Ukraine to increase rent for Russian Fleet by up to 25 times

russia today ^ | September 2, 2008, | afp

[Flavius]

From January 1, 2009, the Ukrainian leadership is planning to put up the rent for the Crimean territories where Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is stationed, according to Russia’s Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper. It claims the corresponding documents are being prepared by Ukraine’s Ministries of Foreign Relations and Defence.

The rent price was calculated in 1997 and defined in the treaty of disposition of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet on the territory of Ukraine. The calculations took into consideration the Ukraine’s debt to Russia, which at the time was $US 2 billion, and the cost of renting port facilities was agreed at $US 98 million.

Currently, Ukrainian debt to Russia is estimated at $US 1.3 billion.

Nevertheless, Ukraine’s former Defence Minister and now a member of parliament Anatoly Gritsenko says the country should pay off the debt and put up the rent – to $US 1 billion a year at least. His colleague Yury Kostenko believes the price should be $US 2.5 billion.

[microgood]

If they are going to do a bold move, NOW is the time.

If I am staring down a bear and all I have is a knife, I am not going to stick it in the eye with hot pokers. I think that would be asking for trouble.

The Ukraine is not holding a lot of cards here, and the Russians know what their hand is. They also now know the West will not come to their add (see Georgia).

[microgood]

Rice must be sending them the wrong message.

I would not be surprised if we put them up to this.

[Arkinsaw]

Ukraine is on its own until we can slap the Europeans enough to get them into NATO. Once they are in NATO the problem is over. But until then, they should probably walk fairly carefully

[Humvee]

If I were the Ukrainians I would be coordinating my military defense with Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Bulgaria, & Romania. As a group they could stand up to the Soviets. Otherwise it will be hang divided. This crap is going to get real grim real fast.

[Thunder90]

The problem is that the Ukrainian military is divided. There are many Soviet holdouts loyal to Russia within itself. Many of those units will desert and join forces with the Soviets.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Moving into Ukraine would be pushing it for russia...the Euroweenies are going to start swallowing Valium instead of Gummi bears!

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Well, Ukraine is standing firm and they know their limits. On the other hand, they have the baltic states and we will arm and support Georgia..we are already doing that.

the Ukrainians will bide their time, but even now, they stand strong.

[LukeL]

But unlike the US, Russia will just annex the Ukraine.