MOSCOW, Feb. 19 - Ukraine's new leadership under president-elect Viktor Yanukovych will hopefully strengthen economic and trade ties with Russia, President Dmitry Medvedev said.

"I do hope that that the new Ukrainian leadership, as well as its president, Viktor Yanukovych, will play their role in strengthening relations, and trade and economic ties in general, not only with Russia, but with other countries, as well. I think this reflects the interests of Ukrainian consumers well enough," Medvedev told Federal Customs Service head Andrei Belyaminov on Friday.