Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin proposed today that the country's gas giant Gazprom merge with Ukraine's state gas concern Naftogaz, an idea analysts said seemed unfeasible but another sign of Russia's intention of increasing its influence there, according to AP. Speaking at a televised meeting with a Ukrainian delegation in the southern city of Sochi, Putin said «I propose merging Gazprom and NAK Ukraine,» he said, using an acronym by which the company is known. Analysts said Putin was playing politics: Merging the companies seems unrealistic because Gazprom dwarfs Naftogaz and the move would lack popular support in Ukraine, they say. Putin's suggestion follows a flurry of political, military and financial deals since February's election of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych. The agreements, including a recent deal to extend Russia's lease on a naval base in Ukraine in exchange for massive discounts on Russian gas, have brought closer the two countries that had grown apart under Yanukovych's predecessor, Viktor Yushchenko. Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller was quoted as saying officials were considering an asset swap. «We are ready to examine the possibility of swapping assets, and this is practically a question of merging the two companies,» he said.
