Kremlin: Russia, Ukraine to have ratification votes on naval bases pact on April 27

I commend Mr. Yanukovych as this is a good deal for Ukraine as it promotes closer relations with Russia. The lower cost of gas for the long suffering people of Ukraine should loosen their pocketbooks and allow them to buy more food and pay for other expenses.

As for the new Black Sea Fleet treaty, it only makes sense that Ukraine is a partner with Russia in the military sphere. I would expect even a more closer partnership as time goes on, perhaps in some sort of military alliance. A European Collective Security group consisting of Russia,Ukraine,Belorus,Kazakistan and Tajikistan would promote stability in the Euro-Asia geographic sphere.

It is proven that the European Union and expecially NATO never fit Ukraine due to her economics,corruption and geopolitical location on the globe.

What a load of trash...Russia gets what it wants...a sad day

No need to recreate anything from the dirt that is the Soviet-Union, including subjugation of Ukraine to Russia.

Ah yes Ukraine only fits with the corruption and economics of Russia? trade/economics based on tertiary supplies...how elementary.

Black Sea Fleet, a hunk of rusting junk..scrap it and make some $$ off the metal boys!!

A tactful and sensible move by President Yanukovich. Gas supplies ensured, prices negotiated, jobs retained in the Crimea and good relations with a neighbour maintained. The absence of ego, misplaced nationalism or pointless posturing is a sign of mature diplomacy and has demonstrated that the needs of the country are met.

Many nations have military installations of other countries within their territory including the United Kingdom yet there is no suggestion of a loss of sovereign integrity and, in the case of the Rusian Black Sea Fleet, this should be seen as a natural and mutually beneficial relationship.

Slight difference using the United Kingdom example. The UK doesn't claim to be unaligned and the foreign forces on it's territory are treaty-bound allies. The UK's constitution doesn't contain language that exludes foreign forces on its soil. Plus, and this is a big plus, is that, regardless of what your beliefs or what you think you "know" the UK exercizes full rights of denial for those foreign forces to use its territory to perform missions the UK doesn't approve. Unlike the BSF sailing off to Georgia while the Ukrainian authorities stand and watch with their thumbs up their bums with no power to tell the Russians to stop.

Time to put the "The" back in front of Ukraine again. Oh well, independence was fun while it lasted....