Moscow pins hopes on pro-Russian leaders in Bulgaria and Moldova: RIA

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) talks to Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov on the sidelines of the Russia-ASEAN summit in Sochi, Russia, May 19, 2016. REUTERS/Yuri Kochetkov/Pool

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia hopes it can establish more constructive relations with Bulgaria and ex-Soviet Moldova after voters in both countries elected presidents who want better ties with Moscow, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov was quoted as saying on Wednesday. "We expect that there will be some opportunities there for more constructive relations," RIA news agency quoted Ushakov as saying. (Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Maria Kiselyova)