The Russian State Duma has ratified an agreement extending Russia's lease on a naval base in Crimea for 25 years after the current deal expires in 2017.
A total of 410 deputies voted for the ratification.
Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian parliament also ratified the deal with 236 deputies voted for the ratification with a minimum of 226 needed to pass the bill.
The deal, signed by the Russian and Ukrainian presidents on April 21, extends the lease on a Russian base in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol for 25 years after the current lease expires in 2017, and may be further extended by another five years. In return, Ukraine will receive a 30% discount on Russian natural gas.
MOSCOW, April 27 (RIA Novosti)
