Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said that it is necessary to improve relations with Russia in the energy sector.

"The increase in energy production, the diversification of energy sources, the improvement of energy efficiency, and a general reduction of the negative impact of the energy component on the economy, are very sensitive issues," he said at a meeting of the Committee on Economic Reforms in Kyiv on Wednesday.

The president said Ukraine understood what has to be done, and how, "but we need concrete, practical steps, and we certainly need to work to improve relations with our strategic partner - with Russia."

Yanukovych said that it was necessary not to forget about domestic interests related to the increase in energy production and the introduction of energy efficient technologies.