Yanukovych Makes Surprise Visit To Moscow

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych (right) with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. (file photo)

For the second time in less than two weeks, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is visiting Russia for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Ukrainian presidential website announced on November 9 that Yanukovych will be in Moscow to discuss bilateral trade and economic relations "on the eve of the Eastern Partnership summit that will take place in Vilnius at the end of November."

Ukraine could sign an Association Agreement with the European Union at that summit, a move that Moscow has strenuously opposed.

Russia wants Ukraine instead to join the Russia-led Eurasian Customs Union.

Yanukovych and Putin held talks in Minsk on October 25 on the sidelines of a summit of leaders from the Commonwealth of Independent States.

They met again in Sochi on October 27.


Based on reporting by pravda.com.ua and president.gov.ua