Crimea water shortage caused by militarization of peninsula – Foreign Ministry

Oleg Nikolenko, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said this in a comment to Ukrinform.

“There are enough water resources for domestic use in Crimea. The problem has become aggravated due to its massive militarization, including the development of military bases and military-industrial enterprises of the Russian Federation. In fact, the Russian military have jeopardized the satisfaction of basic needs of the civilian population of Crimea," he stressed.

Nikolenko noted that this once again proves the destructive nature of Russia’s policy in the Ukrainian territories it occupied. At the same time, the Russian side continues to shift the responsibility onto others. He recalled that in accordance with international law, Russia as an occupying state is responsible for the situation on the peninsula.

The spokesperson stressed that Ukraine's position on this issue remains clear – the resumption of the supply of Dnieper water to Crimea is possible only after its demilitarization and de-occupation.

On May 21, some Ukrainian media outlets released a statement by a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman that Ukraine's refusal to supply water to the occupied Crimea contributes to the growth of international tension and could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.

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