They discussed the question of delivering Russian gas to Ukraine.
When commenting on reports by Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and head of Gazprom Aleksei Miller, who was also invited to the meeting, the President emphasized that Ukraine is not an abstract authority, nor a collection of oil and gas barons who would defend their interests in any way. Rather, Ukraine is first and foremost the fraternal Ukrainian people.
The head of state said that if by the end of today Ukrainian partners sign the contract on transferring to market-based European prices from the second quarter of 2006, then the Government and Gazprom must deliver gas to Ukraine in the first quarter of 2006 under the same conditions as in 2005.
According to the President, if there is no clear answer the Russian side will consider its proposition rejected.
Vladimir Putin also summed up the results and developments in government affairs in 2005.