Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday pledged to further develop relations with Ukraine, saying he will discuss with his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko strategic bilateral relations between the neighboring states, according to People’s Daily.
"I would like to repeat that Russia is interested in the closest relations in all spheres, especially economy, with the fraternal Ukraine," Itar-Tass news agency quoted him as saying at a meeting with visiting Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.
"President Yushchenko and I agreed that we will hold a meeting of the (Putin-Yushchenko) Commission, co-chaired by us, and discuss strategic relations between Russia and Ukraine when Ukraine forms a new government," Putin said.
Yanukovych said relations between Kiev and Moscow were stable despite the current political situation in Ukraine.
"We think that we will retain stable relations with Russia. We will ensure the stability of authorities and our relations with the strategic partner, Russia, and the fraternal people," he said.
Yushchenko has asked parties in the new parliament, including the Regions Party, led by his rival Yanukovych, to offer proposals for a coalition government and a new prime minister, following last week`s parliamentary election in which his orange ally parties won a slim majority.
