Official website of the President of Russia

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According to Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine expects to gain support from Russia in its highly-enriched uranium processing initiative and has already passed all respective resolutions.

Dmitry Medvedev expressed Russia’s appreciation of Ukraine’s efforts within the subjects on the agenda of the Nuclear Security Summit. In his view Russia and Ukraine have similar positions and are equally concerned with the global processes. Both countries are prepared to adequately respond to the present day challenges.

The bilateral meeting between the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine held on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit was then joined by the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.

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President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: We are meeting frequently, just as we promised to our citizens. I am very happy about this, because before, there was a period when I actually stopped seeing Ukraine’s leaders. I think that having regular meetings is in the interests of our nations and our peoples. Many problems have accumulated over time, but you and I have many ideas too, so it is very good that we have found some time for a talk between sessions at the Nuclear Security Summit. We have much to talk about.

We spoke recently in Moscow, and now, I think we just need to touch base. The topic that brings us together in Washington is indeed very important, and we appreciate everything that Ukraine is doing in this respect, as I told to my colleagues. And so, we have a common position regarding nuclear security, a common concern toward the current processes seen throughout the world, as well as a common desire to respond to them adequately.

I would like to once again express how happy I am to be meeting with you.

President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych: Thank you, Mr Medvedev.

I think that the topic of today’s summit unites not only the 47 nations gathered here in Washington, but the entire world as well. It concerns the new threats posed by terrorism, and it is very important for our states – Ukraine and Russia – to participate in resolving these new challenges. We are neighbours and we must understand that nuclear technologies and nuclear materials should be used for peaceful purposes and in accordance with international agreements. Thus, developing new agreements – including an agreement on an international tribunal – is a new challenge of our times.

We have discussed these issues; Ukraine proposed an initiative, and we hope that you will support us in accepting and processing highly-enriched uranium. We in Ukraine have already passed all respective resolutions on the aspects you and I discussed.

I would certainly like for us to briefly discuss the decisions that we will need to make very soon, because I still have not received an answer from you about gas price indemnification. This matter is of great concern to Ukraine, and there are a number of questions that have accumulated over the years that need to be answered – not just over the past five years, but even older questions as well. It would be good to discuss them and to figure out adequate solutions.

Dmitry Medvedev: Mr Yanukovych, we will certainly discuss these matters, including the gas issues, because they are truly important for Ukraine. We understand this, even though we have valid agreements currently in force. In light of what we talked about during your private visit to Moscow, in order to implement the suggestions we discussed, I think we should touch base and initiate additional actions by respective ministries and agencies which will be represented at our meeting.

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