Yanukovych will have "to apply great effort in order to resolve the problems facing the Ukrainian people and lead them to a decent and prosperous life," the patriarch said. Moscow, February 9 (Interfax) - Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill has congratulated Victor Yanukovych on being elected president of Ukraine.

"I am cordially congratulating you on the victory in the presidential election. The people's confidence invests you with huge responsibility to God, the people, and history. You have enough experience and talents to justify this confidence," the patriarch's press service quoted him as saying on Tuesday.

Yanukovych will have "to apply great effort in order to resolve the problems facing the Ukrainian people and lead them to a decent and prosperous life," the patriarch said.