Ukrainian Foreign Minister Tarasyuk on 8 December (official website)
22 December 2005 -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk called today for cool-headed negotiations with Russia over future prices for natural gas but he also warned that his country would never be blackmailed.
Ukraine was angered at the recent Russian announcement that Moscow wants to nearly quadruple the price of its natural gas exports to Ukraine in 2006.
Some Ukrainian officials, including President Viktor Yushchenko, have raised the possibility of charging Russia more rent for using a Ukrainian naval base at Sevastopol.
Tarasyuk said the planned price increase by Russia would have a devastating effect on Ukrainian industry and low-income families.
(AP)
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