unian--2020-01-16--Serhiy Zgurets: Ukraine needs to form a new face of its defense industry, which will be clear to con

Serhiy Zgurets: Ukraine needs to form a new face of its defense industry, which will be clear to consumers and the Army

What was the past year like for the national defense industry ?
Ukraine 's defense industry last year was supposed to solve a number of tasks that were mainly related to covering the needs of the Armed Forces .
The export component has so far been put to the background .
This mainly concerns state and private companies that are involved in the implementation of the State Defense Order .
This is about the delivery to Ukrainian troops of new and modernized equipment and the repair of hardware that is in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation looks more or less optimistic .
Such systems as the Bars self-propelled mortars and the Obolon-A artillery control system have been delivered .
Our Army received a significant number of rockets for the multiple launch rocket system of the Vilkha and Vilkha-R project , more than 6,000 guided anti-tank missiles – we are talking about the Stuhna anti-tank missile system and the Kombat anti-tank guided missile .
To this we can add a division of Bars-8 – a mobile mortar system .
Remembering last year , we ca n't fail to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kharkiv-based defense enterprises .
Then the head of state was shocked by the fact that over the past ten years , the Army received only one new tank .
As for the new tanks , for some period only export contracts were being carried out .
The Malyshev Plant delivered about 45 new Oplot tanks to Thailand .
Now the plant is working on addressing issues related to the production of armored personnel carriers for the Armed Forces of Ukraine .
As for the production of Oplot tanks for our Army , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau of Mechanical Engineering has completed preparation of import substitution documentation .
Should we expect the start of the production of Oplot tanks in the near future ?
I think that the Oplot tank is clearly not worth expecting over the next two years .
Now the more urgent task is to complete modernization of the T-64 tank under the so-called Crab project .
It provides that the tank will be able to fight at night hours , so it will be equipped with all relevant devices and protection systems .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mobility .
This is one of the priority tasks because the Crab is not much inferior to the Oplot in terms of combat effectiveness , while the price ratio , I believe , will be one to five .
At the end of last year , the League of Defense Enterprises addressed the president with an open letter , expressing concern that the implementation of the State Defense Order was actually blocked despite budget funds having been allocated .
The statement is related to the risks that the current situation carries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the whole year and do n't have the orders on which they earlier counted even within the framework of the existing state arms development programs .
Under those programs , within the State Defense Order , certain potential load volumes used to be laid out for each year .
Given that they began to change the rules of the game in the form of a defense procurement bill and began to transform the procurement system in the Ministry of Defense , a legal collision emerged where officials are in no hurry to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the enterprises do n't understand what will happen to them tomorrow .
The risks added up of procuring foreign equipment , which could knock down some of our enterprises manufacturing similar products .
Moreover , the purchase of technologically sophisticated equipment of foreign production actually freezes the areas where we must create our own competence .
This applies to electronic warfare systems , automation systems , aircraft , and air defense systems , which is especially important because we serious potential .
Market players seek a more understandable mechanism for interacting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game .
Is there any risk that defense enterprises make a U-turn to other markets to satisfy their demand ?
Such fears are entirely possible .
But when we talk about improving defense capabilities of our Army , we should not profess the strategy that the incumbent leadership of our defense ministry praises by saying that supporting national defense industry is not their task .
Then our enterprises wo n't be able to work on projects that will be in demand on foreign markets .
We ca n't go beyond the ceiling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To reach a new level , they need to utilize government funds adequately .
If we cut off the connection between the defense industry and the Army , as the Ministry of Defense insists , we cut off opportunities for the development of our defense enterprises .
If we sever this connection , we will remain at the level of the country that is engaged in modernizing Soviet technology , but we 've already almost walked this whole path .
We are now losing our face .
We need to form a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will be clear to our consumers and the Ukrainian Army .
How can you generally assess the past year from the perspective of forming a `` new face '' of the national defense industry ?
When we talk about the new face of the defense industry , it should correspond to the trends and needs that are being formed by the new face of military operations .
Now they are based on reliable control of the units , the ability to deliver high-precision strikes from various locations , have dispersed units , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on artificial intelligence and communication systems .
If we look at the Ukrainian defense industry and its products through this prism , it appears that the industry so far addresses urgent needs rather than reflects the latest trends .
The urgent need today is to provide our units with the required number of repaired hardware and boost firepower .
If we talk about the face of the industry in terms of future conflicts and demand of foreign markets , there is no such recognizable face yet , unfortunately .
Is there an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue needs to be urgently addressed ?
There was an idea of reformatting Ukroboronprom into a holding company .
The answer to this question needs to be built based on the review of the defense complex , which the Ministry of Economy plans to complete at the end of the first quarter of 2020 .
Based on the available stats and a detailed study of each defense enterprise , it will be possible to say what we 're able to produce , and to evaluate our companies .
In addition to Ukroboronprom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of privately-owned companies , but they did not even start working with them .
That 's because there 's a big risk that the Ministry of Economy will disrupt the implementation of the defense industry review .
I think that there is a big gap between what the Army wants and what the defense industry is capable of delivering .
As for the holding , any idea has the right to life , if only it is brought to a specific result , the effectiveness of which could be verified .
If some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner and that 's why defense companies are put up for privatization and corporatization , there 's a counterargument that this is not the state , but specific managers who are bad performers .
Another positive example is the Luch Design Bureau , which chose to rely on the effective role of CEO and general designer in one person rather than on market methods .
Their positive experience could be shared with other clusters .
State budget 2020 provides for an increase in funding for security and defense by about UAH 40 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to improve the situation in the industry ?
The amount of funds allocated is not a significant factor , I believe .
It is imperative that defense planning has no vulnerabilities .
If we take into account the fact that politicians are trying to pass a bill on defense procurements , we will form new rules of the game in financing the State Defense Order .
Moreover , the bill implies the adoption of about thirty other by-laws .
If the law changes the order of planning and pricing , this can leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in limbo because it 'll be unclear who is responsible for what , who sets the price , and so on .
Therefore , the adoption of a poorly thought-over law could become a time bomb and a serious risk for the national defense industry .
What else can the national defense industry expect in 2020 ?
In my opinion , this will be a rather difficult year because we will find ourselves in a situation of two trends .
Firstly , if the legal framework in the field of procurement and production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this will complicate relations between developers and customers .
Secondly , the Ministry of Defense may insist that we should start purchasing foreign equipment , since national industry is unable to cover the Army 's needs .
This year will see the start of negotiations with foreign manufacturers .
As the experience shows of our closest neighbors , like Poland , this poses a threat to the national defense industry .
This is the main risk .
Also , we should n't forget about military risks , because Russia 's potential has n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had made a bet on destabilizing Ukraine through political mechanisms .
The year will be a difficult one because of the U.S. elections , as the change of leadership there also bears certain risks .
What new things will this year bring in relation to weapons ?
We 're entering this year with the need to start serial production of the Neptun cruise anti-ship missile complex , which is now at its final test phase .
We 're also expecting to see the launch of mass production and purchase of Vilkha-M , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vilkha and Vilkha-R .
I think we will one day see APC deliveries in larger numbers than we saw before .
I really hope to accelerate modernization of T-64s .
Of course , an important element is continued work on the so-called `` triad '' – automation of command and control of troops and weapons , the `` Dzvin '' , `` Orianda PS '' , and `` Prostir '' projects .
This is the work toward providing troops with communications systems made by the U.S. and Turkey , which ensure full control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the development of national electronic warfare systems .
This is what Infozakhyst and others do .
This triad is extremely important because Neptuns , main battle tanks , and armored personnel carriers depend on it .
I think that there should be noticeable progress on this triad , because without it there is no point in talking about the ability to build an effective defense system , relying on disparate Soviet-type platforms only .

Director of Defense Express Consultancy, Serhiy Zgurets, in an interview with UNIAN spoke about the main results of the domestic defense industry development in 2019, production of new weapons for the Ukrainian Army, and the challenges the new year is bringing.
What was the past year like for the national defense industry?
Ukraine's defense industry last year was supposed to solve a number of tasks that were mainly related to covering the needs of the Armed Forces. The export component has so far been put to the background. This mainly concerns state and private companies that are involved in the implementation of the State Defense Order. This is about the delivery to Ukrainian troops of new and modernized equipment and the repair of hardware that is in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. From the point of view of repairs, the situation looks more or less optimistic.
Such systems as the Bars self-propelled mortars and the Obolon-A artillery control system have been delivered. Our Army received a significant number of rockets for the multiple launch rocket system of the Vilkha and Vilkha-R project, more than 6,000 guided anti-tank missiles – we are talking about the Stuhna anti-tank missile system and the Kombat anti-tank guided missile. To this we can add a division of Bars-8 – a mobile mortar system.
Видео дня
Remembering last year, we can't fail to mention the visit of President Zelensky to Kharkiv-based defense enterprises. Then the head of state was shocked by the fact that over the past ten years, the Army received only one new tank.
As for the new tanks, for some period only export contracts were being carried out. The Malyshev Plant delivered about 45 new Oplot tanks to Thailand. Now the plant is working on addressing issues related to the production of armored personnel carriers for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As for the production of Oplot tanks for our Army, it could start once the Kharkiv-based Morozov Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering has completed preparation of import substitution documentation.
Should we expect the start of the production of Oplot tanks in the near future?
I think that the Oplot tank is clearly not worth expecting over the next two years. Now the more urgent task is to complete modernization of the T-64 tank under the so-called Crab project. It provides that the tank will be able to fight at night hours, so it will be equipped with all relevant devices and protection systems. In addition, the project provides for an increase in mobility. This is one of the priority tasks because the Crab is not much inferior to the Oplot in terms of combat effectiveness, while the price ratio, I believe, will be one to five.
At the end of last year, the League of Defense Enterprises addressed the president with an open letter, expressing concern that the implementation of the State Defense Order was actually blocked despite budget funds having been allocated.
The statement is related to the risks that the current situation carries. Defense enterprises cannot plan the load for the whole year and don't have the orders on which they earlier counted even within the framework of the existing state arms development programs. Under those programs, within the State Defense Order, certain potential load volumes used to be laid out for each year. Given that they began to change the rules of the game in the form of a defense procurement bill and began to transform the procurement system in the Ministry of Defense, a legal collision emerged where officials are in no hurry to make decisions, and because of this, the enterprises don't understand what will happen to them tomorrow.
The risks added up of procuring foreign equipment, which could knock down some of our enterprises manufacturing similar products. Moreover, the purchase of technologically sophisticated equipment of foreign production actually freezes the areas where we must create our own competence. This applies to electronic warfare systems, automation systems, aircraft, and air defense systems, which is especially important because we serious potential. Market players seek a more understandable mechanism for interacting with the authorities and shaping the rules of the game.
Is there any risk that defense enterprises make a U-turn to other markets to satisfy their demand?
Such fears are entirely possible. But when we talk about improving defense capabilities of our Army, we should not profess the strategy that the incumbent leadership of our defense ministry praises by saying that supporting national defense industry is not their task. Then our enterprises won't be able to work on projects that will be in demand on foreign markets.
We can't go beyond the ceiling of opportunities formed by each enterprise individually. To reach a new level, they need to utilize government funds adequately. If we cut off the connection between the defense industry and the Army, as the Ministry of Defense insists, we cut off opportunities for the development of our defense enterprises. If we sever this connection, we will remain at the level of the country that is engaged in modernizing Soviet technology, but we've already almost walked this whole path. We are now losing our face. We need to form a new face of our defense industry, which will be clear to our consumers and the Ukrainian Army.
How can you generally assess the past year from the perspective of forming a "new face" of the national defense industry?
When we talk about the new face of the defense industry, it should correspond to the trends and needs that are being formed by the new face of military operations. Now they are based on reliable control of the units, the ability to deliver high-precision strikes from various locations, have dispersed units, ensure operations in e-warfare conditions, and rely on artificial intelligence and communication systems. If we look at the Ukrainian defense industry and its products through this prism, it appears that the industry so far addresses urgent needs rather than reflects the latest trends.
The urgent need today is to provide our units with the required number of repaired hardware and boost firepower. If we talk about the face of the industry in terms of future conflicts and demand of foreign markets, there is no such recognizable face yet, unfortunately.
Is there an understanding of those in charge that the issue needs to be urgently addressed? There was an idea of reformatting Ukroboronprom into a holding company.
The answer to this question needs to be built based on the review of the defense complex, which the Ministry of Economy plans to complete at the end of the first quarter of 2020. Based on the available stats and a detailed study of each defense enterprise, it will be possible to say what we're able to produce, and to evaluate our companies. In addition to Ukroboronprom, the Ministry of Economy should study capabilities of privately-owned companies, but they did not even start working with them. That's because there's a big risk that the Ministry of Economy will disrupt the implementation of the defense industry review.
I think that there is a big gap between what the Army wants and what the defense industry is capable of delivering. As for the holding, any idea has the right to life, if only it is brought to a specific result, the effectiveness of which could be verified. If some say that the government is a bad owner and that's why defense companies are put up for privatization and corporatization, there's a counterargument that this is not the state, but specific managers who are bad performers. Another positive example is the Luch Design Bureau, which chose to rely on the effective role of CEO and general designer in one person rather than on market methods. Their positive experience could be shared with other clusters.
State budget 2020 provides for an increase in funding for security and defense by about UAH 40 billion. Is this extra money somehow able to improve the situation in the industry?
The amount of funds allocated is not a significant factor, I believe. It is imperative that defense planning has no vulnerabilities. If we take into account the fact that politicians are trying to pass a bill on defense procurements, we will form new rules of the game in financing the State Defense Order. Moreover, the bill implies the adoption of about thirty other by-laws. If the law changes the order of planning and pricing, this can leave an even larger amount of allocated funds in limbo because it'll be unclear who is responsible for what, who sets the price, and so on. Therefore, the adoption of a poorly thought-over law could become a time bomb and a serious risk for the national defense industry.
What else can the national defense industry expect in 2020?
In my opinion, this will be a rather difficult year because we will find ourselves in a situation of two trends. Firstly, if the legal framework in the field of procurement and production of military equipment begins to change, this will complicate relations between developers and customers. Secondly, the Ministry of Defense may insist that we should start purchasing foreign equipment, since national industry is unable to cover the Army's needs. This year will see the start of negotiations with foreign manufacturers. As the experience shows of our closest neighbors, like Poland, this poses a threat to the national defense industry. This is the main risk.
Also, we shouldn't forget about military risks, because Russia's potential hasn't gone anywhere despite the fact that Russia had made a bet on destabilizing Ukraine through political mechanisms. The year will be a difficult one because of the U.S. elections, as the change of leadership there also bears certain risks.
What new things will this year bring in relation to weapons?
We're entering this year with the need to start serial production of the Neptun cruise anti-ship missile complex, which is now at its final test phase. We're also expecting to see the launch of mass production and purchase of Vilkha-M, which boasts of a greater range compared to Vilkha and Vilkha-R.
I think we will one day see APC deliveries in larger numbers than we saw before. I really hope to accelerate modernization of T-64s.
Of course, an important element is continued work on the so-called "triad" – automation of command and control of troops and weapons, the "Dzvin", "Orianda PS", and "Prostir" projects. This is the work toward providing troops with communications systems made by the U.S. and Turkey, which ensure full control of forces. This is also about the development of national electronic warfare systems. This is what Infozakhyst and others do. This triad is extremely important because Neptuns, main battle tanks, and armored personnel carriers depend on it. I think that there should be noticeable progress on this triad, because without it there is no point in talking about the ability to build an effective defense system, relying on disparate Soviet-type platforms only.
Dmytro Shvarts


unian--2020-01-16--PM Honcharuk on leaked audio recordings allegedly with his voice: "You do not scare us"

Three parts of the audio recordings have already been released .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk has commented on leaked audio recordings allegedly with his voice recorded during a meeting between government and central bank officials .
`` I appeal to those who are fighting against us : You do not scare us !
We will root out corruption and block schemes even more persistently , '' Honcharuk said on Telegram .
The recordings in three parts were made public on YouTube 's channel `` How to Trick the President '' ( 3.9K subscribers ) on January 15 and January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very beginning , many people have been working against the president 's team , who wanted the new government to succeed .
`` The goal of our team is to reboot the country , break the old system and build a new one , without schemes and deals , '' he said .
`` And some good news .
The [ hryvnia ] forex rate has strengthened and the international reserves have expanded to a seven-year high , amounting to US $ 25 billion , '' Honcharuk said in his video address on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is not good news for the country , then I 'm a complete ignoramus on economics . ''
As UNIAN reported earlier , audio recordings of allegedly Honcharuk 's conversation with some members of the government and senior officials of the National Bank of Ukraine held in the middle of December 2019 have been posted on YouTube .
They speak about the dollar exchange rate , as well as other economic issues before a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky .
`` Zelensky has a very primitive understanding of economic processes .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments ... And they have forcibly made [ the hryvnia ] .
He is looking for an answer to this question .
And he has no answer to this question , '' says a male voice that resembles Honcharuk 's .
Later , the same voice says that he himself is an `` ignoramus on economics . ''

Three parts of the audio recordings have already been released.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk has commented on leaked audio recordings allegedly with his voice recorded during a meeting between government and central bank officials.
"I appeal to those who are fighting against us: You do not scare us! We will root out corruption and block schemes even more persistently," Honcharuk said on Telegram.
The recordings in three parts were made public on YouTube's channel "How to Trick the President" (3.9K subscribers) on January 15 and January 16.
Видео дня
Read alsoUkraine's government set to drastically reduce share of shadow economy: PM
Honcharuk says that from the very beginning, many people have been working against the president's team, who wanted the new government to succeed.
"The goal of our team is to reboot the country, break the old system and build a new one, without schemes and deals," he said.
"And some good news. The [hryvnia] forex rate has strengthened and the international reserves have expanded to a seven-year high, amounting to US$25 billion," Honcharuk said in his video address on Facebook on January 16. "If this is not good news for the country, then I'm a complete ignoramus on economics."
As UNIAN reported earlier, audio recordings of allegedly Honcharuk's conversation with some members of the government and senior officials of the National Bank of Ukraine held in the middle of December 2019 have been posted on YouTube. They speak about the dollar exchange rate, as well as other economic issues before a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Zelensky has a very primitive understanding of economic processes. He understands that there is a balance of payments ... And they have forcibly made [the hryvnia]. He is looking for an answer to this question. And he has no answer to this question," says a male voice that resembles Honcharuk's. Later, the same voice says that he himself is an "ignoramus on economics."


unian--2020-01-16--Ukraine's Interior Ministry probing into possible illegal surveillance of ex-U.S. envoy Yovanovitch

The Interior Ministry took note of materials published on January 14 by investigators of the U.S. House of Representatives about possible illegal surveillance in Ukraine of former U.S. envoy Yovanovitch .
The National Police of Ukraine have begun criminal proceedings after the U.S. House Intelligence Committee published materials stating that former U.S .
Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch had allegedly been under illegal surveillance and possible interference with her electronic gadgets by private individuals on orders from U.S. citizens .
`` The Interior Ministry , in accordance with the requirements of international and national legislation , guarantees the protection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign state in Ukraine , including representatives of the diplomatic corps of the United States , '' Deputy Director for International Cooperation Department at the Interior Ministry of Ukraine Denys Lenets said at a briefing on Thursday , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
The Interior Ministry took note of materials published on January 14 by investigators of the U.S. House of Representatives about possible illegal surveillance in Ukraine of former U.S. envoy Yovanovitch .
`` As you know , the House Intelligence Committee has published notes and other documents stating that during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marie Yovanovitch 's term , she was allegedly under illegal surveillance and [ faced ] possible interference with her electronic gadgets by private individuals on orders from U.S. citizens , '' Lenets said .
Read alsoUkraine asks FBI for help to probe suspected Russian hack of Burisma – media He noted that Ukraine 's position was not to interfere in U.S. domestic affairs .
However , Lenets added the published records contain a fact indicating a possible violation of the legislation of Ukraine and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations , which protects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territory of another state .
He said Ukraine could not ignore such illegal actions on its territory .
Having analyzed these materials , the National Police of Ukraine have initiated criminal proceedings upon on the fact of their publication under Part 2 of Article 163 ( violation of the secrecy of correspondence , telephone conversations , telegraphic or other correspondence ) and Part 1 of Article 182 ( illegal collection , storage , use of confidential information about a person , violation of privacy ) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a violation of Ukrainian and international legislation .
After that , there must be an appropriate response .
Or it was just bravado and fake in an informal conversation between two U.S. citizens , '' the official said .
In addition , in accordance with the memorandum on mutual cooperation and information exchange between the Interior Ministry of Ukraine and the FBI , signed by Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Christopher Wray in April 2018 , the Interior Ministry asked the FBI to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who may be involved in this possible criminal offense .
According to Lenets , using international mechanisms , Avakov invited the American side to take part in such a probe .
`` Ukraine is looking forward to U.S. feedback on the invitation and hopes for cooperation , '' he added .
As reported earlier , Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engel said the reports that had been published as part of the impeachment case against U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that former U.S .
Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired .

The Interior Ministry took note of materials published on January 14 by investigators of the U.S. House of Representatives about possible illegal surveillance in Ukraine of former U.S. envoy Yovanovitch.
The National Police of Ukraine have begun criminal proceedings after the U.S. House Intelligence Committee published materials stating that former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch had allegedly been under illegal surveillance and possible interference with her electronic gadgets by private individuals on orders from U.S. citizens.
"The Interior Ministry, in accordance with the requirements of international and national legislation, guarantees the protection, security and inviolability of diplomats of any foreign state in Ukraine, including representatives of the diplomatic corps of the United States," Deputy Director for International Cooperation Department at the Interior Ministry of Ukraine Denys Lenets said at a briefing on Thursday, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
The Interior Ministry took note of materials published on January 14 by investigators of the U.S. House of Representatives about possible illegal surveillance in Ukraine of former U.S. envoy Yovanovitch.
Видео дня
"As you know, the House Intelligence Committee has published notes and other documents stating that during the then U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch's term, she was allegedly under illegal surveillance and [faced] possible interference with her electronic gadgets by private individuals on orders from U.S. citizens," Lenets said.
Read alsoUkraine asks FBI for help to probe suspected Russian hack of Burisma – media
He noted that Ukraine's position was not to interfere in U.S. domestic affairs. However, Lenets added the published records contain a fact indicating a possible violation of the legislation of Ukraine and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which protects the rights of a diplomat in the territory of another state.
He said Ukraine could not ignore such illegal actions on its territory.
Having analyzed these materials, the National Police of Ukraine have initiated criminal proceedings upon on the fact of their publication under Part 2 of Article 163 (violation of the secrecy of correspondence, telephone conversations, telegraphic or other correspondence) and Part 1 of Article 182 (illegal collection, storage, use of confidential information about a person, violation of privacy) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
"Our goal is to promptly investigate whether there was a violation of Ukrainian and international legislation. After that, there must be an appropriate response. Or it was just bravado and fake in an informal conversation between two U.S. citizens," the official said.
In addition, in accordance with the memorandum on mutual cooperation and information exchange between the Interior Ministry of Ukraine and the FBI, signed by Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Christopher Wray in April 2018, the Interior Ministry asked the FBI to provide all materials and information about persons who may be involved in this possible criminal offense.
According to Lenets, using international mechanisms, Avakov invited the American side to take part in such a probe. "Ukraine is looking forward to U.S. feedback on the invitation and hopes for cooperation," he added.
As reported earlier, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engel said the reports that had been published as part of the impeachment case against U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch had been under surveillance before she was fired.


unian--2020-01-16--Ukraine asks FBI for help to probe suspected Russian hack of Burisma – media

The Russian special services are suspected of involvement in the attack .
Ukraine has appealed to the Federal Bureau of @ @ @ @ @ help to investigate a suspected cyber attack by Russian military hackers on the energy company @ @ @ @ @ ministry official said on Thursday .
`` It is noted that the hacker attack most @ @ @ @ @ with the Russian special services , '' Artyom Minyailo said at a briefing , Reuters @ @ @ @ @ Holdings was at the center of attempts by President Donald Trump last July to ask @ @ @ @ @ investigation into Hunter Biden , the son of Democratic U.S. presidential contender Joe Biden .

The Russian special services are suspected of involvement in the attack.
Ukraine has appealed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for help to investigate a suspected cyber attack by Russian military hackers on the energy company Burisma, a Ukrainian interior ministry official said on Thursday.
"It is noted that the hacker attack most likely took place in cooperation with the Russian special services," Artyom Minyailo said at a briefing, Reuters said.
Read alsoReuters: Russian hackers targeted Ukrainian company at center of impeachment storm
Видео дня
Energy company Burisma Holdings was at the center of attempts by President Donald Trump last July to ask Ukrainian authorities to announce an investigation into Hunter Biden, the son of Democratic U.S. presidential contender Joe Biden.


unian--2020-01-16--Ukraine's Cabinet updates list of enterprises not subject to sale – PM Honcharuk

Get a complete information picture of the day by subscribing to UNIAN ’ s news feeds .
For more information @ @ @ @

Ukraine's Cabinet updates list of enterprises not subject to sale – PM Honcharuk
16:06, 16.01.20 1064
Now it should be backed by the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-01-16--UK to cooperate with Ukraine in PS752 probe

The British official invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to pay a visit in the near future .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko and his British counterpart Dominic Raab have agreed to cooperate in investigating the downing of PS752 flight in Iran .
`` [ I 've ] met with my colleague Dominic Raab .
Appreciate his words about firm and unquestionable support of Ukraine .
Exchanged views about ways of cooperating in investigating PS752 and agreed to work together on this and other issues , in particular on defending Ukraine 's sovereignty , '' the Ukrainian foreign minister wrote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read alsoZelensky visits Canada Embassy to commemorate victims of plane crash in Iran Prystaiko also said Raab had reiterated an invitation for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit the UK in the near future .
`` Agreed to speed up negotiations on a new comprehensive agreement , covering relations after Brexit , '' Prystaiko tweeted .
The minister also said he had opened his visit to the United Kingdom by meeting Chairman of the Friendship Group for Ukraine John Whittingdale and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat , who are vocal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] discussed [ the ] PS752 tragedy and our joint steps towards ensuring justice – and also the situation in eastern Ukraine , '' Prystaiko said .

The British official invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to pay a visit in the near future.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko and his British counterpart Dominic Raab have agreed to cooperate in investigating the downing of PS752 flight in Iran.
"[I've] met with my colleague Dominic Raab. Appreciate his words about firm and unquestionable support of Ukraine. Exchanged views about ways of cooperating in investigating PS752 and agreed to work together on this and other issues, in particular on defending Ukraine's sovereignty," the Ukrainian foreign minister wrote on Twitter on January 16, 2020.
Read alsoZelensky visits Canada Embassy to commemorate victims of plane crash in Iran
Видео дня
Prystaiko also said Raab had reiterated an invitation for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit the UK in the near future.
"Agreed to speed up negotiations on a new comprehensive agreement, covering relations after Brexit," Prystaiko tweeted.
The minister also said he had opened his visit to the United Kingdom by meeting Chairman of the Friendship Group for Ukraine John Whittingdale and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat, who are vocal advocates for Ukraine.
"[We] discussed [the] PS752 tragedy and our joint steps towards ensuring justice – and also the situation in eastern Ukraine," Prystaiko said.


unian--2020-01-16--Ukraine's parliament passes bill on secondary education

The bill guarantees the enrollment of children in primary school without any competition , and the institution should be geographically accessible to children regardless of their social status or place of birth .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , has passed bill No .
0901 on secondary education in the second reading and as a whole .
The document was backed by 327 lawmakers , three opposed it , 54 abstained , and 16 did not vote , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
The bill guarantees the enrollment of children in primary school without any competition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to children regardless of their social status or place of birth .
Children in long-term inpatient treatment will get the right to receive education in medical institutions .
To work on an individual trajectory , the pupil and/or his/her parents will have to apply to the school .
An individual curriculum is created for such pupils , written by teachers , parents and approved by the principal .
A regular annual assessment or a state final certification is carried out to confirm knowledge of subjects that are acquired outside the institution .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – grades 1-2 , grades 5-6 and grade 10 .
Three models of studying the Ukrainian language in schools are supposed .
The first model is provided for the indigenous peoples of Ukraine who do not live in the linguistic environment of their language and who do not have a state that would protect and develop this language .
First of all , these are the Crimean Tatars .
For them , the first model includes teaching in the language of the indigenous people from 1 to 11 ( 12 ) classes along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language .
The second model is for schools with instruction in the language of national minorities whose languages belong to the EU languages .
Depending on the language group and language environment , the use of this model may be different , but the basics are : - elementary school : the use of the mother tongue along with the study of the official language ; - grade 5 : at least 20 % of the annual volume of study time should be taught in Ukrainian with a gradual increase in volume so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 40 % of subjects that are studied in the official language ; - high school : at least 60 % of the annual amount of study time in these institutions should be instructed in the official language .
The third model will work for the rest of the national communities of Ukraine .
It concerns national minorities whose language belongs to one of the Ukrainian language families , as well as those who live mainly in the environment of their own speech ( Russian language ) .
Primary schools there will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study of Ukrainian , and from grade 5 at least 80 % of school hours will be instructed in the official language .
As for the work of teachers , during the first year of work , a young teacher will have a pedagogical internship .
He/she will receive a mentor who will be obliged to provide advice to a young specialist and help him/her become a successful teacher .
Mentors will get an additional 20 % bonus .
A teacher can be a person with any education , and not just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mandatory transfer of retired teachers to fixed-term contracts should take place before July 1 , 2020 .
The bill provides that students ' parents have the right to attend classes of their children by prior agreement with the principal .

The bill guarantees the enrollment of children in primary school without any competition, and the institution should be geographically accessible to children regardless of their social status or place of birth.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has passed bill No. 0901 on secondary education in the second reading and as a whole.
The document was backed by 327 lawmakers, three opposed it, 54 abstained, and 16 did not vote, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
The bill guarantees the enrollment of children in primary school without any competition, and the institution should be geographically accessible to children regardless of their social status or place of birth.
Видео дня
Children in long-term inpatient treatment will get the right to receive education in medical institutions. To work on an individual trajectory, the pupil and/or his/her parents will have to apply to the school. An individual curriculum is created for such pupils, written by teachers, parents and approved by the principal.
Read alsoUkraine's First Lady to lead school catering reform
A regular annual assessment or a state final certification is carried out to confirm knowledge of subjects that are acquired outside the institution.
The new bill implies three adaptive training cycles – grades 1-2, grades 5-6 and grade 10.
Three models of studying the Ukrainian language in schools are supposed.
The first model is provided for the indigenous peoples of Ukraine who do not live in the linguistic environment of their language and who do not have a state that would protect and develop this language. First of all, these are the Crimean Tatars. For them, the first model includes teaching in the language of the indigenous people from 1 to 11 (12) classes along with a thorough study of the Ukrainian language.
The second model is for schools with instruction in the language of national minorities whose languages belong to the EU languages. Depending on the language group and language environment, the use of this model may be different, but the basics are:
- elementary school: the use of the mother tongue along with the study of the official language;
- grade 5: at least 20% of the annual volume of study time should be taught in Ukrainian with a gradual increase in volume so that in grade 9 to reach at least 40% of subjects that are studied in the official language;
- high school: at least 60% of the annual amount of study time in these institutions should be instructed in the official language.
The third model will work for the rest of the national communities of Ukraine. It concerns national minorities whose language belongs to one of the Ukrainian language families, as well as those who live mainly in the environment of their own speech (Russian language). Primary schools there will also have a minority language along with the study of Ukrainian, and from grade 5 at least 80% of school hours will be instructed in the official language.
As for the work of teachers, during the first year of work, a young teacher will have a pedagogical internship. He/she will receive a mentor who will be obliged to provide advice to a young specialist and help him/her become a successful teacher. Mentors will get an additional 20% bonus.
A teacher can be a person with any education, and not just a pedagogical one.
The document also provides the mandatory transfer of retired teachers to fixed-term contracts should take place before July 1, 2020.
The bill provides that students' parents have the right to attend classes of their children by prior agreement with the principal.


unian--2020-01-16--Ukraine more than halves sugar exports in 2019

Ukraine more than halves sugar exports in 2019
15:03, 16.01.20 1235
Experts say it is linked with the global surplus of sugar.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-01-16--Zelensky signs decree to call up for military service from age of 18

The draft campaign in 2020 will last from April to June and from October to December .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree on calling up for military service from the age of 18 .
`` To call up for military service suitable for health reasons male citizens of Ukraine who are 18 years old by the day of departure to military units , and older persons under the age of 27 and who are not eligible for exemption or deferment from conscription for military service , '' according to the document posted on the president 's website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 will last from April to June and from October to December .
As UNIAN reported earlier , an autumn campaign to call up for military service kicked off in Ukraine on October 1 , 2019 .
The draft age in Ukraine was set at 20-27 years .
The length period of service was 18 months , as well as 12 months for those who have higher education ( master or specialist degrees ) .
Army conscripts are not involved in combat missions in the area of the Joint Forces Operation in @ @ @ @ @

The draft campaign in 2020 will last from April to June and from October to December.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree on calling up for military service from the age of 18.
Read alsoRuling party in Ukraine explains idea of lifting military draft
"To call up for military service suitable for health reasons male citizens of Ukraine who are 18 years old by the day of departure to military units, and older persons under the age of 27 and who are not eligible for exemption or deferment from conscription for military service," according to the document posted on the president's website on January 16.
Видео дня
The draft campaign in 2020 will last from April to June and from October to December.
As UNIAN reported earlier, an autumn campaign to call up for military service kicked off in Ukraine on October 1, 2019. The draft age in Ukraine was set at 20-27 years. The length period of service was 18 months, as well as 12 months for those who have higher education (master or specialist degrees).
Army conscripts are not involved in combat missions in the area of the Joint Forces Operation in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.


unian--2020-01-18--IMF chief elaborates on when to expect decision on Ukraine

The IMF 's staff continues to be engaged with Ukraine .
The International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) will decide @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine after Kyiv fulfills all the prerequisites .
Currently , IMF representatives continue work with @ @ @ @ @ outlet reported , citing IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva as saying at an event at @ @ @ @ @ , Washington , D.C. , on January 17 .
`` We have concluded a staff-level @ @ @ @ @ there are particular conditions that need to be met .
Work is ongoing and our @ @ @ @ @ with Ukraine .
Once these conditions are met – that would be a moment for @ @ @ @ @ Board of Directors , '' she said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , on December @ @ @ @ @ International Monetary Fund reached a staff-level agreement on a new cooperation program .
Later , @ @ @ @ @ all of this is contingent on approval by [ the IMF 's ] Executive Board @ @ @ @ @ ''

The IMF's staff continues to be engaged with Ukraine.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will decide on a cooperation program for Ukraine after Kyiv fulfills all the prerequisites.
Currently, IMF representatives continue work with Ukraine, the RBC-Ukraine media outlet reported, citing IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva as saying at an event at Peterson Institute for International Economics, Washington, D.C., on January 17.
Read alsoIMF names basic conditions for Ukraine's economic success
"We have concluded a staff-level agreement with Ukraine in which there are particular conditions that need to be met. Work is ongoing and our staff continues to be engaged with Ukraine. Once these conditions are met – that would be a moment for us to go to our Board of Directors," she said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, on December 8, Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund reached a staff-level agreement on a new cooperation program. Later, the IMF specified that "all of this is contingent on approval by [the IMF's] Executive Board in the period ahead."


unian--2020-01-17--Canada to provide money to Canadian families after Ukraine plane shot down in Iran – media

Any money Iran provides at a later date will go straight to the families .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday his government will give Canadian $ 25,000 ( US $ 19,122 ) to the families of each of the 57 citizens and 29 permanent residents of Canada who died in the downing of a Ukrainian jetliner in Iran last week .
Trudeau said he still expects Iran to compensate the families but added that they need help now for funerals , travel to Iran and bills , the Associated Press reported .
Read alsoUkrainian experts on PS752 crash site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile hit He said any money Iran provides at a later date will go straight to the families and will not be reimbursed to the Canadian government .
`` I want to be clear , we expect Iran to compensate these families , '' Trudeau said .
`` But I have met them .
They ca n't wait weeks .
They need support now . ''
As UNIAN reported earlier , Kyiv-bound UIA flight PS752 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran 's Imam Khomeini International Airport in the early hours of Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers and nine crew members on board .
Two passengers and the crew members were Ukrainians .
There were also 82 citizens of Iran , 63 citizens of Canada , 10 citizens of Sweden , four citizens of Afghanistan , three citizens of Germany and the United Kingdom each .
There were no survivors .
On January 11 , Iranian President Hassan Rouhani officially admitted that the Ukrainian airliner had been shot down by accident as a result of a `` human error . ''

Any money Iran provides at a later date will go straight to the families.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday his government will give Canadian $25,000 (US$19,122) to the families of each of the 57 citizens and 29 permanent residents of Canada who died in the downing of a Ukrainian jetliner in Iran last week.
Trudeau said he still expects Iran to compensate the families but added that they need help now for funerals, travel to Iran and bills, the Associated Press reported.
Read alsoUkrainian experts on PS752 crash site were first ones to find out about missile hit
Видео дня
He said any money Iran provides at a later date will go straight to the families and will not be reimbursed to the Canadian government.
"I want to be clear, we expect Iran to compensate these families," Trudeau said. "But I have met them. They can't wait weeks. They need support now."
As UNIAN reported earlier, Kyiv-bound UIA flight PS752 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport in the early hours of Wednesday, January 8. It was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members on board. Two passengers and the crew members were Ukrainians. There were also 82 citizens of Iran, 63 citizens of Canada, 10 citizens of Sweden, four citizens of Afghanistan, three citizens of Germany and the United Kingdom each. There were no survivors.
On January 11, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani officially admitted that the Ukrainian airliner had been shot down by accident as a result of a "human error."


unian--2020-01-17--Court freezes US$10.3 mln related to ousted Ukrainian ex-president Yanukovych's allies

The court ordered the bank to transfer funds to Ukraine 's Asset Recovery and Management Agency .
Ukraine 's Prosecutor General 's Office ( PGO ) says a court has frozen UAH 247 million ( US $ 10.3 million ) , which belonged to ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych 's allies .
The funds were kept in the accounts of former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko 's PJSC International Investment Bank .
The court ordered the bank to transfer funds to Ukraine 's Asset Recovery and Management Agency ( ARMA ) , the PGO 's press service reported on January 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceedings related to the legalization of over US $ 84 million in illicit proceeds from financial transactions by Yanukovych 's allies .
`` The issue whether it was lawful to keep funds of Vseukrayinsky Bank Rozvytku [ all-Ukrainian Development Bank/VBR Bank ) in JSC International Investment Bank 's accounts is also being investigated along with the identification of persons involved , '' the press service added .
Detectives have informed three individuals that they were suspected of committing crimes , while two more were put on the wanted list .
The materials will @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Court freezes US$10.3 mln related to ousted Ukrainian ex-president Yanukovych's allies
22:35, 17.01.20 5417
The court ordered the bank to transfer funds to Ukraine's Asset Recovery and Management Agency.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-01-17--Zelensky doesn't accept PM Honcharuk's resignation

The letter of resignation was submitted on January 17 .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not accepted Prime Minister Olesksiy Honcharuk 's resignation as he would like to give a chance to the head of government and his team , yet a number of tasks should be completed .
`` I 've decided to give you and your government a chance if you address some of the things that are very important and are of concern to our society today , '' the president said on Friday at a meeting with Honcharuk , after the latter tendered a letter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to undermine the state 's economic and political spheres . ''
According to the presidential press service , the government should give the head of state a new concept of salaries for the heads of ministries , departments , state-owned companies and their deputies , taking into account the situation in the country .
`` The salary should be normal .
We understand that these are very serious specialists , but I want to be on the same page with you and the ministers to know that salaries in Ukraine now should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When you and your government achieve economic growth , it will be possible to increase the salaries , '' the president said .
Recently , there have been reports about decisions to considerably increase salaries of ministers and heads of state-owned companies .
The ministers who do not want to work for the salary proposed by the government will have to resign , Zelensky said .
`` Salaries should be normal – enough to live normally , and must correspond to the status of officials , '' he added .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prime minister .
As was reported , audio recordings allegedly from a meeting in which Prime Minister Honcharuk , Finance Minister Oksana Markarova , First Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Kateryna Rozhkova , Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Yulia Kovaliv and other officials took part were made public on social media on January 15 .
During the conversation , they discussed economic issues before going to a meeting with President Zelensky .
On the records , a man with a voice supposedly similar to Honcharuk 's , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignoramus '' on economic issues .
On January 17 , Honcharuk said on Facebook he had handed in a letter of resignation over to Zelensky .
The president , in turn , met with senior officials of the Security Service of Ukraine , the Office of the Prosecutor General , the Ministry of Internal Affairs , the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine , the State Bureau of Investigation and the State Security Administration , and tasked them to identify within two weeks those involved in the recording of the conversation .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elaborated to eliminate similar incidents in the future and to technically protect information .

The letter of resignation was submitted on January 17.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not accepted Prime Minister Olesksiy Honcharuk's resignation as he would like to give a chance to the head of government and his team, yet a number of tasks should be completed.
"I've decided to give you and your government a chance if you address some of the things that are very important and are of concern to our society today," the president said on Friday at a meeting with Honcharuk, after the latter tendered a letter of resignation. "Now is not the time to undermine the state's economic and political spheres."
Read alsoUkraine's PM Honcharuk submits resignation letter
Видео дня
According to the presidential press service, the government should give the head of state a new concept of salaries for the heads of ministries, departments, state-owned companies and their deputies, taking into account the situation in the country.
"The salary should be normal. We understand that these are very serious specialists, but I want to be on the same page with you and the ministers to know that salaries in Ukraine now should be correlated with the current economic situation. When you and your government achieve economic growth, it will be possible to increase the salaries," the president said.
Recently, there have been reports about decisions to considerably increase salaries of ministers and heads of state-owned companies.
The ministers who do not want to work for the salary proposed by the government will have to resign, Zelensky said.
"Salaries should be normal – enough to live normally, and must correspond to the status of officials," he added.
He also outlined a number of other tasks for the prime minister.
As was reported, audio recordings allegedly from a meeting in which Prime Minister Honcharuk, Finance Minister Oksana Markarova, First Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Kateryna Rozhkova, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Yulia Kovaliv and other officials took part were made public on social media on January 15.
During the conversation, they discussed economic issues before going to a meeting with President Zelensky.
On the records, a man with a voice supposedly similar to Honcharuk's, in particular, calls himself a "complete ignoramus" on economic issues.
On January 17, Honcharuk said on Facebook he had handed in a letter of resignation over to Zelensky.
The president, in turn, met with senior officials of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Office of the Prosecutor General, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation and the State Security Administration, and tasked them to identify within two weeks those involved in the recording of the conversation. In addition, Zelensky insisted that necessary measures be elaborated to eliminate similar incidents in the future and to technically protect information.


unian--2020-01-17--RFE/RL: Pompeo says U.S. will look into claims former Ukraine ambassador was followed

Some of the documents that Parnas released suggested that Yovanovitch may have been under threat .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the State Department will investigate whether former U.S .
Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch was in any danger while she was in Ukraine .
Pompeo made the statement on January 17 , just days after documents were released indicating that Yovanovitch , who was recalled in May 2019 , may have been under surveillance in Kyiv , Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty ( RFE/RL ) .
The documents indicated that Lev Parnas , a Ukraine-born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign-finance charges , helped U.S. President Donald Trump 's personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , try to find incriminating material against former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his son , Hunter Biden .
Read alsoUkraine 's Interior Ministry probing into possible illegal surveillance of ex-U.S. envoy Yovanovitch The documents also show Connecticut Republican congressional candidate Robert Hyde disparaging Yovanovitch in messages to Parnas and giving him updates on her location and mobile-phone use , raising concerns about possible surveillance .
Trump is now facing an impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pressure Kyiv to investigate the Bidens and of obstructing the congressional investigation into the Ukraine matter .
Some of the documents that Parnas released suggested that Yovanovitch may have been under threat .
`` We will do everything we need to do to evaluate whether there was something that took place , '' Pompeo said during a radio interview .
`` I suspect that much of what has been reported will ultimately prove wrong , but our obligation – my obligation as secretary of state – is to make sure that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is someone who posits that there may have been a risk to one of our officers , we 'll obviously do that . ''
Pompeo said he did not know and had never met Parnas .
Yovanovitch was abruptly recalled last spring after being told by the State Department that she was in unspecified danger , according to testimony she gave during the U.S. House investigation into the matter in November .
Her recall came after a months-long effort by Trump 's allies to have Yovanovitch , who was seen as blocking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 16 , officials in Ukraine announced they would launch a criminal investigation into the information that Yovanovitch may have been under surveillance .

Some of the documents that Parnas released suggested that Yovanovitch may have been under threat.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the State Department will investigate whether former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch was in any danger while she was in Ukraine.
Pompeo made the statement on January 17, just days after documents were released indicating that Yovanovitch, who was recalled in May 2019, may have been under surveillance in Kyiv, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
The documents indicated that Lev Parnas, a Ukraine-born U.S. citizen who has been indicted on campaign-finance charges, helped U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, try to find incriminating material against former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
Видео дня
Read alsoUkraine's Interior Ministry probing into possible illegal surveillance of ex-U.S. envoy Yovanovitch
The documents also show Connecticut Republican congressional candidate Robert Hyde disparaging Yovanovitch in messages to Parnas and giving him updates on her location and mobile-phone use, raising concerns about possible surveillance.
Trump is now facing an impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate on charges of illegally withholding aid to Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to investigate the Bidens and of obstructing the congressional investigation into the Ukraine matter.
Some of the documents that Parnas released suggested that Yovanovitch may have been under threat.
"We will do everything we need to do to evaluate whether there was something that took place," Pompeo said during a radio interview. "I suspect that much of what has been reported will ultimately prove wrong, but our obligation – my obligation as secretary of state – is to make sure that we evaluate, investigate. Any time there is someone who posits that there may have been a risk to one of our officers, we'll obviously do that."
Pompeo said he did not know and had never met Parnas.
Yovanovitch was abruptly recalled last spring after being told by the State Department that she was in unspecified danger, according to testimony she gave during the U.S. House investigation into the matter in November.
Her recall came after a months-long effort by Trump's allies to have Yovanovitch, who was seen as blocking a possible Biden investigation, removed.
On January 16, officials in Ukraine announced they would launch a criminal investigation into the information that Yovanovitch may have been under surveillance.


unian--2020-01-17--MFA: OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to visit Ukraine soon

He is scheduled to meet with Ukraine 's Foreign Minister Prystaiko .
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Edi Rama is to visit Ukraine late this week and early next week .
`` On January 19-21 this year , the incumbent OSCE Chairperson-in-Office , Prime Minister and Minister of European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania , Edi Rama , will be on a working visit to Ukraine , '' the press service of Ukraine 's Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MFA ) said .
On January 20 , he is to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko ; following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference .
As UNIAN reported , OSCE Chairperson 's Special Representative in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group Heidi Grau called on all parties to strengthen anti-landmine activity in Donbas .
`` Mines remain the main cause of casualties among civilians .
With this in mind , I call on the sides to strengthen demining activities , '' she said following this year 's first TCG meeting , which took place in Minsk on January 16 .
`` Today , the TCG and its Working Groups convened for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on the implementation of the conclusions of the Normandy Summit in Paris . ''
According to her , the main discussion topic of the Security Working Group was the identification of additional areas for the disengagement of forces and hardware .
The Humanitarian Working Group took stock of the exchange of detainees of December 29 , 2019 .
The Economic Working Group discussed the issues of water deliveries in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions ( CADR and CALR ) .
The Political Working Group addressed issues related to the special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the implementation of the 'Steinmeier formula ' into Ukrainian legislation .

He is scheduled to meet with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Prystaiko.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Edi Rama is to visit Ukraine late this week and early next week.
"On January 19-21 this year, the incumbent OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister of European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama, will be on a working visit to Ukraine," the press service of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said.
Read alsoOSCE spots tanks transported by freight train in occupied Donbas
Видео дня
On January 20, he is to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko; following the meeting, they will hold a joint press conference.
As UNIAN reported, OSCE Chairperson's Special Representative in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group Heidi Grau called on all parties to strengthen anti-landmine activity in Donbas.
"Mines remain the main cause of casualties among civilians. With this in mind, I call on the sides to strengthen demining activities," she said following this year's first TCG meeting, which took place in Minsk on January 16. "Today, the TCG and its Working Groups convened for the first time this year. Our work was primarily focused on the implementation of the conclusions of the Normandy Summit in Paris."
According to her, the main discussion topic of the Security Working Group was the identification of additional areas for the disengagement of forces and hardware. The Humanitarian Working Group took stock of the exchange of detainees of December 29, 2019. The Economic Working Group discussed the issues of water deliveries in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADR and CALR).
The Political Working Group addressed issues related to the special status of CADR and CALR as well as the implementation of the 'Steinmeier formula' into Ukrainian legislation.


unian--2020-01-17--Reuters: Ukraine says personal data leaked from government jobs portal

Ukraine and its institutions have repeatedly been the victims of cyber attacks .
Ukraine 's top state security body acknowledged on Friday that some citizens ' personal data had been leaked from a portal advertising jobs for government employees .
The National Security and Defense Council did not specify if the leak was the result of a cyber attack , how much data was involved or who was responsible , Reuters said .
But it said had `` identified the vulnerability '' and the portal , www.career.gov.ua , had been secured .
It gave no further details .
Ukraine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cyber attacks , including an incident in February in which a virus was downloaded in a tax accounting program and spread to wreak havoc around the globe .
Kyiv this week asked the U.S. FBI for help investigating a suspected cyber attack by Russian military hackers on Burisma , an energy company caught up in the impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump .
Russia 's defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment .
Meanwhile , the interior ministry announced an investigation into the possible illegal surveillance of former U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of text messages by the U.S. Congress as part of the impeachment case .
Illicit transmission of information has this week also impacted the highest levels of the Ukrainian government .
On Friday , President Volodymyr Zelensky asked law enforcement agencies to determine who was involved in making a secret recording in the office of Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk .
Honcharuk offered his resignation after the recording suggested he had criticized Zelensky , whose office said measures should be found to improve ways of protecting information to avoid future such incidents .

Ukraine and its institutions have repeatedly been the victims of cyber attacks.
Ukraine's top state security body acknowledged on Friday that some citizens' personal data had been leaked from a portal advertising jobs for government employees.
The National Security and Defense Council did not specify if the leak was the result of a cyber attack, how much data was involved or who was responsible, Reuters said.
But it said had "identified the vulnerability" and the portal, www.career.gov.ua, had been secured. It gave no further details.
Видео дня
Ukraine and its institutions have repeatedly been the victims of cyber attacks, including an incident in February in which a virus was downloaded in a tax accounting program and spread to wreak havoc around the globe.
Read alsoBloomberg: U.S. spy agencies tracking Russian hack of Biden-linked Burisma
Kyiv this week asked the U.S. FBI for help investigating a suspected cyber attack by Russian military hackers on Burisma, an energy company caught up in the impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump. Russia's defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, the interior ministry announced an investigation into the possible illegal surveillance of former U.S. ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, following the release of text messages by the U.S. Congress as part of the impeachment case.
Illicit transmission of information has this week also impacted the highest levels of the Ukrainian government.
On Friday, President Volodymyr Zelensky asked law enforcement agencies to determine who was involved in making a secret recording in the office of Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk.
Honcharuk offered his resignation after the recording suggested he had criticized Zelensky, whose office said measures should be found to improve ways of protecting information to avoid future such incidents.


unian--2020-01-18--NBU weakens official forex rate to UAH 24.25 to dollar for Jan 20

The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 26.94 per euro .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) on Friday evening weakened the official hryvnia exchange rate by 16 kopiykas for Monday , January 20 , bringing the national currency to UAH 24.25 to the U.S. dollar .
Read alsoBig Mac index : U.S. dollar in Ukraine should cost UAH 10 The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 26.94 per euro , which is four kopiykas down from the rate set for Friday .
As UNIAN reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 2019 strengthened by 3.4 % against the U.S. dollar and by 13.4 % in the 11 months of 2019 , to UAH 23.97 per dollar .
The hryvnia continued getting stronger in December until its four-year maximum set at UAH 23.26 per dollar on December 26 .
However , the National Bank let the official hryvnia weaken on December 27 , 2019 , for the first time over the month , and this trend continued in early 2020 .
UNIAN memo .
Ukraine 's national currency in 2019 strengthened against the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23.69 and against the euro by 16.7 % , to UAH 26.42 .

NBU weakens official forex rate to UAH 24.25 to dollar for Jan 20
14:05, 18.01.20 2213
The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 26.94 per euro.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-01-18--Ukraine, Georgia file complaint to IMO over Russia's unlawful actions in Black, Azov Seas

The joint document was supported by the European Union and the United States .
Ukraine and Georgia have filed a complaint with the International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) over Russia 's unlawful actions obstructing search and rescue operations in the Black Sea , the Sea of Azov , and the Kerch Strait .
Read alsoUkraine 's seaports seek over US $ 51 mln in compensation for Russian occupation of Crimean ports '' Delegations of Ukraine and Georgia drew the attention of the IMOHQ Member States to the unlawful actions of the Russian Federation and the relevant implications for search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait , '' the Embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wrote on Twitter on January 17 .
The European Union and the United States have supported the document co-sponsored by Ukraine and Georgia , the Embassy added .
Counselor , Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) Vitalii Moshkivskyi earlier said that Ukraine had expressed its protest at the IMO over the unauthorized expansion by the Novorossiysk NAVTEX station of its service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kerch Strait .
`` Only the Berdiansk NAVTEX station of Ukraine has full responsibility for broadcasting MSI [ Maritime Safety Information ] into this service area .
Called on the IMO to consider the unauthorized unilateral actions of the Russian Federation , which threaten the safety of navigation , '' he wrote on Facebook on January 17 .

The joint document was supported by the European Union and the United States.
Ukraine and Georgia have filed a complaint with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) over Russia's unlawful actions obstructing search and rescue operations in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and the Kerch Strait.
Read alsoUkraine's seaports seek over US$51 mln in compensation for Russian occupation of Crimean ports
"Delegations of Ukraine and Georgia drew the attention of the IMOHQ Member States to the unlawful actions of the Russian Federation and the relevant implications for search and rescue operations in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait," the Embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wrote on Twitter on January 17.
Видео дня
The European Union and the United States have supported the document co-sponsored by Ukraine and Georgia, the Embassy added.
Counselor, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Vitalii Moshkivskyi earlier said that Ukraine had expressed its protest at the IMO over the unauthorized expansion by the Novorossiysk NAVTEX station of its service area into the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.
"Only the Berdiansk NAVTEX station of Ukraine has full responsibility for broadcasting MSI [Maritime Safety Information] into this service area. Called on the IMO to consider the unauthorized unilateral actions of the Russian Federation, which threaten the safety of navigation," he wrote on Facebook on January 17.


unian--2020-01-18--Ukraine reports eight enemy attacks in Donbas on Jan 17

One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action on Saturday , January 18 .
Russia 's hybrid military forces on January 17 mounted eight attacks on Ukrainian Army positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
`` On January 17 , armed formations of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire eight times .
The enemy used 120mm and 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 , '' the press center of the Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) Headquarters said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 07:00 Kyiv time on January 18 .
Five of the attacks were reported in the Skhid [ East ] tactical grouping responsibility zone : near the town of Krasnohorivka ( a tripod-mounted man-portable antitank gun ) , outside the village of Shyrokyne ( grenade launchers of various systems , heavy machine guns , and small arms ) , not far from the village of Pavlopil ( two attacks , using an 82mm mortar , grenade launchers of various systems , small arms , and heavy machine guns ) , and near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Three attacks were recorded in the Pivnich ( North ) sector : near the village of Orikhove ( twice , using 120mm mortar and grenade launchers of various systems ) , and outside the village of Luhanske ( a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher and small arms ) .
There were no Ukrainian army casualties in the past day .
`` Since Saturday midnight , Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near the village of Pisky , using small arms .
One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action , '' the update said @

One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action on Saturday, January 18.
Russia's hybrid military forces on January 17 mounted eight attacks on Ukrainian Army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
Read alsoOSCE spots tanks transported by freight train in occupied Donbas
"On January 17, armed formations of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire eight times. The enemy used 120mm and 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," the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Headquarters said on Facebook in a morning update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on January 18.
Видео дня
Five of the attacks were reported in the Skhid [East] tactical grouping responsibility zone: near the town of Krasnohorivka (a tripod-mounted man-portable antitank gun), outside the village of Shyrokyne (grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns, and small arms), not far from the village of Pavlopil (two attacks, using an 82mm mortar, grenade launchers of various systems, small arms, and heavy machine guns), and near the village of Vasylivka (small arms).
Three attacks were recorded in the Pivnich (North) sector: near the village of Orikhove (twice, using 120mm mortar and grenade launchers of various systems), and outside the village of Luhanske (a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher and small arms).
There were no Ukrainian army casualties in the past day.
"Since Saturday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near the village of Pisky, using small arms. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action," the update said.


unian--2020-01-18--Zelensky chairs NSDC meeting to discuss Ukraine's new security strategy

The document suggests taking measures to `` reduce the likelihood of escalation of the conflict with the Russian Federation . ''
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on January 17 chaired a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council ( NSDC ) to discuss the National Security Strategy of Ukraine `` Security of a Person is Security of a Country . ''
The president said the meeting was advisory so that all NSDC members could express their opinions , comments and suggestions on the future document , the presidential press service said .
`` I heard there are many different remarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can discuss this strategy after the NSDC Secretary presents it , '' Zelensky said at the beginning of the meeting .
Read alsoUkraine 's public , international partners to be involved in drafting new bill on Donbas status – Razumkov He suggested that all participants in the meeting elaborate the draft strategy within a week and submit their proposals .
`` And then we 'll meet and approve the document , '' he added .
NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that the draft National Security Strategy of Ukraine was developed in accordance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security of Ukraine .
The document was based on the presidential election program , which was supported by the vast majority of the country 's population .
The National Institute for Strategic Studies , government bodies , civil society institutions , as well as foreign experts were involved in the preparation of the project .
Oleksiy Danilov emphasized that the key aspects of the strategy are a person , human life , health , honor , dignity , integrity and security .
The ultimate goal of its realization is to promote a free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where everyone can exercise their talents and abilities .
`` The strategy will be the basis for the development of other strategic planning documents in the fields of national security and defense that will determine the ways and instruments of their provision , '' the NSDC Secretary said .
According to Oleksiy Danilov , in particular , it is a human development strategy , a military security strategy , a public security and civil defense strategy , a strategy for the development of defense-industrial complex , an economic , environmental , information security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national intelligence program , a foreign policy security strategy , national security strategy , counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism , etc .
Director of the National Institute for Strategic Studies Oleksandr Lytvynenko said that the draft strategy had been elaborated by an appropriate working group and presented , in particular , at NATO Headquarters in Brussels last December , where it received a commendable evaluation .
It is proposed to base its activities on three main principles : the development of defense and security capabilities that would prevent armed aggression against Ukraine by increasing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of society and the state to respond swiftly and adequately to changing security environment and to maintain sustainable functioning of their basic mechanisms ; development of strategic relations with key foreign partners , first of all with the European Union and EU Member States , NATO , the United States , pragmatic cooperation with other countries and international organizations based on the national interests of Ukraine .
The priority areas of national security policy in the draft strategy are ensuring independence and state sovereignty , social development , first of all development of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedoms and legitimate interests of Ukrainian citizens , European and Euro-Atlantic integration ( creation of necessary conditions for full membership in the EU and NATO ) , restoration of territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine .
The realization of these priorities will be ensured through the restoration of peace and state sovereignty in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions , implementation of the complex of international legal , political , diplomatic , security , humanitarian and economic measures `` Crimea is Ukraine '' .
`` It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the likelihood of escalation of the conflict with the Russian Federation and tension in bilateral relations , '' the presidential press service said .

The document suggests taking measures to "reduce the likelihood of escalation of the conflict with the Russian Federation."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on January 17 chaired a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to discuss the National Security Strategy of Ukraine "Security of a Person is Security of a Country."
The president said the meeting was advisory so that all NSDC members could express their opinions, comments and suggestions on the future document, the presidential press service said.
"I heard there are many different remarks. We have met now, we can discuss this strategy after the NSDC Secretary presents it," Zelensky said at the beginning of the meeting.
Видео дня
Read alsoUkraine's public, international partners to be involved in drafting new bill on Donbas status – Razumkov
He suggested that all participants in the meeting elaborate the draft strategy within a week and submit their proposals. "And then we'll meet and approve the document," he added.
NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that the draft National Security Strategy of Ukraine was developed in accordance with Article 26 of the Law on National Security of Ukraine. The document was based on the presidential election program, which was supported by the vast majority of the country's population. The National Institute for Strategic Studies, government bodies, civil society institutions, as well as foreign experts were involved in the preparation of the project.
Oleksiy Danilov emphasized that the key aspects of the strategy are a person, human life, health, honor, dignity, integrity and security. The ultimate goal of its realization is to promote a free, prosperous, safe, law-abiding country where everyone can exercise their talents and abilities.
"The strategy will be the basis for the development of other strategic planning documents in the fields of national security and defense that will determine the ways and instruments of their provision," the NSDC Secretary said.
According to Oleksiy Danilov, in particular, it is a human development strategy, a military security strategy, a public security and civil defense strategy, a strategy for the development of defense-industrial complex, an economic, environmental, information security strategy, a cybersecurity strategy, a national intelligence program, a foreign policy security strategy, national security strategy, counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism, etc.
Director of the National Institute for Strategic Studies Oleksandr Lytvynenko said that the draft strategy had been elaborated by an appropriate working group and presented, in particular, at NATO Headquarters in Brussels last December, where it received a commendable evaluation.
It is proposed to base its activities on three main principles: the development of defense and security capabilities that would prevent armed aggression against Ukraine by increasing the price of that aggression; the ability of society and the state to respond swiftly and adequately to changing security environment and to maintain sustainable functioning of their basic mechanisms; development of strategic relations with key foreign partners, first of all with the European Union and EU Member States, NATO, the United States, pragmatic cooperation with other countries and international organizations based on the national interests of Ukraine.
The priority areas of national security policy in the draft strategy are ensuring independence and state sovereignty, social development, first of all development of human capital, protection of rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of Ukrainian citizens, European and Euro-Atlantic integration (creation of necessary conditions for full membership in the EU and NATO), restoration of territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.
The realization of these priorities will be ensured through the restoration of peace and state sovereignty in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, implementation of the complex of international legal, political, diplomatic, security, humanitarian and economic measures "Crimea is Ukraine".
"It is also proposed to take measures to reduce the likelihood of escalation of the conflict with the Russian Federation and tension in bilateral relations," the presidential press service said.


unian--2020-01-18--Ukraine's public, international partners to be involved in drafting new bill on Donbas status – Razu

Ukraine's public, international partners to be involved in drafting new bill on Donbas status – Razumkov

The parliament speaker says that lawmakers extended the previously effective law as a necessary step before the Normandy Four meeting .
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , Dmytro Razumkov says that the public in Ukraine and international partners will be involved in drafting a new version of the bill on the so-called special status of Donbas .
`` We did what the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine had to do – we extended the law that was in force at that moment .
It was a necessary step because many things were dependent on that , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interaction within the Minsk agreements , and many other things , '' he told Channel 24 in an interview , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
`` When the president was heading for the Normandy Four meeting [ in Paris on December 9 , 2019 ] , we understood that we would have to take certain steps , '' he said .
`` We came to the conclusion that such a step would be the most effective , '' he added .
`` As the president – he is a key figure in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area –said , we will be drawing up a new version of the law in the future with the involvement of both the public and international partners and everyone who this bill will concern in one way or another .
Thus we will be able to elaborate a high-quality law that will work in the interests of the state of Ukraine , '' he said .
As UNIAN reported , First Deputy Chairman of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction Oleksandr Korniyenko on December 11 , 2019 , announced the development of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Donbas .
However , he found it difficult to predict when such a bill could be prepared .
`` It may be [ ready ] in more than six months , but I think we 'll make it over a year , '' he said .
According to him , the document should provide for the initial implementation of the `` security factor , and then the political one . ''
Korniyenko also assured that the Constitution would not be amended because of the special status of Donbas .

The parliament speaker says that lawmakers extended the previously effective law as a necessary step before the Normandy Four meeting.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, Dmytro Razumkov says that the public in Ukraine and international partners will be involved in drafting a new version of the bill on the so-called special status of Donbas.
"We did what the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine had to do – we extended the law that was in force at that moment. It was a necessary step because many things were dependent on that, including sanctions [against Russia], including interaction within the Minsk agreements, and many other things," he told Channel 24 in an interview, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoZelensky enacts law on extension of Donbas special status
Видео дня
"When the president was heading for the Normandy Four meeting [in Paris on December 9, 2019], we understood that we would have to take certain steps," he said.
"We came to the conclusion that such a step would be the most effective," he added.
"As the president – he is a key figure in the state who is engaged in that area –said, we will be drawing up a new version of the law in the future with the involvement of both the public and international partners and everyone who this bill will concern in one way or another. Thus we will be able to elaborate a high-quality law that will work in the interests of the state of Ukraine," he said.
As UNIAN reported, First Deputy Chairman of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction Oleksandr Korniyenko on December 11, 2019, announced the development of a new bill on the special status of Donbas. However, he found it difficult to predict when such a bill could be prepared. "It may be [ready] in more than six months, but I think we'll make it over a year," he said. According to him, the document should provide for the initial implementation of the "security factor, and then the political one."
Korniyenko also assured that the Constitution would not be amended because of the special status of Donbas.


unian--2020-01-18--Ukraine's SBU reveals scheme for financing by Russia of "LPR" occupation authorities

The annual funding of the `` LPR '' pseudo-state formations by Russia exceeds RUB 30 billion , which accounts for more than two-thirds of the pseudo-republic 's overall budget needs , the SBU said .
The SBU Security Service of Ukraine has revealed and registered the scheme of covert financing by Russia 's government and non-governmental structures of the fake `` authorities '' in the temporarily occupied territory of the so-called `` Luhansk People 's Republic '' ( `` LPR '' ) in eastern Ukraine .
SBU operatives and detectives found out that Russia had established special financial institutions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas of Donbas to avoid sanctions against the banking sector .
Read alsoSBU busts `` LPR '' attempt to recruit official from Ukraine 's Justice Ministry Since the introduction of the ruble zone in the occupied territory of Luhansk region in 2014 , Russia has created a mechanism for financing the apparatus of the occupying authorities with the help of said financial institutions .
The SBU has for a long time recorded the fact that Russia involved a banking institution of unrecognized South Ossetia to conceal direct financial support for fake establishments in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The money was transferred to the so-called `` state bank of the LPR '' .
Then the funds were distributed by the self-styled `` LPR finance ministry '' to support the occupying authorities and `` security forces '' of pseudo-state formation .
According to the SBU , the annual funding of the `` LPR '' pseudo-state formations by Russia exceeds RUB 30 billion , which accounts for more than two-thirds of the pseudo-republic 's overall budget needs .
After the formation of the evidence base within criminal proceedings initiated under Part 3 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , the SBU reported that the so-called `` LPR finance minister '' and `` director of LPR state bank '' play a key role in financing the pseudo-republic .
They have been holding their positions in the occupying administration since 2014 .
The `` officials '' are in constant contacts with the curators from Russia 's governmental structures and systematically travel to Moscow to coordinate the allocation of `` funds '' for the functioning of the self-proclaimed `` LPR . ''
The pseudo-officials were charged in absentia with committing a crime under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Criminal Code of Ukraine ( funding actions committed to forcibly change or overthrow the constitutional system or seize state power , change the borders of the territory or state border of Ukraine ) .
They have been put on the wanted list .
In the near future , indictments against the offenders will be sent to court to start the procedure of conviction in absentia .

The annual funding of the "LPR" pseudo-state formations by Russia exceeds RUB 30 billion, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the pseudo-republic's overall budget needs, the SBU said.
The SBU Security Service of Ukraine has revealed and registered the scheme of covert financing by Russia's government and non-governmental structures of the fake "authorities" in the temporarily occupied territory of the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic" ("LPR") in eastern Ukraine.
SBU operatives and detectives found out that Russia had established special financial institutions in its territory and in the temporarily occupied areas of Donbas to avoid sanctions against the banking sector.
Read alsoSBU busts "LPR" attempt to recruit official from Ukraine's Justice Ministry
Видео дня
Since the introduction of the ruble zone in the occupied territory of Luhansk region in 2014, Russia has created a mechanism for financing the apparatus of the occupying authorities with the help of said financial institutions.
The SBU has for a long time recorded the fact that Russia involved a banking institution of unrecognized South Ossetia to conceal direct financial support for fake establishments in the occupied territories of Luhansk region. The money was transferred to the so-called "state bank of the LPR". Then the funds were distributed by the self-styled "LPR finance ministry" to support the occupying authorities and "security forces" of pseudo-state formation.
According to the SBU, the annual funding of the "LPR" pseudo-state formations by Russia exceeds RUB 30 billion, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the pseudo-republic's overall budget needs.
After the formation of the evidence base within criminal proceedings initiated under Part 3 of Article 110-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the SBU reported that the so-called "LPR finance minister" and "director of LPR state bank" play a key role in financing the pseudo-republic. They have been holding their positions in the occupying administration since 2014. The "officials" are in constant contacts with the curators from Russia's governmental structures and systematically travel to Moscow to coordinate the allocation of "funds" for the functioning of the self-proclaimed "LPR."
The pseudo-officials were charged in absentia with committing a crime under Part 3 of Article 110-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (funding actions committed to forcibly change or overthrow the constitutional system or seize state power, change the borders of the territory or state border of Ukraine). They have been put on the wanted list. In the near future, indictments against the offenders will be sent to court to start the procedure of conviction in absentia.