Russia is hastening to include Ukraine in the sphere of its full control, therefore Putin was quick to invitate the Ukraine's new pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovich to join the customs union between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, the Times reports.
The paper also notes that with Ukraine included in this union Moscow will get a full control over the territory of the "Big Four" republics of the Soviet era, with a combined population of 213 million, that extends from the European Union to China.
"Its centre would be in Moscow, where Putin is expected to regain presidency in 2012 for up to 12 more years".
The Times also notes that Moscow has already announced a possibility to create till 2012 a "currency union" and to begin to sell energy in rubles.
The newspaper also notes that, taking control over Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and other neighboring countries, "Moscow has a chance to strengthen its positions.
Department of Monitoring,
Kavkaz Center
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