28 August 2009, 09:39
Mykola Tomenko, Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, believes that relations between Ukraine and Russia, especially the status and period of stay of the Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine, will become a topical matter during the presidential election campaign.
"Today´s statement of Viktor Yanukovych, leader of the Party of Regions, concerning possible prolongation of stay of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation at the territory of Ukraine after 2017 agrees with the requirements for the "proper" Ukrainian authorities as stated by the Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev in the letter to the President of Ukraine of 6 August 2009", - he stated.
The Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine believes that some other candidates may comply with the approach of the Russian President to the status of Ukraine. "However, taking into account protection of national interests, Ukraine must exert every effort to make the Black Sea Fleet observe Ukrainian legislation, and envisage the procedure for withdrawing the Black Sea Fleet from the territory of Ukraine after 2017", - stated M.Tomenko.