MOSCOW, Oct. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine is one of key partners for Russia, the Itar-Tass news agency reported on Saturday.

    "We all want Ukraine to be strong and prosperous. It's very important if we take into account the fact that Ukraine is one of our key partners, " Putin was quoted as saying during his meeting with visiting Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma.

    The Russian president stressed that the future relations between Russia and Ukraine "will depend on how the Ukrainian leadership builds its policy towards Russia."

    Putin expressed confidence that the policy chosen by Ukraine's leadership "meets the interests of the two peoples and countries."

    He also indicated that Russia and Ukraine should play an important role in the world.

    Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, on his part, said that he considered the development of relations with Russia positive.

    "Our common stances will help us defend our interests. We should thank each other for the rapid development of bilateral economic relations. Our meetings give an impetus to cooperation inother fields," Kuchma noted.

    The Ukrainian president arrived in Moscow for an official visitto Russia on Saturday. Enditem