unian--2020-05-07--Ukraine inviting IDPs to Minsk talks – Zelensky's Office chief

This will create parity with Russia as it was only Moscow who had been inviting representatives of the occupied Donbas to partake in TCG meetings .
Ukraine from May 14 will start inviting to the Trilateral Contact Group meetings on Donbas settlement as representatives of the occupied territories a number of internally displaced persons ( IDPs ) , says head of the President ’ s Office , Andriy Yermak .
Speaking at a briefing on Thursday , Yermak said IDPs from war-struck Donetsk and Luhansk regions who have not acquired Russian citizenship will attend the next TCG meeting as early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports .
`` We will attract IDPs who are forced to live in unoccupied territories .
They are registered residents of the occupied territories but have been forced to flee their homes .
We will be inviting them to all subsequent meetings of the TCG , '' said Yermak .
In turn , Deputy Prime Minister , Minister for the Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Oleksiy Reznikov , who has recently appointed First Deputy Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG , noted that 10 IDPs will attend the negotiations .
Nominees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also added that by such a step Ukraine will establish parity with Russia , since so far it has only the Russian side who has invited representatives of the occupied areas to TCG meetings .
Also , Yermak said that tomorrow he would officially notify Germany , France , and Russia about the increased level of the Ukrainian representation in the TCG .
The Russian side is already aware of changes in the composition of the Ukrainian delegation , the chief of the president 's office added .
Read alsoFM Kuleba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' advisory council '' with representatives of occupied Donbas '' Yesterday I already spoke about our idea in great detail .
We agreed that I would elaborate on this in written form , and I think I 'll do it tomorrow .
Not only they , but also our French and German counterparts will receive letters .
If they [ Russia ] provide some kind of response , well inform the public , '' said Yermak .
The official has assured that the Ukrainian delegation would dominate the negotiations within the TCG framework @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear a very important message – we set such tone from the very start , and it will only be rising .
Ukraine will be the initiator , it will be the dominant side in all further negotiations .
No one will wait .
We know for sure that the war is ongoing in our territory , it 's our people who have been dying , '' Yermak said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , on May 5 , President Volodymyr Zelensky approved an updated composition of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headed by ex-president Leonid Kuchma , his first deputy is Vice Prime Minister , Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Oleksiy Reznikov , and his deputy is Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Oleksandr Merezhko .
Also , representatives of ministries and heads of relevant parliamentary committees are now involved in Minsk talks .

This will create parity with Russia as it was only Moscow who had been inviting representatives of the occupied Donbas to partake in TCG meetings.
Ukraine from May 14 will start inviting to the Trilateral Contact Group meetings on Donbas settlement as representatives of the occupied territories a number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), says head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak.
Speaking at a briefing on Thursday, Yermak said IDPs from war-struck Donetsk and Luhansk regions who have not acquired Russian citizenship will attend the next TCG meeting as early as May 14, an UNIAN correspondent reports.
"We will attract IDPs who are forced to live in unoccupied territories. They are registered residents of the occupied territories but have been forced to flee their homes. We will be inviting them to all subsequent meetings of the TCG," said Yermak.
Видео дня
In turn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for the Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Oleksiy Reznikov, who has recently appointed First Deputy Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG, noted that 10 IDPs will attend the negotiations.
Nominees for participation are yet to be approved.
He also added that by such a step Ukraine will establish parity with Russia, since so far it has only the Russian side who has invited representatives of the occupied areas to TCG meetings.
Also, Yermak said that tomorrow he would officially notify Germany, France, and Russia about the increased level of the Ukrainian representation in the TCG. The Russian side is already aware of changes in the composition of the Ukrainian delegation, the chief of the president's office added.
Read alsoFM Kuleba comments on idea of setting up "advisory council" with representatives of occupied Donbas
"Yesterday I already spoke about our idea in great detail. We agreed that I would elaborate on this in written form, and I think I'll do it tomorrow. Not only they, but also our French and German counterparts will receive letters. If they [Russia] provide some kind of response, well inform the public," said Yermak.
The official has assured that the Ukrainian delegation would dominate the negotiations within the TCG framework.
"I'd like you to hear a very important message – we set such tone from the very start, and it will only be rising. Ukraine will be the initiator, it will be the dominant side in all further negotiations. No one will wait. We know for sure that the war is ongoing in our territory, it's our people who have been dying," Yermak said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, on May 5, President Volodymyr Zelensky approved an updated composition of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk. It is headed by ex-president Leonid Kuchma, his first deputy is Vice Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Oleksiy Reznikov, and his deputy is Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Oleksandr Merezhko.
Also, representatives of ministries and heads of relevant parliamentary committees are now involved in Minsk talks.


unian--2020-05-07--IMF appoints mission chief in Ukraine

IMF appoints mission chief in Ukraine

She earlier headed the Fund 's mission to Moldova .
The International Monetary Fund has appointed Ivanna Vladkova-Hollar , a @ @ @ @ @ its mission to Ukraine .
That 's according to IMF 's Resident Representative in Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ mission press service reported on Thursday , May 7 .
Read alsoUkraine , IMF discussing @ @ @ @ @ with COVID-19 impact Ivanna Vladkova-Hollar replaced Ron van Rooden on May 1 , 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ earlier headed the Fund 's mission to Moldova .

IMF appoints mission chief in Ukraine
20:40, 07.05.20 1620
She earlier headed the Fund's mission to Moldova.
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unian--2020-05-07--Ukraine may lose 15-25% of winter grain harvest over spring frost – expert

The harvest will depend on the frost resistance of crop varieties and technologies that farmers use .
Director of the Institute of Steppe Zone Agriculture at the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences ( NAAS ) , Candidate of Agricultural Sciences Ihor Semeniaka says losses of winter grains for the 2020 harvest in Ukraine may reach 15 % -25 % over spring frosts .
`` Rapeseed , which was underdeveloped or overgrown in autumn , suffered the most .
Barley and winter crops also suffered to a certain extent .
Those who sowed barley too early incurred losses as well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of winter wheat , which are neither of domestic selection nor accustomed to our conditions are also in poor shape now , '' the institute 's press service quoted Semeniaka as saying on May 6 .
The expert stressed that the harvest will depend on the frost resistance of crop varieties , as well as on technology farmers apply .
Most varieties , especially of Ukrainian breed , have withstood such adverse conditions .
`` Therefore , the winter group will ensure yields not lower than the average .
But we predict that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % since spring frostbites led to late vegetation , while plants reduced the intensity of growth and development , '' he said .
As UNIAN reported , EastFruit experts earlier warned that Ukraine might be left without cherries and apricots due to April frosts .
In turn , Head of the agrometeorological department of the Hydrometeorological Center Tetiana Adamenko said that the rains in early May would improve the situation with the harvest of almost all crops after a dry spring and an almost snowless winter .

Ukraine may lose 15-25% of winter grain harvest over spring frost – expert
20:00, 07.05.20 1320
The harvest will depend on the frost resistance of crop varieties and technologies that farmers use.
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unian--2020-05-07--Ukraine, IMF discussing new assistance program to deal with COVID-19 impact

Fund spokesman Gerry Rice said the talks on the new EFF worth $ 5.5 billion are expected to resume once the economy has started recovering from the pandemic .
The focus of talks between the International Monetary Fund and Ukraine has shifted toward an 18-month stand-by financing program which will help the country tackle the consequences of the pandemic in the economy and health care .
It could serve as a reserve option as Ukraine authorities are yet to fulfill conditions required to receive funds in the framework of the Extended Fund Facility in the amount of $ 5.5 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
That 's according to IMF speaker Gerry Rice , who spoke at a briefing on Thursday , May 7 .
`` Last December , the IMF had reached an agreement with Ukrainian government on policies to underpin a new three-year arrangement under our Extended Fund Facility .
The authorities were still working on the implementation of agreed prior actions when the pandemic hit .
So we 've been in close contact with Ukrainian government to discuss parameters of a new fund arrangement that would help Ukraine effectively the economic and health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` There is an ongoing virtual mission discussing policies that could be supported by a stand-by arrangement rather than extended fund facility , '' added the speaker .
`` Given the unprecedented uncertainty surrounding the economic and financial outlook and the need to focus policy priorities on new-term containment and stabilization , negotiations have shifted to this 18-month stand-by arrangement which could provide balance of payments support to reinforce the authorities ' response , '' he said .
`` And when there 's recovery in place the focus could shift back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform needs to foster stronger and more inclusive growth , '' the IMF official concluded .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the National Bank of Ukraine predicted the receipt of the first $ 2 billion tranche from the IMF in the second quarter of 2020 .
UNIAN memo .
Ukraine and the IMF in December 2019 reached a staff-level agreement on a new three-year extended fund facility in the amount of $ 5.5 billion .
The decision on the new program is yet to be approved by the IMF Executive Board , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider the Ukraine issue , since the country is yet to complete all prior actions for launching the new program .

Ukraine, IMF discussing new assistance program to deal with COVID-19 impact
19:20, 07.05.20 1944
Fund spokesman Gerry Rice said the talks on the new EFF worth $5.5 billion are expected to resume once the economy has started recovering from the pandemic.
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unian--2020-05-07--PM Shmyhal: Naftogaz to channel US$1.5 bln in dividends into budget for roads, hospitals development

The company has already paid UAH 8.5 billion ( US $ 315.6 million ) in dividends to the national budget .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said National Joint-Stock Company Naftogaz of Ukraine will channel UAH 39.7 billion ( US $ 1.5 billion ) in dividends for 2019 into the national budget , which is to be allocated , in particular , for road infrastructure and development of medical facilities .
`` According to the results of 2019 , Naftogaz will pay UAH 39.7 billion in dividends [ to the national budget ] .
At the same time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion [ US $ 315.6 million ] .
The major state-owned company should work for citizens .
So , most of these funds will be allocated for the development of [ public facilities ] , namely the construction of roads and reconstruction of hospital wards , as well as their provision with upgraded equipment , '' he said at a government meeting on May 6 .
`` This refers to a project worth at least UAH 6 billion [ US $ 222.8 million ] .
We are talking about this now , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deloitte , one of the world 's top four auditors ...
Some 210 ward facilities at basic hospitals will be built and updated in keeping with a single standard .
The wards will receive upgraded equipment .
Citizens in small towns and villages should receive affordable high-quality medical services , '' he said .
`` It is important that we could see the results of the audit so that we could be sure that funds are available , including those that Ukraine received from [ Russia 's ] Gazprom under the Stockholm Arbitration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as was instructed by the president , the funds will be allocated for the development of the Ukrainian infrastructure , '' the minister said , addressing Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev .
UNIAN memo .
NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine is the 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 , produces crude oil and natural gas .
Its core business is also transportation and trade in fuel through its own network of filling @ @

PM Shmyhal: Naftogaz to channel US$1.5 bln in dividends into budget for roads, hospitals development
18:40, 07.05.20 1083
The company has already paid UAH 8.5 billion (US$315.6 million) in dividends to the national budget.
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unian--2020-05-07--Russian political scientist Natalia Shavshukova: Luck turned its back on Putin. Post-quarantine Russ

Russian political scientist Natalia Shavshukova: Luck turned its back on Putin. Post-quarantine Russia will be poorer and angrier

Natalia Shavshukova has co-founded the School of Local Government ( http : //mundepschool.ru/ ) .
The goal of the project is to enable local activists and simply citizens willing to bring change to express themselves in politics and become deputies .
Natalia is one of the few in modern Russia who spoke up on national television , calling Putin 's will to restart the count of his presidential terms as a coup d'état .
The Constitutional Court ruled otherwise and , in fact , the operation with a code name `` Eternal Putin '' has practically been completed .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which should crown the triumph of the Russian ruler .
However , Shavshukova is convinced , it 's this very stage that the `` zeroing '' process could face certain challenges .
How do you think will the coronavirus affect Russian politics ?
The farther , the worse for Putin – but better for us .
After the coronavirus is gone , sociology will be even worse .
Even as of April 22 , the date the referendum was initially set to be held , the situation was n't as rosy as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can even count on a roll-out vote .
This feeling is based on reviews coming from regions , as well as opinion polls .
We see that Putin has lost Moscow , Petersburg , and a few other big cities .
And all this opposition thing is seeping even further , toward more distant regions .
I 've got this feeling that it 's 86 % , but on the opposite side – that is , against Putin .
What will the authorities do in such a situation ?
After all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote , can they ?
They are already introducing some tricky procedures for collecting signatures online .
I do n't rule out that now they will go for the following types of manipulation : they will introduce online voting beyond Moscow – across other regions .
We already had a precedent in Moscow City Duma ( Council ) elections where an opposition candidate lost precisely in the district where people voted via the internet .
Moreover , when the results were appealed in court , the authorities presented data that cast doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all .
That is , they seem to have just made everything up on their computer .
Most likely , they 'll go for it again .
Now the authorities are expanding the powers of the police , the Russian Guard , and security agencies .
This is all in preparation for mass protests .
Experience they gained with QR codes during a pandemic outbreak in Moscow , Moscow region and other areas , will of course be useful to them .
In other words , they ca n't win in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either through manipulation at the polls or the use of force against descendants in city streets .
How will Putin reign for another 16 years if his people are no longer enthusiastic about him ?
There 's a version that he actually wanted to step down , seeking to once again hand over power to someone from his entourage , like Medvedev , as it happened in 2008 .
Then something went wrong , and suddenly they decided not to make him chief of a newly-created body , the State Council .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of presidential terms .
Obviously , the decision was made behind the scenes by a small group of people , literally .
It has n't been seriously worked out so it 's more of an emotional step in response to plunging popular rating .
We can only guess .
See , our politics sort of resembles the times of the late Soviet era , when everyone had to guess the next Secretary General , based on who carried the coffin of the late leader or stood really close .
Now , the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself .
We can only judge by some echoes of the Kremlin battles , by some leaks , but no one can say anything for certain .
The only thing that can be said for sure , based on all I said , is that the Kremlin folks are seriously panicking .
They understand that the regional elites are turning away from them .
They understand they 're losing control of the country because now they have appointed non-adapted governors who are Moscow natives .
They have absolutely no clue about working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – all they can do is report to their bosses in Moscow .
So what could be Kremlin 's next steps ?
Now it 's difficult to predict what they 'll come up with next time .
This is like trying to predict the trajectory of the chickens ' movements across their coop once a fox breaks in .
Those `` Kremlinoids '' are now running around erratically just like those chickens .
What are those chickens thinking ?
Only chickens know… What will post-quarantine Russia be like ?
Russia will get angrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be seeking some new leaders , but here people choose not among the best , but among the worst .
That is , they will seek lesser evil .
As for the economy , we should n't underestimate previous years with high oil prices and a reserve fund .
There 's quite a lot of money still in stock .
What made people especially upset against the background of the situation in other countries was that no money was paid directly to anyone .
That 's the problem .
We do have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Suppose you worked in tourism and now you can get RUB 12,130 per employee if you behaved well .
But at the same time you must collect a ton of paperwork of all ridiculous kinds just to apply , to prove that you 're the right kind of guy to receive aid .
And then maybe – just maybe – they 'll give you money .
Some 10 million people live in Moscow and only 4,000 have applied for stabilization payments as those who 've lost their jobs ...
This is what must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Putin 's vertical and bureaucracy .
At the same time , everyone 's watching Donald Trump handing out $ 1,200 payments to Americans or Merkel giving out more than anyone actually expected .
Meanwhile , we 're bragging about being such a rich oil power , that we 're sustainable , that we 've got our Reserve Fund , and that we 're able to deal with challenges .
And so the bad thing happens .
So everybody 's asking : `` Where 's the money ? ''
`` This is n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , get out of here , '' the government 's telling them .
Maybe Putin is trying to stretch the National Welfare Fund throughout all these 16 years of his reign ?
He will need the Fund to feed Russian Guards and security agencies to suppress those taking to the streets .
Plus , they will `` put out fire '' in certain hotspots , for example , somewhere in Chechnya or North Ossetia .
Moscow could quietly give them some money , and they 'll shut up .
This is how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loyalty in exchange for resources .
In fact , the government has been doing this for 20 years .
You 've already mentioned several times that the Russians would take to the streets to protest .
Protest what ?
The degree of discontent is rising .
That 's because of the wage gap between Moscow and other regions , as well as because of an industrial decline .
Businesses are upset because they got cheated of their money .
Remember how the Revolution began in Russia in the early 20th century ?
Warship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lunch .
No one knows for sure how the situation with this modern-day `` worm soup '' develops .
Maybe there 'll be something about the popular vote for the `` zeroing '' .
Can such discontent lead to political change in the country ?
Why not ?
This has already happened in Moscow where opposition deputies already occupy a third of the Moscow City Duma .
Radical change has already taken place at the municipal level .
For example , chief of the Tverskoy district where the Kremlin is located , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , incidentally , opposed the annexation of Crimea .
What are the chances that the Putin-Medvedev 's `` United Russia '' party will win next year 's elections to the State Duma ( Russia 's Parliament ) ?
Let 's first survive this year .
In our country , the State Duma is being formed by a mixed system – candidates running in constituencies and those put on party lists .
Authorities control all parties in the country , and all lists are approved by the presidential administration .
No matter what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of opposition parties , they will quickly have their heads torn off , figuratively speaking , if they cease to coordinate things .
What we have left is single-mandate constituencies , huge ones .
If we take Moscow and the entire region , it 's 250,000 voters .
It takes you a day to drive across my constituency .
Here the opposition is ready to act , so all they need is funding .
But businesses are being intimidated .
If someone supports opposition , the authorities could try to take their license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London or elsewhere .
There 's also an issue with crowdfunding .
Russian opposition has learned to raise significant funds online .
But what happened to [ Russian opposition figure and anti-corruption activist ] Alexei Navalny ?
His accounts are being blocked , including those of his relatives and people whose accounts were used to raise money .
It ’ s like a virus .
The government is that virus , while we 're inventing a vaccine .
The virus is very complex , very mean , but our team of researchers is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Putin , when making statements from his secret bunker , seems confused or even lost , especially when he compared the coronavirus with wild ancient hordes trying to invade Russia ?
I used to work at the press service of one of the political parties , so I had my speakers there , for whom I drafted talking points in their speeches .
Now there 's a feeling that Putin simply threw such kind of people out of his closest circle .
He believes he 'll outsmart anyone , that he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whatever .
Previously , his perception of reality was compensated by some smart people around him .
Well , now he does n't need smart people – he needs loyal ones .
So did Putin begin to change amid the coronavirus and plunging oil prices ?
I do n't know if he was self-confident in the early 2000s .
Then , it seems to me , he was leaning precisely on quite competent economists .
Kasyanov was his prime minister , while Gaidar drafted laws in the State Duma , and Gref was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day , he used to listen to smart people .
Now the feeling is that he got carried away .
He just stops listening to anyone .
The way they are building public policy and their dialogue with voters is a just a long series of mistakes .
When preparing for our interview , I found a YouTube video where you say that Putin has become a lame duck .
Why 's that ?
First of all , Russian regions has become destabilized .
Now they are appointing to top regional posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program the so-called effective managers .
They are being trained in many weird ways , like jumping from rocks , and then they 're assigned to lead regions and republics .
But public policy is is about something else .
Now what they 've got is discontent of regional elites , who will inevitably try to devour those guys as soon as they get such an opportunity .
Second , competent people and experts are disappearing from his entourage .
He used to have so many great minds around him : Illarionov , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locked up , some got shot , some – poisoned , while some were forced to flee from Russia .
In fact , the entire Russian economic school was destroyed .
Nothing 's left of it .
What we got is Sechin who 's sitting there , showing off before the Arabs .
We got , Maria Zakharova – Lord , have mercy ...
I do n't even know how she holds negotiations .
Third , and most important , they make terrible mistakes , because they have absolutely no idea how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't even understand their own country anymore .
They greatly overestimate public support .
The fact is that sociological numbers they see is something that 's been doctored to their pleasure .
Here 's a small example .
Last year , I led the campaign of an opposition candidate , and this candidate won .
Then someone from the rival 's team asked me , how was this even possible .
I said that we saw the poll a week and a half prior to the vote , and I realized that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard this : `` We also saw the polls and we thought that we were winning by a wide margin . ''
It turned out that someone simply drew some numbers for them , while scolding people if poll figures are poor .
Could it be that the guiding star is turning its back on the incumbent ?
Putin used to be incredibly lucky with oil .
There 's a saying in Russia : the higher the oil price , the lower the IQ of the government .
Now , of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take technocrats back on his team , everything will be getting worse .
Smart people are needed , but they might be too scared to go work for him .
I 've always had doubts about whether there is an opposition force in Russia that not only aspires to gain power , but is also ready to really manage the country by changing the current regime ?
There are groups of people who are ready to claim power .
They are quite scattered , but they are out there .
There is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a group of systemic parties .
There 's the Communist Party , Fair Russia , and the LDPR – semi-loyal parties already going rogue in certain regions .
There are groups of municipal deputies who win local elections and candidates who intend to run .
I 'm working with such people .
And we must understand that inside the Russian government there are people who sympathize with the opposition .
These are experts at the middle and low levels in the power vertical , they have remained there since the early 2000s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Is it of any interest to ordinary Russians today ?
For the most part , the Russian electorate is still convinced that Russian speakers are being persecuted in Ukraine and urgently need to be rescued `` from evil fascists '' , that `` we must help our fraternal Ukraine by any means . ''
This is an attitude of masses .
Plus , of course , there is certain nostalgia for the Soviet Union – these sentiments have n't gone anywhere .
As for Crimea , most of them think that everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As for Donbas – give it back and let Ukraine deal with it .
The consensus is pretty much something like this .
Do you expect any changes in Kremlin 's approaches to the Ukraine issues ?
There may be several options .
First , Putin could hold his grip and not let go .
The second way is that the Ukrainian issue will become a bargaining chip , as it was in the late Soviet era .
Gorbachev was releasing the Warsaw bloc gradually , in exchange for political loans .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did now .
The Soviet Union was actually bankrupt , and there was nowhere to borrow .
They bowed to the then Western leaders , gradually loosening their grip on Eastern Europe , in exchange for tranches to save the economy .
I ca n't rule out that the Ukrainian issue could become such a bargaining chip .
How long should we wait for this miracle to happen ?
The Soviet Union lasted for six years in this mode .
The fall in oil prices was in 1984 .
In 1991 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like that .
But , once again , who knows ?
Various options are always on the table .
Can you explain where Russians get this nostalgia for the Soviet Union , especially the youths who do n't know what it is ?
Well , you had your health care reform , and many praise it .
Meanwhile , in our country , the optimization of health care in Moscow was , to put it mildly , inadequate , so people remember how things were in the Soviet Union .
There were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people remember that .
The same with education - a lot of things for free .
But this is not some serious talk like `` let 's return everything . ''
People might fly Soviet flags on their expensive mansions outside Moscow on May 1 .
But this does n't mean that they are ready to give up their mansion or their business .
This does n't mean that they are ready to sacrifice the opportunity to travel overseas .
Naturally , everyone understands that nothing can be brought back .
They might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of shots , and that 's it .
Russian society is like this : they could hang a St. George ’ s ribbon [ in commemoration of victory in WW2 ] on a BMW , which was bought at a nice dealership or brought from abroad , but no one wants to opt for a Russian-made Lada .
People have grown pragmatic , which should n't be underestimated .
You mentioned Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova .
She recently said that traveling abroad is , in fact , the right of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this was an unfortunate slip or the first step towards creating an `` Iron Curtain '' and introducing exit visas ?
Naturally , they would love both exit visas and the Iron Curtain .
Then it will be possible to control that those traveling overseas knew the Charter of `` United Russia '' by heart .
Naturally , they want to revive all this .
But no one will allow them .
Everyone wants to travel .
As for Zakharova 's statement , this was , in fact , a slip about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She has voiced stereotypes of the Soviet elite and let loose on how they see us .
They see us as serfs , taxable folk .
They seriously think of themselves as `` boyars '' , the ruling class .
So how do you think , could this luck again help Putin out , or has it been zeroed along with his presidential terms and global oil prices ?
Perhaps oil prices could rebound .
But he 'll still lack the other success factors .
He scared away everyone around him .

Russian political scientist Natalia Shavshukova sat down with UNIAN to speak about the potential consequences of Vladimir Putin zeroing his presidential terms, why does the government no longer control the situation in the country, what are the attitudes toward Donbas and Crimea, and will the Kremlin's policy change once the quarantine is lifted.
Natalia Shavshukova has co-founded the School of Local Government (http://mundepschool.ru/). The goal of the project is to enable local activists and simply citizens willing to bring change to express themselves in politics and become deputies.
Natalia is one of the few in modern Russia who spoke up on national television, calling Putin's will to restart the count of his presidential terms as a coup d'état. The Constitutional Court ruled otherwise and, in fact, the operation with a code name "Eternal Putin" has practically been completed. A mere formality remains – a popular vote, which should crown the triumph of the Russian ruler. However, Shavshukova is convinced, it's this very stage that the "zeroing" process could face certain challenges.
How do you think will the coronavirus affect Russian politics?
Видео дня
The farther, the worse for Putin – but better for us. After the coronavirus is gone, sociology will be even worse. Even as of April 22, the date the referendum was initially set to be held, the situation wasn't as rosy as the authorities had planned. I think we can even count on a roll-out vote. This feeling is based on reviews coming from regions, as well as opinion polls. We see that Putin has lost Moscow, Petersburg, and a few other big cities. And all this opposition thing is seeping even further, toward more distant regions. I've got this feeling that it's 86%, but on the opposite side – that is, against Putin.
What will the authorities do in such a situation? After all, they no longer can just call off the vote, can they?
They are already introducing some tricky procedures for collecting signatures online. I don't rule out that now they will go for the following types of manipulation: they will introduce online voting beyond Moscow – across other regions. We already had a precedent in Moscow City Duma (Council) elections where an opposition candidate lost precisely in the district where people voted via the internet. Moreover, when the results were appealed in court, the authorities presented data that cast doubt on whether there had been any vote at all. That is, they seem to have just made everything up on their computer. Most likely, they'll go for it again.
Now the authorities are expanding the powers of the police, the Russian Guard, and security agencies. This is all in preparation for mass protests. Experience they gained with QR codes during a pandemic outbreak in Moscow, Moscow region and other areas, will of course be useful to them. In other words, they can't win in a nice way. They could only win either through manipulation at the polls or the use of force against descendants in city streets.
How will Putin reign for another 16 years if his people are no longer enthusiastic about him?
There's a version that he actually wanted to step down, seeking to once again hand over power to someone from his entourage, like Medvedev, as it happened in 2008. Then something went wrong, and suddenly they decided not to make him chief of a newly-created body, the State Council. They have opted for that "zeroing" of presidential terms.
Obviously, the decision was made behind the scenes by a small group of people, literally. It hasn't been seriously worked out so it's more of an emotional step in response to plunging popular rating. We can only guess. See, our politics sort of resembles the times of the late Soviet era, when everyone had to guess the next Secretary General, based on who carried the coffin of the late leader or stood really close. Now, the "Death of Stalin" saga is repeating itself. We can only judge by some echoes of the Kremlin battles, by some leaks, but no one can say anything for certain.
The only thing that can be said for sure, based on all I said, is that the Kremlin folks are seriously panicking. They understand that the regional elites are turning away from them. They understand they're losing control of the country because now they have appointed non-adapted governors who are Moscow natives. They have absolutely no clue about working with the people or negotiating with local businesses – all they can do is report to their bosses in Moscow.
So what could be Kremlin's next steps?
Now it's difficult to predict what they'll come up with next time. This is like trying to predict the trajectory of the chickens' movements across their coop once a fox breaks in. Those "Kremlinoids" are now running around erratically just like those chickens. What are those chickens thinking? Only chickens know…
What will post-quarantine Russia be like?
Russia will get angrier. Russia will get poorer. Russia will be seeking some new leaders, but here people choose not among the best, but among the worst. That is, they will seek lesser evil. As for the economy, we shouldn't underestimate previous years with high oil prices and a reserve fund. There's quite a lot of money still in stock.
What made people especially upset against the background of the situation in other countries was that no money was paid directly to anyone. That's the problem. We do have some kind of payments in place. Suppose you worked in tourism and now you can get RUB 12,130 per employee if you behaved well. But at the same time you must collect a ton of paperwork of all ridiculous kinds just to apply, to prove that you're the right kind of guy to receive aid. And then maybe – just maybe – they'll give you money. Some 10 million people live in Moscow and only 4,000 have applied for stabilization payments as those who've lost their jobs...
This is what must be borne in mind when we talk about Putin's vertical and bureaucracy. At the same time, everyone's watching Donald Trump handing out $1,200 payments to Americans or Merkel giving out more than anyone actually expected. Meanwhile, we're bragging about being such a rich oil power, that we're sustainable, that we've got our Reserve Fund, and that we're able to deal with challenges. And so the bad thing happens. So everybody's asking: "Where's the money?" "This isn't your money, this is our money, get out of here," the government's telling them.
Maybe Putin is trying to stretch the National Welfare Fund throughout all these 16 years of his reign?
He will need the Fund to feed Russian Guards and security agencies to suppress those taking to the streets. Plus, they will "put out fire" in certain hotspots, for example, somewhere in Chechnya or North Ossetia. Moscow could quietly give them some money, and they'll shut up. This is how they'll be acting. They will buy loyalty in exchange for resources. In fact, the government has been doing this for 20 years.
You've already mentioned several times that the Russians would take to the streets to protest. Protest what?
The degree of discontent is rising. That's because of the wage gap between Moscow and other regions, as well as because of an industrial decline. Businesses are upset because they got cheated of their money. Remember how the Revolution began in Russia in the early 20th century? Warship crew spotted worms in their soup during lunch. No one knows for sure how the situation with this modern-day "worm soup" develops. Maybe there'll be something about the popular vote for the "zeroing".
Can such discontent lead to political change in the country?
Why not? This has already happened in Moscow where opposition deputies already occupy a third of the Moscow City Duma. Radical change has already taken place at the municipal level. For example, chief of the Tverskoy district where the Kremlin is located, was nominated by the Yabloko party, which, incidentally, opposed the annexation of Crimea.
What are the chances that the Putin-Medvedev's "United Russia" party will win next year's elections to the State Duma (Russia's Parliament)?
Let's first survive this year. In our country, the State Duma is being formed by a mixed system – candidates running in constituencies and those put on party lists. Authorities control all parties in the country, and all lists are approved by the presidential administration. No matter what they say, no matter the loud talk of opposition parties, they will quickly have their heads torn off, figuratively speaking, if they cease to coordinate things.
What we have left is single-mandate constituencies, huge ones. If we take Moscow and the entire region, it's 250,000 voters. It takes you a day to drive across my constituency. Here the opposition is ready to act, so all they need is funding. But businesses are being intimidated. If someone supports opposition, the authorities could try to take their license or they force CEOs to emigrate to London or elsewhere. There's also an issue with crowdfunding. Russian opposition has learned to raise significant funds online. But what happened to [Russian opposition figure and anti-corruption activist] Alexei Navalny? His accounts are being blocked, including those of his relatives and people whose accounts were used to raise money.
It’s like a virus. The government is that virus, while we're inventing a vaccine. The virus is very complex, very mean, but our team of researchers is on it.
Don't you think that Putin, when making statements from his secret bunker, seems confused or even lost, especially when he compared the coronavirus with wild ancient hordes trying to invade Russia?
I used to work at the press service of one of the political parties, so I had my speakers there, for whom I drafted talking points in their speeches. Now there's a feeling that Putin simply threw such kind of people out of his closest circle. He believes he'll outsmart anyone, that he is some major historian, virologist, or whatever. Previously, his perception of reality was compensated by some smart people around him. Well, now he doesn't need smart people – he needs loyal ones.
So did Putin begin to change amid the coronavirus and plunging oil prices?
I don't know if he was self-confident in the early 2000s. Then, it seems to me, he was leaning precisely on quite competent economists. Kasyanov was his prime minister, while Gaidar drafted laws in the State Duma, and Gref was engaged in strategic planning... Back in the day, he used to listen to smart people. Now the feeling is that he got carried away. He just stops listening to anyone. The way they are building public policy and their dialogue with voters is a just a long series of mistakes.
When preparing for our interview, I found a YouTube video where you say that Putin has become a lame duck. Why's that?
First of all, Russian regions has become destabilized. Now they are appointing to top regional posts under the "Leaders of Russia" program the so-called effective managers. They are being trained in many weird ways, like jumping from rocks, and then they're assigned to lead regions and republics. But public policy is is about something else. Now what they've got is discontent of regional elites, who will inevitably try to devour those guys as soon as they get such an opportunity.
Second, competent people and experts are disappearing from his entourage. He used to have so many great minds around him: Illarionov, Kasyanov, or Ulyukaev. Some got locked up, some got shot, some – poisoned, while some were forced to flee from Russia. In fact, the entire Russian economic school was destroyed. Nothing's left of it. What we got is Sechin who's sitting there, showing off before the Arabs. We got, Maria Zakharova – Lord, have mercy... I don't even know how she holds negotiations.
Third, and most important, they make terrible mistakes, because they have absolutely no idea how to work with the people. They don't even understand their own country anymore. They greatly overestimate public support. The fact is that sociological numbers they see is something that's been doctored to their pleasure. Here's a small example. Last year, I led the campaign of an opposition candidate, and this candidate won. Then someone from the rival's team asked me, how was this even possible. I said that we saw the poll a week and a half prior to the vote, and I realized that we were winning. In response, I heard this: "We also saw the polls and we thought that we were winning by a wide margin." It turned out that someone simply drew some numbers for them, while scolding people if poll figures are poor.
Could it be that the guiding star is turning its back on the incumbent?
Putin used to be incredibly lucky with oil. There's a saying in Russia: the higher the oil price, the lower the IQ of the government. Now, of course, if in this situation Putin doesn't take technocrats back on his team, everything will be getting worse. Smart people are needed, but they might be too scared to go work for him.
I've always had doubts about whether there is an opposition force in Russia that not only aspires to gain power, but is also ready to really manage the country by changing the current regime?
There are groups of people who are ready to claim power. They are quite scattered, but they are out there. There is a group led by Alexei Navalny, there is a group of systemic parties. There's the Communist Party, Fair Russia, and the LDPR – semi-loyal parties already going rogue in certain regions. There are groups of municipal deputies who win local elections and candidates who intend to run. I'm working with such people.
And we must understand that inside the Russian government there are people who sympathize with the opposition. These are experts at the middle and low levels in the power vertical, they have remained there since the early 2000s.
Let's talk about Ukraine now. Is it of any interest to ordinary Russians today?
For the most part, the Russian electorate is still convinced that Russian speakers are being persecuted in Ukraine and urgently need to be rescued "from evil fascists", that "we must help our fraternal Ukraine by any means." This is an attitude of masses. Plus, of course, there is certain nostalgia for the Soviet Union – these sentiments haven't gone anywhere. As for Crimea, most of them think that everything should be left as it is. As for Donbas – give it back and let Ukraine deal with it. The consensus is pretty much something like this.
Do you expect any changes in Kremlin's approaches to the Ukraine issues?
There may be several options. First, Putin could hold his grip and not let go. The second way is that the Ukrainian issue will become a bargaining chip, as it was in the late Soviet era.
Gorbachev was releasing the Warsaw bloc gradually, in exchange for political loans. Then oil prices fell, just like they did now. The Soviet Union was actually bankrupt, and there was nowhere to borrow. They bowed to the then Western leaders, gradually loosening their grip on Eastern Europe, in exchange for tranches to save the economy. I can't rule out that the Ukrainian issue could become such a bargaining chip.
How long should we wait for this miracle to happen?
The Soviet Union lasted for six years in this mode. The fall in oil prices was in 1984. In 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist. Something like that. But, once again, who knows? Various options are always on the table.
Can you explain where Russians get this nostalgia for the Soviet Union, especially the youths who don't know what it is?
Well, you had your health care reform, and many praise it. Meanwhile, in our country, the optimization of health care in Moscow was, to put it mildly, inadequate, so people remember how things were in the Soviet Union. There were a lot of free medical services. And people remember that. The same with education - a lot of things for free. But this is not some serious talk like "let's return everything." People might fly Soviet flags on their expensive mansions outside Moscow on May 1. But this doesn't mean that they are ready to give up their mansion or their business. This doesn't mean that they are ready to sacrifice the opportunity to travel overseas. Naturally, everyone understands that nothing can be brought back. They might get nostalgic sometimes, drink a couple of shots, and that's it.
Russian society is like this: they could hang a St. George’s ribbon [in commemoration of victory in WW2] on a BMW, which was bought at a nice dealership or brought from abroad, but no one wants to opt for a Russian-made Lada. People have grown pragmatic, which shouldn't be underestimated.
You mentioned Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. She recently said that traveling abroad is, in fact, the right of the privileged and wealthy. Do you think this was an unfortunate slip or the first step towards creating an "Iron Curtain" and introducing exit visas?
Naturally, they would love both exit visas and the Iron Curtain. Then it will be possible to control that those traveling overseas knew the Charter of "United Russia" by heart. Naturally, they want to revive all this. But no one will allow them. Everyone wants to travel.
As for Zakharova's statement, this was, in fact, a slip about the way of thinking of the Russian elite. She has voiced stereotypes of the Soviet elite and let loose on how they see us. They see us as serfs, taxable folk. They seriously think of themselves as "boyars", the ruling class.
So how do you think, could this luck again help Putin out, or has it been zeroed along with his presidential terms and global oil prices?
Perhaps oil prices could rebound. But he'll still lack the other success factors. He scared away everyone around him.
Roman Tsymbaliuk


unian--2020-05-07--Two Ukrainian boxers land up on Ukraine's Myrotvorets 'black list'

The two boxers ' profiles contain details of their actions that could pose a threat to Ukraine .
Two Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ Vasyl Lomachenko , have landed up on Ukraine 's Myrotvorets ( `` Peacemaker '' ) @ @ @ @ @ posing a threat to Ukraine 's security .
`` Repeating the Kremlin 's statements [ @ @ @ @ @ ] one nation , rejecting Russian aggression and denying the independence of Ukrainian Orthodoxy from @ @ @ @ @ country ) of the Russian Orthodox Church , they have sided with the traitors of @ @ @ @ @ Center said .
The two boxers ' profiles contain details of their actions that could @ @ @ @ @ .
In particular , they mention participation in the Russian film 'Hello , Brother !
@ @ @ @ @ The statements made by the two boxers in the film on relations between Russia and @ @ @ @ @ center said .
Easter greetings by Russian priests and performers who Usyk and Lomachenko also @ @ @ @ @ a number of other recently made controversial statements were also mentioned .

The two boxers' profiles contain details of their actions that could pose a threat to Ukraine.
Two Ukrainian boxers, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasyl Lomachenko, have landed up on Ukraine's Myrotvorets ("Peacemaker") database, which lists individuals posing a threat to Ukraine's security.
"Repeating the Kremlin's statements [that Russia and Ukraine are] one nation, rejecting Russian aggression and denying the independence of Ukrainian Orthodoxy from Russian control (the aggressor country) of the Russian Orthodox Church, they have sided with the traitors of Ukraine," the Myrotvorets Center said.
Read alsoCrimean children taught Russia didn't invade Crimea – rights group
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The two boxers' profiles contain details of their actions that could pose a threat to Ukraine.
In particular, they mention participation in the Russian film 'Hello, Brother! Christ is Risen!' The statements made by the two boxers in the film on relations between Russia and Ukraine are controversial, the center said.
Easter greetings by Russian priests and performers who Usyk and Lomachenko also joined, as well as a number of other recently made controversial statements were also mentioned.
Usyk's profile on Myrotvorets
Lomachenko's profile on Myrotvorets


unian--2020-05-07--Over 470 passengers arrive at Boryspil airport by three special flights in past day

Over 470 passengers arrived at Kyiv 's Boryspil airport by three special flights in the past day .
These were mainly citizens of Ukraine who arrived from Toronto ( Canada ) , Oslo ( Norway ) , and Goa ( India ) , the press service of the State Border Service of Ukraine said .
They underwent body temperature screening and were asked questions about their health , it said .
`` There were no individuals with fever or symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections , '' it said .
All but one person who arrived on that day chose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of the Dii Vdoma GPS tracking app .
After employees of the State Border Service checked the passengers ' registration in the app , the latter were sent for self-isolation at the indicated addresses for two weeks .
One passenger from Goa decided to spend the quarantine period at a specific observatory facility .
`` In general , passenger traffic at the state border remains quite low .
Over the past day , employees of the State Border Service handled fewer than 13,000 people for entry and exit , '' the agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier announced that evacuation of citizens by special flights from abroad will take place step-by-step , in a controlled manner , with up to four flights per day .

They underwent body temperature screening.
Over 470 passengers arrived at Kyiv's Boryspil airport by three special flights in the past day.
These were mainly citizens of Ukraine who arrived from Toronto (Canada), Oslo (Norway), and Goa (India), the press service of the State Border Service of Ukraine said.
Read alsoSome 11,500 Ukrainians worldwide awaiting evacuation – MFA
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They underwent body temperature screening and were asked questions about their health, it said.
"There were no individuals with fever or symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections," it said.
All but one person who arrived on that day chose to follow the quarantine restrictions with the use of the Dii Vdoma GPS tracking app.
After employees of the State Border Service checked the passengers' registration in the app, the latter were sent for self-isolation at the indicated addresses for two weeks.
One passenger from Goa decided to spend the quarantine period at a specific observatory facility.
"In general, passenger traffic at the state border remains quite low. Over the past day, employees of the State Border Service handled fewer than 13,000 people for entry and exit," the agency said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier announced that evacuation of citizens by special flights from abroad will take place step-by-step, in a controlled manner, with up to four flights per day.


unian--2020-05-07--Subways not to resume work until May 22 – Ukraine's PM

According to Shmyhal , the early launch of public transport services threatens the spread of the coronavirus epidemic .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said the subways in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv , Kharkiv and Dnipro will not resume work until May 22 .
Speaking at a regular meeting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with members of the government and his coronavirus task force , the prime minister said that according to the plan worked out by the Cabinet , the subways will not be operational before May 22 , since the early launch of public transport services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the president 's press service .
Read alsoUkraine president 's office : Subways to be opened last of all transport modes The situation with the epidemic has not yet stabilized in the country , he said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Cabinet of Ministers on March 11 imposed a nationwide quarantine , which was later extended until April 24 and further until May 11 .
On May 4 , the government reviewed the deadline for ending the coronavirus-related quarantine in the country , having set it for May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the novel coronavirus in Ukraine was nearing 13,700 on Thursday morning .
Of them , 507 cases were reported in the past 24 hours .
A total of 340 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country .
Some 2,396 patients have recovered .

According to Shmyhal, the early launch of public transport services threatens the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said the subways in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro will not resume work until May 22.
Speaking at a regular meeting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with members of the government and his coronavirus task force, the prime minister said that according to the plan worked out by the Cabinet, the subways will not be operational before May 22, since the early launch of public transport services threatens the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, according to the president's press service.
Read alsoUkraine president's office: Subways to be opened last of all transport modes
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The situation with the epidemic has not yet stabilized in the country, he said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Cabinet of Ministers on March 11 imposed a nationwide quarantine, which was later extended until April 24 and further until May 11.
On May 4, the government reviewed the deadline for ending the coronavirus-related quarantine in the country, having set it for May 22.
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Ukraine was nearing 13,700 on Thursday morning. Of them, 507 cases were reported in the past 24 hours. A total of 340 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country. Some 2,396 patients have recovered.


unian--2020-05-07--Ukraine's Accounting Chamber in 2019 reveals cases of budget violation worth US$1.9 bln

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Ukraine's Accounting Chamber in 2019 reveals cases of budget violation worth US$1.9 bln
15:50, 07.05.20 414
The amount of violations revealed exceeds the figure reported in 2018 by 2.9 times.
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unian--2020-05-07--Ukraine, NATO should develop strategy to deter Russia in Black Sea area – Prystaiko

Prystaiko said Ukraine would like to see a greater presence of NATO and the U.S. naval forces in the Black @ @ @ @ @ for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko has said Ukraine and NATO should @ @ @ @ @ Russia in the Black Sea area .
`` Security in the Black Sea area is @ @ @ @ @ , as well as to NATO and other allies .
While implementing the Black Sea @ @ @ @ @ , we would like to focus on strengthening our Navy , cybersecurity , and raising @ @ @ @ @ the situation in the region , '' Prystaiko said during a video conference on Ukraine-NATO @ @ @ @ @ government 's portal .
According to him , the strategy should cover such areas as @ @ @ @ @ and military sectors .
The official added Ukraine would like to see a greater presence @ @ @ @ @ naval forces in the Black Sea .

Prystaiko said Ukraine would like to see a greater presence of NATO and the U.S. naval forces in the Black Sea.
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko has said Ukraine and NATO should develop a strategy to deter Russia in the Black Sea area.
Read alsoStoltenberg comments on Ukraine's accession to NATO's Enhanced Opportunity Partnership
"Security in the Black Sea area is of paramount importance to Ukraine, as well as to NATO and other allies. While implementing the Black Sea Package proposed by the Alliance, we would like to focus on strengthening our Navy, cybersecurity, and raising our partners' awareness about the situation in the region," Prystaiko said during a video conference on Ukraine-NATO relations, according to the government's portal.
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According to him, the strategy should cover such areas as information, economy, legal and military sectors.
The official added Ukraine would like to see a greater presence of NATO and the U.S. naval forces in the Black Sea.


unian--2020-05-07--EU facing its worst recession ever over coronavirus – media

New forecasts predict a 7.4 percent economic collapse and risks of even worse decline if the reopening triggers a second virus wave .
The good news for Europe is that the worst of the pandemic is beginning to ease .
This week deaths in Italy hit a nearly two-month low .
And the German leader Angela Merkel announced that schools , day care centers and restaurants would reopen in the next few days .
But the relief could be short-lived .
The European Commission released projections on Wednesday that Europe 's economy will shrink by 7.4 percent this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union , first formed in the aftermath of the Second World War , to expect the `` deepest economic recession in its history , '' according to The New York Times .
To put this figure in perspective , the 27-nation bloc 's economy had been predicted to grow by 1.2 percent this year .
In 2009 , at the back of the global financial crisis , it shrank by 4.5 percent .
It 's a grim reminder that even if the virus dissipates , the economic fallout could pressure the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In China , where the outbreak has subsided in recent weeks , the factories that power the global supply chain have been fired up .
But with few global buyers for its goods , its economy has been slow to recover .
In the United States , where the growth of new cases in the hardest-hit areas shows signs of slowing and there is a push to lift lockdowns , there are also signs that a recovery may be elusive .
The government on Friday is set to release the monthly employment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss of more than 20 million jobs in April – a number that would wipe out a decade 's worth of job gains .
The European Union , home to 440 million people , is the United States ' No .
1 trading partner , and China 's second-largest .
It 's the biggest foreign investor in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the developing world .
A prolonged European recession , a second wave of the virus or an anemic economic recovery would spell added misery for many Europeans , and hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over .
The crisis is also reigniting political divisions between a wealthier north and a poorer south , threatening to break the brittle balance between divergent nations with inextricably linked economies .
Read alsoUN warns world may face multiple famines of `` biblical proportions '' as COVID-19 spreads ( Photo , video ) A recovery will probably start unevenly in the second half of the year , Paolo Gentiloni , European commissioner for economy , said at a news conference after the release of the forecast , which comes out four times a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 the countries of the European Union will be in worse shape than they were just two months ago , before the coronavirus started ripping through the continent .
U.S. gross domestic product fell at a 4.8 percent annual rate in the first three months of the year , and some economists believe it will contract at an annual rate of 30 percent or more in the current quarter .
`` The danger of a deeper and more protracted recession is very real , '' the head of the commission 's economic unit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecast 's foreword .
A resurgence of the virus after the end of lockdowns would shave a further 3 percentage points off economic performance this year , he said .
The economies of Italy and Spain , two of the countries hardest hit by the disease , will most likely shrink by over 9 percent each this year , and Italy 's economy will be particularly slow to recover , Mr. Gentiloni said .

New forecasts predict a 7.4 percent economic collapse and risks of even worse decline if the reopening triggers a second virus wave.
The good news for Europe is that the worst of the pandemic is beginning to ease. This week deaths in Italy hit a nearly two-month low. And the German leader Angela Merkel announced that schools, day care centers and restaurants would reopen in the next few days.
But the relief could be short-lived. The European Commission released projections on Wednesday that Europe's economy will shrink by 7.4 percent this year. A top official told residents of the European Union, first formed in the aftermath of the Second World War, to expect the "deepest economic recession in its history," according to The New York Times.
To put this figure in perspective, the 27-nation bloc's economy had been predicted to grow by 1.2 percent this year. In 2009, at the back of the global financial crisis, it shrank by 4.5 percent.
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Read alsoUkraine faces deepening recession due to coronavirus lockdown: Reuters poll
It's a grim reminder that even if the virus dissipates, the economic fallout could pressure the world economy for months, if not years.
In China, where the outbreak has subsided in recent weeks, the factories that power the global supply chain have been fired up. But with few global buyers for its goods, its economy has been slow to recover.
In the United States, where the growth of new cases in the hardest-hit areas shows signs of slowing and there is a push to lift lockdowns, there are also signs that a recovery may be elusive. The government on Friday is set to release the monthly employment report, and some forecasts predict a loss of more than 20 million jobs in April – a number that would wipe out a decade's worth of job gains.
The European Union, home to 440 million people, is the United States' No. 1 trading partner, and China's second-largest. It's the biggest foreign investor in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the developing world.
A prolonged European recession, a second wave of the virus or an anemic economic recovery would spell added misery for many Europeans, and hurt companies, banks and people the world over. The crisis is also reigniting political divisions between a wealthier north and a poorer south, threatening to break the brittle balance between divergent nations with inextricably linked economies.
Read alsoUN warns world may face multiple famines of "biblical proportions" as COVID-19 spreads (Photo, video)
A recovery will probably start unevenly in the second half of the year, Paolo Gentiloni, European commissioner for economy, said at a news conference after the release of the forecast, which comes out four times a year. But by the end of 2021 the countries of the European Union will be in worse shape than they were just two months ago, before the coronavirus started ripping through the continent. U.S. gross domestic product fell at a 4.8 percent annual rate in the first three months of the year, and some economists believe it will contract at an annual rate of 30 percent or more in the current quarter.
"The danger of a deeper and more protracted recession is very real," the head of the commission's economic unit, Maarten Verwey, said in the forecast's foreword.
A resurgence of the virus after the end of lockdowns would shave a further 3 percentage points off economic performance this year, he said.
The economies of Italy and Spain, two of the countries hardest hit by the disease, will most likely shrink by over 9 percent each this year, and Italy's economy will be particularly slow to recover, Mr. Gentiloni said.


unian--2020-05-08--SBU suspects ex-officials of Ukraine's tax service of VAT fraud

The officials ' activities resulted in tax evasion in particularly large amounts .
The SBU Security Service of Ukraine says it suspects former senior officials of the State Tax Service ( STS ) of arranging a scheme for illegal value-added tax ( VAT ) crediting estimated at billions of hryvnias .
According to law enforcers , top officials at STS territorial departments were also involved in the fraud .
SBU officers established that the officials in 2019-2020 , in conspiracy with organizers of transit-conversion groups , set up the illegal VAT credit scheme , as reported by the SBU press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also revealed the facts of meddling in electronic tax databases , including through altering algorithms of automatic verification of tax invoices in the register of business entities with `` risk '' features ( fictitiousness ) .
`` These actions led to the artificial formation of tax credits with VAT , which then was designated as for 'business entities ' operating in the real sector of the economy .
The officials ' actions have resulted in tax evasion in particularly large amounts , as well as the legalization of illegally obtained funds , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of initiated criminal proceedings , law enforcers conducted over 100 raids in different regions of Ukraine at offices and places of residence of the suspects , including the former STS chief , Serhiy Verlanov .
`` The seized documents will be considered as evidence in the case .
Bank accounts of the entities involved in the fraud were blocked .
Moreover , VAT limits of these business entities in the electronic VAT administrating system were also frozen , '' the report said .
Further pretrial investigation is under way under Part 2 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 258-5 , Part 3 of Article 212 , and Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine .

SBU suspects ex-officials of Ukraine's tax service of VAT fraud
15:15, 08.05.20 2784
The officials' activities resulted in tax evasion in particularly large amounts.
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unian--2020-05-08--Reuters: Ukraine discussing $5 bln deal with IMF for 2020-21 – finance minister

Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said on Friday Ukraine hoped to receive $ 5 billion of International Monetary Fund assistance @ @ @ @ @ programme .
The IMF has shifted its discussions with Ukraine to providing an 18-month Standby @ @ @ @ @ conditional three-year Extended Fund Facility to allow the government more room to respond to the @ @ @ @ @ term , Reuters said .
`` The size of the aid for the years 2020-21 @ @ @ @ @ , is $ 5 billion , '' Marchenko said at a televised meeting of the @ @ @ @ @ memo .
Ukraine and the IMF in December 2019 reached a staff-level agreement on a @ @ @ @ @ in the amount of $ 5.5 billion .
The decision on the new program is @ @ @ @ @ the IMF Executive Board , while no exact date has been scheduled to consider the @ @ @ @ @ country is yet to complete all prior actions for launching the new program .

Ukraine hopes to finalise talks next week.
Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said on Friday Ukraine hoped to receive $5 billion of International Monetary Fund assistance in 2020-21 under a new programme.
The IMF has shifted its discussions with Ukraine to providing an 18-month Standby Arrangement instead of a more conditional three-year Extended Fund Facility to allow the government more room to respond to the coronavirus pandemic in the near term, Reuters said.
"The size of the aid for the years 2020-21, which is being discussed, is $5 billion," Marchenko said at a televised meeting of the parliament financial committee.
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Ukraine hopes to finalise talks next week.
UNIAN memo. Ukraine and the IMF in December 2019 reached a staff-level agreement on a new three-year extended fund facility in the amount of $5.5 billion. The decision on the new program is yet to be approved by the IMF Executive Board, while no exact date has been scheduled to consider the Ukraine issue, since the country is yet to complete all prior actions for launching the new program.


unian--2020-05-08--Kyiv reports three COVID-19 fatalities in past day

As of today , there are 1,721 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the capital city .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of COVID-19 fatalities in the city rose by three in the past day .
`` In the past 24 hours , the number of Kyiv residents who tested positive [ for the coronavirus ] increased by 46 , including one healthcare worker .
Unfortunately , there were three fatalities .
As of today , there are 1,721 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the capital city , '' he said during an online briefing on May 8 .
Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearing 14,200 on May 8 According to Klitschko , 18 women aged 26 to 81 and 21 men aged 31 to 79 are among those infected .
In addition , three girls ( 2 , 8 , 13 years old ) and four boys ( a nine-month-old baby , 4 , 7 , 9 years old ) tested positive for the coronavirus .
Klitschko said 20 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors .
`` In total , 44 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv hospitals are in serious condition , five of whom are on ventilators , '' the mayor said .
Seventeen people recovered from the disease in the past day , he said .
In total , 127 Kyiv residents have already recovered from the coronavirus .

As of today, there are 1,721 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the capital city.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of COVID-19 fatalities in the city rose by three in the past day.
"In the past 24 hours, the number of Kyiv residents who tested positive [for the coronavirus] increased by 46, including one healthcare worker. Unfortunately, there were three fatalities. As of today, there are 1,721 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the capital city," he said during an online briefing on May 8.
Read alsoNumber of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ukraine nearing 14,200 on May 8
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According to Klitschko, 18 women aged 26 to 81 and 21 men aged 31 to 79 are among those infected. In addition, three girls (2, 8, 13 years old) and four boys (a nine-month-old baby, 4, 7, 9 years old) tested positive for the coronavirus.
Klitschko said 20 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors.
"In total, 44 out of all patients with coronavirus in Kyiv hospitals are in serious condition, five of whom are on ventilators," the mayor said.
Seventeen people recovered from the disease in the past day, he said. In total, 127 Kyiv residents have already recovered from the coronavirus.


unian--2020-05-08--Ukrainian budget's receipts from single social security tax grow by 8.5% in Jan-April

The receipts in April alone shrank by 3.8 % , to US $ 842.3 million .
Budget receipts from payments of single social security tax in January-April 2020 were estimated at UAH 91.99 billion ( US $ 3.4 billion ) , which was 8.5 % , or UAH 7.19 billion ( US $ 268.1 million ) , up year-over-year ( y-o-y ) .
Read alsoUkraine 's GDP may drop at least by 5 % over coronavirus quarantine – expert The receipts in April alone stood at UAH 22.59 billion ( US $ 842.3 million ) , which was 3.8 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 32.9 million ) , down against the figure reported in April 2019 , according to Ukraine 's Treasury Service .
As UNIAN reported earlier , revenue of the national budget 's general fund in January-April accounted for 86.1 % of the target .
The deficit of the budget in the four months was estimated at UAH 23.5 billion , or US $ 876.2 million .
Budget receipts from payments of single social security tax in 2019 grew by 19.9 % , or UAH 45.46 billion ( US $ 1.7 billion ) from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US $ 10.2 billion ) .

Ukrainian budget's receipts from single social security tax grow by 8.5% in Jan-April
14:00, 08.05.20 725
The receipts in April alone shrank by 3.8%, to US$842.3 million.
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unian--2020-05-08--Zelensky commemorates World War II victims on Remembrance Day

The president visited the `` Ukraine to Liberators '' memorial complex in the village of Milove in Luhansk region .
As Ukraine marks the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation on May 8 , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived on a working trip to Luhansk region , where he visited the village of Milove near the border with Russia , to commemorate those killed in World War II .
The president visited the `` Ukraine to Liberators '' memorial complex in Milove .
He laid flowers at the Eternal Flame , as well as set candle lamps near the monument there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken off his hat to pay tribute to his native land and a woman freed from Nazi captivity who leans on his chest , as reported by the president 's press service .
The basement of the monument contains a museum .
It is part of the memorial complex in the village 's center .
Next to the monument , there is a mass grave .
Hundreds of known and unknown soldiers who had died during the liberation of Milove were buried there .
Some 1,066 names of fallen heroes are engraved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grave .
Moreover , the village of Pivnivka is not far from that place .
It became the first populated locality where the expulsion of Nazi invaders from Ukrainian land began in December 1942 .
UNIAN memo .
The Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation has been marked in Ukraine since 2015 .
This holiday was established by a presidential decree `` to commemorate the feat of the Ukrainian people , their outstanding contribution to the victory of the anti-Hitler coalition in World War II and show respect to all fighters against Nazism .
@

The president visited the "Ukraine to Liberators" memorial complex in the village of Milove in Luhansk region.
As Ukraine marks the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation on May 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived on a working trip to Luhansk region, where he visited the village of Milove near the border with Russia, to commemorate those killed in World War II.
The president visited the "Ukraine to Liberators" memorial complex in Milove. He laid flowers at the Eternal Flame, as well as set candle lamps near the monument there – a statue of a soldier who has taken off his hat to pay tribute to his native land and a woman freed from Nazi captivity who leans on his chest, as reported by the president's press service.
Read alsoKyiv mayor announces cancellation of mass events on Victory Day
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The basement of the monument contains a museum. It is part of the memorial complex in the village's center. Next to the monument, there is a mass grave. Hundreds of known and unknown soldiers who had died during the liberation of Milove were buried there. Some 1,066 names of fallen heroes are engraved on 27 memorial plaques at the mass grave.
Moreover, the village of Pivnivka is not far from that place. It became the first populated locality where the expulsion of Nazi invaders from Ukrainian land began in December 1942.
UNIAN memo. The Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation has been marked in Ukraine since 2015.
This holiday was established by a presidential decree "to commemorate the feat of the Ukrainian people, their outstanding contribution to the victory of the anti-Hitler coalition in World War II and show respect to all fighters against Nazism."


unian--2020-05-08--Almost 18,000 Ukrainians turn to Ukraine's embassies for help amid worldwide lockdown

Some 62 Ukrainians have recovered from the novel coronavirus , or COVID-19 , abroad , while 146 are undergoing treatment .
Ukraine 's Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MFA ) says 17,973 citizens of Ukraine have applied to Ukrainian diplomatic facilities abroad for assistance under the Zakhyst ( Protection ) program ( for those left stranded outside the country after the closure of the Ukrainian border late in March 2020 ) .
Eight Ukrainians died from coronavirus abroad – four in Italy , one in the United States , the United Kingdom , France , and Sweden each , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus as of 19:00 Kyiv time on May 7 .
Read alsoNumber of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ukraine nearing 14,200 on May 8 Some 62 Ukrainians have recovered from the novel coronavirus , or COVID-19 , abroad , while 146 are undergoing treatment .
Of the 62 Ukrainians who have recovered , there are 22 in Greece , six in Poland , five in Spain , four each in the Dominican Republic and Japan , three in Austria , two each in Italy , Nigeria , the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Belgium , the United Kingdom , Egypt , the Netherlands , the Seychelles , Serbia , Thailand , Germany , Sweden , and Switzerland .
Of the 146 Ukrainians being treated abroad , 121 are in Italy , six in the Czech Republic , four in Germany , three each in Austria and Russia , two each in the U.S. , Uruguay , and Sweden , and one each in Malta , Moldova , and Thailand .

Some 62 Ukrainians have recovered from the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, abroad, while 146 are undergoing treatment.
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) says 17,973 citizens of Ukraine have applied to Ukrainian diplomatic facilities abroad for assistance under the Zakhyst (Protection) program (for those left stranded outside the country after the closure of the Ukrainian border late in March 2020).
Eight Ukrainians died from coronavirus abroad – four in Italy, one in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden each, according to the ministry's update on the coronavirus as of 19:00 Kyiv time on May 7.
Read alsoNumber of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ukraine nearing 14,200 on May 8
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Some 62 Ukrainians have recovered from the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, abroad, while 146 are undergoing treatment.
Of the 62 Ukrainians who have recovered, there are 22 in Greece, six in Poland, five in Spain, four each in the Dominican Republic and Japan, three in Austria, two each in Italy, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Portugal, and one each in Belgium, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the Netherlands, the Seychelles, Serbia, Thailand, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Of the 146 Ukrainians being treated abroad, 121 are in Italy, six in the Czech Republic, four in Germany, three each in Austria and Russia, two each in the U.S., Uruguay, and Sweden, and one each in Malta, Moldova, and Thailand.


unian--2020-05-08--Qatar mulling over investment projects in Ukraine – FM Kuleba

The sides also discussed exports of Ukrainian farm produce to Qatar .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has held a phone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister , Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to consider a number of investment projects related to Ukraine 's infrastructure .
`` This refers primarily to investment in Ukrainian infrastructure – bridges , roads , railways , airports , etc.
, '' the Ukrainian ministry 's press service said on May 7 .
The parties also discussed exports of Ukrainian agricultural products to Qatar .
Kuleba assured that Ukraine could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Ukraine is ready to be a strategic partner of Qatar in the region .
In particular , given its transit potential and the role of a guarantor of global food security .
We are ready to work together so that our countries could benefit from such cooperation , '' Kuleba emphasized .
As UNIAN reported earlier , in May , Ukraine is expected to sign contracts with Qatar-based QTerminals W.L.L .
for the concession of the state-run Olvia stevedoring company 's port-based property located in Ukraine 's Mykolaiv region .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will invest UAH 3.4 billion ( US $ 126.8 million ) in the port 's development within five years .

Qatar mulling over investment projects in Ukraine – FM Kuleba
12:20, 08.05.20 844
The sides also discussed exports of Ukrainian farm produce to Qatar.
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unian--2020-05-08--Georgia calling back its Ukraine's envoy for consultations over Saakashvili's appointment

Zalkaliani says this is not about breaking off diplomatic relations with Ukraine .
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has said @ @ @ @ @ its Ambassador to Ukraine Teimuraz Sharashenidze for consultations over the appointment of former President of @ @ @ @ @ 's Odesa region Mikheil Saakashvili as Chairman of Ukraine 's Executive Committee on Reforms .
@ @ @ @ @ in new position in Ukraine Zalkaliani says this has nothing to do with breaking off @ @ @ @ @ revising the strategic partnership between the countries , as reported by RFE/RL 's Echo of @ @ @ @ @ The minister said `` the level of the post originally proposed to Saakashvili has been @ @ @ @ @ this with skepticism toward Saakashvili in the Ukrainian politics .
As UNIAN reported earlier , @ @ @ @ @ his decree on May 7 appointed Mikheil Saakashvili as Chairman of the Executive Reforms Committee @ @ @ @ @ in 2014 .

Zalkaliani says this is not about breaking off diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has said the government is calling back its Ambassador to Ukraine Teimuraz Sharashenidze for consultations over the appointment of former President of Georgia and ex-Governor of Ukraine's Odesa region Mikheil Saakashvili as Chairman of Ukraine's Executive Committee on Reforms.
Read alsoSaakashvili outlines main tasks in new position in Ukraine
Zalkaliani says this has nothing to do with breaking off diplomatic relations with Ukraine or revising the strategic partnership between the countries, as reported by RFE/RL's Echo of the Caucasus media project.
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The minister said "the level of the post originally proposed to Saakashvili has been downgraded." Zalkaliani associates this with skepticism toward Saakashvili in the Ukrainian politics.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by his decree on May 7 appointed Mikheil Saakashvili as Chairman of the Executive Reforms Committee, an advisory body created in 2014.


unian--2020-05-08--Military official who serves as Trump valet tests positive for coronavirus – media

Trump said he would start getting tested for the virus on a daily basis .
A member of the U.S. military who serves as a valet for President Trump has tested positive for the coronavirus , underscoring the threat of the virus to top officials in Washington , D.C. , even as the president insists the country must start to reopen .
`` We were recently notified by the White House Medical Unit that a member of the United States Military , who works on the White House campus , has tested positive for Coronavirus , '' deputy White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
`` The President and the Vice President have since tested negative for the virus and they remain in great health , '' The Hill wrote .
Read alsoTrump plans to suspend immigration into U.S. amid coronavirus crisis CNN first reported that the individual who tested positive is a member of the U.S. Navy who serves as one of the president 's personal valets .
The network reported that the individual started exhibiting symptoms on Wednesday morning .
Trump , asked about the valet 's case later Thursday , said he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a daily basis .
`` I 've had very little contact , personal contact , with this gentleman , '' Trump said , calling the driver a `` good person . ''
`` It 's a little bit strange , but it 's one of those things , '' he added .
The valet is the second known individual who works at the White House to test positive for the virus , which health officials have warned is highly transmissible .
A staffer in Vice President Pence 's office tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been tested regularly for the virus .
The White House has also administered rapid tests to individuals traveling with Trump or Pence or who meet with them in person , and reporters who enter White House grounds are given temperature checks .

Trump said he would start getting tested for the virus on a daily basis.
A member of the U.S. military who serves as a valet for President Trump has tested positive for the coronavirus, underscoring the threat of the virus to top officials in Washington, D.C., even as the president insists the country must start to reopen.
"We were recently notified by the White House Medical Unit that a member of the United States Military, who works on the White House campus, has tested positive for Coronavirus," deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley said in a statement. "The President and the Vice President have since tested negative for the virus and they remain in great health," The Hill wrote.
Read alsoTrump plans to suspend immigration into U.S. amid coronavirus crisis
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CNN first reported that the individual who tested positive is a member of the U.S. Navy who serves as one of the president's personal valets. The network reported that the individual started exhibiting symptoms on Wednesday morning.
Trump, asked about the valet's case later Thursday, said he would start getting tested for the virus on a daily basis.
"I've had very little contact, personal contact, with this gentleman," Trump said, calling the driver a "good person."
"It's a little bit strange, but it's one of those things," he added.
The valet is the second known individual who works at the White House to test positive for the virus, which health officials have warned is highly transmissible. A staffer in Vice President Pence's office tested positive for the virus in March.
Trump and Pence have been tested regularly for the virus. The White House has also administered rapid tests to individuals traveling with Trump or Pence or who meet with them in person, and reporters who enter White House grounds are given temperature checks.


unian--2020-05-08--Saakashvili outlines main tasks in new position in Ukraine

Saakashvili says his office will be subordinate to the Office of the President of Ukraine .
Former President of Georgia and ex-Governor of Ukraine 's Odesa region Mikheil Saakashvili , who was tapped to chair Ukraine 's Executive Committee on Reforms , has outlined main tasks in the new position .
`` Now Ukraine is facing major crisis associated with the global coronavirus .
The first thing to do to help the economy is to make businesses free , free from administrative intervention .
There are many regulations they need to be freed from , and the main word is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is necessary to scrap irrelevant regulations in the tax sphere , customs , where many papers need to be filled in .
Everything is about freedom in doing business , '' he said during a morning TV show , `` Snidanok z 1+1 , '' on May 8 , 2020 , according to the Ukrainian TSN TV news service .
Read alsoSaakashvili confirms reports about possible appointment to Reforms Council Commenting on the issue of healthcare reform , Saakashvili said the system should be completely changed .
`` Attempts to partially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reanimate old , Soviet reforms does not work .
It is not possible to rebuild the old system .
It must be completely changed , '' the official said .
Saakashvili said his office would be part of the Office of the President of Ukraine , since this is a traditional agency working under the president of Ukraine .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by his decree on May 7 appointed Mikheil Saakashvili as Chairman of the Executive Reforms Committee , an advisory body created in 2014 .

Saakashvili says his office will be subordinate to the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Former President of Georgia and ex-Governor of Ukraine's Odesa region Mikheil Saakashvili, who was tapped to chair Ukraine's Executive Committee on Reforms, has outlined main tasks in the new position.
"Now Ukraine is facing major crisis associated with the global coronavirus. The first thing to do to help the economy is to make businesses free, free from administrative intervention. There are many regulations they need to be freed from, and the main word is 'freedom.' During the first stage, it is necessary to scrap irrelevant regulations in the tax sphere, customs, where many papers need to be filled in. Everything is about freedom in doing business," he said during a morning TV show, "Snidanok z 1+1," on May 8, 2020, according to the Ukrainian TSN TV news service.
Read alsoSaakashvili confirms reports about possible appointment to Reforms Council
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Commenting on the issue of healthcare reform, Saakashvili said the system should be completely changed.
"Attempts to partially change bring nothing. An attempt to reanimate old, Soviet reforms does not work. It is not possible to rebuild the old system. It must be completely changed," the official said.
Saakashvili said his office would be part of the Office of the President of Ukraine, since this is a traditional agency working under the president of Ukraine.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by his decree on May 7 appointed Mikheil Saakashvili as Chairman of the Executive Reforms Committee, an advisory body created in 2014.


unian--2020-05-08--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ukraine nearing 14,200 on May 8

Of them , 504 cases were reported in the past 24 hours .
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Ukraine was nearing 14,200 on Friday morning .
`` According to the Public Health Center , there were 14,195 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May 8 , '' Ukraine 's Health Ministry said on Facebook in its morning update on May 8 .
Of them , 504 cases were reported in the past 24 hours .
Now the novel coronavirus was recorded in the following regions : 514 cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; 652 in Dnipropetrovsk region ; 91 in Donetsk region ; 480 in Zhytomyr region ; 644 in Zakarpattia region ; 312 in Zaporizhia region ; 1,078 in Ivano-Frankivsk region ; 408 in Kirovohrad region ; 1,721 in the city of Kyiv ; 935 in Kyiv region ; 660 in Lviv region ; 42 in Luhansk region ; 179 in Mykolayiv region ; 583 in Odesa region ; 239 in Poltava region ; 855 in Rivne region ; 147 in Sumy region ; 959 in Ternopil region ; 478 in Kharkiv region ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khmelnytsky region ; 2,097 in Chernivtsi region ; 331 in Cherkasy region ; 69 in Chernihiv region .
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .
The tests were conducted by the Public Health Center 's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories .
As of the morning of May 8 , 2020 , the Center had received 1,148 reports of suspected COVID-19 cases .
In total , there have been 37,052 reports on suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A total of 361 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country .
Some 2,706 patients have recovered .

Of them, 504 cases were reported in the past 24 hours.
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Ukraine was nearing 14,200 on Friday morning.
"According to the Public Health Center, there were 14,195 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May 8," Ukraine's Health Ministry said on Facebook in its morning update on May 8.
Of them, 504 cases were reported in the past 24 hours.
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Read alsoCabinet publishes decree on quarantine easing: main changes, explained
Now the novel coronavirus was recorded in the following regions: 514 cases in Vinnytsia region; 424 in Volyn region; 652 in Dnipropetrovsk region; 91 in Donetsk region; 480 in Zhytomyr region; 644 in Zakarpattia region; 312 in Zaporizhia region; 1,078 in Ivano-Frankivsk region; 408 in Kirovohrad region; 1,721 in the city of Kyiv; 935 in Kyiv region; 660 in Lviv region; 42 in Luhansk region; 179 in Mykolayiv region; 583 in Odesa region; 239 in Poltava region; 855 in Rivne region; 147 in Sumy region; 959 in Ternopil region; 478 in Kharkiv region; 149 in Kherson region; 148 in Khmelnytsky region; 2,097 in Chernivtsi region; 331 in Cherkasy region; 69 in Chernihiv region.
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
The tests were conducted by the Public Health Center's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories. As of the morning of May 8, 2020, the Center had received 1,148 reports of suspected COVID-19 cases. In total, there have been 37,052 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
A total of 361 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country. Some 2,706 patients have recovered.


unian--2020-05-08--Ukraine's hryvnia significantly strengthens on May 8

The official forex rate against the euro for Friday is fixed at UAH 28.91 per euro .
The National Bank @ @ @ @ @ on May 7 set the official forex rate of the hryvnia for Friday , May @ @ @ @ @ to the U.S. dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen by 11 @ @ @ @ @ put into circulation new UAH 10 coins ( Photos , video ) The hryvnia has @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. dollar for the second consecutive day , according to the NBU website .
@ @ @ @ @ the euro for Friday is fixed at UAH 28.91 per euro – the hryvnia also @ @ @ @ @ since Thursday .
The National Bank set the official forex rate for May 7 at @ @ @ @ @ dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen by five kopiykas .

Ukraine's hryvnia significantly strengthens on May 8
10:15, 08.05.20 3979
The official forex rate against the euro for Friday is fixed at UAH 28.91 per euro.
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unian--2020-05-08--Number of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 3.8 mln

The overall death toll is 269,594 people , while 1,285,964 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The total number of @ @ @ @ @ world exceeded 3.8 million patients as of the morning of May 8 .
As many @ @ @ @ @ had been reported as of 09:32 on May 8 , according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ Center for Systems Science and Engineering ( CSSE ) at Johns Hopkins University .
Read @ @ @ @ @ developed world 's first coronavirus vaccine – media The overall death toll is 269,594 people @ @ @ @ @ have already recovered .
The three countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the @ @ @ @ @ cases ) , Spain ( 221,447 ) , and Italy ( 215,858 ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ in the United States ( 75,670 people ) , the United Kingdom ( 30,689 ) @ @ @ @ @ , Spain ( 26,070 ) , and France ( 25,990 ) .
As many as @ @ @ @ @ by the virus .

The overall death toll is 269,594 people, while 1,285,964 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 3.8 million patients as of the morning of May 8.
As many as 3,847,102 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 09:32 on May 8, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
Read alsoItalian scientists claim to have developed world's first coronavirus vaccine – media
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The overall death toll is 269,594 people, while 1,285,964 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The three countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (1,256,972 confirmed cases), Spain (221,447), and Italy (215,858).
The highest death toll was recorded in the United States (75,670 people), the United Kingdom (30,689), Italy (29,958), Spain (26,070), and France (25,990).
As many as 187 countries have been affected by the virus.