Poroshenko submits bill to end friendship treaty with Russia to Ukrainian parliament

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Monday submitted a bill to parliament on the termination of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership with Russia.

Bill No. 0206 was presented to the Verkhovna Rada, or Ukrainian parliament, by presidential representative Iryna Lutsenko.

Lutsenko said she hoped the deputies would back the move.

The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership with Russia was ratified in 1998. The deal automatically renews every decade unless one side advises the other of its intention to end the agreement.

Tensions have flared between Kiev and Moscow over Russia’s seizure of three Ukrainian naval ships and their crews on Nov. 25.

Some Ukrainian politicians have suggested the move was the prelude to a wider Russian invasion.