Ukraine allowed the termination of railway communication with Russia
A public operator of Railways of Ukraine “Ukrzaliznytsya” may terminate rail links with Russia in 2018, said the Minister of infrastructure Vladimir Omelian channel “112. Ukraine”.
According to him, such a decision can be made due to the fact that Russia built a railway line to bypass the Republic. “The question of railway communication with Russia, it is now “Ukrzaliznytsya”. Think about the final decision, we will be able to report in 2018,” he said.
The Minister said that at present between Russia and Ukraine runs a Russian (Moscow — Chisinau) and several Ukrainian passenger trains.
The decision on suspension of rail traffic may also affect the freight, admitted the official.
In may, Ukraine has already stated the possibility of termination of railway communication with Russia since July 1. The reason for this was passenger traffic from the area of so-called anti-terrorist operation in Russia, in particular, the operation of the train Donetsk-Taganrog that “violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.” In November, the permanent representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea Borys Babin once again suggested to completely stop passenger service between Ukraine and Russia.
Russia announced the start-up of 120 passenger and 30 freight trains bypassing Ukraine on December 11. The movement began on the newly constructed branch Millerovo-zhuravka length of 137 km. Road was built in 2015 against the background of aggravation of the situation in the South-East of Ukraine. Before the Russian trains southbound double-crossed the border, passing through the territory of the Luhansk region of Ukraine. The cost of the road, stations and other infrastructure amounted to 55 billion rubles.
In Kiev welcomed the launch of Russian trains bypassing Ukraine, as, according to the Omelyan, it “reduces the risk of any terrorist acts.”