Ukrainian MP: Russia’s Kerch Bridge to Crimea should be given to Ukraine
Refat Chubarov, Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, stated in an interview with the Obozrevatel news outlet that Russia should hand over the Crimean bridge “as contribution” to a special “international consortium” which should be established to operate the bridge.
“As the country that annexed Crimea, Russia should hand over the Crimean Bridge as a contribution to the international consortium for damage caused [to Ukraine],” Chubarov stated. “The transfer agreement should contain measures to be taken should Russia try to return it in the future.”
Chubarov believes that the bridge should become “a part of a big contribution in compensation for damages caused by Russia to Ukraine.”
According to the Deputy, services and maintenance of the bridge “will be very problematic.”
Chubarov stated: “Even assuming that this bridge will be preserved and operational, I don’t see any other form of its use but the establishment of a special international consortium.”
Chubarov brought up the need for tracking people who enter Crimea by crossing the bridge, stating they should be issued official warnings. Now, according to him, this issue is being discussed with the law enforcement authorities of Ukraine.
At the end of March, Lenur Islyamov, a leader of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people expressed his intention to “do everything possible” to prevent movement across the Crimean bridge. Islyamov, the coordinator of civil actions attempting to blockade Crimea, stated that he believes people and artists attempting to visit Crimea illegally “should be subjected to the same sanctions.”
The Deputy of the State Council of Crimea, Nikolai Yurevich, stated in response that Ukrainian activists cannot prevent traffic on the bridge.
The Crimean Bridge consists of road and rail parts. Construction began on the bridge in 2015; traffic across the bridge is planned to commence in the second half of May.