In his congratulatory message, the President of Russia praised the multifaceted nature of Russian-Ukrainian relations. Mr Putin also observed that his recent meetings with Mr Yanukovych in Kiev and Sevastopol, joint celebrations of the 1025th anniversary of the baptism of Rus, as well as Russian Navy Day and Ukrainian Navy Day, reconfirmed the indestructible long-standing traditions of friendship and good neighbourliness of both countries.
Vladimir Putin expressed his commitment to further strengthening mutually beneficial Russian-Ukrainian cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields. He also noted his readiness to promote both bilateral long-term projects and those within the Commonwealth of Independent States that serve the interests of Russian and Ukrainian nations.