Ukraine Does Not Oppose Russian Fleet Renovation

03.02.2012 Ukraine does not oppose replacement of Russian Black Sea Fleet's obsolete ships (BSF) based in Crimea with new ones, Russian deputy foreign minister Grigory Karasin told RIA Novosti.

According to the Russo-Ukrainian BSF Treaty of 1997, Russia can neither increase number of naval assets deployed in Crimea nor renew armaments. Alongside with that, today's BSF ships are considered obsolete.

"As is known, the issue of Black Sea Fleet's modernization is currently in the center of public attention. New ships are vital for the fleet's operability. Speaking of our Ukrainian partners, they generally understand our need to replace old ships with new ones. All particular aspects of modernization will be settled by experts of the two countries", said the diplomat answering the question whether ships would be replaced with the same-class ones.

Karasin emphasized that Russian foreign ministry was rendering appropriate political, juridical, and consulting assistance in resolving of those issues. In accordance with agreement tied in 2010, Black Sea Fleet will stay in Crimea till 2042.

Visiting Ukraine in Oct 2011, Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov held talks on possible modernization of obsolete BSF ships and equipment. He expressed hope that those negotiations would go on faster.