Combat Capability [42%],
Role and Missions,
Structure of the Navy,
in-service ships, surface ships, submarines, chronology.
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Yanukovich has no notion to force out BSF
02/15/2010 |
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Viktor Yanukovich, the leader of Party of Regions who has become Ukrainian President elect, conceded prolongation of Russo-Ukrainian agreement of Black Sea Fleet deployed in Sevastopol. He said that on TV program Vesti Nedeli on Feb 13.
Besides, he underlined his intentions to bring back relations between Moscow and Kiev to friendly historical framework. Yanukovich also admitted participation of Ukraine in the concept of European collective security offered by Russia's president Dmitry Medvedev. Ukrainian leader emphasized that the issue would be solved not in the prejudice of Russia and in national interests of Ukraine.
In addition, Yanukovich stated he would not expand NATO-Ukraine format and that the question of probable Ukraine's entry into the North Atlantic alliance should be resolved at all-Ukrainian referendum.
Agreement of BSF basing in Crimea was tied in 1997 for the term of 20 years. It is to be expired on May 28, 2017. The agreement also provides annual lease payment which is $98 mln.
Since that time Ukrainian officials have repeatedly declared their plans to increase lease payment for Russia's BSF; Moscow has been always dissatisfied with that.
It is noteworthy that in 2008 Viktor Yanukovich himself spoke for increase of Russia's payment for BSF deployed in Sevastopol. Yet it is uncertain whether Ukrainian leader intends to prolong agreement with Moscow on previous terms or to insist on raising of leasing payment.
Source: , photo: Viktor Yanukovich (by Jaroslav Debelyi)