Crimean Tatars Name Conditions for Restoring Power Supply to Crimea

Ukraine will supply electricity to the occupied territory of Crimea if Russia complies with at least one demand of the Crimean Tatar protesters.

Crimean Tatar leader, Ukrainian presidential envoy for Crimean Tatar People's affairs, and Ukrainian MP from the Bloc of Petro Poroshenko Mustafa Dzhemilev said it, accordnig to the Crimean news agency Krym.Realii.

"They should make some reciprocal steps. First of all, they must release Ahtem Chiygoz, [and other] key figures. But they do nothing like that. That's why they face such public pressure. Why should we switch on the light for them?" Dzhemilev said.

According to MP, the Ukrainian leadership insists on the resumption of power supplies to Crimea because, under the terms of contracts between Moscow and Kyiv, Ukraine has to pay Russia more fines for electricity halting.

At the same time, according to Dzhemilev, the Crimean Tatars believe that the energy blockade should continue.

"The headquarters told to cut the wires. Until there is a command from Kyiv, we will not let you switch on the light. That's the situation today. We'll see what we have tomorrow," he said.

Dzhemilev also said that his colleagues were not going to let electricity supplies to Crimea resume.