Ukraine's defense minister on Thursday rejected the Putin's proposal to consider extending the Russian military's lease on a Black Sea port.
Defense Minister Anatoliy Hrytsenko said Ukraine would uphold the 1997 agreement that allows the Russian navy to remain in the port of Sevastopol until 2017. But when that expires, Ukraine would expect Russia's Black Sea Fleet to leave, the AP reported from Kyiv.
During a televised call-in session on Wednesday, Putin said Russia would be interested in discussing the extension of the lease of Russia's Black Sea fleet.
Russia pays Ukraine an annual rent of million to base its fleet in Sevastopol. The presence of the Russian imperialist troops on Ukrainian territory has sparked anger among Ukrainians, and given rise to a number of disputes between Ukraine and Russia over who has ownership of lighthouses
and other property in the region.
Source: Foxnews
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