13:00 Ukrainian prime minister favors tight relations with EU
The Ukrain's Prime Minister Victor Yanukovich counts for Germany's backing in striking a new cooperation deal between Kiev and the European Union.
Yanukovich's meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel aims to build energy coperation, including the extension of the oil pipeline Odessa-Brody to Plock.
In the view of Yanukovich, the EU could deal with the pipeline extension on the Polish territory. Victor Yanukovich, known as a pro-Russian politician, has confirmed Ukraine's intention to join the European Union in the future. President Victor Yuschenko also voiced a similar intention
.