MOSCOW, April 22 (UPI) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Thursday the country has no plans for new military bases outside its borders.
The Russian leader's comment came as Russia signed a 25-year lease extension for its naval base in Ukraine. Putin called that base "a unique case that has evolved historically," RIA Novosti reported.
Putin said Russia has no need to build military bases in other countries and requested "our partners" not to request a Russian military presence.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on a diplomatic visit to Estonia, said she thinks Ukraine is engaged in a "balancing act" with its foreign policy as Kiev looks to strengthen relations with the United States while continuing to work with Russia.
"I think your underlying question is our view about Russia's actions toward its neighbors," Clinton said. "And we've been very clear that we believe that there is no sphere of influence, that there is no veto power that Russia or any country has over any country in Europe or in this region concerning membership in organizations like NATO or the EU."
Clinton said she was "heartened to see Europe taking steps that will empower it in its dealings with Russia."
Clinton also said the provisional government in Kyrgyzstan has "given assurance" the United States will retain access to the Manas Air Base in that country and that Moscow has agreed to permit the transport of U.S. troops and materiel across its air space en route to Afghanistan.
"So as of today, we see no problem with our continuing access to and utilization of that base in Kyrgyzstan," she said.
