The president of Ukraine, which will host half of the Euro UEFA 2012 games, on Friday congratulated Russia on winning the right to host the 2018 Word Cup.
On Thursday, Russia won the bid to host the World Cup for the first time, defeating bids by England, Portugal/Spain and Holland/Belgium.
"FIFA's decision will give a powerful boost to the development of football and the corresponding infrastructure in Eastern Europe," Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych told his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who flew to the FIFA conference in Zurich immediately after the decision on Russia's win was announced, has urged billionaire Roman Abramovich, who owns the Chelsea football club, to contribute to preparations of the World Cup.
Putin also said that Russia plans to spend about $10 billion on the World Cup in 2018.
KIEV, December 3 (RIA Novosti)
