President Jacques Chirac of France is starting a visit to Ukraine, as concern grows that the country will be caught up in the Russian financial crisis.

Russia is Ukraine's main trading partner, and Mr Chirac is due to discuss economic issues, as well as Ukraine's own reform programme, in talks with President Leonid Kuchma and the Prime Minister, Valery Pustuvoytenko.

They are also due to discuss moves to shut down the Chernobyl nuclear plant.

It is the first visit by a French head of state since Ukrainian independence seven years ago.