‘Ukraine is not considering prolonging the stay of Russia's Black Sea Fleet on its territory after May 28, 2017. Russia's Black Sea Fleet has to leave Ukraine's territory by this time,’ Kyrylych was quoted as saying.
Russia's ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said on Friday that the fleet should stay beyond 2017 after Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko signed a decree requesting legislation for the base to be shut down by that time.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the ownership of the naval base of the former Soviet Black Sea fleet in the port of Sevastopol was one of various disputed issues between Kiev and Moscow.
Russia accepted Ukraine's sovereignty over Sevastopol, but took over 80 percent of the existing Black Sea fleet and received the use of naval dockyard facilities on a 20-year lease that will run out in 2017.
Republished with permission FOCUS Information Agency
