Ukraine-European Links

Viktor Yanukovych's visit comes at a sensitive time for both sides, with sentiments in the EU mostly against adding new members to the already overstretched bloc and growing concerns about the reliability of oil and gas exports from Russia to Western Europe.

Within the realm of foreign policy, pro-Russian prime minister Viktor Yanukovych has been pitted against Ukraine's pro-western president Viktor Yushchenko.

Both men, however, have expressed their disappointment that Ukraine -- a former Soviet bloc state -- has not received any concrete promises to eventually join the European Union.

Brussels, instead, has offered negotiations for expanding a partnership treaty.

Pragmatic Yanukovych

In a diplomatic gesture just before his visit to Berlin, Prime Minister Yanukovych struck a conciliatory tone.

"We understand the position of our European partners and Chancellor Merkel," Yanukovych said.

"We also understand that only reforms of the economy, our legal system and judiciary, of the bureaucracy and improving the living standard of our citizens will move Ukraine closer to the EU," he added.

Thus, unlike his political rival President Yushchenko, who expressed a clear desire to join the EU during his visit to Germany two weeks ago, Prime Minister Yanukovych has been more pragmatic.

He stressed that more attention should be given to the new partnership and cooperation accord with the EU.

"I believe this agreement will be the cornerstone for developing our relationship," Yanukovych said. "The first step and most important component of this new treaty should be the creation of a free-trade zone."

Yanukovych added that Ukraine aimed to complete its planned accession to the World Trade Organization by mid-2007.

Energy a major issue

Trade, in fact, is a major issue on Chancellor Angela Merkel's agenda.

Germany and the EU are deeply concerned about their energy security and the reliability of gas and oil deliveries from Russia. A conflict last year between Russia and Ukraine over transit fees led to an interruption of supplies to Western Europe.

Yanukovych has said he wants to make Ukraine a reliable energy partner and has proposed a number of joint pipeline projects with Russia and the EU.

"A lot depends on relations between Ukraine and Russia," Yanukovych said. "We need to ensure that Russia and the EU unite on the energy issue and that more sources of energy are available to the European market."

Yanukovych sees Ukraine's future as being a bridge and mediator between a newly resurgent Russia and an energy-vulnerable European Union. But, he also hopes that positioning the country between the two big neighbors will make it less vulnerable to economic and political pressures from Moscow.