People in Kiev have been giving their reaction to the gas crisis, many saying they support the stand taken by their president. Throughout the crisis Ukrainian officials have claimed that Moscow is punishing Kiev for its pro-Western policies.

One man in the street said: “It is an unprecedented provocation, an attempt to bend Ukraine on all issues — economic, political and social. It is unprecedented, it is pressure, it is war against the Ukrainian people.” “The administration in Russia should be changed,” said another man in Kiev. “This defiant administration, which is flourishing on natural resources, on resources given by nature. Only oligarchs profit from this. Ukrainian and Russian people do not get anything out of it.” A woman said: “There were no contradictions between our people. I want our governments to have no disputes. They always should be able to agree.” Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko has called for international experts to help launch new negotiations with Russia, and wants a moratorium on price rises while talks go on.

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