KIEV, April 4 (RIA Novosti) - The Ukrainian parliament voted Wednesday against the president's decision to allow foreign troops to participate in multinational military exercises in Ukraine in 2007.
Only five out of 256 deputies who attended today's session of the 450-seat parliament supported a draft law proposed by President Viktor Yushchenko March 6.
The bill envisions the participation of four Russian aircraft in upcoming five-day bilateral air defense exercises, and 270 Belgian troops with weapons and military hardware for 20 days in May-July in bilateral tactical exercises.
In addition, it permits the presence of foreign troops on Ukrainian territory during the Rapid Trident, the Sea Breeze and the Combined Effort exercises this year.
In 2006, Ukraine's parliament also banned foreign troops from participating in military exercises in the country and the defense ministry had to cancel several joint exercises with the United States and NATO.
