Russian Black Sea fleet to stay in the Crimea

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry press-service head Sergei Borodenkov has announced at a Kiev briefing that Ukraine is not intending to renege on its obligations secured in agreements with Russia on the stationing of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.

The diplomat especially pointed out that the Black Sea Fleet based there strengthened agreements between Ukraine and Russia, which should be fulfilled.

"This is the official position of the Ukrainian state," the press-service head stressed.

A package of agreements on the principles of stationing the Russian Black Sea Fleet on Ukrainian territory was signed by Russia and Ukraine in May 1997.

According to the agreements, Russia's Black Sea Fleet would have the right to be based in Sevastopol's bays for 20 years.