President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, who is currently on official visit in Moscow, said that he expects a qualitative change in relations between Ukraine and Russia, and one of his goals in the office of the President of Ukraine is catching up with Russia in economic and social development.

"I see my task in bringing relations between Russia and Ukraine to a steep turn in the right direction and ensuring we fulfilled that goal, which the people of Ukraine and Russia aspire to", said President Yanukovych at his meeting with President Dmitry Medvedev.

Viktor Yanukovych noted that recent presidential elections in Ukraine were very difficult, but democratic. He expressed hope that after these elections many things would change in Ukrainian politics, both external and internal.

The President said that he remembers expectancies of Ukrainian voters of improvement of relations with Russia.

"I understand the voters well, because I, as a simple citizen of Ukraine, was disturbed by what I saw happening in this area, and we have never thought that this could be happening in our relations", said Viktor Yanukovych.

President of Ukraine expressed for using all the potential of Russian-Ukrainian relations, particularly the traditional links between the economies of both countries in the industrial sector.

"Ukraine has always been the breadbasket and having such a potential of the economy, I believe, we will effectively use all strong sides in the economies of Russia and Ukraine, especially in this difficult period of financial and economic recession", he said.

According to the Ukrainian President, Ukraine could use Russia’s experience in that, as the stability of Russian economy has helped our neighbors to withstand the first hit of the global financial and economic recession.

"Compared to us, Russia has moved slightly forward, and my task, in a good sense of the word, to catch up with Russia to improve living standards, pensions, social conditions, as in Russia. We are neighbors, our people talk to each other and know the living conditions of our neighbors", said President of Ukraine.

Viktor Yanukovych expressed firm certainty that capabilities of Russia and Ukraine give the two countries a chance "to create a synergy that will allow them to achieve a new quality to the economy”.

In this context, the President called the initiative of Russian President to modernize the economy interesting, noting: "I think we have something to share with one another.

President of Ukraine