Russia tells Ukraine poll hopefuls to improve ties

Russia’s foreign minister on Tuesday called on Ukraine’s presidential candidates to improve ties with Russia.

Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko will face each other in a run-off presidential election on Feb. 7 after no candidate secured a majority in Sunday’s vote.

“I am sure that the new Ukrainian president will fully understand the need to develop relations and not make them hostage to their own, or someone else’s, political ambitions,” Sergei Lavrov told journalists on Tuesday, RIA news agency reported.