Russia Props Up Ukraine Rebels With Coal Sales From War Zone
- Rebels send nearly 1 million tons per month, Nazarov says
- Trade shows deepening Russian economic links to separatists
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Russia is helping Ukrainian rebels sell coal on international markets to raise much-needed cash for pensions and social needs, evading a blockade imposed by the government in Kiev as efforts to implement a peace deal remain stalled.
The separatists are sending nearly 1 million tons of coal per month to Russia across their shared border as of August, boosting income to support the 4 million inhabitants of the breakaway eastern Ukrainian regions, Russian Deputy Economy Minister Sergei Nazarov said. Russia re-exports the coal to third countries via its sea ports, he said in an interview, confirming Ukrainian accusations that it’s fostering trade links for the rebels.