CHERNIVTSI, Jan. 14 – The leadership of Russia and Ukraine see no contradiction between the desire of both the countries to strengthen their ties with Europe and increasing cooperation within the CIS, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"Our countries define the priorities of their policy towards Europe independently, but we share a common interest in building a united Europe without dividing lines, therefore we do not see a contradiction between our countries' rapprochement with the European institutions and deepening multifaceted integration within the CIS, as these are two complementary directions of our activities," Lavrov said before talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Leonid Kozhara.