Putin joins Orthodox leaders for religious anniversary in Ukraine

KIEV: President Vladimir Putin travels to Ukraine on Saturday to mark the 1025th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in Kievan Rus, in politically-charged celebrations as Russia's neighbour seeks closer integration with the European Union.

The hugely sensitive festivities, which will also see the participation of presidents of Serbia and Moldova, come ahead of a November summit in Vilnius which could see the EU sign a long-delayed Association Agreement with Ukraine.

Since coming to power in 2010, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has performed a tight balancing act by seeking closer European ties while also trying to remain on good terms with prickly Soviet-era master Moscow.

Accompanied by the head of the Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill, Putin and his host will play up historic ties between their two majority Orthodox nations.

The two leaders are scheduled to take part in a prayer service in central Kiev and visit the country's main cathedral, the Kiev-Pecherskaya Lavra, on Saturday.

On Sunday, Putin visits the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol which hosts a Russian naval base for joint celebrations of Navy Day.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said closer cooperation would be discussed although no agreements should be signed.