unian--2020-05-14--Kyiv mayor reports 52 new COVID-19 cases, two fatalities in past day

As of today , there are 2,012 confirmed COVID-19 cases , including 42 deaths , in the capital city .
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kyiv rose by 52 in the past day , Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has reported .
`` In the past 24 hours , the number of Kyiv residents who tested positive increased by 52 , including six healthcare workers .
Unfortunately , two cases were lethal .
As of today , there are 2,012 confirmed COVID-19 cases , including 42 deaths , in the capital city , '' he said during an online briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily coronavirus recoveries first time exceeds new cases According to Klitschko , 31 women aged 18 to 81 and 15 men aged 23 to 80 are among those infected .
Also tested positive four girls and two boys under the age of 17 .
Klitschko said six new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors .
Twenty people recovered from the disease in the past day , he said .
In total , 189 Kyiv residents have already recovered .

As of today, there are 2,012 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 42 deaths, in the capital city.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kyiv rose by 52 in the past day, Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has reported.
"In the past 24 hours, the number of Kyiv residents who tested positive increased by 52, including six healthcare workers. Unfortunately, two cases were lethal. As of today, there are 2,012 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 42 deaths, in the capital city," he said during an online briefing on May 14.
Read alsoNumber of daily coronavirus recoveries first time exceeds new cases
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According to Klitschko, 31 women aged 18 to 81 and 15 men aged 23 to 80 are among those infected. Also tested positive four girls and two boys under the age of 17.
Klitschko said six new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors.
Twenty people recovered from the disease in the past day, he said. In total, 189 Kyiv residents have already recovered.


unian--2020-05-14--Deposits in Ukraine's banks in April up 3.8% in hryvnia, down 4.9% in U.S. dollars

The balance of hryvnia loans in April alone shrank by 2.2 % .
Bank deposits in the national currency in Ukraine in April 2020 grew by 3.8 % from March 2020 , to UAH 657.8 billion , or US $ 24.6 billion , while deposits in foreign currency shrank by 4.9 % , to US $ 17.31 billion , in the U.S. dollar equivalent .
Since the beginning of 2020 , bank deposits in hryvnias have increased by 2.6 % , while those in foreign currency have also grown by 13.9 % , according to the National Bank of Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loans in April shrank by 2.2 % , whereas it decreased by 0.5 % in the four months of 2020 , to UAH 610 billion ( US $ 22.9 billion ) , the regulator said .
Read alsoUkrainians sell US $ 50.9 mln more currency than they buy in April The balance of foreign currency loans was 4.5 % down in April , and it grew by 9.3 % from January 1 , 2020 , to US $ 14.5 billion in the equivalent .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the volume of bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew by 18.5 % , to UAH 639.7 billion ( US $ 24 billion ) , while deposits in foreign currency expanded by 28.5 % , to US $ 17.2 billion , in the U.S. dollar equivalent .

Deposits in Ukraine's banks in April up 3.8% in hryvnia, down 4.9% in U.S. dollars
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The balance of hryvnia loans in April alone shrank by 2.2%.
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unian--2020-05-14--Charges against ex-NSDC official amended

The amount of losses allegedly incurred now exceeds UAH 17.44 million , experts say .
The Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor 's Office ( SAPO ) and the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine ( NABU ) have amended a suspicion notice to former deputy head of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine ( NSDC ) Oleh Hladkovsky , who has earlier been released on bail in the case opened into the alleged abuse of office .
The amount of losses incurred by the alleged wrongdoings has now been increased to over UAH 17.44 million ( US $ 653,428 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As UNIAN reported , Hladkovsky was detained by National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine ( NABU ) officers near a restaurant at Boryspil Highway outside Kyiv on October 17 , 2019 , after he had allegedly tried to flee Ukraine through Boryspil Airport , but border guards did not let him leave the country .
On October 18 , the Special Anti-corruption Prosecutor 's Office ( SAPO ) announced that the ex-official had been notified of the suspicion of committing crimes under Part 2 of Article 364 ( abuse of power and official position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false information ) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine .
Read alsoProsecutors ask not to recall former NSDC official 's name in defense embezzlement case – anti-corruption watchdog The investigation revealed the ex-official had abused his official post contrary to the interests of the state in order to obtain undue benefit in favor of PJSC Automobile Company Bogdan Motors ( the suspect is a beneficiary owner ) .
The investigation believes Hladkovsky ensured the inclusion in the state defense order and the subsequent budget procurement at the inflated prices of MAZ 6317 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidiary enterprise `` Car assembly plant No .
2 , '' which is part of PJSC Automobile Company Bogdan Motors .
Such actions inflicted damage worth over UAH 10.62 million ( US $ 397,152 ) to the state budget , investigation believed .
In addition , SAPO agents said Hladkovsky failed to declare the income his spouse received from leasing elite real estate downtown Kyiv .
A bail worth UAH 10.6 million was posted for Hladkovsky by his family on October 21 .

The amount of losses allegedly incurred now exceeds UAH 17.44 million, experts say.
The Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) and the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) have amended a suspicion notice to former deputy head of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleh Hladkovsky, who has earlier been released on bail in the case opened into the alleged abuse of office.
The amount of losses incurred by the alleged wrongdoings has now been increased to over UAH 17.44 million (US$653,428), a source in SAPO told UNIAN.
As UNIAN reported, Hladkovsky was detained by National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) officers near a restaurant at Boryspil Highway outside Kyiv on October 17, 2019, after he had allegedly tried to flee Ukraine through Boryspil Airport, but border guards did not let him leave the country.
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On October 18, the Special Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) announced that the ex-official had been notified of the suspicion of committing crimes under Part 2 of Article 364 (abuse of power and official position) and Article 366-1 (declaration of false information) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Read alsoProsecutors ask not to recall former NSDC official's name in defense embezzlement case – anti-corruption watchdog
The investigation revealed the ex-official had abused his official post contrary to the interests of the state in order to obtain undue benefit in favor of PJSC Automobile Company Bogdan Motors (the suspect is a beneficiary owner). The investigation believes Hladkovsky ensured the inclusion in the state defense order and the subsequent budget procurement at the inflated prices of MAZ 6317 (Bogdan 6317) military trucks from the subsidiary enterprise "Car assembly plant No. 2," which is part of PJSC Automobile Company Bogdan Motors. Such actions inflicted damage worth over UAH 10.62 million (US$397,152) to the state budget, investigation believed.
In addition, SAPO agents said Hladkovsky failed to declare the income his spouse received from leasing elite real estate downtown Kyiv.
A bail worth UAH 10.6 million was posted for Hladkovsky by his family on October 21.


unian--2020-05-14--Ukraine's Cabinet greenlights early lift of ethyl alcohol export ban

The government authorized exports from May 15 instead of June 1 .
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has early lifted the ban on exports of ethyl alcohol used for medical purposes , allowing supplies from May 15 , 2020 , instead of June 1 , the deadline set previously .
The relevant resolution was passed at a government meeting on May 13 .
`` It is proposed that validity period of licensing for ethyl alcohol exports [ … ] required for medical purposes and the pharmaceutical industry be changed , for a period to May 5 , 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethyl alcohol exports be lifted earlier than the deadline set by government , '' the explanatory note to the resolution said .
According to the document , annual production capacities of Ukrainian distilleries are estimated at about 600 million liters of alcohol , including the state-run Ukrspyrt 's capacities at 300 million liters .
At the same time , the annual demand for ethyl alcohol on the domestic market in recent years has not exceeded 70-80 million liters , while the state-owned distilleries ' workload remains under 13 % .
The State Statistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 totaled 9.3 million liters , including 5.9 million liters exported by Ukrspyrt .
Over the two months of 2020 , overseas shipments of ethyl alcohol amounted to 1.1 million liters , all exported by Ukrspyrt .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukraine 's Cabinet of Ministers on March 23 decided to ban ethyl alcohol exports until June 1 .
Ukrspyrt produced and supplied 4 million liters of raw material to Ukrainian sanitizer manufactures on April 2-30 .
This was made possible thanks to the draft law passed by the Verkhovna Rada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic guarantees amid the spread of coronavirus .
The document allowed the manufacture of sanitizers at Ukrspyrt 's distilleries until April 30 .
UNIAN memo .
State-owned Ukrspyrt , which was set up on the basis of a consortium with the same name in 2010 , holds a monopoly on alcohol production in Ukraine .
The government has already launched its privatization , which is expected to be completed by July 1 , 2021 .
As many as 41 distilleries that are part of the enterprise are to be put up for sale @

Ukraine's Cabinet greenlights early lift of ethyl alcohol export ban
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The government authorized exports from May 15 instead of June 1.
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unian--2020-05-14--Justice Ministry may apply pardons, targeted release to unload Ukrainian prisons amid pandemic

The minister elaborated on categories of inmates subject to possible amnesty .
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine seeks to reduce the load on Ukrainian penitentiary facilities during the coronavirus pandemic .
To this end , two bills on amnesty and targeted release have been submitted for consideration in Parliament , according to Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska , hromadske reports .
Bill on amnesty provides that persons who committed non-violent crimes will primarily be released .
`` These are persons who have relatives of senior age and former participants in the Anti-Terrorist Operation who have served more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Read alsoUkraine 's ombudsperson : Ukrainian political prisoner in Russia may have contracted COVID-19 The second bill is more of a procedural nature .
It should allow courts to more often apply sentences in the form of deferred punishment .
`` We already have such grounds , several of them , where the court can set a deferment .
We suggest applying such deferments more often amid the coronavirus , '' the minister said .
As UNIAN reported , last week the first paid cells were introduced in Ukraine 's pre-trial @ @ @

The minister elaborated on categories of inmates subject to possible amnesty.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine seeks to reduce the load on Ukrainian penitentiary facilities during the coronavirus pandemic.
To this end, two bills on amnesty and targeted release have been submitted for consideration in Parliament, according to Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska, hromadske reports.
Bill on amnesty provides that persons who committed non-violent crimes will primarily be released.
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"These are persons who have relatives of senior age and former participants in the Anti-Terrorist Operation who have served more than a third of the sentence," Maliuska said.
Read alsoUkraine's ombudsperson: Ukrainian political prisoner in Russia may have contracted COVID-19
The second bill is more of a procedural nature. It should allow courts to more often apply sentences in the form of deferred punishment.
"We already have such grounds, several of them, where the court can set a deferment. We suggest applying such deferments more often amid the coronavirus," the minister said.
As UNIAN reported, last week the first paid cells were introduced in Ukraine's pre-trial detention centers.


unian--2020-05-14--MFA comments on Germany-Russia talks on Donbas without Ukraine's participation

Ukraine had known in advance about Russian official 's scheduled Berlin talks .
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has commented on the recent talks held in Berlin between the Russian and German sides toward Donbas settlement .
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba , Ukraine had known in advance about the scheduled negotiations of Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kozak , which he conducted in Berlin , the RBC Ukraine news outlet reported .
Kuleba said Kozak had been invited to Berlin over the lack of progress in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as due to the pro-active approach of the Ukrainian side , which has offered new initiatives , including to increase the level of representation in the Trilateral Contact Group .
Read alsoFM Kuleba comments on idea of setting up  '' advisory council '' with representatives of occupied Donbas '' Obviously , things will move forward if there is constructive reciprocity on the part of Russia .
Therefore , a Berlin meeting was needed .
By the way , it was by this logic that my German counterpart , Foreign Minister Heiko Maas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to attract Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the negotiations in the Normandy format .
Ukraine knew about Kozak 's visit in advance and we will know how it went .
We have a rule with our partners – we do not decide anything behind each other 's back .
Therefore , we are not talking about any games played behind our back , '' Kuleba said .
The minister emphasized Ukraine was grateful to the German side for their efforts to attract Russia to the dialogue and search for constructive steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Donbas settlement , which he had allegedly held with the assistant to German Chancellor Angela Merkel .

Ukraine had known in advance about Russian official's scheduled Berlin talks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has commented on the recent talks held in Berlin between the Russian and German sides toward Donbas settlement.
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine had known in advance about the scheduled negotiations of Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kozak, which he conducted in Berlin, the RBC Ukraine news outlet reported.
Kuleba said Kozak had been invited to Berlin over the lack of progress in the implementation of Minsk agreements, as well as due to the pro-active approach of the Ukrainian side, which has offered new initiatives, including to increase the level of representation in the Trilateral Contact Group.
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Read alsoFM Kuleba comments on idea of setting up "advisory council" with representatives of occupied Donbas
"Obviously, things will move forward if there is constructive reciprocity on the part of Russia. Therefore, a Berlin meeting was needed. By the way, it was by this logic that my German counterpart, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, after my conversation with him was able to attract Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the negotiations in the Normandy format. Ukraine knew about Kozak's visit in advance and we will know how it went. We have a rule with our partners – we do not decide anything behind each other's back. Therefore, we are not talking about any games played behind our back," Kuleba said.
The minister emphasized Ukraine was grateful to the German side for their efforts to attract Russia to the dialogue and search for constructive steps.
Earlier, Kozak reported on negotiations on Donbas settlement, which he had allegedly held with the assistant to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.


unian--2020-05-14--Finance Ministry borrows UAH 34.7 bln, US$1.2 bln, EUR 277 mln in bonds on Ukrainian market in Jan-A

Payments on government bonds and coupon yield over the period under review stood at UAH 86.2 billion ( US $ 3.2 billion ) .
Ukraine 's Finance Ministry borrowed UAH 34.7 billion ( US $ 1.3 billion ) , US $ 1.2 billion , and EUR 277 million for the national budget at weekly bond auctions to place government domestic loan bonds in January-April 2020 .
The weighted average yield on government bonds placement grew from 9.9 % to 10.1 % for securities in hryvnias and from 3.1 % to 3.2 % in dollars , while remaining at 2.2 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) .
Payments on government bonds and coupon yield over the period under review stood at UAH 86.2 billion ( US $ 3.2 billion ) .
Read alsoNBU sees financing budget deficit in Ukraine via emission of hryvnias as `` irresponsible step '' As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukraine 's Finance Ministry placed government domestic loan bonds worth UAH 277.6 billion ( US $ 10.4 billion ) at auctions in 2019 , which was 3.5 times up against the figure reported in 2018 .
Placement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood at US $ 4.3 billion , which was 24.5 % up against 2018 , while those in euros declined by 23 % year-on-year , to EUR 387 million .

Finance Ministry borrows UAH 34.7 bln, US$1.2 bln, EUR 277 mln in bonds on Ukrainian market in Jan-April
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Payments on government bonds and coupon yield over the period under review stood at UAH 86.2 billion (US$3.2 billion).
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unian--2020-05-14--Any Ukrainian farmer, agrifirm can now apply for loan interest compensation

The move would reduce the financial burden on agricultural enterprises .
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has expanded the list of entrepreneurs engaged in the agricultural sector who are offered to receive compensation for interest on loans under the state support program .
The relevant resolution was adopted at a government meeting on May 13 .
According to the explanatory note to the resolution , any business entities in the agricultural sector can participate in the loan compensation program , which was previously available only to individuals and legal entities involved in livestock farming or enterprises with revenue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 749,344 ) .
Read alsoWheat reserves in Ukraine enough for six months – PM Shmyhal '' The government realizes that in conditions of the coronavirus crisis , Ukrainian farmers need additional financial assistance , in particular , for spring field works .
At today 's meeting , the Cabinet of Ministers expanded the segment of entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector who will be able to receive partial compensation of interest rate on loans raised , '' Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Telegram on May 13 .
The official noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on agricultural companies , which would be able to bring down the price of their products by reducing costs .
Shmyhal added that UAH 1.2 billion ( US $ 45 million ) in budget funds was provided to this end .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the government has fully preserved the amount of state support ( UAH 4 billion/US $ 149.9 million ) to farmers in 2020 after changes required to tackle the coronavirus spread in Ukraine had been made to the national budget .
The funds include UAH 1.2 billion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion ( US $ 37.5 million ) for partial compensation of the price of agricultural machinery and equipment , UAH 1 billion for supporting livestock , and UAH 400 million ( US $ 15 million ) for gardening and farming each .

Any Ukrainian farmer, agrifirm can now apply for loan interest compensation
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The move would reduce the financial burden on agricultural enterprises.
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unian--2020-05-14--Russia making another move toward legalizing Crimea grab – OSINT group

Occupation authorities in Crimea are posing as a source of `` humanitarian aid '' to Syria .
Russia 's defense ministry continues its `` humanitarian spree '' exploiting the coronavirus pandemic , the report by a Ukrainian OSINT group says .
Moreover , such `` humanitarian action '' is being pursued at a time when Russian regions lack basic essentials to fight off the virus .
This time , `` humanitarian aid '' is intended for Syrian children affected by conflict that the very Russia has been provoking in this country , including by deliberate bombings of schools and hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with reference to Flot-2017 .
In addition to PPE , the Russian military plan to distribute food rations , clothes , and equipment for schools .
However , the Russian Defense Ministry chose to attract a third party as a front institution to carry out the mission – the so-called `` administration '' of the occupied Crimea , which itself has been struggling to get by on subsidies from Moscow , Sprotyv.info reports .
It is noteworthy that , at the request of representatives of the Russian defense officials , the assistance effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least for now , by Russian mainstream media to avoid condemnation – both within Russia and beyond .
The reluctance to make a PR stunt of the mission could also be a result of a negative public attitude to `` humanitarian aid '' the Russian military offered to Italy , Venezuela , and Serbia – that 's despite the fact that those missions pursued goals that had nothing to do with assistance , according to the OSINT experts who hint at the intelligence-related and geopolitical objectives .
Now , occupation authorities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` humanitarian aid to the fraternal Syrian nation , '' while the actual mastermind behind the move , the Russian defense ministry , remains in the shade .
`` The choice is no accident .
This is another move toward eroding the very fact of [ Crimea ] occupation .
Earlier , Russia sought to deliver 'humanitarian aid ' from Crimea to Italy , staging a big show around it .
That manipulatio though turned out to be miserable and only annoyed the Italians , '' the report concludes .

Occupation authorities in Crimea are posing as a source of "humanitarian aid" to Syria.
Russia's defense ministry continues its "humanitarian spree" exploiting the coronavirus pandemic, the report by a Ukrainian OSINT group says.
Moreover, such "humanitarian action" is being pursued at a time when Russian regions lack basic essentials to fight off the virus. This time, "humanitarian aid" is intended for Syrian children affected by conflict that the very Russia has been provoking in this country, including by deliberate bombings of schools and hospitals, the Information Resistance OSINT Group said with reference to Flot-2017.
In addition to PPE, the Russian military plan to distribute food rations, clothes, and equipment for schools.
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However, the Russian Defense Ministry chose to attract a third party as a front institution to carry out the mission – the so-called "administration" of the occupied Crimea, which itself has been struggling to get by on subsidies from Moscow, Sprotyv.info reports.
Read alsoMost Russian aid to Italy "absolutely useless" in fighting coronavirus – media
It is noteworthy that, at the request of representatives of the Russian defense officials, the assistance effort to Syria will not be covered, at least for now, by Russian mainstream media to avoid condemnation – both within Russia and beyond.
The reluctance to make a PR stunt of the mission could also be a result of a negative public attitude to "humanitarian aid" the Russian military offered to Italy, Venezuela, and Serbia – that's despite the fact that those missions pursued goals that had nothing to do with assistance, according to the OSINT experts who hint at the intelligence-related and geopolitical objectives.
Now, occupation authorities in Crimea are given the opportunity to promote "humanitarian aid to the fraternal Syrian nation," while the actual mastermind behind the move, the Russian defense ministry, remains in the shade.
"The choice is no accident. This is another move toward eroding the very fact of [Crimea] occupation. Earlier, Russia sought to deliver 'humanitarian aid' from Crimea to Italy, staging a big show around it. That manipulation though turned out to be miserable and only annoyed the Italians," the report concludes.


unian--2020-05-14--Ukraine football: Government names tentative date for Premier League restart

First matches are tapped for late May .
Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov has the conditions and date for the possible resumption of this year 's football season in Ukraine .
`` Can football come back on May 30 ?
We 're really considering this date , '' Stepanov said , according to the Futbol 1/2/3 TV channels ' website .
`` We are talking with epidemiologists on how to hold the championship safely .
At the same time , it is necessary to ensure PCR testing , since this is about the safety of our players .
Also , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the stadium during matches .
I think early next week we 'll be able to say when and under what conditions the League will restart , '' the minister said .
Read also '' Russia attacked : '' Ukrainian football player explains why he wo n't play for Russians Stepanov also elaborated on the algorithm to be applied by football clubs if any of their players test positive for the novel coronavirus : `` The whole team should go to self-isolation for 14 days .
If on the eve they played an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to isolate the opposing team . ''
The minister noted that the fans would be allowed back to the stands only after the coronavirus pandemic is tackled .
The issue will be off the table until September , the official stresses .

First matches are tapped for late May.
Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov has the conditions and date for the possible resumption of this year's football season in Ukraine.
"Can football come back on May 30? We're really considering this date," Stepanov said, according to the Futbol 1/2/3 TV channels' website.
"We are talking with epidemiologists on how to hold the championship safely. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure PCR testing, since this is about the safety of our players. Also, we need to ensure safety for everyone at the stadium during matches. I think early next week we'll be able to say when and under what conditions the League will restart," the minister said.
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Read also"Russia attacked:" Ukrainian football player explains why he won't play for Russians
Stepanov also elaborated on the algorithm to be applied by football clubs if any of their players test positive for the novel coronavirus: "The whole team should go to self-isolation for 14 days. If on the eve they played an official match, it is also necessary to isolate the opposing team."
The minister noted that the fans would be allowed back to the stands only after the coronavirus pandemic is tackled.
The issue will be off the table until September, the official stresses.


unian--2020-05-14--Ukraine may resume domestic, international air travel simultaneously – minister

The minister said domestic air travel alone would not provide the necessary traffic .
Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii has @ @ @ @ @ seeing no reason to resume air travel in stages , therefore Ukraine may simultaneously see @ @ @ @ @ and international air travel .
Speaking at a morning TV show `` Snidanok z 1+1 @ @ @ @ @ Kryklii said the ministry is in discussion with national carriers on the possibility of resuming @ @ @ @ @ Yesterday we had a great meeting with national air carriers .
We have come to @ @ @ @ @ open [ air travel ] , we do so simultaneously .
In fact , domestic @ @ @ @ @ the hub model : to provide a lift and get involved in international air transportation @ @ @ @ @ Read alsoUkraine not to resume air travel from May 22 – infrastructure minister The minister @ @ @ @ @ would not provide for the required raffic .
That is why air carriers are seeing @ @ @ @ @ travel in stages .

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The minister said domestic air travel alone would not provide the necessary traffic.
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unian--2020-05-14--Stage 2 of quarantine easing in Ukraine: changes expected from May 22

President and prime minister have already said the next phase of relaxing restrictions could start as scheduled .
The next stage of gradual quarantine easing may launch in Ukraine from May 22 .
Both President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal suggested that the new phase could start as scheduled .
The head of state says Stage 2 will allow reopening hotels , conducting sports competitions , and holding national school finals .
The prime minister noted that before the country moves to the next easing phase , downward dynamics of the coronavirus incidence must be seen .
Previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine lifting , which included five stages .
The first phase launched on May 11 when access to parks was allowed and restaurants could restart – in takeaway mode and in open-air seating .
Read alsoUkraine allowing groups of up to eight in public amid quarantine easing The plan says stage 2 could start of the rate of the coronavirus spread decreases and the country 's health care system sees a lower load .
This means that over 10 consecutive days , the share of confirmed cases among all tested samples keeps falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stable or rises .
Expected changes from May 22 : • Removal of restrictions on public services for the population ; • Resumption of studies in graduation grades , preparation for final school tests ; • Resumption of sports events with no more than 50 participants and no spectators .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Ministry of Health has already announced a new type of coronavirus testing to expand coverage and save costs .

President and prime minister have already said the next phase of relaxing restrictions could start as scheduled.
The next stage of gradual quarantine easing may launch in Ukraine from May 22.
Both President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal suggested that the new phase could start as scheduled.
The head of state says Stage 2 will allow reopening hotels, conducting sports competitions, and holding national school finals.
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The prime minister noted that before the country moves to the next easing phase, downward dynamics of the coronavirus incidence must be seen.
Previously, Shmyhal published a plan of gradual quarantine lifting, which included five stages.
The first phase launched on May 11 when access to parks was allowed and restaurants could restart – in takeaway mode and in open-air seating.
Read alsoUkraine allowing groups of up to eight in public amid quarantine easing
The plan says stage 2 could start of the rate of the coronavirus spread decreases and the country's health care system sees a lower load. This means that over 10 consecutive days, the share of confirmed cases among all tested samples keeps falling, while the number of recoveries stays stable or rises.
Expected changes from May 22:
Removal of restrictions on public services for the population;
Resumption of studies in graduation grades, preparation for final school tests;
Reopening of gyms and fitness centers,
Resumption of hotel services; and
Resumption of sports events with no more than 50 participants and no spectators.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Ministry of Health has already announced a new type of coronavirus testing to expand coverage and save costs.


unian--2020-05-14--Infrastructure minister opposes Kyiv subway reopening on May 25

The move would be premature , minister believes .
Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii has opposed the idea of reopening the Kyiv subway on May 25 .
Speaking at a morning TV show `` Snidanok z 1+1 '' on May 14 , the host asked the minister if Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko 's request to reopen the subway on May 25 could be satisfied .
`` Inconsistency is striking at certain stages .
The Kyiv Headquarters gathered just a few days ago and agreed that it 's quite difficult to reopen it with restrictions .
If the subway opens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , we may introduce face masks , sanitizers , screening , but it 's rather hard to control restrictions on platforms and trains , '' Kryklii said .
According to the minister , such a move would be premature .
`` As for transport in general , we have proposed a number of stages .
Late this week , the Health Ministry is expected to name dates and see whether they correspond to the epidemiological situation so that we do n't take risks .
We share these risks with municipal authorities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier , Klitschko turned to the Cabinet of Ministers with a request to reopen the Kyiv Metro on May 25 .

The move would be premature, minister believes.
Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii has opposed the idea of reopening the Kyiv subway on May 25.
Speaking at a morning TV show "Snidanok z 1+1" on May 14, the host asked the minister if Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko's request to reopen the subway on May 25 could be satisfied.
"Inconsistency is striking at certain stages. The Kyiv Headquarters gathered just a few days ago and agreed that it's quite difficult to reopen it with restrictions. If the subway opens, it works at full capacity. Of course, we may introduce face masks, sanitizers, screening, but it's rather hard to control restrictions on platforms and trains," Kryklii said.
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Read alsoKyiv sees first day of quarantine easing
According to the minister, such a move would be premature.
"As for transport in general, we have proposed a number of stages. Late this week, the Health Ministry is expected to name dates and see whether they correspond to the epidemiological situation so that we don't take risks. We share these risks with municipal authorities," he added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Klitschko turned to the Cabinet of Ministers with a request to reopen the Kyiv Metro on May 25.


unian--2020-05-14--Hryvnia continues strengthening, set at UAH 26.69 to U.S. dollar May 14

The official forex rate against the euro for Thursday is fixed at UAH 29.03 per euro .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) has set the official forex rate for May 14 at UAH 26.69 to the U.S. dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen by 10 kopiykas .
The central bank has fixed the following official forex rates of the hryvnia against key foreign currencies for May 14 : US $ 100 will be quoted at UAH 2,668.97 ( UAH 2,679.47 as of May 13 ) EUR 100 will be quoted at UAH 2,902.91 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Read alsoUkraine 's government expects to get US $ 10 bln in aid in 2020 – PM Shmyhal By 16:00 Kyiv time on May 13 , hryvnia quotations against the dollar on the interbank forex market settled at UAH 26.67/26.69 to the dollar , while those against the euro were at UAH 29.02/29.04 .
The U.S. dollar at Kyiv 's exchange booths in the first half of May 13 lost six kopiykas in value , as the rate was UAH 26.99 per U.S. dollar , while the forex rate against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAH 29.20 per euro .

Hryvnia continues strengthening, set at UAH 26.69 to U.S. dollar May 14
10:40, 14.05.20 1551
The official forex rate against the euro for Thursday is fixed at UAH 29.03 per euro.
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unian--2020-05-14--Number of daily coronavirus recoveries first time exceeds new cases

A total of 16,800 lab-confirmed CODID-19 cases have been reported .
For the first time in the monitoring period , the number of daily coronavirus recoveries in Ukraine exceeded that of new confirmed cases of contagion .
Over the past 24 hours , 422 new cases were reported against 427 recoveries , according to the Public Health Center .
`` There were [ a total of ] 16,847 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May 14 , '' the morning update reads .
A total of 456 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered .
Read alsoUkraine allowing groups of up to eight in public amid quarantine easing Cases per region : 654 in Vinnytsia region ; 535 in Volyn region ; 781 in Dnipropetrovsk region ; 117 in Donetsk region ; 533 in Zhytomyr region ; 791 in Zakarpattia region ; 347 in Zaporizhia region ; 1,166 in Ivano-Frankivsk region ; 432 in Kirovohrad region ; 2,012 in the city of Kyiv ; 1,067 in Kyiv region ; 904 in Lviv region ; 42 in Luhansk region ; 228 in Mykolayiv region ; 693 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; 1,062 in Rivne region ; 158 in Sumy region ; 1,033 in Ternopil region ; 713 in Kharkiv region ; 165 in Kherson region ; 209 in Khmelnytsky region ; 2,516 in Chernivtsi region ; 348 in Cherkasy region ; and 84 in Chernihiv region .
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .
The tests were conducted by the Public Health Center 's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories .
As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Center had received 1,263 reports of suspected COVID-19 cases .
In total , there have been 42,590 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .

A total of 16,800 lab-confirmed CODID-19 cases have been reported.
For the first time in the monitoring period, the number of daily coronavirus recoveries in Ukraine exceeded that of new confirmed cases of contagion.
Over the past 24 hours, 422 new cases were reported against 427 recoveries, according to the Public Health Center.
"There were [a total of] 16,847 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May 14," the morning update reads.
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A total of 456 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country, while 4,143 patients have recovered.
Read alsoUkraine allowing groups of up to eight in public amid quarantine easing
Cases per region: 654 in Vinnytsia region; 535 in Volyn region; 781 in Dnipropetrovsk region; 117 in Donetsk region; 533 in Zhytomyr region; 791 in Zakarpattia region; 347 in Zaporizhia region; 1,166 in Ivano-Frankivsk region; 432 in Kirovohrad region; 2,012 in the city of Kyiv; 1,067 in Kyiv region; 904 in Lviv region; 42 in Luhansk region; 228 in Mykolayiv region; 693 in Odesa region; 257 in Poltava region; 1,062 in Rivne region; 158 in Sumy region; 1,033 in Ternopil region; 713 in Kharkiv region; 165 in Kherson region; 209 in Khmelnytsky region; 2,516 in Chernivtsi region; 348 in Cherkasy region; and 84 in Chernihiv region.
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
The tests were conducted by the Public Health Center's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories. As of the morning of May 14, 2020, the Center had received 1,263 reports of suspected COVID-19 cases. In total, there have been 42,590 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.


unian--2020-05-14--Coronavirus lockdowns leave 46 surrogacy infants stranded in Kyiv hotel

Intended parents – all foreign nationals – are unable to pick up their babies due to the latest travel restrictions .
Ukraine Parliament 's Human Rights Commissioner Liudmyla Denisova has reported that at least 46 infants born in a Ukrainian clinic as part of a surrogacy program are now being held a Kyiv hotel under medical supervision , while their commissioning parents are forced to wait until the quarantine is eased .
Ukraine is one of the few countries where it is legal for surrogate mothers to offer third persons , including foreign nationals , their help in bearing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical and legal services sealing such deals .
The situation with the stranded newborns has pushed the Ombudsperson to slam criticism on the very issue of allowing foreigners to use surrogacy services in Ukraine , hinting at signs of human trafficking .
Read alsoKyiv police expose scheme of infant trafficking under guise of surrogacy ( Photo ) '' This indicates that the state is not taking all appropriate measures to protect children 's rights and dignity , while Ukraine is becoming a donor country for foreigners , giving birth to children whose fate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in an emotional post on Telegram .
She said surrogacy in Ukraine is a problem that requires a comprehensive and immediate response .
Denisova suggests it is necessary `` to amend legislation '' to allow surrogacy services to be rendered exclusively to Ukrainian citizens .
`` I appeal to the National Police of Ukraine , the Ministry of Health of Ukraine , the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine to immediately respond to the situation that has arisen regarding children born with the help of surrogacy , joining forces for an urgent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reproductive technologies and surrogacy by foreigners , not to allow uncontrolled trafficking of children .
Children in Ukraine should not be the subject of human trafficking , '' she added .
There is no separate law regulating surrogacy in Ukraine .
However , Article 139 Part 2 of the Family Code of Ukraine stipulates that contesting maternal affiliation of a genetic mother by a gestational carrier ( surrogate mother ) is prohibited .
Thus , the child of a Ukraine surrogacy arrangement is legally considered to be the child of the intended parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the surrogate mother has no rights to the baby , according to UkraineSurrogacy .
Surrogacy law in Ukraine is very pro intended parents .

Intended parents – all foreign nationals – are unable to pick up their babies due to the latest travel restrictions.
Ukraine Parliament's Human Rights Commissioner Liudmyla Denisova has reported that at least 46 infants born in a Ukrainian clinic as part of a surrogacy program are now being held a Kyiv hotel under medical supervision, while their commissioning parents are forced to wait until the quarantine is eased.
Ukraine is one of the few countries where it is legal for surrogate mothers to offer third persons, including foreign nationals, their help in bearing their baby. A variety of institutions render medical and legal services sealing such deals.
The situation with the stranded newborns has pushed the Ombudsperson to slam criticism on the very issue of allowing foreigners to use surrogacy services in Ukraine, hinting at signs of human trafficking.
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Read alsoKyiv police expose scheme of infant trafficking under guise of surrogacy (Photo)
"This indicates that the state is not taking all appropriate measures to protect children's rights and dignity, while Ukraine is becoming a donor country for foreigners, giving birth to children whose fate it cannot control," Denisova wrote in an emotional post on Telegram.
She said surrogacy in Ukraine is a problem that requires a comprehensive and immediate response.
Denisova suggests it is necessary "to amend legislation" to allow surrogacy services to be rendered exclusively to Ukrainian citizens.
"I appeal to the National Police of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine to immediately respond to the situation that has arisen regarding children born with the help of surrogacy, joining forces for an urgent upgrade of legislation regarding the use of reproductive technologies and surrogacy by foreigners, not to allow uncontrolled trafficking of children. Children in Ukraine should not be the subject of human trafficking," she added.
There is no separate law regulating surrogacy in Ukraine. However, Article 139 Part 2 of the Family Code of Ukraine stipulates that contesting maternal affiliation of a genetic mother by a gestational carrier (surrogate mother) is prohibited.
Thus, the child of a Ukraine surrogacy arrangement is legally considered to be the child of the intended parents from the very moment of its conception, and the surrogate mother has no rights to the baby, according to UkraineSurrogacy.
Surrogacy law in Ukraine is very pro intended parents.


unian--2020-05-14--Ukraine mulls cheaper type of COVID-19 tests

Deputy health chief says government seeks to test more people as soon as possible .
Ukraine will be launching a new type of tests to detect the coronavirus infection – the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) method .
`` ELISA will significantly expand testing in Ukraine , since it is much more affordable unlike PCR testing , '' Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko told Ukrainian Radio on Wednesday , May 13 .
`` This means expanding the groups we will need to test , '' said the senior official .
Also , Ukraine will increase the number of devices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PCR ) .
Read alsoUkraine to opt for `` adaptive quarantine '' in June-July , PM says '' We are often reproached about performing a small number of tests .
Of course , we do n't do as many tests as Germany or the U.S. , but given our capacities , in February we could test 200-500 samples .
Now we 're able to test 10,000 per day , '' Liashko added .
`` Over weekends , we test nearly 5,000 samples as people choose not to apply until Monday .
So I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their family doctor or an ambulance over weekends as soon as symptoms appear , '' the deputy minister said .
As UNIAN reported , as of the morning of May 13 , a total of 16,425 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Ukraine , including 439 deaths and 3,716 recoveries .

Deputy health chief says government seeks to test more people as soon as possible.
Ukraine will be launching a new type of tests to detect the coronavirus infection – the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
"ELISA will significantly expand testing in Ukraine, since it is much more affordable unlike PCR testing," Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko told Ukrainian Radio on Wednesday, May 13.
"This means expanding the groups we will need to test," said the senior official.
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Also, Ukraine will increase the number of devices operating with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Read alsoUkraine to opt for "adaptive quarantine" in June-July, PM says
"We are often reproached about performing a small number of tests. Of course, we don't do as many tests as Germany or the U.S., but given our capacities, in February we could test 200-500 samples. Now we're able to test 10,000 per day," Liashko added.
On average, Ukraine's daily PCR testing rate stands at 7,000-8,000.
"Over weekends, we test nearly 5,000 samples as people choose not to apply until Monday. So I'd like to urge people to call their family doctor or an ambulance over weekends as soon as symptoms appear," the deputy minister said.
As UNIAN reported, as of the morning of May 13, a total of 16,425 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Ukraine, including 439 deaths and 3,716 recoveries.


unian--2020-05-14--Donbas war update: One KIA, two WIAs amid nine enemy attacks on May 13

The intelligence report says three members of Russia-led forces were wounded on May 13 .
Russia 's hybrid military forces on May 13 mounted nine attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , with one Ukrainian soldier reported as killed in action ( KIA ) and another two as wounded in action ( WIA ) .
`` The Russian Federation 's armed formations violated the ceasefire nine times on May 13 , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said in an update posted on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two servicemen of the Joint Forces were wounded in enemy shelling .
Unfortunately , another Ukrainian defender sustained injuries incompatible with life . ''
The enemy employed proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars , grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and small arms .
Read alsoZelensky positive to put end to war in Donbas within his cadence Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the villages of Hnutove , Talakivka , Shyrokyne , Starohnativka , Krymske , Orikhove , and Katerynivka .
Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy attack .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Russia-led forces were wounded on May 13 .
`` From Thursday midnight , Russia-led forces attacked Ukrainian positions five times near the town of Avdiyivka , and the villages of Verkhniotoretske , Zaitseve , and Khutir Vilny , using 82mm mortars , grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and rifles , '' the update said .
No casualties have been reported among Ukrainian troops since day-start on Thursday .

The intelligence report says three members of Russia-led forces were wounded on May 13.
Russia's hybrid military forces on May 13 mounted nine attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as killed in action (KIA) and another two as wounded in action (WIA).
"The Russian Federation's armed formations violated the ceasefire nine times on May 13," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said in an update posted on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on May 14. "As a result, two servicemen of the Joint Forces were wounded in enemy shelling. Unfortunately, another Ukrainian defender sustained injuries incompatible with life."
The enemy employed proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms.
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Read alsoZelensky positive to put end to war in Donbas within his cadence
Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the villages of Hnutove, Talakivka, Shyrokyne, Starohnativka, Krymske, Orikhove, and Katerynivka.
Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy attack. According to intelligence data, three members of Russia-led forces were wounded on May 13.
"From Thursday midnight, Russia-led forces attacked Ukrainian positions five times near the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Verkhniotoretske, Zaitseve, and Khutir Vilny, using 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and rifles," the update said.
No casualties have been reported among Ukrainian troops since day-start on Thursday.


unian--2020-05-14--Controversial Nord Stream 2 nearing its endgame – media

Ongoing activity at the Mukran Port in the midst of coronavirus pandemic lockdowns underscores the strategic importance of the project .
Construction of the world ’ s most controversial natural gas pipeline is about to enter the endgame of an energy dispute that 's pitted the U.S. against Russia and some of its closest trans-Atlantic allies , satellite images show .
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline , built to increase the flow of Russian gas into Germany , Europe 's biggest economy , was thwarted five months ago after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions that forced workers to retreat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumnavigating the globe , the Akademik Cherskiy , the Russian pipe-laying vessel that 's a prime candidate to finish the project , has anchored off the German port where the remaining pipeline sections are waiting to be installed , according to Bloomberg .
Nord Stream 2 AG , the project operator owned by Russia 's Gazprom PJSC and financed by some of Europe 's biggest energy companies , confirmed that segments for the pipeline are stored at the port but declined to comment on whether the Akademik Cherskiy 's arrival meant that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat of U.S. sanctions is `` unlawful discrimination against European companies , '' Nord Stream 2 said Wednesday in an emailed statement in reply to questions .
Despite the sanctions , Gazprom Chief Executive Officer Alexey Miller has said Russia has the means to build the remaining section on its own , without specifying how .
Exports via the link may start by the end of the year , he said .
Ongoing activity at the Mukran Port in the midst of coronavirus pandemic lockdowns underscores the strategic importance of the project .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ruegen , some 300 kilometers ( 326 miles ) north of Berlin , is a key Nord Stream 2 logistics center that began receiving pipeline segments in 2016 .
Read alsoEuropean Commission not to make any exceptions to energy rules for Nord Stream 2 – Kuleba Satellite images captured by Planet Labs inc. on May 10 show that sections of pipeline have been moved to a jetty equipped with a crane for loading .
Ship-tracking data shows that a dredging vessel operated by a Nord Stream 2 contractor , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vicinity and that the Akademik Cherskiy had moved as of Wednesday next to the jetty loaded with pipes .
U.S. lawmakers drafted legislation signed by Trump in December that forced a pipe-laying ship operated by Allseas Group SA to retreat from the project .
Washington argues Nord Stream 2 would give Russia new leverage over Europe .
In June , Trump suggested trans-Atlantic allies should buy American liquid natural gas instead .
BloombergNEF estimates only about 6 % of the NS2 pipeline is unfinished and that the Akademik Cherskiy could complete construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of 2020 .
German authorities have stood behind the Nord Stream 2 project , even as regulators consider forcing the venture to change its ownership structure .
The almost 10 billion-euro ( $ 11 billion ) project is being financed by Royal Dutch Shell Plc , Germany 's Uniper SE and Wintershall AG , as well as France 's Engie SA and Austria ’ s OMV AG .
As UNIAN reported in early March , Ukraine 's energy giant Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev has said Ukraine was in talks with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to finally `` bury '' Russia 's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline if sanctions fail to bring its construction to a halt as Kyiv is wary of ultimately losing the status of a gas transit country and the corresponding profits once NS2 has been completed .
UNIAN memo .
The Nord Stream 2 project envisages construction and operation of two gas pipeline branches with a total throughput capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany .
It should connect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This new pipeline bypassing Ukraine is to be built next to the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline .
The construction of the pipeline was expected to be completed before the end of 2019 .
The pipeline will be 1,220 km long .
Ukraine will potentially lose US $ 3 billion in annual revenues if the new pipe is completed .
Besides the U.S. and Ukraine , the project is also highly criticized by Poland and the Baltic States .
On December 20 , U.S. President Donald Trump enacted the U.S. defense budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alia , sanctions against companies involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines .
After that , the Swiss company Allseas suspended participation in the construction of Nord Stream 2 .
On December 30 , it became known that the company had withdrawn from participation in the project , its ships had already left the Baltic Sea .
On January 11 , 2020 , Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia could complete the construction of Nord Stream 2 independently , and the pipeline would start operating , most likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Ongoing activity at the Mukran Port in the midst of coronavirus pandemic lockdowns underscores the strategic importance of the project.
Construction of the world’s most controversial natural gas pipeline is about to enter the endgame of an energy dispute that's pitted the U.S. against Russia and some of its closest trans-Atlantic allies, satellite images show.
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, built to increase the flow of Russian gas into Germany, Europe's biggest economy, was thwarted five months ago after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions that forced workers to retreat. Now, after a three-month voyage circumnavigating the globe, the Akademik Cherskiy, the Russian pipe-laying vessel that's a prime candidate to finish the project, has anchored off the German port where the remaining pipeline sections are waiting to be installed, according to Bloomberg.
Nord Stream 2 AG, the project operator owned by Russia's Gazprom PJSC and financed by some of Europe's biggest energy companies, confirmed that segments for the pipeline are stored at the port but declined to comment on whether the Akademik Cherskiy's arrival meant that a restart of construction was imminent. The threat of U.S. sanctions is "unlawful discrimination against European companies," Nord Stream 2 said Wednesday in an emailed statement in reply to questions.
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Despite the sanctions, Gazprom Chief Executive Officer Alexey Miller has said Russia has the means to build the remaining section on its own, without specifying how. Exports via the link may start by the end of the year, he said.
Ongoing activity at the Mukran Port in the midst of coronavirus pandemic lockdowns underscores the strategic importance of the project. The facility, located on the island of Ruegen, some 300 kilometers (326 miles) north of Berlin, is a key Nord Stream 2 logistics center that began receiving pipeline segments in 2016.
Read alsoEuropean Commission not to make any exceptions to energy rules for Nord Stream 2 – Kuleba
Satellite images captured by Planet Labs inc. on May 10 show that sections of pipeline have been moved to a jetty equipped with a crane for loading. Ship-tracking data shows that a dredging vessel operated by a Nord Stream 2 contractor, as well as a Russian pipe-laying-crane ship are also in the vicinity and that the Akademik Cherskiy had moved as of Wednesday next to the jetty loaded with pipes.
U.S. lawmakers drafted legislation signed by Trump in December that forced a pipe-laying ship operated by Allseas Group SA to retreat from the project. Washington argues Nord Stream 2 would give Russia new leverage over Europe. In June, Trump suggested trans-Atlantic allies should buy American liquid natural gas instead.
BloombergNEF estimates only about 6% of the NS2 pipeline is unfinished and that the Akademik Cherskiy could complete construction so that the pipeline ships gas by the end of 2020.
German authorities have stood behind the Nord Stream 2 project, even as regulators consider forcing the venture to change its ownership structure. The almost 10 billion-euro ($11 billion) project is being financed by Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Germany's Uniper SE and Wintershall AG, as well as France's Engie SA and Austria’s OMV AG.
As UNIAN reported in early March, Ukraine's energy giant Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev has said Ukraine was in talks with the United States and other partners on how to finally "bury" Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline if sanctions fail to bring its construction to a halt as Kyiv is wary of ultimately losing the status of a gas transit country and the corresponding profits once NS2 has been completed.
UNIAN memo. The Nord Stream 2 project envisages construction and operation of two gas pipeline branches with a total throughput capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. It should connect Russia's Ust-Lug and Germany's Greifswald.
This new pipeline bypassing Ukraine is to be built next to the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The construction of the pipeline was expected to be completed before the end of 2019. The pipeline will be 1,220 km long.
Ukraine will potentially lose US$3 billion in annual revenues if the new pipe is completed. Besides the U.S. and Ukraine, the project is also highly criticized by Poland and the Baltic States.
On December 20, U.S. President Donald Trump enacted the U.S. defense budget for 2020, which provides, inter alia, sanctions against companies involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines. After that, the Swiss company Allseas suspended participation in the construction of Nord Stream 2.
On December 30, it became known that the company had withdrawn from participation in the project, its ships had already left the Baltic Sea.
On January 11, 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia could complete the construction of Nord Stream 2 independently, and the pipeline would start operating, most likely, in the first quarter of 2021.


unian--2020-05-14--Russia's social networks to remain blocked in Ukraine

The decision was backed by 248 parliamentarians .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , has adopted a resolution supporting the extension of the blocking of Russian social media and networking services , namely Mail.ru , VKontakte ( VK ) and Odnoklassniki ( OK.ru ) .
Some 248 lawmakers voted for the No .
3319 resolution that approves proposals to extend special economic and other restrictive measures ( sanctions ) , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
Sixteen lawmakers voted against the decision , 17 abstained , and 52 did not vote .
Read alsoSecurity chief in Ukraine roots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the explanatory note to the resolution , the goal and tasks of the adoption of the resolution is to prepare the grounds for a decision by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine ( NSDC ) to extend the targeted , special economic and other sanctions against Russian web resources .
Before the vote took place , First Deputy Chairman of the parliament 's Committee on Organizing State Power , Local Self-Government , Regional Development , and Urban Planning Roman Lozinsky from the Holos ( Voice ) parliamentary faction called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman of the parliament 's Committee on National Security , Defense and Intelligence Oleksandr Zavitnevych added that his committee had recommended that parliament adopt the resolution as a whole .
Meanwhile , Parliament Speaker Dmytro Razumkov said he did not understand why the extension should be handled through parliament .
`` Seventeen members of the National Security and Defense Council passed the decision on the sanctions , '' he said .
`` Now it is to be enacted by a presidential decree . ''
Yet , he said , motions were filed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But with all due respect , this is not the responsibility and competence of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine , '' Razumkov added .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Chairman of the SBU Security Service of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov on April 10 submitted a motion to the NSDC , proposing that the ban on the use of Russian social networks be extended for another three years .
On May 7 , the parliament 's Committee on National Security , Defense and Intelligence recommended the adoption of a resolution to extend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mail.ru , VK and Odnoklassniki in Ukraine .
On May 13 , NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that a draft presidential decree on the extension of the ban on Russian websites and social networks in Ukraine had been handed over to the Office of the President of Ukraine .
*** In the spring of 2017 , the then President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko enacted a decree of the National Security and Defense Council to block access to Russian social networks VK , Odnoklassniki , Yandex , Mail.ru , in Ukraine .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1C . ''
Later , the relevant lists were expanded , and the sanctions were extended .

The decision was backed by 248 parliamentarians.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has adopted a resolution supporting the extension of the blocking of Russian social media and networking services, namely Mail.ru, VKontakte (VK) and Odnoklassniki (OK.ru).
Some 248 lawmakers voted for the No. 3319 resolution that approves proposals to extend special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions), according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Sixteen lawmakers voted against the decision, 17 abstained, and 52 did not vote.
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Read alsoSecurity chief in Ukraine roots for prolonging ban on Russian social networks
According to the explanatory note to the resolution, the goal and tasks of the adoption of the resolution is to prepare the grounds for a decision by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) to extend the targeted, special economic and other sanctions against Russian web resources.
Before the vote took place, First Deputy Chairman of the parliament's Committee on Organizing State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development, and Urban Planning Roman Lozinsky from the Holos (Voice) parliamentary faction called on parliamentarians to support the resolution.
Chairman of the parliament's Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence Oleksandr Zavitnevych added that his committee had recommended that parliament adopt the resolution as a whole.
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Dmytro Razumkov said he did not understand why the extension should be handled through parliament. "Seventeen members of the National Security and Defense Council passed the decision on the sanctions," he said. "Now it is to be enacted by a presidential decree." Yet, he said, motions were filed by lawmakers to table the resolution for consideration. "But with all due respect, this is not the responsibility and competence of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine," Razumkov added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Chairman of the SBU Security Service of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov on April 10 submitted a motion to the NSDC, proposing that the ban on the use of Russian social networks be extended for another three years.
On May 7, the parliament's Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence recommended the adoption of a resolution to extend the blocking of such Russian social media as Mail.ru, VK and Odnoklassniki in Ukraine.
On May 13, NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that a draft presidential decree on the extension of the ban on Russian websites and social networks in Ukraine had been handed over to the Office of the President of Ukraine.
*** In the spring of 2017, the then President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko enacted a decree of the National Security and Defense Council to block access to Russian social networks VK, Odnoklassniki, Yandex, Mail.ru, in Ukraine. It also banned the use of accounting software "1C." Later, the relevant lists were expanded, and the sanctions were extended.


unian--2020-05-15--EU to give Ukraine EUR 500 mln in macro-financial assistance after IMF – European commissioner

Ukraine has fulfilled all conditions for the next part of the EU 's macro-financial assistance .
The European Union will give Ukraine EUR 500 million in macro-financial assistance ( MFA ) immediately after the International Monetary Fund ( IMFA ) approves a decision on further cooperation with the Ukrainian side .
Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi mentioned this during a video meeting with Ukraine 's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba , the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry 's press service said .
Read alsoUkraine 's government expects to get US $ 10 bln in aid in 2020 – PM Shmyhal The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the progress in implementing the European integration reforms , the adoption of important legislative decisions , in particular , the adoption of the law on banking .
In turn , the European Commissioner welcomed this decision by the Ukrainian parliament and added that Ukraine had met all the conditions for receiving macro-financial assistance from the EU .
According to him , as soon as the International Monetary Fund provides its final assessment and approves further cooperation with Ukraine , the EU will be ready to allocate the second tranche of the fourth MFA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
Kuleba also thanked for the European Commission 's initiative to provide Ukraine with EUR 1.2 billion in special macro-financial assistance to stabilize the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic .
In turn , Várhelyi praised Ukraine 's resolute response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The two officials also agreed to speed joint work to prepare for the conclusion of `` industrial visa-free travel '' between Ukraine and the EU ( Agreement on the Assessment of Conformity and Acceptability of Industrial Products ) , after the negotiation process had slowed over the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention to EU support for Ukrainian small- and medium-sized businesses .
They agreed to give an additional impetus to the work on updating the deep and comprehensive free trade zone between Ukraine and the EU , Ukraine joining the Agreement on the common aviation space , integration into the EU Digital Single Market , Ukraine 's participation as an integral part in the implementation of the European Green Deal .
The Foreign Minister separately noted EU humanitarian assistance for vulnerable segments of the population in Ukraine 's eastern regions that are most affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchanged views on the future of the Eastern Partnership in the context of preparations for the current summit of the initiative .
The minister emphasized that Ukraine in its vision of the Eastern Partnership will continue to proceed from its own European aspirations and European choice and commitment to further deepen political association and economic integration with the EU , including gradual accession to the internal market of the European Union .
Várhelyi , in turn , assured that the EU supports Ukraine on the European path , including the implementation of reforms @

EU to give Ukraine EUR 500 mln in macro-financial assistance after IMF – European commissioner
01:25, 15.05.20 1797
Ukraine has fulfilled all conditions for the next tranche of the EU's macro-financial assistance.
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unian--2020-05-14--RFE/RL: Russian court rejects Crimean blogger's appeal

Memedeminov was arrested in Crimea in late March 2018 on charges his YouTube videos incited followers to commit acts of terrorism .
A Russian military court has rejected an appeal by Crimean Tatar blogger Nariman Memedeminov to overturn his conviction on charges of inciting extremism , leaving him to serve the rest of his sentence in prison .
The May 14 decision comes as Russia is accused of stepping up pressure on bloggers and independent media critical of the Kremlin 's policies , the Crimea Desk of RFE/RL 's Ukrainian Service reported .
Rights groups and Western governments have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oppression targeting members of the Turkic-speaking Crimean Tatar minority and others who opposed Moscow 's seizure of the Ukrainian peninsula in March 2014 .
The majority of Crimean Tatars were against the Russian takeover of their historical homeland .
Memedeminov was arrested in Crimea in late March 2018 on charges his YouTube videos dating from 2013 to 2015 incited followers to commit acts of terrorism .
In his video blogs , Memedeminov discussed political developments , voiced opinions on Russian holidays , and called on Muslims to observe their religious norms .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling denounced by human rights and media-freedom watchdogs , a military court in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don in October 2019 sentenced him to 2.5 years in prison .
During the May 14 hearing at the Moscow region 's military court of appeals , Memedeminov called on bloggers and journalists to continue to report on human rights abuses in Crimea .
`` I ask that you continue to pay attention to the persecution on religious , national and professional grounds on the territory of Crimea .
I hope soon to meet with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Ahead of the court ruling , the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called on the court to overturn Memedeminov ’ s conviction , saying : `` Forcefully transporting a Ukrainian citizen and independent journalist from Crimea to Russia and trying him in a military court on absurd charges is a violation of international legal norms , and the Russian authorities know it . ''

Memedeminov was arrested in Crimea in late March 2018 on charges his YouTube videos incited followers to commit acts of terrorism.
A Russian military court has rejected an appeal by Crimean Tatar blogger Nariman Memedeminov to overturn his conviction on charges of inciting extremism, leaving him to serve the rest of his sentence in prison.
The May 14 decision comes as Russia is accused of stepping up pressure on bloggers and independent media critical of the Kremlin's policies, the Crimea Desk of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reported.
Rights groups and Western governments have also denounced what they call a campaign of oppression targeting members of the Turkic-speaking Crimean Tatar minority and others who opposed Moscow's seizure of the Ukrainian peninsula in March 2014.
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Read alsoRussia jails Crimean Tatar activist on 'bogus' terrorism charges – media
The majority of Crimean Tatars were against the Russian takeover of their historical homeland.
Memedeminov was arrested in Crimea in late March 2018 on charges his YouTube videos dating from 2013 to 2015 incited followers to commit acts of terrorism.
In his video blogs, Memedeminov discussed political developments, voiced opinions on Russian holidays, and called on Muslims to observe their religious norms. Most Crimean Tatars are Muslim.
In a ruling denounced by human rights and media-freedom watchdogs, a military court in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don in October 2019 sentenced him to 2.5 years in prison.
During the May 14 hearing at the Moscow region's military court of appeals, Memedeminov called on bloggers and journalists to continue to report on human rights abuses in Crimea.
"I ask that you continue to pay attention to the persecution on religious, national and professional grounds on the territory of Crimea. I hope soon to meet with you directly and not through the bars," he said.
Ahead of the court ruling, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called on the court to overturn Memedeminov’s conviction, saying: "Forcefully transporting a Ukrainian citizen and independent journalist from Crimea to Russia and trying him in a military court on absurd charges is a violation of international legal norms, and the Russian authorities know it."


unian--2020-05-14--Russia's Gazprom reports Q1 losses – first in its history

An increase in the supply of liquefied natural gas onto the European market by other producers also played its role .
Russia 's gas giant Gazprom has reported losses under Russian Accounting Standards for the first time in its history , having posted RUB 306.231 billion , or US $ 4.14 billion , in a loss in the first quarter of 2020 .
In the same period last year , the company received US $ 2.7 billion in net profit , Russia 's news agency Interfax reported .
Read alsoZerkal to represent Naftogaz in international arbitration , litigation against Gazprom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a supplier of energy resources , '' the agency said .
`` Therefore , the first and fourth quarters during winter are the most significant ones in the company 's annual cycle . ''
The concern for the gas producer was the abnormally warm winter along with full European storage facilities where the company was actively pumping gas to improve statistics for 2019 .
An increase in the supply of liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) onto the European market by other producers also played its role .
In aggregate , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a record decrease in the price of natural gas , the Rosbalt news agency said , citing Lenta.ru .
It was previously reported that Gazprom projected that the price of natural gas in 2020 will be US $ 133 per 1,000 cubic meters with a possible drop to US $ 70 in summer , but the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic became another serious blow .

Russia's Gazprom reports Q1 losses – first in its history
22:45, 14.05.20 4238
An increase in the supply of liquefied natural gas onto the European market by other producers also played its role.
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unian--2020-05-14--Over 300,000 people die of coronavirus worldwide

The highest number of deaths from COVID-19 was registered in the United States .
Over 300,000 people have died of @ @ @ @ @ The global death toll as of late Thursday , May 14 , was 300,315 people @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering ( CSSE ) @ @ @ @ @ The highest number of deaths from the coronavirus was registered in the United States ( @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom ( 33,692 ) , and Italy ( 31,368 ) .
The overall number @ @ @ @ @ is 4,408,618 .
The top three countries in terms of confirmed cases are the United @ @ @ @ @ , Russia ( 252,245 ) , and the United Kingdom ( 234,431 ) .
As @ @ @ @ @ were 16,847 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May @ @ @ @ @ deaths have already been recorded in the country , while 4,143 patients have recovered .
@ @ @ @ @ , 422 new cases were reported against 427 recoveries .

The highest number of deaths from COVID-19 was registered in the United States.
Over 300,000 people have died of the novel coronavirus worldwide.
The global death toll as of late Thursday, May 14, was 300,315 people, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
Read alsoUkraine sees 2.7% COVID-19 case fatality rate – President's Office
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The highest number of deaths from the coronavirus was registered in the United States (85,066 people), the United Kingdom (33,692), and Italy (31,368).
The overall number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide is 4,408,618. The top three countries in terms of confirmed cases are the United States (1.4 million), Russia (252,245), and the United Kingdom (234,431).
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 16,847 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May 14. Some 456 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country, while 4,143 patients have recovered. Over the past 24 hours, 422 new cases were reported against 427 recoveries.


unian--2020-05-14--Zerkal to represent Naftogaz in international arbitration, litigation against Gazprom

As Ukraine 's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs , Zerkal was also involved in efforts to block construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline .
Olena Zerkal , an adviser to NJSC Naftogaz 's CEO , has been appointed to lead Naftogaz 's international arbitration , litigation and enforcement proceedings against the Russian Federation and its gas giant Gazprom .
The relevant functions were assigned to Zerkal as part of the ongoing organizational transformation of the Naftogaz group , Naftogaz said on its website on May 14 .
Read alsoOver 9 bcm of gas stolen from Ukraine by Russia : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role at Naftogaz is crucial for both the company and Ukraine .
It reflects our long-term ambitions to integrate the country into global markets while establishing a better business environment and greater energy security .
Work on existing litigation and arbitration proceedings will not only continue but will be accelerated , '' Zerkal assured .
Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary Olena Zerkal has 25 years of legal experience in both the public and private sectors .
In 2014-2019 , as Ukraine 's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs , Zerkal was responsible for European integration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She represented Ukraine in the International Court of Justice and arbitration proceedings against Russia concerning a range of issues including sponsorship of terrorism , racial discrimination , and Russia 's breach of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and wrongful arrest of Ukrainian naval vessels and their crewmen .
For two years , Zerkal was part of the Ukrainian negotiating team on post-2019 Russian gas transit to Europe and actively participated in trilateral Ukraine-EU-Russia talks regarding the so-called Winter Packages concluded for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 heating seasons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Affairs , Zerkal was also involved in efforts to block construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline .
Zerkal was appointed an adviser to NJSC Naftogaz 's CEO in January .

Zerkal to represent Naftogaz in international arbitration, litigation against Gazprom
20:55, 14.05.20 1854
As Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zerkal was also involved in efforts to block construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
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unian--2020-05-14--Ukraine's hryvnia strengthens for third day in a row

The official hryvnia gained one kopiyka in value .
The hryvnia , Ukraine 's national currency , has strengthened for third day in a row as the country 's national bank set the official forex rate for Friday , May 15 , at UAH 26.68 per U.S. dollar .
The official forex rate of the hryvnia against the euro for Friday was fixed at UAH 28.79 per euro , that is , the hryvnia got stronger by 24 kopiykas against the euro compared to the previous day , the National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) said .
Read alsoHryvnia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to U.S. dollar May 14 Quotations of the hryvnia on the Ukrainian interbank forex market were set at UAH 26.67/26.69 per U.S. dollar and UAH 28.76/28.78 per euro at the close of trading .
The U.S. dollar in Kyiv 's currency exchange booths on the morning of Thursday , May 14 , weakened by nine kopiykas , to UAH 26.90 per dollar , while the euro lost seven kopiykas in value , being traded for UAH 29.13 per euro .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the official forex rate of the hryvnia against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 , was set at UAH 26.69 per U.S. dollar , as the hryvnia strengthened against the dollar for the second day in a row – by 11 kopiykas on that day .

Ukraine's hryvnia strengthens for third day in a row
19:59, 14.05.20 2088
The official hryvnia gained one kopiyka in value.
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unian--2020-05-14--Reuters: Trump envoy accuses Germany of undermining NATO's nuclear deterrent

Trump has pressed Germany to raise its defense spending .
The U.S. ambassador in Berlin has accused Germany of undermining NATO 's nuclear deterrent , taking aim at Chancellor Angela Merkel 's junior coalition partners after some of their leaders called for nuclear disarmament .
Rolf Muetzenich , parliamentary leader of the Social Democrats ( SPD ) , called earlier this month for the withdrawal of all U.S. nuclear weapons from Germany – a view that divides his left-leaning party and is not shared by Merkel 's conservatives , Reuters reported .
In an opinion piece for German newspaper Die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Instead of undermining the solidarity that forms the basis of NATO 's nuclear deterrence , it is now time for Germany to meet its commitments to its allies and to continuously invest in NATO 's nuclear participation . ''
`` Germany 's political leadership , especially that of the SPD , must now make it clear the federal republic is honouring these commitments and standing by its allies , '' added Grenell , who is also U.S. President Donald Trump 's acting national intelligence chief .
The remarks are the latest twist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have often been strained during Trump 's presidency .
The president has pressed Germany to raise its defense spending and accused Berlin of being a `` captive '' of Russia due to its energy reliance .
But Grenell 's comments also come a day after Merkel cited `` hard evidence '' that Russia was behind a 2015 hacker attack on her Bundestag office — an assault that she said `` pains me . ''
`` The dangers threatening peace in Europe are not an 'anachronism ' , as some would have us believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian invasion of Ukraine , the deployment of new nuclear-weapon-capable missiles by Russia on the periphery of Europe and new capabilities of China , North Korea and other countries make it clear that the threat is all too present . ''
Read alsoEcologist warns of radioactive contamination threat over Russia-led forces ' actions in Donbas The coalition agreement between Merkel 's conservatives and the SPD cites successful disarmament talks as a prerequisite for the withdrawal of tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Germany and Europe .
However , the debate over nuclear weapons was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Ministry wanted to purchase 45 F-18 fighter jets from Boeing to replace ageing Tornado aircraft and take over the German military 's task of so-called nuclear sharing – under which the planes would carry U.S. nuclear bombs to target in a crisis .
If Germany does not buy new jets , the nuclear sharing would end with the planned retirement of the Tornadoes from service in 2030 .

Trump has pressed Germany to raise its defense spending.
The U.S. ambassador in Berlin has accused Germany of undermining NATO's nuclear deterrent, taking aim at Chancellor Angela Merkel's junior coalition partners after some of their leaders called for nuclear disarmament.
Rolf Muetzenich, parliamentary leader of the Social Democrats (SPD), called earlier this month for the withdrawal of all U.S. nuclear weapons from Germany – a view that divides his left-leaning party and is not shared by Merkel's conservatives, Reuters reported.
In an opinion piece for German newspaper Die Welt, Ambassador Richard Grenell wrote: "Instead of undermining the solidarity that forms the basis of NATO's nuclear deterrence, it is now time for Germany to meet its commitments to its allies and to continuously invest in NATO's nuclear participation."
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"Germany's political leadership, especially that of the SPD, must now make it clear the federal republic is honouring these commitments and standing by its allies," added Grenell, who is also U.S. President Donald Trump's acting national intelligence chief.
The remarks are the latest twist in relations between Berlin and Washington that have often been strained during Trump's presidency. The president has pressed Germany to raise its defense spending and accused Berlin of being a "captive" of Russia due to its energy reliance.
But Grenell's comments also come a day after Merkel cited "hard evidence" that Russia was behind a 2015 hacker attack on her Bundestag office — an assault that she said "pains me."
"The dangers threatening peace in Europe are not an 'anachronism', as some would have us believe," Grenell said.
"The Russian invasion of Ukraine, the deployment of new nuclear-weapon-capable missiles by Russia on the periphery of Europe and new capabilities of China, North Korea and other countries make it clear that the threat is all too present."
Read alsoEcologist warns of radioactive contamination threat over Russia-led forces' actions in Donbas
The coalition agreement between Merkel's conservatives and the SPD cites successful disarmament talks as a prerequisite for the withdrawal of tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Germany and Europe.
However, the debate over nuclear weapons was sparked by news last month that the Defense Ministry wanted to purchase 45 F-18 fighter jets from Boeing to replace ageing Tornado aircraft and take over the German military's task of so-called nuclear sharing – under which the planes would carry U.S. nuclear bombs to target in a crisis.
If Germany does not buy new jets, the nuclear sharing would end with the planned retirement of the Tornadoes from service in 2030.


unian--2020-05-14--Ukraine sees 2.7% COVID-19 case fatality rate – President's Office

Chernivtsi region and the capital city of Kyiv remain in the lead by number of newly confirmed cases .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 's Office has said the COVID-19 case fatality rate in Ukraine remains low , that is 2.7 % of all infected in the country .
`` In total , the number of recoveries in the past day exceeded the number of new laboratory-confirmed [ COVID-19 ] cases , i.e .
427 vs 422 , respectively .
The case fatality rate remains low , that is 2.7 % , '' the Office said on its website on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives of the Cabinet and key government agencies responsible for anti-coronavirus measures .
Read alsoNumber of daily coronavirus recoveries first time exceeds new cases The head of state was informed that Chernivtsi region and the capital city of Kyiv remained in the lead by number of newly confirmed cases .
As UNIAN reported earlier , there were 16,847 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May 14 .
Some 456 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country , while 4,143 patients have recovered .
Over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were reported against 427 recoveries .

Chernivtsi region and the capital city of Kyiv remain in the lead by number of newly confirmed cases.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Office has said the COVID-19 case fatality rate in Ukraine remains low, that is 2.7% of all infected in the country.
"In total, the number of recoveries in the past day exceeded the number of new laboratory-confirmed [COVID-19] cases, i.e. 427 vs 422, respectively. The case fatality rate remains low, that is 2.7%," the Office said on its website on May 14, following a president-chaired meeting with representatives of the Cabinet and key government agencies responsible for anti-coronavirus measures.
Read alsoNumber of daily coronavirus recoveries first time exceeds new cases
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The head of state was informed that Chernivtsi region and the capital city of Kyiv remained in the lead by number of newly confirmed cases.
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 16,847 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May 14. Some 456 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country, while 4,143 patients have recovered. Over the past 24 hours, 422 new cases were reported against 427 recoveries.


unian--2020-05-14--Ukraine's Rada passes bill to extend tax relief period for businesses amid coronavirus

The draft law was backed by 333 lawmakers .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , has passed a bill to extend the tax relief period and simplify administration for businesses during the lockdown set by the government as part of measures to counter the coronavirus crisis .
The draft law passed its second reading on May 13 after it had been backed by 333 MPs with at least 226 votes required , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
Bill No .
3329-d introduces , among other things , amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and other laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period set to combat the spread of the novel COVID-19 coronavirus .
First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada 's Committee on Finance , Tax and Customs Policy Yaroslav Zhelezniak said his committee recommended that the draft law be adopted as a whole with the required technical and legal changes .
`` The bill extends tax and other benefits for Ukrainian businesses ...
The businesses are waiting for such legislation because , unfortunately , the quarantine has lasted longer than we planned in the previous versions of the document .
So we just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our businesses could at least somehow survive these difficult months , '' the official said .
According to the explanatory note , the draft law aims to protect both small- and large-sized businesses from the negative consequences of the restrictions .
In particular , the bill provides for the extension of a grace period when fines and penalties for violations of tax legislation are not applicable from March 1 until the last calendar day of the month ( inclusive ) when the quarantine expires .
The document also enacts the prolongation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of companies and further exempts individual entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals from paying single social security tax for the period from May 1 to May 31 , 2020 .
In addition , the document provides for a reduction in the requirements for the minimum size of operating banks ' charter capital from UAH 500 million ( US $ 18.7 million ) to UAH 200 million ( US $ 7.5 million ) .
The bill also extends until 2024 the law of Ukraine on simplifying capitalization and reorganization procedures for banks , which was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As UNIAN reported earlier , bill No .
3329-d was tabled in parliament on April 30 .
Ukraine 's Cabinet of Ministers in March 2020 introduced a nationwide coronavirus-related quarantine , which will remain in effect at least until May 22 .
Yet , a number of curbs on businesses and citizens were lifted from May 11 .
The government also introduced a five-step plan to exit from the coronavirus lockdown .

Ukraine's Rada passes bill to extend tax relief period for businesses amid coronavirus
16:40, 14.05.20 2463
The draft law was backed by 333 lawmakers.
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