The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has ratified an agreement between the governments of Ukraine and the Russian Federation on cooperation in preventing emergencies, fires and cleaning up after emergencies in the areas where the units of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine are deployed.

A total of 228 of the 248 MPs registered in the session hall voted for the ratification of the agreement on Friday.

According to an explanatory note, the agreement establishes common principles and a framework of cooperation in preventing and cleaning up after emergency situations and the procedure of rendering mutual coordinated assistance by the parties to the agreement if emergencies happen on the territory of Ukraine.

Representatives of Ukraine's opposition voiced protests during the discussion of the agreement in the session hall, saying that the document legitimizes provisions of Russian law on the territory of Ukraine.

The agreement between the government of Russia and Ukraine was signed on July 12, 2012.