Russian fleet is to stay in the Black Sea until 2042 by Zuzana Zelenakova

Just a few days ago, Ukrainian President Yanukovych and Russian President Medvedev agreed that the Russian fleet stay in the Black Sea will be extended beyond 2017. In exchange for extending the period by 25 years Russia will provide Ukraine with cheaper natural gas. The agreement was approved by both the Russian and Ukrainian parliaments. The deal has sparked a lot of controversy with Ukrainian politicians led by former President Viktor Yushchenko claiming it violates the country´s constitution. According to the constitution, Ukraine is a neutral state and establishment of any foreign military bases is banned, however, it also says that those bases already establishe! d can be maintained, which is the argument of government lawyers. “Today will go down as a black page in the history of Ukraine and the Ukrainian parliament,” said opposition leader and former premier Yulia Tymoshenko. The deal will also prevent Ukraine from joining EU and Nato, the goal that Yushchenko was trying to achieve for a long time. Viktor Yanukovych, who is often accused of being too pro-eastern oriented, said he only did what he thought was good for the country. "We look at this in the context of a European collective security system," he said. "We understand that the Russian fleet will be a guarantee for countries on the Black Sea. Ukraine wants to find its place and get security guarantees." His Russian counterpart was evidently very satisfied with the agreement, which backed Russia´s influence in Europe in times that are seen as being dominated by the United States. “There is no alternative to this decision—because ratification mea! ns a lower price for gas and a lower price for gas means the b! udget,&# 8221; Ukraine’s Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said.“The budget means agreement with the IMF, the possibility of getting investments. It is a programme of development for Ukraine in the future.”

related story (sgx17112): http://www.france24.com/en/20100427-ukraine-parliament-smoke...

by Zuzana Zelenakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

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