In remarks bound to heighten tensions with Moscow, Yushchenko said Ukraine had leased the base at the port of Sevastopol for Russia's Black Sea Fleet at below market rates and it was time to think about raising the price.
"[We need to] raise the question about the lease payment and new financial conditions, because those old conditions were set when there was no market for land deals ?€¦ and assets which the Russian fleet uses were not considered as assets which must be paid for," he said.
Yushchenko's support for Georgia has already angered Moscow. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin hinted that some in Kiev wanted to trigger a tough response from Moscow to boost their standing.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
