Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Ukraine on Friday for the second time in half a month, apparently motivated by Moscow's keen interest in the outcome of this month's presidential runoff in former Soviet republic. Putin was scheduled to meet with outgoing President Leonid Kuchma at the southern Russian port of Kavkaz, on the Azov Sea, where he arrived early Friday afternoon. The two presidents were to travel to the Russian city of Kerch to witness the signing of bilateral transport agreements, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported, then continue their talks in the Ukrainian Black Sea region of Crimea. Kuchma said he and Putin would discuss "the present state of affairs, the economy and the future of the two countries," ITAR-Tass reported.
