SEVASTOPOL, July 8 - Moscow is interested in purchasing the Ukraine, an uncompleted missile cruiser, from Kiev, Ukrainian Defense Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov said.

"We are working on the [Ukraine] cruiser with Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry is now looking seriously into this issue," Yekhanurov told journalists in Sevastopol.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's delegation visited Moscow for talks several days ago, the minister said.

"We are waiting for their decision, and [the Russia side] is interested greatly," Yekhanurov said.