Lytvyn wants Russia Black Sea Fleet to remain in Crimea after 2017

October23200922:50

“We should make everything to extend the lease of our base in Crimea by the BSF after 2017 – on mutually beneficial terms,” Lytvyn declared.

Ukraine should also step up cooperation with Russia in the industrial-military complex, notably, in space, aircraft building, tank building and modern technologies.

“Only by joining forces can we build a modern army and provide adequate assistance to it,” he stressed.

In addition, Lytvyn went on, Ukraine should initiate a stronger strategic alliance with Russia and start talks on creating a single economic space.

Lytvyn is against Ukraine’s integration in the NATO.

Pres Yushchenko, by contrast, says the presence of the BSF in Ukraine builds up tensions in the Ukraine-Russia relations.

“Ukraine will be an independent state. We will forgo the millstones which some want to enforce on Ukraine, like a membership in NATO,” Lytvyn declared.

“The first step to ensure Ukraine’s security would be to better relations with its neighbors. We will do our best to regenerate economic cooperation with the CIS countries needed by Ukraine to expand its sales markets,” the speaker said.

Lytvyn’s address at the convention was short. He looked very moved by the occasion and even broke into tears at some point.