Platts: Ukraine, Russia to hold gas talks late May: Yanukovych

Ukraine and Russia will continue natural gas talks in late May after Vladimir Putin is sworn in as Russia's president following his recent election win, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said Thursday.

Yanukovych was in Moscow Monday and Tuesday and had separate meetings with outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and with Putin, currently prime minister.

"Expert groups are working right now, and we hope by the end of May, even by May 20, an acceptable solution will be found that we will discuss" with Putin, Yanukovych said in Zaporizhia, southeastern Ukraine, according to a statement.

Yanukovych also said he may hold a further meeting with Putin in mid-April, but did not provide details MORE