MOSCOW, September 14 (RIA Novosti) - The dismissal of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the forming of a new government will benefit both Russia and the West, the head of a Kremlin friendly think tank said.
"Russia will have a partner with whom it can at least reach an agreement on natural gas policy for next year," said Gleb Pavlovsky, head of the Effective Policy Foundation.
However, a change of government does not imply the beginning of rapprochement with Russia, but a move closer to NATO, he said.
"Claims that Tymoshenko has emerged the winner are not supported by the polls," Pavlovksy said, noting that polls have President Viktor Yushchenko and Tymoshenko at equal popularity levels.
"As a premier, Tymoshenko was unique, but as a member of the opposition, she is one of many," he said.
On Sept. 9, Yushchenko dismissed Tymoshenko and her government, saying it had become ineffective due to infighting.
