Putin expects parliamentary election results in Ukraine to give bilateral cooperation new impetus
NOVO-OGARYOVO. Oct 22 (Interfax) - President Vladimir Putin has said that preserving the traditional friendship and neighborliness between Russia and Ukraine has no alternative regardless of the political situation.
"The parliamentary election campaign is coming to an end in Ukraine, and we sincerely hope that the results of the election to the Verkhovna Rada will ensure the further sustainable democratic development of the brotherly Ukraine. We hope that the course for deep cooperation between our countries will get a new impetus as a result of the vote," Putin told his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovich in Novo-Ogaryovo.
"The development of cooperation and partnership between Russia and Ukraine" is their common strategic choice rooted in the "strong bonds of friendship between our countries, and whatever the political situation, this approach has no alternative", Putin said.
Ukraine ranks firmly as Russia's fourth-ranked foreign trading partner and is Russia's first-ranked trading partner in the CIS.
Also discussed were ways of boosting bilateral trade and easing the dependence of both countries' economies on "difficult processes" owing to the global situation, Putin said after the talks.