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Former Prime Minister Chernomyrdin Appointed Russian Ambassador to Ukraine
President Vladimir Putin has appointed former Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin as Russia's ambassador to Ukraine.
Chernomyrdin, a former head of the Gazprom natural gas monopoly, will also become a special presidential envoy on development of Russian-Ukrainian trade and economic relations, the Kremlin press service said Thursday.
The announcement appeared to reflect Moscow's intention to recoup Ukraine's debts for Russian natural gas. Moscow estimates Ukraine's gas debt at about $2 billion, while Ukraine estimates it at $1.4 billion. Ukrainian and Russian leaders said in December that they had agreed on a schedule for Ukraine to repay its debts.
Chernomyrdin served as prime minister under President Boris Yeltsin from 1992 until 1998, when he was dumped in favor of Sergei Kiriyenko. His attempts at a political comeback have failed, but he remains a trusted elder adviser to Russian leaders.
His appointment comes as Ukraine is gripped by political crisis. Opponents to President Leonid Kuchma have been pressing for his ouster in connection with his alleged involvement in the disappearance of an independent journalist. Last month, the Ukrainian parliament threw out Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko in a vote of no-confidence.
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