Today’s visit by Russian Prime Mi-nister Vladimir Putin may become a turning point in the development of Ukraine — its civilizational choice. Today it will become clear whether the Ukrainian political leadership is committed to its professed will of integration into European structures, not only in words but also in deeds. Today it will become clear who is actually at the helm of this country, who determines its political course: the politicians or the oligarchs.
In an interview with Segodnia, Rus-sian MP Sergei Markov said the head of the Russian government would arrive in Kyiv with concrete proposals concerning Ukraine’s integration into the Customs Union. In return he would want to hear from President Viktor Yanukovych whether or not Ukraine agrees to this scenario.
Ukraine will be offered a new, very attractive price for gas: 150-160 dollars per 1,000 m3, which is almost two times lower than the current price. Markov added that the Kremlin is willing to allow Ukraine time to prepare for this change of political course: “The main thing is for the Ukrainian leadership to finally rid itself of all Orange illusions about the advantages of an independent and quick European integration, and to realize the benefits of a longer but more advantageous European integration through the Customs Union.”
Markov said the Russian leadership is prepared to make certain concessions, so Ukraine can join the CU: “The formula of this option could be described in a number of ways, including ‘3+1’ (i.e., Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan plus Ukraine, as proposed by Viktor Yanukovych). Its essence is the important thing.”
In an effort to talk Kyiv into joining the Customs Union, Moscow is using a stick-and-carrot strategy. On March 15, at a press conference in Minsk, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin declared that the formation of a free trade area with the European Union may have a negative effect on Ukraine’s economic relations with Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
