There'd be no Russia's new naval bases in Ukraine – Ukrainian foreign minister

15.05.2010 Apart from Black Sea Fleet currently based in Crimea, there will be no Russian military bases in Ukraine, said Konstantin Grishchenko, Ukrainian foreign minster in the interview to Friday's Kommersant-Ukraine.

"Ukrainian Constitution prohibits establishment of other bases except current BSF base", said Grishchenko.

Russian Black Sea Fleet is based in Crimea. Firstly, the term of deployment was defined up to 2017; on April 21 the presidents of Russia and Ukraine prolonged the deadline for 25 years with possible further extension.

There are transitional provisions in Ukrainian Constitution allowing deployment of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, while presence of foreign military bases in Ukraine is prohibited.

Grishchenko refuted the information emerged in media about joint deployment, i.e. formally Ukrainian base would accommodate Russian forces. In particular, Russian submarines would allegedly return to Balaklava Harbor near Sevastopol.

"Imagination can generate various ideas. I assure that this variant is not possible", said Ukrainian foreign minister.