President Putin: Russia Needs Wealthy And Prosperous Ukraine

Russia wants to see Ukraine wealthy and prospering, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday, speaking at a plenary session of the Russo-Ukrainian business-forum in Kharkov. This, the president stressed, is primarily because Russia kindly views Ukraine as a brotherly country and also because this meets Russia's interests. Russia needs a strong economically advantageous partner, said Putin. The Russian head of state is confident that the current Kharkov forum would boost Russo-Ukrainian economic ties and help find new areas of cooperation which will raise collaboration to a new level.