Moscow: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday said he his hopeful of better ties with Kiev under the
leadership of Viktor Yanukovych, as the change of guard
appeared imminent in Ukraine after the defeat of a pro-West
leader in just held Presidential polls.
Medvedev expressed hope that under Yanukovych the
relations between the two former Soviet republics would
improve in the constructive and positive manner.
Yesterday, Ukrainian Central Election Commission
formally declared Yanukovych elected in February 7 runoff vote
by beating his pro-West rival Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko
with 3.5 percent margin.
"The elections carried out in accordance with the
universally accepted international standards have confirmed
the desire of the citizens of Ukraine to put an end to
historically doomed attempts to sow discord between the
peoples of our nations and their earnest wish to strengthen
good-neighbourly relations," Medvedev wrote in his
congratulatory message to Yanukovych.
"I expect that Russian - Ukrainian interaction to
again acquire constructive and fruitful, genuine partner-like
character," Medvedev said in his message text of which were
released here by the Kremlin.
The Russian leader also invited Yanukovych to visit
Russia to discuss the bilateral relations, marred under
outgoing pro-West President Viktor Yushchenko.
In his first interview after the official
announcement of the results Yanukovych vowed to improve ties
with Moscow and grant Russian language in Ukraine the status
of official language, which is spoken by majority in the
eastern and southern parts of the country.
He also did not rule out that under him Kiev could
consider the extension the lease of Crimean base of the
Russian Black Sea Fleet.
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 15, 2010, 18:18