Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has expressed confidence that it is necessary to put the issue of the Russia’s Black Sea Fleet pullout from the Crimea on the agenda, according to Itar-Tass.

“The issue of the beginning of the fleet’s pullout should be put on the agenda,” he told a news conference on Thursday.

“It is necessary to prepare for the withdrawal of the Black Sea Fleet in advance, as its redeployment will take much time,” he said.

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Yushchenko reiterated that the treaty on the presence of the Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea was signed for 20 years and expires on May 28 2017.

“This is a unique gesture of Ukraine’s good will,” he said adding that the country’s Constitution bans the presence of foreign military bases at its territory.

Itar-Tass