Putin: Russia interested in Ukraine's overcoming political, economic crisis
MOSCOW. Oct 2 (Interfax) - Ukrainian's overcoming a political and economic crisis would meet Russia's national interests, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Ukraine's overcoming a political and economic crisis would meet Russia's national interests. This country has indeed found itself in a state of a deep political and economic crisis," Putin said at VTB Capital's 6th Annual 'Russia Calling' Investment Forum on Thursday.
Russia is interested in having "a reliable and predictable partner and neighbor" nearby, he said.
"Ukraine is not an alien country to us. Despite all the tragedy that we are witnessing now, especially in the southeast, the Ukrainian people have always been and remain the closest brotherly people to us," he said.
Russia and Ukraine are bonded by ethnic, spiritual, religious, and historical commonality, he said.
"I hope that, leaning precisely on these basic foundations of our interaction, we will be developing our relations in the future. And we will be doing all we can so that this should happen as soon as possible," Putin said.