You're reading: The Trumpet: Russian sphere of influence expands in Ukraine

In the most recent evidence of Moscow’s expanding regional reach, the Russian-Ukrainian relationship has taken a sharp turn toward cooperation. Within two weeks’ time, Russia significantly lowered natural gas prices for Ukraine’s purchases in exchange for a military lease extension, Moscow offered to merge its state-controlled natural gas company with Kiev’s equivalent, and the two nations agreed to integrate their transport systems. Read the story here.