Last autumn, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine were heard talking about the possibility of restructuring the Commonwealth, and the mood was quite pessimistic, but now the Kyiv summit of heads (or their trusted representatives) of the CIS member states is presented to Ukrainian citizens as a significant international forum. Of course, the signing by Presidents Leonid Kuchma and Vladimir Putin of the treaty on the demarcation of the Ukrainian-Russian state border is a huge step in establishing Ukraine as a subject of international law (and, judging by everything, the result of truly titanic efforts by Ukrainian diplomats and international lawyers). The 'socialist realist' opening ceremony of the Year of Russia in Ukraine made one sympathize with those representatives of the Ukrainian authorities who hope that the words about European integration intentions are backed by real deeds. In contrast, representatives of Ukrainian and Russian oligarchic circles can be congratulated on successfully lobbying the interests of their business in both neighboring states.
As for the negotiations of the top CIS politicians, everything went according to the typical scenario for such meetings: the focus was - traditionally - on issues of economic cooperation, joint fight against international terrorism and crime, possibilities for deepening bilateral interstate relations within the CIS, etc. It was noticeable that people who have known each other for a long time met and communicated, were quite frank with each other and, based on the election of the Ukrainian president as the 'senior' in the CIS, can understand each other. If necessary, of course.