Ukraine`s pro-Western president will visit Moscow April 3, the foreign minister said Friday, according to RIA Novosti.
Viktor Yushchenko, who has been promoting his country`s integration into NATO and the European Union, was originally expected in Moscow March 21 but the visit was postponed following three tragic accidents in Russia and political turmoil in Ukraine. The leaders were to sign a cooperation plan for 2007-2008.
But some Russian media suggested last week the visit may have been postponed over Moscow`s reluctance to back Yushchenko in his standoff with the more pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and his party dominating the Ukrainian parliament.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who was appointed foreign minister March 21 as a pro-presidential candidate after lengthy debates in parliament, will accompany Yushchenko to Moscow.
"I think my first visit as foreign minister to Russia will be a good start," said Yatsenyuk, also an advocate of Ukraine`s Westward integration.
