“Kharkiv agreements": a protest rally

April 27, 2011, Kyiv.

The video shows an opposition rally against the so-called Kharkiv agreements. Cossacks are beating a large drum, people with banners
banners “Russian fleet away from us! This is blackmail - cheap gas!”, demonstrators with flags of the “Our Ukraine” party, Viktor Yushchenko and Valentyn Nalyvaichenko on stage, the Ukrainian anthem, speeches, orange symbols; supporters of the Party of Regions, a fence, a police patrol, people with banners “Order in the government is the merit of the president!”.

Speeches: Ukrainian politician, statesman and public figure Valentyn Nalyvaichenko; Ukrainian politician Viktor Yushchenko.

Reference: “Kharkiv agreements” are an agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation signed on April 21, 2010 in Kharkiv by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, according to which the term of stay of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol was extended from 2017 to 2042 with an automatic extension for 5 years unless either party objects, and a rent payment was established.
As stated in the agreement itself, the fleet's stay was extended in exchange for cheaper Russian gas for Ukraine by applying a discount in the form of canceled customs duties.
It was ratified by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the State Duma of the Russian Federation on April 27, 2010.
In Ukraine, the agreement caused outrage among the opposition, environmentalists, local councils, and society in general. Most analysts viewed it as contrary to the Constitution of Ukraine.
It was unilaterally denounced by the State Duma of the Russian Federation on March 31, 2014.