Russia may cut off Ukraine’s access to Black Sea – MEP

Thursday, December 11, 2014 - 13:21 (EET) Section: Latest news

The possibility that Russia will try to create a corridor from Donbas to Crimea is growing.
MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski said this in an interview with Polskie Radio, the Yevropeiska Pravda online newspaper reported.
In addition, he said, a scenario is possible that Russia will try to cut off Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea and create a corridor to Transdniestria, but it is less likely.
“At one time research by experts showed that this [probability] is 30% for the Crimea-Transdniestria corridor and 50% for the Crimea-Donbas corridor,” he said.
“I think that over time and given actual facts, such as the buildup of Russian troops on Ukrainian territory, the movement of the Black Sea Fleet, the mobilization of Russian troops in Crimea, the probability is growing,” Saryusz-Wolski said.
“I do not hesitate to express this risk as a percentage, but the logic of facts says that this will be the next step – perhaps not inevitable, but very likely. Russia denies it, but a traditional strategy by Moscow is to do one thing and say another one,” the MEP said.
In his opinion, such actions “would make sense” taking into account Russia’s problems with the purchase of fuel and food for Crimea.
“Thus, problems with deliveries to Crimea require a transit route. There are road and rail routes, but amid the war there’s only the scenario of Russia’s full withdrawal from Crimea, which is unlikely, or military occupation of the corridor,” Saryusz-Wolski said.
According to the MEP, he is pessimistic about Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.
“Russia has such a military advantage that Ukraine will not be able to defend itself,” he said.