(MENAFN) Ben Wallace, the former UK Defense Secretary, emphasized that Kiev’s Western supporters need to assist Ukraine in rendering Crimea “not inhabitable,” during his address at the Warsaw Security Forum on Tuesday.

Wallace highlighted that Russia regards the Black Sea peninsula as a “Holy Mount,” and stressed that Ukraine should focus its efforts where it can cause the most significant harm.

He stated, “We have to help Ukraine have the long-range capabilities to make Crimea unviable. We need to choke the life out of Crimea.” Wallace added, “If it is not inhabitable or not possible for it to function… I think, if we do that, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will suddenly realize he’s got something to lose.”

The former defense minister suggested that Kyiv should prioritize strikes on the Kerch Strait Bridge, which links Crimea with Russia’s Krasnodar Region.

Ukrainian forces have previously attacked this bridge in October 2022 and July 2023, causing temporary disruption to traffic.

Having served as defense secretary from 2019 to 2023, Wallace has also called on Ukraine to increase the mobilization of its population to combat Russian forces.

Crimea, which voted to separate from Ukraine and join Russia following the 2014 Western-backed coup in Kyiv, has been subjected to an economic blockade by Ukraine.

This blockade has cut off electricity and water supplies to the region.

The peninsula, home to approximately 2.5 million people, also serves as the base for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.

MENAFN01102025000045017167ID1110136706