Klimkin: Water supply to occupied Crimea would be disaster

"I think it would be a disaster if we started discussing water supply contracts indicating ‘Crimea, Russia.’ Even the very beginning of the discussion would mean political, legal and moral recognition of Russia’s occupation. This would destroy all our efforts and lawsuits over harm which Russia has inflicted during the occupation. In the near future, you will see further development of this issue, follow the news," Klimkin said in an interview with Glavcom Ukrainian online media outlet.

According to him, Ukraine’s logic of how it will continue to fight against Russian aggression should include the creation of the highest price of occupation for Russia.

"At the moment, it is not only a financial price related to restoration of the territory of the occupied Crimea but also an emotional one. We know what sentiments are growing now in the territory of the occupied Crimea. The sentiments heighten not only due to lack of water but also because of corruption chaos and the fact that the "newcomers" from Russia deprived the Crimean residents of any influence. Both business and authorities are controlled by those "appointed" from Russia. The sentiments change very quickly there, and we must use this," the ex-minister believes.

Earlier, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Anton Korynevych stated that Ukraine did not plan to resume water supply to the annexed Crimea via the North Crimean Channel.

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