Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to Ukraine's president-elect Viktor Yushchenko on 20 January 2005, formally accepting the result of a months-long disputed election. Putin was among the last international leaders to extend recognition, having openly backed Yushchenko's rival Viktor Yanukovich throughout the campaign.
The vote had been protracted. Putin twice congratulated Yanukovich on victories later voided for fraud, leading to a rerun on 26 December that 50-year-old Yushchenko won comfortably. Yanukovich's final legal challenge was rejected Thursday, clearing the path for Sunday's inauguration.
While accepting the outcome, Putin called bilateral cooperation a Russian national priority and urged Kyiv to participate in Russia-led economic integration bodies. The EU has cautioned Ukraine that joining such structures could complicate any future bid for bloc membership.
Yushchenko has pledged to pursue EU and NATO membership. He announced plans to travel to Moscow on Monday, the day after his inauguration, fulfilling a campaign promise. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Moscow's relationships with Western institutions would not be affected by whatever foreign policy course Ukraine chose.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in January 2005, in its own words.