TODAY: Putin and Yanukovych move towards closer relations at meeting as protests continue in Kiev; battle for the Arctic; German President announces Sochi boycott; Elton John dedicates Moscow concert to homophobic murder victim; new charges for Khodorkovsky? Russia funds lose; 2013 to be an oil record.

President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that Russia and Ukraine are closer to a deal on gas prices following talks between Putin and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, but that further discussion would be required – the Times says Ukraine’s government has steered clear of mentioning the customs union in a bid to placate and dissuade protesters from joining demonstrations.  Rumour has it that the two sides are discussing a 50% reduction in the price Ukraine currently pays for Russian gas.  Pro-Europe protesters reacted angrily to the talks, accusing the presidents of discussing Russia’s customs union; both sides denied that this topic was on the cards.  Mass protests continued in Kiev, with attendees calling for revolution and railing against Putin.  Vladimir Frolov calls Putin’s model for post-Soviet integration an ‘illiberal empire’.  The New York Times has a piece on the vast reserves of the Arctic and the upcoming battle to secure them.