Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia and Ukraine should make concerted efforts to boost relations.

During a meeting of the inter-government commission with his Ukrainian counterpart, Viktor Yanukovich, Putin said the time had come to undertake “active measures” to create conditions for bilateral ties.

“Today, we’ve got all the chances to create and strengthen the legal base (of cooperation), and to create all the conditions for trade and economic links between Russia and Ukraine,” Putin said.

Yanukovich agreed bilateral cooperation required “urgent intervention” and coordination with other member nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States.