Russia Urges Ukraine to Avoid Unilateral Moves

Lavrov said that Medvedev also said Ukraine`s accession to NATO would not suit the best interests of both countries.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called on neighbouring Ukraine to avoid taking any unilateral action on a Russian navy base in southern Ukraine, the Russian foreign minister told reporters on Friday.

"We called upon our Ukrainian colleagues to ... resolve all issues related to the functioning of the Black Sea fleet ... avoiding any unilateral acts," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Medvedev had told Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko at a meeting.

Lavrov told a conference call with reporters that Medvedev also said Ukraine's accession to NATO would not suit the best interests of both countries.