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Ukrainian Foreign Ministry: Russian fleet cannot remain in Ukraine beyond the appointed time

24 October 2008 12:33 (UTC +04:00)

Kiev â€“ APA. â€œThe extension of the lease for the naval base used by Russiaâ€™s Black Sea Fleet cannot be a subject of discussion,â€ said spokesman for Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Vasili Kirilich, APA reports quoting Interfax-Ukraine. He said they had stated several times that the term could not be extended.
â€œThe position of our state is unchangeable: Black Sea Fleet of Russian Federation should leave the territory of Ukraine after May 22, 2017,â€ he said.
Vasili Kirilich said Ukraine offered to coordinate all the issues related to the fleetâ€™s leaving beforehand.
Kirilich underlined that possible change of government and other political processes would not have an impact on the position of the state, the position was reflected in the Constitution.

Russiaâ€™s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had said they would offer to discuss the Black Sea Fleetâ€™s remaining in Ukraine beyond 2017.