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Putin to Ukraine soon after Extended Base Rent

Moscow (ANTARA News / Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will visit Ukraine, Monday, following an agreement that allows Russia to maintain bases in the country's navy until 2042 in return for cheap gas, Russia said in a statement.

Communique issued Saturday did not expound Putin's program in Ukraine.

The visit will occur on the eve of ratification by the parliaments of both countries, a treaty was signed last week. The agreement gave the 25-year lease extension, which allows Russia to maintain the black Sea Fleet in the port of Sevastopol in the Crimea. The lease agreement that had been due to expire in 2017.

In exchange, Moscow, Kiev porongan give 30 percent of Russian natural gas, which Ukraine diperkirkan will save billions of dollars when the country is struggling to recover from a devastating economic crisis.

President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, who has been trying to improve relations with Russia since the reign in February, signed a controversial agreement Wednesday with timpalannya from Russia, Dmitry Medvedev.