Ukraine's parliament says 'Yes' to treaty with Russia

The Ukrainian parliament has voted overwhelmingly to ratify a treaty of friendship with Russia -- more than six years after the end of the Soviet Union. 317 deputies were in favour, 27 voted against.

Ukraine's foreign minister Hennady Udovenko said approval of the accord was an historic moment.

The Russian parliament has yet to ratify the treaty.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service