Russia, Ukraine to Divvy Up Fleet
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MOSCOW — The Black Sea Fleet of the former Soviet Union is to be removed from joint control of the Commonwealth of Independent States and divided between Ukraine and Russia, the Commonwealth’s top military commander said Tuesday.
Marshal Yevgeny I. Shaposhnikov said bilateral talks between Russia and Ukraine will determine how to divide the fleet. Russia had said the fleet should stay under Commonwealth control and form part of a joint strategic force, but Ukraine said it is entitled to large parts of the fleet.
Disputes between Russia and Ukraine over the division of the fleet have rocked the Commonwealth since its formation last December. But agreement during recent talks in the Black Sea city of Odessa averted a full-blown crisis.
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