politikus.ru
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has received an official note on Ukraine's refusal to extend the Friendship Treaty, TASS reports. According to the MFA representative Andrei Rudenko, the document was received on September 24. It was brought by the Ukrainian charge d'affaires.
This note does not practically change anything, notes the diplomat. He recalls that Kiev issued the decree a few days ago and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced this. The document formally confirmed that Ukraine's government refuses the treaty and it ceases to operate on April 1. The MFA representative says it regrets the Kiev's decision. Though this was a framework agreement it set the tone for all other documents, Rudenko explains.
As Russkiy Mir reported, Moscow and Kiev signed the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership in 1997. The agreement reinforced the strategic partnership of the two countries. It expires in ten years but extends automatically if the parties do not have any objections.
The Ukrainian President stated that he had signed a decree terminating this document on September 18. The National Security and Defense Council prepared the decision.
Russian politicians are sure that in this way the Kiev government harms itself again. A member of the Federation Council Alexei Pushkov recalles that the very this document recognizes the territorial integrity and borders of Ukraine. If the treaty loses its force and terminates then Russia is automatically absolved from all obligations under it.
Russkiy Mir
