Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has launched a mediation effort to try to improve relations between Russia and Ukraine following a landmark visit to the region, a Libyan source said Saturday.
"Libya is working to ease tensions between the two countries," the person said on condition of anonymity.
Gadhafi had said during a press conference in Kiev on Thursday that he would do his best to help repair the strained relations, which have deteriorated over Ukraine's NATO membership bid and its refusal to renew a lease for a Russian naval base in the Crimean port of Sebastopol.
The two countries are also at odds over the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia over South Ossetia.
"What is dangerous is that external forces could profit from this situation which is not in the interest of Russia, Ukraine or Georgia," Gadhafi said as he wrapped up a tour of former Soviet states.