Last week, Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met his Ukrainian counterpart and candidate in the upcoming presidential election Yulia Timoshenko, ostensibly to discuss gas issues. He ended up giving Timoshenko broad political endorsement as a Ukrainian leader Russia can do business with. Will Moscow strengthen its hand in Ukraine after the presidential election next year? Will the West play along and reconcile itself with Russia’s greater influence in Ukraine? Is there a competition between Medvedev and Putin in picking the preferred Ukrainian candidate?
Please log in to view the complete article for FREE.
Already a Registered user? Log in here:
Not a registered user? Register here for FREE access to all RUSSIA PROFILE articles.