BISHKEK. May 30 (Interfax) - The Russian Black Sea Fleet will be preserved after the lease on the Ukrainian territory expires, said Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy.

"We will reinforce it (the fleet) in accordance with its combat purpose. Simultaneously, we will develop strongholds in the Caucasus," said Vysotsky.

At the same time, Vysotsky stressed that Russia is not considering withdrawing the Black Sea Fleet from the Ukrainian territory before the end of the lease of the base in Sevastopol. "We are not raising the question of withdrawing the fleet before 2017. This is beyond doubt," he said.

"I am personally responsible and realize that the mutual interests of Russia and Ukraine should be taken into account when solving this problem," Vysotsky said.

"It is my position that no one, including the administration of Ukraine, is raising the question of the withdrawal of the Black Sea Fleet. It is being discussed by specific individuals, in the press, in the parliament, but there has not been a single working meeting of authorities where decisions were made on the withdrawal of the fleet before 2017," he said.

"The basic agreement enables Russia to have up to 100 battle ships in Sevastopol, and we have 35. The number of troops can reach 25,000, and we have 11,500," said Vysotsky.

"What keeps us from bringing these numbers to the basic level?" said Vysotsky, adding: "We are not raising this question."

"We may find ourselves in a situation there (in the Black Sea) in which the Black Sea will come in very handy, and not only in the Black Sea, but also in the Mediterranean," said Vysotsky.

Vysotsky also said Russia "is considering the issue of a base in the Mediterranean." "Russia has strategic interests in the World Ocean, and they will be developed," he said.