Ukraine and Russia both signalled progress towards settling their festering row over gas, raising hopes of an European Union backed resolution of the broader conflict embroiling the Soviet-era allies. Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Ukrainian counterpart three times in the space of ten hours in Milan yesterday, twice in the company of various European Union leaders then, finally, in their first private meeting since late August. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said after the final meeting that he hoped a deal could be done at or before already scheduled talks in Brussels next week.
Putin also implied a deal was close and urged EU governments to help finalise the complex FUNDING
package required for it to happen.
French President Francois Hollande had, earlier, described a gas deal as within reach, following a four way meeting involving himself, Putin, Poroshenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Putin threatened earlier this week to cut supplies completely if no agreement was reached, a move that could disrupt winter supplies to Europe.
Putin also implied a deal was close and urged EU governments to help finalise the complex FUNDING
package required for it to happen.French President Francois Hollande had, earlier, described a gas deal as within reach, following a four way meeting involving himself, Putin, Poroshenko and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Putin threatened earlier this week to cut supplies completely if no agreement was reached, a move that could disrupt winter supplies to Europe.
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