Ukraine's PM in key Moscow talks

President Yushchenko says Mr Yekhanurov (right) offers stability

Ukraine's new Prime Minister Yuri Yekhanurov has pledged to honour all of his country's agreements with Russia.

He was speaking at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Fradkov in Moscow - his first foreign visit since being appointed earlier this month.

Mr Yekhanurov admitted that Russian businessmen were "worried by the recent developments" in Ukraine.

He replaced Yulia Tymoshenko after she was sacked along with her entire government earlier this month.

We have to make up for lost time Yuri Yekhanurov Ukrainian PM

His visit is aimed at improving bilateral ties damaged during Ukraine's Orange Revolution that brought President Viktor Yushchenko to power last year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had backed Mr Yushchenko's rival Viktor Yanukovych.

Investments reassurance

"Russia is our neighbour and our main partner," Mr Yekhanurov told reporters after meeting Mr Fradkov.

"My visit to you, a week after becoming prime minister, testifies to the importance of co-operation with Russia," Mr Yekhanurov said.

He added that Ukrainian deals with Russia on property ownership "will not be called into question" and that "privatisation processes will be conducted in a civilised way".

Mr Yekhanurov admitted that relations with Moscow had been damaged by the recent political upheaval and needed to be more "pragmatic".

The Russian-born Mr Yekhanurov is considered a lot more favourably by the Kremlin, analysts say.

Mr Yekhanurov's predecessor, Yulia Tymoshenko refused to visit Moscow while she was in power, as she faced possible arrest on corruption charges.

However, the charges against her were reportedly dropped earlier this month.

"We have to make up for lost time," Mr Yekhanurov said.

Gas talks

Russia's gas supplies to Kiev will also figure in the Moscow talks.

Ukraine depends on Russia for much of its energy, and there are fears that gas prices could increase sharply this winter.

Such a move would have a devastating impact on Ukraine, the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Kiev reports.

Ukraine has already seen a dramatic decline in economic growth since Mr Yushchenko took power - a fact that could influence voters in parliamentary elections early next year, our correspondent says.