Expert casts doubt on Ukraine’s plan to seek oil ties with Kazakhstan

In Astana, the leader of the “orange revolution”, President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko, spent two hours talking with the “authoritarian” – as he is generally considered – President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. He already has some experience in this: Previously, he chatted just as warmly with an even lesser democrat, the leader of Turkmenistan.

Yushchenko was drawn to Asgabat by gas, and to Astana by oil. The continuing energy crisis in Ukraine caused by the dispute with the Russian oligarchs has brought to life the idea of “ridding oneself of economic dependence on Russia”.