Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin proposed on Friday that Russia's energy giant Gazprom and Ukraine's gas monopoly Naftogaz should create a joint holding.

Earlier on Friday, head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, Sergei Kiriyenko, said Russia and Ukraine may create a joint nuclear enterprise on the basis of Russia's Atomenergomash and Ukraine's Turboatom companies.

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

RIA Novosti

Russia's VTB bank may grant the Ukrainian Finance Ministry a loan of up to $500 million, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

Russia's Atomergomash and Ukraine's Turboatom may create a nuclear joint venture, Russia's nuclear chief Sergei Kiriyenko said on Friday.

Acting Polish president, parliamentary speaker Bronislaw Komorowski will attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow in an effort to strengthen relations with Russia.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin suggested on Friday Ukraine is beginning to see political stabilization, which should be followed by economic stabilization.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will attend a Victory Day Parade on Moscow's Red Square on May 9, a German government spokesman said on Friday.

Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies have charged the head of the presidential administration of Kyrgyzstan's ousted leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev with abuse of power, his lawyer said on Friday, the 24.kg news website reported.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Mykola Azarov in Sochi on Friday to discuss joint projects in nuclear energy, aviation industry and space, the Russian government's press service said.