[oceanagirl]

I have read elsewhere that Ukraine now wants a market rent for the Russian navy's base in Odessa for its Black Sea fleet.

Ukraine also needs Russian coal for its industries in the Donets Basin and around Dneiper River. Ukrainian coal mines started to deplete in 1973.

A friend of mine maintains that the Ukrainian Constitution allows eastern Ukraine, where the industry is located and the majority of the people are of Russian descent, to secede, which would turn into an even worse mess. I can't confirm it. Can anyone else?

I suspect that there is a lot more to all this than meets the eye.

[jb6]

I have read elsewhere that Ukraine now wants a market rent for the Russian navy's base in Odessa for its Black Sea fleet

Problem is, that rent is part of a broader border treaty where Russia gave up claims on Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine. (Crimea was tranferred to Ukraine from Russia by the Soviet (Ukrainian by birth) Premier Krushchov).

[spanalot]

"Ukraine also needs Russian coal for its industries in the Donets Basin and around Dneiper River. Ukrainian coal mines started to deplete in 1973."

Sounds like Kremmlin propaganda - Ukraines coal reserves are estimated at 400 years at current usage. And no - the east can not secede.

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:NhZgJivA9UMJ:www.epa.gov/cmop/intl/ukraine.html+%22coal+production%22+ukraine&hl=en&ie=UTF-8