Crimean Tatars To Try To Block Food, Goods Flow To Annexed Crimea
KYIV -- Crimean Tatars say they will start blocking food and goods flowing from Ukraine to the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed from Ukraine by Russia last year.
The head of the Crimean Tatars' self-governing body, the Mejlis, Refat Chubarov, who is also a Ukrainian lawmaker, said in the Ukrainian parliament on September 16 that the "long-term blockade" will start at noon on September 20. He called on other Ukrainian citizens to join the move.
Chubarov said that trucks carrying food and other goods will not be allowed to enter Crimea, while individuals and private vehicles will not be stopped.
Chubarov said the blockade will be coordinated from the town of Chonhar, which lies close to Crimea, and that three major roads will be targeted.
Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the Crimean Tatar initiative.
Russia To Analyze New Ukrainian Sanctions
A Russian official says Moscow will analyze the possible consequences of new sanctions introduced by Ukraine.
Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich made the comment to the RIA news agency on September 17.
Ukraine extended or applied sanctions on more than 400 individuals and 90 legal entities on September 16 in response to a decision by separatist rebels in the east to set a date for "illegal elections."
Donetsk separatist leader Aleksandr Zakharchenko signed a decree to hold the elections starting on October 18.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the rebels' action threatened the Minsk peace agreement signed in February.
Ukraine is set to hold local elections on October 25.
Under the Minsk agreement, local elections were meant to be held in separatist regions in the east along with the rest of the country.
The list of sanctioned individuals posted on the Ukrainian presidential website mentions members of Russia's parliament and senior rebel figures.
Companies affected include Russian airline Aeroflot, security company Kaspersky Lab, and banks Gazprombank and Bank of Moscow.