Ukraine ratifies Russia naval base amid violent protests in Rada
Ukraine's parliament has voted to extend a lease on a Russian naval base, during a turbulent session where smoke bombs and eggs were thrown at Ukrainian politicians.
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The agreement extends Russia's lease on a naval base at the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol until 2042. Russia, in turn, will give Ukraine discounts on imports of Russian natural gas.
Several thousand Ukrainian protesters rallied Tuesday against the deal to allow Russia to keep its base on the Black Sea.
The naval base and gas agreements were announced last week after Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych met Russian President Dmitri Medvedev in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
President Yanukovych says the deal will help cut his country's budget deficit.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that although the agreement is expensive, the money is secondary to establishing trust with Ukraine.
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