Black Sea Fleet situation may deteriorate

MOSCOW, July 13 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Black Sea Fleet situation may deteriorate if Ukraine continues its pro-NATO policy, a chief expert at the Russian Academy for Geopolitical Problems said, commenting on military exercises in Crimea, Ukraine, under the NATO Partnership for Peace program Wednesday. Academy Vice-President Colonel General Leonid Ivashov said the status of the Black Sea Fleet had been legally established.

"But there are unsettled issues, which could be freely adjusted or, on the contrary, could become reasons for breaks in relations," he said, adding that the Ukrainian government is pursuing a policy along those lines.

"By law, the Black Sea Fleet can remain in Ukraine until 2017, but in reality this may be impossible in certain conditions," he said.

"If the Ukrainian government pursues its pro-NATO policy, the Black Sea Fleet's situation could deteriorate because the country will not be admitted to NATO while the Russian fleet is based there," Ivashov said.

He said Russia-NATO relations "could worsen if Ukraine adheres to the anti-Russian policy and Russia 'plays along' by some extraordinary measures...However, there are chances to improve the situation through economic cooperation with Ukraine, collaboration against common threats [and] joint military political efforts against extremist forces. There are also possibilities for technical and cultural cooperation," Ivashov said.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet's main base is in Sevastopol, Crimea. Russia signed an agreement with Ukraine to lease the base until 2017.