Medvedev refuses to reveal his favourite candidate in Ukraine's elections

Moscow, December 24 (Interfax) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has refused to reveal who he is backing in next month's presidential election in Ukraine. "Russia does not and cannot have its candidates there. Ukraine is an independent sovereign state, where the president will be elected by the (Ukrainian) people. I am confident that they can understand the political declarations and the complex political struggle taking place there," Medvedev said responding to questions from the heads of the three federal television channels in a live interview on Dec. 24.Medvedev said Russia is hoping that the future president of Ukraine will develop relations with Russia, will not "hurt" the Russian language, and will not drag Ukraine into NATO.