Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has urged Kyiv Mayor Leonid Chernovetsky to settle the most pressing problems of the capital city.

At a meeting with Chernovetsky on Friday, the president said that Kyiv represents the whole country and that he wants the capital city to be attractive, the presidential press service reported.

The head of state said he had instructed the government to consider the problems of the city, and asked the mayor to put forward his proposals concerning the most pressing issues.

"This is an important issue that concerns not only the community of Kyiv, but the country at large," he said.

Yanukovych also told Chernovetsky that there had been numerous critical remarks concerning the municipal authorities from both the residents and media recently.

"So I would like to have a frank talk with you, to take critical point of view, so that we see what should be done to settle the most pressing problems of the city," Yanukovych said.

In turn, Chernovetsky thanked the president for his attention to the capital city, particularly for his instructions to the government to take steps to help Kyiv in solving the most painful problems.