The Deputy Minister of Ukraine for the so-called “occupied territories” Georgy Tuka said in an interview ZN.UA that “emotional” decision on the blockade of Donbass was fair in the short term but turned into “stupidity and short-sightedness” in the future.
He notes that with the uncontrolled territories exists a lot of economic ties, and without a real thorough search of alternatives “even to start a conversation about some clipping — deceit or incompetence”.
“At the moment when began active hostilities when killed hundreds of our soldiers, when they formed the line of demarcation, Ukraine took quite a dramatic decision — to refuse the supply in the occupied areas of water, food, cut off financial and social flows. I at that time was not involved in these decisions, but as a person, as a citizen supported them. Because then these measures I, like everyone, wanted to punish the population, which was shouting: “Putin, come!”. It was emotional, but honestly. And from ordinary people, and from the state, which, in fact, was plunged into shock from the events”, – he said.
In his opinion, this step, just at some short term turned into “stupidity and short-sightedness” in the future and played into the hands of Russia, which “went to the occupied territories of the ruble and commodities.
“We have not made the second mandatory step — not opened-sealed valve, not made clear to people that we need them, they are ours, and we’ll feed them and care for them. It was quite a short-term backlash, when we cut off, and Russia did not dare to go. When we had to turn around to face the people and all the forces to pull them to their side”, said Tuck.
“At the same time, we are continuing to make on the territory of the hryvnia, paying the salaries of people who work at the Ukrainian enterprises. This money is spent for daily needs and goods of the Russian manufacturers. It turns out that we are subsidizing their money enterprises of the country-aggressor. Now, speaking about reintegration, we have gradually open trade gateways, and to lift the blockade, and also to deal with the ruble, and with the Russian manufacturers”, – noted he.
