KIEV, December 27 (Sputnik) — Cutting off passenger railway service to Crimea is a temporary measure, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council spokesperson Andriy Lysenko said at a briefing Saturday.
"This measure is temporary," Lysenko said.
Earlier in the day, Ukraine halted its railway communication with Crimea. According to Ukraine's State Railway Transport Administration, Ukrzaliznytsia, the decision was taken out of concern for the passengers' safety.
Earlier in December, Kiev authorities terminated the railway communication with the southeastern region of Donbas, as part of its "economic blockade."
Crimea seceded from Ukraine and rejoined Russia in March. The move was backed by an overwhelming 96 percent majority in a referendum on March 16. Russia's reunification with its former Republic of Crimea led to a current political standoff between Moscow and largely pro-Kiev Western countries.
