Vladimir Putin and Viktor Yushchenko walk before a CIS summit in Minsk, Belarus. Photo: AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin is to visit Ukraine on December 22.

“I had an opportunity to meet with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko in Minsk and to discuss the upcoming meeting within the framework of the Russia-Ukraine Interstate Commission,” Putin said at a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych in Novo-Ogaryovo.

Russia and Ukraine have been activating ties at all levels, including in the humanitarian and economic areas, he said.

“It is pleasant that we are achieving final energy agreements,” he said.

A number of documents will be signed during the visit to Ukraine, he said.

Putin expressed hope that the meeting between Yanukovych and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov will contribute to the preparation of a meeting at the highest level initiated by the Ukrainian president.

“We are satisfied with the course of the work,” Putin said.

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