Yanukovych cancels Kremlin trip, puts Customs Union on hold
Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych postponed his December 18 Moscow trip today during which he was supposed to meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss trade and energy relations, in particular the trilateral Customs Union.
Russia has promised Ukraine cheaper natural gas if Kyiv joins the Russia-led trade bloc with Belarus and Kazakhstan. The last-minute cancellation left many wondering what is going on and what it means for the country.
The official explanation, published on the president’s website, says the meeting was delayed due to the “need for additional expert-level consultations.”
Meanwhile, in Moscow, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov told reporters Yanukovych would not meet Putin as planned because more time was needed to prepare documents they had planned to sign.
For the full story, visit The Kyiv Post.
(Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich. Photo: president.gov.ua)
