The ratification on Tuesday of a deal to extend the lease on a Russian base proves that Ukraine is ready to reset relations with Russia, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian and Ukrainian parliaments simultaneously ratified a deal extending the lease on a Russian naval base in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol for 25 years after the current lease expires in 2017. In return, Ukraine will receive a 30% discount on Russian natural gas.
"Things that happened today in Kiev that send at least two signals...firstly, the new Ukrainian authorities are able to build relations with Russia in a new way, and the new Ukrainian authorities are able to consolidate society and the main political powers in the country," Putin said.
The debate in the Ukrainian parliament saw chaotic scenes, with brawls and eggs thrown at the speaker by opposition lawmakers.
Putin also said the developments meant that despite the "hooligan" behavior of the opposition, the "path to the stabilization of the political situation" had begun.
SOCHI, April 27 (RIA Novosti)
