unian--2020-12-21--Banking sector proves resilient to COVID-19 crisis, facilitates economic recovery – NBU

Measures taken by the National Bank eased the crisis impact for banks .
Financial sector successfully weathers through the COVID-19 crisis and appropriately performs all its functions .
`` The banks faced the pandemics without noticeable imbalances , with sufficient capital and high liquidity .
The work on cleansing and enhancing resilience of the banking sector launched in 2015 yielded evident positive results .
For the first time on the record , banks have not become a driver of economic instability during this crisis .
On the contrary , they support businesses and promote future economic recovery through lending , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBU ) said in a Financial Stability Report on December 21 .
Measures taken by the National Bank eased the crisis impact for banks , it said .
Read alsoLarge-scale privatization fails in 2020 over coronacrisis , PM saysSince April , the National Bank employed key instruments available to a central bank to mitigate the crisis impact .
Steps taken by the National bank were similar to those of regulators in other jurisdictions .
In particular , the NBU suspended introduction of capital conservation and systemic importance buffers to give banks more leeway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital in excess of minimum required to absorb credit losses and increase loan portfolio .
Moreover , the National Bank encouraged banks to restructure loans to borrowers who experienced temporary financial difficulties because of COVID-related restrictions .
Economy including the real sector recovers from the COVID-19 crisis .
Although the growth rates of industries are uneven , corporate segment in general turned out to be resilient .
Quality of banks ' corporate portfolio did not deteriorate substantially .
`` Conservative lending standards promoted borrowers ' resilience .
Timely restructurings and low proportion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis without significant stresses .
Consumer lending decelerated considerably as the crisis unfolded ; both demand and the supply decreased on this market , '' reads the report .
Read alsoExperts forecast 6 % inflation in Ukraine in 2021It is noted over the second quarter , the segment saw a substantial increase in loans past due .
Thus , some banks massively restructured unsecured consumer loans .
The NBU believes that risks of the sector to banks are high .
Therefore , it confirms its intention to increase risk weights for these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to a NBU survey , Ukrainian banks maintain positive expectations for lending prospects for the next year : about 80 % of respondents expect an increase in the volume of their loan portfolio in the next 12 months .

Measures taken by the National Bank eased the crisis impact for banks.
Financial sector successfully weathers through the COVID-19 crisis and appropriately performs all its functions.
"The banks faced the pandemics without noticeable imbalances, with sufficient capital and high liquidity. The work on cleansing and enhancing resilience of the banking sector launched in 2015 yielded evident positive results. For the first time on the record, banks have not become a driver of economic instability during this crisis. On the contrary, they support businesses and promote future economic recovery through lending," the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) said in a Financial Stability Report on December 21.
Measures taken by the National Bank eased the crisis impact for banks, it said.
Видео дня
Read alsoLarge-scale privatization fails in 2020 over coronacrisis, PM saysSince April, the National Bank employed key instruments available to a central bank to mitigate the crisis impact. Steps taken by the National bank were similar to those of regulators in other jurisdictions. In particular, the NBU suspended introduction of capital conservation and systemic importance buffers to give banks more leeway. Therefore, the banks may use capital in excess of minimum required to absorb credit losses and increase loan portfolio.
Moreover, the National Bank encouraged banks to restructure loans to borrowers who experienced temporary financial difficulties because of COVID-related restrictions.
Economy including the real sector recovers from the COVID-19 crisis. Although the growth rates of industries are uneven, corporate segment in general turned out to be resilient. Quality of banks' corporate portfolio did not deteriorate substantially.
"Conservative lending standards promoted borrowers' resilience. Timely restructurings and low proportion of exposures to vulnerable industries facilitated passing through the crisis without significant stresses. Consumer lending decelerated considerably as the crisis unfolded; both demand and the supply decreased on this market," reads the report.
Read alsoExperts forecast 6% inflation in Ukraine in 2021It is noted over the second quarter, the segment saw a substantial increase in loans past due. Thus, some banks massively restructured unsecured consumer loans. The NBU believes that risks of the sector to banks are high. Therefore, it confirms its intention to increase risk weights for these bank loans to 150% over 2021.
Background
According to a NBU survey, Ukrainian banks maintain positive expectations for lending prospects for the next year: about 80% of respondents expect an increase in the volume of their loan portfolio in the next 12 months.


unian--2020-12-21--Ukraine starts round timber imports from EU

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Ukraine starts round timber imports from EU
14:50, 21.12.20 3200
The move was triggered by difficulties on domestic market.
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unian--2020-12-21--Ukrainians see Zelensky both as "politician," "loser" of 2020 – poll

Zelensky was named politician of the year by 15 % of Ukrainians , while last year it was 46 % .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is most often considered by Ukrainians as `` politician '' of the year , while at the same time topping the ranking of this year 's `` losers . ''
That 's according to a nationwide survey conducted by Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation and Kyiv International Institute of Sociology ( KIIS ) , whose results were seen by UNIAN .
Read alsoA mere 2 % of Ukrainians trust in High Anti-Corruption Court – poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without a politician of the year in 2020 .
The Ukrainians gave a relative majority in this nomination to incumbent President Zelensky , however he was named politician of the year only by 15 % .
Other politicians are mentioned even less frequently – a runner-up is leader of the European Solidarity Party Petro Poroshenko who is considered politician of the year by 9 % .
Even more confidently , both politicians lead the 'Loser of the year ' people 's ranking – the incumbent president is considered loser of the year by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , '' the foundation says , reiterating 46 % of Ukrainians considered Zelensky politician of the year in 2019 .
Co-chairman of the political council of the Opposition Platform - For Life Party Viktor Medvedchuk ranks third in the ranking ( 6.9 % and 2.5 % , respectively ) ; another co-chair Yuriy Boyko ranks fourth ( 5.4 % and 1.3 % ) .
The fifth place is taken by leader of the Batkivshchyna Party Yulia Tymoshenko ( 5.4 % and 2.3 % ) .
A nationwide survey was conducted on December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ukraine , except for Crimea and the occupied areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions .
A total of 2,004 respondents aged 18 and older were interviewed through face-to-face interviews .
The margin of error does not exceed 3.3 % .
The survey was financed in the framework of the MATRA project of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands .

Zelensky was named politician of the year by 15% of Ukrainians, while last year it was 46%.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is most often considered by Ukrainians as "politician" of the year, while at the same time topping the ranking of this year's "losers."
That's according to a nationwide survey conducted by Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation and Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), whose results were seen by UNIAN.
Read alsoA mere 2% of Ukrainians trust in High Anti-Corruption Court – poll"We may say Ukraine was left without a politician of the year in 2020. The Ukrainians gave a relative majority in this nomination to incumbent President Zelensky, however he was named politician of the year only by 15%. Other politicians are mentioned even less frequently – a runner-up is leader of the European Solidarity Party Petro Poroshenko who is considered politician of the year by 9%. Even more confidently, both politicians lead the 'Loser of the year' people's ranking – the incumbent president is considered loser of the year by 28%, while Poroshenko by 14%," the foundation says, reiterating 46% of Ukrainians considered Zelensky politician of the year in 2019.
Видео дня
Co-chairman of the political council of the Opposition Platform - For Life Party Viktor Medvedchuk ranks third in the ranking (6.9% and 2.5%, respectively); another co-chair Yuriy Boyko ranks fourth (5.4% and 1.3%). The fifth place is taken by leader of the Batkivshchyna Party Yulia Tymoshenko (5.4% and 2.3%).
A nationwide survey was conducted on December 5-13, 2020, in all regions of Ukraine, except for Crimea and the occupied areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. A total of 2,004 respondents aged 18 and older were interviewed through face-to-face interviews. The margin of error does not exceed 3.3%.
The survey was financed in the framework of the MATRA project of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.


unian--2020-12-21--Ukraine may suspend flights to UK over new COVID-19 variant

Ukraine may suspend flights to UK over new COVID-19 variant
14:00, 21.12.20 2481
At the moment, the Cabinet is holding "emergency consultations" on this issue.
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unian--2020-12-21--Diplomats to make efforts to ensure COVID-19 vaccine supply to Ukraine ASAP – lawmaker

Ukraine is negotiating with manufacturers to get vaccines at commercial prices beyond the COVAX quota .
Ukrainian diplomatic corps would be making every effort to make sure Ukraine receives the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible , says Mykhailo Radutsky , MP with the ruling Servant of the People parliamentary faction , Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on National Health , Medical Assistance and Medical Insurance .
`` According to the agreement signed with COVAX [ the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility ] , Ukraine should receive 8 million doses .
This is approximately 4 million vaccinated people in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are prioritized by government .
These are healthcare workers , military , employees of the State Emergency Service , social workers , as well as the elderly accommodated in nursing homes , '' he told Ukraine 24 TV channel .
In parallel , Radutsky added Ukraine was negotiating with manufacturers to get vaccines at commercial prices beyond the COVAX quota .
`` The vaccine is either free or at a low price under COVAX .
While increasing their production capacity , manufacturers will sell vaccines beyond COVAX .
For these purposes , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the purchase of vaccines next year , so the vaccine will also be purchased from this fund , '' the MP said .
President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed the diplomatic corps `` to lobby so that we occupy the highest step in a queue for the vaccine . ''
Read alsoUkraine negotiating with all vaccine producers , except Russia – PM Shmyhal '' Unfortunately , today we are not in the top ten under COVAX to negotiate with manufacturers for the purchase of vaccines beyond the quota , '' Radutsky added .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Access Facility ( COVAX ) confirmed the reports on plans to provide Ukraine with a free vaccine against the coronavirus disease .
In particular , about 4 million Ukrainian nationals will be able to get vaccinated in the first half of 2021 .
Later it became known that proper vaccination includes two shots at a price of US $ 7 each .
On December 4 , the Verkhovna Rada allowed a fast-track procedure for the approval of clinical trials and state registration for vaccines or other immunobiological medications to be used to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman of the Commission on Biosafety and Biological Protection under the Council of National Security and Defense , Academician Serhiy Komisarenko said mass vaccination could be launched in Ukraine no earlier than the middle of 2021 .
On December 12 , Ukrainian Deputy Health Minister , Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko said COVAX had officially approved over 8 million doses of free COVID-19 vaccine for Ukraine .
On December 17 , Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said Ukraine expects to get the first doses of vaccines approved by COVAX in March 2021 .

Ukraine is negotiating with manufacturers to get vaccines at commercial prices beyond the COVAX quota.
Ukrainian diplomatic corps would be making every effort to make sure Ukraine receives the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, says Mykhailo Radutsky, MP with the ruling Servant of the People parliamentary faction, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on National Health, Medical Assistance and Medical Insurance.
"According to the agreement signed with COVAX [the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility], Ukraine should receive 8 million doses. This is approximately 4 million vaccinated people in the first wave – these are those who are prioritized by government. These are healthcare workers, military, employees of the State Emergency Service, social workers, as well as the elderly accommodated in nursing homes," he told Ukraine 24 TV channel.
In parallel, Radutsky added Ukraine was negotiating with manufacturers to get vaccines at commercial prices beyond the COVAX quota.
Видео дня
"The vaccine is either free or at a low price under COVAX. While increasing their production capacity, manufacturers will sell vaccines beyond COVAX. For these purposes, the government is creating a special fund for the purchase of vaccines next year, so the vaccine will also be purchased from this fund," the MP said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed the diplomatic corps "to lobby so that we occupy the highest step in a queue for the vaccine."
Read alsoUkraine negotiating with all vaccine producers, except Russia – PM Shmyhal"Unfortunately, today we are not in the top ten under COVAX to negotiate with manufacturers for the purchase of vaccines beyond the quota," Radutsky added.
Vaccination against COVID-19 in Ukraine
On November 18, the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX) confirmed the reports on plans to provide Ukraine with a free vaccine against the coronavirus disease. In particular, about 4 million Ukrainian nationals will be able to get vaccinated in the first half of 2021. Later it became known that proper vaccination includes two shots at a price of US$7 each.
On December 4, the Verkhovna Rada allowed a fast-track procedure for the approval of clinical trials and state registration for vaccines or other immunobiological medications to be used to prevent the coronavirus.
On December 6, Chairman of the Commission on Biosafety and Biological Protection under the Council of National Security and Defense, Academician Serhiy Komisarenko said mass vaccination could be launched in Ukraine no earlier than the middle of 2021.
On December 12, Ukrainian Deputy Health Minister, Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko said COVAX had officially approved over 8 million doses of free COVID-19 vaccine for Ukraine.
On December 17, Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said Ukraine expects to get the first doses of vaccines approved by COVAX in March 2021.


unian--2020-12-21--Gas stocks shrink by 2% to 24.7 bcm over week

Gas stocks shrink by 2% to 24.7 bcm over week
13:10, 21.12.20 2985
USFs were filled by 80% as of December 19, 2020.
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unian--2020-12-21--Child support, alimony to increase from July 1, 2021

Child support, alimony to increase from July 1, 2021
12:45, 21.12.20 24844
No immediate rise will follow on January 1.
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unian--2020-12-21--EU has no plans to ease travel restrictions – Ukraine's envoy

The ambassador specified that this is due , among other things , to the detection of a new COVID-19 variant in the UK .
The European Union is not planning to soften the earlier imposed entry restrictions for foreign citizens , including Ukrainians , says Mykola Tochytskyi , Ukraine 's representative to the European Union .
When asked at an online briefing on Monday , whether the European Union is discussing the possibility of easing the entry requirements for citizens of third countries , including Ukraine , Tochytskyi replied : `` In short , no ! ''
an UNIAN correspondent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to new COVID-19 variant as travel bans on UK expandThe ambassador clarified that this is due , among other things , to a new variant of COVID-19 , recently revealed in the UK .
Tochytskyi added that Belgium recently held a meeting of the national security council , at which the authorities considered minor steps toward quarantine easing , non-related to the entry of foreigners .
`` This is not being considered yet .
I think that vaccination will begin sometime in January , then , obviously , both in Belgium and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it , checking the results two weeks into vaccination start , '' Tochytskyi stressed .
• Belarus to ban exit from country by land

The ambassador specified that this is due, among other things, to the detection of a new COVID-19 variant in the UK.
The European Union is not planning to soften the earlier imposed entry restrictions for foreign citizens, including Ukrainians, says Mykola Tochytskyi, Ukraine's representative to the European Union.
When asked at an online briefing on Monday, whether the European Union is discussing the possibility of easing the entry requirements for citizens of third countries, including Ukraine, Tochytskyi replied: "In short, no!" an UNIAN correspondent reports.
Read alsoEU to discuss response to new COVID-19 variant as travel bans on UK expandThe ambassador clarified that this is due, among other things, to a new variant of COVID-19, recently revealed in the UK.
Видео дня
"This doesn't allow European colleagues to even come close to this issue," the envoy said.
Tochytskyi added that Belgium recently held a meeting of the national security council, at which the authorities considered minor steps toward quarantine easing, non-related to the entry of foreigners.
"This is not being considered yet. I think that vaccination will begin sometime in January, then, obviously, both in Belgium and in other member states they will start talking about it, checking the results two weeks into vaccination start," Tochytskyi stressed.
Travel amid COVID-19: Related reports


unian--2020-12-21--Gas transmission to households to rise in price from Jan 1

Gas transmission to households to rise in price from Jan 1 In particular , NEURC approved tariffs for 22 regional @ @ @ @ @ and prices will rise in 20 of them .

Gas transmission to households to rise in price from Jan 1
11:55, 21.12.20 49140
In particular, NEURC approved tariffs for 22 regional gas companies for 2021, and prices will rise in 20 of them.
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unian--2020-12-21--Ukraine reports two WIAs as Russian proxies shell positions near Horlivka

The wounded soldiers were provided first aid , their condition is stable .
The Russian occupation forces have shelled the @ @ @ @ @ of Horlivka , resulting in two Ukrainian soldiers being wounded in action ( WIA ) @ @ @ @ @ 21 , at about 08:00 , two servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were @ @ @ @ @ enemy shelling near the town of Horlivka in Donetsk region , '' the Ukrainian delegation @ @ @ @ @ ( TCG ) wrote on Facebook .
Read alsoDonbas war update : Ukraine records nine @ @ @ @ @ wounded soldiers were provided first aid .
Both are in stable condition .
The Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ for Control and Coordination ( JCCC ) of Сeasefire in Donbas has activated a coordination @ @ @ @ @ , a demand for a ceasefire was put forward , and a note was prepared @ @ @ @ @ Special Monitoring Team .
• Zelensky : Biden could contribute to Normandy Four talks • @ @ @ @ @ blocking solutions within TCG

The wounded soldiers were provided first aid, their condition is stable.
The Russian occupation forces have shelled the Ukrainian positions near the town of Horlivka, resulting in two Ukrainian soldiers being wounded in action (WIA).
"Today, December 21, at about 08:00, two servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were wounded as a result of enemy shelling near the town of Horlivka in Donetsk region," the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) wrote on Facebook.
Read alsoDonbas war update: Ukraine records nine ceasefire violations on Dec 20The wounded soldiers were provided first aid. Both are in stable condition.
Видео дня
The Ukrainian side to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of Сeasefire in Donbas has activated a coordination protocol: ceasefire was introduced, a demand for a ceasefire was put forward, and a note was prepared and submitted to the OSCE Special Monitoring Team.
Donbas: Related reports


unian--2020-12-21--Hryvnia slightly weakens to U.S. dollar on Dec 21

Hryvnia slightly weakens to U.S. dollar on Dec 21
11:05, 21.12.20 17427
The rate against the euro is fixed at UAH 34.10 per euro.
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unian--2020-12-21--Rockets launched at U.S. embassy in Baghdad

At least three rockets were intercepted .
The U.S. embassy in the Baghdad Green Zone was targeted in a rocket attack on Sunday , as the anniversary of the assassination of Iran 's top general , Qassem Soleimani , approaches .
Iraqi security officials told AP on condition of anonymity that the embassy 's C-RAM defense system shot down the rockets mid-air causing damage to a residential complex and parked cars , Deutsche Welle reports .
There were no reports of casualties .
`` We call on all Iraqi political and governmental leaders to take steps to prevent such attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement said .
Joyce Karam , correspondent for The National , shared a video of the rockets being intercepted on Twitter and wrote that the embassy had been `` targeted with barrage of Katyusha Rockets and mortar shells . ''
The attack was the third violation of a truce agreed in October by Western and Iraqi authorities with hardline and pro-Iran groups .
Read alsoTehran avenges Soleimani killing , but plans no new military action – Iran envoy to UNThe latest one took place in the run-up to the one-year anniversary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was directed by Washington .
After the U.S. strike that killed Soleimani near the Baghdad airport , Tehran went for a retaliation move , launching nearly a dozen missiles at two U.S. military bases located in Iraq .
Iranian military also shot down a Ukrainian civilian airliner with 176 people on board hours after firing rockets towards U.S. bases , allegedly mistakenly identifying the airliner as a cruise missile .

At least three rockets were intercepted.
The U.S. embassy in the Baghdad Green Zone was targeted in a rocket attack on Sunday, as the anniversary of the assassination of Iran's top general, Qassem Soleimani, approaches.
Iraqi security officials told AP on condition of anonymity that the embassy's C-RAM defense system shot down the rockets mid-air causing damage to a residential complex and parked cars, Deutsche Welle reports.
There were no reports of casualties.
Видео дня
"The U.S. Embassy confirms rockets targeting the International Zone (Green Zone) resulted in the engagement of embassy defensive systems," a statement released by the embassy said, adding that the compound suffered some minor damage.
"We call on all Iraqi political and governmental leaders to take steps to prevent such attacks and hold accountable those responsible,'' the statement said.
Joyce Karam, correspondent for The National, shared a video of the rockets being intercepted on Twitter and wrote that the embassy had been "targeted with barrage of Katyusha Rockets and mortar shells."
BREAKING : US Embassy in Baghdad #Iraq targeted with barrage of Katyusha Rockets and mortar shells.
Video shows some getting intercepted. It’s 9 pm in Baghdad now: pic.twitter.com/QjrN29Yp9m — Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) December 20, 2020
The attack was the third violation of a truce agreed in October by Western and Iraqi authorities with hardline and pro-Iran groups.
Read alsoTehran avenges Soleimani killing, but plans no new military action – Iran envoy to UNThe latest one took place in the run-up to the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, which was directed by Washington.
After the U.S. strike that killed Soleimani near the Baghdad airport, Tehran went for a retaliation move, launching nearly a dozen missiles at two U.S. military bases located in Iraq.
Iranian military also shot down a Ukrainian civilian airliner with 176 people on board hours after firing rockets towards U.S. bases, allegedly mistakenly identifying the airliner as a cruise missile.


unian--2020-12-21--EU to discuss response to new COVID-19 variant as travel bans on UK expand

British health officials say the new variant is up to 70 % more transmissible , but there is no evidence that it is more deadly .
European Union officials will discuss a coordinated response to a new , more infectious coronavirus variant in the UK , which has led many countries to impose travel bans .
Germany , France and Italy are among those to suspend flights from the UK .
Outbound train services through the Channel Tunnel have also been halted , according to the BBC .
British health officials say the new variant is up to 70 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that it is more deadly .
There is also no evidence to suggest that it reacts differently to vaccines .
Read alsoU.S .
FDA authorizes Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for emergency useUK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new variant was `` getting out of control '' , while Denmark , Italy and the Netherlands announced they had already detected it .
The European Council meeting of government representatives is expected to take place at 10:00 GMT .
The speed at which governments have announced their bans on travelers from the UK shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , the European Medicines Agency ( EMA ) is expected to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine that is already being administered in the UK and in the US under emergency approval .

British health officials say the new variant is up to 70% more transmissible, but there is no evidence that it is more deadly.
European Union officials will discuss a coordinated response to a new, more infectious coronavirus variant in the UK, which has led many countries to impose travel bans.
Germany, France and Italy are among those to suspend flights from the UK. Outbound train services through the Channel Tunnel have also been halted, according to the BBC.
Canada is also blocking UK flights.
Видео дня
British health officials say the new variant is up to 70% more transmissible, but there is no evidence that it is more deadly.
There is also no evidence to suggest that it reacts differently to vaccines.
Read alsoU.S. FDA authorizes Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for emergency useUK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new variant was "getting out of control", while Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands announced they had already detected it.
The European Council meeting of government representatives is expected to take place at 10:00 GMT. The speed at which governments have announced their bans on travelers from the UK shows the scale of the alarm.
Also on Monday, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is expected to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine that is already being administered in the UK and in the US under emergency approval.


unian--2020-12-21--"Weekend effect": Number of new daily COVID-19 cases sharply down Dec 21

The total number of confirmed cases has reached 970,993 .
Ukraine reported a sharp decrease in the number of new active COVID-19 cases that had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 21 , 2020 , that is 6,545 against 8,325 registered a day earlier .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 970,993 as of December 21 , 2020 , according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
The daily incidence rate has traditionally dropped after the weekend .
The same situation was observed a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including 5,106 in the past day , have recovered .
The death toll has hit 16,665 with 80 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours .
Read alsoUkraine updates list of safe travel destinationsThe government reported 368,060 active cases as of December 21 .
In total , there have been 1,067,420 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
`` In the past day , 6,545 people tested positive for the coronavirus , including 292 children and 236 healthcare workers .
Some 1,776 new patients were hospitalized , '' Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
In total , 26,839 tests were conducted in the country in the past day .
In particular , 22,149 PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) tests were run , as well as 4,690 ELISA ( enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ) tests .
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in the city of Kyiv ( 673 ) , Odesa region ( 651 ) , Dnipropetrovsk region ( 598 ) , Zaporizhia region ( 570 ) , and Kyiv region ( 456 ) .
Data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .

The total number of confirmed cases has reached 970,993.
Ukraine reported a sharp decrease in the number of new active COVID-19 cases that had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 21, 2020, that is 6,545 against 8,325 registered a day earlier.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 970,993 as of December 21, 2020, according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
The daily incidence rate has traditionally dropped after the weekend. The same situation was observed a week ago.
Видео дня
As many as 586,268 patients, including 5,106 in the past day, have recovered.
The death toll has hit 16,665 with 80 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours.
Read alsoUkraine updates list of safe travel destinationsThe government reported 368,060 active cases as of December 21. In total, there have been 1,067,420 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
"In the past day, 6,545 people tested positive for the coronavirus, including 292 children and 236 healthcare workers. Some 1,776 new patients were hospitalized," Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Monday.
In total, 26,839 tests were conducted in the country in the past day. In particular, 22,149 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests were run, as well as 4,690 ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests.
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in the city of Kyiv (673), Odesa region (651), Dnipropetrovsk region (598), Zaporizhia region (570), and Kyiv region (456).
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.


unian--2020-12-21--Donbas war update: Ukraine records nine ceasefire violations on Dec 20

No casualties were reported in the past day .
The Command of Ukraine 's Armed Forces has reported nine violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Sunday , December 20 .
`` In the past day , December 20 , the Russian Federation 's armed formations nine times violated the ceasefire agreements , '' the press center of the Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 21 , 2020 .
In particular , the enemy launched an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Pryazovia area ( the north coast of the Sea of Azov ) .
Also , the invaders employed automatic rifles near the village of Pavlopil .
The same types of weapons were fired near the village of Pisky .
The enemy also provoked the Ukrainian military four times near the town of Avdiyivka , using grenade launchers , heavy machine guns , and rifles .
What is more , Russian occupation forces shelled the residential area near the village of Kamianka .
A civilian tractor driver was injured after his John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grenade .
The Ukrainian military arrived at the scene , provided first aid to the injured civilian , and rushed him to a hospital .
Moreover , the invaders fired an anti-tank missile system , grenade launchers of various systems and rifles once near the village of Pivdenne .
Ukrainian units delivered an adequate rebuff to enemy provocations , the JFO HQ said .
Read alsoPutin : Russia to `` build up support '' for occupied DonbasNo casualties were reported in the past day .
Since midnight , enemy forces have not attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full control of the Ukrainian military .
Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and the OSCE ) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
Ukraine has reported more such violations over the latest period .

No casualties were reported in the past day.
The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported nine violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Sunday, December 20.
"In the past day, December 20, the Russian Federation's armed formations nine times violated the ceasefire agreements," the press center of the Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 21, 2020.
In particular, the enemy launched an anti-tank grenade near the village of Vodiane in the Pryazovia area (the north coast of the Sea of Azov). Also, the invaders employed automatic rifles near the village of Pavlopil. The same types of weapons were fired near the village of Pisky. The enemy also provoked the Ukrainian military four times near the town of Avdiyivka, using grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and rifles.
Видео дня
What is more, Russian occupation forces shelled the residential area near the village of Kamianka.
A civilian tractor driver was injured after his John Deere vehicle was hit by an enemy grenade. The Ukrainian military arrived at the scene, provided first aid to the injured civilian, and rushed him to a hospital.
Moreover, the invaders fired an anti-tank missile system, grenade launchers of various systems and rifles once near the village of Pivdenne.
Ukrainian units delivered an adequate rebuff to enemy provocations, the JFO HQ said.
Read alsoPutin: Russia to "build up support" for occupied DonbasNo casualties were reported in the past day.
Since midnight, enemy forces have not attacked Ukrainian troops.
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
Donbas ceasefire: Background
Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday, July 27.
On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has reported more such violations over the latest period.


unian--2020-12-21--Kravchuk tells how Russia keeps blocking solutions within TCG

Russians tie settlement of the region 's social and economic issues to politics .
Chief of the Ukrainian delegation at the Minsk talks , Leonid Kravchuk , commented on the recent statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that progress in the Donbas conflict settlement allegedly depended solely on Ukraine .
As an example , Kravchuk cited the methods Russians and their proxy forces use to block the solution of a number of issues considered by the Trilateral Contact Group .
`` I 'll give one example .
There are four subgroups in the Minsk process as such , and among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the subgroup 's meetings , there had previously been no sharp discussions , Ukraine would ask any questions and offer concrete action – on transport , on social issues in general .
We would then reach a general discussion , Russia and ORDLO [ Kremlin proxy forces ] would find a pretext not to do it .
And this was linked with the solution of political issues .
They would say , only when the law on local elections is canceled will we consider this issue – this was directly stated from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , speaking with Ukraine 24 TV .
Russia , Kravchuk says , ties all social and economic issues with political ones .
Read alsoRussian psyops : Radio posing as Ukrainian station spins Kremlin propaganda targeting troops '' Ukraine has put forward proposals on how and when this can be done , but I repeat : it was Russia that has been linking any issues – exchange of held persons , economic issues , humanitarian ones – with political issues that have no connection with them at all , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path toward NATO in exchange for peace with Russia • Zelensky : Biden could contribute to Normandy Four talks

Russians tie settlement of the region's social and economic issues to politics.
Chief of the Ukrainian delegation at the Minsk talks, Leonid Kravchuk, commented on the recent statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that progress in the Donbas conflict settlement allegedly depended solely on Ukraine.
As an example, Kravchuk cited the methods Russians and their proxy forces use to block the solution of a number of issues considered by the Trilateral Contact Group.
"I'll give one example. There are four subgroups in the Minsk process as such, and among them have a socio-economic group. At the subgroup's meetings, there had previously been no sharp discussions, Ukraine would ask any questions and offer concrete action – on transport, on social issues in general. We would then reach a general discussion, Russia and ORDLO [Kremlin proxy forces] would find a pretext not to do it. And this was linked with the solution of political issues. They would say, only when the law on local elections is canceled will we consider this issue – this was directly stated from the screen [in videoconference]," he said, speaking with Ukraine 24 TV.
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Russia, Kravchuk says, ties all social and economic issues with political ones.
Read alsoRussian psyops: Radio posing as Ukrainian station spins Kremlin propaganda targeting troops"Ukraine has put forward proposals on how and when this can be done, but I repeat: it was Russia that has been linking any issues – exchange of held persons, economic issues, humanitarian ones – with political issues that have no connection with them at all," he said.
Donbas: Related coverage


unian--2020-12-21--Ukroboronprom chief signs order to start corporatization

The Concern will be liquidated by late June .
CEO of Ukraine 's state-run Ukroboronprom Concern Yuriy Husyev has signed an order to start corporatizing the state concern .
`` With this order , we begin preparations , which will continue for several months , during which we hope bill No .
3822 ( 'On the specifics of reforming state-owned defense-industrial complex enterprises ' ) will be adopted , and thus the defense industry complex represented by Ukroboronprom will see the long-awaited reform , and the people – confidence in the future , '' he said during a press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans for 2021 , an UNIAN correspondent reports .
Read alsoDefense ministry signs direct contracts with foreign arms suppliersTop management believe the bill will pass Parliament before April 30 , while the liquidation of Ukroboronprom will have completed by late June , after which the Defense Systems of Ukraine Holding will be created on its basis .
It should take from six months to a year from the moment of liquidation to complete the process of corporatization of 65 state-owned defense enterprises into six branch holding companies , which will become part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After that , another year will be spent on an inventory of all assets and intellectual property of the military-industrial complex .
On December 3 , Zelensky appointed former Kherson Governor Yuriy Husyev as Ukroboronprom CEO .
On the same day , Husyev said the Concern would cease to exist in 2021 .
Ukraine 's state-run Ukroboronprom Concern was founded in 2010 to ensure the effective operation and management of state-run economic entities involved in the development , manufacture , sale , repair , upgrade , and disposal of weapons , military and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incorporates about 140 enterprises of Ukraine 's military industrial complex .

Ukroboronprom chief signs order to start corporatization
16:55, 21.12.20 1955
The Concern will be liquidated by late June.
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unian--2020-12-21--Zelensky thanks EBRD head for loan for road repairs

The Bank is one of Ukraine 's largest institutional investors .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held a phone call with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ( EBRD ) Odile Renaud-Basso , during which he thanked the Bank for the allocation of EUR 450 million to Ukraine for road repairs .
This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian President 's Office on December 21 .
Read alsoEBRD to provide loans for road construction in Ukraine '' Active cooperation with the EBRD , the European Investment Bank and other financial institutions is important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds for infrastructure investment .
And I commend the agreement signed [ by the EBRD ] with Ukravtodor on December 18 , which will allow us to start the major repair of roads next year , '' Zelensky said .
Zelensky also said that the EBRD is Ukraine 's largest institutional investor nowadays .
`` As far as I know , this year 's portfolio of the bank 's projects has already reached EUR 730 million , and by the end of the year this amount may reach EUR 900 million .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic , the Bank continues to actively invest in Ukraine and provide support to Ukrainian business , '' he said .
He stressed that despite the crisis , the Ukrainian banking system is stable and the budget is being implemented .
On December 18 , the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Ukraine signed an agreement on the allocation of EUR 450 million euros to the State Agency of Automobile Roads of Ukraine ( Ukravtodor ) for the reconstruction of the M05 Kyiv-Odesa highway and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Bank is one of Ukraine's largest institutional investors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held a phone call with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso, during which he thanked the Bank for the allocation of EUR 450 million to Ukraine for road repairs.
This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian President's Office on December 21.
Read alsoEBRD to provide loans for road construction in Ukraine
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"Active cooperation with the EBRD, the European Investment Bank and other financial institutions is important to us in terms of raising additional loan funds for infrastructure investment. And I commend the agreement signed [by the EBRD] with Ukravtodor on December 18, which will allow us to start major repairs to roads next year," Zelensky said.
Zelensky also said that the EBRD is Ukraine's largest institutional investor nowadays.
"As far as I know, this year's portfolio of the bank's projects has already reached EUR 730 million, and by the end of the year this amount may reach EUR 900 million. We are very pleased that especially during the global economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank continues to actively invest in Ukraine and provide support to Ukrainian business," he said.
He stressed that despite the crisis, the Ukrainian banking system is stable and the budget is being implemented.
Zelensky invited Renaud-Basso to visit Ukraine.
Agreement with EBRD
On December 18, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Ukraine signed an agreement on the allocation of EUR 450 million to the State Agency of Automobile Roads of Ukraine (Ukravtodor) for the reconstruction of the M05 Kyiv-Odesa highway and the construction of a bypass around Lviv.


unian--2020-12-21--Ukraine not to suspend flights from Britain over new COVID-19 strain

He explained why the authorities had made such a decision .
Ukraine will not yet suspend flights from the United Kingdom over reports on cases where a new mutant coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) strain was identified .
This was announced by Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii on Facebook on December 21 .
Read alsoCOVID-19 : Expert says new mutant strain already in Ukraine He explained why the authorities had made such a decision .
`` We have a visa regime with the UK , which already limits the number of passengers between our countries .
Now flights are operated mainly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Christmas holidays , '' Kryklii said .
The authorities will be monitoring the situation with the coronavirus in the UK and could reverse the decision if necessary .
The president 's office predicted earlier that flights from the UK might be suspended .
• On December 14 , UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matthew Hancock said that a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus had been identified in the country .
It is more transmissible than others in circulation .
• On December 15 , the danger of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization .
• On December 20 , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson noted that the new virus could be 70 % more infectious .
• After that , a number of countries decided to restrict transport services with Britain .
• Meanwhile , it became known that the new strain appeared in the UK way back in September and began to actively spread since the middle of November .

He explained why the authorities had made such a decision.
Ukraine will not yet suspend flights from the United Kingdom over reports on cases where a new mutant coronavirus (COVID-19) strain was identified.
This was announced by Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii on Facebook on December 21.
Read alsoCOVID-19: Expert says new mutant strain already in Ukraine
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He explained why the authorities had made such a decision.
"We have a visa regime with the UK, which already limits the number of passengers between our countries. Now flights are operated mainly to bring Ukrainian students from abroad back home for Christmas holidays," Kryklii said.
The authorities will be monitoring the situation with the coronavirus in the UK and could reverse the decision if necessary.
The president's office predicted earlier that flights from the UK might be suspended.
Background


unian--2020-12-21--Ukraine's government appoints new acting energy minister

Buslavets tendered her resignation as first deputy energy minister on December 21 .
Ukraine 's government has tapped Yuriy Vitrenko , who was a top manager of oil and gas giant NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine , to appoint acting energy minister after Olha Buslavets ' decision to step down .
This was reported on the Ukrainian Cabinet 's website .
The government decided to accept a letter of resignation tendered by Buslavets , who held the post of first deputy energy minister .
Vitrenko will combine the posts of acting energy minister and first deputy energy minister , the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution on the appointment of Yuriy Boyko as acting energy minister , it said .
• On November 20 , the Cabinet dismissed acting Energy Minister Olha Buslavets and appointed Deputy Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko to that position .
Buslavets had been acting minister since April 2020 .
• On December 17 , the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , voted down the appointment of former top manager of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine Yuriy Vitrenko as first deputy prime minister and energy minister .
• On December 21 , Buslavets announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her position as first deputy energy minister .

Buslavets tendered her resignation as first deputy energy minister on December 21.
Ukraine's government has tapped Yuriy Vitrenko, who was a top manager of oil and gas giant NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, to appoint acting energy minister after Olha Buslavets' decision to step down.
This was reported on the Ukrainian Cabinet's website.
Read alsoRada snubs Vitrenko's nomination for energy minister
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The government decided to accept a letter of resignation tendered by Buslavets, who held the post of first deputy energy minister.
Vitrenko will combine the posts of acting energy minister and first deputy energy minister, the report said.
The government also rescinded a resolution on the appointment of Yuriy Boyko as acting energy minister, it said.
Previous developments


unian--2020-12-21--Ukraine's GDP in Q3 declines by 3.5% y-o-y

GDP per capita was almost US $ 1,000 .
Ukraine 's gross domestic product ( GDP ) in the third quarter ( Q3 ) of 2020 declined by 3.5 % year-over-year ( y-o-y ) .
This was reported by the country 's State Statistics Service .
`` Real GDP , seasonally adjusted , expanded by 8.5 % in Q3 , 2020 to Q2 , 2020 , but shrank by 3.5 % y-o-y , '' it said .
Nominal GDP in Q3 amounted to UAH 1.157 trillion ( US $ 41.6 billion ) , and GDP per capita was UAH 27,673 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline in the country 's GDP in the ten months of 2020 slowed to 5.2 % after a 5.5 % decrease in January-September 2020 .
Budget for 2021 and GDP , forecast for Q1 , 2021 • On December 15 , 2020 , the Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill on the national budget of Ukraine for 2021 .
• On December 18 , 2020 , Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the domestic economy by the end of 2020 might contract by no more than 5 % of GDP .
• Minister for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ihor Petrashko did not rule out a 3 % drop in Ukraine 's GDP in Q1 , 2021 , because of the COVID-19 epidemic .

Ukraine's GDP in Q3 declines by 3.5% y-o-y
20:59, 21.12.20 727
GDP per capita was almost US$1,000.
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unian--2020-12-21--COVID-19: Expert says new mutant strain already in Ukraine

Changes in the clinical picture of coronavirus infection could be seen in the country 's regions bordering other European countries .
Ukrainian infectious disease expert Viktor Petrov claims a new mutant coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) strain has already appeared in the country 's Zakarpattia region .
According to Petrov , changes in the clinical picture of coronavirus infection could be seen in the regions bordering other European countries , TV Channel Ukraina 24 reported on December 21 .
Read also '' Weekend effect '' : Number of new daily COVID-19 cases sharply down Dec 21 '' My patient Mykola is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a labor migrant , shuttling between Ukraine and the Czech Republic .
He has already had this new variant identified by Britain .
When it came to verifying this [ strain ] , Ukraine was unable to identify this virus in mass testing .
But people insured in EU countries could confirm the already mutated virus .
Thus , I was able to confirm cases with the new coronavirus strain in Zakarpattia , '' he said .
The doctor added that the virus would be mutating very actively , and this is natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only one RNA , being the only carrier of genetic information . ''
• On December 14 , UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matthew Hancock said that a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus had been identified in the country .
It is more transmissible than others in circulation .
• On December 15 , the danger of the new COVID-19 strain was assessed by the World Health Organization .
• On December 20 , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson noted that the new virus could be 70 % more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of countries decided to restrict transport services with Britain .
• Meanwhile , it became known that the new strain appeared in the UK way back in September and began to actively spread since the middle of November .

Changes in the clinical picture of coronavirus infection could be seen in the country's regions bordering other European countries.
Ukrainian infectious disease expert Viktor Petrov claims a new mutant coronavirus (COVID-19) strain has already appeared in the country's Zakarpattia region.
According to Petrov, changes in the clinical picture of coronavirus infection could be seen in the regions bordering other European countries, TV Channel Ukraina 24 reported on December 21.
Read also"Weekend effect": Number of new daily COVID-19 cases sharply down Dec 21
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"My patient Mykola is one of such cases. He is a labor migrant, shuttling between Ukraine and the Czech Republic. He has already had this new variant identified by Britain. When it came to verifying this [strain], Ukraine was unable to identify this virus in mass testing. But people insured in EU countries could confirm the already mutated virus. Thus, I was able to confirm cases with the new coronavirus strain in Zakarpattia," he said.
The doctor added that the virus would be mutating very actively, and this is natural: "Why? Because it contains only one RNA, being the only carrier of genetic information."
Background


unian--2020-12-21--Pork prices drop significantly in domestic markets

Prices of meat usually go up on the eve of the New Year holidays .
Prices of pork have dropped significantly in Ukrainian markets and stores .
That is according to the Ukrainian TSN TV news service , referring to All-Ukrainian Association of Importers of Meat and Meat Products on December 21 .
Read alsoProduction of meat , milk and eggs on decline Noteworthy , prices of meat traditionally go up on the eve of the New Year holidays .
The current situation may be caused by an increase in relevant imports this year , it said .
A decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , restaurants , and cafes has also contributed to this trend .
Some of them have failed to survive the first round of the coronavirus-related quarantine .
Others shut down , pending another lockdown .
• The price of New Year 2021 meals for a family of four is expected to be UAH 1,706 ( US $ 61 ) on average .
• Kyiv residents will have to pay at least UAH 1,916.78 ( US $ 69 ) .
• Meat products , vegetables , Olivye ( `` Olivier '' ) Salad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a traditional Eastern European specialty during New Year 's holiday season , as well as chocolates will be most expensive food consumed during the holiday season .

Pork prices drop significantly in domestic markets
17:59, 21.12.20 3121
Prices of meat usually go up on the eve of the New Year holidays.
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unian--2020-12-22--Int'l reserves exceed US$28 bln – NBU

Int'l reserves exceed US$28 bln – NBU

Ukraine 's international reserves stood at US $ 26.1 million as of December 1 , 2020 .
Chairman of the @ @ @ @ @ of Ukraine ( NBU ) Bohdan Danylyshyn has said Ukraine 's international reserves grew to @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In general , the NBU 's international reserves have grown to over US @ @ @ @ @ is the highest value since August 2020 , '' he wrote on Facebook .
Read @ @ @ @ @ IMF disbursement early in 2021According to Danylyshyn , the successful completion of the first revision @ @ @ @ @ Arrangement , which began this week via video conference , will form additional support for @ @ @ @ @ .
Ukraine 's international reserves stood at US $ 26.1 million as of December 1 @ @ @ @ @ reserves are the difference between gross reserves and the balance of the NBU and the @ @ @ @ @ to the International Monetary Fund .

Int'l reserves exceed US$28 bln – NBU
16:55, 22.12.20 952
Ukraine's international reserves stood at US$26.1 million as of December 1, 2020.
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unian--2020-12-22--Naftogaz opens new gas field in Poltava region

Prospective reserves are estimated at 2 bcm of gas National Joint-Stock Company Naftogaz of Ukraine says it has opened a new gas condensate field in Poltava region with confirmed reserves estimated at 200 million cubic meters ( mcm ) .
Gas deposits have been revealed in the area at a depth of 6,150 meters in the new exploration well with the daily output reaching 100,000 cubic meters , the company 's press service said .
The total area of the field is 213 square meters , with five gas-bearing formations .
This will be followed by 3D seismic surveys to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine the optimal locations for drilling new wells .
Prospective reserves of the field are estimated at 2 billion cubic meters ( bcm ) .
Naftogaz in January-September 2020 cut the production of commercial gas by 0.5 % to 10.1 bcm .
NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine is the country 's largest state-run vertically integrated oil and gas holding whose subsidiaries account for about 90 % of oil and gas production in Ukraine .
Naftogaz develops oil and gas fields , and produces crude oil and natural gas .
Its core business is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own network of filling stations .

Naftogaz opens new gas field in Poltava region
16:40, 22.12.20 1494
Prospective reserves are estimated at 2 bcm of gas
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unian--2020-12-22--Minister names conditions for supplying fresh water to Crimea

Prior to the occupation of Crimea by Russia , Ukraine had covered up to 85 % of the peninsula 's needs for fresh water through the North Crimean Canal .
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister , Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Oleksiy Reznikov has said Ukraine may resume water supplies to Crimea only after Russia ceases occupation of the peninsula , but if international organizations confirm that there is a humanitarian disaster in the area , the government could send water tanks to cover the household needs .
`` There 's even nothing to discuss here : if Crimea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be water .
When the UN humanitarian mission , the ICRC come out and say there is a humanitarian catastrophe and the civilian population is suffering , humanitarian convoys will be sent , water tanks , under control of humanitarian missions , '' he told the Suspilne public broadcaster in an interview .
`` No one will supply water to military bases , production capacities in militarized Crimea .
There are enough drinking water supplies for the civilian population in Crimea , '' Reznikov added .
In late summer 2020 , water supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Simferopol and 39 other settlements of the Simferopol and Bakhchisarai districts due to drought and the shallowing of reservoirs .
On September 23 , restrictive measures for the water supply were introduced in the towns of Alushta , Partenit , and Maly Mayak .
Also , water is delivered in water tanks to 29 villages in northern Crimea over dried wells .
Read alsoCrimea 's largest winery Massandra bought by firm affiliated with `` Putin 's cashier `` – mediaOccupying authorities of Crimea announced they were preparing for a `` worst-case scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peninsula .
Prior to the occupation of Crimea by Russia , Ukraine had used to cover up to 85 % of the peninsula 's needs for freshwater through the North Crimean Canal .
After the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 , Ukraine severed water supplies .
The Ukrainian authorities claim the resumption of water supplies to Crimea would be possible only in the context of the end of the Russian occupation .

Minister names conditions for supplying fresh water to Crimea
16:15, 22.12.20 9129
Prior to the occupation of Crimea by Russia, Ukraine had covered up to 85% of the peninsula's needs for fresh water through the North Crimean Canal.
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unian--2020-12-22--U.S. disturbed by reports of Ukrainian soldier captured in Donbas – Embassy

It has been established that the serviceman had been detained by members of illegal armed groups .
The U.S. Embassy @ @ @ @ @ disturbed by reports of the capturing of a Ukrainian soldier in Donbas .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ the capturing of a Ukrainian soldier and injuries of a civilian & 2 Ukrainian servicemembers @ @ @ @ @ violations along the line of contact .
We call on Russia to cease its aggression @ @ @ @ @ needless suffering of Ukrainian citizens , '' the U.S. diplomats wrote on Twitter on December @ @ @ @ @ warzone update : Two WIAs amid six truce violations on Dec 21 Background • On @ @ @ @ @ Joint Forces Operation Headquarters reported a Ukrainian soldier who went missing on December 17 was @ @ @ @ @ , eastern Ukraine .
• It has been established that the serviceman had been detained @ @ @ @ @ groups .
• The circumstances of the incident are being investigated , it said .

It has been established that the serviceman had been detained by members of illegal armed groups.
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine says it is disturbed by reports of the capturing of a Ukrainian soldier in Donbas.
"We are disturbed by reports of the capturing of a Ukrainian soldier and injuries of a civilian & 2 Ukrainian servicemembers as a result of ceasefire violations along the line of contact. We call on Russia to cease its aggression, which is causing the needless suffering of Ukrainian citizens," the U.S. diplomats wrote on Twitter on December 22, 2020.


unian--2020-12-22--Forex rate may remain at UAH 28.20 by late Dec – analyst

The decline against the dollar began immediately after the successful borrowing effort by the Finance Ministry on foreign markets .
The hryvnia forex rate by year-end may remain at UAH 28.20 to the dollar , an analyst with the Alpari investment company , Maksym Parkhomenko , suggests .
According to the expert , the decline of the hryvnia against the dollar began immediately after the successful borrowing effort by the Finance Ministry in foreign markets , as reported by the RBC-Ukraine .
The current week , Parkhomenko recalled , is the last active working week of the year , during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as an auction of the Finance Ministry on the placement of government bonds , will take place .
According to him , starting next week , market players will go on vacation and the situation on the markets will be neutral , which will not allow the Finance Ministry to borrow large sums on the market and generate demand for the hryvnia .
`` If the hryvnia sees no support this week , there will be no factors by the end of the year that could strengthen it .
And it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the year , '' the analyst said .
Read alsoHryvnia weakens to U.S. dollar on Dec 22Previous forecast On December 21 , 2020 , Director for Scientific Work of the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting Veronika Movchan said the hryvnia forex rate against major currencies would not change much by the end of 2021 ; however , fluctuations are possible throughout the year .
On December 22 , 2020 , the National Bank of Ukraine introduced a set of anticrisis measures to support the banking sector and the economy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a lockdown ( from January 8 to 24 , 2021 ) .
In particular , banks are advised to restructure loans to borrowers who have faced financial difficulties over restrictive measures and are unable to service loans .

Forex rate may remain at UAH 28.20 by late Dec – analyst
15:50, 22.12.20 152622
The decline against the dollar began immediately after the successful borrowing effort by the Finance Ministry on foreign markets.
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unian--2020-12-22--Russia blocking talks on Donbas settlement action plan – Reznikov

The Russian side has not yet formally submitted any draft plans that would by signed by their chief delegate .
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister , Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Oleksiy Reznikov says Russia continues blocking the Minsk talks regarding a joint action plan on Donbas settlement , put forward by Ukraine within the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) .
Asked by the Suspilne public broadcaster about the latest developments regarding the plan of joint steps presented by Chief of the Ukrainian delegation at the Minsk talks , Leonid Kravchuk , he said : `` Russia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far .
They 're dragging negotiations in every way possible .
The Russian side has not yet formally submitted any plans that would be signed by [ Russia 's envoy to the TCG Boris ] Gryzlov .
Verbally , they say they 'll be supporting the proposals submitted by representatives of the occupied 'ORDLO ' [ Russia-occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Donbas ] . ''
Read alsoKravchuk tells how Russia keeps blocking solutions within TCG '' We say : we 're interested to see the Russian Federation 's position since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia , and the OSCE .
Moreover , the mediator is the OSCE .
Meanwhile , Russia is playing their old game , saying that its envoys are purely mediators , '' Reznikov added .
The Ukrainian official says the Minsk agreements mention three times that certain bills on elections , special status , and decentralization related to Donbas should be discussed in consultations with representatives of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions .
`` But it does n't specify who exactly those representatives of ORDLO shall be : how and by whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what powers do they gain .
The time has come for us to change this 'story ' about Russia 's monopoly – when they invite representatives of Donbas .
We proposed our own representatives , who are entitled to speak on behalf of the occupied ( territories ) of Donetsk and Luhansk regions .
So far , the ice is still melting .
There is no resistance already at the level of ad-hoc groups .
However , it is still being observed at the level of TCG , '' Reznikov summed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path toward NATO in exchange for peace with RussiaUkraine 's Plan for Donbas : Five key points On November 5 , the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG outline five key points of the new action plan for Donbas : • Withdrawal of foreign troops , illegal armed groups , and mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine in early 2021 ; • Cancellation by Russian authorities of a number of decisions and documents that are direct interference in the life of the occupied parts of Donbas , for example , on the streamlined naturalization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of control over the corresponding section of the Russian-Ukrainian border with the help of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission ; and • Fourfold increase in the size of the OSCE SMM mission ( by 1,500 persons ) .
Only if the first four conditions are met , comes the fifth point : - Preparation and holding of local elections in the occupied districts of Donetsk and Luhansk region ( with the OSCE assistance ) .

The Russian side has not yet formally submitted any draft plans that would by signed by their chief delegate.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Oleksiy Reznikov says Russia continues blocking the Minsk talks regarding a joint action plan on Donbas settlement, put forward by Ukraine within the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG).
Asked by the Suspilne public broadcaster about the latest developments regarding the plan of joint steps presented by Chief of the Ukrainian delegation at the Minsk talks, Leonid Kravchuk, he said: "Russia has no political will to move forward so far. They're dragging negotiations in every way possible. The Russian side has not yet formally submitted any plans that would be signed by [Russia's envoy to the TCG Boris] Gryzlov. Verbally, they say they'll be supporting the proposals submitted by representatives of the occupied 'ORDLO' [Russia-occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Donbas]."
Read alsoKravchuk tells how Russia keeps blocking solutions within TCG"We say: we're interested to see the Russian Federation's position since the Trilateral Contact Group consists of Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE. Moreover, the mediator is the OSCE. Meanwhile, Russia is playing their old game, saying that its envoys are purely mediators," Reznikov added.
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The Ukrainian official says the Minsk agreements mention three times that certain bills on elections, special status, and decentralization related to Donbas should be discussed in consultations with representatives of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
"But it doesn't specify who exactly those representatives of ORDLO shall be: how and by whom they are selected, by whom, and what powers do they gain. The time has come for us to change this 'story' about Russia's monopoly – when they invite representatives of Donbas. We proposed our own representatives, who are entitled to speak on behalf of the occupied (territories) of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. So far, the ice is still melting. There is no resistance already at the level of ad-hoc groups. However, it is still being observed at the level of TCG," Reznikov summed up.
Read alsoUkraine not to give up path toward NATO in exchange for peace with RussiaUkraine's Plan for Donbas: Five key points
On November 5, the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG outlined five key points of the new action plan for Donbas:
Withdrawal of foreign troops, illegal armed groups, and mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine in early 2021;
Cancellation by Russian authorities of a number of decisions and documents that are direct interference in the life of the occupied parts of Donbas, for example, on the streamlined naturalization procedure for local residents;
Restoration of control over the corresponding section of the Russian-Ukrainian border with the help of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission; and
Fourfold increase in the size of the OSCE SMM mission (by 1,500 persons).
Only if the first four conditions are met, comes the fifth point:
- Preparation and holding of local elections in the occupied districts of Donetsk and Luhansk region (with the OSCE assistance).


unian--2020-12-22--Kyiv mayor reports over 1,100 new COVID-19 cases as of Dec 22

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 102,282 .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said 1,159 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in the city in the past 24 hours as of December 22 , 2020 .
`` In the past day , another 1,159 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus , including 36 healthcare workers .
There were 26 fatalities , '' Klitschko reported via Telegram on Tuesday .
According to the city mayor , 644 women aged 18 to 88 and 424 men aged 18 to 90 are among those infected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ five months to 17 years and 52 boys aged two months to 16 years .
Klitschko said 121 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision .
Read alsoUkraine in world 's TOP 20 countries with largest number of COVID-19 casesHe added that 1,242 people had recovered in the past day .
In total , 33,981 Kyiv residents have already beaten the disease .
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district ( 232 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solomyansky district ( 140 ) .
The death toll in the city stands at 1,749 .
• Ukraine said 8,513 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 22 , 2020 , while 600,288 patients had beaten the disease since the start of the epidemic .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 979,506 .

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 102,282.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said 1,159 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in the city in the past 24 hours as of December 22, 2020.
"In the past day, another 1,159 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus, including 36 healthcare workers. There were 26 fatalities," Klitschko reported via Telegram on Tuesday.
"As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 102,282."
According to the city mayor, 644 women aged 18 to 88 and 424 men aged 18 to 90 are among those infected.
The new cases include 39 girls aged five months to 17 years and 52 boys aged two months to 16 years.
Klitschko said 121 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision.
Read alsoUkraine in world's TOP 20 countries with largest number of COVID-19 casesHe added that 1,242 people had recovered in the past day.
In total, 33,981 Kyiv residents have already beaten the disease.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district (232), Dniprovsky district (201), and Solomyansky district (140).
The death toll in the city stands at 1,749.
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-22--Ukraine to alter PCR tests by late Dec over new COVID-19 variant – health official

Testing will be intensified in Ukraine to establish whether a new mutated coronavirus is circulating in the country .
Ukraine 's Deputy Health Minister , Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko has said the PCR systems and the testing process will be changed by late December due to the new COVID-19 variant recorded in the UK .
The UK is set to publish research on the change in primers ( short strains of dna or rna targets ) of the new coronavirus on December 27 .
Liashko assures the test systems that are used in Ukraine are capable of detecting new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wants to refute the fake that allegedly Ukrainian laboratories , when conducting research to identify the coronavirus by polymerase chain reaction , use test systems that do not spot mutated variants of the virus .
`` After a statement that was made public in the UK , the World Health Organization drew the attention of all countries to revise their test systems , specifically on their targeting of the S-virus spike gene , '' he said .
Read alsoKyiv mayor reports over 1,100 new COVID-19 cases as of Dec 22According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , Ukraine adhered to WHO recommendations and allowed the use of test systems that determine the RNA of a virus with several strains .
`` Today , even if a new variant appears , our test systems will work , and we will clearly identify and diagnose coronavirus disease , '' Liashko said .
Also , he noted that testing will be intensified in Ukraine to establish whether a new mutated coronavirus is circulating in the country .
`` To this end , appropriate recommendations have been provided , special attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus disease who have visited the UK during the incubation period or were in contact with people who had been to the UK .
And if tests return positive , the virus isolate will be taken from them and further passed on for sequencing so that we could examine the genome and say whether the virus circulates in Ukraine or not , '' Liashko added .
Read alsoUkraine not to suspend flights from Britain over new COVID-19 strainBackground On December 14 , UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matthew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus had been identified in the country .
It is more transmissible than others in circulation .
On December 15 , the danger of the new COVID-19 strain was assessed by the World Health Organization .
On December 20 , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson noted that the new virus could be 70 % more infectious .
After that , a number of countries decided to restrict transport services with Britain .
Meanwhile , it became known that the new strain appeared in the UK way back in September and began to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Testing will be intensified in Ukraine to establish whether a new mutated coronavirus is circulating in the country.
Ukraine's Deputy Health Minister, Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko has said the PCR systems and the testing process will be changed by late December due to the new COVID-19 variant recorded in the UK.
The UK is set to publish research on the change in primers (short strains of dna or rna targets) of the new coronavirus on December 27.
"In late December, the Public Health Center will gather all manufacturers of PCR test systems, as well as suppliers, and will talk about changing primers to change our PCR systems and add a target that will spot the protein of the new virus," he said at a briefing on Tuesday.
Liashko assures the test systems that are used in Ukraine are capable of detecting new variants of the coronavirus. He said he wants to refute the fake that allegedly Ukrainian laboratories, when conducting research to identify the coronavirus by polymerase chain reaction, use test systems that do not spot mutated variants of the virus.
"After a statement that was made public in the UK, the World Health Organization drew the attention of all countries to revise their test systems, specifically on their targeting of the S-virus spike gene," he said.
Read alsoKyiv mayor reports over 1,100 new COVID-19 cases as of Dec 22According to the health official, at the onset of the pandemic, Ukraine adhered to WHO recommendations and allowed the use of test systems that determine the RNA of a virus with several strains.
"Today, even if a new variant appears, our test systems will work, and we will clearly identify and diagnose coronavirus disease," Liashko said.
Also, he noted that testing will be intensified in Ukraine to establish whether a new mutated coronavirus is circulating in the country.
"To this end, appropriate recommendations have been provided, special attention will be paid to people with symptoms of coronavirus disease who have visited the UK during the incubation period or were in contact with people who had been to the UK. And if tests return positive, the virus isolate will be taken from them and further passed on for sequencing so that we could examine the genome and say whether the virus circulates in Ukraine or not," Liashko added.
Read alsoUkraine not to suspend flights from Britain over new COVID-19 strainBackground
On December 14, UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matthew Hancock said that a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus had been identified in the country. It is more transmissible than others in circulation.
On December 15, the danger of the new COVID-19 strain was assessed by the World Health Organization.
On December 20, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson noted that the new virus could be 70% more infectious.
After that, a number of countries decided to restrict transport services with Britain.
Meanwhile, it became known that the new strain appeared in the UK way back in September and began to actively spread since the middle of November.


unian--2020-12-22--Zelensky appoints new deputy head of President's Office

President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved Yulia Kovaliv 's resignation from the post of Deputy Head of the President 's Office @ @ @ @ @ the same position .
The relevant decrees of December 22 have been posted on the @ @ @ @ @ office .
Yesterday , December 21 , Kovaliv announced she was leaving the post of @ @ @ @ @ 's Office , which she had held since September 20 , 2019 .
Read alsoUkraine @ @ @ @ @ energy ministerShe recalled that during her tenure , she had the opportunity to be part @ @ @ @ @ witness the drafting and passing of laws that ensured important reforms in a number of @ @ @ @ @ Office notes that Kovaliv has resigned at her own will .
Yulia Svyrydenko was born @ @ @ @ @ , 1985 .
In 2018 , she was appointed acting chairman of the Chernihiv Regional @ @ @ @ @ , she served as Deputy Minister for Development of Economy , Trade , and Agriculture @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , she was first deputy chief at the same ministry .

Predecessor Yulia Kovaliv announced her resignation on Monday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved Yulia Kovaliv's resignation from the post of Deputy Head of the President's Office, appointing Yulia Svyrydenko to the same position.
The relevant decrees of December 22 have been posted on the site of the president's office.
Dismissal of Yulia Kovaliv
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Yesterday, December 21, Kovaliv announced she was leaving the post of Deputy Head of the President's Office, which she had held since September 20, 2019.
Read alsoUkraine's government appoints new acting energy ministerShe recalled that during her tenure, she had the opportunity to be part of the process of and witness the drafting and passing of laws that ensured important reforms in a number of sectors.
The President's Office notes that Kovaliv has resigned at her own will.
Yulia Svyrydenko: Background
Yulia Svyrydenko was born in Chernihiv on December 25, 1985.
In 2018, she was appointed acting chairman of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration.
After that, she served as Deputy Minister for Development of Economy, Trade, and Agriculture.
From July 22, 2020, she was first deputy chief at the same ministry.


unian--2020-12-22--It's in EU's interest that Ukraine becomes more European than Russian

In an interview , former European Council president Donald Tusk explained why the European Union should not abandon its efforts toward enlargement .
For millions of central and eastern Europeans it was a homecoming celebration .
That is what `` accession '' meant to many who felt that their countries – after decades of totalitarian rule - were returning to where they belonged , to Europe , as sovereign , independent states .
One of them was Donald Tusk , now the president of the European People 's Party ( EPP ) , but previously EC president and Poland 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` For me , the enlargement was my political dream that finally came true .
I was genuinely moved , '' he told EUobserver .
He added that the European perspective for Ukraine , Moldova and the Balkan countries has also triggered positive changes there as well .
But the wave of accession , dubbed the `` Big Bang '' , also meant that consensus on often difficult issues facing the EU had to be reached across 27 member states .
Cheap central European labor irked some in `` old '' member states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep political fault lines – exacerbated by illiberal trends , particularly in Hungary and Poland .
Read alsoUkraine not to give up path toward NATO in exchange for peace with RussiaIn the wake of this , some have called for the creation of a `` two-speed Europe '' , in which a small group of EU countries pursue tighter integration , a prospect which central and eastern Europeans have rejected .
Yet `` multi-speed '' is already a fact of life in the EU : Romania and Bulgaria have not yet been allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Cyprus , Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania , Malta , Slovakia , and Slovenia have introduced the euro .
Tusk said he `` can understand those who are concerned with the crisis of liberal democracy in the countries of central and eastern Europe , especially in Poland and Hungary '' .
This `` phenomenon unfortunately has a much wider character , '' Tusk said , pointing to outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump , Turkey 's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazil 's Jair Bolsonaro , while `` we can also see the increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , for example in Italy or Spain . ''
`` I am convinced , however , that this is a seasonal occurrence , and that democracy has taken root for good also in the eastern part of the continent , and that it still continues to have a pulling power for others – whose beautiful example is the revolution in Belarus , '' Tusk is confident .
Read alsoU.S .
Chargé d'Affaires names obstacles to Ukraine 's European integration '' People sometimes choose Orbans and Kaczynskis , but for other reasons than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , referring to the Hungarian and Polish leaders .
The EU , Tusk adds , has nevertheless lost some of its appetite for further enlargement but , even with waning enthusiasm , it is `` important that the EU does not resign from strengthening its presence in its closest neighbourhood – and does not give up on the idea of enlargement . ''
`` It is in our interest that Ukraine or the Balkans should be more European than Russian , that China and Turkey should not replace Europe as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for millions of people , whose dreams about freedom , stabilisation and prosperity are so similar to my dreams from a few decades ago , '' Tusk said .

In an interview, former European Council president Donald Tusk explained why the European Union should not abandon its efforts toward enlargement.
For millions of central and eastern Europeans it was a homecoming celebration. That is what "accession" meant to many who felt that their countries – after decades of totalitarian rule - were returning to where they belonged, to Europe, as sovereign, independent states. One of them was Donald Tusk, now the president of the European People's Party (EPP), but previously EC president and Poland's prime minister, EU Observer wrote.
"For me, the enlargement was my political dream that finally came true. I was genuinely moved," he told EUobserver.
"The most tangible change is, of course, the transformation of the former countries of the Soviet bloc into well-prospering democracies. People who live there, and we are talking here about 100 million Europeans, have experienced an unprecedented leap forward in civilisation," Tusk said.
He added that the European perspective for Ukraine, Moldova and the Balkan countries has also triggered positive changes there as well.
But the wave of accession, dubbed the "Big Bang", also meant that consensus on often difficult issues facing the EU had to be reached across 27 member states.
Cheap central European labor irked some in "old" member states, and the 2015 migration crisis exposed deep political fault lines – exacerbated by illiberal trends, particularly in Hungary and Poland.
Read alsoUkraine not to give up path toward NATO in exchange for peace with RussiaIn the wake of this, some have called for the creation of a "two-speed Europe", in which a small group of EU countries pursue tighter integration, a prospect which central and eastern Europeans have rejected.
Yet "multi-speed" is already a fact of life in the EU: Romania and Bulgaria have not yet been allowed to join the passport-free Schengen zone, while Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia have introduced the euro.
Tusk said he "can understand those who are concerned with the crisis of liberal democracy in the countries of central and eastern Europe, especially in Poland and Hungary". This "phenomenon unfortunately has a much wider character," Tusk said, pointing to outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro, while "we can also see the increasing significance of political radicalism in many European countries, for example in Italy or Spain."
"I am convinced, however, that this is a seasonal occurrence, and that democracy has taken root for good also in the eastern part of the continent, and that it still continues to have a pulling power for others – whose beautiful example is the revolution in Belarus," Tusk is confident.
Read alsoU.S. Chargé d'Affaires names obstacles to Ukraine's European integration"People sometimes choose Orbans and Kaczynskis, but for other reasons than the membership in the EU," he said, referring to the Hungarian and Polish leaders. The EU, Tusk adds, has nevertheless lost some of its appetite for further enlargement but, even with waning enthusiasm, it is "important that the EU does not resign from strengthening its presence in its closest neighbourhood – and does not give up on the idea of enlargement."


unian--2020-12-22--The Economist: A new coronavirus variant may derail pandemic-control efforts

More transmissible than other strains , it may require stricter lockdowns .
Viruses are the fashionistas of the microbe world .
They change their appearance constantly but such changes are usually small , transient and of little practical significance for how they spread or how deadly they are .
SARS-CoV-2 , the COVID-19 virus , has so far been no exception , according to The Economist .
But a new variant of it that is spreading rapidly in Britain appears to buck the trend .
According to researchers advising the British government , it may be 40-70 % more transmissible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain has alerted the World Health Organisation about this variant , provisionally called VUI 202012/01 ( short for the first `` variant under investigation '' in December 2020 ) .
The authorities are rushing to limit its spread .
Swathes of Britain where VUI 202012/01 is most prevalent , including London , went into lockdown in the early hours of December 20th .
By the evening , Belgium , France , Germany , the Netherlands and Italy had banned flights from Britain .
Other countries are sure to follow suit .
The port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ferry passengers after France closed its border for 48 hours on the evening of the 20th .
Read alsoEU to discuss response to new COVID-19 variant as travel bans on UK expandVUI 202012/01 was first found in Britain in September .
By mid-December , genomic sequencing had detected more than 1,500 infections involving it in the country ( about 10 % of those in Britain who test positive have their viruses so sequenced ) .
A few cases of the variant have been reported by Belgium , Denmark and the Netherlands .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller proportion of their samples than Britain does , so more widespread circulation of this variant outside Britain can not be ruled out , says Pasi Penttinen of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control .
It is not yet clear whether VUI 202012/01 causes symptoms that are different or of different severity from those induced by its cousins .
Studies to answer that question are under way in Britain .
Researchers are also looking for additional evidence that this variant is more contagious – and what biological mechanisms may be at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
First , it has spread much faster than other variants in parts of Britain where infections have been rising unusually rapidly .
It accounted for 62 % of new infections in London in the week ending December 9th , up from 28 % in early November .
The second red flag is the particular combination of mutations and other tweaks in its genome – 23 , which experts say is an unusually large number given how the virus has changed so far .
More worrying , laboratory and animal studies have found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus better at infecting cells , at making more copies of itself once it enters those cells , and at evading antibodies made by the immune system during infection with other variants .
Read alsoCOVID-19 : Expert says new mutant strain already in UkraineSeveral of the changes in VUI 202012/01 are in `` spike , '' a protein found on its surface , and which it uses to enter cells .
Spike protein is the target of the first covid-19 vaccines .
But these vaccines stimulate immune reaction to parts of the protein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if further mutations should change that state of affairs , then some of the vaccines are of a type that is much easier to adjust to get around the problem than are conventional medicines .
The big worry for now is whether VUI 202012/01 is , indeed , a lot more contagious than other variants .
If the current estimates from Britain 's preliminary data are confirmed , it can increase by 0.4 or more the virus 's reproductive number ( known as R ) , which is the average number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual .
`` This will mean that far stricter measures would be needed to slow down the spread of COVID-19 wherever this variant lands .
The urgent attempts to contain its spread are therefore warranted .
How much it can be slowed down until vaccines start to make a difference is an open question , '' reads the report .

More transmissible than other strains, it may require stricter lockdowns.
Viruses are the fashionistas of the microbe world. They change their appearance constantly but such changes are usually small, transient and of little practical significance for how they spread or how deadly they are.
SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus, has so far been no exception, according to The Economist.
But a new variant of it that is spreading rapidly in Britain appears to buck the trend. According to researchers advising the British government, it may be 40-70% more transmissible than the other variants in circulation. Britain has alerted the World Health Organisation about this variant, provisionally called VUI 202012/01 (short for the first "variant under investigation" in December 2020).
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The authorities are rushing to limit its spread. Swathes of Britain where VUI 202012/01 is most prevalent, including London, went into lockdown in the early hours of December 20th. By the evening, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy had banned flights from Britain. Other countries are sure to follow suit. The port of Dover was closed to outbound lorries and ferry passengers after France closed its border for 48 hours on the evening of the 20th.
Read alsoEU to discuss response to new COVID-19 variant as travel bans on UK expandVUI 202012/01 was first found in Britain in September. By mid-December, genomic sequencing had detected more than 1,500 infections involving it in the country (about 10% of those in Britain who test positive have their viruses so sequenced). A few cases of the variant have been reported by Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. But most European countries sequence a much smaller proportion of their samples than Britain does, so more widespread circulation of this variant outside Britain cannot be ruled out, says Pasi Penttinen of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
It is not yet clear whether VUI 202012/01 causes symptoms that are different or of different severity from those induced by its cousins. Studies to answer that question are under way in Britain. Researchers are also looking for additional evidence that this variant is more contagious – and what biological mechanisms may be at play.
Two factors suggest greater contagiousness. First, it has spread much faster than other variants in parts of Britain where infections have been rising unusually rapidly. It accounted for 62% of new infections in London in the week ending December 9th, up from 28% in early November.
The second red flag is the particular combination of mutations and other tweaks in its genome – 23, which experts say is an unusually large number given how the virus has changed so far. More worrying, laboratory and animal studies have found that several of these changes make the virus better at infecting cells, at making more copies of itself once it enters those cells, and at evading antibodies made by the immune system during infection with other variants.
Read alsoCOVID-19: Expert says new mutant strain already in UkraineSeveral of the changes in VUI 202012/01 are in "spike," a protein found on its surface, and which it uses to enter cells. Spike protein is the target of the first covid-19 vaccines. But these vaccines stimulate immune reaction to parts of the protein not affected by those mutations. And if further mutations should change that state of affairs, then some of the vaccines are of a type that is much easier to adjust to get around the problem than are conventional medicines.
The big worry for now is whether VUI 202012/01 is, indeed, a lot more contagious than other variants. If the current estimates from Britain's preliminary data are confirmed, it can increase by 0.4 or more the virus's reproductive number (known as R), which is the average number of people who catch the virus from an infected individual.
"This will mean that far stricter measures would be needed to slow down the spread of COVID-19 wherever this variant lands. The urgent attempts to contain its spread are therefore warranted. How much it can be slowed down until vaccines start to make a difference is an open question," reads the report.