Putin Congratulates Yushchenko On Ending Stalemate

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko (left) and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin (file photo) (ITAR-TASS)

August 7, 2006 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin today congratulated his Ukrainian counterpart, Viktor Yushchenko, for ending the political stalemate in Ukraine by naming a pro-Russian prime minister.

Ukraine's parliament on August 4 confirmed Viktor Yanukovych, leader of the pro-Moscow Party of Regions and a rival of Yushchenko, to head the cabinet.

Yushchenko, a pro-Western politician, was the leader of the Orange Revolution in 2004.

(AFP)