The deal to extend Russia"s use of a naval...

"Our parliament took a historic decision when it ratified the deal on extending the stay of [Russia"s] Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol," Mykola Azarov said. "A five-year period of pointless feud with Russia came to an end."

The Russian Navy will now be able to use the base in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol for 25 years after the current lease expires in 2017. The agreement was ratified by Ukraine"s Supreme Rada and the Russian State Duma on Tuesday, and by the Federation Council, the upper house of Russia"s parliament, on Wednesday.

In return for the lease extension, which may be extended for an additional five years, Ukraine will receive a 30% discount on Russian natural gas that will be worth an estimated $40 billion.

Azarov said Kiev had chosen strategic neighborliness and cooperation after the disputes of recent years. "Now we can confidently say that Ukraine will become strong and independent."

The prime minister said that former Ukrainian government

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