KIEV, Dec. 21 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko will try to persuade his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday that Ukraine will not pose any military threat for Russia after joining NATO in the future.

Putin is to visit Kiev for talks with Yushchenko over a number of strategic issues, including military and economic sectors. The visit was delayed for more than a year apparently due to Russia??™s opposition to Ukraine??™s pro-NATO foreign policy course.