GORKI, near Moscow, Nov 26 – Crude oil shipments from Russia to Ukraine will increase to 18.5 million tons, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said at a press conference following talks with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Friday.

"The protocol signed today between our departments in keeping with which crude oil shipments will grow to 18.5 million tons is an example of the settlement of issues in the fuel and energy sector," he said.

"This is an issue that is within the interests of Ukraine and Russia," he said.