Customs Union could solve problem with gas price for Ukraine, says Communist Party leader

Not many countries in this union is there...with the EU markets open...to the Ukraine.....only a fool would suggest what he is saying....yes its been confirmed...this man is a total fool. Also it is called blackmail what he is saying....once again the Ukraine will be a slave to the RUSSIANS....a fact.

Simply put, it is like selling your soul to the devil and surely the devil is in the details. There is no freedom of anything with the Russians. Have Ukrainians not yet learned that lesson? After decades of brutal oppression and stern control over Ukraine's entire culture you still have fools speaking this foolish talk. Russian dictation, its past domination, and it's old corrupt ways still continues to have a negative impact on Ukraine today and why it cant grab full control of it's own destiny, it's own culture, and it's own independent future. I hope there arent many Ukrainians buying that crap.

The commentary by rcd1 hits the head on the nail. If joining the Customs Union would have been so profitable the Yanukovych Administration would have done so a long time ago. The fact remains that it would not be profitable for the Ukrainian oligarchs who are the financial cornerstone of the current regime and without their support Yanukovych and his cronies would topple in the same way as a stack of dominoes. The regionnaires for their part still hold an affinity towards Russia. Therein lies the rub. The current regime would like stability and friendly relations with the big bear to the east yet they also want the socio-economic prosperity that lies to the west (the EU in particular). The only problem is that they can't have the cake and eat it too. A crucial decision will have to be made and it will have to be made soon. Moreover, the independence of the Ukrainian nation is the ultimate prize.

Very well put... as the Ukrainian Oligarchs are the real controlling power in Ukraine and they know very well that there are no free markets, control of their business nor unlimited potential in profitability where the Russians are concerned. They have no desire to be subservient to the Russians again but at the same time they are not prepared to accept the cleaner, more transparent and fairer business and social practices of the West and E.U. and as you said clearly they cannot have their cake and eat it too. The bridge is about to collapse and a choice one way or the other has to be made. I for one hope it is the E.U. way.