(AFP) - Ukraine has reduced its water supplies to the Crimea peninsula, which was annexed by Russia last month, the region's governor Sergei Aksyonov said on Saturday.

"Ukraine's sabotage limiting the water supply to the republic through the North Crimea canal can only be qualified as premeditated action against the people of Crimea," Itar-Tass news agency quoted him as saying.

Ukrainian media reported earlier on Saturday that authorities in Kiev had closed the lock valves of the canal, which supplies up to 85 per cent of the peninsula's water.

But Mr Aksyonov vowed that Crimea would not run out of water as the region had emergency supplies and talks were being held with Ukrainian officials to find a solution.

"There is no drinking water problem," he said on his Twitter account, adding that farmers would be compensated.

Crimea also depends on Ukraine for its electricity supplies.