Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych talk during their meeting in Moscow on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Alexander Nemenov, pool)Through Darya Korsunskaya MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia threw Ukraine an economic lifeline on Tuesday, agreeing to purchase $15 billion of Ukrainian debt and to scale back the price its cash-strapped neighbor pays for critical Russian fuel provides by about one-third. The deal, reached at talks in Moscow between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, is meant to assist Ukraine stave off economic quandary although Moscow will hope it keeps Kiev in its political and economic orbit. The settlement could also gas protests in Kiev towards Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, who faces accusations of “promoting” Ukraine to the perfect bidder after spurning a alternate maintain the European Union and turning to Moscow for help. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov stated Russia would tap a National Welfare Fund – a wet day fund – and use the $15 billion to buy Ukrainian eurobonds.