unian--2020-02-21--Ukraine's National Bank exploring possibility of issuing e-hryvnia

Some 80 % of the world 's central banks today are working on digital currency , the official says .
Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) Yakiv Smolii says the regulator continues to explore the possibility of issuing its own digital currency , e-hryvnia , and will be ready to implement the project after it is confident in technological readiness and the absence of threats to the country 's price and financial stability .
`` We continue to look into the chance of issuing the e-hryvnia , and we will be ready to return to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only can it be technologically feasible , but also that it will not interfere with the pursuit of our mandate as a central bank , which is to ensure price and financial stability , '' he said at the NBU International Conference `` Central Bank Digital Currencies : New Opportunities for Payments '' on February 21 .
Read alsoNBU strengthens official hryvnia to UAH 24.48 to U.S. dollar on Feb 21 According to Smolii , 80 % of the world 's central banks today are working on digital currency as this helps to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce the amount of cash in circulation .
The official noted that digital currency for citizens means an equivalent of an account directly in a central bank rather than in a commercial one .
At the same time , he admitted risks to financial stability , including the possibility of the flow of money from banks to digital currencies amid crisis .
As UNIAN reported earlier , in late 2016 , the National Bank launched a research project to implement the e-hryvnia , a blockchain-based national currency , which could minimize transaction costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine 's payment market to another , which could be carried out almost instantly .
Earlier , e-hryvnias in the equivalent of UAH 50,000 ( US $ 2,042 ) , which have now been redeemed already , were put into circulation as part of testing transactions between electronic wallets .

Some 80% of the world's central banks today are working on digital currency, the official says.
Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Yakiv Smolii says the regulator continues to explore the possibility of issuing its own digital currency, e-hryvnia, and will be ready to implement the project after it is confident in technological readiness and the absence of threats to the country's price and financial stability.
"We continue to look into the chance of issuing the e-hryvnia, and we will be ready to return to this matter when we are convinced that not only can it be technologically feasible, but also that it will not interfere with the pursuit of our mandate as a central bank, which is to ensure price and financial stability," he said at the NBU International Conference "Central Bank Digital Currencies: New Opportunities for Payments" on February 21.
Read alsoNBU strengthens official hryvnia to UAH 24.48 to U.S. dollar on Feb 21
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According to Smolii, 80% of the world's central banks today are working on digital currency as this helps to strengthen confidence in the national currency and reduce the amount of cash in circulation.
The official noted that digital currency for citizens means an equivalent of an account directly in a central bank rather than in a commercial one.
At the same time, he admitted risks to financial stability, including the possibility of the flow of money from banks to digital currencies amid crisis.
As UNIAN reported earlier, in late 2016, the National Bank launched a research project to implement the e-hryvnia, a blockchain-based national currency, which could minimize transaction costs in money transfers from one participant in Ukraine's payment market to another, which could be carried out almost instantly.
Earlier, e-hryvnias in the equivalent of UAH 50,000 (US$2,042), which have now been redeemed already, were put into circulation as part of testing transactions between electronic wallets.


unian--2020-02-21--Ukraine's Defense Ministry to buy about 3,000 missile complexes and supplies in 2020

Their final tests will be followed by purchases of serial samples of these types of missiles .
Ukraine 's Defense Ministry plans to buy about 3,000 missile complexes and supplies worth over UAH 2.4 billion , or US $ 98 million , in 2020 , taking into account state guarantees .
Spending under the 2020 missile program is UAH 300 million , or US $ 12.25 million , up on 2019 , the ministry 's media liaison office said .
In particular , it is planned to complete the development and conduct final tests of the `` Neptun '' ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex and the `` Vilkha '' ( `` Alder '' ) artillery rocket system and ensure their full funding in 2020 .
Their final tests will be followed by purchases of serial samples of these types of missiles .
Ukraine 's Defense Ministry said that the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine on February 18 , 2020 , adopted the state defense order for 2020 , which provides measures estimated at UAH 21.25 billion , or US $ 868 million , in the interests of the Defense Ministry and in line of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Armed Forces of Ukraine .

Their final tests will be followed by purchases of serial samples of these types of missiles.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry plans to buy about 3,000 missile complexes and supplies worth over UAH 2.4 billion, or US$98 million, in 2020, taking into account state guarantees.
Spending under the 2020 missile program is UAH 300 million, or US$12.25 million, up on 2019, the ministry's media liaison office said.
Read alsoUkraine successfully completes development of Neptun anti-ship missile complex (Video)
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In particular, it is planned to complete the development and conduct final tests of the "Neptun" ("Neptune") coastal anti-ship missile complex and the "Vilkha" ("Alder") artillery rocket system and ensure their full funding in 2020.
Their final tests will be followed by purchases of serial samples of these types of missiles.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry said that the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine on February 18, 2020, adopted the state defense order for 2020, which provides measures estimated at UAH 21.25 billion, or US$868 million, in the interests of the Defense Ministry and in line of the needs identified by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.


unian--2020-02-21--Viral email about coronavirus had people blocking hospitals in Ukraine – media

Ukraine 's security service said the fake email that was supposedly from the Ministry of Health had actually been sent from outside the country .
A dangerous mix of fear and fake news about the coronavirus has sparked violent protests in Ukraine , despite there being no confirmed cases in the country .
Protests and clashes with riot police have broken out in several places after a mass email claiming to be from Ukraine 's health ministry spread false information that there were five cases of coronavirus in the country , on the same day a plane carrying evacuees from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ windows of buses carrying evacuees and set fire to makeshift barricades , BuzzFeed News Contributor Christopher Miller wrote in an article on February 20 , 2020 .
But the email , sent to the Ministry of Health 's entire contact list , had actually originated from outside Ukraine , the Security Service of Ukraine ( SBU ) said in a statement .
Only two Ukrainians have been infected with the coronavirus and they are aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan , and they 've already recovered .
In Ukraine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the government is low , anxiety about the outbreak spread as fast as the fake news claiming the first cases had arrived in the country was disseminated online .
It did n't seem to matter that Ukraine 's Center for Public Health put out a message warning of the fake news or that President Volodymyr Zelensky said authorities had everything under control .
Read alsoProvocateurs who radicalized rally against Wuhan evacuees `` not local '' , police found '' Attention !
The reports about five confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health said in a statement , referring to the official name of the disease caused by the coronavirus .
But the messages trying to reassure people were not the ones that went viral .
Tensions reached a fever pitch by midday in the village of Novi Sanzhary , in Ukraine 's central Poltava region , where residents protested the arrival of the evacuees over fears they could be infected with the coronavirus , including smashing the windows of buses transporting them .
As the skirmish dragged on , Ukraine 's National Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more fake news , this time about the medical staff at Novi Sanzhary 's hospital fleeing the facility .
Nina Jankowicz , a disinformation fellow at the Wilson Center and author of the forthcoming book How to Lose the Information War , told BuzzFeed News that health-related disinformation and misinformation has huge potential in Ukraine because there is mistrust in the state health care system , which is widely viewed as inefficient and subpar .
`` Combine this with mistrust toward official government information sources and a sensationalist media and you have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic like coronavirus , '' she said .
Read alsoAs gesture of solidarity , Ukraine 's Health Minister ready to join in with quarantined evacuees from China As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsaplienko posted a photo of possible provocateurs in the protests against the arrival of evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak '' Ukraine has been discredited , '' Tsaplienko wrote in a caption to the photo , adding that news footage showing riots against fellow citizens `` makes our enemy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This very much resembles the scripts of 2014 where the same kind of our fellow citizens were stopping Ukrainian tanks .
And it seems that the scriptwriters were the same .
It 's a shame that in the sixth year of war , we are still so easy to manipulate . ''

Ukraine's security service said the fake email that was supposedly from the Ministry of Health had actually been sent from outside the country.
A dangerous mix of fear and fake news about the coronavirus has sparked violent protests in Ukraine, despite there being no confirmed cases in the country.
Protests and clashes with riot police have broken out in several places after a mass email claiming to be from Ukraine's health ministry spread false information that there were five cases of coronavirus in the country, on the same day a plane carrying evacuees from China arrived. Protesters have smashed the windows of buses carrying evacuees and set fire to makeshift barricades, BuzzFeed News Contributor Christopher Miller wrote in an article on February 20, 2020.
But the email, sent to the Ministry of Health's entire contact list, had actually originated from outside Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in a statement.
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Only two Ukrainians have been infected with the coronavirus and they are aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan, and they've already recovered.
In Ukraine, where trust in the health care system and the government is low, anxiety about the outbreak spread as fast as the fake news claiming the first cases had arrived in the country was disseminated online. It didn't seem to matter that Ukraine's Center for Public Health put out a message warning of the fake news or that President Volodymyr Zelensky said authorities had everything under control.
Read alsoProvocateurs who radicalized rally against Wuhan evacuees "not local", police found
"Attention! The reports about five confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in Ukraine are UNTRUE," the Center for Public Health said in a statement, referring to the official name of the disease caused by the coronavirus.
But the messages trying to reassure people were not the ones that went viral.
Tensions reached a fever pitch by midday in the village of Novi Sanzhary, in Ukraine's central Poltava region, where residents protested the arrival of the evacuees over fears they could be infected with the coronavirus, including smashing the windows of buses transporting them.
As the skirmish dragged on, Ukraine's National Guard had to counter what it said was more fake news, this time about the medical staff at Novi Sanzhary's hospital fleeing the facility.
Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation fellow at the Wilson Center and author of the forthcoming book How to Lose the Information War, told BuzzFeed News that health-related disinformation and misinformation has huge potential in Ukraine because there is mistrust in the state health care system, which is widely viewed as inefficient and subpar.
"Combine this with mistrust toward official government information sources and a sensationalist media and you have a recipe for panic, especially with a pandemic like coronavirus," she said.
Read alsoAs gesture of solidarity, Ukraine's Health Minister ready to join in with quarantined evacuees from China
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsaplienko posted a photo of possible provocateurs in the protests against the arrival of evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak
"Ukraine has been discredited," Tsaplienko wrote in a caption to the photo, adding that news footage showing riots against fellow citizens "makes our enemy happy", hinting at Russia.
"This very much resembles the scripts of 2014 where the same kind of our fellow citizens were stopping Ukrainian tanks. And it seems that the scriptwriters were the same. It's a shame that in the sixth year of war, we are still so easy to manipulate."


unian--2020-02-21--Kremlin calls on Russians not to be afraid of "Putin's leave"

Peskov joked that Putin was only starting his presidential term .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called on Russians not to be afraid of the potential stepdown by Russian President Vladimir Putin , addressing the latest survey revealing fears of the Russians related to Putin 's possible leave .
He is `` only at the beginning of his presidential term , '' Peskov added jokingly , according to an UNIAN correspondent in Russia .
`` I always want to ask fellow political scientists : why do you always say Putin 's leaving ?
Putin is at the beginning of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere , he is the president of the Russian Federation , I repeat : he 's at the beginning of the electoral term , '' Peskov told journalists .
Answering a question about the survey stating Russians are already worried about what will happen in 2024 , Peskov said : `` I leave eventual fears without comment . ''
Read alsoExperts identify four external factors to have decisive influence on Ukraine 's national security Today , the Russian Center for Political Conjuncture published a report , which as a conclusion refers to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin 's possible leave in 2024 .
The most pronounced risks/fears are the aggravation of the fight for power in the country and redistribution of assets , the loss of authority in the world arena , the loss of continuity of power , cuts in the government 's social obligations , and the cancellation of national projects .
Moderate risks/fears include the aggravation of interethnic conflicts and the intensification of separatist sentiments , including in the Caucasus , wider corruption , and the growing threat of hostile actions on the part of foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russians also pay attention to the risks/fears of a significant deterioration of the economic situation in the country , a decrease in the defense capacity of the Russian army , damage to businesses as a result of the lifting of counter-sanctions , oligarchic revenge , acute civil conflict and the outbreak of war with NATO .

Peskov joked that Putin was only starting his presidential term.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called on Russians not to be afraid of the potential stepdown by Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing the latest survey revealing fears of the Russians related to Putin's possible leave.
He is "only at the beginning of his presidential term," Peskov added jokingly, according to an UNIAN correspondent in Russia.
"I always want to ask fellow political scientists: why do you always say Putin's leaving? Putin is at the beginning of his presidential term. He is not leaving anywhere, he is the president of the Russian Federation, I repeat: he's at the beginning of the electoral term," Peskov told journalists.
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Answering a question about the survey stating Russians are already worried about what will happen in 2024, Peskov said: "I leave eventual fears without comment."
Read alsoExperts identify four external factors to have decisive influence on Ukraine's national security
Today, the Russian Center for Political Conjuncture published a report, which as a conclusion refers to the risks and fears of Russians associated with Putin's possible leave in 2024.
The most pronounced risks/fears are the aggravation of the fight for power in the country and redistribution of assets, the loss of authority in the world arena, the loss of continuity of power, cuts in the government's social obligations, and the cancellation of national projects.
Moderate risks/fears include the aggravation of interethnic conflicts and the intensification of separatist sentiments, including in the Caucasus, wider corruption, and the growing threat of hostile actions on the part of foreign states, especially the United States.
Russians also pay attention to the risks/fears of a significant deterioration of the economic situation in the country, a decrease in the defense capacity of the Russian army, damage to businesses as a result of the lifting of counter-sanctions, oligarchic revenge, acute civil conflict and the outbreak of war with NATO.


unian--2020-02-21--Zelensky on protests in Novi Sanzhary: Ukraine sometimes resembles Europe in Middle Ages

Zelensky has greeted all Ukrainians who returned home from the Chinese city of Wuhan yesterday .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has commented on yesterday 's skirmishes in the town of Novi Sanzhary of Poltava region where people took to the streets to protest the arrival of Ukrainian citizens evacuated from China 's Wuhan to a local medical facility for a 14-day quarantine .
Read alsoZelensky 's spokeswoman tells how president reacted to protests over Wuhan evacuees '' First of all , as president , I 'd like to greet all Ukrainians who returned home from the Chinese city of Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all wish them good health and believe they will be home with their friends and relatives in the coming weeks , '' Zelensky said at a ceremony to award grants of the Ukrainian Startup Fund , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
`` We constantly say that Ukraine is Europe .
Yesterday , I 'll tell you frankly , in some episodes it seemed that we are like Europe in the Middle Ages , unfortunately .
Let 's not forget that we are all human beings , not ...
I do n't want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the president said .
Zelensky also said he believes that in the near future , Ukrainians will have `` a very important and necessary start-up for Ukraine and the whole world , which will teach some citizens humanity , respect , unity and ... critical thinking . ''
As UNIAN reported , a chartered flight PQ 7302 carrying Ukrainian citizens and foreigners evacuated from China 's Wuhan , the epicenter of coronavirus outbreak , landed in Kharkiv Airport on February 20 .
Then the evacuees were taken to the National Guard 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Health Ministry reported there were 45 Ukrainians , 27 foreigners and crew members , including three doctors , on board the plane .
They all were placed under 14-day observation with a strict regime of sanitary-epidemiological control and safety .
Yesterday , residents of Novi Sanzhary were blocking roads leading to the facility , protesting the arrival of evacuees from China in fear that they could potentially bring along the coronavirus into the area .
Twenty-four people were detained amid riots .
On February 21 , the police released 23 people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spokesperson for the Main Directorate of the National Police in Poltava region Yuriy Sulaiev said 16 out of 24 detainees , who had radicalized protests in Novi Sanzhary and were hurling stones at the buses carrying Wuhan evacuees to a local medical facility , for a 14-day quarantine , turned out to be residents of other areas and could not represent the local population .

Zelensky has greeted all Ukrainians who returned home from the Chinese city of Wuhan yesterday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has commented on yesterday's skirmishes in the town of Novi Sanzhary of Poltava region where people took to the streets to protest the arrival of Ukrainian citizens evacuated from China's Wuhan to a local medical facility for a 14-day quarantine.
Read alsoZelensky's spokeswoman tells how president reacted to protests over Wuhan evacuees
"First of all, as president, I'd like to greet all Ukrainians who returned home from the Chinese city of Wuhan yesterday. I am sure, we all wish them good health and believe they will be home with their friends and relatives in the coming weeks," Zelensky said at a ceremony to award grants of the Ukrainian Startup Fund, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
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"We constantly say that Ukraine is Europe. Yesterday, I'll tell you frankly, in some episodes it seemed that we are like Europe in the Middle Ages, unfortunately. Let's not forget that we are all human beings, not... I don't want to pick the wrong word now," the president said.
Zelensky also said he believes that in the near future, Ukrainians will have "a very important and necessary start-up for Ukraine and the whole world, which will teach some citizens humanity, respect, unity and... critical thinking."
As UNIAN reported, a chartered flight PQ 7302 carrying Ukrainian citizens and foreigners evacuated from China's Wuhan, the epicenter of coronavirus outbreak, landed in Kharkiv Airport on February 20. Then the evacuees were taken to the National Guard's medical center in Novi Sanzhary.
Ukraine's Health Ministry reported there were 45 Ukrainians, 27 foreigners and crew members, including three doctors, on board the plane.
They all were placed under 14-day observation with a strict regime of sanitary-epidemiological control and safety.
Yesterday, residents of Novi Sanzhary were blocking roads leading to the facility, protesting the arrival of evacuees from China in fear that they could potentially bring along the coronavirus into the area.
Twenty-four people were detained amid riots. On February 21, the police released 23 people, one man remains in custody.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Main Directorate of the National Police in Poltava region Yuriy Sulaiev said 16 out of 24 detainees, who had radicalized protests in Novi Sanzhary and were hurling stones at the buses carrying Wuhan evacuees to a local medical facility, for a 14-day quarantine, turned out to be residents of other areas and could not represent the local population.


unian--2020-02-21--Atlantic Council: Russia loses leverage as Ukrainian exports go global

Ukraine 's export markets have become remarkably diversified in recent years .
The changes in Ukraine 's foreign trade stats might not appear large as the country 's merchandise exports increased by 5.8 % to $ 50.1 billion , while imports rose by 6.3 % to $ 60.8 billion .
Since Ukraine currently receives annual remittances of around USD 12 billion , the trade deficit is of no concern .
The two big changes are in the structure of Ukraine ’ s trading partners and the makeup of its export commodities , Anders Åslund wrote for Atlantic Council .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer economically dependent on Russia .
Traditionally , Russia was the all-dominant trading partner accounting for about one-third of Ukraine 's total foreign trade .
In 2019 , by contrast , Russia was Ukraine 's third-largest export market with only 6.5 % of Ukraine 's exports , though it still contributed 11.5 % of Ukraine 's imports , being number two after China .
Overall , the European Union has grown in importance as a trading partner with 41.5 % of Ukraine 's total merchandise exports and 41.1 % of its imports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , China has suddenly become the biggest trading partner with 7.2 % of Ukraine 's exports and 15.1 % of its imports .
Ukraine 's export markets have become remarkably diversified in recent years .
This is in part due to necessity , with trade complications related to Ukraine 's ongoing undeclared war with Russia forcing the country to look beyond the traditional comfort zone of the former Soviet Union .
As the export figures for 2019 demonstrate , no one market is now dominant .
China comes first with 7.2 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poland with 6.6 % , while Russia is in third place with only 6.5 % .
Next is Turkey with 5.2 % , followed by Italy and Germany both on 4.8 % , then comes Egypt ( 4.5 % ) and India ( 4.0 % ) .
Read alsoUkraine boosts farm produce exports by 14 % , to almost US $ 2 bln in Jan This diversification of export markets reflects Ukraine 's evolving export production .
Traditionally , agricultural products and metals have matched one another at close to 40 % each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sunk to 20.5 % , while agricultural products have surged to 44.3 % .
As the quality of Ukrainian agricultural produce has greatly improved , much of these exports are now going to Europe , but trade ties to traditional Ukrainian agricultural markets China , Turkey , Egypt , and India also remain strong .
In the past , one-third of Ukraine 's exports went to Russia .
Much of this was in the form of machinery , which in most cases involved components for the military-industrial complex .
However , both countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another .
Even so , Ukraine 's overall exports of machinery held up at 8.9 % , with only a minor decrease registered in 2019 .
This is one of the most promising indications from the past year , suggesting that Ukraine is getting involved in the European supply chain with Poland and Germany .
An important old remnant is mineral production , accounting for 9.7 % of Ukraine 's total exports .
Not everything is rosy .
That three groups of commodities account for three-quarters of Ukraine 's total exports is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as commodity prices tend to fluctuate sharply , the expert stresses .
`` As is often the case for economies with not very diversified exports , the country structure of Ukraine 's imports stands in stark contrast with the country structure of its exports .
Here China leads with 15.1 % ( do n't we all need Chinese manufactures of all kinds from clothes to toys and consumer electronics ? )
.
Russia follows with 11.5 % , presumably oil and the like , with Germany in third place on 9.9 % ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Ukraine has substantial trade with Belarus , and the obvious question is whether much of this trade is in fact a way of evading the Russian trade sanctions against Ukraine , '' the article reads .
The United States is at present a relatively minor trading partner , accounting for only 2.0 % of Ukraine 's exports and 5.4 % of its imports .
Given that the U.S. has a trade surplus with exports being no less than three times larger than imports , it would be natural for the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally , a free trade agreement .
The essence of these trade statistics is positive .
Ukraine 's foreign trade is growing steadily , though at a moderate pace .
In particular , Ukraine 's trade with the European Union , China , and the Middle East is expanding , while its trade with Russia is swiftly dwindling because of the many trade sanctions currently in place .
This benefits both Ukraine 's economy and the country 's security .
Ukraine ’ s agricultural trade continues to boom , but it is reassuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stable .
Meanwhile , the considerable bilateral trade with Poland and Germany suggests that the Ukrainian economy is integrating into wider European supply chains .

Ukraine's export markets have become remarkably diversified in recent years.
The changes in Ukraine's foreign trade stats might not appear large as the country's merchandise exports increased by 5.8% to $50.1 billion, while imports rose by 6.3% to $60.8 billion. Since Ukraine currently receives annual remittances of around USD 12 billion, the trade deficit is of no concern.
The two big changes are in the structure of Ukraine’s trading partners and the makeup of its export commodities, Anders Åslund wrote for Atlantic Council.
The key takeaway is that Ukraine is no longer economically dependent on Russia. Traditionally, Russia was the all-dominant trading partner accounting for about one-third of Ukraine's total foreign trade. In 2019, by contrast, Russia was Ukraine's third-largest export market with only 6.5% of Ukraine's exports, though it still contributed 11.5% of Ukraine's imports, being number two after China.
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Overall, the European Union has grown in importance as a trading partner with 41.5% of Ukraine's total merchandise exports and 41.1% of its imports. As for so many countries in the world, China has suddenly become the biggest trading partner with 7.2% of Ukraine's exports and 15.1% of its imports.
Ukraine's export markets have become remarkably diversified in recent years. This is in part due to necessity, with trade complications related to Ukraine's ongoing undeclared war with Russia forcing the country to look beyond the traditional comfort zone of the former Soviet Union. As the export figures for 2019 demonstrate, no one market is now dominant. China comes first with 7.2% of Ukraine's exports, followed by Poland with 6.6%, while Russia is in third place with only 6.5%. Next is Turkey with 5.2%, followed by Italy and Germany both on 4.8%, then comes Egypt (4.5%) and India (4.0%).
Read alsoUkraine boosts farm produce exports by 14%, to almost US$2 bln in Jan
This diversification of export markets reflects Ukraine's evolving export production. Traditionally, agricultural products and metals have matched one another at close to 40% each. Now, however, metals have sunk to 20.5%, while agricultural products have surged to 44.3%. As the quality of Ukrainian agricultural produce has greatly improved, much of these exports are now going to Europe, but trade ties to traditional Ukrainian agricultural markets China, Turkey, Egypt, and India also remain strong.
In the past, one-third of Ukraine's exports went to Russia. Much of this was in the form of machinery, which in most cases involved components for the military-industrial complex. However, both countries have now imposed severe sanctions on one another. Even so, Ukraine's overall exports of machinery held up at 8.9%, with only a minor decrease registered in 2019. This is one of the most promising indications from the past year, suggesting that Ukraine is getting involved in the European supply chain with Poland and Germany. An important old remnant is mineral production, accounting for 9.7% of Ukraine's total exports. Not everything is rosy. That three groups of commodities account for three-quarters of Ukraine's total exports is, of course, a serious vulnerability, as commodity prices tend to fluctuate sharply, the expert stresses.
"As is often the case for economies with not very diversified exports, the country structure of Ukraine's imports stands in stark contrast with the country structure of its exports. Here China leads with 15.1 % (don't we all need Chinese manufactures of all kinds from clothes to toys and consumer electronics?). Russia follows with 11.5%, presumably oil and the like, with Germany in third place on 9.9% (dare we guess cars and machinery?). Ukraine has substantial trade with Belarus, and the obvious question is whether much of this trade is in fact a way of evading the Russian trade sanctions against Ukraine," the article reads.
Read alsoMaize tops ranking of Ukrainian exports in 2019
The United States is at present a relatively minor trading partner, accounting for only 2.0% of Ukraine's exports and 5.4% of its imports. Given that the U.S. has a trade surplus with exports being no less than three times larger than imports, it would be natural for the United States to offer Ukraine, a close ally, a free trade agreement.
The essence of these trade statistics is positive. Ukraine's foreign trade is growing steadily, though at a moderate pace. In particular, Ukraine's trade with the European Union, China, and the Middle East is expanding, while its trade with Russia is swiftly dwindling because of the many trade sanctions currently in place. This benefits both Ukraine's economy and the country's security. Ukraine’s agricultural trade continues to boom, but it is reassuring that machinery exports remain significant and relatively stable. Meanwhile, the considerable bilateral trade with Poland and Germany suggests that the Ukrainian economy is integrating into wider European supply chains.


unian--2020-02-21--Russian court rules in absentia six years in prison for ex-Ukrainian defense minister

Hrytsenko is accused of inciting terrorism through the media .
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Anatoliy Hrytsenko has been sentenced in @ @ @ @ @ Western District Military Court to of Defense of Ukraine Anatoly Gritsenko to six years in @ @ @ @ @ of calls for terrorist attacks through the media , RIA Novosti reported .
The prosecution @ @ @ @ @ prison time .
Due to the fact that Hrytsenko is in Ukraine , the case @ @ @ @ @ three court hearings .
Read alsoDutch refused Moscow request to try MH17 Russian suspects there @ @ @ @ @ July 2014 , Hrytsenko allegedly called on the public through the media to blow up @ @ @ @ @ , as well as cars in Moscow and Taganrog .
The indictment against the Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ court last December .

Hrytsenko is accused of inciting terrorism through the media.
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Anatoliy Hrytsenko has been sentenced in absentia by the 2nd Moscow Western District Military Court to of Defense of Ukraine Anatoly Gritsenko to six years in prison.
Hrytsenko is accused of calls for terrorist attacks through the media, RIA Novosti reported.
The prosecution initially requested nine years of prison time. Due to the fact that Hrytsenko is in Ukraine, the case was considered in absentia within three court hearings.
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Read alsoDutch refused Moscow request to try MH17 Russian suspects there – media
Russia claims in July 2014, Hrytsenko allegedly called on the public through the media to blow up trains in regions bordering Russia, as well as cars in Moscow and Taganrog.
The indictment against the Ukrainian politician had been forwarded to court last December.


unian--2020-02-21--Russian propagandists denied entry, banned from Ukraine

The three Russian nationals are Dmitry Sidorin , Andrei Frolchenkov , and Yekaterina Dementieva , who is a top manager of Russia 's Yandex Corporation .
Ukrainian border guards have denied entry to several Russian nationals who were traveling to Kyiv to conduct training and deliver lectures on writing texts , communications , public relations , and journalism .
A Russian citizen born in 1985 arrived from Minsk yesterday , saying he came with a business purpose at the invitation of a local organization , namely to conduct training and seminars with students , according to the State Border Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border guards found that the lecturer cooperates with the Russian political forces and earlier ran as part of the Liberal Democratic Party to the Moscow Duma .
Also , he is an expert on information warfare .
`` By the way , he gave lectures on this subject in the occupied Crimea at the so-called youth-patriotic camp Donuzlav-2015 .
The organizers , namely the all-Russian organization 'Combat Brotherhood , ' highly appreciated the work of the coach and decorated him with the medal 'Participant in the procession 'Immortal Regiment . '
Ukrainian border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian man .
He was sent back with a stamp in his passport saying 'Entry ban ' for three years , '' reads the report .
Another Russian man , born in 1986 , who arrived from Minsk , was also supposed to deliver lectures on promoting content on social networks .
Border guards also found that he had illegally visited the occupied Crimea , so the man was put on a return flight to Minsk and banned from entering Ukraine for three years .
`` In addition to two male propagandists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian woman , born in 1980 .
She also arrived from Minsk to do lectures and training .
But she was n't allowed across the border over the failure to confirm the purpose of her trip .
It was found that a woman holds a position in a [ company owning ] an Internet resource banned in Ukraine , '' the border guards said .
According to a source at the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine , these are Russian citizens Dmitry Sidorin , Andrei Frolchenkov and Yekaterina Dementieva .
The latter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yandex Corporation .

The three Russian nationals are Dmitry Sidorin, Andrei Frolchenkov, and Yekaterina Dementieva, who is a top manager of Russia's Yandex Corporation.
Ukrainian border guards have denied entry to several Russian nationals who were traveling to Kyiv to conduct training and deliver lectures on writing texts, communications, public relations, and journalism.
A Russian citizen born in 1985 arrived from Minsk yesterday, saying he came with a business purpose at the invitation of a local organization, namely to conduct training and seminars with students, according to the State Border Guard Service.
During passport control routine, border guards found that the lecturer cooperates with the Russian political forces and earlier ran as part of the Liberal Democratic Party to the Moscow Duma. Also, he is an expert on information warfare.
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"By the way, he gave lectures on this subject in the occupied Crimea at the so-called youth-patriotic camp Donuzlav-2015. The organizers, namely the all-Russian organization 'Combat Brotherhood,' highly appreciated the work of the coach and decorated him with the medal 'Participant in the procession 'Immortal Regiment.' Ukrainian border guards also appreciated the 'merits' of the Russian man. He was sent back with a stamp in his passport saying 'Entry ban' for three years," reads the report.
Read alsoFewer Russians visiting: Ukraine reports stats on border crossing for 2019
Another Russian man, born in 1986, who arrived from Minsk, was also supposed to deliver lectures on promoting content on social networks. Border guards also found that he had illegally visited the occupied Crimea, so the man was put on a return flight to Minsk and banned from entering Ukraine for three years.
"In addition to two male propagandists, border guards also sent back a Russian woman, born in 1980. She also arrived from Minsk to do lectures and training. But she wasn't allowed across the border over the failure to confirm the purpose of her trip. It was found that a woman holds a position in a [company owning] an Internet resource banned in Ukraine," the border guards said.
According to a source at the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, these are Russian citizens Dmitry Sidorin, Andrei Frolchenkov and Yekaterina Dementieva. The latter is a top manager of the Russian Yandex Corporation.


unian--2020-02-21--Provocateurs who radicalized rally against Wuhan evacuees "not local", police found

A prominent journalist drew parallels with Russian propaganda which brainwashed Ukrainians in 2014 into blocking Ukrainian tanks from moving into eastern Ukraine 's Donbas .
Spokesperson for the Main Directorate of the National Police in Poltava region Yuriy Sulaiev says 16 out of 24 detainees , who had radicalized protests in Novi Sanzhary and were hurling stones at the buses carrying Wuhan evacuees to a local medical facility , for a 14-day quarantine , turned out to be residents of other areas and could not represent the local population .
`` Yes , there were people who had arrived in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I would say 16 out of 24 people were non-local , '' he told a local outlet Kolo.news on February 21 .
At the same time , 23 out of 24 detainees have already been released .
Earlier , journalist Andriy Tsaplienko posted a photo of possible provocateurs in the protests against the arrival of evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak .
`` Ukraine has been discredited , '' Tsaplienko wrote in a caption to the photo , adding that news footage showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemy happy '' , hinting at Russia .
`` This very much resembles the scripts of 2014 where the same kind of our fellow citizens were stopping Ukrainian tanks .
And it seems that the scriptwriters were the same .
It 's a shame that in the sixth year of war , we are still so easy to manipulate . ''

A prominent journalist drew parallels with Russian propaganda which brainwashed Ukrainians in 2014 into blocking Ukrainian tanks from moving into eastern Ukraine's Donbas.
Spokesperson for the Main Directorate of the National Police in Poltava region Yuriy Sulaiev says 16 out of 24 detainees, who had radicalized protests in Novi Sanzhary and were hurling stones at the buses carrying Wuhan evacuees to a local medical facility, for a 14-day quarantine, turned out to be residents of other areas and could not represent the local population.
"Yes, there were people who had arrived in cars with another region's license plates. I would say 16 out of 24 people were non-local," he told a local outlet Kolo.news on February 21.
At the same time, 23 out of 24 detainees have already been released. Earlier, journalist
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Read alsoZelensky comments on Wuhan evacuation effort, shames opponents
Andriy Tsaplienko posted a photo of possible provocateurs in the protests against the arrival of evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
"Ukraine has been discredited," Tsaplienko wrote in a caption to the photo, adding that news footage showing riots against fellow citizens "makes our enemy happy", hinting at Russia.
"This very much resembles the scripts of 2014 where the same kind of our fellow citizens were stopping Ukrainian tanks. And it seems that the scriptwriters were the same. It's a shame that in the sixth year of war, we are still so easy to manipulate."


unian--2020-02-22--WP: Sanders briefed by U.S. officials that Russia trying to help his presidential campaign

U.S. President Trump and lawmakers on Capitol Hill also have been informed about the Russian assistance to the Vermont senator .
U.S. officials have told Sen. Bernie Sanders that Russia is attempting to help his presidential campaign as part of an effort to interfere with the Democratic contest , according to people familiar with the matter .
U.S. President Trump and lawmakers on Capitol Hill also have been informed about the Russian assistance to the Vermont senator , those people said , speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence , according to The Washington Post .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance has taken .
U.S. prosecutors found a Russian effort in 2016 to use social media to boost Sanders ’ s campaign against Hillary Clinton , part of a broader effort to hurt Clinton , sow dissension in the American electorate and ultimately help elect Donald Trump .
`` I do n't care , frankly , who [ Russian President Vladimir ] Putin wants to be president , '' Sanders said in a statement .
`` My message to Putin is clear : Stay out of American elections , and as president I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` In 2016 , Russia used Internet propaganda to sow division in our country , and my understanding is that they are doing it again in 2020 .
Some of the ugly stuff on the Internet attributed to our campaign may well not be coming from real supporters . ''
The disclosure of Russian assistance to Sanders follows a briefing to lawmakers last week in which a senior intelligence official said that Russia wants to see Trump reelected , viewing his administration as more favorable to the Kremlin 's interests , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments .

U.S. President Trump and lawmakers on Capitol Hill also have been informed about the Russian assistance to the Vermont senator.
U.S. officials have told Sen. Bernie Sanders that Russia is attempting to help his presidential campaign as part of an effort to interfere with the Democratic contest, according to people familiar with the matter.
U.S. President Trump and lawmakers on Capitol Hill also have been informed about the Russian assistance to the Vermont senator, those people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence, according to The Washington Post.
Read alsoReuters: Russia denies backing Trump re-election, critics express alarm
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It is not clear what form that Russian assistance has taken. U.S. prosecutors found a Russian effort in 2016 to use social media to boost Sanders’s campaign against Hillary Clinton, part of a broader effort to hurt Clinton, sow dissension in the American electorate and ultimately help elect Donald Trump.
"I don't care, frankly, who [Russian President Vladimir] Putin wants to be president," Sanders said in a statement. "My message to Putin is clear: Stay out of American elections, and as president I will make sure that you do."
"In 2016, Russia used Internet propaganda to sow division in our country, and my understanding is that they are doing it again in 2020. Some of the ugly stuff on the Internet attributed to our campaign may well not be coming from real supporters."
The disclosure of Russian assistance to Sanders follows a briefing to lawmakers last week in which a senior intelligence official said that Russia wants to see Trump reelected, viewing his administration as more favorable to the Kremlin's interests, according to people who were briefed on the comments.


unian--2020-02-22--NSDC Secretary Danilov leaves for Novi Sanzhary

It is noted Danilov has left at the instruction of President Volodymyr Zelensky .
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council ( NSDC ) of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov has left for the town of Novi Sanzhary , Poltava region , after recent riots against evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak .
Read alsoProvocateurs who radicalized rally against Wuhan evacuees `` not local '' , police found '' Danilov will get acquainted in detail with the situation that has developed around the placement of Ukrainians evacuated from China in the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the NSDC 's press service said .
It is noted Danilov has left at the instruction of President Volodymyr Zelensky .
As UNIAN reported earlier , local residents in Novi Sanzhary , Poltava region , on February 20 protested against the arrival of Ukrainian citizens and foreigners evacuated from China and accommodated at a local medical center , which is within the Ukrainian Interior Ministry 's jurisdiction .
Protesters threw stones at buses with the evacuees .
During the clashes , nine law enforcement officers were injured .
The police opened two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riots in Novi Sanzhary and violence against law enforcement officers .
On February 21 , the police released 23 of the 24 most aggressive individuals detained during the protests ; one person remained under arrest .
The evacuees will stay in Novi Sanzhary under 14-day observation with a strict biosecurity regime .

It is noted Danilov has left at the instruction of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov has left for the town of Novi Sanzhary, Poltava region, after recent riots against evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Read alsoProvocateurs who radicalized rally against Wuhan evacuees "not local", police found
"Danilov will get acquainted in detail with the situation that has developed around the placement of Ukrainians evacuated from China in the National Guard's Novi Sanzhary health center," the NSDC's press service said.
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It is noted Danilov has left at the instruction of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
As UNIAN reported earlier, local residents in Novi Sanzhary, Poltava region, on February 20 protested against the arrival of Ukrainian citizens and foreigners evacuated from China and accommodated at a local medical center, which is within the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's jurisdiction. Protesters threw stones at buses with the evacuees.
During the clashes, nine law enforcement officers were injured. The police opened two criminal cases on the fact of mass riots in Novi Sanzhary and violence against law enforcement officers.
On February 21, the police released 23 of the 24 most aggressive individuals detained during the protests; one person remained under arrest.
The evacuees will stay in Novi Sanzhary under 14-day observation with a strict biosecurity regime.


unian--2020-02-22--U.S. Deputy Secretary Biegun, Ukraine's FM Prystaiko discuss Russian aggression

The meeting was held in Washington .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. @ @ @ @ @ aggression in Ukraine .
Read alsoUkraine 's MFA on Arbitral Tribunal award : Russia to @ @ @ @ @ Bridge construction '' Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun met today with Ukrainian Foreign @ @ @ @ @ .
Deputy Secretary Biegun and Foreign Minister Prystaiko discussed their mutual desire for a peaceful @ @ @ @ @ in Ukraine , '' U.S. Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said .
It is noted `` the @ @ @ @ @ Minister on the progress his government has made to combat corruption and institute reforms .
@ @ @ @ @ discussed opportunities for further integrating Ukraine 's military , investment , and trade with the @ @ @ @ @ the report .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Prystaiko said Ukraine was ready for a @ @ @ @ @ but not with the fake puppets , so-called `` representatives . ''

The meeting was held in Washington.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun on Friday discussed Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Read alsoUkraine's MFA on Arbitral Tribunal award: Russia to face legal scrutiny for Kerch Bridge construction
"Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun met today with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko in Washington. Deputy Secretary Biegun and Foreign Minister Prystaiko discussed their mutual desire for a peaceful settlement to Russia's aggression in Ukraine," U.S. Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said.
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It is noted "the Deputy Secretary congratulated the Foreign Minister on the progress his government has made to combat corruption and institute reforms."
"The two also discussed opportunities for further integrating Ukraine's military, investment, and trade with the Euro-Atlantic community," reads the report.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Prystaiko said Ukraine was ready for a dialogue with Donbas residents, but not with the fake puppets, so-called "representatives."


unian--2020-02-22--Coronavirus: sixfold surge in cases in South Korea but China reports fewer new infections – media

The National Health Commission said that another 109 people had died in mainland China , taking the death toll to @ @ @ @ @ surged in South Korea , with authorities reporting a sixfold jump in viral cases in @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday came as China reported a drop in new infections – from 889 a @ @ @ @ @ South China Morning Post reported .
Read alsoChinese woman taken off Kyiv-Moscow train at Russian @ @ @ @ @ media The National Health Commission said that another 109 people had died in mainland China @ @ @ @ @ to 2,345 .
In all , the country has reported 76,288 cases of the virus @ @ @ @ @ 2,393 patients were discharged from hospital on Friday , with 20,659 recovered in total .
@ @ @ @ @ suspected cases , compared with 1,641 a day earlier .
Hubei province , the epicentre @ @ @ @ @ 366 new confirmed cases and 106 new deaths – most of them in the provincial @ @ @ @ @ confirmed case was reported in a prison .

The National Health Commission said that another 109 people had died in mainland China, taking the death toll to 2,345.
Coronavirus infections have surged in South Korea, with authorities reporting a sixfold jump in viral cases in four days.
The announcement on Saturday came as China reported a drop in new infections – from 889 a day earlier to 397, South China Morning Post reported.
Read alsoChinese woman taken off Kyiv-Moscow train at Russian border amid coronavirus suspicions – media
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The National Health Commission said that another 109 people had died in mainland China, taking the death toll to 2,345.
In all, the country has reported 76,288 cases of the virus.
The commission also said 2,393 patients were discharged from hospital on Friday, with 20,659 recovered in total.
There were also 1,361 new suspected cases, compared with 1,641 a day earlier.
Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, reported 366 new confirmed cases and 106 new deaths – most of them in the provincial capital, Wuhan. One confirmed case was reported in a prison.


unian--2020-02-22--Russian-led forces try again to penetrate contact line in Donbas, get fitting rebuff

Under cover of fire from small arms , the enemy tried to take the Ukrainian positions near the village of Novotoshkivske .
A sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Russian-led forces again tried to advance across the contact line in Donbas at night .
`` Under cover of fire from small arms , the enemy tried to take the Ukrainian positions near the village of Novotoshkivske , '' as reported by the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) on Facebook .
The units of the Joint Forces timely spotted the enemy and repelled the attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a military clash , the enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group retreated , having suffered losses .
At the same time , the enemy left the body of the deceased Russian mercenary on the battlefield .
Read alsoUkraine military in Donbas find ammunition available only to Russian army The enemy opened fire from proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars , grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and small arms .
Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the towns of Krasnohorivka and Maryinka , and the villages of Pavlopil , Lebedynske , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Travneve , Novotoshkivske , and Novoluhanske .
`` One member of the Joint Forces was wounded amid enemy shelling on February 21 , '' the JFO HQ said .
Since Saturday midnight , Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions twice near Maryinka , and the village of Novomykhailivka , using a 120mm mortar and a tripod-mounted man-portable antitank gun .
No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops Saturday morning .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Russian occupation forces attacked Ukrainian defense positions in Donbas near the settlements Novotoshkivske , Orikhove , Krymske @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the early hours of Tuesday , February 18 .
They employed 152mm , 122mm 120mm mortars , large machine guns , tanks , and grenade launchers of various types .
Under fire cover , the enemy moved to an active offensive , attempting to advance across the line of contact .
One Ukrainian military serviceman was killed in action and another six were wounded .
Five enemy troops were killed .
Chief of Ukraine 's General Staff Ruslan Khomchak said that the enemy attack was reportedly timed to coincide with the anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Ukrainian troops suffered major losses .

Under cover of fire from small arms, the enemy tried to take the Ukrainian positions near the village of Novotoshkivske.
A sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Russian-led forces tried again to advance across the contact line in Donbas at night.
"Under cover of fire from small arms, the enemy tried to take the Ukrainian positions near the village of Novotoshkivske," as reported by the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) on Facebook.
The units of the Joint Forces timely spotted the enemy and repelled the attack with firearms. As a result of a military clash, the enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group retreated, having suffered losses. At the same time, the enemy left the body of the deceased Russian mercenary on the battlefield.
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On Friday, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 13 attacks on Ukrainian positions.
Read alsoUkraine military in Donbas find ammunition available only to Russian army
The enemy opened fire from proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms.
Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the towns of Krasnohorivka and Maryinka, and the villages of Pavlopil, Lebedynske, Novotroyitske, Pisky, Orikhove, Luhanske, Travneve, Novotoshkivske, and Novoluhanske.
"One member of the Joint Forces was wounded amid enemy shelling on February 21," the JFO HQ said.
Since Saturday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions twice near Maryinka, and the village of Novomykhailivka, using a 120mm mortar and a tripod-mounted man-portable antitank gun.
No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops Saturday morning.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Russian occupation forces attacked Ukrainian defense positions in Donbas near the settlements Novotoshkivske, Orikhove, Krymske, and Khutir Vilniy in Luhansk region in the early hours of Tuesday, February 18. They employed 152mm, 122mm 120mm mortars, large machine guns, tanks, and grenade launchers of various types. Under fire cover, the enemy moved to an active offensive, attempting to advance across the line of contact. One Ukrainian military serviceman was killed in action and another six were wounded. Five enemy troops were killed.
Chief of Ukraine's General Staff Ruslan Khomchak said that the enemy attack was reportedly timed to coincide with the anniversary of the fierce battles near Debaltseve, where Ukrainian troops suffered major losses.


unian--2020-02-22--Iran won't analyze PS752 black boxes without Ukraine – NSDC Secretary Danilov

The official says Kyiv expects Tehran will pay decent compensations to the Ukrainian victims ' families .
Iran will not analyze without Ukrainian experts the black boxes from the Ukraine International Airlines ( UIA ) Boeing , which was shot down by an Iranian missile on January 8 .
`` I can assure the citizens of Ukraine that no one has the right to touch the black boxes without Ukraine .
They are in Tehran now ... Nobody – the Ministry of Defense or anyone else – is touching them , '' Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV channel Inter on Friday evening , February 21 , according to the news portal zn.ua .
The official says Kyiv expects Tehran will pay decent compensations to the Ukrainian victims ' families .
Read alsoCBS News : MH17 prosecutor says Russians `` have n't been helpful at all '' '' I do not want to get ahead of events .
But the process is underway , it is under control .
And believe me , the compensations should be big enough , '' he said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takeoff from Tehran 's Imam Khomeini International Airport in the early hours of January 8 .
It was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members on board .
Two passengers and the crew members were Ukrainians .
There were also 82 citizens of Iran , 63 citizens of Canada , 10 citizens of Sweden , four citizens of Afghanistan , three citizens of Germany and the United Kingdom each .
There were no survivors .
On January 11 , Iranian President Hassan Rouhani officially admitted that the Ukrainian airliner had been shot down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` human error '' and that those responsible would be held accountable .
On February 2 , intercepted communications between Tehran Airport 's air traffic control tower and the second pilot of Iran 's Aseman Airlines flight at the time of the crash of flight PS752 were released by TSN.Tyzhden .
Tehran blamed the Ukrainian authorities for leaking what it described as confidential evidence , and said it would no longer share investigation materials with Ukraine .
On February 14 , the Iranian Foreign Minister said Iran did not plan to hand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decrypt their data without the participation of the parties concerned .

The official says Kyiv expects Tehran will pay decent compensations to the Ukrainian victims' families.
Iran will not analyze without Ukrainian experts the black boxes from the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) Boeing, which was shot down by an Iranian missile on January 8.
"I can assure the citizens of Ukraine that no one has the right to touch the black boxes without Ukraine. They are in Tehran now... Nobody – the Ministry of Defense or anyone else – is touching them," Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov said on TV channel Inter on Friday evening, February 21, according to the news portal zn.ua.
The official says Kyiv expects Tehran will pay decent compensations to the Ukrainian victims' families.
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Read alsoCBS News: MH17 prosecutor says Russians "haven't been helpful at all"
"I do not want to get ahead of events. But the process is underway, it is under control. And believe me, the compensations should be big enough," he said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Kyiv-bound UIA flight PS752 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport in the early hours of January 8. It was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members on board. Two passengers and the crew members were Ukrainians. There were also 82 citizens of Iran, 63 citizens of Canada, 10 citizens of Sweden, four citizens of Afghanistan, three citizens of Germany and the United Kingdom each. There were no survivors.
On January 11, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani officially admitted that the Ukrainian airliner had been shot down by accident as a result of a "human error" and that those responsible would be held accountable.
On February 2, intercepted communications between Tehran Airport's air traffic control tower and the second pilot of Iran's Aseman Airlines flight at the time of the crash of flight PS752 were released by TSN.Tyzhden. Tehran blamed the Ukrainian authorities for leaking what it described as confidential evidence, and said it would no longer share investigation materials with Ukraine.
On February 14, the Iranian Foreign Minister said Iran did not plan to hand the black boxes over but it would not decrypt their data without the participation of the parties concerned.


unian--2020-02-22--Businessman reportedly shot dead in ex-Foreign Minister Kozhara's house outside Kyiv – media

Suicide is being considered as a main theory .
Businessman Serhiy Starytsky has reportedly been shot dead in former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara 's house outside Kyiv .
Police are considering suicide as a main theory , the Ukrainian news outlet zn.ua reported , citing a source in the police .
Read alsoSecurity Administration employee shoots himself dead in Kyiv ; SBI investigating possible suicide The deadly shot was fired from a Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol registered on Kozhara 's name .
The incident occurred at 21:50 Kyiv time on Friday , February 21 .
Kozhara 's house is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv-Sviatoshynsky district , Kyiv region .
According to data from open sources , Starytsky was the founder of Sport Media Project LLC and C.I.U LLC .
The two companies ceased their operations .
Both Starytsky and Kozhara were born in 1963 .
Leonid Kozhara served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in Mykola Azarov 's government in 2012-2014 .
He was a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and ex-president Viktor Yanukovych 's Party of Regions .
In December 2018 , the Socialists Party nominated Kozhara as a presidential candidate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .

Suicide is being considered as a main theory.
Businessman Serhiy Starytsky has reportedly been shot dead in former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara's house outside Kyiv.
Police are considering suicide as a main theory, the Ukrainian news outlet zn.ua reported, citing a source in the police.
Read alsoSecurity Administration employee shoots himself dead in Kyiv; SBI investigating possible suicide
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The deadly shot was fired from a Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol registered on Kozhara's name. The incident occurred at 21:50 Kyiv time on Friday, February 21.
Kozhara's house is located in the village of Chaiky, Kyiv-Sviatoshynsky district, Kyiv region.
According to data from open sources, Starytsky was the founder of Sport Media Project LLC and C.I.U LLC. The two companies ceased their operations.
Both Starytsky and Kozhara were born in 1963.
Leonid Kozhara served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in Mykola Azarov's government in 2012-2014. He was a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and ex-president Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions. In December 2018, the Socialists Party nominated Kozhara as a presidential candidate, but he withdrew his candidacy from the race.


unian--2020-02-22--Go_A wins national selection to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2020

The ESC2020 this year is being hosted by the Netherlands .
Go_A has won the national `` Vidbir '' selection @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 .
The Final of the Ukrainian selection was @ @ @ @ @ The Palace of Culture '' in Kyiv , as reported by Eurovisionworld.com .
Six artists @ @ @ @ @ two semi-finals competed and the results were decided by 50/50 combination of public televoting and @ @ @ @ @ act who won the ticket to Eurovision 2020 is Go_A with the song Solovey written @ @ @ @ @ Pavlenko .
The ESC2020 this year is being hosted by the Netherlands .
The contest @ @ @ @ @

The ESC2020 this year is being hosted by the Netherlands.
Go_A has won the national "Vidbir" selection for the right to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.
The Final of the Ukrainian selection was held tonight live at "The Palace of Culture" in Kyiv, as reported by Eurovisionworld.com.
Six artists who had qualified from the two semi-finals competed and the results were decided by 50/50 combination of public televoting and an expert jury.
The act who won the ticket to Eurovision 2020 is Go_A with the song Solovey written by Taras Shevchenko and Kateryna Pavlenko.
The ESC2020 this year is being hosted by the Netherlands. The contest will start May 12.


unian--2020-02-22--One Ukrainian soldier injured in booby-trap blast in Donbas on Saturday

He was taken to a hospital and provided with qualified assistance .
One Ukrainian soldier was injured in a booby-trap @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , on Saturday , February 22 .
Read alsoRussian-led forces try again to penetrate @ @ @ @ @ get fitting rebuff '' One Ukrainian defender has been injured today after an unidentified explosive @ @ @ @ @ taken to a hospital and provided with qualified assistance , '' the press center of @ @ @ @ @ said on Facebook in an evening update .
In total , Russia-led forces violated the @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , seven times from 00:00 to 18:00 Kyiv time .
Enemy troops opened fire @ @ @ @ @ mortars , grenade launchers of various systems , heavy machine guns , and rifles to @ @ @ @ @ towns of Maryinka and Krasnohorivka , and the villages of Novomykhailivka , Starohnativka , Krymske @ @ @ @

He was taken to a hospital and provided with qualified assistance.
One Ukrainian soldier was injured in a booby-trap blast in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on Saturday, February 22.
Read alsoRussian-led forces try again to penetrate contact line in Donbas, get fitting rebuff
"One Ukrainian defender has been injured today after an unidentified explosive device exploded. He was taken to a hospital and provided with qualified assistance," the press center of the Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in an evening update.
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In total, Russia-led forces violated the ceasefire in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, seven times from 00:00 to 18:00 Kyiv time.
Enemy troops opened fire from proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns, and rifles to attack Ukrainian positions near the towns of Maryinka and Krasnohorivka, and the villages of Novomykhailivka, Starohnativka, Krymske, and Novoluhanske.


unian--2020-02-22--'Iconic' blue UK passports to be issued from next month after EU exit – media

The introduction of blue passports will be phased in and , from mid-2020 , all new passports will be blue to replace their burgundy predecessors .
Britons will see the return of blue passports from next month following the UK 's exit from the EU .
The first of the new-style passports – described by the government as a return to an `` iconic '' design – will be issued and delivered in early March , the Home Office has announced , Sky News wrote .
Home Secretary Priti Patel said : `` Leaving the EU gave us a unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forge a new path in the world .
`` By returning to the iconic blue and gold design , the British passport will once again be entwined with our national identity and I can not wait to travel on one . ''
The introduction of blue passports will be phased in and , from mid-2020 , all new passports will be blue to replace their burgundy predecessors .
Former prime minister Theresa May announced the return to blue passports in December 2017 , hailing it as `` an expression of our independence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's departure from the EU .
The UK adopted burgundy passports in 1988 in line with EU recommendations , with some Brexiteers having used the vote to leave the bloc to argue for a return to the previous blue colour , which was first used in 1921 .
As well as the colour change , the new UK passports issued from next month will be embossed with the floral emblems of England , Northern Ireland , Scotland and Wales .
The Home Office boasts it will also be the `` most technologically advanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raft of new and updated security features .
This includes a polycarbonate data page containing technologies embedded into the document to keep personal data secure .
Standard passports will continue to contain 34 pages , while frequent traveller `` jumbo '' passports will now contain 54 pages .
Those holding valid , burgundy passports can continue to use them for travel until they expire .
From March last year , burgundy passports began to be issued without the words `` European Union '' on the front cover .

The introduction of blue passports will be phased in and, from mid-2020, all new passports will be blue to replace their burgundy predecessors.
Britons will see the return of blue passports from next month following the UK's exit from the EU.
The first of the new-style passports – described by the government as a return to an "iconic" design – will be issued and delivered in early March, the Home Office has announced, Sky News wrote.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "Leaving the EU gave us a unique opportunity to restore our national identity and forge a new path in the world.
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"By returning to the iconic blue and gold design, the British passport will once again be entwined with our national identity and I cannot wait to travel on one."
Read alsoBrexit: Ukraine introduces temporary visa-free travel for UK citizens
The introduction of blue passports will be phased in and, from mid-2020, all new passports will be blue to replace their burgundy predecessors.
Former prime minister Theresa May announced the return to blue passports in December 2017, hailing it as "an expression of our independence and sovereignty" as she planned the UK's departure from the EU.
The UK adopted burgundy passports in 1988 in line with EU recommendations, with some Brexiteers having used the vote to leave the bloc to argue for a return to the previous blue colour, which was first used in 1921.
As well as the colour change, the new UK passports issued from next month will be embossed with the floral emblems of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The Home Office boasts it will also be the "most technologically advanced British passport ever," with a raft of new and updated security features.
This includes a polycarbonate data page containing technologies embedded into the document to keep personal data secure.
Standard passports will continue to contain 34 pages, while frequent traveller "jumbo" passports will now contain 54 pages.
Those holding valid, burgundy passports can continue to use them for travel until they expire.
From March last year, burgundy passports began to be issued without the words "European Union" on the front cover.


unian--2020-02-22--Handziuk murder: Bulgarian court rules to extradite suspect wanted in Ukraine

The court also ruled to arrest Levin to ensure his actual transfer to Ukrainian law enforcement agencies .
The court of the city of Burgas ( Bulgaria ) has ruled to extradite one of the suspects in a deadly attack on Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk , Oleksiy Moskalenko ( aka Levin ) , who was previously put on the wanted list in Ukraine .
`` There is no reason or evidence that would confirm that this person in Ukraine will be subjected to violence , torture or cruel , inhuman treatment or his rights related to criminal prosecution in accordance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not guaranteed , '' the court 's decision says , as reported by hromadske with reference to the Bulgarian media .
The court also ruled to arrest Levin to ensure his actual transfer to Ukrainian law enforcement agencies .
Ukrainian Deputy Prosecutor General Viktor Trepak has confirmed the information , but emphasized this is only the first instance : the detainee has the right to appeal the decision , the appeal will be considered within seven days from the date of its submission .
UNIAN memo .
Kherson activist , advisor to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affairs at Kherson City Council 's executive committee Kateryna Handziuk , 33 , on July 31 , 2018 , survived an act of acid throwing .
She suffered burns to more than 35 % of her body and underwent 11 operations in Kyiv .
Handziuk died on November 4 , 2018 .
The immediate cause of her death was a severed blood clot resulting from the acid attack .
Police originally qualified the attack as an attempted murder committed with extreme cruelty , then its status was changed to completed murder .
Six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mykola Novikov , was later released from custody as charges against him had been dropped .
On May 7 , 2019 , the Prosecutor General 's Office sent an indictment against five defendants in the case of the murder : Mykyta Hrabchuk , Volodymyr Vasyanovych , Vyacheslav Vishnevsky , Serhiy Torbin , and Viktor Horbunov .
On June 6 , the court announced their sentences .
Torbin , the organizer of the murder , was sentenced to six years and six months in prison .
Hrabchuk , the actual perpetrator of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison .
Accused of aiding , Vasyanovych and Horbunov were sentenced to four and three years in prison , respectively ; accomplice Vishnevsky 's sentence is four years ' imprisonment .
Oleksiy Levin , who has a criminal record , as well as Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manger and Ihor Pavlovsky , who was an assistant to MP from the Petro Poroshenko 's Bloc Mykola Palamarchuk , are also figures in the Handziuk murder case .
Moreover , public activists believe that former Chairman of Kherson Regional State Administration Andriy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regional State Administration Yevhen Ryshchuk were involved in the crime .
On January 27 , Levin was taken into custody in Bulgaria 's Burgas for a 40-day term after being detained on January 24 .

The court also ruled to arrest Levin to ensure his actual transfer to Ukrainian law enforcement agencies.
The court of the city of Burgas (Bulgaria) has ruled to extradite one of the suspects in a deadly attack on Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk, Oleksiy Moskalenko (aka Levin), who was previously put on the wanted list in Ukraine.
"There is no reason or evidence that would confirm that this person in Ukraine will be subjected to violence, torture or cruel, inhuman treatment or his rights related to criminal prosecution in accordance with the requirements of international law are not guaranteed," the court's decision says, as reported by hromadske with reference to the Bulgarian media.
Read alsoHandziuk murder: Raids underway in Kherson region in deadly acid attack probe
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The court also ruled to arrest Levin to ensure his actual transfer to Ukrainian law enforcement agencies.
Ukrainian Deputy Prosecutor General Viktor Trepak has confirmed the information, but emphasized this is only the first instance: the detainee has the right to appeal the decision, the appeal will be considered within seven days from the date of its submission.
UNIAN memo. Kherson activist, advisor to the Mayor of Kherson and acting manager of affairs at Kherson City Council's executive committee Kateryna Handziuk, 33, on July 31, 2018, survived an act of acid throwing. She suffered burns to more than 35% of her body and underwent 11 operations in Kyiv. Handziuk died on November 4, 2018. The immediate cause of her death was a severed blood clot resulting from the acid attack. Police originally qualified the attack as an attempted murder committed with extreme cruelty, then its status was changed to completed murder.
Six suspects were detained, one of whom, Mykola Novikov, was later released from custody as charges against him had been dropped. On May 7, 2019, the Prosecutor General's Office sent an indictment against five defendants in the case of the murder: Mykyta Hrabchuk, Volodymyr Vasyanovych, Vyacheslav Vishnevsky, Serhiy Torbin, and Viktor Horbunov. On June 6, the court announced their sentences.
Torbin, the organizer of the murder, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison. Hrabchuk, the actual perpetrator of the crime, was sentenced to six years in prison. Accused of aiding, Vasyanovych and Horbunov were sentenced to four and three years in prison, respectively; accomplice Vishnevsky's sentence is four years' imprisonment. Oleksiy Levin, who has a criminal record, as well as Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manger and Ihor Pavlovsky, who was an assistant to MP from the Petro Poroshenko's Bloc Mykola Palamarchuk, are also figures in the Handziuk murder case.
Moreover, public activists believe that former Chairman of Kherson Regional State Administration Andriy Gordeev and former Deputy Chairman of Kherson Regional State Administration Yevhen Ryshchuk were involved in the crime.
On January 27, Levin was taken into custody in Bulgaria's Burgas for a 40-day term after being detained on January 24.


unian--2020-02-22--NBU strengthens official forex rate to UAH 24.45 to dollar for Feb 24

The hryvnia became stronger for the second day in a row after it had gained three kopiykas in value against U.S. dollar .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) on Friday evening strengthened the official hryvnia exchange rate by three kopiykas for Monday , February 24 , bringing the national currency to UAH 24.45 to the U.S. dollar .
The hryvnia became stronger for the second day in a row after it had gained three kopiykas in value against U.S. dollar , according to the NBU website .
The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hryvnia gained one kopiyka in value since Friday .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Ukrainian hryvnia in January 2020 weakened by 5.7 % against the U.S. dollar , to UAH 25.03 per U.S. dollar and by 4.7 % against the euro , to UAH 27.66 per euro .
In 2019 , Ukraine 's national currency strengthened by 14.5 % against the U.S. dollar , to UAH 23.69 and by 16.7 % against the euro , to UAH 26.42 .
The hryvnia 's historical low against the U.S. dollar was registered at @ @ @ @ @ @

NBU strengthens official forex rate to UAH 24.45 to dollar for Feb 24
17:09, 22.02.20 2560
The hryvnia became stronger for the second day in a row after it had gained three kopiykas in value against U.S. dollar.
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unian--2020-02-22--Week's balance: Cabinet vows to pull labor market out of "shadows", allocates UAH 4 bln in farmer su

Week's balance: Cabinet vows to pull labor market out of "shadows", allocates UAH 4 bln in farmer support, while energy minister announces record cuts in gas tariff

This week will be remembered in Ukraine and , possibly , beyond for an epic manifestation of human ignorance in the case of the evacuation of 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreigners from the Chinese Wuhan , the epicenter of coronavirus outbreak .
Amid manipulation and disinformation in social networks and certain media protests sparked in a small town in central Ukraine against the bringing of evacuees to a local medical center , further radicalized by a group of individuals who turned out to be residents of other regions .
At the same time , the unusually warm mid-February brought a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no less important .
On Friday , Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk reported to the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , on his Cabinet 's performance over the past five months .
Responding to criticism on the part of MPs over the decline in industrial output , budget deficit , and hryvnia revaluation , the prime minister assured that the Government had a clear plan and strategy for what needed to be done .
`` Both the government and the president 's team are very well aware of what needs to be done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been done over the five months , are absolutely groundless , '' said Honcharuk .
However , he did not rule out that the government needed to better communicate its agenda to the public .
`` Now we 're preparing and event , coming in a few weeks , which will be called the 'Development Strategy ' , in order to elaborate on how we will address – in blocks – complex challenges we 're facing , '' the PM said .
Early this week , Honcharuk via his Telegram channel reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remove the labor market from the `` shadow '' in order to provide Ukrainians with civilized employment conditions and at the same time boost tax revenues to local and state budgets .
At present , Honcharuk says , almost every fifth Ukrainian is employed unofficially .
`` Most of them [ are employed this way ] in agriculture , wholesale and retail trade , construction , transport and courier services .
These employees are not protected .
The government launched a campaign to withdraw labor market from the shadow .
After all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget revenues .
This is , first and foremost , about creating civilized working conditions , ensuring that the employees ' rights and social guarantees are respected , '' the prime minister said .
He emphasized that most often entrepreneurs fail to register their economic activity , hire people without formalizing labor relations , concealing part of their working time and wages , disguising labor relations as fictitious self-employment .
Pursuant to the prime minister 's order , the State Labor Service has already taken the first stage of measures , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to the fact that in just two weeks of January , the agency received more than 100,000 reports about the conclusion of labor contracts with 200,000 employees .
In general , the employment rate in the areas where the campaign was carried out increased by almost 26 % against January 2019 .
In 2020 , information and inspection campaigns will be conducted in agriculture , construction , as well as transport and courier services .
`` We respect businesses , and no one will interfere with their work with numerous inspections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , work will be carried out , mostly explanatory one , on the benefits of formalizing [ labor relations ] .
A hotline will also be set up , where those employed illegally will be able to complain , '' Honcharuk emphasized .
According to the prime minister , for 2020 , the government sets the goal of creating 200,000 new legitimate jobs and reducing average job search terms from 3.6 to 2 months , and over the next five years , the goal is one million new jobs .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orzhel said that in February the price of natural gas for the households will be further reduced , which was made possible thanks to the signing of an agreement on gas transportation between Ukraine and Russia , as well as stabilization of the Ukrainian and European markets .
Moreover , the minister expects a record drop in gas prices this summer – to $ 80 per 1,000 cubic meters , while the average price of imported gas in January 2020 amounted to $ 175.3 .
By the way , Prime Minister Honcharuk said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have been three to four times higher than the current one had the transit deal not been signed .
`` We had our previous contract with the Russians expiring on January 1 and there was a serious risk that we would lose transit , which would be a serious blow to the economy and a serious hike in the cost of energy resources for both enterprises and households , '' the prime minister said .
However , while today gas prices are falling on world markets , in a few years they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other hand , imports about a third of gas consumed , which means that it depends heavily on international price fluctuations .
It is possible to soften the price blow to the population if Ukraine drastically boosts own production .
However , due to the lasting lack of investment in this corruption-ridden industry , the government failed to fulfill its strategy of increasing gas extraction by 2020 .
This week National Joint Stock Company Naftogaz of Ukraine introduced its new gas extraction strategy called Tryzub [ Trident ] , which is based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of wells drilled .
The first area is gas production from deep deposits at the Shebelynske field in Kharkiv region .
The second is shale gas .
The state-owned company plans to drill three wells in the Sviatohorsk field in Kharkiv region .
Thirdly , it 's the development of a part of the Black Sea shelf within the large Delfin [ Dolphin ] oil and gas sector located off Odesa region 's coast .
Competition for the development of this site is soon to be announced .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Andriy Favorov , the change in approach to gas production in Ukraine is due the fact that the annual natural decline in the developed fields stands at about 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas .
Moreover , the company 's largest fields were discovered in 1950-1970 and are already practically depleted , so the country needs new growth points , which is what the new strategy offers .
Naftogaz also plans to continue developing traditional fields and intensifying production at existing wells – provided that it is economically feasible .
Favorov stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the increase in gas extraction , noting that in the second half of the year forecasts would be more accurate .
Support for farmers and positional fight for land market Last week , the government allocated UAH 4 billion to support farmers in 2020 .
The funds will be used to reduce the cost of loans and to compensate for the cost of buying domestic agricultural equipment .
In addition , the money will go to the development of farms , livestock , and agricultural processing , horticulture , viticulture , and hop-growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is trying to encourage farmers to engage more in the processing of agricultural products , instead of traditionally exporting raw materials with low added value .
The Ministry for Development of Economy , Trade , and Agriculture said that the next state support program for farmers would be designed for three years ( 2021-2023 ) , and its plan would be released in July .
Meanwhile , the Ukrainian parliament keeps reviewing the amendments to the land market bill .
By the end of the outgoing week , the Verkhovna Rada considered them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , as of February 20 , only one was passed .
Mono-majority 's calls to the opposition to recall most of their edits , which only drag out time , have n't seen success so far .
At the current pace , the final vote on the bill can be expected no earlier than April .
The next week promises to be no less saturated with economic news .
We should expect statements following the Kyiv visit by experts of Ukraine 's key creditor , the International Monetary Fund , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industrial output for January 2020 .

The Cabinet of Ministers launched a campaign to remove the labor market from the "shadow" and distributed UAH 4 billion in support of farmers, while Minister of Energy and Environment Oleksiy Orzhel announced a record reduction in gas tariffs – these are the key economic developments of the outgoing week.
This week will be remembered in Ukraine and, possibly, beyond for an epic manifestation of human ignorance in the case of the evacuation of 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreigners from the Chinese Wuhan, the epicenter of coronavirus outbreak. Amid manipulation and disinformation in social networks and certain media protests sparked in a small town in central Ukraine against the bringing of evacuees to a local medical center, further radicalized by a group of individuals who turned out to be residents of other regions.
At the same time, the unusually warm mid-February brought a number of major economic news which were no less important. On Friday, Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk reported to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, on his Cabinet's performance over the past five months.
Responding to criticism on the part of MPs over the decline in industrial output, budget deficit, and hryvnia revaluation, the prime minister assured that the Government had a clear plan and strategy for what needed to be done.
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"Both the government and the president's team are very well aware of what needs to be done. The allegations that supposedly nothing's been done over the five months, are absolutely groundless," said Honcharuk.
However, he did not rule out that the government needed to better communicate its agenda to the public.
"Now we're preparing and event, coming in a few weeks, which will be called the 'Development Strategy', in order to elaborate on how we will address – in blocks – complex challenges we're facing," the PM said.
Early this week, Honcharuk via his Telegram channel reported that the Government had launched a campaign to remove the labor market from the "shadow" in order to provide Ukrainians with civilized employment conditions and at the same time boost tax revenues to local and state budgets.
At present, Honcharuk says, almost every fifth Ukrainian is employed unofficially.
"Most of them [are employed this way] in agriculture, wholesale and retail trade, construction, transport and courier services. These employees are not protected. The government launched a campaign to withdraw labor market from the shadow. After all, this is not only about taxes and budget revenues. This is, first and foremost, about creating civilized working conditions, ensuring that the employees' rights and social guarantees are respected," the prime minister said.
He emphasized that most often entrepreneurs fail to register their economic activity, hire people without formalizing labor relations, concealing part of their working time and wages, disguising labor relations as fictitious self-employment.
Pursuant to the prime minister's order, the State Labor Service has already taken the first stage of measures, which was to launch a promotion campaign, which led to the fact that in just two weeks of January, the agency received more than 100,000 reports about the conclusion of labor contracts with 200,000 employees.
In general, the employment rate in the areas where the campaign was carried out increased by almost 26% against January 2019.
In 2020, information and inspection campaigns will be conducted in agriculture, construction, as well as transport and courier services.
"We respect businesses, and no one will interfere with their work with numerous inspections. But employees must be protected. Therefore, work will be carried out, mostly explanatory one, on the benefits of formalizing [labor relations]. A hotline will also be set up, where those employed illegally will be able to complain," Honcharuk emphasized.
According to the prime minister, for 2020, the government sets the goal of creating 200,000 new legitimate jobs and reducing average job search terms from 3.6 to 2 months, and over the next five years, the goal is one million new jobs.
Record decline in gas prices
Last week, Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection Oleksiy Orzhel said that in February the price of natural gas for the households will be further reduced, which was made possible thanks to the signing of an agreement on gas transportation between Ukraine and Russia, as well as stabilization of the Ukrainian and European markets.
Moreover, the minister expects a record drop in gas prices this summer – to $80 per 1,000 cubic meters, while the average price of imported gas in January 2020 amounted to $175.3.
By the way, Prime Minister Honcharuk said that the gas price for Ukrainian consumers could have been three to four times higher than the current one had the transit deal not been signed.
"We had our previous contract with the Russians expiring on January 1 and there was a serious risk that we would lose transit, which would be a serious blow to the economy and a serious hike in the cost of energy resources for both enterprises and households," the prime minister said.
However, while today gas prices are falling on world markets, in a few years they could rebound significantly. Ukraine, on the other hand, imports about a third of gas consumed, which means that it depends heavily on international price fluctuations.
It is possible to soften the price blow to the population if Ukraine drastically boosts own production. However, due to the lasting lack of investment in this corruption-ridden industry, the government failed to fulfill its strategy of increasing gas extraction by 2020.
Naftogaz changing strategy
This week National Joint Stock Company Naftogaz of Ukraine introduced its new gas extraction strategy called Tryzub [Trident], which is based on three main directions, rather than the number of wells drilled.
The first area is gas production from deep deposits at the Shebelynske field in Kharkiv region. The second is shale gas. The state-owned company plans to drill three wells in the Sviatohorsk field in Kharkiv region. Thirdly, it's the development of a part of the Black Sea shelf within the large Delfin [Dolphin] oil and gas sector located off Odesa region's coast. Competition for the development of this site is soon to be announced.
According to the chief of Naftogaz's integrated gas business, Andriy Favorov, the change in approach to gas production in Ukraine is due the fact that the annual natural decline in the developed fields stands at about 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas.
Moreover, the company's largest fields were discovered in 1950-1970 and are already practically depleted, so the country needs new growth points, which is what the new strategy offers.
Naftogaz also plans to continue developing traditional fields and intensifying production at existing wells – provided that it is economically feasible.
Favorov stopped short of naming specific target figures for the increase in gas extraction, noting that in the second half of the year forecasts would be more accurate.
Support for farmers and positional fight for land market
Last week, the government allocated UAH 4 billion to support farmers in 2020. The funds will be used to reduce the cost of loans and to compensate for the cost of buying domestic agricultural equipment. In addition, the money will go to the development of farms, livestock, and agricultural processing, horticulture, viticulture, and hop-growing.
Thus, the Cabinet of Ministers is trying to encourage farmers to engage more in the processing of agricultural products, instead of traditionally exporting raw materials with low added value.
The Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade, and Agriculture said that the next state support program for farmers would be designed for three years (2021-2023), and its plan would be released in July.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian parliament keeps reviewing the amendments to the land market bill. By the end of the outgoing week, the Verkhovna Rada considered them more than a quarter of 4,000 amendments and, as of February 20, only one was passed.
Mono-majority's calls to the opposition to recall most of their edits, which only drag out time, haven't seen success so far. At the current pace, the final vote on the bill can be expected no earlier than April.
The next week promises to be no less saturated with economic news. We should expect statements following the Kyiv visit by experts of Ukraine's key creditor, the International Monetary Fund, while the State Statistics Service will publish data on industrial output for January 2020.
Ihor Orel