OREANDA-NEWS. Ukraine does not have a fleet for bases under construction in the Azov and Black Seas, but it may appear, Kiev will be helped in this, Vladimir Zharikhin, deputy director of the Institute of CIS Countries, told RIA Novosti.

Earlier, the head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Alexei Reznikov said that Kiev is embarking on the practical stage of construction of two naval bases in Berdyansk (Sea of ​​Azov) and Ochakov (Black Sea).

"They are building bases, but there is no fleet - one small problem. This is demonstrative construction. The main thing is to lay the first stone, because it will take a long time to build. The main thing is to declare that" we are building a base "on Azov. The same applies to the situation with The Black Sea, "Zharikhin said.

According to him, so far in Ukraine there are old and ineffective ships or small boats, so it is too early to talk about some kind of Black Sea and especially Azov fleet of Ukraine.

"These are demonstrative actions in order to further complicate the situation in the Azov-Black Sea region," the expert said, stressing that the fact of construction will increase tension in the region and around Crimea.

He also did not rule out a connection between the construction of two naval bases with an agreement with Britain, which provides for financing contracts for the purchase of weapons and the construction of infrastructure for the navy.

“You have to understand that time is passing, and gradually Ukraine can get a fleet for itself. Of course, not as powerful as that of Russia or Turkey, but significant enough. This is not a question of today or tomorrow, but the day after tomorrow,” Zharikhin said.

According to him, other countries are interested in helping Ukraine - given that the Montreux Convention on the Straits Regime (establishes a regime for the passage of warships of non-Black Sea states with significant restrictions) does not apply to Ukraine, it is easier not to introduce American destroyers, and create a fleet in Ukraine as opposed to Russia.