Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) met Saturday his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko. Border issues and trade links are expected to dominate talks. Photo by rian.ru
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko for the first time Saturday since last year's disputed vote there. Relations between the two neighbours were strained by Putin's endorsement of the defeated candidate. But the pro-Western Yushchenko has promised a good working relationship with Moscow. At talks with EU leaders on Friday, Putin said he would not interfere in Ukrainian politics. Putin is paying his first visit to Ukraine since Yushchenko won the fiercely contested presidential election in December, defeating the candidate backed openly by Moscow.