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UPON ASSUMING OFFICE, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma announced that the amelioration of relations with Russia was a foreign policy priority. To that end, the Foreign Ministry was to conclude a comprehensive treaty with Russia that would cover all aspects of bilateral relations and provide a basis for future contacts. The treaty was meant to be concluded in time for a planned visit by Russian President Boris Yeltsin to Ukraine in October 1994. While the uncontroversial articles governing cultural and technical exchanges were soon agreed upon, the more contentious issues - such as mutual respect for territorial integrity, the problem of dual citizenship, Ukraine's energy debt to Russia, and the status of the Black Sea Fleet - defied agreement. Yeltsin's October visit was rescheduled for November, but in November the visit was again postponed.