First deputy PM of Ukraine attends R-Day parade

First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv today witnessed the Republic Day parade at the Rajpath here, reflecting willingness to improve engagement with India which was somehow impacted by the Central Asian country's dispute with Russia over Crimea.
Kubiv arrived here last night on a four-day visit and is scheduled to meet Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar to explore ways to deepen bilateral ties.
"Stepan Kubiv attended the Republic Day parade and will hold bilateral talks with M J Akbar," a diplomat in the Ukraine Embassy said.
He said the visit will mark a new phase in India-Ukraine relations, particularly after Ukraine's dispute with Russia over Crimea.

Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Anant G Geete had visited Ukraine from November 9-12 last year at the invitation of Kubiv.
During the talks, both sides had resolved to take steps to deepen economic engagement, particularly in areas of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, infrastructure, energy, machinery, chemical industry and strategic enterprises.