Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov is holding meetings with the Ukrainian leadership in Kiev as both countries are seeking to improve their relations, the Russian embassy in Ukraine said on Thursday.
The influential Russian politician is expected to meet President Viktor Yanukovych, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and First Deputy Prime Minister Andriy Klyuyev, the embassy said.
Klyuyev will head the Ukrainian delegation at talks on natural gas deliveries. Yanukovych has made renegotiating the terms of Russian gas supplies a central part of his dealings with Russia.
Azarov earlier said his government was ready to work to repair damage caused to relations with Russia by the presidency of Viktor Yushchenko, who left office in February.
"Restoring full-fledged relations with Russia is our goal," he said during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on March 25. "You have already outlined various projects and we have brought new proposals for your government."
During the meeting, Putin said Russia believed current gas contracts with Ukraine were fair, but would start talks on the issue that could touch upon a gas price reduction for Kiev.
Yanukovych is seeking to revise the long-term gas deal signed by the then-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Putin in early 2009, which increased the price Ukraine paid for Russian gas, further straining the country's troubled finances.
In return for cheaper gas, Ukraine could offer Russia a stake in its gas transportation system, which currently carries about 80% of Russian natural gas exports to Europe.
KIEV, April 1 (RIA Novosti)
