IN THE SPOTLIGHT - Gorshenin Institute
INTHESPOTLIGHT ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 CONTENT 1.Topnews…page5 2.ArmedconflictinUkraine`seast…page5 IntenseclashescontinueinUkraine'seast Poroshenko,Merkel,HollandeandPutindiscusssituationinUkraine Merkel,HollandereceivePutin'sproposalsonUkrainebeforeMoscowtalks–US SecretaryofState Pro-RussianseparatistsinDonetskpeople'srepublicannouncefull-scale mobilization NATOsaysRussiasentmodernheavyweaponstoDonbas Another“humanitarianconvoy”fromRussiacrossesUkrainianborder OSCEfindsheavyweaponsonterritorycontrolledbypro-Russianrebels Pro-RussianrebelsopenfireatOSCEmissioninLuhanskRegion 7,000peoplekilledinUkraine'sDonbas-Poroshenko Ukraineevacuates4,500peoplefromantiterroristoperationarea Ukraine'ssecurityservicekillsRussianofficerinchargeofMariupol'sshelling 3.Internationalpolitical…page10 Ukraine-Russia Ukraineimposessanctionsagainst160Russiancompanies RussiannationalsnowneedtravelpassportstoenterUkraine UkrainianparliamentbansbroadcastingofmoviesmadeinRussia RussiafilesnewchargesagainstUkrainianfilmdirector UkrainianshaveprogressivelynegativeattitudetoRussia–poll Crimeanissue RussiatosetupdronecentreinCrimea RussianauthoritiescontinuetodetainCrimeanTatars Ukraine-EU Ukrainianparliamentratifiesagreementonjointmilitarybrigadewith Lithuania,Poland 2 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 EUmayliftsanctionsagainstYanukovych's,Azarov'ssons–media PolishdeputyfinanceministertohelpreformUkrainianeconomy Ukraine-US ObamamullingarmssupplyforUkraine 4.Domesticpolitical…page13 UkrainianparliamentvotesinfavourofcancellingMPs'immunity Parliamentpasseslawsonregionalpolicy,unionofterritorialcommunities MPspreliminarilyapprovestartofpolicereform VeniceCommissionsuggestsUkrainesuspendvettinglaw UkrainianparliamentpasseslawonNationalGuard Ukrainianpresidentsignslawincreasingtermofmilitaryservice Parliamentpassesbillonmilitary-civiladministrations Ukrainianpresidentvetoeswomen'sretirementat55 UkrainianparliamentstripsYanukovychofpresidentialtitle UkrainesendsarrestwarrantforYanukovych,AzarovtoRussia Courtarrestsformerrevenuesministerinabsentia Chiefprosecutorsayscaseoncrackdownonstudents'protestsolved ParliamentrecognizesInternationalCriminalCourtjurisdictionoverDonbas crimes Prosecutorssaysover15mdollarsembezzledatNaftohaz,Ukrtranshaz ParliamentagreestohavejudgeinTymoshenko'scasearrested Mykolayiv'sex-mayorsentencedtoeight-yearimprisonment,confiscationof property MPsfailtocollectenoughsignaturestodismissprosecutor-general UkrainianpresidentappointsKharkiv,Chernivtsiregionalgovernors GeorgiannationalappointedUkraine'sdeputyjusticeminister CourtsaysappealagainstverdictonPukachtobegivenpublichearing 5.Media…page19 3 Firtash,LyovochkinbuyoutRussia'sstakeinInterTVChannel ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 6.Economy…page20 IMFtodecideonnewloantoUkraineinnearfuture Ukraine'sforeignreservesshrinkto6.4bndollars NationalBankcancelscurrencyauctions,raisesinterestrate Hryvnyahitsnewhistoriclow Centralbankincreasesofficialgoldpriceby28.5percent Inflationacceleratesto3.1percent TemporaryadministrationintroducedinFirtash'sbank MotorSichstrikesdealtosupplyenginestoAustria 7.Energy…page21 GazpromcutsgaspriceforUkraine SummergassuppliestoUkrainepossibleafterdebtsettlement–Russia's EnergyMinistry SlovakiasaysreadytocoverthirdofUkraine'sgasneeds 4 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 1.TOPNEWS Pro-RussianseparatistscontinueshellingUkrainianpositions Morethan5,360peoplehavebeenkilledasaresultofthearmedconflictin Ukraine YoucanfindmoredetailsinthesectionARMEDCONFLICTINUKRAINE'SEAST LeadersofRussia,Germany,FranceandUkrainetomeetinMinsk PutinsuggestsgrantingautonomytoDonetskandLuhanskRegions–media reports YoucanfindmoredetailsinthesectionARMEDCONFLICTINUKRAINE'SEAST Ukraine'scentralbankscrapspeg,hikinginterestratefrom14percentto 19.5 Thenationalcurrencysunktoanewhistoriclow YoucanfindmoredetailsinthesectionECONOMIC 2.ARMEDCONFLICTINUKRAINE'SEAST IntenseclashescontinueinUkraine'seast Pro-RussianseparatistscontinueshellingpositionsoftheUkrainianmilitary andresidentialareasintheantiterroristoperationzonealongtheentirelineof contact. TherebelshavefocusedtheiroffensiveontheareasurroundingDonetsk Region'sDebaltseve,amajorrailwayhub.TheUkrainianInteriorMinistry estimatedthat4,000pro-RussianseparatistsandRussiansoldierswerefighting there. TheUkrainianantiterroristforcesretreatedfromthetransithubcityof VuhlehirsknearDebaltseve,overwhichtheyhadfoughtoverthepastfew weeks.Thecityispracticallydestroyed,theLB.uanewsandanalysiswebsite hasreported. Themilitantsoftheself-proclaimedDonetskpeople'srepublicalsocontinued shellingHorlivka,AvdiyivkaandotherpopulatedareasofDonetskRegion, whichledtonewciviliandeaths. On4February,pro-Russianrebelsusedheavyartillerytofireataresidential districtinDonetsk.Adaycarecentre,acityhospitalanddentalclinicwere subjectedtoshelling. Also,numerousreportssaythaton8Februaryapowerfulexplosionshattereda chemicalfactoryinKuybyshevskyydistrictontheeasternoutskirtsofDonetsk. Theblastblewoutwindowsinhouseslocatedafewkilometresfromthe 5 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 explosionepicentre.Accordingtomediareports,themilitantsusedthefactory's premisestostoreammunition. TherebelsalsobecamemoreactiveinthedirectionofLuhansk,firingartillery, mortarsandtanksattheLuhanskRegioncitiesofShchastya,Stanytsya Luhanska,NovotoshkivkaandTryokhizbenka. Poroshenko,Merkel,HollandeandPutindiscusssituationinUkraine On8February,UkrainianPresidentPetroPoroshenko,GermanChancellor AngelaMerkel,FrenchPresidentFrancoisHollandeandRussianPresident VladimirPutinheldatelephoneconversationtodiscussoptionsforthe settlementofthearmedconflictineasternUkraine. Thepartieshavereachedanagreementtoholdameetinginthe“Normandy format”(Ukraine,Germany,France,andRussia)on11FebruaryinMinsk.In addition,theyhaveagreedthattheMinsktalksshouldbeprecededby preparatorynegotiationsofrepresentativesofthe”NormandyFour”foreign ministersinBerlin(9February)andameetingofthetrilateralcontactgroup (Ukraine,Russia,OSCE),withtheparticipationofrepresentativesoftheselfproclaimedDonetskandLuhanskpeople'srepublics(10February). On6February,MerkelandHollandetravelledtoMoscowtodiscusswithPutina jointpeaceplanaimedatimplementingtheMinskagreement.Beforethevisit, on5February,theleadersofGermanyandFranceagreedtheirpositionwiththe UkrainianpresidentinKiev. Theparticipantshavenotdisclosedanydetailsofthenegotiations,butitis knownthattheGermanchancellorandtheFrenchpresidentproposedcreating ademilitarizedzoneof50-70kminDonbas.Inthiscase,therebelswouldhave toleaveDonetskandLuhansk,aswellastheAzovcoastalarea. ItshouldbenotedthatbeforehisvisittoRussia,Hollandesaidthat“Franceis notfavourabletoUkraine'sentryintoNATO,”addingthathisstatementwas addressedtotheRussianswho“arestillworried”overthisissue. Also,Poroshenko,MerkelandUSVice-PresidentJoeBidenmetduringthe Munichsecurityconferenceon7Februaryanddiscussedpossiblesolutionsto thecrisisintheeastofUkraine. Merkel,HollandereceivePutin'sproposalsonUkrainebeforeMoscow talks–USSecretaryofState BeforetheirvisittoMoscow,GermanChancellorAngelaMerkelandFrench PresidentFrancoisHollandereceivedoffersfromRussianPresidentVladimir PutinregardingthesettlementoftheconflictinDonbasandpreparedtheirown proposals,USSecretaryofStateJohnKerrysaidduringhisvisittoUkraineon5 February. TheNewYorkTimesquotedaWesterndiplomatinformedonthesubjectofthe planthattheRussianpresidenthadofferedhisWesterncounterpartsaroadmap forcreatinginUkraineapermanentenclave,thatwouldbesimilartoMoldova's breakawayDniesterregionorGeorgia'sAbkhazia. 6 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 TheUkrainianweeklyZerkaloNedelireportedthatinhisproposal,Putinpushed fortheimplementationofconstitutionalreformenvisioningfederalizationin Ukraine,aswellasthecreationoftheDonetskandLuhanskautonomous republics.Additionally,hesaidthattheUkrainianauthoritiesshouldpresent guaranteesofimmunityandirrevocabilityforofficialswhowouldbeelected duringsnappolls(whicharereferredtoasthesecondroundofelections,based ontheassumptionthatthefirstroundwhichtookplaceon2November2014is recognizedasvalid).Putinalsopointedtotheneedtoimplementthelawonthe specialstatusofDonbas. TheRussianpresidentalsostressedthattheUkrainiangovernmentshould establishdirectdialoguewiththeleadersoftheself-proclaimedDonetskand Luhanskpeople'srepublics,withdrawitsmilitaryfromtheregionsandlegalize theso-calledpeople'smilitia,whicharerepresentedbymilitaryformationson theterritoryoftheseparatistentities. ExpertsattheGorsheninInstitutebelievethat,althoughitmaysound paradoxical,theinitialgoaloftheRussianleadershipwastopreserveDonbas withinUkraine. Putinisnotreadytotakeontheloadofsubsidizingthedevastatedregions,the expertexplained.TheRussianpresidentisinterestedinputtingthisburdenon thecriticallyweakeconomyofUkraine.Inaddition,hehasapoliticalinterestin keepinginUkrainethissignificant(fromanelectoralpointofview)pro-Russian regionasaleverofinfluenceonKiev'sdecisions,includingthoseinforeignpolicy. TheexpertspointedoutthatifPutin'sconditionsareaccepted,Ukrainewill returnunderMoscow'spoliticalprotectorateinthenearfuture,andtheEastern Partnershipprojectwillfailcompletely. Atthesametime,theyexpressedconfidencethatUkrainewillnotacceptsuch proposals.“NowthereareenoughbalancesintheUkrainianpower.Itisdifficult toimagine,forexample,thattheincumbentparliamentimplementssuch unfavourableagreements,”theGorsheninInstituteexpertsnoted. Pro-RussianseparatistsinDonetskpeople'srepublicannouncefull-scale mobilization AgeneralmobilizationwillbeannouncedintheDonetskpeople'srepublicafter9 February. Accordingtotheleaderoftheself-proclaimedDonetskpeople'srepublic, OleksandrZakharchenko,theyplantomobilizeupto100,000people. NATOsaysRussiasentmodernheavyweaponstoDonbas NATOhasevidencethatRussiansoldiersandweaponshadbeensenttotheeast ofUkraine,thealliancespokesperson,OanaLungescu,saidon3February. 7 SheaddedthatRussiahaddispatchedtoUkrainehundredsofunitsofheavy weaponry,includingmodernequipmentusedexclusivelybyRussia,overthepast fewweeks."Suchequipmentcannotbeusedbytheseparatistsindependently sinceitrequiressubstantialtraining.Thesearemodernmissiles,tanks,armoured vehicles-anentirerangeofheavyweaponswhichonecannotbuyintheopen marketinDonetsk,"Lungescunoted. ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 WealsofoundoutthattheSecurityServiceofUkraine(SBU)hadexposedthe schemeforconcealingthedeathsofRussiansoldiersinUkraine.TheSBU reportedthatRussiancommandershadbeenchangingthedocumentsof RussianswhodiedinDonbasandwhosinceMay2014hadbeensentfrom UkrainetothespecialfacilitycalledGruz-200(Cargo-200,militarycodeforKIA), whichisbasedinRostov-on-Don. Ukraine'sDefenceMinistryon8FebruaryreportedthattheUkrainianmilitary seizedseveral“Shmel”infantryflamethrowersthatareinservicewiththe Russianarmy. WewouldliketopointoutthatduringhisaddressattheMunichsecurity conferenceon7February,UkrainianPresidentPetroPoroshenkoshowed RussianpassportsandmilitarydocumentsofRussiansoldierswhohadfoughtin Ukraine. TheFinancialTimesearlierquoteditsownsourcesassayingthatinorderto convinceRussianPresidentVladimirPutintosignapeacedeal,Poroshenko threatenedhimattheendofAugustwithpostingonlineinformationabout numerousdogtagsofRussiansoldierswhowereeithercapturedorkilledin Ukraine,andwithcontactingtheirmothersandspouses. Another“humanitarianconvoy”fromRussiacrossesUkrainianborder The13thso-called“humanitarianconvoy”fromRussiaconsistingof170lorries arrivedintheoccupiedpartsofDonetskandLuhanskregionson8February, accordingtotheRussianEmergenciesMinistry. Asbefore,theRussianauthoritiesdidnotcoordinatethecargodeliverywithKiev. TheUkrainianborderservicereportedthatUkrainianborderguardswerenot allowedtoinspectthetrucks. Aswasreported,themilitantsoftheDonetskandLuhanskpeople'srepublics alwaysnoticeablystepuptheircombatactivityafterreceivinga“humanitarian” cargofromRussia. OSCEfindsheavyweaponsonterritorycontrolledbypro-Russianrebels ThespecialmonitoringmissiontoUkraineoftheOrganizationforCooperation andSecurityinEurope(OSCE)hasfoundamilitarycampwithheavyweapons (14tanksT-72andsevenBMP-1armouredvehicles)withoutidentifyinginsignia ontheterritorycontrolledbypro-Russianseparatistsfromtheself-proclaimed Donetskpeople'srepublic,themission'sreportof6Februaryhasread. OSCErepresentativesalsofoundinthewesternsuburbsofDonetsk,whichis occupiedbytherebels,aT-72tankwithoutidentifyinginsignia,whichwas positionedtotargetthewestofDonetsk.Likewise,themissionobservedthe presenceoftwoT-72tanks,alsowithoutidentifyinginsignia,tothewestofthe Petrivsketown,whichisheldbytheforcesoftheDonetskpeople'srepublicandis located70kmfromDonetsk. Pro-RussianrebelsopenfireatOSCEmissioninLuhanskRegion On4February,observersoftheOSCEmonitoringmissiontoUkrainewere 8 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 subjectedtoshellingontheterritoryoftheself-proclaimedLuhanskpeople's republic,theOSCEpressservicehasreported. Wewouldliketoremindyouthatthisisnotthefirstcasewhenthemission's vehicleshadbeenfiredatontheterritorycontrolledbytheseparatists.Noone wasinjuredintheseincidents. 7,000peoplekilledinUkraine'sDonbas-Poroshenko DuringtheperiodoftheconflictinDonetskandLuhanskregions,Ukrainehas lost7,000people,including1,430servicemenand5,600civilians,Ukrainian PresidentPetroPoroshenkosaidduringtheMunichsecurityconferenceon7 February. Earlier,theUNreportedthat5,360peoplewerekilledand12,240wereinjured duringtheDonbasconflictasof3February. Atthesametime,accordingtoFrankfurterAllgemeineSonntagszeitung,German intelligenceagenciesestimatethenumberoffatalitiesat50,000people. Ukraineevacuates4,500peoplefromantiterroristoperationarea On28January-7February,Ukrainianemergencyworkersandvolunteers evacuated4,500peoplefromtheantiterroristoperationarea,theUkrainian StateEmergenciesServicehasreported. Wewouldliketopointoutthaton6February,Ukrainiansoldiersmanagedto agreewithpro-Russianrebelsonthesettingupoftheso-called"greencorridor" toevacuateciviliansfromtheterritorysurroundingDebaltseve,whereheavy fightingisunderway.Aspreviouslyreported,theonlyroadoutofthecityhad beenconstantlyshelledbytheseparatists. TheUNreportedthatasof6February,therewere980,000registeredinternally displacedpersonsinUkraine.Intotal,morethan1.5millionpeoplehavebeen internallydisplacedbytheconflictintheeastofUkraine. Ukraine'ssecurityservicekillsRussianofficerinchargeofMariupol's shelling OperativesoftheUkrainiancounterintelligenceserviceshavekilledaRussian officerwithcallsignPepel(Ash),whohadbeendirectingtheshellingof Mariupolon24Januaryandallhissubordinates,theheadoftheSecurity ServiceofUkraine(SBU),ValentynNalyvaychenko,saidon4February. HeaddedthattheoperationhadbeencarriedoutnearthevillageofBezimenne inNovoazovskDistrictlocatedontheterritorycontrolledbypro-Russianrebels. ThebodieshavebeenevacuatedtoRussia. Earlier,theSBUreportedaboutthedetentionoftwoUkrainiannationalswho hadbeeninvolvedintheshellingofMariupol. 9 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 3.INTERNATIONALPOLITICAL UKRAINE-RUSSIA Ukraineimposessanctionsagainst160Russiancompanies Ukrainehascancelledlicensesandpermitsof160Russiancompanies,hence joiningagroupofWesterncountrieswhichhadintroducedsanctionsagainst Moscow,UkrainianEconomyMinisterAivarasAbromaviciussaidon6 February. Headdedthatthefinallistofindividualsonthelistofsanctionsisbeing checkedandwillbereleasedoncethepresidentapprovesit. RussiannationalsnowneedtravelpassportstoenterUkraine On3February,UkrainianPrimeMinisterArseniyYatsenyuksigneda governmentresolutionunderwhichRussiancitizenswillberequiredtohavea validtravelpassporttoenterUkrainestartingfrom1March. Thisstep,theprimeministerexplained,willallowtosubstantiallyimprovethe controloverthestateborderandensuretheinterestsofUkrainiannational security. UkrainianparliamentbansbroadcastingofmoviesmadeinRussia On5February,theVerkhovnaRadaofUkraineapprovedamendmentstothelaw underwhichitisbannedtodistributeandpubliclyscreenRussianmoviesthat weremadeafter1991,aswellasanymovieswhichpromotetheactivityofthe Russianlaw-enforcementagencies. Thelawwillbeenactedtwomonthsafteritspublication. RussiafilesnewchargesagainstUkrainianfilmdirector UkrainianfilmdirectorOlehSentsov,whoisillegallyheldinaRussian detentionfacility,hasbeenpresentedwithnewchargesofillegaldealingwith armsandexplosivesbyaRussianprosecutor'soffice,thepublicationOtkrytaya Rossiyaquotedon2Februarythelawyersofthefilmdirectorassaying. WeshallremindyouthatSentsovwasdetainedinCrimeainMay2014andthen placedonthelistofterrorists. On5February,Sentsov'slawyerDmytroDinzesaidthattheRussian Prosecutor-General'sOfficehadrecognizedthedualcitizenshipofthemovie director,butdecidedtoprosecutehimasaRussiancitizenshipinthisparticular casesincehehadlivedinCrimea. Aspreviouslyreported,amemberoftheUkrainiandelegationtothe ParliamentaryAssemblyoftheCouncilofEurope,militarypilotNadiya Savchenko,isstillinRussiancustody.On15December2014,shewenton hungerstrike.SeverallawmakersoftheEuropeanParliamentfollowedsuitto demonstratetheirsupportofSavchenko. 10 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 UkrainianshaveprogressivelynegativeattitudetoRussia–poll TheresultsofapollconductedinDecember2014bytheKievInternational InstituteofSociologyandRussia'sLevadaCentresuggestthatonly37percentof UkrainianshaveapositiveattitudetoRussia(incomparisonwith48percentof respondentsinSeptember)and48percentviewitnegatively(41percentin September). Atthesametime,theresultsofthepollshowthattheattitudeofUkrainiansto RussiaremainsmorepositivethantheopinionRussiansholdofUkraine.As manyas36percentofRussiansperceivedUkrainepositivelyinSeptember,but theirnumberdroppedto24percentinDecember.ThenumberofRussian respondentswhohaveanegativeviewofUkrainerosefrom55percentto63 overthesameperiodoftime. CRIMEANISSUE RussiatosetupdronecentreinCrimea RussiawillcreatedronecentresintheoccupiedCrimeanpeninsulaandalsoin theSouthernfederalandNorth-Caucasianfederaldistricts,Russian EmergenciesMinisterVladimirPuchkovhassaid. Thecentreswillberesponsiblefor"comprehensivemonitoringofterritory",he added. TheUkrainianNationalSecurityandDefenceCouncilsaidbeforethatRussia hadbeenactivelyusingdronesforspyingontheborderwiththeCrimean peninsula,aswellasontheeasternborderwithUkraine. RussianauthoritiescontinuetodetainCrimeanTatars On4February,theCrimeangovernmentdetainedCrimeanTatarAsan ChebiyevforparticipatinginarallyinsupportofUkraine'sterritorialunity, whichhadtakenplaceinSimferopolon26February2014.Hewasquestioned andthenreleased. On7February,anotherCrimeanTatarwhoparticipatedinademonstrationlast year,EskanderKantemirov,wasdetained.Hishousewasalsosearched.On8 February,aSimferopolcourtputtheactivistundercustodyforaperiodoftwo months. Previously,AkhtemChyyhoz,deputyheadoftheMajlisoftheCrimeanTatar People,wasdetainedandlaterarrestedfororganizingandparticipatinginthe samerally. TheMajlisalsosaidthatCrimeanTatarshavebeensubjectedtoanewwaveof repressioninCrimea. Itshouldalsobenotedthaton8FebruaryaSimferopolcourtarrested OleksandrKostenko,anactivistoftheEuro-MaydaninKiev,suspectinghimof causingbodilyharmtoanofficerofCrimea'sBerkutriotpolice. 11 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 UKRAINE-EU Ukrainianparliamentratifiesagreementonjointmilitarybrigadewith Lithuania,Poland TheUkrainianparliamenton4February2015ratifiedtheagreementbetween thegovernmentsofLithuania,PolandandUkraineonestablishingajoint militarybrigade. Thedocumentwassignedon19September2014. TheUkrainianDefenceMinistrynotedthatthemilitaryunitwillconsistof545 Ukrainian,upto3,500Polishand350Lithuanianservicemen.Thecommand willbeheadquarteredinLublin(Poland). EUmayliftsanctionsagainstYanukovych's,Azarov'ssons–media TheEuropeanUnionmayliftsanctionsagainstcertainformerUkrainian authoritiesastheUkrainianProsecutorGeneral'sOfficehasfailedtoprovide anystrongevidenceagainstthem,thenewsandanalysiswebsiteYevropeyska Pravdahassaid,citingasourceinUkraine'sForeignMinistry. Inparticular,sanctionsmayberelievedforViktorYanukovych(Jr.),the youngersonofUkraine'sex-president,OleksiyAzarov,thesonoftheex-prime minister,formerjusticeministerOlenaLukash,formerfirstdeputyheadofthe presidentialadministrationAndriyPortnov,aswellasformerchiefsofthe SecurityServiceIhorKalininandOleksandrYakymenko. However,asthewebsitenoted,theUkrainianProsecutorGeneral'sOfficeinthe pastmonthheldanumberofproceduralactionsreducingtheriskthatthe EuropeanUnionwillremovesanctionsagainstanumberofkeyformerofficials. Aspreviouslyreported,theEUimposedsanctionsagainst18officialsofthe previousgovernmenton5March2014. PolishdeputyfinanceministertohelpreformUkrainianeconomy Poland'sDeputyFinanceMinisterArturRadziwillhasbeenauthorizedbythe PolishgovernmentforprovidingsupportofeconomicreformsinUkraine, PolishFinanceMinisterMateuszSzczurekhassaid. Earlier,UkrainianPresidentPetroPoroshenkosaidthatfamousPolish economistLeszekBalcerowiczwillhelpimplementreformsinUkraine. InaninterviewwiththenewsandanalysiswebsiteLB.ua,Balcerowicznoted thatcurrentlyUkrainewasmakingitsfourthattempttocarryoutreforms, addingthattherewillbenoothersuchopportunityinthefuture. UKRAINE-US ObamamullingarmssupplyforUkraine USPresidentBarackObamaisconsideringthepossibilityofsupplyingdefence weaponstoUkraine,USSecretaryofStateJohnKerrysaidduringhisvisitto Ukraineon6February. 12 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 Accordingtothediplomat,theUSpresidentwillmakethedecisionafterthe MunichsecurityconferenceandthevisitofGermanChancellorAngelaMerkelto WashingtonD.C.scheduledfor9February. AsnotedbyFedericaMogherini,EUHighRepresentativeforForeignAffairsand SecurityPolicy,theUSdecisionwilldependonwhethertheEuropeanleaders succeedinthepeacetalks. Itshouldberecalledthatthepro-Russianmilitantshavesteppeduptheirattacks ineasternUkraine,whichstirredaseriousdebateintheUnitedStatesregarding suppliesoflethalweaponsfortheUkrainianarmy. AccordingtothenewsagencyReuters,ifObamafailstomakethisstep,agroupof 12RepublicansandDemocratsledbyRepublicanSenatorJohnMcCainwillbe readytodevelopabillthatwouldobligetheUSpresidenttoprovidearmsto Ukraine. ItshouldbenotedthatanumberofEUandNATOmemberstates(theUK, Germany,Franceandothers)refusedtosupplyweaponstoKiev.Inaddition, GermanForeignMinisterFrank-WalterSteinmeierrecommendedthattheUS refrainfromsupplyinganyweaponstoUkraine. Atthesametime,DefenceMinisterofLithuaniaJuozasOlekassaidthathis countrysentweaponsrequestedbytheUkrainiangovernmentasfreeassistance. PresidentPetroPoroshenkoexpressedconfidencethattheUnitedStatesand otherforeignpartnerswillagreetosupplyarmstoUkraine. 4.DOMESTICPOLITICAL UkrainianparliamentvotesinfavourofcancellingMPs'immunity On5February2015,theUkrainianparliamentresolvedtoreferforreviewbythe ConstitutionalCourtthepresident'sbillamendingtheconstitutionbyliftingMP's immunityandlimitingtheimmunityofjudges. Inparticular,thebillcancelstheclausesayingMPsmaybecriminallypunished, detainedorarrestedonlywithparliamentconsent. Thebillalsosaysthatjudgeswillremainimmunefromchargesforactions committedduringtheimplementationofjudicialfunctions,exceptforcaseswhen theyissueddeliberatelyunlawfulrulings,violatedtheoathofajudgeor committedadisciplinarycrime.ItwillbeuptotheSupremeJusticeCouncil,not parliament,togiveconsenttothearrestofjudges,thedocumentreads. SpeakerVolodymyrHroysmanpredictsthatgiventheprocedures,thedocument canbeadoptedasawholeinSeptember. Parliamentpasseslawsonregionalpolicy,unionofterritorialcommunities On5February2015,theUkrainianparliamentpassedabillonthefoundationsof stateregionalpolicy,accordingtowhichregionalcouncilswillensurethe adoptionofregionaldevelopmentstrategies. 13 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 Thedocumentintroducesnewnotions:amacroregion,whichisagroupof severalregions,andamicroregion,whichisapartofaregion.Theregionsare oblasts,theAutonomousRepublicofCrimea,thecitiesofstatesubordination KievandSevastopol. On5February,parliamentpassedanotherbillonterritorialcommunityunions. Accordingtothedocument,ifsmallvillagesunite,theywillnotlosetheirstatus, but"willbeabletoclaim60percentofcitizens'incometax". SpeakerVolodymyrHroysmanexpectsthelawstofacilitatedecentralization reformsandsecuremorefundslocally. MPspreliminarilyapprovestartofpolicereform On5February2015,theUkrainianparliamentpassedinthefirstreadingthe governmentbillonreformingtheInteriorMinistry. Thedocumentliquidatesanumberofdepartments,includingthedepartment forfightingorganizedcrime,alongwithtransportandveterinarypolice. FirstUkrainianDeputyInteriorMinisterEkaZguladzesaidthatthislawwould usherinthefirststageoftheInteriorMinistry'sreform.Shealsosaidthat UkrainewasplanningtosetupasinglespecialtaskforcesimilartotheUS SWAT. VeniceCommissionsuggestsUkrainesuspendvettinglaw VeniceCommissionheadGianniBuquicchiohassaidthattheprocessofvetting inUkraineshouldbesuspendedtoworkoutthelawonthecleansingof authorities. HeexplainedthattheexistingvettinglawwasbadandtheVeniceCommission's reviewsofitwerehighlycritical. UkrainianPresidentPetroPoroshenkonotedthattheUkrainianlegislation doesnotprovideforasuspensionoflaws.HeassuredBuquicchiothatthe documentwouldbeworkedoutwithinamonth. Thesecondstageofvettingisunderway,duringwhichhigh-rankingofficials, includingtheprimeministerandcabinetmembers,willhavetheirassets checked. UkrainianparliamentpasseslawonNationalGuard TheUkrainianparliamentpassedthelawontheNationalGuardon3February 2015. ItauthorizesthepresidenttoappointtheNationalGuardcommanderbasedon theinteriorminister'snomination.Previously,thiswasparliament'scall. ThebillputsthetotalnumberofNationalGuardmembersat60,000. 14 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 Ukrainianpresidentsignslawincreasingtermofmilitaryservice On5February2015,PresidentPetroPoroshenkosignedthelawadvancingthe procedureofmilitaryserviceandsocialprotectionofUkrainiansdoingtheir militaryserviceduringanextraordinaryperiod. Inparticular,thedocumentupstheperiodofmilitaryservicefrom12to18 months.Theupperconscriptionagehasbeenraisedfrom25to27years. Thesameday,parliamentapprovedthebilltighteningservicemen's responsibilityandgivingarmycommandersadditionalrights. Parliamentpassesbillonmilitary-civiladministrations On3February2015,theUkrainianparliamentadoptedabillonmilitary-civil administrationsintheantiterroristoperationarea. Administrationswillbesetuponthepresident'sdecisionshouldexecutive committeesandlocalcouncilprovedysfunctional. Ukrainianpresidentvetoeswomen'sretirementat55 PresidentPetroPoroshenkohasvetoedthelawextendinguntil2022theright toearlyretirementforwomenwhoturned55iftheperiodoftheirpensionable serviceisatleast30yearsandonconditionthattheyresignfromjob,theleader oftheRadicalPartyparliamentaryfaction,OlehLyashko,hassaid. LeszekBalcerowicz,anauthorofPolishreforms,saidinaninterviewwiththe newsandanalysiswebsiteLB.uathatitwasawrongdecisiontopassthelaw giventhecurrenteconomicsituationinUkraine. ItisthesecondtimethatPoroshenkohasexercisedhisrighttoveto.Previously, heblockedthelawbanningtheevictionofforeigncurrencyloanholdersunder mortgageagreements. UkrainianparliamentstripsYanukovychofpresidentialtitle On4February2015,theUkrainianparliamentadoptedabillstrippingViktor Yanukovychofhispresidentialtitle. AccordingtotheProsecutor-General'sOffice(PGO),duringhistimeinoffice Yanukovychhassetupanorganizedcriminalringwhichseizedpowerinthe stateandexertedpressureonprivatebusinessandthebankingsystem.ThePGO addedthatundertheex-president,theUkrainianeconomyhadincurredlosses amountingto100bnhryvnyas(3.85bndollarsatthecurrentexchangerate). Prosecutor-GeneralVitaliyYaremahassaidthatover104mdollars,122m Swissfrancsand22meurosownedbyformerhigh-rankingUkrainianofficials werefrozenintheEU,theUSAandSwitzerland.Over2.2bndollarsindeposits andsecuritieswerearrestedinUkrainianbanks.Inhiswords,theex-officials' movableandimmovablepropertywasalsoarrested. 15 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 UkrainesendsarrestwarrantforYanukovych,AzarovtoRussia On5February2015,UkrainianProsecutor-GeneralVitaliyYaremasaidthathe hadsenttheRussianProsecutor-General'sOfficearequesttofindanddetain formerPresidentViktorYanukovych,formerPrimeMinisterMykolaAzarov, formerInteriorMinisterVitaliyZakharchenko,formerProsecutor-General ViktorPshonkaandformerSecurityServiceofUkrainechiefOleksandr Yakymenko. Courtarrestsformerrevenuesministerinabsentia On4February2015,theKievPecherskyydistrictcourtupheldamotionbythe Prosecutor-General'sOfficetoputformerRevenuesandLeviesMinister OleksandrKlymenkoincustody. Prosecutor-GeneralVitaliyYaremahassaidthattheformerministerhadsetup asystemofprivateenterpriseswhich,throughachainoffakebusiness operations,managedtoevadetaxesandcustomsfeestotheamountofover 6.1bnhryvnyas(235mdollarsatthecurrentexchangerate). EarlieraUkrainiancourtarrestedformerPresidentViktorYanukovych, formerPrimeMinisterMykolaAzarovandformerFinanceMinisterYuriy Kolobovinabsentia. AlltheseformerofficialswereputonInterpol'swantedlist. Chiefprosecutorsayscaseoncrackdownonstudents'protestsolved Investigatorshaveidentifiedalltheorganizersandparticipantsinthe crackdownonthepeacefulprotestonMaydanintheearlyhoursof30 November2013andthebeatingofstudents,Prosecutor-GeneralVitaliy Yaremasaidon2February2015. Hesaidthatfourcommandersinquestion,whoheldtoppostsintheBerkutriot policesquadsatthetime,wereservednoticesofsuspicion.Accordingto Yarema,theorganizersincludedformerInteriorMinisterVitaliy Zakharchenko,hisdeputiesandthechiefoftheKievpolice. Yaremaalsosaidthatpolicehaddetainedfourmenonsuspicionofkillingtwo andwoundingeightEuro-MaydanactivistsinKiev'sMykhaylivskaStreetin February2014.Theorganizersandparticipantsinthisattackwereputon wantedlist,headded. InteriorMinisterArsenAvakovsaidthatthearmsconfiscatedfromthe detainedsuspectshadbeenissuedfromtheInteriorMinistry'sarmourybythe formerheadoftherearsupport,PavloZinov,actingontheinstructionof formerInteriorMinisterZakharchenko. Earlier,thePGOgroupedallcriminalproceduresonseriousinjuriesandkillings onEuro-Maydanintoone. 16 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 ParliamentrecognizesInternationalCriminalCourtjurisdictionover Donbascrimes On4February2015,theUkrainianparliamentrecognizedthejurisdictionofthe InternationalCriminalCourtwhichsitsinTheHagueovercrimesagainst humanityandmilitarycrimesbyseniorRussianofficialsandheadsofthe terroristorganizations,theself-proclaimedDonetskandLuhanskpeople's republics. MPsinstructedtheCabinetofMinistersandtheProsecutor-General'sOfficeto collectfilesandevidenceforcomplaintstotheinternationalcourt. InJanuary2000,UkrainesignedtheRomeStatuteestablishingthefunctions, jurisdictionandstructureoftheInternationalCriminalCourt,howeverin2001 theConstitutionalCourtfoundsomeitsprovisionstobeincontradictiontothe ConstitutionofUkraine,andruledthatitcanberespectedonlyifthe constitutionisamended. TheNationalSecurityandDefenceCouncilofUkraineobjectedtothe ratificationoftheRomeStatute.ConsideringtheannexationofCrimeaand Russia'saggressioninDonbas,thiscanonlybedoneifthedocumentisalso ratifiedbyRussia,itsaid. ExpertsbelievethatsincetheUkrainianparliamenthasrecognizedthe jurisdictionoftheInternationalCriminalCourt,anyobjectionsagainstits ratificationarenolongervalid. Earlier,theCounciloftheEuropeanUnionremindedUkrainethatunderthe associationagreement,itcommitteditselftoratifytheRomeStatute. Prosecutorssaysover15mdollarsembezzledatNaftohaz,Ukrtranshaz TheProsecutor-General'sOffice(PGO)hasopenedacriminalcaseagainstthe officialsoftheoilandgascompanyNaftohazUkrayinyandthegastransport companyUkrtranshazonsuspicionofinflicting400mhryvnyas(15.38mdollars atthecurrentexchangerate)worthoflossesonthestate,thePGOpressservice saidon4February2015. Someemployeesofthesecompaniesembezzledthestatefundsbytransferring themtobankaccountsoffakefirms,itsaid. ThePGOdidnotspecifywhenthecrimewascommitted. ParliamentagreestohavejudgeinTymoshenko'scasearrested On5February2015,theUkrainianparliamentauthorizedthearrestofKiev PecherskyydistrictcourtjudgeRodionKiryeyevwhoissuedtheverdictinthe YuliyaTymoshenkocase. KiryeyevhasbeenatlargesinceJuly2014.Accordingtomediareports,hehas beenhidinginCrimea. 17 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 TheUkrainianNewsagencyhasquoteditssourcesassayingthatthe Prosecutor-General'sOfficehasservedKievPecherskyydistrictcourtjudge SerhiyVovkwithanoticeofsuspicionovertheunlawfulconvictionofYuriy Lutsenko. Mykolayiv'sex-mayorsentencedtoeight-yearimprisonment,confiscation ofproperty On6February2015,acourtofappealfoundformerMykolayivmayor OleksandrBerdnykovguiltyofstealingover2.5mdollarsinforeign investments.Thecourtsentencedhimtoaneight-yearimprisonmentand confiscationofhalfofhisproperty.Hewasalsostrippedoftherighttohold seniorpostsforthreeyears. MPsfailtocollectenoughsignaturestodismissprosecutor-general UkrainianMPshavefailedtocollectenoughsignaturestopassaresolutionon dismissingProsecutor-GeneralVitaliyYarema,thenewsandanalysiswebsite LB.uahassaid. PetroPoroshenko'sBlocparliamentaryfactionheadYuriyLutsenkosaidthatit wasreasonabletokeepYaremainthepostforseveralmoremonthssincehis officehadbeenrathereffectivelately. Theparliamentarycommitteeonfightingcorruptionearlierinitiatedthe collectionofsignaturesrequiredforraisingtheissueofYarema'sdismissal. Meanwhile,mediareportedthatYaremahasfiledhisresignationstatement. UkrainianpresidentappointsKharkiv,Chernivtsiregionalgovernors On3February2015,PresidentPetroPoroshenkoappointedIhorRaynin,a deputyheadofthepresidentialadministration,asKharkivregionalgovernor. DeputyEducationandScienceMinisterOleksiyDniprovwasappointedanew deputyheadofthepresidentialadministration. On6February,PoroshenkoappointedOleksandrFishchukasChernivtsi regionalgovernor. Fishchukwasamemberofparliamentofthepreviousconvocation,electedon theFatherlandpartylist.Beforethis,hehadbeeninchargeoftheStateTax AdministrationinChernivtsiRegion. GeorgiannationalappointedUkraine'sdeputyjusticeminister On4February2015,theCabinetofMinistersappointedGeorgiannationalGia Getsadzeasdeputyjusticeminister. 18 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 In2003-05,hewasGeorgia'sdeputyjusticeministerandtheGeorgian president'senvoytoImereti. RuslanKorzh,managingpartnerfortheCISattheATKearneyconsultingfirm, wasappointeddeputyeconomicdevelopmentminister. TetyanaPopova,anadviserforthedefenceminister,andArtemBidenko,the headoftheOutdoorAdvertisingAssociation,wereappointeddeputy informationpolicyministers. CourtsaysappealagainstverdictonPukachtobegivenpublichearing On6February2015,theKievcourtofappealstartedhearinganappealagainst theverdictissuedagainstformerpoliceGenOleksiyPukachwhowas convictedtolifeinprisonforthemurderofjournalistHeorhiyGongadze.It alsodecidedonapublichearingofthecase. Anewboardofjudgeshasbeenconsideringtheappealsince24November 2014.Untilnow,allthesessionshadbeenclosedtopublic. On29January2013,theKievPecherskyydistrictcourtsentencedPukachtolife inprisonforthemurderofjournalistHeorhiyGongadze. ValentynaTelychenko,representingthejournalist'swidowMyroslava Gongadze,suggestedthatDnipropetrovskregionalgovernorIhor KolomoyskyyhadbeenusingPukach'scaseinhisbusinessinterests.Shesaid thatbyhypingupthecaseinthemediaoutletshecontrols,Kolomoyskyyhas beentryingtoputpressureonViktorPinchuk,abusinessmanandson-in-law offormerPresidentLeonidKuchmawhomPukachidentifiedasthecustomer forGongadze'smurder. In2013,PinchukfiledalawsuitwithLondonHighCourtagainstKolomoyskyy, demandingthesharesofKryvyyRihIronOreCombineanddividendsonthem worthsome2bndollars. 5.MEDIA Firtash,LyovochkinbuyoutRussia'sstakeinInterTVChannel GDFMedialimitedanditssubsidiaryInterMediaGrouplimited(ownedby DmytroFirtashandSerhiyLyovochkin)haveboughta29-percentstakeinthe UkrainianTVchannel“Inter”fromRussia's“FirstChannel”anda10-percent stakefromtheUkrainiancompany“PegasTelevision”,thepressofficeofGroup DF(ownedbyFirtash)reportedon3February. Thus,atthemomentFirtashandLyovochkinhold100percentofsharesinthe channel. ItshouldbenotedthatearliertheUkrainianparliamentregisteredabillthat prohibitsRussianinvestorsfromowningequitycapitalinUkrainianTV channels. 19 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 Asreported,theProsecutor-General'sOfficeisconductingcriminalproceedings regardingtheforgeryofsignatureduringthesaleoftheInterchannelin2005. 6.ECONOMY IMFtodecideonnewloantoUkraineinnearfuture TheIMFmissioniscompletingitsworkinKievandwillsoonannounceits opinionregardinganewaidprogrammeforUkraine,IMFCommunications DirectorGerryRicesaidon5February. AccordingtoUkraine'sNationalBankchiefValeriyaHontareva,theIMFBoard ofDirectorswillmakeitsfinaldecisionbasedonthemission'sreportinlate February-earlyMarch2015. Asreportedearlier,attherequestoftheUkrainianauthorities,theIMFis consideringthepossibilityforreplacingthecurrentstand-byprogrammewith anextendedfundfacility(EFF). Accordingtoexperts,Ukrainewillinevitablyfaceadefaultwithoutnewmassive creditlinesfromtheIMF,theZerkaloNedeliweeklyhassaid. Ukraine'sforeignreservesshrinkto6.4bndollars Ukraine'sinternationalreservesinJanuary2014decreasedby14.8percentto 6.42bndollars,accordingtotheNationalBank. SuchadropintheinternationalreserveswasduetotherepaymentbyUkraine ofitspublicdebtintheamountof624.4mdollars,aswellas518mdollars' worthofinterventionsontheinterbankmarket(theNationalBanksold464m dollarstothestate-runenergycompanyNaftohazUkrayinytomakepayments forimportednaturalgas,whiletherestwasdisbursedthroughforeignexchange auctions). NationalBankcancelscurrencyauctions,raisesinterestrate TheBoardoftheNationalBankhasdecidedtoabolishdailycurrencyauctions andscraptheindicativeexchangerateforthehryvnyafrom5Februaryinorder toestablishthesinglemarketrateontheinterbankforeignexchangemarket. TheIMFsaidthattheregulatormadetherightdecision. ItshouldalsobenotedthattheNationalBankdecidedtoraiseitsinterestrate from14to19.5percentfrom6February. Hryvnyahitsnewhistoriclow On6February,theofficialexchangerateoftheUkrainiannationalcurrencyfell bymorethan5hryvnyas–fromUAH/USD18.00toUAH/USD23.13,thus reachinganewhistoricalminimum.TheeurorosefromUAH/EUR20.60to UAH/EUR26.39. 20 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 Ukraine'sinterbankcurrencymarketclosedthesessionwiththehryvnya/dollar quotesatUAH/USD24.7-25.5.Thehryvnya/euroquotesstoodatUAH/EUR 27.7-28.6. Centralbankincreasesofficialgoldpriceby28.5percent On6February,theNationalBankincreasedtheofficialrateofgoldby28.5 percentto292,370hryvnyasper10troyounces. Inflationacceleratesto3.1percent Consumerpricesroseby3.1percentinJanuary2015,accordingtotheState StatisticsService. TemporaryadministrationintroducedinFirtash'sbank TheDepositGuaranteeFundon6Februaryintroducedtemporary administrationinNadraBank,whichisownedbyDmytroFirtash,foraperiod ofthreemonths,theNationalBankhasreported. Themainreasonfortheintroductionofexternalmanagementwasthebank's insufficientcapitalization. MotorSichstrikesdealtosupplyenginestoAustria Zaporizhzhya-basedcompanyMotorSichhassignedacontracttosupply enginesforAustriancompanyDiamondAircraft,accordingtoMotorSich PresidentVyacheslavBohuslayev,thenewsandanalysiswebsitecapital.uahas reported. Accordingtotheofficial,MotorSichwillproduceturbopropengineAI-450Sfor lightaircraftDA50-JP7. AsnotedbythechairmanofMotorSich'ssupervisoryboard,AnatoliyMalysh, underthecontractterms,theaircraftwillbecertifiedattheexpenseofthe Austrianside,andtheUkrainiansideshouldsupplyupto100AI-450Senginesa year. ThemainmarketforMotorSich'sproductsisRussia. 7.ENERGY GazpromcutsgaspriceforUkraine Duetothedeclineinglobaloilprices,thecontractpriceofRussiannaturalgas forUkraineinthefirstquarterhasdroppedto329dollarsper1,000cu.m., GazpromofficialSergeyKupriyanovhassaid. ThepriceinNovemberandDecemberwas378dollarsper1,000cu.m. ItshouldalsobenotedthatGazpromhasreceivedanadvancepaymentof107m dollarsfromthestate-runenergycompanyNaftohazUkrayinyforFebruarygas deliveries. 21 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved INTHESPOTLIGHT ISSUE46(209) 02/09/2015 SummergassuppliestoUkrainepossibleafterdebtsettlement–Russia's EnergyMinistry Russiawilldiscussapossible“summergaspackage”withUkraineonlyafterthe latterrepaystheremainingdebt,RussianEnergyMinisterAleksanderNovakhas said. Itshouldberecalledthattemporarygasagreements,alsocalledthe“winterpackage”, wereagreedintheautumnof2014,afterlengthynegotiationsbetweenBrussels, KievandMoscow.TheagreementswillexpireattheendofMarch2015. GazpromclaimsthatUkraine'sNaftohaz,astate-runenergycompany,owesit2.4bn dollarsforgassupplies,whiletheUkrainiancompanyconsidersthatitsdebthas beenfullyrepaid.Variousestimatesofthedebtareduetothesides'different opinionsastothepriceatwhichUkraineboughtgasinthefirsthalfof2014.This conflictisnowbeingconsideredintheStockholmarbitration. SlovakiasaysreadytocoverthirdofUkraine'sgasneeds Startingfrom1March,thecapacityoftheUzhhorod-Vojanypipeline,whichisused forreverse-flowgassuppliesfromSlovakiatoUkraine,willbeincreasedfrom11.5bn cu.m.to14.5bncu.m.peryear,SlovakPrimeMinisterRobertFicosaidatthemeeting withPresidentofUkrainePetroPoroshenkoinKievon6February. Thus,SlovakiawillbeabletocoverathirdofUkraine'sdomesticgasneeds. ItshouldbenotedthatUkraineon5Februaryresumednaturalgasimportsfrom Hungaryat5m-6mcu.m.perday. Also,Polandisexpectedtoresumegassuppliesinthenearfuture. FoundedinJuly2010,GorsheninWeeklyisaweeklydigestofexpertanalysiscovering themostimportantpolitical,socialandeconomiceventsinUkraine.Itisthekey sourceofinformationaboutopinionpollscarriedoutbytheGorsheninInstituteas wellasthebestprofessionalcommentariesonrecentdevelopments. GorsheninWeeklyisavailableinRussianandEnglish. GorsheninWeeklyhasover700subscribersintheEU,theUSA,Russia,Ukraineand othercountries.Itsregularcustomersarerepresentativesoftheembassies,the EuropeanCommission,theEuropeanParliament,theUSDepartmentofState,leading internationalanalyticalcentres,Ukrainianandinternationalmassmedia. IfyouwishtosubscribetoGorsheninWeeklypleasesendyourrequesttothefollowing e-mailaddress:[email protected]. Ourcontactinformation: 18bMalaZhytomyrskast., Kiev01001,Ukraine +380442304962 +380442304966f [email protected] Formoreinformationpleasevisitourwebsite http://gorshenin.eu/ 22 ©GorsheninInstituteFebruary2015Allrightsreserved
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