TODAY: Understanding reached between Russia and Ukraine, but EU remains cautious until gas flows are restored; Putin tries to temper Obama expectations; his charity painting sells for over $1m; suicide and bullying major problems for Russian military.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Yulia Tymoshenko, reached a ‘mutual understanding‘ after a late-night meeting over the weekend, and promised that Russian gas would begin flowing to Europe today, but the EU has responded cautiously to the news, referring to ‘many false dawns‘.  Putin said Ukraine would pay 20% less than 2009’s European gas price, ‘but the complex, opaque nature of the two nations’ gas dealings and the lack of full detail about the outline agreement makes it very hard to be certain what is really happening’.  In any case, the two leaders are to sign an official agreement in Moscow today.  The New York Times wonders whether Russia will be able to win control of Ukraine’s gas pipeline system, which it apparently ‘continues to covet’.  This month’s crisis has its roots in Viktor Yushchenko’s initial gas deals with Russia, in which he ceded too much control, says the Washington Post.