Russia gives Ukraine one-third gas discount, buys $15bn bonds

To stop Ukraine moving toward the EU, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine leader Viktor Yanukovych announced Tuesday that Moscow would buy $15bn-worth of Ukrainian government bonds and slash gas cost from more than $400 per 1,000 cubic meters to $268.5. They said they did not discuss Ukraine joining a Russian-led customs union, as protests continued in Kiev over deepening ties with Moscow.