April 27, 2010 (BBC News) The chamber's speaker had to be shielded by umbrellas as he was pelted with eggs, while smoke bombs exploded and politicians brawled. But the debate continued and the chamber ratified the lease extension. Kiev has prolonged the lease on the Sevastopol base by 25 years in return for cheaper supplies of Russian gas.
The deal, which came amid rapidly improving ties between Russia and Ukraine following the election of Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February, has been bitterly opposed by Ukrainian pro-Western opposition politicians. The clashes in parliament broke out as MPs debated ratification of the agreement, which was made by Mr Yanukovych and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev last month. Opposition MPs hurled eggs at the speaker, Volodymyr Lytvyn, who had to be protected by two aides holding black umbrellas. Deputies were seen throwing punches on the floor of the chamber, and covering their faces with handkerchiefs to protect themselves from the smoke. Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the building.
Despite the chaotic scenes, the debate continued and the deal was backed by 236 out of 450 members of the chamber.
Read the whole article and see a unique video at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8645847.stm
The deal, which came amid rapidly improving ties between Russia and Ukraine following the election of Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February, has been bitterly opposed by Ukrainian pro-Western opposition politicians. The clashes in parliament broke out as MPs debated ratification of the agreement, which was made by Mr Yanukovych and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev last month. Opposition MPs hurled eggs at the speaker, Volodymyr Lytvyn, who had to be protected by two aides holding black umbrellas. Deputies were seen throwing punches on the floor of the chamber, and covering their faces with handkerchiefs to protect themselves from the smoke. Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the building.
Despite the chaotic scenes, the debate continued and the deal was backed by 236 out of 450 members of the chamber.
Read the whole article and see a unique video at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8645847.stm
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