Ukraine To Suspend Trade With Crimea

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk says Kyiv will suspend trade with Russian-occupied Crimea in one month.

Yatsenyuk said at a government meeting on December 16 that Ukraine's cabinet had decided that "the supplying of goods, work, and services to Crimea and from Crimea" will be banned within 30 days.

The only exceptions, he said, would be "personal items, socially important foods, and humanitarian aid."

Yatsenyuk added that the restoration of electricity to Crimea is a separate issue that could only be decided by Ukraine's Security and Defense Council.

Crimea, which was annexed by Russia early last year, is suffering long blackouts after pylons that supplied the peninsula were blown up by unknown people in November.

The issue has caused a crisis in Crimea and has worsened Ukrainian-Russian tensions.

Russia has suspended coal exports to Ukraine in retaliation.
[Based on reporting by Reuters, TASS, and AP]
 rferl.org
16/12/15
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Related:

• EU continues policy of non-recognition of Crimea's annexation (Mogherini)

• Ουκρανία: Κόβει τις εμπορικές ανταλλαγές με την Κριμαία

• Russia expects no worsening of Crimea situation due to food supply blocking (official)

• War in Ukraine Will Be Over After Kiev Regains Crimea, Donbas (Poroshenko)