Ukraine Will Respect Gas Deal With Russia

Viktor Yanukovych (right) with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly before Yanukovych's failed bid for the Ukrainian presidency in 2004 (epa) August 10, 2006 -- Ukraine's newly appointed prime minister, Viktor Yanukovych, says that his government will respect an existing gas deal with Russia and "try to find a common language with energy suppliers."

Russia in January doubled gas tariffs for Ukraine after a price dispute that briefly cut supplies to Ukraine and Europe.

A number of Ukrainian politicians, including opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, have criticized the deal and called for it to be reviewed.

Yanukovych said he would raise the issue during his planned visit to Moscow on August 15-16.

(Reuters, ITAR-TASS)