Russian president signs bill renouncing seawater agreement with Ukraine

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a bill renouncing an agreement with Ukraine on the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.

The bill, which was initially submitted by Putin on May 24 to the Federation Council, the upper chamber of the country’s bicameral parliament, has been published on the Russian government's portal.

On Wednesday, the Federation Council voted on the bill which had decided on Russia’s withdrawal from the agreement.

The parliament’s explanatory note said that the necessity to terminate the agreement arose after the territories to which the document applies fell under Russia's control.

The treaty between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on the use of seawater and fisheries for commercial purposes entered into force in April 2004, four months after it was signed by the presidents of both countries.