Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told a United Russia Party meeting he has an optimistic outlook on his country's relations with Ukraine.
"A lot depends on us. I am confident that if we work hard, talk regularly, hold meetings and solve the issues we face, we will be able to work out former difficulties," Medvedev said.
Relations between the two countries have seen dramatic improvements since Viktor Yanukovych won the Ukrainian presidential elections in February. Ties were strained under former President Viktor Yushchenko, who aggravated Russia with his pro-Western policies.
"With a heavy heart I took the decision last year not to send a Russian Ambassador to Ukraine," Medvedev said referring to an open letter he sent to Yushchenko in August 2009, withholding the ambassador's post due to the unfriendly nature of Ukraine's policy towards Russia.
"Ukraine is not a country that lies thousands of kilometers away from Russia. It is our closest neighbor. But the rift between us was such that this had to be done," he said.
"I think there is a good chance that we will rebuild our relations and raise them to a new level."
GORKI, May 28 (RIA Novosti)
