The Ukrainian opposition is threatening...

The deal, signed by the Russian and Ukrainian presidents on April 21, extends the lease on a Russian base in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol for 25 years after the current lease expires in 2017, and may be further extended by another five years. In return, Ukraine will receive a 30% discount on Russian natural gas.

The Russian and Ukrainian parliaments plan to start discussions on ratifying the agreement simultaneously at 11.00 Moscow time [07:00 GMT].

Around 1,000 supporters of the Party of Regions and the opposition have gathered near Ukraine"s parliament, the Supreme Rada, and more are expected.

The Ukrainian opposition earlier said any prolongation of Russian military presence in the country would require amendments to the Constitution and a national referendum. But the country"s constitutional court has ruled that the agreement is in line with the Constitution.

Oleg Lyashko, a lawmaker of the opposition Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, said he did not exclude

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