Ukrainian President Yanukovych visits Russia, after Brussels
Viktor Yanukovych makes his first visit to Russia today as president of Ukraine.
Talks in Moscow are expected to focus on cash-strapped Ukraine's bill for Russian natural gas.
Analysts say Yanukovych is hoping to renegotiate a 2009 deal negotiated by his election rival, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, under which Ukraine pays more for Russian gas than most European countries.
However on the eve of Yanukovych's visit, the Kremlin said Ukraine should abide by existing gas deals with Russia.
Yanukovych has pleased Russia by making clear he opposes Ukraine joining NATO, as his predecessor Viktor Yushchenko hoped it would.
Yanukovych has also said he would be open to letting Russia's Black Sea Fleet to stay in Ukraine's port of Sevastopol beyond the official withdrawal deadline of 2017.
Yanukovych, inaugurated last week, comes to Russia days after his first foreign trip as head of state to Brussels, where he pledged to keep Ukraine on the reform path and ensure it remains a reliable gas transit route.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
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