Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin invites Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to join the Customs Union.
"Was I the first to congratulate you? Who congratulated you on voting night?" Putin began the conversation.
Yanukovych smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Our trade virtually collapsed during the past year," Putin said, furrowing his brow. "Our interdependence is very big in everything – mechanical engineering, aircraft building, the power industry, and agriculture, and we have to do much to make up for what was lost and even destroyed in some cases."
"Yes... We have arrived in Moscow realizing that our mutual relations were at a very low point after the last five years," Yanukovych replied. "Many industries in Ukraine and Russia have been damaged by this. The global financial crisis made it all worse in the last two years. The economy in Ukraine has been hit much harder than in Russia. Our GDP has fallen twice as much. We want to make an about face in our relations."
"Join the Customs Union," Putin said outright.
"We remember well, Mr Putin, how we dealt with a single economic space. You have covered a lot of ground during these five years. Russia has already overcome the crisis..." Yanukovych continued emotionally.
Putin smiled modestly and looked intently at Yanukovych.
Yanukovych guessed at Putin's question: "I'm judging by the attitudes of people, by their optimism. During this time, Russia has raised salaries and pensions four times, and Ukraine has not done this once. We are 30% below in salaries and our pensions are half of yours."
Putin nodded his head in sympathetic agreement.
"Now our goal is to catch up with Russia, and we hope that we will do it. We also hope that you will help," Yanukovych continued.
Stretching his hand in Putin's direction, Yanukovych said: "I think that the people here probably don't even appreciate the stability that Russia has achieved."
Putin raised his brows in surprise.
"I'm serious!" Yanukovych said emotionally. "I'm convinced... Although there are enough tricky politicians everywhere, in Russia as well..."
Putin shrugged his shoulders.
"If we send you a few tricky politicians from Ukraine, you will understand what political maneuvering is all about," Yanukovych offered with a smile.
"No, thank you!" Putin said promptly. "Better send us some of your famous bacon."
Alexander Gamov