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Ukraine Ratifies Russia Naval Base Amid Protest

   VOA News 27 April 2010
   Ukrainian opposition and pro-presidential lawmakers fight against each
   other  during ratification of the Black Sea Fleet deal with Russia, in
   parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, 27 Apr 2010

Photo: AP

   Ukrainian opposition and pro-presidential lawmakers fight against each
   other  during ratification of the Black Sea Fleet deal with Russia, in
   parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, 27 Apr 2010

   Ukraine's  parliament  has  voted to extend a lease on a Russian naval
   base,  during  a  turbulent  session  where  smoke bombs and eggs were
   thrown at Ukrainian politicians.
   The  agreement extends Russia's lease on a naval base at the Ukrainian
   port  of  Sevastopol  until 2042.  Russia, in turn, will give Ukraine
   discounts on imports of Russian natural gas.
   Several thousand Ukrainian protesters rallied Tuesday against the deal
   to allow Russia to keep its base on the Black Sea.
   The  naval  base  and  gas  agreements  were announced last week after
   Ukrainian  President  Viktor  Yanukovych  met Russian President Dmitri
   Medvedev in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
   President  Yanukovych says the deal will help cut his country's budget
   deficit.
   Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that although the agreement
   is  expensive,  the  money  is  secondary  to  establishing trust with
   Ukraine.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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