The fate of eastern Europe was once decided in the Crimean resort town of Yalta. When Vladimir Putin, Russia's prime minister, and his Ukrainian counterpart, Yulia Tymoshenko, meet there today the region will be watching closely.
Relations between Russia and its former vassal are at a post-cold war low. And, as Europe heads into winter unsure of whether Ukraine will be able to pay for natural gas supplies from Russia, the goodwill of its larger neighbour could be critical.
