Russia is unlikely to make concessions to...
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will meet Azarov to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues, including in the energy sphere.
Ukraine has offered Russia a stake in its state gas transportation system, involving the EU and Ukrainian companies. The system currently accounts for about 80% of Russian natural gas exports to Europe.
In return, Kiev wants cheaper gas prices.
However, Moscow has repeatedly indicated that the creation of the consortium, which would give the Russian gas giant Gazprom direct access to Ukraine"s gas market, would not necessarily mean lower prices for Ukraine.
"We are absolutely satisfied with the gas deal [signed] on January 19, 2009, and we have to understand what Russia will get in return before giving the go-ahead to making amendments," Kommersant quoted a source in the Russian government as saying.
"If we lose $3 billion here, then we will have to earn it elsewhere," a source in Gazprom told Kommersant.