By Mra Bellaby, Moscow
UKRAINIAN President Viktor Yushchenko yesterday named so-called ‘Gas Princess’ Yulia Tymoshenko as his prime minster.The move, made on the day Mr Yushchenko visited Moscow on a trip to mend relations after a bitter election campaign, is likely to anger the Kremlin.

Mr Yushchenko, who was inaugurated on Sunday, initially said he would need more consultations before nominating a prime minister. His hesitation seemed to be aimed at avoiding a provocative decision before his Moscow trip.

But after arriving in the Russian capital, Mr Yushchenko’s office said he had nominated Ms Tymoshenko, 44, who is widely disliked by the Kremlin. Moscow supported Mr Yushchenko’s opponent in the presidential campaign, former prime minister Viktor Yanukovich.

The multi-millionaire firebrand, dubbed the Gas Princess, was a key driving force behind a wave of opposition protests dubbed the Orange Revolution that paved the way for Mr Yushchenko’s victory.

She made a fortune out of running a gas company and was jailed for a month in 2001 before corruption charges were dropped.

For Mr Yushchenko, the Kremlin meeting was part of his delicate balancing act to move closer to the West while not upsetting relations with his powerful neighbour. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the meeting could help undo the damage of his unsuccessful foray into Ukrainian politics.

“I will not conceal the fact that it was not an easy campaign,” Mr Yushchenko said about the presidential poll. While Mr Yushchenko appeared reserved and at times nervous, Mr Putin by contrast seemed to go out of his way to be friendly, smiling and warmly receiving the new president.

Russia views Ukraine as a key part of its historic sphere of influence, a major transit route for its oil and gas exports and a buffer between the expanding EU and NATO.

After his trip to Moscow, Mr Yushchenko is to embark on several days of visits to western European countries including an appearance at the European Parliament to push his drive for closer ties. However, the EU has made it clear that Ukraine is not yet in line to become a member.