Russian President Vladimir Putin wrapped up the Saturday meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko without inking any document, despite agreements to further ties.

During the meeting, the first face-to-face talks between the two leaders on the Ukrainian soil since Yushchenko took office, they discussed problems of common concern and expressed at a joint conference their satisfaction over the talks.

In spite of the confidence expressed by the Ukrainian leader that the two countries have taken an important step toward the building of the most constructive bilateral ties, difficulties remain for an accomplishment of the goal.

Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Boris Tarasyuk told the press recently that he found there existed so many problems pending solution between the two sides while preparing for the meeting, and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, made similar comments in saying in the end of February that he hoped Putin's visit to Kiev could help streamline the package of problems in Russian-Ukrainian ties.

Issues dividing the two sides include a wide range of topics such as Kiev's slow response to a Kremlin-promoted common economic space, which would integrate the economies of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan, border demarcation in the strategic Kerch Strait that separates the Sea of Azov from the Black Sea, the presence of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine, settlements of former Soviet's overseas assets and trade imbalance between the two countries, apart from Ukraine's outspoken pursuit to be integrated into Europe.

During a visit to Moscow in January, Yushchenko promised to indicate their position as to the four-country common economic space in two months and one of the key missions of Putin during the meeting was to propel for a decision on the part of Ukraine on the issue.

Somewhat to his disappointment, his counterpart still refrained from a concrete reply and only pledged to send minister of economy Serhiy Teriokh in as president's special envoy to take part in relevant negotiations.

However, Putin said it was common and natural to have some differences in bilateral relations, adding that the belief had prompted him to drop a line saying "disagreement exists on some issues of Russian-Ukraine relations" in the prepared draft of his speech at the press conference.

The same belief also underlined the efforts by the two leaders during their talks in seeking a best possible understanding and cooperation for the two countries.

Putin and Yushchenko had in-depth discussions on bilateral cooperation in the areas of energy, trade and technologies for military purposes, and declared plan to set up a "Putin-Yushchenco Committee" to replace an inter-governmental cooperation committee, in a bid to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense, foreign affairs, economy and culture.

The two sides have reached an agreement to put forward a 2005 work schedule which will determine the implementation of major cooperation projects between the two countries.

Moreover, Putin has accepted a proposal by Yushchenko to have western partners to join an international project to pump natural gas to Europe. All of the agreements will play a positive role in boosting their bilateral ties.

Yushchenko's installment to power has changed the country's original orbit around Russia and the new Ukrainian government has unmistakably announced its intentions to join the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Although the president said on many occasions that Russia is a strategic partner of his country, he stressed that their bilateral ties should not become an impediment to Ukraine's integration with the Europe.

In spite of all the determination, Ukraine has a long way to go before a final realization of its aspiration due to many problems especially an irregularity in its economic development.

Its heavy reliance on Russia for energy supply and other aspects of economic development determines that the country can not afford to steer clear of Moscow in a foreseeable period of time.

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2005)