Yanukovich hopes to meet with president Putin to take up matters corresponding to the presidential level.
Asked about Russian-Ukrainian foreign ministry consultations on the Azov-Kerch problem, Yanukovich said that he has already talked today with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Viktor Kalyuzhny, but as long as the group is busy with accomplishing the work, the matter is not to be submitted for the consideration of the top leadership.
Asked about the sale of the Krivorozhstal shares, he reported that these are to be sold by open competition, according to Ukrainian law. The prime minister invited any foreign company to take part in this competition.
The Ukrainian prime minister is accompanied in his visit by Russian ambassador in Ukraine, Viktor Chernomyrdin.
The sides have virtually come to terms on draft articles of contractual documents on the division and utilisation regime of the Azov-Kerch reservoir and confirmed the accord on implementing a package approach to the settlement of these issues, reports the Russian foreign ministry's statement on this score.
The next, 19th round of Russian-Ukrainian talks on the Azov-Kerch problems will take place in Moscow on May 13-14 to be followed in Ukraine on June 22-23 by the 20th round at the level of deputy ministers.
