“Debates over taxation of cargoes delivered from Russia to Black Sea Fleet (BSF) have been lasting for years. According to international practice, goods of such kind delivered to a military base are not liable to taxes and customs clearance”, reports Interfax citing Russian ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov.
According to him, that issue has been discussed by a special working group set for BSF functioning issues. “Within framework of that bilateral group, Russian officials ask Ukrainian counterparts to justify all taxations”, Zurabov said.
Russia pays value added tax and customs fees on cargoes imported into Ukraine for Black Sea Fleet, added the ambassador.
As for Zurabov, Ukraine has not presented any substantiation on Russia’s request.
The Russian ambassador said the negotiations on that issue were going on. As for him, Russian side offered Kiev to settle “volume of payments by other means “, i.e. as additional payments which could be partially channeled for financing of, say, social sphere of Sevastopol but “not classify them as payments for products imported for Black Sea Fleet” .
“Those talks are not over. They go on and seem to be close to compromise, taking into account discussion held by the two foreign ministers early this week “, concluded Zurabov.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , February 21, 2012