Donetsk, Dec 29 – DAN. Kiev attempts to toughen Donbass economic blockade will do more harm to Ukraine’s economy and the welfare of its citizens, DPR Head Alexander Zakharchenko said in an interview to Donetsk News Agency.
“The Ukrainian economy is nosediving; instead of trying to curb the fall and come to terms with us, they turn on the engine to accelerate the plunge. Let them make things worse if they wish,” Zakharchenko said. “I’m sure we can exploit it to our advantage, whereas Ukraine will further harm its economy and its citizens’ welfare.”
The economic blockade not only failed to weaken DPR and LPR thus far, it stimulated the Republics’ economic potential in various sectors and eventually worked against Ukraine, the DPR leader added.
On 16 December, Ukraine National Security and Defence Council Secretary Alexander Turchinov called for tougher economic blockade against the Donbass Republics. Turchinov, a key figure behind Donbass bloodbath, believes that the ban on movements of goods and cargoes to LPR and DPR will enable Kiev to faster “liberate” the territories it does not control.
On November 15 2014, Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko signed the decree halting the payment of pensions and allowances in the conflict zone. DPR and LPR authorities branded the decision as an “act on genocide and ruination of people.” *jk