DHAKA: Russian president Vladimir Putin and embattled Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich held a one-on-one meeting in Sochi on the day of the opening of the Winter Olympics.

Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Saturday, says The Straits Times.

The meeting between Putin and Yanukovich, who is facing mass protests at home, was expected. Moscow has frozen aid to Ukraine until it knows who will be named in place of the pro-Russian prime minister removed last week in a bid to appease opponents.

‘There was a contact (between Mr Putin and Mr Yanukovich) in the course of (Olympic) events. It was a one-on-one during the opening events,’ he said.

Ushakov declined to say what had been discussed or if any agreements had been reached.

BDST: 1759 HRS, FEB 08, 2014