The newly-inaugurated president of Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko, has already said that his country's future lies with Europe.
"Our way to the future is the way of a united Europe. We, along with the people of Europe, belong to one civilisation. Our place is in the European Union", Mr Yushchenko said in front of domestic and international supporters gathered for Sunday's ceremony.
However, before a tour of western Europe to promote closer ties with the EU, Mr Yushchenko, whose inauguration was delayed for about a month, is to first set out his relations with Russia.
He will head to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow today (24 January).
During his inauguration speech, Mr Yushchenko made no direct mention of Russia or Mr Putin who had publicly backed his election rival, Viktor Yanukovych – a pro-Russian politician.
But he made clear that Ukraine was not ready to bow down to interests of other states or be a "buffer zone or a battleground for anyone".
His visit to Moscow is being view as a pragmatic decision based on the need to have good relations with Ukraine's main trading partner, as well as an attempt to make political peace with a large Russian minority in the south-eastern regions.
Europe a top priority
Directly after his Russian visit, Mr Yushchenko is set to go west.
In neighbouring Poland, where he enjoyed strong support from President Alexander Kwasniewski throughout the controversial elections, Mr Yushchenko is expected to attend a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
The new Ukraine president is also planning to visit the European Parliament and the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
Meanwhile, the EU is sending mixed reactions about Kiev's prospects as a future membership applicant.
While MEPs recently adopted a declaration calling for stronger support of the country's EU aspirations, the European Commission keeps referring to co-operation within the so called European Neighbourhood Policy, which does not grant EU membership.
The external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Javier Solana, the EU's foreign affairs representative, sent a letter to member states suggesting the EU should improve Ukraine's access to its markets by forging a general new bilateral co-operation agreement to replace the current EU Partnership and Co-operation deal, the Financial Times reported.
The letter also proposed that the process to grant Ukraine market economy status should be faster and that easier visa rules as well as extra EU aid for transport infrastructure be offered to Ukrainians.
Domestic policy
Apart from visiting his high-profile supporters abroad - including US President George W. Bush - Mr Yushchenko will have to make a lot of important decisions regarding his future domestic policies.
The one most eagerly awaited is who will be the President΄s appointee to form the new government, which should introduce essential reforms in the country.
By: N. Peter Kramer
