Ukraine legalizes economic blockade of Crimea
Ukraine has ceased trade with Crimea – Kyiv has completed the legal registration of the economic blockade of the peninsula. On December 16th 2015 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the cessation of trade with Crimea. According to a decision of the Ukrainian government that entered into force today, exceptions will be socially important products and goods.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk has said that “humanitarian assistance falls under the exemption.” In addition, the resolution does not apply to the supply of electricity from Crimea to Ukraine and from the territory of Ukraine to Crimea, which is carried out in accordance with the decision of the Council of National Security and Defense Council (NSDC). Another exclusion is deliveries of goods of strategic importance for the economy and security sectors to Ukraine, which are subject to confirmation by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the country.
Today Ukraine ceased allowing vehicles in the direction of Crimea through the Chongar border point, a law enforcement source said. “Today vehicles from Ukraine are not crossing over, only pedestrians can cross the border,” he said.
The decision of the Ukrainian government prohibited the supply of goods and services through the customs offices from the territory of Ukraine to Crimea, and vice versa. One exception was the personal belongings of citizens who have hand luggage and accompanied baggage, socially important food products, the total value of which does not exceed the equivalent of 10 thousand hryvnia (a little over $400), and a total weight of not more than 50 kg per person per day. The list of banned products included: wheat flour, bread made from flour and first grade, bread wheat-rye, pasta, buckwheat, rice, first category beef, pork, lard, poultry, first grade cooked sausage, 2.5% fat milk, 20% fat sour cream, cheese, soft butter, eggs, sugar, sunflower oil, potatoes and salt, TASS reports.
Kyiv has abolished the last vestiges of influence in Crimea, as the director of the Ukrainian Institute of Analysis and Management Policy, Ruslan Bortnik, explained. “The decision will eliminate the final touches, the remains of the Ukrainian influence in Crimea. Blocking of traffic, then economic cooperation, the overlap of water – they were all instruments of influence for Ukraine on the situation in Crimea, including political, social, and cultural. Today, Ukraine has actually refused these instruments,” he said.