Ukraine PM rejects gas supply deal with Russia

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

KIEV (AFP) — Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on Thursday rejected part of a gas supply deal with Russia, a day after the end of a three-day cut in supplies that raised concerns in Europe.

The deal would "preserve corrupt schemes and abuses, lead to the bankruptcy of (state gas firm) Naftogaz and contradict national interests," Tymoshenko said in an open letter to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko released by the government.

Yushchenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin struck an agreement in Moscow on February 12 intended to end a dispute over Ukraine's unpaid debts for Russian gas and to reorganise the gas supply relationship.

The terms of the deal were never made public but Tymoshenko made it clear that she did not agree with Russian...