Russia is prepared to hold joint military drills with Ukraine in any format, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Sunday.
"The Russian side is prepared to hold drills with Ukraine not only at sea but also in the air and on the ground. These can be comprehensive, joint and separate drills, and also exercises with the participation of other countries. We are ready for any format," Serdyukov said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhaylo Yezhel.
Relations between Russia and Ukraine have improved significantly since Viktor Yanukovych was elected Ukraine's president last year. On April 21, 2010, Moscow and Kiev signed a deal extending the lease on the Russian Black Sea Fleet's base in Sevastopol in Ukraine's Crimea for 25 years after the current lease expires in 2017.
Yezhel said in turn that well-planned Russian-Ukrainian drills, Fairway of Peace, could surpass by scope any other drills between the two countries.
"These can be joint search operations and joint actions for the use of weapons, the closing of water areas and the arrangement of anti-submarine and air defenses," he said.
VLADIVOSTOK, February 27 (RIA Novosti)
