Russia, Ukraine to legitimize re-armament of Black Sea Fleet

28.02.2011 Russia and Ukraine are about to sign a new agreement on re-armament of Black Sea Fleet (BSF), said Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov at press conference held in Vladivostok on Sunday.

"We do discuss the matter trying to formulate new provisions of this agreement", said Serdiukov.

According to active agreements, re-armament of BSF is possible by Ukraine's approbation.

Ukrainian defense minister Mikhail Yezhel who also attended the press conference said in his turn that there were no problems with re-armament of Black Sea Fleet just because this issue had been specified in the bilateral treaty of 1996.

"We operate within the framework of this treaty; other things should be negotiated", Yezhel said.

Serdiukov agreed, having noted that the parties understand the treaty differently. That is why there is a long-felt need to sign new documents, said the minister.

Russian and Ukrainian presidents on Apr 21, 2010 in Kharkov signed an agreement prolonging presence of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, Ukraine till 2042 with possible further 5-year extension.