unian--2020-09-17--Navalny team says Novichok traces found on water bottle in hotel room – media

Thus , Navalny was poisoned in the hotel , not at the airport as previously thought .
The nerve agent used to poison Russian opposition 's Alexei Navalny was detected on an empty water bottle collected from the hotel room he was staying at in the Siberian city of Tomsk .
This suggests he was poisoned in the hotel , not at the airport , as previously thought , his team said on Thursday , according to Reuters .
A video posted on Navalny 's Instagram account showed members of his team searching the room he had just left in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 , shortly after they learned he had abruptly fallen sick on board the plane .
`` It was decided to gather up everything that could even hypothetically be useful and hand it to the doctors in Germany .
The fact that the case would not be investigated in Russia was quite obvious , '' the post said .
Read alsoNavalny intends to return to Russia – mediaIt showed Navalny 's team packing a few empty bottles of mineral water , among other items , while wearing protective gloves .
`` And then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed that that was what poisoned Navalny .
Now we understand : it was done before he left his hotel room to go to the airport , '' the team wrote .
• Russian opposition 's Alexei Navalny felt sick on board the plane he was flying to the city of Tomsk on August 20 .
His rapidly deteriorating condition forced the captain to perform an emergency landing in Omsk .
• Navalny 's press secretary assumed the politician 's tea had been laced with poison .
• Navalny was evacuated from Omsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further medical treatment on Saturday , August 22 .
• Experts with the Bundeswehr laboratory found in Navalny 's body traces of poison from the Novichok group .
In this regard , Berlin called on Moscow to explain the circumstances of the poisoning of the Russian opposition figure .
• On September 10 , it was reported Navalny had made further progress in his recovery and was able to speak again .
• On September 14 , French and Swedish laboratories independently confirmed Navalny had been poisoned with a chemical nerve agent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 , the politician 's press secretary Kira Yarmysh said Navalny plans to return to Russia after his treatment in the German clinic is completed .

Thus, Navalny was poisoned in the hotel, not at the airport as previously thought.
The nerve agent used to poison Russian opposition's Alexei Navalny was detected on an empty water bottle collected from the hotel room he was staying at in the Siberian city of Tomsk.
This suggests he was poisoned in the hotel, not at the airport, as previously thought, his team said on Thursday, according to Reuters.
A video posted on Navalny's Instagram account showed members of his team searching the room he had just left in the Xander Hotel in Tomsk on August 20, shortly after they learned he had abruptly fallen sick on board the plane.
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"It was decided to gather up everything that could even hypothetically be useful and hand it to the doctors in Germany. The fact that the case would not be investigated in Russia was quite obvious," the post said.
Read alsoNavalny intends to return to Russia – mediaIt showed Navalny's team packing a few empty bottles of mineral water, among other items, while wearing protective gloves.
"Two weeks later, a German lab found traces of Novichok precisely on the water bottle from the Tomsk hotel room," the post said.
"And then more laboratories that took analyses from Alexei confirmed that that was what poisoned Navalny. Now we understand: it was done before he left his hotel room to go to the airport," the team wrote.
Navalny poisoning: Background


unian--2020-09-17--Top contender for post of SAPO chief named – media

Former SAPO Head Nazar Kholodnytsky filed for resignation on August 21 .
Lawmaker with the ruling Servant of the People Party , Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada 's Committee for Legal Affairs Andriy Kostin may be appointed a new Head of Ukraine 's Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor 's Office ( SAPO ) .
Kostin is the top contender for the post earlier held by Nazar Kholodnytsky , the RBC Ukraine news agency reported on September 17 , referring to its source in the party .
The nominee worked as a lawyer in the city of Odesa before being elected to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication said .
When asked by journalists whether he would take part in the competition for the post of SAPO head , Kostin failed to provide an unequivocal answer .
`` There are a lot of interesting ideas in the media .
An interesting idea is always a reason to consider it , '' he said .
• Kholodnytsky stopped short of specifying the reasons for his resignation .
• In June , it was reported that the Prosecutor General 's Office had opened disciplinary proceedings against Kholodnytsky .
• The European Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Bank have written a letter to the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , as well as the President 's Office , over the draft resolution the parliament intended to pass on September 3 ( the resolution did not pass the Rada on that day ) .
The appeal intended to warn of the possible implications of the decision to change the composition of the commission formed to select the new chief of the Special Anti-corruption Prosecutor 's Office .
• The selection commission should be formed from among highly reputable candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combating corruption , the letter said , adding that public confidence in the selection process will largely depend on the composition of the selection committee .
• The ambassadors of the G7 countries ( the United States , the United Kingdom , Canada , France , Italy , Germany , and Japan ) in a statement posted September 16 stressed the need to protect the integrity of the National Anti-corruption Bureau ( NABU ) of Ukraine , the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor 's Office ( SAPO ) , and the High Anti-Corruption Court ( @ @ @

Former SAPO Head Nazar Kholodnytsky filed for resignation on August 21.
Lawmaker with the ruling Servant of the People Party, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada's Committee for Legal Affairs Andriy Kostin may be appointed a new Head of Ukraine's Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).
Kostin is the top contender for the post earlier held by Nazar Kholodnytsky, the RBC Ukraine news agency reported on September 17, referring to its source in the party.
The nominee worked as a lawyer in the city of Odesa before being elected to the Rada, Ukraine's parliament, the publication said.
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When asked by journalists whether he would take part in the competition for the post of SAPO head, Kostin failed to provide an unequivocal answer.
"There are a lot of interesting ideas in the media. An interesting idea is always a reason to consider it," he said.
Kholodnytsky's resignation: background


unian--2020-09-17--Zelensky comments on bribery case against lawmaker from ruling party

Zelensky says there is no more `` racketeering '' in Ukraine .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has commented on a bribery investigation targeting MP with the Servant of the People parliamentary faction Oleksandr Yurchenko .
`` It 's simple , right ?
We 've publicly agreed on this .
That there will no longer be any of that traditional 'if you get the post , you can put a little into your pocket , the country wo n't become poorer . '
Maybe someone did n't hear ?
So let 's do this one more time .
Every official , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple truth somewhere on their body in capital letters : if you steal , you go to jail , if you take a bribe , you go to jail .
There can be no exemptions to this rule – to anyone in our country .
There are no more 'protectionism racketeering ' or [ illegal ] administrative opportunities , '' Zelensky wrote on Facebook .
Read alsoAnti-graft court rules to detain aide to lawmaker in bribery case , bail set at US $ 35,660According to the president , the classical political and business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very long time precisely on such cynical exemptions , namely so that `` the right people '' could seal their dealings .
Every Ukrainian knows many of such `` exemptions '' even by their last names .
`` They have become the political elite in the country over these 28 years .
Had criminal liability for illegal enrichment not been abolished in 2019 when , in fact , thousands of corrupt officials were pardoned , today major talk shows could have been run in jails – with very respectable speakers , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell us very nice things on how we should love our country , '' Zelensky wrote .
• On September 14 , Deputy Chairman of the Holos parliamentary faction Yaroslav Zheleznyak said that Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova should be invited to parliament to probe into a bribery case when a Member of Parliament allegedly demanded US $ 200,000 in bribe for the adoption of a particular draft law .
• MP Geo Leros ( non-faction ) wrote on Facebook that National Anti-corruption Bureau detectives had allegedly caught aide to MP Oleksandr Yurchenko ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) red-handed amid taking a bribe .
• Oleksandr Kachura , an MP with the Servant of the People faction , said on Telegram that Yurchenko had decided on his own to leave the faction .
• On September 15 , Venediktova announced in parliament that she saw no reason to serve Yurchenko with charge papers in the bribery case .
• Meanwhile , SAPO said that the aide to the lawmaker had been served with charge papers and is suspected of complicity in the bribery case involving a Member of Parliament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant to the MP acted as an intermediary in obtaining US $ 13,000 for submitting proposals to a bill on recycling of solid household waste .
He is also charged with the solicitation of US $ 200,000 as a bribe to make members of a parliamentary committee to support the amendments to the bill .
• The aide to the MP is charged with Part 5 of Article 27 and Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine , i.e .
complicity in a crime committed by a high-ranking official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's High Anti-Corruption Court ( HACC ) chose a measure of restraint for an aide to a Ukrainian lawmaker in the form of detention or alternative bail set at over UAH 1 million , or US $ 35,660 .
• On September 17 , Venediktova officially pressed criminal charges against Yurchenko and signed a motion to the court asking to remand him in custody .

Zelensky says there is no more "racketeering" in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has commented on a bribery investigation targeting MP with the Servant of the People parliamentary faction Oleksandr Yurchenko.
"It's simple, right? We've publicly agreed on this. That there will no longer be any of that traditional 'if you get the post, you can put a little into your pocket, the country won't become poorer.' Maybe someone didn't hear? So let's do this one more time. Every official, minister, and lawmaker must carve a simple truth somewhere on their body in capital letters: if you steal, you go to jail, if you take a bribe, you go to jail. There can be no exemptions to this rule – to anyone in our country. There are no more 'protectionism racketeering' or [illegal] administrative opportunities," Zelensky wrote on Facebook.
Read alsoAnti-graft court rules to detain aide to lawmaker in bribery case, bail set at US$35,660According to the president, the classical political and business system has been built in Ukraine for a very long time precisely on such cynical exemptions, namely so that "the right people" could seal their dealings. Every Ukrainian knows many of such "exemptions" even by their last names.
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"They have become the political elite in the country over these 28 years. Had criminal liability for illegal enrichment not been abolished in 2019 when, in fact, thousands of corrupt officials were pardoned, today major talk shows could have been run in jails – with very respectable speakers, too, who I have no doubt would tell us very nice things on how we should love our country," Zelensky wrote.
Corruption scandal in the Verkhovna Rada


unian--2020-09-17--Rada's ruling faction chief says doesn't rule out split

A balance must be maintained in the party 's reaction to the `` antics '' of certain MPMs , Arakhamia believes .
Head of the Servant of the People faction David Arakhamia admits that a split of the monomajority in Parliament is one of the scenarios of which he is aware .
Speaking at a talk show on Ukraine 24 TV channel and asked whether the monomajority could fall apart , Arakhamia replied that `` there are such scenarios , and they are being worked out . ''
In his opinion , it is necessary to maintain a balance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain MPs .
`` Every time someone does something… journalists and the public say : 'Let 's kick them out of the faction . '
For me , a people 's deputy means a certain number of votes in the long run .
These can be very important and systemic laws for the country .
If we part with these people like this , in the end we really wo n't be able to pass anything , we wo n't have enough political will to this end , '' Arakhamia said .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov assured there were no grounds for the dissolution of the existing monomajority formed by the Servant of the People faction that had sealed a landslide win in the latest elections .
• In early July , Arakhamia said that the likelihood that President Volodymyr Zelensky would dissolve the Verkhovna Rada stood below 1 % .
• On September 13 , Razumkov predicted that in the near future there would be no serious reshuffles in government , and that there were no grounds for the Rada dissolution .
Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmaker in bribery case , bail set at US $ 35,660Cabinet resignation prospects Rada chair Dmytro Razumkov on September 1 said there were no initiatives to sack the Cabinet of Ministers this fall .
First Deputy Rada Head Ruslan Stefanchuk suggested that Minister of Economy Ihor Petrashko and Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko could soon be dismissed and that this could happen after the Cabinet tables the 2021 draft state budget .

A balance must be maintained in the party's reaction to the "antics" of certain MPMs, Arakhamia believes.
Head of the Servant of the People faction David Arakhamia admits that a split of the monomajority in Parliament is one of the scenarios of which he is aware.
Speaking at a talk show on Ukraine 24 TV channel and asked whether the monomajority could fall apart, Arakhamia replied that "there are such scenarios, and they are being worked out."
"This fact cannot be ignored on the one hand. On the other hand, we are, to a certain extent, on a political stretch," Arakhamia said.
In his opinion, it is necessary to maintain a balance in reaction to the "antics" of certain MPs.
"Every time someone does something… journalists and the public say: 'Let's kick them out of the faction.' For me, a people's deputy means a certain number of votes in the long run. These can be very important and systemic laws for the country. If we part with these people like this, in the end we really won't be able to pass anything, we won't have enough political will to this end," Arakhamia said.
Split of monomajority: background
In June, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov assured there were no grounds for the dissolution of the existing monomajority formed by the Servant of the People faction that had sealed a landslide win in the latest elections.
In early July, Arakhamia said that the likelihood that President Volodymyr Zelensky would dissolve the Verkhovna Rada stood below 1%.
On September 13, Razumkov predicted that in the near future there would be no serious reshuffles in government, and that there were no grounds for the Rada dissolution.
Read alsoAnti-graft court rules to detain aide to lawmaker in bribery case, bail set at US$35,660Cabinet resignation prospects
Rada chair Dmytro Razumkov on September 1 said there were no initiatives to sack the Cabinet of Ministers this fall.
First Deputy Rada Head Ruslan Stefanchuk suggested that Minister of Economy Ihor Petrashko and Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko could soon be dismissed and that this could happen after the Cabinet tables the 2021 draft state budget.


unian--2020-09-17--Kravchuk schools Russia's Gryzlov at Minsk talks over Donbas status

Donbas is part of Ukraine , the former president of Ukraine has stressed .
Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) on Donbas settlement Leonid Kravchuk says he forced Russia 's delegate Boris Gryzlov to apologize for his comment about Donbas during the TCG video conference .
`` Answering questions from participants in the conference , Mr. Gryzlov turned to the Ukrainian delegation claiming that their question should be posed by the ORDLO [ occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions ] , because this is a territory that 's part of ORDLO .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but react .
I asked Gryzlov to apologize for inaccuracy , because this is Ukrainian territory , as it is recognized in international documents and by the Russian president by the way , '' Kravchuk told Ukraine 24 TV channel .
According to the Ukrainian official , the Russian representative had to correct his comment .
Gryzlov was forced to say he meant that this is territory is not being controlled by Ukraine .
`` The issue was finally settled .
We can not but respond to sensitive issues like that , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Kravchuk added .
• The video conference of the Trilateral Contact Group on the peace process in Donbas took place on September 16 .
The sides discussed the issue of preparation for the next stage of mutual release of detainees under the `` all for all '' principle .
The Ukrainian party reiterated that Ukrainians illegally detained in the temporarily occupied territories should be released immediately and without any political conditions .
• All the responsibility for the local elections in Donbas was shifted to the Ukrainian parliament .
• Kravchuk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Normandy format and the Minsk agreements and is ready to work constructively and consistently to restore Ukraine 's territorial integrity and achieve peace . ''
• Kravchuk also thanked the OSCE and its Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine for their mediation efforts aimed at resolving the international armed conflict in Donbas .

Donbas is part of Ukraine, the former president of Ukraine has stressed.
Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Donbas settlement Leonid Kravchuk says he forced Russia's delegate Boris Gryzlov to apologize for his comment about Donbas during the TCG video conference.
"Answering questions from participants in the conference, Mr. Gryzlov turned to the Ukrainian delegation claiming that their question should be posed by the ORDLO [occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions], because this is a territory that's part of ORDLO. Of course, I could not help but react. I asked Gryzlov to apologize for inaccuracy, because this is Ukrainian territory, as it is recognized in international documents and by the Russian president by the way," Kravchuk told Ukraine 24 TV channel.
According to the Ukrainian official, the Russian representative had to correct his comment. Gryzlov was forced to say he meant that this is territory is not being controlled by Ukraine.
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"The issue was finally settled. We cannot but respond to sensitive issues like that, but the response must be documented and objective," Kravchuk added.
TCG talks: background


unian--2020-09-17--Corona-positive Kharkiv mayor airlifted to German hospital over flare-up of chronic condition – medi

Corona-positive Kharkiv mayor airlifted to German hospital over flare-up of chronic condition – media

Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes has been flown to Germany for hospitalization over a flare-up of a `` chronic condition . ''
His lung was punctured and the liver was hurt after he was shot at back in 2014 , as reported by the local Kharkiv NOW Telegram channel .
Kernes was taken to a Berlin clinic Charite overnight Thursday , Newsroom reports , allegedly on board the Bombardier Challenger 604 plane that earlier brought Russian opposition 's Alexei Navalny , poisoned with the novichok nerve agent , to the same hospital , as reported by Suspilne .
Kharkiv NOW claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deteriorated sharply on Monday .
`` There was no coma , no cerebral edema .
No ventilator was connected .
Having got out of the ambulance , Kernes was boarding the plane only with the oxygen cushion on , '' the report says .
According to the publication 's sources , the mayor will undergo a complex surgery , which `` only German doctors are capable of performing . ''
Businessman Pavel Fuks said Kernes had been admitted to the Charite clinic in grave condition .
Also , he posted a short video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 61 , disappeared from the public spotlight three weeks ago .
He was last seen during public events on City Day on August 23 .
• On the morning of September 11 , journalists spotted a Toyota car with the `` 0202 '' number plate near a municipal hospital 's building .
This number plate is used by Kernes and his security personnel .
• Kernes is one of the candidates running for mayor in Kharkiv .
The mayoral elections are scheduled for October 25 , 2020 .
He earlier said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections as part of the Kernes – Successful Kharkiv Bloc .
Should he win , it will be his third term as mayor .
• On September 14 , ZN.UA , citing sources in the president 's office , reported that Kharkiv 's mayor had been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus , COVID-19 , and gone into a coma .
• Kharkiv City Council officially refuted the report about Kernes being in the coma , adding that the mayor was on sick leave .
• Later , the Ukrayinska Pravda online newspaper quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Public Relations Department Yuriy Sydorenko , who confirmed that Kernes had tested positive for coronavirus .
He said the mayor 's condition was critical but stable and that he remained conscious .
Kernes has also been diagnosed with pneumonia .

Kernes will reportedly undergo a complex surgery.
Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes has been flown to Germany for hospitalization over a flare-up of a "chronic condition."
His lung was punctured and the liver was hurt after he was shot at back in 2014, as reported by the local Kharkiv NOW Telegram channel.
Kernes was taken to a Berlin clinic Charite overnight Thursday, Newsroom reports, allegedly on board the Bombardier Challenger 604 plane that earlier brought Russian opposition's Alexei Navalny, poisoned with the novichok nerve agent, to the same hospital, as reported by Suspilne.
Kharkiv NOW claims Kernes had almost recovered before his condition deteriorated sharply on Monday.
"There was no coma, no cerebral edema. No ventilator was connected. Having got out of the ambulance, Kernes was boarding the plane only with the oxygen cushion on," the report says.
According to the publication's sources, the mayor will undergo a complex surgery, which "only German doctors are capable of performing."
Businessman Pavel Fuks said Kernes had been admitted to the Charite clinic in grave condition.
Also, he posted a short video clip from the plane.
Kernes illness: behind the curtains


unian--2020-09-17--Work of political subgroup, prisoner swap efforts blocked at Minsk talks – journalist

The invaders demand that Ukraine hold local elections in the occupied areas before Russia withdraws its troops and control over the border is handed back to the Ukrainian government .
Journalist Sergiy Garmash , who is a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) on Donbas settlement , has said the work of the political subgroup and the prisoner swap are being blocked at the Minsk talks .
`` Despite plenty of conspiracy theories about some secret agreements reached at the latest meeting of the Normandy Four , today 's meeting of the Minsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global has been agreed there .
Because nothing has changed in the TCG : the work of the political subgroup is still being blocked , as well as the prisoner swap efforts , '' he wrote on Facebook .
`` The reason is the same – the resolution of the Verkhovna Rada on local elections .
Collaborators from ORDLO [ certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions ] demand that it be brought into line with the Minsk agreements .
Russia is still pretending to be an observer , '' Garmash added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rada adopted a resolution scheduling the next local elections for October 25 .
The resolution has not appointed or scheduled elections in the occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas .
• At a TCG meeting on August 19 , Ukraine delegation chief Leonid Kravchuk informed other delegates he had submitted to Parliament an appeal calling to verify the resolution 's compliance with the law on a special procedure for local government in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions , as well as the Package of Measures to implement Minsk agreements .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook post opined that , by leaking to the media a document demanding that the Verkhovna Rada resolution on local elections be repealed , Moscow made it impossible to fulfill this requirement and even submit the issue for Parliament consideration .
Garmash believes that in this way Russia has deliberately driven the situation into a dead end , blocking a meeting of advisors to the Normandy Four leaders earlier scheduled for late August .
• On the same day , Kravchuk said that Russia had been blocking the TCG work with a demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections in the occupied territories .
He said that at the TCG meeting on August 19 and at the meetings of subgroups , Russian delegates and their Donbas proxies had stated they `` do not object to the elections being held throughout Ukraine , '' but demand that the paragraph on the impossibility of holding the vote in the occupied territories be canceled in the Verkhovna Rada resolution .

The invaders demand that Ukraine hold local elections in the occupied areas before Russia withdraws its troops and control over the border is handed back to the Ukrainian government.
Journalist Sergiy Garmash, who is a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Donbas settlement, has said the work of the political subgroup and the prisoner swap are being blocked at the Minsk talks.
"Despite plenty of conspiracy theories about some secret agreements reached at the latest meeting of the Normandy Four, today's meeting of the Minsk TCG allows us to say that nothing global has been agreed there. Because nothing has changed in the TCG: the work of the political subgroup is still being blocked, as well as the prisoner swap efforts," he wrote on Facebook.
Read alsoElections in Donbas amid "leaky" border unimaginable – Kuleba
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"The reason is the same – the resolution of the Verkhovna Rada on local elections. Collaborators from ORDLO [certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions] demand that it be brought into line with the Minsk agreements. Russia is still pretending to be an observer," Garmash added.
TCG talks: latest


unian--2020-09-17--"Criminal saga goes on": Prosecutor General charges MP over bribe

In the high-profile corruption case , investigators claim People 's Deputy Yurchenko demanded kickbacks for legislative work .
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova says she has signed a suspicion notice and a motion asking the court to remand in custody People 's Deputy Oleksandr Yurchenko on corruption-related charges .
The statement , made via Facebook , marks a rollback from her previous decision not to approve charges over the alleged lack of evidence incriminating the MP .
`` The criminal saga associated with the people 's deputy sees its logical and legitimate continuation .
Together with the SAPO [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this case , we spent several hours studying the materials ( I emphasize – materials , not memos or drafts drawn up on my behalf ) of this criminal proceeding , in As a result , I made a decision and , accordingly , undertook responsibility at the same time , to sign the suspicion notice and a petition to select a preventive measure – custody remand – for the deputy , '' wrote Venediktova .
Read alsoU.S .
slaps sanctions on MP Andriy DerkachReferring to the recent information wave sparked over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MP , Venediktova said she has `` zero tolerance to information attacks and attempts to manipulate the results '' of her decisions .
`` If law enforcers want to see a reliable partner in me , they must follow the letter of the law .
I will not limit the constitutional rights of citizens with or without special status before I study the case file .
This is my principled condition , and I 'm not going to give it up .
Influencing me through journalists or activists is in vain , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my action , '' the top prosecutor wrote , also recalling that `` accidental leaks '' of criminal case file materials to the media is illegal .
Read alsoKirovohrad governor , his accomplice detained on bribery charges – media ( Photos ) She suggested that on the eve of local elections , certain political forces might try to use procedural decisions of prosecutors at all levels to their own political benefit , to reflect their agenda .
`` I am beyond politics .
Offenses have no political features or immunities – none .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall goal is a tough response to corruption in government .
The conversation is short with violators of law , '' Venediktova said , adding that her procedural decisions come as a result of studying `` professionally drafted case file materials submitted for consideration . ''
• On September 14 , Deputy Chairman of the Holos parliamentary faction Yaroslav Zheleznyak said that Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova should be invited to parliament to probe into a bribery case when a Member of Parliament allegedly demanded US $ 200,000 in bribe for the adoption of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Geo Leros ( non-faction ) wrote on Facebook that National Anti-corruption Bureau detectives had allegedly caught aide to MP Oleksandr Yurchenko ( the Servant of the People ) red-handed on receiving a bribe .
• Oleksandr Kachura , an MP with the Servant of the People faction , wrote on Telegram that Yurchenko had decided to withdraw from faction .
• On September 15 , Venediktova announced in parliament that she saw no reason to serve Yurchenko with charge papers in the bribery case .
• Meanwhile , SAPO said that the aide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge papers and is suspected of complicity in the bribery case involving a Member of Parliament .
• According to the investigation , the assistant to the MP acted as an intermediary in obtaining US $ 13,000 for submitting proposals to a bill on recycling of solid household waste .
He is also charged with the solicitation of US $ 200,000 as a bribe to make members of a parliamentary committee to support the amendments to the bill .
• The aide to the MP is charged with Part 5 of Article 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Criminal Code of Ukraine , i.e .
complicity in a crime committed by a high-ranking official to obtain unlawful profit .

In the high-profile corruption case, investigators claim People's Deputy Yurchenko demanded kickbacks for legislative work.
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova says she has signed a suspicion notice and a motion asking the court to remand in custody People's Deputy Oleksandr Yurchenko on corruption-related charges.
The statement, made via Facebook, marks a rollback from her previous decision not to approve charges over the alleged lack of evidence incriminating the MP.
"The criminal saga associated with the people's deputy sees its logical and legitimate continuation. Together with the SAPO [Special Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office] prosecutors in this case, we spent several hours studying the materials (I emphasize – materials, not memos or drafts drawn up on my behalf) of this criminal proceeding, in As a result, I made a decision and, accordingly, undertook responsibility at the same time, to sign the suspicion notice and a petition to select a preventive measure – custody remand – for the deputy," wrote Venediktova.
Read alsoU.S. slaps sanctions on MP Andriy DerkachReferring to the recent information wave sparked over the delay in pressing charges against the MP, Venediktova said she has "zero tolerance to information attacks and attempts to manipulate the results" of her decisions.
"If law enforcers want to see a reliable partner in me, they must follow the letter of the law. I will not limit the constitutional rights of citizens with or without special status before I study the case file. This is my principled condition, and I'm not going to give it up. Influencing me through journalists or activists is in vain, which I've already proved many times with my action," the top prosecutor wrote, also recalling that "accidental leaks" of criminal case file materials to the media is illegal.
Read alsoKirovohrad governor, his accomplice detained on bribery charges – media (Photos)She suggested that on the eve of local elections, certain political forces might try to use procedural decisions of prosecutors at all levels to their own political benefit, to reflect their agenda.
"I am beyond politics. Offenses have no political features or immunities – none. And that's the point. The overall goal is a tough response to corruption in government. The conversation is short with violators of law," Venediktova said, adding that her procedural decisions come as a result of studying "professionally drafted case file materials submitted for consideration."
Corruption scandal in the Verkhovna Rada: background


unian--2020-09-17--Ukraine plans to ban potato imports from Russia

Ukraine in 2019 increased potato imports , mainly from Russia , by 43 times , to a record high 250,000 @ @ @ @ @ for Development of Economy , Trade and Agriculture Taras Vysotskyi says the ministry plans to @ @ @ @ @ Russia as a tool to support Ukrainian potato growers .
`` We 've discussed tools @ @ @ @ @ sector .
These are some of them that will be applied , namely the ban @ @ @ @ @ Russia , consultations provided by the phytosanitary service , and the introduction of state support @ @ @ @ @ he wrote on Facebook on September 15 , following a meeting with representatives of the @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 increased potato imports , mainly from Russia , by 43 times , to @ @ @ @ @ .
• The country 's potato harvest in 2019 stood at 20.3 million tonnes , @ @ @ @ @ Service .

Ukraine plans to ban potato imports from Russia
11:55, 17.09.20 2454
Ukraine in 2019 increased potato imports, mainly from Russia, by 43 times, to a record high 250,000 tonnes.
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unian--2020-09-17--Lukashenko asks Putin for "some types of weapons"

The Belarusian president had a meeting with Russia 's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on September 16 .
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide `` some types of weapons . ''
This was announced on the Belarusian president 's website after a meeting with Russia 's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on September 16 .
Read alsoPutin , Lukashenko meet in Sochi , talks last over four hours '' I asked the Russian President for some types of weapons .
I told him that when you come we will see what we need to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is nothing to be afraid of ; we are ready to go for it .
The recent events suggest that we should step up efforts to protect the interests of Belarusians and Russians .
It happened that we are left alone with it , but we are not the weakest , '' Lukashenko was quoted as saying .
He also stresses Belarus is capable of defending the borders of the Union State .
`` If someone thinks that Belarus has become weaker , that we will not survive and that Russia will step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fools .
We are capable of maintaining control over the situation not only in Belarus , but also along our border .
Do not doubt our capability to defend our common Fatherland from Brest to Vladivostok .
The recent developments give us more grounds to stick together and to frustrate plans to drive a wedge between us in the future , '' he said .
• On September 14 , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with his Russian counterpart , Vladimir Putin , in Sochi .
• During the meeting , Putin promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarus .
• After the meeting , the Kremlin announced that they would recognize Lukashenko as the only legitimate president of Belarus .
Recent developments in Belarus in brief • On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
The country 's Central Election Commission announced the final election results .
In particular , 80.1 % of voters supported incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , 10.1 % voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , 1.67 % for Anna Kanopatskaya , 1.2 % for Andrey Dmitriev , and 1.14 % for Sergei Cherechnya .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Thousands took to the streets to protest what many believe was a rigged vote count .
Riot police violently cracked down on protesters .
• Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained in different cities since August 9 .
On the evening of August 13 , the authorities started to release detainees .
• On August 16 , the March of Freedom , the largest protest in the history of Belarus , took place in Minsk .
Hundreds of thousands of people joined in .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' in the election and external efforts to foment the protests .
He spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin who had promised him comprehensive assistance upon request .
• On August 27 , Putin suggested sending Russian security forces to suppress protests in Belarus .
• The European Union declared non-recognition of the Belarus election results and reached an agreement to impose sanctions against Belarusian officials in response to vote rigging and the use of violence against protesters .
• On September 15 , the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a statement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections in that country were unfair .
They condemned repression against protesters and vowed support for sanctions to be introduced by the European Union against Belarusian officials .

The Belarusian president had a meeting with Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on September 16.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide "some types of weapons."
This was announced on the Belarusian president's website after a meeting with Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on September 16.
Read alsoPutin, Lukashenko meet in Sochi, talks last over four hours
Видео дня
"I asked the Russian President for some types of weapons. I told him that when you come we will see what we need to do to strengthen the Union State. There is nothing to be afraid of; we are ready to go for it. The recent events suggest that we should step up efforts to protect the interests of Belarusians and Russians. It happened that we are left alone with it, but we are not the weakest," Lukashenko was quoted as saying.
He also stresses Belarus is capable of defending the borders of the Union State.
"If someone thinks that Belarus has become weaker, that we will not survive and that Russia will step aside, these speculations can only deceive fools. We are capable of maintaining control over the situation not only in Belarus, but also along our border. Do not doubt our capability to defend our common Fatherland from Brest to Vladivostok. The recent developments give us more grounds to stick together and to frustrate plans to drive a wedge between us in the future," he said.
Lukashenko's meeting with Putin in Sochi
On September 14, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Sochi.
During the meeting, Putin promised to lend US$1.5 billion to Belarus.
After the meeting, the Kremlin announced that they would recognize Lukashenko as the only legitimate president of Belarus.
Recent developments in Belarus in brief


unian--2020-09-17--G7 ambassadors: Anti-corruption agencies' integrity must be protected in Ukraine

They warn against the erosion of reform progress made so far .
The ambassadors of the G7 countries ( the United States , the United Kingdom , Canada , France , Italy , Germany , and Japan ) stress the need to protect the integrity of the National Anti-corruption Bureau ( NABU ) of Ukraine , the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor 's Office ( SAPO ) , and the High Anti-Corruption Court ( HACC ) .
It was said on the Twitter account of the U.S. Presidency of the G7 Ambassadors ' Support Group in Kyiv on September 16 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ] IMF Res [ ident ] Rep [ presentative ] in Ukraine .
Ambassadors underscored Ukraine must demonstrate [ the ] political will to protect independence of NBU [ National Bank of Ukraine ] & integrity of institutions like NABU , SAPO , & HACC to ensure corruption does not erode reform progress made so far , '' it said .
• No proposals on amending NABU legislation yet – Parliament speaker • Ukraine judges investigated as part of high-profile criminal case kept on job • Lenders warn Ukraine of possible issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules to detain aide to lawmaker in bribery case , bail set at US $ 35,660

They warn against the erosion of reform progress made so far.
The ambassadors of the G7 countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, and Japan) stress the need to protect the integrity of the National Anti-corruption Bureau (NABU) of Ukraine, the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), and the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC).
It was said on the Twitter account of the U.S. Presidency of the G7 Ambassadors' Support Group in Kyiv on September 16.
Read alsoNo date set yet for IMF review mission's visit
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"G7 Ambassadors welcomed an update from [the] IMF Res[ident] Rep[presentative] in Ukraine. Ambassadors underscored Ukraine must demonstrate [the] political will to protect independence of NBU [National Bank of Ukraine] & integrity of institutions like NABU, SAPO, & HACC to ensure corruption does not erode reform progress made so far," it said.
More related news reports


unian--2020-09-17--Hryvnia keeps sliding: fresh rates for Sept 17

The official rate against the euro for Thursday has been fixed at UAH 33.39 per euro .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) has set the official forex rate for September 17 at UAH 28.12 to the U.S. dollar , which made the country 's national currency weaken by six kopiykas .
The official forex rate against the euro for Thursday is fixed at UAH 33.39 per euro – the hryvnia weakened by five kopiykas in value since Wednesday , according to the NBU website .
Read alsoExpert forecasts moderate weakening of hryvnia against U.S. dollar by year-endThe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forex rates of the hryvnia against key foreign currencies for September 17 : US $ 100 will be quoted at UAH 2,811.95 ( UAH 2,805.56 as of September 16 ) ; EUR 100 will be quoted at UAH 3,338.77 ( UAH 33,334.41 as of September 16 ) .
By 16:00 Kyiv time on September 16 , hryvnia quotations against the dollar on the interbank forex market settled at UAH 28.07/28.09 to the dollar , while those against the euro were at UAH 33.31/33.34 .
The National Bank set the official forex rate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. dollar , which made the country 's national currency weaken by six kopiykas .

Hryvnia keeps sliding: fresh rates for Sept 17
10:40, 17.09.20 40900
The official rate against the euro for Thursday has been fixed at UAH 33.39 per euro.
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unian--2020-09-17--Daily COVID-19 spike in Ukraine hits new high with over 3,500 cases on Sept 17

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 166,244 .
Ukraine said 3,584 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of September 17 , 2020 , marking yet another highest daily rise .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 166,244 , as seen on the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
As many as 73,913 patients , including 1,589 in the past day , have recovered .
The death toll is 3,400 with 60 fatalities recorded in the past day .
There were 88,931 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In total , there have been 230,061 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
Read alsoAlmost half of Ukrainians consider quarantine restrictions `` optimal '' – pollThe highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in Kharkiv region ( 483 cases ) , Ternopil region ( 390 ) , the city of Kyiv ( 379 ) , Odesa region ( 325 ) , and Lviv region ( 234 ) .
The overall incidence per region is as follows : • 18,449 ( +379 ) in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .
• The adaptive quarantine was introduced on August 1 .
The Ukrainian regions were split into the green , yellow , orange , and red zones depending on hospital bed occupancy , the average number of PCR and ELISA tests , the ascertainment rate of COVID-19 , and daily spread dynamics .
• Quarantine-related curbs differ in each zone .
The mildest ones are in the green zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone will have to introduce the toughest restrictions .
• On August 26 , the Cabinet of Ministers extended the adaptive quarantine until November 1 .
• On September 10 , the government reviewed the borders of COVID-19 quarantine zones .
The reviewed zoning regulations will take effect on Monday , September 14 .
Kyiv became part of the orange zone , with the second-toughest bans after the red zone .
• Health Minister Maksym Stepanov says the ministry has no plans to introduce a new lockdown in Ukraine yet .

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 166,244.
Ukraine said 3,584 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of September 17, 2020, marking yet another highest daily rise.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 166,244, as seen on the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
As many as 73,913 patients, including 1,589 in the past day, have recovered.
Видео дня
The death toll is 3,400 with 60 fatalities recorded in the past day.
There were 88,931 active cases as of September 17. In total, there have been 230,061 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
Read alsoAlmost half of Ukrainians consider quarantine restrictions "optimal" – pollThe highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in Kharkiv region (483 cases), Ternopil region (390), the city of Kyiv (379), Odesa region (325), and Lviv region (234).
The overall incidence per region is as follows:
18,449 (+379) in the city of Kyiv;
17,664 (+234) cases in Lviv region;
13,915 (+483) in Kharkiv region;
12,640 (+147) in Chernivtsi region;
11,856 (+179) in Ivano-Frankivsk region;
10,797 (+90) in Rivne region;
10,602 (+325) in Odesa region;
10,394 (+390) in Ternopil region;
8,931 (+102) in Zakarpattia region;
7,342 (+135) in Kyiv region;
6,593 (+89) in Volyn region;
5,039 (+63) in Vinnytsia region;
4,656 (+113) in Zhytomyr region;
4,198 (+65) in Khmelnytsky region;
3,653 (+114) in Dnipropetrovsk region;
3,034 (+112) in Chernihiv region;
2,820 (+81) in Cherkasy region;
2,724 (+84) in Sumy region;
2,673 (+82) in Zaporizhia region;
2,272 (+92) in Donetsk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts);
2,252 (+81) in Mykolaiv region;
1,363 (+56) in Poltava region;
951 (+17) in Kirovohrad region;
737 (+35) in Kherson region; and
689 (+36) in Luhansk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts).
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
Quarantine in Ukraine: background


unian--2020-09-17--EU wants those who ordered Gongadze's murder be brought to justice

September 16 marked the 20th anniversary of the assassination of the Ukrayinska Pravda online newspaper 's co-founder .
The Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine has called on the Ukrainian authorities to bring those who ordered journalist Georgiy Gongadze 's murder to justice .
This was announced in a statement by the Delegation on Twitter on September 16 .
`` Remembering Ukrainian journalist Georgiy Gongadze abducted on this day 20 years ago .
EU supports freedom of media as a key element of democracy all over the world .
All those responsible for crimes against journalists must be brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Georgiy Gongadze , a co-founder of the Ukrainian Pravda online outlet , went missing on September 16 , 2000 .
In November of the same year , his decapitated body was found in a forest near the town of Tarashcha , Kyiv region .
The remains of what prosecutors said could be Gongadze 's skull were found in 2009 , also in Kyiv region .
• On March 15 , 2008 , Kyiv 's Court of Appeals found three former members of the Interior Ministry 's Surveillance Department – Valery Kostenko , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty of Gongadze 's murder .
The court imprisoned them for 12 to 13 years .
• In January 2013 , Police General Oleksiy Pukach , former chief of the Surveillance Department , was sentenced to life in prison for the journalist 's murder .
• Georgiy Gongadze was buried in Kyiv on March 22 , 2016 .
• Those who ordered the murder remain unknown .

September 16 marked the 20th anniversary of the assassination of the Ukrayinska Pravda online newspaper's co-founder.
The Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine has called on the Ukrainian authorities to bring those who ordered journalist Georgiy Gongadze's murder to justice.
This was announced in a statement by the Delegation on Twitter on September 16.
Read alsoGongadze murder: 20th anniversary of high-profile case
Видео дня
"Remembering Ukrainian journalist Georgiy Gongadze abducted on this day 20 years ago. EU supports freedom of media as a key element of democracy all over the world. All those responsible for crimes against journalists must be brought to justice," it said.
Gongadze case: Key facts


unian--2020-09-17--Donbas update: Ukraine reports two ceasefire violations Sept 16

No casualties as a result of the shelling were reported in the past day .
Ukraine has reported two violations of the latest ceasefire agreements by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Wednesday , September 16 .
`` Over the past 24 hours , Ukrainian military recorded two ceasefire violations by the Russian Federation 's armed formations , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on September 17 , 2020 .
In particular , the enemy opened fire using an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Katerynivka , as well as from rifles near the village of Vodiane .
The Joint Forces did not return fire .
No casualties as a result of the shelling were reported in the past day .
Since Thursday midnight , no attacks by Russian Federation 's armed formations have been recorded , the JFO HQ said .
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military .
The Joint Forces are abiding by the ceasefire , being ready to adequately respond to possible attacks by the adversary , it said .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , Russia , and the OSCE ) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
• The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time on July 27 .
• On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .

No casualties as a result of the shelling were reported in the past day.
Ukraine has reported two violations of the latest ceasefire agreements by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Wednesday, September 16.
"Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian military recorded two ceasefire violations by the Russian Federation's armed formations," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on September 17, 2020.
In particular, the enemy opened fire using an under-barrel grenade launcher near the village of Katerynivka, as well as from rifles near the village of Vodiane.
Видео дня
The Joint Forces did not return fire.
No casualties as a result of the shelling were reported in the past day.
"Unfortunately, a serviceman was killed near the village of Novotoshkivske as a result of careless handling of a grenade," reads the report.
Since Thursday midnight, no attacks by Russian Federation's armed formations have been recorded, the JFO HQ said.
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
The Joint Forces are abiding by the ceasefire, being ready to adequately respond to possible attacks by the adversary, it said.
Donbas ceasefire: background


unian--2020-09-17--PM Shmyhal says 2021 budget draft optimal, realistic

The document `` takes into account the needs of the people as much as possible . ''
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says the 2021 draft national budget , endorsed by the Cabinet and submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration , is optimal and realistic in terms of its implementation .
`` This is an optimal budget and an optimized document that takes people 's needs into account as much as possible .
It is realistic in terms of implementation , '' Shmyhal told a government meeting on September 16 , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , education , social protection , businesses , defense and security , as well as road construction , are high priorities of the 2021 national budget .
• On September 14 , 2020 , Ukraine 's Finance Ministry forwarded the 2021 draft national budget to the government for consideration .
• On the same day , the Cabinet of Ministers supported the 2021 national budget draft submitted by the Finance Ministry .
• The Finance Ministry elaborated on main indicators of the 2021 national budget .
• On the evening of September 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 2021 was tabled at the Verkhovna Rada .

PM Shmyhal says 2021 budget draft optimal, realistic
09:00, 17.09.20 1218
The document "takes into account the needs of the people as much as possible."
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unian--2020-09-17--TCG video conference on Donbas lasts for seven hours, focus on Normandy agreements

The Ukrainian side has firmly been adhering to all agreements reached at the Normandy summit in Paris .
The latest video conference of the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) on the peace process in Donbas where delegates of Ukraine and Russia took part under the OSCE moderation lasted for about seven hours .
`` The participants of the meeting stated that the ceasefire regime , introduced on July 27 this year , has been observed , despite some provocative attacks by illegal armed groups , '' the Ukrainian President 's press service said in a follow-up update on September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grounds for relocating Donbas peace talks from Minsk The Ukrainian delegation called for exhaustive measures to preserve a comprehensive regime of silence , in particular through the proper implementation of a package of additional measures to maintain the ceasefire regime , it said .
Head of the Ukrainian delegation Leonid Kravchuk thanked the OSCE and its Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine for their mediation efforts aimed at resolving the international armed conflict in Donbas .
Particular attention was paid to the implementation of the agreements reached in Paris by the Normandy Four leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Russia ) to full and unconditional access of the International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC ) to all detainees .
Such access is provided by the Ukrainian party in full , which is confirmed by reports on the work of international humanitarian organizations in Ukraine .
Ukraine 's position on the access of the ICRC to detainees in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine , which must be ensured in the near future , has been clearly stated .
The discussion of the issue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release of detainees under the `` all for all '' principle was continued .
The Ukrainian party reiterated that Ukrainians illegally detained in the temporarily occupied territories should be released immediately and without any political conditions .
At the same time , the presidential press service said , the discussion of working proposals for draft documents on self-government in certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine will continue within the work of the TCG political group , as envisaged by the package of measures to implement the Minsk agreements .
Kravchuk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respects the Normandy format and the Minsk agreements and is ready to work constructively and consistently to restore Ukraine 's territorial integrity and achieve peace . ''
• So-called `` DPR leader '' Denis Pushilin threatened to open fire on Ukrainian army positions from 08:00 a.m. local time on September 7 .
As grounds for such move , Pushilin claimed violations by Ukrainian forces of the latest ceasefire agreement sealed on July 22 .
He demanded that Ukrainian troops undo the trenches that had allegedly been dug after July 22 , and warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to act to eliminate the alleged violations .
• In turn , Commander of the Joint Forces , Lieutenant General Volodymyr Kravchenko said the Ukrainian troops had not violated any agreements .
• On September 6 , the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine confirmed there had been no violations of the ceasefire agreements by the Joint Forces .
• On September 9 , participants in a Trilateral Contact Group meeting agreed on a joint inspection near Shumy with the participation of a representative of the OSCE coordinator .
• The President 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspection had been reached to refute fake news and prevent new provocations .
• On September 10 , the Office of the President of Ukraine said the `` one-time inspection '' had been suspended over continuous change in the Russian side 's demands .
• At 14:15 local time on September 10 , Russian occupation forces in Donbas opened fire on Ukrainian positions near Shumy after the inspection was called off .
• On September 11 , press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin 's Dmitry Peskov expressed expectations that aides to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting in Berlin the abolition of the inspection of Ukrainian positions in Donbas .

The Ukrainian side has firmly been adhering to all agreements reached at the Normandy summit in Paris.
The latest video conference of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on the peace process in Donbas where delegates of Ukraine and Russia took part under the OSCE moderation lasted for about seven hours.
"The participants of the meeting stated that the ceasefire regime, introduced on July 27 this year, has been observed, despite some provocative attacks by illegal armed groups," the Ukrainian President's press service said in a follow-up update on September 16.
Read alsoParliament speaker sees no grounds for relocating Donbas peace talks from Minsk
Видео дня
The Ukrainian delegation called for exhaustive measures to preserve a comprehensive regime of silence, in particular through the proper implementation of a package of additional measures to maintain the ceasefire regime, it said.
Head of the Ukrainian delegation Leonid Kravchuk thanked the OSCE and its Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine for their mediation efforts aimed at resolving the international armed conflict in Donbas.
"We have never questioned the mandate of the OSCE and we are against its transfer to anyone," he said.
Particular attention was paid to the implementation of the agreements reached in Paris by the Normandy Four leaders (Ukraine, France, Germany, and Russia) to full and unconditional access of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to all detainees. Such access is provided by the Ukrainian party in full, which is confirmed by reports on the work of international humanitarian organizations in Ukraine.
Ukraine's position on the access of the ICRC to detainees in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, which must be ensured in the near future, has been clearly stated.
The discussion of the issue of preparation for the next stage of mutual release of detainees under the "all for all" principle was continued. The Ukrainian party reiterated that Ukrainians illegally detained in the temporarily occupied territories should be released immediately and without any political conditions.
"The adoption of laws and resolutions is the exclusive competence and prerogative of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine," Kravchuk said in response to calls for the urgent need for the parliament to adopt an alternative resolution on local elections in Ukraine in 2020.
At the same time, the presidential press service said, the discussion of working proposals for draft documents on self-government in certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine will continue within the work of the TCG political group, as envisaged by the package of measures to implement the Minsk agreements.
Kravchuk also stressed that "the Ukrainian delegation respects the Normandy format and the Minsk agreements and is ready to work constructively and consistently to restore Ukraine's territorial integrity and achieve peace."
"We have always fulfilled and will continue to fulfill all agreements, including the ceasefire," he added.
Donbas war: Latest developments


unian--2020-09-16--Plane used to airlift Navalny to Berlin reportedly arrives in Kharkiv for mayor with COVID-19

The aircraft took off from Kharkiv 's airport on Wednesday evening .
The Bombardier Challenger 604 plane used in August to airlift Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny from Russia to Germany 's Berlin-based Charité hospital after his poisoning with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group has reportedly visited Ukraine .
The aircraft ( Reg No .
D-AFAD , owned by FAI Aviation Group , a German general aviation operator and air ambulance specialist ) arrived in Kharkiv from Nuremberg , Germany , at 19:15 Kyiv time on September 16 , the Suspilne.Media outlet reported .
The publication cited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that the plane had arrived to airlift Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes , who has allegedly been diagnosed with COVID-19 .
There is no official confirmation of the report yet .
What is more , a Suspilne.Media correspondent spotted ambulances and cars with `` 0202 '' number plates at the airport .
The number plates are used on the cars of Kernes and his security personnel .
The plane later took off at around 21:50 Kyiv time on September 16 , according to the Flightradar24 service , Suspilne.Media said in an update .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the curtains • Kernes , 61 , disappeared from the public spotlight three weeks ago .
He was last seen during public events on City Day on August 23 .
• On the morning of September 11 , journalists spotted a Toyota car with the `` 0202 '' number plate near a municipal hospital 's building .
This number plate is used by Kernes and his security personnel .
• Kernes is one of the candidates running for the mayor 's post in Kharkiv .
The mayoral elections are scheduled for October 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was going to run during the local elections as part of the Kernes – Successful Kharkiv Bloc .
Should he win , it will be his third term as mayor .
• On September 14 , ZN.UA , citing sources in the president 's office , reported that Kharkiv 's mayor had been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus , COVID-19 , and gone into a coma .
• Kharkiv City Council officially refuted the report about Kernes being in the coma , adding that the mayor was on sick leave .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quoted Director of Kharkiv City Council 's Information and Public Relations Department Yuriy Sydorenko , who confirmed that Kernes had tested positive for the coronavirus .
His condition is critical but stable , he is conscious .
He was also diagnosed with pneumonia .

The aircraft took off from Kharkiv's airport on Wednesday evening.
The Bombardier Challenger 604 plane used in August to airlift Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny from Russia to Germany's Berlin-based Charité hospital after his poisoning with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group has reportedly visited Ukraine.
The aircraft (Reg No. D-AFAD, owned by FAI Aviation Group, a German general aviation operator and air ambulance specialist) arrived in Kharkiv from Nuremberg, Germany, at 19:15 Kyiv time on September 16, the Suspilne.Media outlet reported.
Read alsoKharkiv City Council denies reports on mayor's COVID-19 coma
Видео дня
The publication cited a source in Ukrainian law enforcement agencies saying that the plane had arrived to airlift Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes, who has allegedly been diagnosed with COVID-19.
There is no official confirmation of the report yet.
What is more, a Suspilne.Media correspondent spotted ambulances and cars with "0202" number plates at the airport. The number plates are used on the cars of Kernes and his security personnel.
The plane later took off at around 21:50 Kyiv time on September 16, according to the Flightradar24 service, Suspilne.Media said in an update.
"The destination airport is not specified on the website," it added.
What has happened to Kernes: Behind the curtains


unian--2020-09-16--Over 40% of small business owners fear re-entering the lockdown: EBA survey

Almost 30 % of entrepreneurs say they are ready for the situation to worsen .
More than 40 % of small business owners fear re-entering the lockdown .
These are the findings of an EBA express survey conducted among representatives of small and micro businesses who participate in the Unlimit Ukraine project .
Thus , 42 % of respondents said that their business is not prepared for another strict lockdown scenario .
Another 29 % of entrepreneurs say they are ready for the situation to worsen , and another 29 % are hesitant about their preparedness for these developments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus and , consequently , the re-introduction of stringent quarantine measures by the state , most small businesses will have to close or reduce their business , as well as seek help from the state .
In this context , is extremely important to provide simplified access to affordable credit for entrepreneurs .
Almost every fourth entrepreneur , namely 27 % , was denied participation in a state credit program , `` Affordable Loans 5-7-9 % , '' which was launched in February 2020 at the initiative of the President of Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulate the development of small and micro businesses by facilitating their access to credit .
Besides , only 11 % of respondents managed to get a loan , and 10 % are still waiting for a decision on their application .
Another 25 % only plan to apply for the program , 16 % do not plan due to their non-compliance with the criteria , and 11 % due to lack of interest .
At the same time , 89 % of entrepreneurs turned to the state bank for this program and only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to the amount , small loans predominate .
Thus , 50 % of entrepreneurs managed to get a loan of up to UAH 500,000 ( or US $ 17,780 ) , 20 % from UAH 500,000 to UAH 1 million ( or US $ 35,560 ) , 17 % from UAH 1 million to UAH 3 million ( or US $ 106,680 ) , and another 13 % received a loan of over UAH 3 million .
During the program participation period , 59 % of companies reported that they did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and only 18 % of businesses managed to create two or more jobs .
The EBA 's press service reported that the survey was conducted from August 31 to September 15 , 2020 , among the participants of the Unlimit Ukraine project .
Altogether , 62 entrepreneurs ( owners of small and medium businesses ) participated in the survey .
Unlimit Ukraine includes more than 1,865 participants today .
• Business Ombudsman in Ukraine Marcin Święcicki says that during the quarantine introduced by the Cabinet of Ministers from March 12 , some 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 6 % closed for good .
• The Ministry of Economic Development , Trade and Agriculture estimated a drop in Ukraine 's GDP in the first half of the year at 6.5 % ; the decline in the second quarter alone was 11.4 % .

Almost 30 % of entrepreneurs say they are ready for the situation to worsen.
More than 40% of small business owners fear re-entering the lockdown.
These are the findings of an EBA express survey conducted among representatives of small and micro businesses who participate in the Unlimit Ukraine project.
Read alsoAlmost half of Ukrainians consider quarantine restrictions "optimal" – poll
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Thus, 42% of respondents said that their business is not prepared for another strict lockdown scenario. Another 29% of entrepreneurs say they are ready for the situation to worsen, and another 29% are hesitant about their preparedness for these developments.
In the event of a second wave of coronavirus and, consequently, the re-introduction of stringent quarantine measures by the state, most small businesses will have to close or reduce their business, as well as seek help from the state. In this context, is extremely important to provide simplified access to affordable credit for entrepreneurs.
Affordable Loan Project
Almost every fourth entrepreneur, namely 27%, was denied participation in a state credit program, "Affordable Loans 5-7-9%," which was launched in February 2020 at the initiative of the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Ukraine to stimulate the development of small and micro businesses by facilitating their access to credit.
Besides, only 11% of respondents managed to get a loan, and 10% are still waiting for a decision on their application. Another 25% only plan to apply for the program, 16% do not plan due to their non-compliance with the criteria, and 11% due to lack of interest.
At the same time, 89% of entrepreneurs turned to the state bank for this program and only 11% to commercial ones. When it comes to the amount, small loans predominate. Thus, 50% of entrepreneurs managed to get a loan of up to UAH 500,000 (or US$17,780), 20% from UAH 500,000 to UAH 1 million (or US$35,560), 17% from UAH 1 million to UAH 3 million (or US$106,680), and another 13% received a loan of over UAH 3 million.
During the program participation period, 59% of companies reported that they did not change the number of staff, and only 18% of businesses managed to create two or more jobs.
The EBA's press service reported that the survey was conducted from August 31 to September 15, 2020, among the participants of the Unlimit Ukraine project. Altogether, 62 entrepreneurs (owners of small and medium businesses) participated in the survey. Unlimit Ukraine includes more than 1,865 participants today.
Preceding developments


unian--2020-09-16--Suspect in Handziuk murder case pleads guilty

Pavlovsky is suspected of organizing the attempted murder .
The alleged organizer of the attempted murder of Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk , Ihor Pavlovsky , has pleaded guilty .
He asked the court to authorize the plea bargain during hearings at Odesa 's Prymorsky district court on September 16 .
Pavlovsky is accused of concealing the crime .
If his plea agreement is accepted , the suspect 's sentence will be reduced .
`` I 've signed the agreement voluntarily , I am ready to fulfill all the conditions and give evidence , '' he said .
Read alsoHandziuk murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held in custody until Oct 18 • Pavlovsky signed a respective agreement on testifying against the organizers of the murder , so he was charged under Part 1 of Article 396 of the Criminal Code ( `` concealment of crime '' ) .
• The Pavlovsky case was singled out into a separate case and sent for consideration to Odesa 's Prymorsky district court .
• Since July 2019 , the court had been unable to start hearings over the failure of Pavlovsky or his lawyers , or the prosecutor to appear in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisor to the Mayor of Kherson and acting manager of affairs at Kherson City Council 's executive committee Kateryna Handziuk , 33 , on July 31 , 2018 , survived an acid attack .
She suffered burns to more than 35 % of her body and underwent 11 operations in Kyiv .
Handziuk died on November 4 , 2018 .
The immediate cause of her death was a severed blood clot resulting from the acid attack .
• On May 7 , 2019 , the Prosecutor General 's Office sent an indictment against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder : Mykyta Hrabchuk , Volodymyr Vasyanovych , Vyacheslav Vishnevsky , Serhiy Torbin , and Viktor Horbunov .
On June 6 , 2019 , the court announced their sentences .
Torbin , the organizer of the murder , was sentenced to six years and six months in prison .
Hrabchuk , the actual perpetrator of the crime , was sentenced to six years in prison .
Accused of aiding , Vasyanovych and Horbunov were sentenced to four and three years in prison , respectively ; accomplice Vishnevsky 's sentence is four years ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a criminal record , as well as Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manger and Ihor Pavlovsky , who was an assistant to MP Mykola Palamarchuk , are also suspects in the Handziuk murder case .
• Public activists believe that former Chairman of Kherson Regional State Administration Andriy Gordeev and former Deputy Chairman of Kherson Regional State Administration Yevhen Ryshchuk were also involved in the crime .
• On January 20 , 2020 , Pavlovsky was detained in Kherson on suspicion of another case regarding the creation of a criminal organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pechersky District Court placed Pavlovsky under custody .
• On January 27 , Levin was taken into police custody in Bulgaria 's Burgas for a 40-day term after detention on January 24 .
On February 22 , the Burgas court ruled to extradite Levin to Ukraine .
He was extradited on March 16 and Kyiv 's Pechersky district court on March 17 ruled that he should be remanded in custody until April 2 .
On March 25 , Kyiv 's Shevchenkivsky district court extended the pretrial probe into the Handziuk case until July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the SBU Security Service of Ukraine reported it had completed its pretrial investigation into the acid attack on Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk and materials of the case would be forwarded to court .
As per the investigation , Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manger and Oleksiy Levin , an aide to a member of the same council , are suspected of ordering the crime .
• Moreover , public activists believe that former Chairman of Kherson Regional State Administration Andriy Gordeev and former Deputy Chairman of Kherson Regional State Administration Yevhen Ryshchuk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This statement caused outrage among the victims , their lawyer Yevhenia Zakrevska , and the public .
They are convinced that evidence against Manger has not been collected and the case will fall apart in court .
• But Manger 's defender , Dmytro Ilchenko , positively assessed the transfer of the Handziuk case to court .
He argued that materials of the criminal case regarding the murder of the activist did not mention his client .
• Manger and Levin are charged with offenses under Part 3 of Article 27 , Part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 of Article 121 of the Criminal Code ( `` intentional grievous bodily harm in a manner bearing the nature of special torment and resulting in the death of the victim '' ) .
• On August 28 , the first hearings took place to consider the case against Manger and Levin on the merits .
Under a court ruling , they remained in custody until October 18 .

Pavlovsky is suspected of organizing the attempted murder.
The alleged organizer of the attempted murder of Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk, Ihor Pavlovsky, has pleaded guilty.
He asked the court to authorize the plea bargain during hearings at Odesa's Prymorsky district court on September 16.
Pavlovsky is accused of concealing the crime. If his plea agreement is accepted, the suspect's sentence will be reduced.
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"I've signed the agreement voluntarily, I am ready to fulfill all the conditions and give evidence," he said.
Read alsoHandziuk murder: Suspects Manger, Levin to be held in custody until Oct 18
Handziuk case in brief


unian--2020-09-16--Local healthcare official: Kyiv may become part of COVID-19 red zone

The subway , all transport , universities , colleges , cafes and restaurants will have to be shut down again if the city becomes the red zone .
Oleh Gelevey , the chairman of Kyiv 's Medical Commission and a member of Kyiv City Council from the Svoboda Party , does not rule out that the Ukrainian capital may become part of the red zone of the COVID-19 quarantine .
He announced this at a press conference at UNIAN .
Read alsoKyiv mayor reports 356 new COVID-19 cases , eight fatalities in past day Gelevey says that splitting Kyiv 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zones is impossible and impractical , since the capital is `` one single body , and it is impossible for one side of a street to be the red zone and for the other to be the orange zone , '' he said .
Yet , he said , Kyiv might be declared the red zone in the event of a worsening of the epidemic situation .
`` The transfer of the entire city to the red zone is possible .
After all , you see an increase in the incidence .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus cases in Kyiv , '' he said .
`` If such rates continue for several days , then Kyiv has every chance of becoming part of the red zone .
Of course , I would like it not to happen , since the subway , all transport , and all educational institutions , and public catering will have to be shut down in the red zone , '' he added .
More reports on the subject : • Kyiv in `` orange zone '' of quarantine rules : new restrictions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become available in 2021 • Almost half of Ukrainians consider quarantine restrictions `` optimal '' – poll

The subway, all transport, universities, colleges, cafes and restaurants will have to be shut down again if the city becomes the red zone.
Oleh Gelevey, the chairman of Kyiv's Medical Commission and a member of Kyiv City Council from the Svoboda Party, does not rule out that the Ukrainian capital may become part of the red zone of the COVID-19 quarantine.
He announced this at a press conference at UNIAN.
Read alsoKyiv mayor reports 356 new COVID-19 cases, eight fatalities in past day
Видео дня
Gelevey says that splitting Kyiv's districts into the separate red and orange zones is impossible and impractical, since the capital is "one single body, and it is impossible for one side of a street to be the red zone and for the other to be the orange zone," he said.
Yet, he said, Kyiv might be declared the red zone in the event of a worsening of the epidemic situation.
"The transfer of the entire city to the red zone is possible. After all, you see an increase in the incidence. Last week, there were more than 400 new coronavirus cases in Kyiv," he said.
"If such rates continue for several days, then Kyiv has every chance of becoming part of the red zone. Of course, I would like it not to happen, since the subway, all transport, and all educational institutions, and public catering will have to be shut down in the red zone," he added.
More reports on the subject:


unian--2020-09-16--Germany offers U.S. deal to waive sanctions against Nord Stream 2 – media

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Germany offers U.S. deal to waive sanctions against Nord Stream 2 – media
16:55, 16.09.20 3831
Germany is ready to finance the construction of terminals for receiving U.S. liquefied gas.
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unian--2020-09-16--Millions allegedly withdrawn from Ukraine to company affiliated with Hunter Biden, MP Derkach claims

The U.S. government on September 10 imposed sanctions on the legislator over his `` efforts to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election , '' branding him a `` Russian agent . ''
Ukrainian MP Andriy Derkach claims millions of dollars were withdrawn from Ukraine to the accounts of a company affiliated with Hunter Biden , son of former U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden .
Speaking at a Kyiv press conference on Wednesday , September 16 , Derkach said he was presenting `` evidence of the siphoned through financial holes of millions of dollars stolen from the Ukrainian people , laundered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' in various jurisdictions , and with their subsequent transfer to the accounts of the Biden family 's company , '' an UNIAN correspondent reports .
`` Every word we have uttered is supported by documents with figures and records that have been provided to us by investigative journalists , as well as people with knowledge about corruption schemes , '' the MP said , adding the evidence of `` international corruption '' and `` external control of Ukraine '' will be submitted to Ukraine law enforcement .
Former Deputy Head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Legal Cooperation , Kostiantyn Kulyk , who also spoke at the press conference , said he had been contacted by two foreign citizens , whom he did n't name , but who claim they `` were engaged in laundering millions of dollars by [ former minister of ecology and natural resources Mykola ] Zlochevsky '' with the `` subsequent withdrawal of these millions to the accounts of Burisma and those of the Biden family 's company . ''
At the press conference , a video was aired showing two people with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly is a Latvia national .
He told how Mykola Zlochevsky had allegedly laundered money through offshore firms .
A `` witness '' from Latvia claims `` Mykola [ Zlochevsky ] had a lot of unaccounted cash , about US $ 10 million per month .
This money was transferred to non-cash abroad under fictitious contracts .
The sums would flow through Latvian banks . ''
`` Zlochevsky 's money was put in hryvnia to the accounts of Ukrainian companies .
Later , based on foreign economic contracts , it was converted into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money was transferred to the accounts of the Latvian PrivatBank , '' the person said , adding that from November 2014 to October 2015 , payments were allegedly made in the same amount , namely US $ 83,000 per month , from Burisma accounts to the account of the Rosemont Seneca , the U.S. company co-owned by Hunter Biden .
According to Kulyk , payments in favor of that company totaled over US $ 3.4 million .
The money went from Rosemont Seneca Boa to the accounts in Morgan Stanley , he claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , money was transferred similarly to former President of Poland Alexander Kwasniewski .
This is about EUR 1 million for `` consulting services . ''
• On May 19 , 2020 , Ukrainian MP Andriy Derkach , an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump 's lawyer Rudy Giuliani , released heavily edited audio recordings he said he had received from `` investigative journalists '' of what he claims are phone conversations between former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden , former State Department head John Kerry , and former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the said offices .
The conversations , in Derkach 's opinion , testify to `` international corruption '' and Ukraine being `` governed '' from beyond .
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked that his country be left out of November 's U.S. presidential election after Derkach published tapes presumably intended to affect Joe Biden , the rival of incumbent President Donald Trump .
• Volodymyr Zelensky denied involvement in the first portion of leaks last month of conversations between ex-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Telegraph he did not want the scandal to undermine Ukraine 's strategic alliance with the United States .
• Audio quality and background noises in leaked tapes of what MP Derkach says are phone conversations between Petro Poroshenko and U.S. officials suggest they were recorded on the Ukrainian side , in the office where Poroshenko held talks with his counterparts .
• The investigation has been launched into eavesdropping on presidential communications .
• Seven ex-ambassadors of the United States of America to Ukraine have addressed politicians of both countries over the opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in the then Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin 's activity .
`` We strongly condemn these efforts to divide our two countries and call on officials in both to avoid steps that will only erode the bilateral relationship and alienate our countries from one another , '' they said in a joint statement posted by the Atlantic Council on May 26 .
• Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said the U.S. had not sent any inquiries regarding the leaked recordings • On June 22 , Derkach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said were leaked recordings he allegedly got from `` investigative journalists '' of communications between ex-President Petro Poroshenko and ex-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden , which , in his opinion testify to `` international corruption '' and Ukraine being `` governed '' externally .
• On July 9 , Derkach released another part of the recordings of Poroshenko 's purported conversations with Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin .
• On September 10 , U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Derkach over his `` efforts to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

The U.S. government on September 10 imposed sanctions on the legislator over his "efforts to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election," branding him a "Russian agent."
Ukrainian MP Andriy Derkach claims millions of dollars were withdrawn from Ukraine to the accounts of a company affiliated with Hunter Biden, son of former U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden.
Speaking at a Kyiv press conference on Wednesday, September 16, Derkach said he was presenting "evidence of the siphoned through financial holes of millions of dollars stolen from the Ukrainian people, laundered with the help of banks and 'laundromats' in various jurisdictions, and with their subsequent transfer to the accounts of the Biden family's company," an UNIAN correspondent reports.
"Every word we have uttered is supported by documents with figures and records that have been provided to us by investigative journalists, as well as people with knowledge about corruption schemes," the MP said, adding the evidence of "international corruption" and "external control of Ukraine" will be submitted to Ukraine law enforcement.
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Former Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office Department of International Legal Cooperation, Kostiantyn Kulyk, who also spoke at the press conference, said he had been contacted by two foreign citizens, whom he didn't name, but who claim they "were engaged in laundering millions of dollars by [former minister of ecology and natural resources Mykola] Zlochevsky" with the "subsequent withdrawal of these millions to the accounts of Burisma and those of the Biden family's company."
At the press conference, a video was aired showing two people with their faces blurred, one of whom is allegedly is a Latvia national. He told how Mykola Zlochevsky had allegedly laundered money through offshore firms.
A "witness" from Latvia claims "Mykola [Zlochevsky] had a lot of unaccounted cash, about US$10 million per month. This money was transferred to non-cash abroad under fictitious contracts. The sums would flow through Latvian banks."
"Zlochevsky's money was put in hryvnia to the accounts of Ukrainian companies. Later, based on foreign economic contracts, it was converted into U.S. dollars. After that, the money was transferred to the accounts of the Latvian PrivatBank," the person said, adding that from November 2014 to October 2015, payments were allegedly made in the same amount, namely US$83,000 per month, from Burisma accounts to the account of the Rosemont Seneca, the U.S. company co-owned by Hunter Biden.
According to Kulyk, payments in favor of that company totaled over US$3.4 million. The money went from Rosemont Seneca Boa to the accounts in Morgan Stanley, he claimed.
According to one of the witnesses, money was transferred similarly to former President of Poland Alexander Kwasniewski. This is about EUR 1 million for "consulting services."
Derkach tapes: background


unian--2020-09-16--Kyiv mayor reports 356 new COVID-19 cases, eight fatalities in past day

As of today , the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 18,070 .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases in the city rose by 356 in the past day .
`` In the past day , another 356 residents of Kyiv tested positive for coronavirus , including eight healthcare workers .
There were eight fatalities , '' Klitschko reported via Telegram on September 16 .
`` As of today , the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 18,070 . ''
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 76 and 139 men aged 18 to 83 are among those infected .
Fifteen girls ( from two to 15 years old ) and 18 boys ( from one to 16 years old ) have tested positive .
Klitschko said 38 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest are self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision .
Read alsoKyiv in `` orange zone '' of quarantine rules : new restrictions and bansHe added that 134 people had recovered in the past day .
In total , 5,519 Kyiv @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district ( 74 ) , Dniprovsky district ( 66 ) , and Desniansky district ( 45 ) .
The total death toll in the city is 291 cases .
• The adaptive quarantine was introduced on August 1 .
The Ukrainian regions were split into the green , yellow , orange , and red zones depending on hospital bed occupancy , the average number of PCR and ELISA tests , the ascertainment rate of COVID-19 , and daily spread dynamics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone .
The mildest ones are in the green zone , the regions included in the red zone will have to introduce the toughest restrictions .
• On August 26 , the Cabinet of Ministers extended the adaptive quarantine until November 1 .
• On September 10 , the government reviewed the borders of COVID-19 quarantine zones .
The reviewed zoning regulations will take effect on Monday , September 14 .
Kyiv became part of the orange zone , with the second-toughest bans after the red zone .
• Health Minister Maksym Stepanov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduce a new lockdown in Ukraine yet .

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 18,070.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the city rose by 356 in the past day.
"In the past day, another 356 residents of Kyiv tested positive for coronavirus, including eight healthcare workers. There were eight fatalities," Klitschko reported via Telegram on September 16. "As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 18,070."
According to the city mayor, 184 women aged 18 to 76 and 139 men aged 18 to 83 are among those infected.
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Fifteen girls (from two to 15 years old) and 18 boys (from one to 16 years old) have tested positive.
Klitschko said 38 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest are self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision.
Read alsoKyiv in "orange zone" of quarantine rules: new restrictions and bansHe added that 134 people had recovered in the past day.
In total, 5,519 Kyiv residents have already beaten the disease.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district (74), Dniprovsky district (66), and Desniansky district (45).
The total death toll in the city is 291 cases.
Quarantine in Ukraine: background


unian--2020-09-16--Ukraine urges int'l community to maintain pressure on Russia over Navalny poisoning – MFA

Ukraine fully trusts the results of in-depth research of Navalny 's biological samples carried out by the Bundeswehr laboratory , as well as independent studies by French and Swedish labs .
Ukraine urges the international community to `` maintain coordinated pressure on the Russian Federation , '' given the high probability of its government 's involvement in the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny .
Ukraine says it is concerned about the German government 's statement on the results of the tests of Navalny 's biological samples .
This may indicate the involvement of the Russian government in unlawful acts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent from the Novichok group in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention , Ukraine 's Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MFA ) said in a commentary .
Read alsoZelensky condemns attempt on Russian opposition politician Navalny 's lifeUkraine fully trusts the results of in-depth research of Navalny 's biological samples carried out by the Bundeswehr laboratory , as well as independent studies by French and Swedish labs , which confirmed that the poisoning involved a chemical warfare nerve agent .
Ukraine also welcomes the fact that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation .
Ukraine reaffirms its firm position that `` the use of chemical weapons by anyone , anywhere and under any circumstances is a flagrant violation of international law and should be severely condemned . ''
Given the high likelihood of the Russian Federation 's involvement in the poisoning , Ukraine appeals to the international community to continue coordinated pressure on the Russian Federation so that it ceases to threaten world security and violate international law through aggression against own citizens and other states .
• On August 20 , Russian opposition politician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane he was flying to the city of Tomsk .
His rapidly deteriorating condition forced the captain to perform an emergency landing in Omsk .
Two days later , he was evacuated from Omsk to Charite , a hospital in Berlin , Germany .
• On September 4 , it became known that experts from the German military 's Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology in Munich had found traces of a toxic substance from the Novichok group in samples of Navalny 's blood , urine , and skin .
European politicians have repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poisoning .
• On September 4 , ambassadors of all 30 NATO member states at a special meeting called for an international investigation into the Navalny case .
• On September 10 , it was reported Navalny had made further progress in his recovery and was able to speak again .
• On September 15 , the politician 's press secretary Kira Yarmysh said Navalny plans to return to Russia after his treatment in the German clinic is completed .

Ukraine fully trusts the results of in-depth research of Navalny's biological samples carried out by the Bundeswehr laboratory, as well as independent studies by French and Swedish labs.
Ukraine urges the international community to "maintain coordinated pressure on the Russian Federation," given the high probability of its government's involvement in the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
Ukraine says it is concerned about the German government's statement on the results of the tests of Navalny's biological samples. This may indicate the involvement of the Russian government in unlawful acts with the use of a chemical warfare agent from the Novichok group in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a commentary.
Read alsoZelensky condemns attempt on Russian opposition politician Navalny's lifeUkraine fully trusts the results of in-depth research of Navalny's biological samples carried out by the Bundeswehr laboratory, as well as independent studies by French and Swedish labs, which confirmed that the poisoning involved a chemical warfare nerve agent. Ukraine also welcomes the fact that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has joined the investigation.
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Ukraine reaffirms its firm position that "the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances is a flagrant violation of international law and should be severely condemned."
"Those responsible for such a gross violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention must be punished," the commentary says.
Given the high likelihood of the Russian Federation's involvement in the poisoning, Ukraine appeals to the international community to continue coordinated pressure on the Russian Federation so that it ceases to threaten world security and violate international law through aggression against own citizens and other states.
Read alsoNavalny poisoning: Ukrainian envoy to Germany calls for blocking Russian oil, gas suppliesNavalny poisoning: background


unian--2020-09-16--GlobalMoney payment system tests bankID for e-wallets

GlobalMoney payment system tests bankID for e-wallets
15:15, 16.09.20 1300
It is planned to introduce NBU's bankID soon to cover the maximum number of customers.
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