Russia tempers support for Ukraine leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin, slackening support for Ukraine8217;s government, said on Monday he would work with any elected leader of the ex-Soviet state ahead of a re-run of a poll rigged in favour of the man Moscow backed.

Putin8217;s comments, his first since Ukraine8217;s top court declared the Nov. 21 presidential vote invalid, will come as a blow to outgoing President Leonid Kuchma, who wanted to hand power to Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich.

A leader of Ukraine8217;s Opposition, Petro Poroshenko, said on Monday rival parties were on the verge of a deal to solve a stand-off between Kuchma and the Opposition. Kuchma had demanded that the Opposition vote on constitutional change to curb the president8217;s powers in return for changes they demanded to election law . 8212;Reuters