Protests as Ukraine extends Russian navy base stay

There have been chaotic scenes in Ukraine’s parliament after a controversial decision allowing the Russian navy to extend its stay in one of the ports. Opposition lawmakers hurled eggs and smoke bombs inside the chamber as the law was narrowly passed on the 25-year extension to the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s base in Crimea. Protests as Ukraine extends Russian navy base stay Ukrainian nationalist, led by former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko and former President Viktor Yushchenko, regard the base as a betrayal of Ukraine’s national interests. Thousands of opposition demonstrators also rallied outside the parliament building. Meanwhile, Russia’s lower house of parliament has also approved a deal to extend the lease. In the vote, 410 lawmakers from the 450-seat chamber supported the base deal, which was agreed by Ukrainian President Vikor Yanukovich and Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev last week.

Protests as Ukraine extends Russian navy base stay

Ukrainian nationalist, led by former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko and former President Viktor Yushchenko, regard the base as a betrayal of Ukraine’s national interests.

Thousands of opposition demonstrators also rallied outside the parliament building.

Meanwhile, Russia’s lower house of parliament has also approved a deal to extend the lease.

In the vote, 410 lawmakers from the 450-seat chamber supported the base deal, which was agreed by Ukrainian President Vikor Yanukovich and Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev last week.