Ukraine, Russia talk on RF BSF

Experts from Russia and Ukraine are meeting Thursday to discuss a Russian naval base in Ukraine, with Russia praising progress in tackling the problem and Ukraine urging clearer base agreements.

Opening the meeting of a bilateral sub-commission on the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said: "We have managed to bring our dialogue on outstanding problems from an emotional to an expert level, which is the most important thing. This is a guarantee that we will achieve the desired results."

But his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Ohryzko, urged a more intensive dialogue on his country's demands that the treaty on the Russian naval base's presence on the Crimean peninsula be made more transparent.

"Our objective is to clear up what was signed in 1997, ensure strict observance of that treaty, and resolve persisting problems," Ohryzko said, adding that Ukraine looked to a "constructive dialogue" with Russia.