Gazprom - Naftogaz merger is a big step forward of boht sides. Big Time Ukraine! Go ahead Gazprom - Naftogaz merger!

And what are the "benefits" for Ukraine, I wonder :)))

Exelent idea...Russia and Ukraine can (and shall) merge a lot of others things to!Ukraine national intrest is to be in close relationship with Russia and Russia is willing to help(with huge amount of money)...After all those lost years of previous criminal government of Ukraine-it looks to me that curent one is 100% on target to give pride and life back to Ukraine nation. I am very happy to read whats going on between Russia and Ukraine-WELL DONE! Blood nations(brothers) shall merge ALL aspects of life and one day scrach borders to...I hope that new governent of Yanukovich will look in damage done to Ukraine (billions of stolen money,lies about poisoning of ex president etc,etc) in last 5 years and act in acord to bring previous government to court to face justice...Naftogaz was working good but always was in huge minus thanks to corupt ex-government..Merger with giant Russia Gasprom will save them for sure! Good luck to Ukraine-ALWAYS LOOK TO THE EAST-YOU BELONG THERE-FULL STOP! All credits to new governement of Ukraine and to Russia for puting things in order....As a foreign citizen I am well aware(looking at your past history and your national interest) how yours taken steps are CORRECT ONE -INDEED!All the best to both!Thanke you..

Andy, The benefits for Ukraine are even bigger because of economies of scale as it adds a market of 142 million people and guarantees a permenent role in gas transit. And the same way as Western European Aircraft companies merged in EADS, it would make sense if Ukraine´s Aircraft companies, like Antonov, merges with the U.A.C. (United Aircraft Corporation) Just a first step because in the future U.A.C. will have to merge, or coopeate much more, with companies like Embraer (Brazil), Bombardier (Canada) and Finmeccanica (Italy) The last one, an efficient high tech Italian company, is the main partner of the U.A.C. in the Sukhoi Superjet project. If U.A.C. wants to survive in the World markets which are dominated by Boeing and Airbus, we will see more mergers in the future.

I just would like to add that as we know E.U. membership is very far away. It will take decades, more than 20 years (or never), as E.U. paymasters don´t want another poor country in the list. That is over. So, what is going Ukraine to do during the next decades while waiting, like Turkey, for E.U. membership (that perhaps will never arrive)? Two things: 1/ Adapting E.U. legislation (as Russia does) and increasing Free Trade with the E.U. (as Russia does), so there is no essential difference with the Russian Federation in this aspect, and 2/ As Ukrainian products are not competitive in Western Europe, and most of its industry and agriculture would be wiped out inside the European Union, it is logical that they look to a Common Market, Customs Union and F.T.A. with Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Turkey, which are markets they already know and where they have chances to sell their products. But Russia´s aim is also further integration with the E.U.´s market of 500 million people, its main Trade partner (over 50% of Russian exports go to the E.U.) while, at the same time, increasing access to the emerging economies of East Asia (China, India, Korea) so it can become also the trade route for Ukrainian products to be sold in China.

Zak, Yanukovich and his gang are not for ever so enjoy it while it lasts :))))

Enrique, you don't work for RT, do you, cos you sound like you were their editor-in-chief :))) Look, mate, what's happening in Ukraine now, or rather how Russian media present it will not be lasting for ever. The same applies to Ukraine joining EU and NATO. Trust me.

Andy, I am from Spain and I ve never been in Russia, but it is evident Russia and Ukraine have as much in common as Spain and Portugal, or even more because millions of Ukrainians are native Russian speakers while there are not Portuguese who are native Spanish speakers, and during most of its History Russia and (Eastern) Ukraine have been part of the same country (Russian Empire, USSR) So it is logical that the easiest Market for Ukrainian products is Russia and the easiest Market for Russian products is Ukraine. Apart from that, and as a consequence of their common History, Russia and Ukraine have branches of the same Corporations (like Antonov) which broke-up in 1991 while in the presente competitive World, economies of scale are necessary, so it is logicala that many Ukrainian and Russian companies merge. It is also true that Western Ukraine (Lviv) has been for most of its History part of the West, until Soviet annexation after WWII. Unfortunately, they have lost an important opportunity during the last decade to join Western institutions because as a whole Ukraine is closer to Russia. Central and Eastern Ukraine share much more with Russia than with Western Europe. That is evident. And for the E.U. and NATO such a divided nation would be a big problem as it would change sides every decade...So Ukraine and Russia´s approach to both the E.U. and NATO will be the same. Both Russia and Ukraine will apply E.U. legislation at the same time, and enhanced cooperation with NATO will be the same for both.

Andy: I believe that curent government do care about wealt of every Ukrainian citizen - judging on their doing up to now.....As a independent observer (looking at your history etc,etc,) who wish best for your people and state in every aspect I will not do otherways than them! Ukraine is close to bancropcy(IMF and West did not wish to help you) and this close ties with Russia will help a lot...It means to survive in this hard times.Every future dill with Russia will be on mutual benefifs as it have to be-between brothers! Former PM Yushchenko was on duty as cia agent to erase your blood tipe,your memory and your soul as nation and to bring you to "West"(to become nobody and serve for their own purpose) and Nato! What west give you in yor history? Answer: Wars,Destructions and genocide in last 1000 years-non stop! In this borders of today only one state support you-RUSSIA-hey did fight wars and wars to save you true history!CLOSE TIES WITH RUSSIA IS A WIN-WIN SITUACION FOR BOTH! I will finish with Q: Do you really thinks that west like to see you strong and as opponent of theirs in many fields??Thats way how it was up to now-With Russia you will become just that..You are lucky to have brother Russia.What they offer you do not egsiste-not even between family members in those crazy "civilization" times!FULL FRONT AHEAD UKRAINE-YOU ARE ON RIGHT TRACK FOR SURE! Thanke you...

Zak, calm down, mate. Look, tell me something. You and others here are always on and on about how close these two nations are, that they same common history, the same language, and the same religion, etc. Sorry if I forgot something :))) But.... if this so, why on Earth there should be two nations in the first place. They ARE the same people and the same nation, aren't they? Independent Ukraine is a HISTORIC ERROR, isn't it. Wise people say that Ukraine and Ukrainians were created by German Military intelligence and other devious enemies of Russia before the Great War.... I'll be very grateful if you could enlighten me on this one. Cheers!