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Ukraine’s New FM Prioritizes Contacts with Russia, U.S.



RIA Novosti Photo

KIEV (RIA Novosti) — Ukraine’s newly appointed foreign minister said Russia and the U.S. are key partners for his country.

Parliament approved President Viktor Yushchenko’s nominee for foreign minister earlier.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the former economics minister, received 426 votes from Supreme Rada deputies.

"Russia is an extremely important partner for us. Close contacts with Russia will be maintained," he said, adding that Ukraine’s foreign policy in dealing with such a great country should be predictable.

He also said the Ukrainian-U.S. dialogue should be preserved.

"The level of dialogue should be maintained. Ukrainian foreign policy will not shun such global issues as terror, nuclear proliferation or global warming, and we will continue to support democratic values," Yatsenyuk said.

He said EU membership is not an end in itself for Ukraine, adding that the real objectives are European values and reforms.