KIEV, March 28 – Ukraine should consider joining Russia and Belarus in creating the Union State, an entity that may challenge the European Union, Volodymyr Semynozhenko, deputy prime minister for humanitarian issues, said Sunday.

The comment comes days after Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin suggested that closer political integration with Russia can help Ukraine reduce its natural gas prices.

“This is one of those ideas that have the right to be considered, as well as [the idea of] joining the European Union,” Semynozhenko said in the Shuster Live television talk show.

The comment may signal a turnaround in Ukraine’s foreign policy following five years of markedly pro-Western policy promoted by former President Viktor Yushchenko.

It may also trigger political standoff in Ukraine in which about two thirds of the people have earlier favored joining the European Union in the future.

But Semynozhenko cited a previously unknown opinion poll that had allegedly indicated the Ukrainians favor the idea of the Union with Russia and Belarus as a project that would stimulate economic growth.

As his reasoning for the quick integration with Russia and Belarus, Semynozhenko argued the world has been increasingly dividing into several rival political blocs, and Ukraine – if left behind – would suffer.

“What currently happens is the process of creation of the multi-polar world,” Semynozhenko said. “Those countries that become founding members of a particular pole of influence would benefit.”

He also alleged that the EU has not been favoring the quick integration with Ukraine.

“No one in the EU is waiting for Ukraine to join within the next 15 years,” Semynozhenko said.

Russia’s talks with Belarus over the creation of the Union State have been on and off for more than a decade, but the countries have ailed make any major progress.

Russia last week rejected Ukraine’s plea for lowering natural gas prices, while Putin had argued that closer political integration would probably help Ukraine reach that goal.

Neither Putin nor Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, who held the talks in Moscow on Thursday, disclosed what exactly Ukraine had offered in exchange for lower gas prices.

Putin said Ukraine had made “some proposals,” while Azarov said “compensators” will be found to encourage Russia to lower gas prices.

Mykola Tomenko, deputy speaker of Parliament and a member of the opposition group led by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, said lawmakers would seek the details.

“Putin has mysteriously said something has been proposed for cheaper natural gas,” Tomenko said. “I wonder if this was the independence.”

Yushchenko, who also leads an opposition group, said the government has failed the talks for lower gas prices.

“The current government failed to find arguments that would outweigh the heritage of gas agreement signed by the Tymoshenko government,” Yushchenko said.

“Russia is today practically demanding to create the Union State or to join the Customs Union with Russia in exchange for lowering gas prices,” Yushchenko said.

THE administration of President Viktor Yanukovych has earlier this month denied any plans of joining the Customs Union with Russia because Ukraine – unlike Russia – is a member of the World Trade Organization. (tl/ez)