Foros - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin spoke highly on Saturday of rapprochement between Russia and Ukraine since Viktor Yanukovych was elected as president several months ago.
Russian-Ukrainian trade is back to its pre-crisis volume, Putin said at a meeting with Yanukovych at the presidential residence in Foros, Crimea region, where the Ukrainian leader is spending his vacation.
"It is a particular source of satisfaction that there is increasing cooperation in the high-tech sectors – aircraft manufacturing and space," Putin said. He cited work on the Antonov An-70 aircraft as an example of successful collaboration between the two countries.
There is "a wide range of issues" on the Russian-Ukrainian economic agenda "that are under joint analysis," he said.
He also stressed "the symbolism of the fact that both Russian and Ukrainian sailors will be taking part" in events on Sunday marking Russia’s Navy Day.
Before visiting Yanukovych at his Foros residence, Putin attended the 14th International Bike Show near the Crimean port of Sevastopol.
