KIEV, Feb. 1 - Kiev and Moscow are laying the groundwork for Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's visit to Russia, said Andriy Honcharuk a presidential adviser who heads the Foreign Relations department at the Presidential Administration.

"The main task today is to make preparations for the state visit and set the date," Honcharuk said at a press briefing in Kiev on Friday.

The second half of last year was dedicated to preparations for such a visit, he said.