President Yushchenko sees political context in deformation of relations between Ukraine, Russia in gas sphere

In an interview to the Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta President Viktor Yushchenko noted that a reason for deformation of relations between Ukraine and Russia in the gas sphere had a political context.

In Yushchenko's conviction, differences existing between Ukraine and Russia in the policy, in determining tactical tasks and strategic aims, in interpretation of historical events and even in the system of values, demand finding "points of contacts", since it is necessary for the countries "to develop cooperation, build normal civilized relations with neighbors".

The President said that the Russians should not perceive actions of the Ukrainian party as anti-Russian, since Ukraine builds its own state treating with respect independence and sovereignty of other countries. And we demand the same attitude from neighbors", Yushchenko noted. "Taking this understanding into consideration, we have to build new relations - equal and pragmatic", he emphasized.

Speaking about the winter conflict in the gas sphere, V. Yushchenko noted that "the gas war" was lost by Ukraine and Russia. But it is also important that the European Union, as a result of Ukrainian-Russian gas agreements signed in January, failed to get assured that "the conflict is settled and will not ever repeat".

As the Head of the Ukrainian State is convinced, now it would be necessary to discuss the market price for Russian gas and market principles of the transit policy formation. "I insist on the two principles that should be laid down into formation of tariffs, prices, a system of settlements, guarantees of supply and consumption - synchronism and symmetry. Without them it is only possible to reason about who won a bit more and who less", the President said.

UKRINFORM