Russia turns up the pressure on Ukraine -- hiking gas prices by 80 percent.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev sat down with the head of Russia's top natural gas producer, Gazprom.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER, DMITRY MEDVEDEV, SAYING:
"I have made a decision to cancel the government's decree number 291 from April 30, 2010. This decision entails direct consequences for Gazprom's future relations with our Ukrainian partners, consumers. You should follow the general duty rate for gas without any reductions or special tariffs."
Moscow has frequently used energy as a political weapon in dealing with its neighbors.
In an interview with Reuters, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk says it's a form of political brinksmanship.
(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER, ARSENY YATSENIUK, SAYING:
"Firstly, the price of 468 dollars is absolutely unacceptable. Secondly, the Russian Federation completely understands this. T
