KIEV, Dec. 24 - Russia told Ukraine on Tuesday it had transferred the first $3 billion tranche of a $15 billion bailout, part of plans to keep Kiev firmly within Moscow 's orbit and out of the European Union's embrace, Reuters reported.

President Vladimir Putin offered Ukraine the lifeline last week, along with a big cut in the price Kiev pays for vital Russian gas supplies, as he tries to persuade Russia 's Slavic neighbor to join a customs union of ex-Soviet republics.