Russia set to gain access to Atlantic port – media

Russia is poised to gain access to a naval port in the Atlantic Ocean, through a bilateral military cooperation agreement with the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe, located off the west coast of Africa. 

A bill on the issue has been approved by a Russian government commission on legislative activity, RTVI reported on Monday, citing a source familiar with the discussions.

The draft treaty will be put to a vote in the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament. The first deputy chairman of the Duma’s Committee on International Affairs, Alexey Chepa, explained that ratifying the pact will allow Russian ships to be stationed in the Gulf of Guinea.

“Today, a large number of ports where our ships could come in for refueling are closed. Therefore, opportunities to find friendly ports significantly facilitate the activities of our…