Kiev says Crimea and Donbass cost $US50 billion and plans to adjudge that amount from Russia

Ukraine will appeal to the international courts for reparation of the damage Russia “has caused to it by annexing Crimea” and supporting the Donbass self-defense forces. The claim amount will exceed US$50 billion, says Pavlo Klimkin, the foreign minister of Ukraine.

“We have already decided what amount to demand as reparation... I am speaking about billions. It may be various claims. I think the amount of several claims may equal to the ‘YUKOS case.’  We have calculated everything, even the cost of the natural resources, including the sand we cannot use any longer,” Klimkin said. According to the minister, such trials may take four-six years.

To recall, the Supreme Council of Crimea and Sevastopol City Council adopted a Declaration of Independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol City on March 11 2014, following the political crisis and power change in Ukraine. On March 16, an independence referendum was held. The turnout was more than 80%, with 96.77% of the voters in the Republic of Crimea and 95.6% of voters in Sevastopol voting for unification with Russia.  On March 18, an agreement was signed to admit the new subjects of the Russian Federation. Ukraine, U.S., and EU did not recognize the independence of Crimea and its unification with Russia.