"Cooperation in gas industry develops mostly in a conflict-free manner," presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko said. "[But] the huge amount of gas deliveries and transit leads to the necessity to pay constant attention to the issue by the heads of states and governments."

He did not say whether the two leaders would discuss the possibility of creating a joint venture between Russia's Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz.

However, Medvedev and Yanukovych may discuss Russian-Ukrainian joint ventures in aircraft making.

The Russian and Ukrainian prime ministers earlier ordered the relevant ministries to organize full-scale cooperation in aircraft construction between the Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and Ukraine's state-run Antonov aircraft manufacturing concern. Initially, the joint venture is expected to work out proposals for integrating UAC and Antonov and providing marketing and after-sales service for Antonov aircraft.

"Amid intense competition on international markets, integration of companies with such scientific and industrial potential looks quite promising," Prikhodko said.

The two leaders are also expected to sign a document on the construction of a transport route across the Kerch Strait in the Sea of Azov, which separates Russia from Ukraine. The project's cost is estimated at $1.4-$1.7 billion.

The construction of the bridge would shorten the distance between the two transportation hubs of Kherson and Novorossiysk by 450 kilometers (280 miles). President Viktor Yanukovych promised in his 2010 campaign to build the bridge.