Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin proposed...

Earlier on Friday, Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom"s chief, Sergei Kiriyenko, said Russia and Ukraine may create a joint nuclear venture based on Russia"s Atomenergomash and Ukraine"s Turboatom companies.

"We are ready to do the same in the gas sphere. I have suggested merging Gazprom and Naftogaz," Putin said.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the merger idea was "thoroughly thought through" and "reflects the extent to which Russia is ready to integrate with Kiev."

However, Ukraine"s Unian news agency reported that Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Mykola Azarov had not discussed the plan during their meeting at the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

It said the idea was an "impromptu move" on Putin"s part.

Peskov said Moscow did not expect an immediate response from Kiev and that Ukraine was yet to study Putin"s proposal.

"We realize of course that it will take some time to weigh this proposal, especially the benefits that it involves,"

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