Viktor A. Yushchenko
PER
Viktor A. Yushchenko Yushchenko
The office of President Viktor A. Yushchenko noted that negotiations of the settlement of the gas problem have crossed into a new phase. Since Ukraine tilted westward after presidential elections last year, Russia has signaled its dislike for Mr. Yushchenko, and the Kremlin and Gazprom have sought to raise Ukraine's gas price from the $50 per 1,000 cubic meters it has been paying to as much as $230 per 1,000 cubic meters, a more realistic market price. A gas shortage during heating season could discredit the Ukrainian president and weaken his party before parliamentary elections in March.