On the eve of October 1, the last day when the parties can express their intention to prolong the treaty, both sides spoke in favor of extending its validity despite tensions in bilateral relations.

"Ukraine has never doubted the issue. Ukraine was clearly and consistently stating the importance of the Ukrainian-Russian treaty as a cornerstone of bilateral relations," Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Vasyl Kyrylych told journalists in Kyiv.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks in New York within the framework of the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly and stated "the support for and the need to prolong the treaty," the spokesman said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has recently also spoken in favor of prolonging the treaty.

"We proceed from the fact that the 1997 treaty will be prolonged for another ten years," a statement reads. The ministry also expressed the hope that "the wise people of Ukraine and all sane political forces of the country will not let relations with Russia spoil."

"This position has remained in force," the Russian Foreign Ministry told Interfax on Tuesday.

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