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The Guardian

Viktor Yanukovych promises Ukraine will embrace Russia

New president's inaugural Moscow visit appears to usher in new era between countries

The new president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, has promised a dramatic improvement in relations with Russia during his first official visit to Moscow.

Speaking after a meeting with his counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, Yanukovych said he would perform a sharp U-turn on the polices pursued by his predecessor, Viktor Yushchenko, whose pro-west and pro-Nato stance infuriated the Kremlin.

Welcoming him warmly, Medvedev said Yanukovych's election victory meant that the "brotherly ties" between Ukraine and Russia could now be restored. He added that the venomous stand-off between Moscow and Kiev following the 2004 Orange Revolution - a "dark streak", as Medvedev put it - was now over. Click here for more. Click here for more.