Russia is unlikely to make concessions to...
Azarov himself seems somewhat more enthusiastic."We expect that a bilaterally beneficial draft project [on Russian gas supplies to Ukraine] will be worked out and we will jointly implement it. We should certainly find a compromise solution, which would make the development of Ukraine"s economy possible," he said in Kiev on the eve of the meeting.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who came to power in February after narrowly winning a presidential runoff, has been seeking to revise a long-term gas deal signed by ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko and the Russian prime minister in early 2009.
Last year, Russia reduced its gas price for Ukraine by 20%, but in 2010, a market price, which fluctuates depending on oil prices, was introduced. In the first quarter of this year, Ukraine will pay $305 per 1,000 cubic meters of Russian gas. The price will grow to $320 in the second quarter due to rising oil prices.