Moscow hailed the ratification of a deal...
Neither eggs thrown at the Supreme Rada speaker during the heated debate, nor the crowds of opposition supporters who gathered in front of the parliament building protesting against the deal prevented a majority of lawmakers in the 450-seat parliament from ratifying the groundbreaking agreement.
The pact allows the Russian base to remain in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol for 25 years after the current lease expires in 2017 and stipulates that the lease may be further extended by another five years. In return, Ukraine will receive a 30% discount on Russian natural gas.
Half an hour after Ukraine"s Supreme Rada passed the bill, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament also ratified the agreement.
RUSSIA, UKRAINE EXCHANGE CONGRATULATIONS
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych congratulated each other on the simultaneous ratification of the deal during a telephone conversation.