Putin's New Power in Ukraine

From TimesOnline:

Russia demonstrated its renewed influence over Ukraine yesterday during the first visit by President Putin since the Orange Revolution swept pro-Western reformers to power.

Mr Putin met President Yushchenko in Kiev in what both leaders described as an effort to mend relations after the revolution and the “gas war” in January that cut off supplies to Ukraine.

Mr Putin told reporters: “We had a very constructive, good, friendly dialogue. Everything was very pragmatic and businesslike.”