Russia will leave the strategic Black Sea port of Sevastopol if its lease is not renewed by the Ukrainian government, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said in an interview due to be broadcast later yesterday.

Asked by the BBC whether he could envision the Russian fleet ever leaving the port, Ivanov said it was possible.

"Yes, I can imagine that easily after 2017," he told the BBC. "Why not, if the Ukrainian government then in power decides not to prolong the lease?"