Ukraine's Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich is visiting Moscow for the first time since he agreed to new elections later this year.
It is hoped the elections will end months of political deadlock between the Ukrainian Parliament (the Rada), headed by the Prime Minister and Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko. Officially, Viktor Yanukovich is due to discuss economic co-operation between Russia and Ukraine. Russian lawmakers say this visit is more a political move, aiming at gaining more support from Moscow. “It is quite clear that it partially has to do with the upcoming election, because both gentlemen, the Prime Minister and the President, will be running against each other. So I have no doubt that partially it is just to gain some support and understanding with regards to the September 30 parliamentary election,” Aleksandr Lebedev, a State Duma Deputy, said.