What’s in it for Russia? Ukraine wants special treatment im exchange for NOT joining the Russian-led Customs Union.
Kiev is going to learn it can’t have it both ways and as a consequence, Moscow is going to shut off the gas for non-payment. Its fully within its rights to do so.
Kerry and the EU have already said that they will pay off Ukraine’s gas arrears to Russia if Ukraine agrees to move towards paying market pricing on a planned timeline. Putin isn’t going to cut off gas. He wants Kerry and the EU to pay off Ukraine’s gas debt on a faster timeline.
Ukraine is offering the equivalent of the old Wimpy hamburger deal: they’re offering to pay for the gas they used yesterday in return for a discount today.