Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko says she plans to travel to Russia

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko plans to accept Russian President Vladimir Putin's invitation to visit Russia, her office said Monday.

Tymoshenko, who until last month was being threatened with arrest on bribery charges if she tried to enter Russia, told Ukraine's 1+1 television late Sunday that Putin extended the invitation during their Saturday meeting in Kiev.

The Cabinet press office confirmed Monday that Tymoshenko will take up the offer, but said no date had been set.

Putin made a one-day visit to the Ukrainian capital over the weekend to meet with Ukraine's new pro-Western leadership, a visit intended to ensure that Moscow's ties with its former satellite don't suffer even as the new Ukrainian government shifts its foreign policy westward.

Tymoshenko met briefly with Putin, and she told 1+1 that her intended visit to Moscow would serve to further deepen the two nation's relations.

Last month, Russia's chief prosecutor said Tymoshenko would have immunity from arrest if she travels to Russia despite the criminal case against her. Russian prosecutors have accused Tymoshenko of bribing Russian defense officials, and issued an international arrest warrant for her. Tymoshenko denied the charges and said they were politically motivated.