Russia Ready For Close Cooperation With Ukraine

Yushchenko and Putin in January (ITAR-TASS) March 29, 2006 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko today that Moscow was ready to closely cooperate with Kyiv following Ukraine's parliamentary elections.
Putin, in a telephone call, congratulated Yushchenko on the completion of the March 26 elections. He said the vote demonstrated the predominant aspirations of Ukrainian citizens to develop comprehensive relations with Russia.

The two leaders also discussed Putin's visit to Ukraine later this year. A date for the visit has yet to be set.

With nearly all the ballots counted, the pro-Russian Party of Regions has won the most votes. In second place is the bloc of Yuliya Tymoshenko, a former Orange Revolution all of Yushchenko. Yushchenko's own Our Ukraine bloc is third.

The other two parties to make it into parliament were the Socialists and the Communists.

(compiled from agency reports)

Torn Between East And West

Torn Between East And West

Yushchenko (center) with Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Viktor Chernomyrdin (left), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (rear), and Russian President Vladimir Putin (AFP file photo)

IN WHOSE ORBIT? Just over a year ago, tens of thousands of Ukrainians led an extended public uprising that toppled the country's entrenched, pro-Russia regime. But the country remains deeply divided between the east, where ethnic Russians look toward Moscow, and the west, which yearns for deeper integration with Europe. Can Ukraine elect a legislature that represents this torn country? (more)

See also:

Moscow Silent In The Run-Up To Ukraine's Elections

Is Kyiv On Stable Path Toward Integration With World Economy?

Western Neighbors Keen To Help Transition To Democracy

Click on the image for background and archived articles about Ukraine's March 26 elections.


Click on the image to see RFE/RL's coverage of the Ukrainian elections in Ukrainian.