REUTERS
The activists are suspending the energy blockade of Crimea, as it "should not create problems for the ordinary Crimean residents," Lenur Islyamov, the coordinator of a so-called Crimea blockade, said on 112 Ukraine TV Channel.
"We allowed repair teams access to power lines according to the decision of the Mejlis leader. We gathered all our activists, explained them what was happening in Kyiv, that Mustafa Dzhemilev and Refat Chubarov were subject to pressure from our foreing partners. There was a serious pressure, because we, as activists, were provoking a humanitarian catastrophe in Crimea. The power line is working now. We didn't have to follow a path of allowing ordinary people in Crimea suffer; because hospitals, kindergartens and other facilities were in trouble. Mustafa [Dzhemliev] agreed, and we turned on one line that was chosen by the government. They chose a 220 kV Kakhovka-Tytan power line, we gave access to it despite our demands on the release of political prisoners," Islyamov said.
Read alsoCivil Blockade of Crimea names conditions for unblocking power line repairsThe coordinator of the blockade lamented the lack of support, calling it "his personal initiative."
"But we cannot remain without foreign partners and friends in Kyiv, because we will be between two fires. And the whole Ukraine is not running to us here. We rely on ourselves and volunteers. So, whatever we're doing here is our little personal initiative," the activist said.
Read alsoCrimea blackout: large enterprises suspend work, children out of schoolHe also said that activists would demand an immediate vote of the parliament for a draft law on energy blockade of Crimea.
"On Monday, Refat [Chubarov] submitted to the parliament a draft decree on the complete cessation of all electricity supplies to Crimea. If the deputies do not vote, we will wait 15 days and will 'block' those MPs who fail to support the decree," Islyamov said, adding that a contract for the supply of electricity [to Crimea] would end on December 31.