During a Ukrainian state visit to France, the Ukrainian president told Le Figaro newspaper today (7th October):
"We are discussing with Russia the creation of a joint company, but that does not mean a merger of the two structures." The two structures being Russia's Gazprom and Ukraine's Neftogaz.
The discussions on a joint gas company stem from Russia's desire to manage Ukrainina pipelines and Ukraines wish to extract gas in russia and export it to Ukraine.
During the interview Yanukovich was asked if a consortium between Russia, Ukraine and the EU was still on the cards, and if so what role France would play. The Ukrainian premier confirmed talks were under-way on a consortium agreement, and that Russian and European partners were being consult.
