The two heads of state discussed key aspects of bilateral cooperation in trade, economic and humanitarian spheres.
Vladimir Putin described the results of the parliamentary elections in Ukraine as a major victory of the presidential bloc.
In a break between the talks Mr Putin and Mr Kuchma answered journalists’ questions.
The Russian President said he was highly satisfied with the consultations that had covered practically all the issues of mutual interest. The main thing, he said, was that the character of interaction and the quality of relations had changed and mutual confidence had been greatly enhanced.
The two sides confirmed their commitment to continue the joint project to build the AN-70 military transport plane. The Russian President assured journalists that work would continue on looking for markets for the plane. He said he had already instructed the Chief of the General Staff to also study the issue.
The Russian President said he would welcome full Ukrainian membership in the Eurasian Economic Community. Ukraine’s entry into the EurAsEC would increase its GDP by about 1.5%, thought Mr Putin. For example, the main Russian exports, above all hydrocarbons, would be supplied to Ukraine at a discount rate, which would bring it an extra $400–450 million.
The two leaders also discussed gas cooperation. The main buyers of gas are European countries, President Putin noted. So Ukraine and Russia should see to it that the consumers of gas supplied from Russia feel confident.
Answering a question from journalists, Vladimir Putin reiterated that Russia was not going to join NATO. Moscow, he said, was engaged in a constructive dialogue with the bloc to create a new structure of “twenty” in which every country would have a voice.
The Russian President also stressed that Ukraine would not be left out of the process of interacting with the alliance. He noted that Ukraine had its own relationship with NATO and the final decision on their development rested with Kiev and Brussels.