Moscow hopes Kiev will change its attitude...

"Now we know who is meeting in the runoff election, we have grounds for hope, judging by the statements both candidates have made on Ukraine"s attitude to cooperation [with Russia]," Lavrov told a news conference. "Relations will be less influenced by ideology. We hope ideology will fade in our ties."

Opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who will face each other in the February 7 runoff vote, pledged to improve ties with traditional ally Russia, strained under pro-Western leader Viktor Yushchenko.

MOSCOW, January 22 (RIA Novosti)