Ukraine and Russia resist politicization of festivities marking the 300th anniversary of the Poltava Battle next year.
Ukrainian News learned this from the press service of the Russian Embassy in Ukraine.
A meeting between Mikhail Shvydkoy, special representative of the Russian President for international cultural cooperation and ambassador-at-large, and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Volodymyr Khandohii took place on October 10.
The officials agreed that celebration of the battle anniversary needs no excessive politicization and the focus should be made on humanitarian aspects of the event.
They also discussed preparations for the 200th birthday anniversary of Nikolai Gogol and highlighted their readiness for joint measures to be held within the frames of his jubilee, including those at UNESCO.
At the end of the conversation, Shvydkoy invited Ukraine to join the CIS Council of Humanitarian Cooperation.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev may take part in the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Poltava Battle.
June 27, 2009 is the 300th anniversary of the battle at Poltava, it is expected mass flow of tourists and an international scientific conference.
The battle at Poltava was a turning point in the Great Northern War. It took place on June 27 (July 8), 1709 between the Russian army led by Peter I and the Swedish army led by Karl XII.
