Russia ready to negotiate with Ukraine on Black Sea Fleet
(NSI News Source Info) VLADIKAVKAZ August 18, 2008: Moscow is ready to negotiate with Ukraine on the use of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea, but will not let Kiev dictate terms, the Russian president said on Monday.
Last Friday Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said he had presented Russia with "an urgent proposition to launch talks and draw up an agreement to regulate bilateral relations during military operations" such as those in Georgia over the past week.
Dmitry Medvedev said: "The Russian Black Sea Fleet will be under particular attention, and let us not be given orders on how we must act. We will be acting in line with international agreements and directives issued by me as commander-in-chief."
Ships from Russia's Black Sea Fleet patrolled the waters off the Georgian coast during Russia's "peace enforcement" operation that began after Georgia launched an offensive in breakaway South Ossetia on August 8.
Yushchenko signed a decree last Wednesday stating that Russia was required to notify the Ukrainian authorities of all movements by naval vessels and aircraft from its Crimea-based Black Sea Fleet.
Medvedev said Russia is ready to negotiate on the issue, but that "everything should be based on our international agreements."
Yushchenko signed the document last week after returning from Tbilisi, where he took part in a mass rally in support of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili amid fighting with Russia. Both leaders have pursued pro-Western policies, seeking to join NATO and the European Union and reduce Russian influence.
Ukraine even threatened to refuse to allow the Russian vessels to return to the Sevastopol naval base. Russia's Defense Ministry earlier said that the Russian Navy had sunk a Georgian vessel transporting missile launchers.
Russia's Black Sea Fleet uses the Sevastopol base under agreements signed in 1997. Yushchenko announced earlier this year that Ukraine would not extend the lease beyond 2017.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Russia ready to negotiate with Ukraine on Black Sea Fleet
Russia ready to negotiate with Ukraine on Black Sea Fleet
(NSI News Source Info) VLADIKAVKAZ August 18, 2008: Moscow is ready to negotiate with Ukraine on the use of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea, but will not let Kiev dictate terms, the Russian president said on Monday.
Last Friday Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said he had presented Russia with "an urgent proposition to launch talks and draw up an agreement to regulate bilateral relations during military operations" such as those in Georgia over the past week.
Dmitry Medvedev said: "The Russian Black Sea Fleet will be under particular attention, and let us not be given orders on how we must act. We will be acting in line with international agreements and directives issued by me as commander-in-chief."
Ships from Russia's Black Sea Fleet patrolled the waters off the Georgian coast during Russia's "peace enforcement" operation that began after Georgia launched an offensive in breakaway South Ossetia on August 8.
Yushchenko signed a decree last Wednesday stating that Russia was required to notify the Ukrainian authorities of all movements by naval vessels and aircraft from its Crimea-based Black Sea Fleet.
Medvedev said Russia is ready to negotiate on the issue, but that "everything should be based on our international agreements."
Yushchenko signed the document last week after returning from Tbilisi, where he took part in a mass rally in support of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili amid fighting with Russia. Both leaders have pursued pro-Western policies, seeking to join NATO and the European Union and reduce Russian influence.
Ukraine even threatened to refuse to allow the Russian vessels to return to the Sevastopol naval base. Russia's Defense Ministry earlier said that the Russian Navy had sunk a Georgian vessel transporting missile launchers.
Russia's Black Sea Fleet uses the Sevastopol base under agreements signed in 1997. Yushchenko announced earlier this year that Ukraine would not extend the lease beyond 2017.
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