Russian Parliament confirms the Crimea Navy base lease agreement

The Russian State Duma has ratified the extended lease agreement between Ukraine and Russia on the Black Sea Fleet base in the Ukrainian Crimea, the PortNews IAA correspondent reports. The treaty has been approved by 410 votes of the lower chamber of the Russian parliament.

An earlier report said the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada had also voted for the Ukrainian-Russia agreement.

According to the documents, the Agreement between Ukraine and Russia of May 28, 1997 on the status and conditions of the Black Sea Fleet on the Ukrainian territory, on the provision of the partition of the Black Sea Fleet and the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Russian Government on mutual settlement related to the partition of the Fleet is extended from 28 May 2017 for the next 25 years, followed by its renewal for subsequent 5-year period if neither party notifies the other party in writing of the agreement termination not later than one year before the expiration.

The agreement also provides for the rental fee increase for the Black Sea Fleet on the Ukrainian territory. From May 28, 2017, Russia’s payments will total $100 million annually, plus additional charges.