BERLIN, February 24. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia should make a contribution to international aid for Ukraine, German specialist in co-operation with Russia Gernot Erler told public broadcaster ARD on Monday.

Ukraine should turn for help to the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and Russia yet the absence of any acting government in Ukraine to discuss terms remained an issue as nobody would give money for free, he said.

Ukrainian people would have to tighten their belts in future, Erler added, as the government would have to cut spending and increase the price of gas, which would affect pensions and wages.

In an interview with the Welt newspaper on Monday, Erler expressed skepticism about the role of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, now released from jail, in stabilizing political life in Ukraine.

Tymoshenko would strive to gain leadership of the opposition immediately. Describing her as “a charismatic personality but a supporter of radical measures”, Erler said Tymoshenko’s presence in the internal political arena would be a challenge for all leaders of the Ukrainian opposition.