Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Under the agreement, Russia leased the base of its Black Sea Naval Fleet in Sevastopol for 20 years - until 2017 Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has again said that it is necessary to withdraw Russian Black Sea Fleet by 2017 from Ukraine, expressing hope that Ukraine will find understanding on the issue with Russia.

Yuschenko gave his views at the eighth congress of the Our Ukraine party held on Saturday.

“I don’t know any political force, which will answer the question what to do with the Russian Black Sea Fleet. My position and the position of my party are clear. I think that it should be interpreted by Russia with understanding and certain reasonableness,” he said.

The president said that this is not a step against Russia, although the step for own strengthening.