The Kharkiv Pact, formally signed by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, was a significant agreement concerning military and energy relations between Ukraine and Russia. The pact emerged from negotiations aimed at securing Russian naval access in Crimea and providing Ukraine with discounted gas prices. Specifically, the agreement extended Russia's lease on the naval base in Sevastopol, Crimea, allowing for an additional 25 years of Russian military presence, which had been a point of tension since Ukraine's independence in 1991.

The pact was signed during a period marked by economic challenges in Ukraine and a desire to maintain stable energy supplies. Yanukovych, having been elected with support from pro-Russian factions, sought to bolster his administration’s standing by enhancing ties with Moscow. However, the agreement faced backlash from nationalist factions within Ukraine, who perceived it as a step backward in Ukraine’s sovereignty and a potential reintegration into Russia’s sphere of influence.

The signing took place on April 21, 2010, and was viewed against the backdrop of growing European integration aspirations for Ukraine and the historical context of post-Soviet relations. The terms of the pact were seen as a strategic maneuver by Russia to solidify its presence in the Black Sea region, while simultaneously using energy supplies as a leverage point. This agreement set the stage for ongoing tensions in Ukraine, which would culminate in the larger geopolitical conflict following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.