | Membership of the Customs Union, a Moscow-led trade grouping into which the Kremlin has been keen to entice Ukraine, is unlikely to be on the agenda in the near future, but it is believed that in return for a package of loans and trade concessions, Yanukovych has agreed not to sign the EU association deal. |
| Putin looked relaxed before the meeting, slouching in his chair, while Yanukovych sat bolt upright and spoke with long pauses between sentences. Ukrainian media reported that Yanukovych's delegation had asked the Russians not to arrange a joint press conference after the meetings finish. | Putin looked relaxed before the meeting, slouching in his chair, while Yanukovych sat bolt upright and spoke with long pauses between sentences. Ukrainian media reported that Yanukovych's delegation had asked the Russians not to arrange a joint press conference after the meetings finish. |
| Nevertheless, Yanukovych said the documents on the table represented a "strategic decision" and that two sides should work harder to develop closer relations going forward. He also told Putin he hoped that the "traditional" issue of gas prices could be solved. | Nevertheless, Yanukovych said the documents on the table represented a "strategic decision" and that two sides should work harder to develop closer relations going forward. He also told Putin he hoped that the "traditional" issue of gas prices could be solved. |
| Yanukovych's words about the strategic decision in favour of Russia is likely to inflame anger in Kiev further, where demonstrators have sealed off the centre of the city for several weeks and repulsed police efforts to remove them. On Tuesday morning, several hundred protesters stood on Yanukovych's route to the airport, holding signs that read: "Turn the plane round to Europe!" | Yanukovych's words about the strategic decision in favour of Russia is likely to inflame anger in Kiev further, where demonstrators have sealed off the centre of the city for several weeks and repulsed police efforts to remove them. On Tuesday morning, several hundred protesters stood on Yanukovych's route to the airport, holding signs that read: "Turn the plane round to Europe!" |
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