Ukraine"s new authorities are seeking a...

According to Vedomosti, Ukraine has already prepared a bill allowing Russia access to the management of its national gas transportation network, which currently accounts for about 80% of Russian natural gas exports to Europe.

Ukraine"s new President Viktor Yanukovych needs to revise a long-term gas deal signed by ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in early 2009, which made Russian gas expensive for Ukraine and further strained Ukraine"s meager finances.

Ukraine"s Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Boiko is set to visit Moscow this week with gas issues to top the agenda of his meetings with Russian officials, the paper said.

However, Russia is unlikely to agree to a gas price reduction without getting something in return. The main option is to allow Russia to manage the Ukrainian gas transportation system, the paper quoted a source close to Boiko as saying.

It is high time for Ukraine to deal with its gas transportation network

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