unian--2020-02-02--Interior Ministry speaker refers to slain journalist Sheremet as "Russian agent", leaked corresponde

Interior Ministry speaker refers to slain journalist Sheremet as "Russian agent", leaked correspondence suggests

The official has not confirmed authenticity of electronic messages attributed to him .
Former press secretary of the Dnipro-1 Police Regiment , Vasilisa Mazurchuk , has published her private correspondence with who she alleges is Interior Ministry spokesman Artem Shevchenko , where he calls journalist Pavel Sheremet , who was assassinated in a car blast in Kyiv several years ago , a `` Russian agent '' .
Mazurchuk posted screenshots of their correspondence on Facebook .
Later , as a proof , she showed a screenshot with Shevchenko ’ s personal phone number on her phone .
In their exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheremet 's murder .
Mazurchuk criticizes the efforts by the Ministry of Internal Affairs .
In particular , the police made public her interceped phone communications between the suspects where Mazurchuk was mentioned .
Shevchenko , in turn , apologizes , but insists that the charges pressed against the suspects are well-founded .
Several statements by Artem Shevchenko from the dumped correspondence are noteworthy .
Read alsoReporters Without Borders concerned over `` inconsistencies '' in Sheremet murder evidence He wrote that some `` counterintel operatives '' allegedly `` dragged the guys into doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interlocutor who she claims was Artem Shevchenko is unhappy about the police having to probe the Sheremet case .
`` Let Yulia and Andriy [ the two main suspects ] honestly reveal who told them to take down this Russian agent Sheremet , '' Mazurchuk 's interlocutor wrote .
In a comment to Hromadske , Mazurchuk confirmed that this was her personal correspondence with Artem Shevchenko .
She added she was sure she was communicating with the Interior Ministry spokesperson .
Shevchenko has not confirmed to journalists the authenticity of the correspondence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ slide with some letters on it – I do n't know what that snap is about , '' Shevchenko said , adding that a lot of unreliable information is being posted on the internet .
Also , he invited reporters to submit an official inquiry .

The official has not confirmed authenticity of electronic messages attributed to him.
Former press secretary of the Dnipro-1 Police Regiment, Vasilisa Mazurchuk, has published her private correspondence with who she alleges is Interior Ministry spokesman Artem Shevchenko, where he calls journalist Pavel Sheremet, who was assassinated in a car blast in Kyiv several years ago, a "Russian agent".
Mazurchuk posted screenshots of their correspondence on Facebook.
Later, as a proof, she showed a screenshot with Shevchenko’s personal phone number on her phone.
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In their exchange, the two discuss the investigation into Sheremet's murder.
Mazurchuk criticizes the efforts by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
In particular, the police made public her interceped phone communications between the suspects where Mazurchuk was mentioned.
Shevchenko, in turn, apologizes, but insists that the charges pressed against the suspects are well-founded.
Several statements by Artem Shevchenko from the dumped correspondence are noteworthy.
Read alsoReporters Without Borders concerned over "inconsistencies" in Sheremet murder evidence
He wrote that some "counterintel operatives" allegedly "dragged the guys into doing a dirty job".
Mazurchuk's interlocutor who she claims was Artem Shevchenko is unhappy about the police having to probe the Sheremet case.
"Let Yulia and Andriy [the two main suspects] honestly reveal who told them to take down this Russian agent Sheremet," Mazurchuk's interlocutor wrote.
In a comment to Hromadske, Mazurchuk confirmed that this was her personal correspondence with Artem Shevchenko.
She added she was sure she was communicating with the Interior Ministry spokesperson.
Shevchenko has not confirmed to journalists the authenticity of the correspondence.
"This is some kind of a slide with some letters on it – I don't know what that snap is about," Shevchenko said, adding that a lot of unreliable information is being posted on the internet.
Also, he invited reporters to submit an official inquiry.


unian--2020-02-02--Team Zelensky eyes holding elections in Donbas late October

Setting up the elections under Ukrainian law is impossible in territories where illegal armed groups operate and if the Ukrainian government has no control over the border .
Ukraine will come to the next meeting of the Normandy Four with a package of agreements that will allow local elections to be held in October throughout the country , including the certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk region , says President Volodymyr Zelensky 's aide Andriy Yermak .
`` In three months there will be another meeting of the Norman Four leaders .
I hope that it will take place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this meeting with a new package of agreements .
I hope we will take the next steps to ensure that the local elections were held , in line with the Ukrainian law , throughout Ukraine [ including in the certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions ] at the end of October , '' Yermak said in an interview aired on KRYM – Critical Thinking YouTube channel , Censor.net reports .
Yermak added that some could call this too optimistic of a scenario .
`` But once people told me it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the president did it .
Do you remember how many world leaders and artists had been voicing appeals and discussing this , and for how many years .
But Zelensky just did it .
He made a promise , and he did it , '' Yermak said .
Read alsoCanada imposes new sanctions on individuals involved in illegitimate elections in Crimea The official emphasized that setting up the elections under Ukrainian law is impossible in territories where illegal armed groups operate and if the Ukrainian government has no control over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have many questions to the Minsk agreements , but this is the only document that has been agreed and signed as of today , and there really is a provision according to which the border shall be transferred [ back under Ukraine 's control ] after the election .
President Zelensky said in Paris we ca n't agree with this because it is contrary to Ukrainian law , '' the president 's aide said .
According to Yermak , that is why the Ukrainian side is now raising the question of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handed to Ukraine before the election .
`` Why are you against this ?
If any guarantees are needed or anything else , let 's discuss this .
I have experience in various hard talks .
So , even if the position of the other side is absolutely unpleasant to you today , there is a need to hear them out , as to achieve any forward movement you need to hear out , understand this philosophy , and try to do everything so that today , not yielding to our interests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this situation , '' the official explained .

Setting up the elections under Ukrainian law is impossible in territories where illegal armed groups operate and if the Ukrainian government has no control over the border.
Ukraine will come to the next meeting of the Normandy Four with a package of agreements that will allow local elections to be held in October throughout the country, including the certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk region, says President Volodymyr Zelensky's aide Andriy Yermak.
"In three months there will be another meeting of the Norman Four leaders. I hope that it will take place, and I really hope Ukraine will come to this meeting with a new package of agreements. I hope we will take the next steps to ensure that the local elections were held, in line with the Ukrainian law, throughout Ukraine [including in the certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions] at the end of October," Yermak said in an interview aired on KRYM – Critical Thinking YouTube channel, Censor.net reports.
Yermak added that some could call this too optimistic of a scenario.
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"But once people told me it was unrealistic for you to get Sentsov back. But the president did it. Do you remember how many world leaders and artists had been voicing appeals and discussing this, and for how many years. But Zelensky just did it. He made a promise, and he did it," Yermak said.
Read alsoCanada imposes new sanctions on individuals involved in illegitimate elections in Crimea
The official emphasized that setting up the elections under Ukrainian law is impossible in territories where illegal armed groups operate and if the Ukrainian government has no control over the border.
"I, like everyone, have many questions to the Minsk agreements, but this is the only document that has been agreed and signed as of today, and there really is a provision according to which the border shall be transferred [back under Ukraine's control] after the election. President Zelensky said in Paris we can't agree with this because it is contrary to Ukrainian law," the president's aide said.
According to Yermak, that is why the Ukrainian side is now raising the question of how the control over the border could be handed to Ukraine before the election.
"Why are you against this? If any guarantees are needed or anything else, let's discuss this. I have experience in various hard talks. So, even if the position of the other side is absolutely unpleasant to you today, there is a need to hear them out, as to achieve any forward movement you need to hear out, understand this philosophy, and try to do everything so that today, not yielding to our interests, we could find a way out of this situation," the official explained.


unian--2020-02-02--U.S. Justice Department acknowledges 24 emails reveal Trump's thinking on Ukraine – WP

Heavily blacked-out versions of the emails in question were released in two batches in December in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Public Integrity after the administration ignored a Freedom of Information Act request for the materials .
Hours after the U.S. Senate voted against seeking new evidence in the impeachment case against President Trump , the administration acknowledged the existence of two dozen emails that could reveal the president 's thinking about withholding military aid to Ukraine .
In a midnight court filing , the Justice Department explained why it should n't have to unredact copies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials at the Office of Management and Budget and the Defense Department about the hold on funds to Ukraine , according to The Washington Post .
Heather Walsh , an OMB lawyer , wrote that of the 111 redacted emails in the lawsuit , 24 are protected by `` presidential privilege . ''
`` Specifically , the documents in this category are emails that reflect communications by either the President , the Vice President , or the President 's immediate advisors regarding Presidential decision-making about the scope , duration , and purpose of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Walsh wrote .
Read alsoZelensky thanks Pompeo for continuous support of Ukraine Democrats spent much of the Senate impeachment trial imploring GOP senators to allow new evidence in the case against Trump .
In the weeks since the December House vote to impeach the president , new evidence against him has emerged , including reports that former White House national security adviser John Bolton says there was a quid pro quo conditioning the aid on investigations by Ukraine that could help the president politically .
Trump and administration officials repeatedly stonewalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow some witnesses to testify and to provide requested documents .
Ultimately Democrats could persuade only two Republicans that more evidence was needed .
On Friday , the Senate voted 51 to 49 to block new witnesses and documents , clearing the way for Trump 's acquittal this week .
Democrats are likely to seize on the new court filing as proof that the trial was incomplete and thus invalid .
Read also '' Please do n't drag us into this '' : Prystaiko to U.S. over Trump impeachment proceedings Heavily blacked-out versions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in two batches in December in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Public Integrity after the administration ignored a Freedom of Information Act request for the materials .
The government 's filing Friday asked the court to deny the organization 's request for unredacted copies .

Heavily blacked-out versions of the emails in question were released in two batches in December in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Public Integrity after the administration ignored a Freedom of Information Act request for the materials.
Hours after the U.S. Senate voted against seeking new evidence in the impeachment case against President Trump, the administration acknowledged the existence of two dozen emails that could reveal the president's thinking about withholding military aid to Ukraine.
In a midnight court filing, the Justice Department explained why it shouldn't have to unredact copies of more than 100 emails written by officials at the Office of Management and Budget and the Defense Department about the hold on funds to Ukraine, according to The Washington Post.
Heather Walsh, an OMB lawyer, wrote that of the 111 redacted emails in the lawsuit, 24 are protected by "presidential privilege."
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"Specifically, the documents in this category are emails that reflect communications by either the President, the Vice President, or the President's immediate advisors regarding Presidential decision-making about the scope, duration, and purpose of the hold on military assistance to Ukraine," Walsh wrote.
Read alsoZelensky thanks Pompeo for continuous support of Ukraine
Democrats spent much of the Senate impeachment trial imploring GOP senators to allow new evidence in the case against Trump.
In the weeks since the December House vote to impeach the president, new evidence against him has emerged, including reports that former White House national security adviser John Bolton says there was a quid pro quo conditioning the aid on investigations by Ukraine that could help the president politically.
Trump and administration officials repeatedly stonewalled the House impeachment probe, refusing to allow some witnesses to testify and to provide requested documents.
Ultimately Democrats could persuade only two Republicans that more evidence was needed. On Friday, the Senate voted 51 to 49 to block new witnesses and documents, clearing the way for Trump's acquittal this week.
Democrats are likely to seize on the new court filing as proof that the trial was incomplete and thus invalid.
Read also"Please don't drag us into this": Prystaiko to U.S. over Trump impeachment proceedings
Heavily blacked-out versions of the emails in question were released in two batches in December in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Public Integrity after the administration ignored a Freedom of Information Act request for the materials.
The government's filing Friday asked the court to deny the organization's request for unredacted copies.


unian--2020-02-02--First coronavirus death reported outside China

Meanwhile , new confirmed infections within China borders jumped by a daily record to top 14,000 cases .
The Philippines on Sunday reported the growing epidemic of a coronavirus has claimed its first fatality outside of China .
The Philippines Department of Health said a 44-year-old man from Wuhan city in central Hubei province , the epicenter of the outbreak , had died in a Manila hospital after developing severe pneumonia , Reuters reports .
It was the first death out of more than 130 cases reported in around two dozen other countries and regions outside of mainland China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a 38-year-old Chinese woman , also from Wuhan , who was the first and only other person to test positive for the virus in the Philippines .
Both patients arrived in the Philippines via Hong Kong on January 21 .
Meanwhile , new confirmed infections within China borders jumped by a daily record to top 14,000 cases China 's death toll from the outbreak reached 304 as of the end of Saturday , state broadcaster CCTV said on Sunday , citing the country 's National Health Commission .
The country is facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curbs , airlines suspend flights and governments evacuate their citizens , risking worsening a slowdown in the world ’ s second-largest economy .
The World Health Organization on Thursday declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , but said global trade and travel restrictions are not needed .
China has completed construction of one of the two new dedicated hospitals in Wuhan to treat coronavirus patients , state media reported Sunday .
Huoshenshan , a hospital with 1,000 beds , was built in eight days and can admit patients from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's environment ministry on Saturday urged local governments to step up disposal of medical and urban wastewater to prevent the spread of the virus .
Local authorities in quarantined areas must disinfect faeces and sewage , the ministry also said .
Genetic traces of the coronavirus were found in the faeces of some patients , said the health authority of Shenzhen , one of the most populous cities in China .
Hubei has been under virtual quarantine for the last week , with roads sealed off and public transport shut down .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break to February 13 in a bid to contain the outbreak .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , the State Emergency Service , the Ministry of Defense , and the Ministry of Infrastructure to urgently develop a response plan and organize evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from China .
By Monday morning , a clear action plan must be drawn by the Ministry of Health on preventing the outbreak and spread of coronavirus in Ukraine .

Meanwhile, new confirmed infections within China borders jumped by a daily record to top 14,000 cases.
The Philippines on Sunday reported the growing epidemic of a coronavirus has claimed its first fatality outside of China.
The Philippines Department of Health said a 44-year-old man from Wuhan city in central Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak, had died in a Manila hospital after developing severe pneumonia, Reuters reports.
It was the first death out of more than 130 cases reported in around two dozen other countries and regions outside of mainland China.
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The man who died was a companion of a 38-year-old Chinese woman, also from Wuhan, who was the first and only other person to test positive for the virus in the Philippines. Both patients arrived in the Philippines via Hong Kong on January 21.
Meanwhile, new confirmed infections within China borders jumped by a daily record to top 14,000 cases
Read alsoChina asks EU for medicine supplies to battle coronavirus
China's death toll from the outbreak reached 304 as of the end of Saturday, state broadcaster CCTV said on Sunday, citing the country's National Health Commission.
The country is facing mounting isolation as other countries introduce travel curbs, airlines suspend flights and governments evacuate their citizens, risking worsening a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy.
The World Health Organization on Thursday declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, but said global trade and travel restrictions are not needed.
China has completed construction of one of the two new dedicated hospitals in Wuhan to treat coronavirus patients, state media reported Sunday. Huoshenshan, a hospital with 1,000 beds, was built in eight days and can admit patients from Monday, the report said.
China's environment ministry on Saturday urged local governments to step up disposal of medical and urban wastewater to prevent the spread of the virus.
Local authorities in quarantined areas must disinfect faeces and sewage, the ministry also said.
Genetic traces of the coronavirus were found in the faeces of some patients, said the health authority of Shenzhen, one of the most populous cities in China.
Hubei has been under virtual quarantine for the last week, with roads sealed off and public transport shut down. The province extended its Lunar New Year holiday break to February 13 in a bid to contain the outbreak.
Read alsoNSDC: Ukraine develops coronavirus test system
As UNIAN reported earlier, Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Emergency Service, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Infrastructure to urgently develop a response plan and organize evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from China.
By Monday morning, a clear action plan must be drawn by the Ministry of Health on preventing the outbreak and spread of coronavirus in Ukraine.


unian--2020-02-02--Ukrainian defense lines in Donbas under fire, soldier killed as enemy forces violate truce

A total of 15 attacks was reported in the past 24 hours , which is almost twice the number recorded in the previous day .
Ukraine Army officials say a military serviceman was killed and another one injured in an enemy shelling in the Donbas warzone as enemy forces violated the ceasefire and engaged Ukrainian defense positions with weapons proscribed by Minsk agreements .
The latest report by the Joint Forces Operation HQ marks an escalation of hostilities as a total of 15 attacks was reported in the past 24 hours , which is almost twice the number recorded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military was injured in a blast of an unidentified explosive device .
The enemy fired on Ukrainian positions using 120 mm and 82 mm mortars proscribed by the Minsk agreements , as well as grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and other small arms .
The JFO Staff says Ukrainian units delivered a resolute response to the attacks of Russian invaders , returning fire and engaging the enemy with weapons that are not banned by the relevant agreements .
There have been no attacks since day-start on Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported earlier , a Ukrainian female combat medic , sergeant Klavdia Sytnyk was killed in action near the village of Novotoshkivske in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .

A total of 15 attacks was reported in the past 24 hours, which is almost twice the number recorded in the previous day.
Ukraine Army officials say a military serviceman was killed and another one injured in an enemy shelling in the Donbas warzone as enemy forces violated the ceasefire and engaged Ukrainian defense positions with weapons proscribed by Minsk agreements.
The latest report by the Joint Forces Operation HQ marks an escalation of hostilities as a total of 15 attacks was reported in the past 24 hours, which is almost twice the number recorded in the previous day.
Also, another military was injured in a blast of an unidentified explosive device.
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Read also"DPR" terrorists put forward condition for new prisoner swap
The enemy fired on Ukrainian positions using 120 mm and 82 mm mortars proscribed by the Minsk agreements, as well as grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and other small arms.
The JFO Staff says Ukrainian units delivered a resolute response to the attacks of Russian invaders, returning fire and engaging the enemy with weapons that are not banned by the relevant agreements.
There have been no attacks since day-start on Sunday, the morning update says.
As UNIAN reported earlier, a Ukrainian female combat medic, sergeant Klavdia Sytnyk was killed in action near the village of Novotoshkivske in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.


unian--2020-02-02--Giuliani sought help for Klitschko in Madrid meeting with Ukrainian president's aide Yermak – media

As he discussed the possibility of a White House meeting for Ukraine ’ s president , President Trump ’ s lawyer asked to save the Kyiv mayor ’ s job , according to The New York Times .
When Rudolph W. Giuliani met with a top aide to Ukraine 's president last summer , he discussed the prospect of a coveted White House meeting for the president while seeking Ukraine 's commitment to certain investigations that could benefit President Trump politically .
Mr. Giuliani also threw in a request of his own : help the mayor of Kyiv keep his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Kenneth P. Vogel wrote for The New York Times .
The mayor , Vitaliy Klitschko , a professional boxer turned politician and longtime friend and former client of Mr. Giuliani 's , was on the verge of being fired from his duties overseeing Kyiv 's $ 2 billion budget .
Firing Mr. Klitschko would have fit with President Volodymyr Zelensky 's campaign promise to fight Ukraine 's entrenched interests and allowed him to replace a political adversary with a loyalist in one of the country 's most important posts .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cabinet approved Mr. Klitschko 's removal , he remains there today , leaving his adversaries in the murky and lucrative world of Ukrainian municipal politics to wonder whether Mr. Trump 's personal attorney may have tipped the scales in his favor .
`` The coincidence in timing between Klitschko 's meeting with Giuliani and the developments in the governance of Kyiv was striking , '' said Oleksandr Tkachenko , a member of the Ukrainian Parliament whom Mr. Zelensky had been expected to nominate as Mr. Klitschko 's replacement .
Mr. Giuliani 's effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , first reported in The Washington Post , shed fresh light on the former New York mayor 's mingling of personal , business and political interests with his role as personal attorney to the president of the United States .
Read alsoSBI questions Klitschko as witness in unlawful allocation of land for housing construction In an interview with The New York Times , Mr. Giuliani acknowledged discussing Mr. Klitschko 's position in a meeting with a senior aide to Mr. Zelensky , Andriy Yermak , in Madrid on August 2 .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I 'm from the outside , but he seems like one of the good guys , ' '' Mr. Giuliani said , recalling the conversation .
`` 'And I 'm speaking , speaking , speaking as a personal friend , not as a representative of the government or anything else . '
'' In the same meeting , Mr. Giuliani discussed a possible Oval Office visit by Mr. Zelensky that the Ukrainian president had been seeking , and asked for a commitment by his government to pursue investigations into former Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Ukrainians who disseminated damaging information about Mr. Trump 's 2016 campaign .
The meeting took place at a time when Ukraine 's new president was looking to cement support from the United States , his country 's most powerful ally in the conflict against Russia , and to build a relationship with Mr. Trump .
Mr. Giuliani said that he made it clear that he was relating his personal view of Mr. Klitschko , not that of the administration .
`` I gave it as my opinion – not the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Mr. Yermak also acknowledged that the two discussed Mr. Klitschko 's fate .
`` Giuliani asked for my opinion about Vitaliy Klitschko as a mayor , '' Mr. Yermak said in a statement in response to an inquiry from The Times .
`` He immediately issued the disclaimer that I should not see his question as an attempt to influence me . ''
Mr. Yermak said he told Mr. Giuliani that he had long known Mr. Klitschko and that he had the support of Kyiv 's citizens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation about Klitschko , '' Mr. Yermak said .
`` As a result I reject any speculation that Mr. Giuliani in any way sought to influence my opinion or to make me accept some narrative regarding Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko . ''
Given the complex and opaque nature of Ukrainian politics , it is not clear whether Mr. Giuliani ’ s intervention was the decisive force allowing the mayor to keep his job .
Read alsoFollowing spat with Zelensky Office chief , Klitschko flies to NY , meets with Trump 's lawyer But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klitschko , a former heavyweight world boxing champion , first hired Mr. Giuliani as a consultant for his unsuccessful run for mayor of Kyiv in 2008 .
Since 2014 , Mr. Klitschko has held dual roles : both the largely ceremonial , elected position of Kyiv mayor and the powerful position of head of Kyiv ’ s city-state administration , an appointment made by the Ukrainian president .
The latter position gives him oversight of matters such as the city budget , building permits and transportation funds , making him one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Klitschko supported Mr. Zelensky 's opponent , the incumbent Petro O. Poroshenko , in last spring 's presidential election in Ukraine .
Mr. Zelensky 's landslide victory appeared to augur Mr. Klitschko 's political demise .
Mr. Zelensky , a comedian , had frequently lampooned Mr. Klitschko on his Saturday Night Live-style variety show , portraying him as a dunderheaded member of Ukraine 's shadowy , corrupt elite .
In one skit , Mr. Zelensky played a translator to a boxing-belt-wearing Mr. Klitschko , who is unable to string together an intelligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr. Zelensky had no way to remove Mr. Klitschko as mayor but could strip him of the more influential post as head of the Kyiv administration .
Ukrainian politicians and analysts expected him to do so .
A confidante of Mr. Klitschko 's , who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was concerned about harm to his business if he spoke publicly , said that by the end of July , `` it was clear that only outside interference , say the president of the United States or anyone on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from dismissal .
As the power struggle escalated , Mr. Klitschko flew to New York to meet with Mr. Giuliani .
On July 30 , in an apparent prelude to the dismissal , Mr. Zelensky ’ s chief of staff , Andriy Bohdan , called a news conference and accused Mr. Klitschko of allowing corruption to flourish in Kyiv .
Without offering evidence , Mr. Bohdan said he had been offered a $ 20 million bribe for Mr. Klitschko to remain head of the Kyiv administration .
The next day , Mr. Klitschko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Mr. Giuliani , his `` old friend and one of the most authoritative mayors in the world . ''
The two discussed `` the situation in Ukraine , '' he said , `` future cooperation between the United States and Ukraine , '' and the topic of `` local self-rule '' – an apparent reference to Mr. Klitschko 's battle to hold on to power at home .
Upon returning to Kyiv , Mr. Klitschko told his aides that his American allies would help him keep his job , according to several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in staff meetings and who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are still involved in municipal politics and were afraid to be identified when discussing issues related to Mr. Klitschko .
`` That 's ridiculous , '' Mr. Klitschko said in a statement on Friday .
Asked about the meeting with Mr. Giuliani , Mr. Klitschko said , `` I did not ask anyone for any assistance . ''
Mr. Klitschko said he had never had a business relationship with Mr. Giuliani , a claim contradicted by Mr. Giuliani , who consulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr. Giuliani said that he had not formally represented Mr. Klitschko in years , `` even though I still advise him . ''
But two days later , Mr. Giuliani was speaking about Mr. Klitschko to Mr. Yermak in Madrid .
On September 4 , Mr. Zelensky ’ s cabinet approved the dismissal of Mr. Klitschko as head of the Kyiv administration .
But on September 6 , Mr. Giuliani fired off a tweet : `` Reducing the power of Mayor Klitschko of Kiev was a very bad sign particularly based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President of Ukraine who has the reputation of being a fixer .
The former champion is very much admired and respected in the US . ''
The tweet came as Mr. Zelensky was scrambling to stabilize his relationship with Mr. Trump after finding out that American military aid to Kyiv had been halted for unexplained reasons .
The last step needed to make the dismissal official was Mr. Zelensky 's signature on the dismissal – a formality , it seemed , since it was Mr. Zelensky 's office that had sought approval for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the signature never came .
Asked by reporters in October , Mr. Zelensky said that he was still thinking about whether or not to sign .
`` When a controversial issue arises , he tries to balance various interests , '' a Kyiv political analyst , Volodymyr Fesenko , said of Mr. Zelensky 's unexpected reprieve .
`` He decided not to make a sudden move . ''
Aside from any influence Mr. Giuliani may have had , Mr. Fesenko points to a power struggle within different factions in Mr. Zelensky 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Zelensky 's own dwindling political capital amid intense criticism from domestic political opponents that he was too soft on Russia .
Through a spokeswoman , Mr. Klitschko declined to comment on the Madrid meeting between Mr. Giuliani and Mr. Yermak , or on why Mr. Zelensky decided to keep him in office .
He described Mr. Giuliani as `` a big friend of Ukraine and one of the most successful mayors of the world . ''
Mr. Giuliani himself became a fraught figure in Ukraine as the impeachment investigation unfolded on Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Giuliani issue became very toxic , '' Mr. Fesenko said .
`` It seemed Klitschko 's team stopped pushing the relationship with Giuliani . ''

As he discussed the possibility of a White House meeting for Ukraine’s president, President Trump’s lawyer asked to save the Kyiv mayor’s job, according to The New York Times.
When Rudolph W. Giuliani met with a top aide to Ukraine's president last summer, he discussed the prospect of a coveted White House meeting for the president while seeking Ukraine's commitment to certain investigations that could benefit President Trump politically.
Mr. Giuliani also threw in a request of his own: help the mayor of Kyiv keep his job, Ronen Bergman, Anton Troianovski, and Kenneth P. Vogel wrote for The New York Times.
The mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko, a professional boxer turned politician and longtime friend and former client of Mr. Giuliani's, was on the verge of being fired from his duties overseeing Kyiv's $2 billion budget.
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Firing Mr. Klitschko would have fit with President Volodymyr Zelensky's campaign promise to fight Ukraine's entrenched interests and allowed him to replace a political adversary with a loyalist in one of the country's most important posts.
But despite the fact that Mr. Zelensky's cabinet approved Mr. Klitschko's removal, he remains there today, leaving his adversaries in the murky and lucrative world of Ukrainian municipal politics to wonder whether Mr. Trump's personal attorney may have tipped the scales in his favor.
"The coincidence in timing between Klitschko's meeting with Giuliani and the developments in the governance of Kyiv was striking," said Oleksandr Tkachenko, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament whom Mr. Zelensky had been expected to nominate as Mr. Klitschko's replacement.
Mr. Giuliani's effort to help his friend and former client, first reported in The Washington Post, shed fresh light on the former New York mayor's mingling of personal, business and political interests with his role as personal attorney to the president of the United States.
Read alsoSBI questions Klitschko as witness in unlawful allocation of land for housing construction
In an interview with The New York Times, Mr. Giuliani acknowledged discussing Mr. Klitschko's position in a meeting with a senior aide to Mr. Zelensky, Andriy Yermak, in Madrid on August 2.
"I said, 'I don't know, I'm from the outside, but he seems like one of the good guys,'" Mr. Giuliani said, recalling the conversation. "'And I'm speaking, speaking, speaking as a personal friend, not as a representative of the government or anything else.'"
In the same meeting, Mr. Giuliani discussed a possible Oval Office visit by Mr. Zelensky that the Ukrainian president had been seeking, and asked for a commitment by his government to pursue investigations into former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., his son, and Ukrainians who disseminated damaging information about Mr. Trump's 2016 campaign.
The meeting took place at a time when Ukraine's new president was looking to cement support from the United States, his country's most powerful ally in the conflict against Russia, and to build a relationship with Mr. Trump.
Mr. Giuliani said that he made it clear that he was relating his personal view of Mr. Klitschko, not that of the administration. "I gave it as my opinion – not the government – and based on our personal relationships," he said.
Mr. Yermak also acknowledged that the two discussed Mr. Klitschko's fate.
"Giuliani asked for my opinion about Vitaliy Klitschko as a mayor," Mr. Yermak said in a statement in response to an inquiry from The Times. "He immediately issued the disclaimer that I should not see his question as an attempt to influence me."
Mr. Yermak said he told Mr. Giuliani that he had long known Mr. Klitschko and that he had the support of Kyiv's citizens.
"That was the end of our conversation about Klitschko," Mr. Yermak said. "As a result I reject any speculation that Mr. Giuliani in any way sought to influence my opinion or to make me accept some narrative regarding Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko."
Given the complex and opaque nature of Ukrainian politics, it is not clear whether Mr. Giuliani’s intervention was the decisive force allowing the mayor to keep his job.
Read alsoFollowing spat with Zelensky Office chief, Klitschko flies to NY, meets with Trump's lawyer
But it is clear that he tried.
Mr. Klitschko, a former heavyweight world boxing champion, first hired Mr. Giuliani as a consultant for his unsuccessful run for mayor of Kyiv in 2008.
Since 2014, Mr. Klitschko has held dual roles: both the largely ceremonial, elected position of Kyiv mayor and the powerful position of head of Kyiv’s city-state administration, an appointment made by the Ukrainian president. The latter position gives him oversight of matters such as the city budget, building permits and transportation funds, making him one of the most powerful people in the country.
Mr. Klitschko supported Mr. Zelensky's opponent, the incumbent Petro O. Poroshenko, in last spring's presidential election in Ukraine. Mr. Zelensky's landslide victory appeared to augur Mr. Klitschko's political demise.
Mr. Zelensky, a comedian, had frequently lampooned Mr. Klitschko on his Saturday Night Live-style variety show, portraying him as a dunderheaded member of Ukraine's shadowy, corrupt elite. In one skit, Mr. Zelensky played a translator to a boxing-belt-wearing Mr. Klitschko, who is unable to string together an intelligible sentence.
After taking power in May, Mr. Zelensky had no way to remove Mr. Klitschko as mayor but could strip him of the more influential post as head of the Kyiv administration. Ukrainian politicians and analysts expected him to do so.
A confidante of Mr. Klitschko's, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was concerned about harm to his business if he spoke publicly, said that by the end of July, "it was clear that only outside interference, say the president of the United States or anyone on his behalf," could save Mr. Klitschko from dismissal. As the power struggle escalated, Mr. Klitschko flew to New York to meet with Mr. Giuliani.
On July 30, in an apparent prelude to the dismissal, Mr. Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Bohdan, called a news conference and accused Mr. Klitschko of allowing corruption to flourish in Kyiv. Without offering evidence, Mr. Bohdan said he had been offered a $20 million bribe for Mr. Klitschko to remain head of the Kyiv administration.
The next day, Mr. Klitschko posted photographs on Facebook of his meeting with Mr. Giuliani, his "old friend and one of the most authoritative mayors in the world." The two discussed "the situation in Ukraine," he said, "future cooperation between the United States and Ukraine," and the topic of "local self-rule" – an apparent reference to Mr. Klitschko's battle to hold on to power at home.
Read alsoKlitschko asks anti-graft watchdog to launch probe following President Office chief's "bribe offer" claim
Upon returning to Kyiv, Mr. Klitschko told his aides that his American allies would help him keep his job, according to several people who heard him make the comments in staff meetings and who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are still involved in municipal politics and were afraid to be identified when discussing issues related to Mr. Klitschko.
"That's ridiculous," Mr. Klitschko said in a statement on Friday. Asked about the meeting with Mr. Giuliani, Mr. Klitschko said, "I did not ask anyone for any assistance."
Mr. Klitschko said he had never had a business relationship with Mr. Giuliani, a claim contradicted by Mr. Giuliani, who consulted for the former boxer's 2008 campaign. Mr. Giuliani said that he had not formally represented Mr. Klitschko in years, "even though I still advise him."
But two days later, Mr. Giuliani was speaking about Mr. Klitschko to Mr. Yermak in Madrid.
On September 4, Mr. Zelensky’s cabinet approved the dismissal of Mr. Klitschko as head of the Kyiv administration.
But on September 6, Mr. Giuliani fired off a tweet: "Reducing the power of Mayor Klitschko of Kiev was a very bad sign particularly based on the advice of an aide to the President of Ukraine who has the reputation of being a fixer. The former champion is very much admired and respected in the US."
The tweet came as Mr. Zelensky was scrambling to stabilize his relationship with Mr. Trump after finding out that American military aid to Kyiv had been halted for unexplained reasons.
The last step needed to make the dismissal official was Mr. Zelensky's signature on the dismissal – a formality, it seemed, since it was Mr. Zelensky's office that had sought approval for the firing in the first place.
But the signature never came.
Asked by reporters in October, Mr. Zelensky said that he was still thinking about whether or not to sign.
"When a controversial issue arises, he tries to balance various interests," a Kyiv political analyst, Volodymyr Fesenko, said of Mr. Zelensky's unexpected reprieve. "He decided not to make a sudden move."
Aside from any influence Mr. Giuliani may have had, Mr. Fesenko points to a power struggle within different factions in Mr. Zelensky's administration as another factor, along with Mr. Zelensky's own dwindling political capital amid intense criticism from domestic political opponents that he was too soft on Russia.
Through a spokeswoman, Mr. Klitschko declined to comment on the Madrid meeting between Mr. Giuliani and Mr. Yermak, or on why Mr. Zelensky decided to keep him in office. He described Mr. Giuliani as "a big friend of Ukraine and one of the most successful mayors of the world."
Mr. Giuliani himself became a fraught figure in Ukraine as the impeachment investigation unfolded on Capitol Hill.
"Starting in late September, the Giuliani issue became very toxic," Mr. Fesenko said. "It seemed Klitschko's team stopped pushing the relationship with Giuliani."


unian--2020-02-01--Turkish President to visit Ukraine Feb 3

A number of bilateral documents are expected to be signed .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Ukraine on @ @ @ @ @ according to the press service of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
The presidents will meet @ @ @ @ @ addition , the eighth meeting of the Ukraine-Turkey High-Level Strategic Council co-chaired by Zelensky and @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv , the press service said .
During the negotiations , the parties will discuss @ @ @ @ @ and cooperation in all areas .
Following the meeting of the Strategic Council , a @ @ @ @ @ expected to be signed .
Zelensky and Erdogan will also visit the Ukrainian-Turkish business forum @

A number of bilateral documents are expected to be signed.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Ukraine on Monday, February 3, according to the press service of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Read alsoTurkey interested in Ukraine's An-178 aircraft – media
The presidents will meet face to face. In addition, the eighth meeting of the Ukraine-Turkey High-Level Strategic Council co-chaired by Zelensky and Erdogan will be held in Kyiv, the press service said.
Видео дня
During the negotiations, the parties will discuss ways to deepen strategic partnership and cooperation in all areas.
Following the meeting of the Strategic Council, a number of bilateral documents are expected to be signed.
Zelensky and Erdogan will also visit the Ukrainian-Turkish business forum.


unian--2020-02-01--Ukrainian female combat medic killed in Donbas

The enemy shelled the Ukrainian positions , using mortars , grenade launchers , heavy machine guns , and small arms .
Ukrainian female combat medic , sergeant Klavdia Sytnyk has been killed in action near the village of Novotoshkivske in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , as a result of shelling by Russian-led militants .
Read alsoUkraine reports eight enemy attacks in Donbas on Jan 31 '' Today we have lost a service member .
Senior female combat medic , sergeant Klavdia Volodymyrivna Sytnyk was killed when she came under fire by terrorist armed formations in the area of Novotoshkivske in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a penetrating left-side chest wound as she was carrying medicine to a sick soldier , '' the press service of the 93rd separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine named Kholodniy Yar wrote on Facebook on February 1 .
According to the military , the enemy shelled the Ukrainian positions , using mortars , grenade launchers , heavy machine guns , and small arms .
Klavdia was born in the town of Zachepylivka in Kharkiv region on February 25 , 1986 .
She graduated from the Krasnohrad Medical College , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to work as an ambulance assistant .
She was called up for military service in February 2017 and signed a three-year contract with the Armed Forces .
Sytnyk served with the 54th separate mechanized brigade , and then joined the 93rd brigade in October 2019 during the latter 's training at Yavoriv Combat Training Center .
Klavdia left her daughter , Yuliya , born in 2008 , her parents , and a disabled sister .

The enemy shelled the Ukrainian positions, using mortars, grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms.
Ukrainian female combat medic, sergeant Klavdia Sytnyk has been killed in action near the village of Novotoshkivske in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, as a result of shelling by Russian-led militants.
Read alsoUkraine reports eight enemy attacks in Donbas on Jan 31
"Today we have lost a service member. Senior female combat medic, sergeant Klavdia Volodymyrivna Sytnyk was killed when she came under fire by terrorist armed formations in the area of Novotoshkivske in Luhansk region. She was killed by a penetrating left-side chest wound as she was carrying medicine to a sick soldier," the press service of the 93rd separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine named Kholodniy Yar wrote on Facebook on February 1.
Видео дня
According to the military, the enemy shelled the Ukrainian positions, using mortars, grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms.
Klavdia was born in the town of Zachepylivka in Kharkiv region on February 25, 1986. She graduated from the Krasnohrad Medical College, where she was trained as a paramedic and used to work as an ambulance assistant.
She was called up for military service in February 2017 and signed a three-year contract with the Armed Forces. Sytnyk served with the 54th separate mechanized brigade, and then joined the 93rd brigade in October 2019 during the latter's training at Yavoriv Combat Training Center.
Klavdia left her daughter, Yuliya, born in 2008, her parents, and a disabled sister.


unian--2020-02-01--China asks EU for medicine supplies to battle coronavirus

On January 31 , the European Union allocated EUR 10 million for 'urgent ' scientific research into the new coronavirus .
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has asked the European Union for medicine supplies to battle coronavirus outbreak .
`` Chinese Premier Li Keqiang spoke with [ European Commission President ] Ursula von der Leyen on the phone , asking the EU side to facilitate Chinese side 's urgent procurement of medical supplies from EU member countries through business channels , '' Global Times wrote on Twitter on January 1 .
In addition , the Chinese Foreign Ministry sharply criticized the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement of the extraordinary step of barring entry to the United States of foreign nationals who have recently visited China .
Americans returning to the United States from China will face enhanced screening and a self-quarantine of up to 14 days .
`` Certainly it is not a gesture of goodwill , '' foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said .
On January 31 , the European Union allocated EUR 10 million for 'urgent ' scientific research into the new coronavirus .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the number of confirmed coronavirus cases grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total to 11,791 .
The death toll in China is now 259 people .
An outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in China 's Wuhan was announced in late December 2019 .
It was established that the agent of a new type of coronavirus is 2019-nCoV .
The virus is transmitted from person to person .
The incubation period lasts from two to 12 days .
According to the Ministry of Health , no patients carrying the new coronavirus have been reported in Ukraine .
Coronavirus was declared a global emergency by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

On January 31, the European Union allocated EUR 10 million for 'urgent' scientific research into the new coronavirus.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has asked the European Union for medicine supplies to battle coronavirus outbreak.
"Chinese Premier Li Keqiang spoke with [European Commission President] Ursula von der Leyen on the phone, asking the EU side to facilitate Chinese side's urgent procurement of medical supplies from EU member countries through business channels," Global Times wrote on Twitter on January 1.
In addition, the Chinese Foreign Ministry sharply criticized the introduction of a public health emergency and announcement of the extraordinary step of barring entry to the United States of foreign nationals who have recently visited China. Americans returning to the United States from China will face enhanced screening and a self-quarantine of up to 14 days.
Видео дня
"Certainly it is not a gesture of goodwill," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
On January 31, the European Union allocated EUR 10 million for 'urgent' scientific research into the new coronavirus.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases grew by 2,102 on Friday, bringing the total to 11,791. The death toll in China is now 259 people.
An outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in China's Wuhan was announced in late December 2019. It was established that the agent of a new type of coronavirus is 2019-nCoV. The virus is transmitted from person to person. The incubation period lasts from two to 12 days.
According to the Ministry of Health, no patients carrying the new coronavirus have been reported in Ukraine.
Coronavirus was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization on January 30.


unian--2020-02-01--Pompeo, Belarusian FM Makei say they ready to make every effort to settle Donbas conflict

However , in the end , Russia and Ukraine must settle the issue themselves , Pompeo says .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei have said they will make every effort to settle the conflict in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
Read alsoZelensky thanks Pompeo for continuous support of Ukraine According to Pompeo , this is just the issue to be addressed by the whole of Europe and the world .
But in the end , Russia and Ukraine must resolve it themselves .
He assured that the United States would do everything it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian service on February 1 , referring to the officials ' joint briefing in Minsk .
In turn , Makei noted that Belarus is ready to provide a platform for any meetings and negotiations to end the war in eastern Ukraine .
`` We are determined , ready and will do everything possible to end the crisis in the east of Ukraine as soon as possible .
We are ready to provide a platform in Belarus for any meetings and negotiations , '' he said .
Makei also added that `` the Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part in resolving the crisis . ''
As UNIAN reported earlier , on January 31 , Pompeo visited Kyiv , where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko , Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk , as well as religious leaders and those of business and civil society .
Pompeo assured that the United States would continue to exert pressure on Russia until it fulfills its obligations under the Minsk agreements .

However, in the end, Russia and Ukraine must settle the issue themselves, Pompeo says.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei have said they will make every effort to settle the conflict in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
Read alsoZelensky thanks Pompeo for continuous support of Ukraine
According to Pompeo, this is just the issue to be addressed by the whole of Europe and the world. But in the end, Russia and Ukraine must resolve it themselves. He assured that the United States would do everything it can, as reported by RFE/RL's Ukrainian service on February 1, referring to the officials' joint briefing in Minsk.
Видео дня
In turn, Makei noted that Belarus is ready to provide a platform for any meetings and negotiations to end the war in eastern Ukraine.
"We are determined, ready and will do everything possible to end the crisis in the east of Ukraine as soon as possible. We are ready to provide a platform in Belarus for any meetings and negotiations," he said.
Makei also added that "the Belarusian side expects the U.S. to play its part in resolving the crisis."
As UNIAN reported earlier, on January 31, Pompeo visited Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko, Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk, as well as religious leaders and those of business and civil society.
Pompeo assured that the United States would continue to exert pressure on Russia until it fulfills its obligations under the Minsk agreements.


unian--2020-02-01--Week's balance: EU praises Ukraine's reforms, Cabinet sacks Ukrzaliznytsia CEO, National Bank lowers

Week's balance: EU praises Ukraine's reforms, Cabinet sacks Ukrzaliznytsia CEO, National Bank lowers key rate to three-year low

The outgoing week began with the sixth meeting of the Ukraine-EU Association Council , held in Brussels .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk , ministers , and diplomats arrived in the capital of Belgium .
The key points voiced by the European partners were the unanimous support of Ukraine and the need to continue earlier launched reform .
The Council noted the ambitious plans of the Ukrainian government and confirmed continued assistance to Ukraine from the European Union .
In addition , the strengthening of the political association , the economic integration of Ukraine with the European Union , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the growth of bilateral trade , were positively assessed in a joint statement released following the meeting .
The Association 's Council also noted Ukraine 's success in stabilizing the macroeconomic situation , and also welcomed government steps taken to open the land market .
The European Union positively assessed the actions of the Ukrainian authorities in bringing national legislation in the field of digital economy closer to European law and confirmed readiness to continue supporting the country 's digital transformation .
In addition to statements on support for Ukraine 's European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Council meeting .
The Ukrainian government and the European Commission signed an agreement on the allocation of EUR 26 million for Ukraine to support agriculture and small farms .
During the event , Prime Minister Honcharuk said that Ukraine had fulfilled all the required conditions for concluding an Agreement on the so-called `` industrial visa-free '' , which would simplify promotion of Ukrainian industrial products on the EU market .
`` We expect that the EU will soon send a preliminary evaluation mission to Ukraine to assess readiness of infrastructure and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually sign the ACAA ( Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products ) , '' Honcharuk said .
Throughout the week , the world has been watching disturbing news about the situation unfolding in China .
As a result of the outbreak of a previously unknown strain of coronavirus , thousands of locals were infected , while the death toll has already exceeded two hundred , and keeps rising .
Coronavirus cases have already been recorded in more than a dozen countries .
Global commodity and financial markets reacted to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prices , a collapse in stock indices , and rising eurobond yields in developing economies .
Ukraine was no exception and responded by increasing the yield of sovereign debt securities , as well as hryvnia depreciation .
Although some experts note that the fall of the national currency in recent days is largely due to internal factors .
According to the Minister for Development of Economy , Trade , and Agriculture Tymofiy Mylovanov , the Ukrainian economy will not feel the negative impact of the developments in China , since it 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct blow .
Meanwhile , in Ukraine this sector accounts for only 2 % of GDP .
The minister noted that , on the contrary , trade turnover with China , one of the country 's largest trading partners , could further grow .
`` We 're not yet predicting a negative impact on trade .
In fact , we took the opportunity to remove several trade barriers to exports from China , but this is unrelated to coronavirus .
Therefore , we generally increase trade with China .
This is good for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Bank officials and experts polled by UNIAN speak about the minimal risks for the Ukrainian economy .
Nevertheless , they emphasize that the government must keep its guard up because if a negative scenario comes into life , the Chinese coronavirus could cause serious damage to the global economy , which will inevitably affect export-oriented Ukraine .
`` First of all , it will be the sectors of the Ukrainian economy working for export who will feel a negative effect – the agricultural sector and metallurgy ... Foreign currency earnings will decrease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employment , '' said Anatoly Amelin , director of economic programs at the Ukrainian Institute of the Future .
Head of the corporate analysis unit at the ICUGgroup , Oleksandr Martynenko , says if the situation further worsens , for Ukraine this could be fraught with a decrease in export earnings , further increase in the trade deficit , as well as a rise in the cost of external borrowing .
Currently , there are no confirmed cases in Ukraine , but this is in no way a reason to relax .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the only carrier operating direct flights to China suspended them starting February 3 .
Last week , almost a month after the head of Ukrzaliznytsia Board , Yevhen Kravtsov , filed a submission for contract termination , the Cabinet of Ministers finally dismissed him .
Commenting on the move , Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk noted that this is an important step for the reload in the state-owned company , and competition will soon be announced to select a new CEO .
In the meantime , the company will be temporarily led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth noting that this procedure required prior approval of the national railway carrier 's Supervisory Board .
Kravtsov earlier stated that the Supervisory Board had no formal grounds for voting for his dismissal since almost all KPIs had been fulfilled ahead of schedule and predictably .
In this regard , Kravtsov believes the company is obliged to pay him `` considerable '' compensation for early termination of the employment contract .
It is unclear though what kind of KPIs Kravtsov meant as experts claim the operating situation of the company started to deteriorate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moreover , it does n't take to be an expert to realize that quality change in various segments should become the main indicator of the company 's true transformation .
But , except the launch of an express railbus to the capital 's Boryspil Airport , Ukrainians did n't notice any positive shifts , still forced to ride obsolete trains , receiving low-quality services .
Another leadership change over the past week occurred at the Social Insurance Fund .
The government approved Olena Duma for the post of head of the Executive Directorate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months amid resistance of opponents of severing old graft schemes .
This week , the National Bank held a board meeting on monetary issues , which brought a number of important news to the market .
In particular , the regulator continued the cycle of monetary policy easing and reduced the key rate by 2.5 percentage points to a three-year low of 11 % .
The key rate is being lowered for the fifth consecutive time – this happened in December , October , September , and July last year .
Speaking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to accelerate the discount rate lowering to 7 % by the end of 2020 .
Minister for Development of Economy , Trade , and Agriculture Tymofiy Mylovanov , the decision of the National Bank to reduce the key rate to 11 % should positively influence the development of the country 's economy .
The important news was the regulator 's revision of inflation and GDP growth forecasts .
In particular , the NBU lowered its forecast for consumer price growth in Ukraine in 2020 to 4.8 % from 5 % previously expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unchanged – at 5 % .
`` Hryvnia strengthening had a decisive influence on the rapid deceleration of inflation at the end of 2019 , offsetting the effects of fairly strong consumer demand , '' the NBU said .
The National Bank also retained its forecast for GDP growth this year at 3.5 % .
The projection for 2021 remains unchanged at 4 % .
At the same time , the central bank improved its balance of payments forecast by raising the expected surplus in 2020 to $ 3.2 billion from the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece of news was the NBU report on improving its forecast for international reserves of Ukraine at the end of 2020 to $ 29.3 billion from $ 24 billion projected earlier .
The National Bank expects the further rise to $ 31.6 billion and $ 32.3 billion in 2021 and 2022 , respectively .
As explained by the head of the NBU , Yakiv Smolii , the better forecast for reserves is due to the expected sale by Naftogaz on the interbank market of $ 3 billion received from Russia 's Gazprom in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another source of replenishment of NBU reserves would be the receipt of a tranche from the International Monetary Fund under a new cooperation program , funding from the World Bank and the European Commission , as well as revenues from the eurobond placement by government .
In the first week of February , while many Ukrainian schools will be shut down for quarantine , the Verkhovna Rada will resume its plenary work and , possibly , pass a law on land reform .
Ukraine and the world as a whole will closely monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors and researchers will be able to install a reliable barrier to curb this threatening disease .

The EU at a meeting of the Ukraine-EU Association Council noted reform progress and allocated assistance for the development of farming, the Cabinet changed leadership at Ukrzaliznytsia and the Social Insurance Fund, while the National Bank lowered the key rate to a three-year low – these are the week's main economic developments.
The outgoing week began with the sixth meeting of the Ukraine-EU Association Council, held in Brussels. Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk, ministers, and diplomats arrived in the capital of Belgium. The key points voiced by the European partners were the unanimous support of Ukraine and the need to continue earlier launched reform.
The Council noted the ambitious plans of the Ukrainian government and confirmed continued assistance to Ukraine from the European Union. In addition, the strengthening of the political association, the economic integration of Ukraine with the European Union, and specific results along this path, such as the growth of bilateral trade, were positively assessed in a joint statement released following the meeting.
The Association's Council also noted Ukraine's success in stabilizing the macroeconomic situation, and also welcomed government steps taken to open the land market.
Видео дня
The European Union positively assessed the actions of the Ukrainian authorities in bringing national legislation in the field of digital economy closer to European law and confirmed readiness to continue supporting the country's digital transformation.
In addition to statements on support for Ukraine's European integration course, concrete results were achieved during the Council meeting. The Ukrainian government and the European Commission signed an agreement on the allocation of EUR 26 million for Ukraine to support agriculture and small farms.
During the event, Prime Minister Honcharuk said that Ukraine had fulfilled all the required conditions for concluding an Agreement on the so-called "industrial visa-free", which would simplify promotion of Ukrainian industrial products on the EU market.
"We expect that the EU will soon send a preliminary evaluation mission to Ukraine to assess readiness of infrastructure and legislation in Ukraine to start negotiations and eventually sign the ACAA (Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products)," Honcharuk said.
Chinese Coronavirus: risks for Ukraine
Throughout the week, the world has been watching disturbing news about the situation unfolding in China. As a result of the outbreak of a previously unknown strain of coronavirus, thousands of locals were infected, while the death toll has already exceeded two hundred, and keeps rising. Coronavirus cases have already been recorded in more than a dozen countries.
Global commodity and financial markets reacted to a growing panic by falling oil and metal prices, a collapse in stock indices, and rising eurobond yields in developing economies.
Ukraine was no exception and responded by increasing the yield of sovereign debt securities, as well as hryvnia depreciation. Although some experts note that the fall of the national currency in recent days is largely due to internal factors.
According to the Minister for Development of Economy, Trade, and Agriculture Tymofiy Mylovanov, the Ukrainian economy will not feel the negative impact of the developments in China, since it's the tourism industry that usually faces the first direct blow. Meanwhile, in Ukraine this sector accounts for only 2% of GDP.
The minister noted that, on the contrary, trade turnover with China, one of the country's largest trading partners, could further grow.
"We're not yet predicting a negative impact on trade. In fact, we took the opportunity to remove several trade barriers to exports from China, but this is unrelated to coronavirus. Therefore, we generally increase trade with China. This is good for the economy," said Mylovanov.
National Bank officials and experts polled by UNIAN speak about the minimal risks for the Ukrainian economy. Nevertheless, they emphasize that the government must keep its guard up because if a negative scenario comes into life, the Chinese coronavirus could cause serious damage to the global economy, which will inevitably affect export-oriented Ukraine.
"First of all, it will be the sectors of the Ukrainian economy working for export who will feel a negative effect – the agricultural sector and metallurgy ... Foreign currency earnings will decrease, which will negatively affect budget and employment," said Anatoly Amelin, director of economic programs at the Ukrainian Institute of the Future.
Head of the corporate analysis unit at the ICUGgroup, Oleksandr Martynenko, says if the situation further worsens, for Ukraine this could be fraught with a decrease in export earnings, further increase in the trade deficit, as well as a rise in the cost of external borrowing.
Currently, there are no confirmed cases in Ukraine, but this is in no way a reason to relax. In the meantime, the Ukrainian authorities announced that the only carrier operating direct flights to China suspended them starting February 3.
Ukrzaliznytsia CEO dismissal
Last week, almost a month after the head of Ukrzaliznytsia Board, Yevhen Kravtsov, filed a submission for contract termination, the Cabinet of Ministers finally dismissed him.
Commenting on the move, Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk noted that this is an important step for the reload in the state-owned company, and competition will soon be announced to select a new CEO. In the meantime, the company will be temporarily led by board member Željko Marček.
It's worth noting that this procedure required prior approval of the national railway carrier's Supervisory Board. Kravtsov earlier stated that the Supervisory Board had no formal grounds for voting for his dismissal since almost all KPIs had been fulfilled ahead of schedule and predictably. In this regard, Kravtsov believes the company is obliged to pay him "considerable" compensation for early termination of the employment contract.
It is unclear though what kind of KPIs Kravtsov meant as experts claim the operating situation of the company started to deteriorate, while cargo transportation volume dropped.
Moreover, it doesn't take to be an expert to realize that quality change in various segments should become the main indicator of the company's true transformation. But, except the launch of an express railbus to the capital's Boryspil Airport, Ukrainians didn't notice any positive shifts, still forced to ride obsolete trains, receiving low-quality services.
Another leadership change over the past week occurred at the Social Insurance Fund. The government approved Olena Duma for the post of head of the Executive Directorate. Her appointment was being approved for months amid resistance of opponents of severing old graft schemes.
Key rate cuts, improved forecasts
This week, the National Bank held a board meeting on monetary issues, which brought a number of important news to the market. In particular, the regulator continued the cycle of monetary policy easing and reduced the key rate by 2.5 percentage points to a three-year low of 11%. The key rate is being lowered for the fifth consecutive time – this happened in December, October, September, and July last year.
Speaking about the prospects, the National Bank announced plans to accelerate the discount rate lowering to 7% by the end of 2020.
Minister for Development of Economy, Trade, and Agriculture Tymofiy Mylovanov, the decision of the National Bank to reduce the key rate to 11% should positively influence the development of the country's economy.
The important news was the regulator's revision of inflation and GDP growth forecasts. In particular, the NBU lowered its forecast for consumer price growth in Ukraine in 2020 to 4.8% from 5% previously expected, whereas the forecast for 2021-2022 remains unchanged – at 5%.
"Hryvnia strengthening had a decisive influence on the rapid deceleration of inflation at the end of 2019, offsetting the effects of fairly strong consumer demand," the NBU said.
The National Bank also retained its forecast for GDP growth this year at 3.5%. The projection for 2021 remains unchanged at 4%.
At the same time, the central bank improved its balance of payments forecast by raising the expected surplus in 2020 to $3.2 billion from the $0.6 billion previously forecasted.
Another positive piece of news was the NBU report on improving its forecast for international reserves of Ukraine at the end of 2020 to $29.3 billion from $24 billion projected earlier. The National Bank expects the further rise to $31.6 billion and $32.3 billion in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
As explained by the head of the NBU, Yakiv Smolii, the better forecast for reserves is due to the expected sale by Naftogaz on the interbank market of $3 billion received from Russia's Gazprom in line with the Stockholm Arbitration award.
Another source of replenishment of NBU reserves would be the receipt of a tranche from the International Monetary Fund under a new cooperation program, funding from the World Bank and the European Commission, as well as revenues from the eurobond placement by government.
In the first week of February, while many Ukrainian schools will be shut down for quarantine, the Verkhovna Rada will resume its plenary work and, possibly, pass a law on land reform. Ukraine and the world as a whole will closely monitor the situation with coronavirus, hoping that doctors and researchers will be able to install a reliable barrier to curb this threatening disease.
Oleksandra Danko


unian--2020-02-01--Marie Yovanovitch retires from State Department – CNN

Yovanovitch is the fourth top State Department official who has departed in the wake of the Ukraine impeachment inquiry .
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch has retired , according to a senior State Department official .
It is unclear when she retired , but the official said it was sometime in the last two weeks .
Yovanovitch was a career foreign service officer for more than 30 years , who was pulled from her post as Ambassador to Ukraine at the order of President Donald Trump , CNN reported .
Yovanovitch is the fourth top State Department official who has departed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The others are former U.S .
Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor , former Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker , and Michael McKinley , the former senior adviser to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
NPR was first to report her retirement , which comes about two months after she provided public testimony as part of the House impeachment inquiry .
She said she was `` devastated '' to find out that Trump had discussed her in such a negative way during his call with President Volodymyr Zelensky in July .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounded like a threat . ''
Yovanovtich did meet with diplomatic security after the revelations earlier this month that Robert Hyde and Lev Parnas were discussing surveilling her while she was in Kyiv .
That investigation has not yet concluded .
Pompeo has never defended Yovanovitch by name .
During an interview in Ukraine today , when asked if he felt any moral tension about Yovanvotich , Pompeo said he did not .
`` We delivered for the President of the United States on a Ukraine policy that will benefit the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come , '' Pompeo said in an ABC News interview .
More background on Yovanovitch : In May 2019 , Yovanovitch was recalled to Washington , months earlier than expected .
The State Department said at the time that Yovanovitch was `` concluding her 3-year diplomatic assignment as planned '' and that her departure aligned with the presidential transition in Ukraine .

Yovanovitch is the fourth top State Department official who has departed in the wake of the Ukraine impeachment inquiry.
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch has retired, according to a senior State Department official. It is unclear when she retired, but the official said it was sometime in the last two weeks.
Yovanovitch was a career foreign service officer for more than 30 years, who was pulled from her post as Ambassador to Ukraine at the order of President Donald Trump, CNN reported.
Read alsoU.S. investigators interview Kyiv Embassy staff as part of Yovanovitch surveillance probe – media
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Yovanovitch is the fourth top State Department official who has departed in the wake of the Ukraine impeachment inquiry. The others are former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor, former Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker, and Michael McKinley, the former senior adviser to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
NPR was first to report her retirement, which comes about two months after she provided public testimony as part of the House impeachment inquiry. She said she was "devastated" to find out that Trump had discussed her in such a negative way during his call with President Volodymyr Zelensky in July. She said Trump's comments about her "sounded like a threat."
Yovanovtich did meet with diplomatic security after the revelations earlier this month that Robert Hyde and Lev Parnas were discussing surveilling her while she was in Kyiv. That investigation has not yet concluded.
Pompeo has never defended Yovanovitch by name. During an interview in Ukraine today, when asked if he felt any moral tension about Yovanvotich, Pompeo said he did not.
"We delivered for the President of the United States on a Ukraine policy that will benefit the American people I hope for years and years to come," Pompeo said in an ABC News interview.
More background on Yovanovitch: In May 2019, Yovanovitch was recalled to Washington, months earlier than expected. The State Department said at the time that Yovanovitch was "concluding her 3-year diplomatic assignment as planned" and that her departure aligned with the presidential transition in Ukraine.


unian--2020-02-01--NSDC: Ukraine develops coronavirus test system

No patients carrying the new coronavirus have been reported in Ukraine .
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council ( NSDC ) Oleksiy Danilov says the NSDC monitoring commission has been working around the clock since January 20 to develop a test system to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus .
Read alsoFirst two persons infected with coronavirus identified in Russia – media '' In fact , our scientists are now developing test systems .
On January 20 , Chinese [ scientists ] shared [ the genetic makeup of ] the RNA virus .
We are now creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] system will be ready soon , '' he said during a `` Freedom of Speech by Savik Shuster '' panel show on Ukraine TV channel on January 31 .
According to the official , the coronavirus situation is under control , as Ukrainian experts regularly monitor the relevanhet information abroad .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the number of confirmed coronavirus cases grew by 2,102 on Friday , bringing the total to 11,791 .
The death toll in China is now 259 people .
An outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 2019 .
It was established that the agent of a new type of coronavirus is 2019-nCoV .
The virus is transmitted from person to person .
The incubation period lasts from two to 12 days .
According to the Ministry of Health , no patients carrying the new coronavirus have been reported in Ukraine .

No patients carrying the new coronavirus have been reported in Ukraine.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov says the NSDC monitoring commission has been working around the clock since January 20 to develop a test system to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Read alsoFirst two persons infected with coronavirus identified in Russia – media
"In fact, our scientists are now developing test systems. On January 20, Chinese [scientists] shared [the genetic makeup of] the RNA virus. We are now creating the systems and our own [test] system will be ready soon," he said during a "Freedom of Speech by Savik Shuster" panel show on Ukraine TV channel on January 31.
Видео дня
According to the official, the coronavirus situation is under control, as Ukrainian experts regularly monitor the relevanhet information abroad.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases grew by 2,102 on Friday, bringing the total to 11,791. The death toll in China is now 259 people.
An outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in China's Wuhan was announced in late December 2019. It was established that the agent of a new type of coronavirus is 2019-nCoV. The virus is transmitted from person to person. The incubation period lasts from two to 12 days.
According to the Ministry of Health, no patients carrying the new coronavirus have been reported in Ukraine.


unian--2020-02-01--NBU weakens official forex rate to UAH 25.03 to dollar for Feb 3

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NBU weakens official forex rate to UAH 25.03 to dollar for Feb 3
11:08, 01.02.20 2587
The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 27.66 per euro.
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unian--2020-02-01--Ukraine reports eight enemy attacks in Donbas on Jan 31

There were no Ukrainian army casualties in the past day .
Russia 's hybrid military forces on Friday mounted eight @ @ @ @ @ Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
`` The armed forces of the Russian Federation violated the @ @ @ @ @ 31 , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation said in a @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv time on February 1 , 2020 .
The enemy opened fire from 82mm mortars @ @ @ @ @ the Minsk peace agreements , as well as grenade launchers of various systems , heavy @ @ @ @ @ small arms .
In particular , five attacks were reported in the Skhid ( East @ @ @ @ @ town of Avdiyivka , as well as near the villages of Shyrokyne , Starohnativka , @ @ @ @ @ Three enemy attacks were recorded in the Pivnich ( North ) sector : near the @ @ @ @ @ ) and Novoluhanske .
There were no Ukrainian army casualties in the past day .
@ @ @ @ @ forces have been observing the ceasefire .

There were no Ukrainian army casualties in the past day.
Russia's hybrid military forces on Friday mounted eight attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
Read alsoUkraine's JFO HQ reports enemy death toll in Donbas in January
"The armed forces of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire eight times on January 31," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on February 1, 2020.
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The enemy opened fire from 82mm mortars, which are banned under the Minsk peace agreements, as well as grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns, and other small arms.
In particular, five attacks were reported in the Skhid (East) sector: near the town of Avdiyivka, as well as near the villages of Shyrokyne, Starohnativka, Lebedynske, and Vasylivka.
Three enemy attacks were recorded in the Pivnich (North) sector: near the villages of Luhanske (twice) and Novoluhanske.
There were no Ukrainian army casualties in the past day.
Since Saturday midnight, Russian-led forces have been observing the ceasefire.


unian--2020-01-31--Details of Russia-Ukraine gas transit contract revealed

Details of Russia-Ukraine gas transit contract revealed
23:45, 31.01.20 2183
Transit of Russian gas through the Ukrainian GTS will have totaled 225 billion cubic meters (bcm) by 2024.
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unian--2020-01-31--Foreigners buy up Ukraine's domestic bonds worth over US$287 mln since year-start

Foreigners buy up Ukraine's domestic bonds worth over US$287 mln since year-start
23:15, 31.01.20 1958
Non-residents' share on the government bonds market as of January 31 exceeded 15%.
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unian--2020-01-31--Ukraine's former prosecutor general claims survived mercury poisoning

He went on to suggest that it was Joe Biden who could stand behind the attempt .
Former Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Shokin claims he survived mercury poisoning in September 2019 .
He felt unwell while on a trip to Greece where he went after his brother died , Shokin told the TSN news service .
`` This happened on September 10 , 2019 .
It was in Greece , where I was on a private trip .
It was n't a vacation .
Unfortunately , my brother died , and we buried him .
After this , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a vacation .
But I did want to spend some time on my own .
I have very good friends in Greece .
I went over to visit them .
And on September 10 , when I got out of the car , I lost consciousness and fell on the ground .
I do n't quite remember what happened next , but those who were around later told me that I was very lucky that this happened in that place and at that time .
It happened at approximately 11:40 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as the ambulance and great professionals , '' Shokiin said .
The former PG added he had suffered two cardiac arrests , could not walk , so he had to learn to walk again .
`` According to the conclusion of the Greek clinic , where I was first admitted at intensive care , I had two cardiac arrests .
In order to revive me , defibrillators were used in intensive care .
Then I spent eight days there before being transferred to the ward .
I could n't walk , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , '' he said .
The ex-official says he was discharged from hospital on September 20 and that he arrived in Kyiv on September 22 .
`` There was a need to continue treatment in order to return to normal life .
They advised me to go to a clinic in Vienna .
When I arrived in Vienna on October 9 , 2019 , I went to Nikolai Nikolaevich Korpan , a physician .
He told me about [ former president of Ukraine Viktor ] Yushchenko and that he actually took part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poisoned ] , '' said Shokin .
According to the former head of the Prosecutor General , he suffered mercury poisoning .
`` On October 11 , a doctor came to me and asked me : 'Are you aware that you have mercury in you ? '
`` The findings indicate that mercury content in my body is 9.7 % , that is , five times over the maximum limit .
Then I found out that the methods of mercury poisoning vary greatly – they can poison you with mercury vapor , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends at the SBU told me , this poisoning method is somewhat outdated , but it is sometimes used , '' he said .
Read also '' I do n't trust any word he is now saying '' : FM Prystaiko on Giuliani associate 's statements on Ukraine Shokin suggests `` there is a possibility of Biden 's involvement '' in his poisoning .
`` I have no obvious enemies , of whom I 'm positively aware that they are my enemies .
Of course , one of the versions – although this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a possibility of [ Joe ] Biden ’ s involvement in all of this in some way .
I officially contacted the Greek law enforcement on this matter – they have my official statement as I asked them to investigate .
As far as I know , a criminal case has been opened and is being investigated , but this is just my information .
Officially , I have n't received a response , although I contacted them quite a while ago regarding the launch of criminal proceedings in connection with my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Earlier , Rudy Giuliani , U.S. President Donald Trump 's personal lawyer , spoke about the alleged assassination attempt on Viktor Shokin and called the latter one of the main witnesses in the U.S. internal political confrontation .

He went on to suggest that it was Joe Biden who could stand behind the attempt.
Former Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Shokin claims he survived mercury poisoning in September 2019.
He felt unwell while on a trip to Greece where he went after his brother died, Shokin told the TSN news service.
"This happened on September 10, 2019. It was in Greece, where I was on a private trip. It wasn't a vacation. Unfortunately, my brother died, and we buried him. After this, you know, no one would really like to have a vacation. But I did want to spend some time on my own. I have very good friends in Greece. I went over to visit them. And on September 10, when I got out of the car, I lost consciousness and fell on the ground. I don't quite remember what happened next, but those who were around later told me that I was very lucky that this happened in that place and at that time. It happened at approximately 11:40, and the hospital was nearby, as well as the ambulance and great professionals," Shokiin said.
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The former PG added he had suffered two cardiac arrests, could not walk, so he had to learn to walk again.
"According to the conclusion of the Greek clinic, where I was first admitted at intensive care, I had two cardiac arrests. In order to revive me, defibrillators were used in intensive care. Then I spent eight days there before being transferred to the ward. I couldn't walk, so I had to learn to walk there again," he said.
Read alsoUkrainian prosecutor comments on Yovanovitch surveillance allegations
The ex-official says he was discharged from hospital on September 20 and that he arrived in Kyiv on September 22.
"There was a need to continue treatment in order to return to normal life. They advised me to go to a clinic in Vienna. When I arrived in Vienna on October 9, 2019, I went to Nikolai Nikolaevich Korpan, a physician. He told me about [former president of Ukraine Viktor] Yushchenko and that he actually took part in curing him [Yushchenko had been poisoned]," said Shokin.
According to the former head of the Prosecutor General, he suffered mercury poisoning.
"On October 11, a doctor came to me and asked me: 'Are you aware that you have mercury in you?' "The findings indicate that mercury content in my body is 9.7%, that is, five times over the maximum limit. Then I found out that the methods of mercury poisoning vary greatly – they can poison you with mercury vapor, and there are other ways. As my friends at the SBU told me, this poisoning method is somewhat outdated, but it is sometimes used," he said.
Read also"I don't trust any word he is now saying": FM Prystaiko on Giuliani associate's statements on Ukraine
Shokin suggests "there is a possibility of Biden's involvement" in his poisoning.
"I have no obvious enemies, of whom I'm positively aware that they are my enemies. Of course, one of the versions – although this version requires probing – is that there's a possibility of [Joe] Biden’s involvement in all of this in some way. I officially contacted the Greek law enforcement on this matter – they have my official statement as I asked them to investigate. As far as I know, a criminal case has been opened and is being investigated, but this is just my information. Officially, I haven't received a response, although I contacted them quite a while ago regarding the launch of criminal proceedings in connection with my premeditated murder [attempt]," he said.
Earlier, Rudy Giuliani, U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, spoke about the alleged assassination attempt on Viktor Shokin and called the latter one of the main witnesses in the U.S. internal political confrontation.


unian--2020-01-31--Britain could freeze Russia's assets after Brexit – media

London is leaning toward a tougher American stance on sanctions , while the EU may start easing pressure following the UK withdrawal .
Companies operating in Europe face a headache as the UK prepares to diverge from the European Union 's sanctions regime , making it even more complex to avoid doing business with blacklisted people , businesses and countries .
A framework of EU restrictions against countries from Venezuela to Russia , designed to support goals such as defending human rights and fighting terrorism , is initially set to be largely mimicked by the UK following the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of this year , the Financial Times reports .
But UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab is expected to outline a new British sanctions regime in February , targeted at individuals deemed responsible for human rights abuses .
This is to be followed by the publication of a list of people whose assets in the UK are to be frozen .
And compliance lawyers see signs that the UK will eventually gravitate closer to the US stance on sanctions .
Meanwhile , the EU , shorn of a UK that has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bloc ’ s sanctions regulations , could start to soften its approach .
Read alsoPompeo assures Ukraine of U.S. support in countering Russian aggression – MFA '' I see the UK drifting to more of a mid-Atlantic position , '' says Sunny Mann , who co-leads law firm Baker McKenzie 's UK compliance and investigations practice .
He adds : `` I can see the EU drifting below the current benchmark if the UK is not at the table pushing for tougher sanctions . ''
The UK is also expected to slap travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for human rights abuses , similar to steps taken in the US following the 2012 “ Magnitsky act ” — named after a whistleblowing Russian lawyer beaten to death in a Moscow jail in 2009 after uncovering a $ 230m fraud by tax officials .
Currently , the UK sanctions policy is largely determined by the EU .
Some of these sanctions are mandatory , arising from membership of the UN .
Others , however , are set by the EU itself .

London is leaning toward a tougher American stance on sanctions, while the EU may start easing pressure following the UK withdrawal.
Companies operating in Europe face a headache as the UK prepares to diverge from the European Union's sanctions regime, making it even more complex to avoid doing business with blacklisted people, businesses and countries.
A framework of EU restrictions against countries from Venezuela to Russia, designed to support goals such as defending human rights and fighting terrorism, is initially set to be largely mimicked by the UK following the end of the Brexit transition period, scheduled for the end of this year, the Financial Times reports.
But UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab is expected to outline a new British sanctions regime in February, targeted at individuals deemed responsible for human rights abuses. This is to be followed by the publication of a list of people whose assets in the UK are to be frozen. And compliance lawyers see signs that the UK will eventually gravitate closer to the US stance on sanctions. Meanwhile, the EU, shorn of a UK that has been the driving force behind much of the bloc’s sanctions regulations, could start to soften its approach.
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Read alsoPompeo assures Ukraine of U.S. support in countering Russian aggression – MFA
"I see the UK drifting to more of a mid-Atlantic position," says Sunny Mann, who co-leads law firm Baker McKenzie's UK compliance and investigations practice. He adds: "I can see the EU drifting below the current benchmark if the UK is not at the table pushing for tougher sanctions."
The UK is also expected to slap travel bans and asset freezes on Russians responsible for human rights abuses, similar to steps taken in the US following the 2012 “Magnitsky act” — named after a whistleblowing Russian lawyer beaten to death in a Moscow jail in 2009 after uncovering a $230m fraud by tax officials.
Currently, the UK sanctions policy is largely determined by the EU. Some of these sanctions are mandatory, arising from membership of the UN. Others, however, are set by the EU itself.


unian--2020-01-31--NBU over week spends over $143 mln on maintaining hryvnia rate

NBU over week spends over $143 mln on maintaining hryvnia rate
21:45, 31.01.20 1512
During the reporting period, the regulator bought no foreign currency.
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unian--2020-01-31--"DPR" terrorists put forward condition for new prisoner swap

Until it 's met , they do not intend to negotiate on the new exchange effort .
The so-called `` DPR '' , the Donetsk People 's Republic , has put forward the condition for the Ukrainian side that has to be implemented before a new exchange of held persons could be carried out .
That 's according to a self-styled `` ombudsperson of the DPR '' , Daria Morozova , read the reports by media operating in the temporarily occupied territories .
Morozova says `` DPR '' representatives to the humanitarian subgroup at the Minsk talks will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleansing '' procedure is complete regarding persons Ukraine released earlier .
`` An exchange that took place on December 29 , 2019 , will be considered completed only after the completion of the procedure for the procedural cleaning of previously held persons .
Until this paragraph is completed , any new actions toward the swap is off the table , '' she said .
Read alsoNo new prisoner swap deal with Ukraine so far , Russian ombudsperson says As UNIAN reported earlier , on December 29 at the Mayorske checkpoint in Donetsk region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held between the Ukrainian side and representatives of the occupied territories .
Among those whom Ukraine handed over to the self-styled `` authorities '' in the occupied territories are those tried in Ukrainian courts .
In one of the courts in Kyiv , hearings continue in the case of former `` Berkut '' riot police operatives , who are charged of in mass shootings at the Maidan during the Revolution of Dignity in February 2014 .

Until it's met, they do not intend to negotiate on the new exchange effort.
The so-called "DPR", the Donetsk People's Republic, has put forward the condition for the Ukrainian side that has to be implemented before a new exchange of held persons could be carried out.
That's according to a self-styled "ombudsperson of the DPR", Daria Morozova, read the reports by media operating in the temporarily occupied territories.
Morozova says "DPR" representatives to the humanitarian subgroup at the Minsk talks will not be discussing any new exchange until "procedural cleansing" procedure is complete regarding persons Ukraine released earlier.
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"An exchange that took place on December 29, 2019, will be considered completed only after the completion of the procedure for the procedural cleaning of previously held persons. Until this paragraph is completed, any new actions toward the swap is off the table," she said.
Read alsoNo new prisoner swap deal with Ukraine so far, Russian ombudsperson says
As UNIAN reported earlier, on December 29 at the Mayorske checkpoint in Donetsk region, an exchange of held persons was held between the Ukrainian side and representatives of the occupied territories.
Seventy-six persons were returned to Ukraine.
Among those whom Ukraine handed over to the self-styled "authorities" in the occupied territories are those tried in Ukrainian courts.
In one of the courts in Kyiv, hearings continue in the case of former "Berkut" riot police operatives, who are charged of in mass shootings at the Maidan during the Revolution of Dignity in February 2014.