The State Duma has voted to hold an additional session on April 27 in order to ratify an agreement, signed by the Russian and Ukrainian presidents on extending the lease on the Black Sea Fleet's base in Sevastopol.
The matter "is quite urgent and cannot be delayed," Vladimir Aseyev said, deputy chairman of the State Duma Regulations Committee, who announced the draft decree. The proposal was backed by 407 MPs and opposed by one.
Sergei Ivanov of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia suggested waiting until Ukraine ratifies these documents because, in his view, opinions in Kyiv vary on the subject of ratifying the agreement. However, the overwhelming majority in the State Duma preferred not to ponder over the subject and voted for an additional session, that is ratifying the agreement on April in sync with Ukraine.
