Russia and Ukraine should restore strong...

"Today"s meeting is unofficial, but very important. We have to take several steps towards strengthening relations and turn ordinary relations into a partnership, returning them the quality of strategic relations between two very close countries," Medvedev said at the beginning of the negotiations with his counterpart.

Both presidents agreed relations between Russia and Ukraine during the rule of former president Viktor Yushchenko were chilly. The Russian leader added that the paramount task for the two countries now is to "fill all the gaps, which have appeared in recent years in relations on all levels."

"Our economies are very integrated into each other, we have to use this opportunity to achieve economic effect, and in the future we will develop economic ties, cooperation, humanitarian and friendly ties, desired both by the people of Ukraine and Russia," Yanukovych said.

The presidents will discuss natural gas issues, the conditions for the Russian Navy base

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