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Crimean leader says republic is ready for food blockade from Ukraine

Sergey Aksyonov noted though that Crimea was interested in maintaining contacts between economic entities of Ukraine and Russia
At a food market in Crimea Artyom Geodakyan/TASS
At a food market in Crimea
© Artyom Geodakyan/TASS

SIMFEROPOL, September 8. /TASS/. The Crimean authorities are ready to provide the population with food in the event of the blockade on the part of Ukraine, Crimea’s head Sergey Aksyonov told reporters, commenting on the statement on the impending actions to block the border between Crimea and Ukraine.

"As usual, nationalists want to do something bad to the republic, but we are ready for anything. There are big companies that are willing to ensure food supplies. Russia’s Federal State Reserve Agency is working as well. So, we will not have any problems no matter whether they block us or not," Aksyonov told reporters.

According to him, the Kerch ferry connecting the Crimean peninsula and mainland Russia now works in the ordinary course. "There are no long lines of trucks. The traffic volume may be fully redirected. We have no fear, we have been preparing for this for a long time," Aksyonov said.

He noted though that Crimea was interested in maintaining contacts between economic entities of the two countries. "We have always said that we do not want to disrupt ties between economic entities in Crimea and in Ukraine many of which had three-or five-year contracts. Both residents of Crimea and Ukrainian citizens are interested in these ties," Crimea’s head said.