Trade Blockade Aggravates Political Situation

UKRAINE - In Brief 20 Feb 2017 by Dmytro Boyarchuk

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Surprisingly but offensive near Avdiyivka did not remove trade blockade of occupied territories from agenda. As soon as fighting eased trade blockade again took the headlines. What’s more, volunteering squads expanded their control on many other routes. Trade blockade still remains fragmentary; however, possibilities for coal and iron ore supplies narrowed substantially. This already translated into halt of production on Alchevsk metallurgical plant located on the occupied territories. Discussion of the issue is quite nervous. Prime-minister Volodymyr Groysman stated publicly there is no alternative to the coal from occupied territories and on February 15th the Cabinet approved emergency stance in electricity sector. Public-opinion leaders and energy experts extensively explained to the officials that alternatives are existent while officials have conflict of interest when defending coal shipments from occupied Donetsk under Rotterdam+ scheme. Next day National Security and Defense Council released a decree which nominally should address the issue of coal supply diversification but also orders law enforcement bodies to unblock coal shipments from occupied territories. President Poroshenko stated openly that trade blockade is a threat and coal shipments should be resumed. Also there came in official statements from Eurocomission and US Embassy calling to resolve the issue. Still so far nothing happened in terms of lifting trade blockade. It looks like neither police nor army is eager to attack volunteering squads feeling widespread public support to trade blockade. And this layout is a real challenge for Poroshenko and the authorities. Disregard emergency stance was ann...