President Viktor Yanukovych pledged on Monday to address the issue of Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera, seen by many as a Nazi collaborator during World War II, being given the country's top individual honor.

Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, known for his promotion of Ukrainian nationalism, often at the expense of relations with Russia, awarded Bandera the Hero of Ukraine title in late January.

Ukrainian news agency Unian reported that during a meeting on Monday with European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek, Yanukovych discussed the issue in relation to a February 25 resolution of the Ukrainian parliament asking the president to reconsider Bandera's Hero of Ukraine award.

"This issue is being considered in Ukraine both at the political level and in court cases, and we will find a solution soon," Yanukovych said.

Yushchenko's move fueled fierce debate in Ukraine, where Bandera is a controversial figure, with many in the more nationalist west of the country considering him a hero.

Yushchenko was swept to power by the 2004 pro-Western street protests, known as the "orange revolution." He was succeeded by opposition leader Yanukovych who was elected Ukrainian president in the February 7 runoff vote.

KIEV, March 1 (RIA Novosti)