unian--2020-02-17--Syrian Army officially takes control of Greater Aleppo, Russia deploying "little green men" – media

Russia began to deploy its troops along the Aleppo-Damascus ( M-5 ) highway .
The Syrian Arab Army ( SAA @ @ @ @ @ of the Greater Aleppo area after the last remaining militants fled west along the last @ @ @ @ @ a field source in Aleppo , the jihadist rebels completely surrendered the Anadan Plain region @ @ @ @ @ more than six years , according to Al Masdar News .
The capture of the @ @ @ @ @ after the Syrian Arab Army announced complete control over all areas that were previously under @ @ @ @ @ .
With Greater Aleppo and the provincial capital secured , there will likely be a @ @ @ @ @ Syrian Army , with peace negotiations to continue in Astana .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ Pravda media outlet , Russia began to deploy its troops , the so-called `` green @ @ @ @ @ the Aleppo-Damascus ( M-5 ) highway .
Russian military police are setting up new checkpoints @ @ @ @ @ jihadists .

Russia began to deploy its troops along the Aleppo-Damascus (M-5) highway.
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has officially taken control of the Greater Aleppo area after the last remaining militants fled west along the last road open.
According to a field source in Aleppo, the jihadist rebels completely surrendered the Anadan Plain region after controlling this area for more than six years, according to Al Masdar News.
The capture of the Anadan Plain region came shortly after the Syrian Arab Army announced complete control over all areas that were previously under jihadist control in Aleppo city.
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Read alsoRussian strikes kill 11 civilians in Syria's Idlib
With Greater Aleppo and the provincial capital secured, there will likely be a ceasefire between the militants and Syrian Army, with peace negotiations to continue in Astana.
At the same time, according to the European Pravda media outlet, Russia began to deploy its troops, the so-called "green little men," along the Aleppo-Damascus (M-5) highway. Russian military police are setting up new checkpoints in areas previously controlled by jihadists.


unian--2020-02-17--NBU replenishes int'l reserves by US$166 mln on Feb 10-14

Over the period under review , the regulator did not sell foreign currency .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , replenished the country 's international reserves by US $ 165.5 million .
@ @ @ @ @ , the regulator did not sell the currency , according to the NBU 's website @ @ @ @ @ the year , the central bank has replenished the reserves by US $ 581 million @ @ @ @ @ Read alsoUkraine budget in January falls short of 25 % of target revenues – finance @ @ @ @ @ , the NBU in January 2020 replenished the country 's international reserves by US $ @ @ @ @ @ total international reserves as of February 1 , 2020 , stood at US $ 26.3 @ @ @ @ @ % up against the figure posted at the beginning of the year .

NBU replenishes int'l reserves by US$166 mln on Feb 10-14
12:00, 17.02.20 1107
Over the period under review, the regulator did not sell foreign currency.
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unian--2020-02-17--NBU strengthens official hryvnia to UAH 24.45 to U.S. dollar on Feb 17

The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 26.49 per euro .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) on February 14 set the official forex rate at UAH 24.45 to the U.S. dollar , which made the country 's national currency stronger by three kopiykas .
The Central Bank fixed the following official forex rates of the hryvnia against key foreign currencies for February 17 : US $ 100 will be traded for UAH 2,444.7 ( UAH 2,447.95 as of February 14 ) ; EUR 100 will be traded for UAH 2,649.44 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The hryvnia continues to strengthen after it had gained two kopiykas in value against the U.S. dollar on Thursday , February 14 , according to the NBU website .
Read alsoFinance Ministry seeing no reason to revise Ukraine budget for 2020 The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 26.49 per euro – the hryvnia gained 10 kopiykas in value since Friday .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Ukrainian hryvnia in January 2020 weakened by 5.7 % against the U.S. dollar , to UAH 25.03 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the euro , to UAH 27.66 per euro .
In 2019 , Ukraine 's national currency strengthened by 14.5 % against the U.S. dollar , to UAH 23.69 and by 16.7 % against the euro , to UAH 26.42 .
The hryvnia 's historical low against the U.S. dollar was registered at UAH 30.01 in February 2015 .

NBU strengthens official hryvnia to UAH 24.45 to U.S. dollar on Feb 17
11:40, 17.02.20 1879
The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 26.49 per euro.
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unian--2020-02-17--Why President Trump asked Ukraine to look into a DNC "server" and CrowdStrike – CBS News

The consensus view of the CIA , NSA , FBI and a Senate investigation is that Russians interfered in the 2016 election .
But those findings do n't line up with the ever-evolving story President Trump has been telling about Ukraine .
Last July , U.S. President Donald Trump made the phone call to Ukraine asking the president of Ukraine to investigate a mysterious Democratic National Committee computer server that Mr. Trump said was hidden in Ukraine .
CBS News has found that odd request is a story that has grown over the years and was influenced by Moscow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ included hacking the computers of the Democratic National Committee .
U.S. intelligence agencies found , `` …the Russian government aspired to help President-elect Trump 's election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton… '' Former deputy national intelligence officer and CIA Russia analyst , Andrea Kendall-Taylor worked on that report .
`` The report itself was based on a large body of evidence that demonstrated not only what Russia was doing , but also its intent , '' Kendall-Taylor said .
`` And it 's based on a number of different sources , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Read alsoTop U.S. diplomat : no evidence Ukraine meddled in 2016 U.S. election – Reuters Kendall-Taylor said the evidence is convincing and it is n't a close call .
`` If you read the intelligence report , it 's the consensus view of three intelligence agencies ; CIA , NSA and the FBI , '' Kendall-Taylor said .
The same conclusion was reached by the Republican-led Senate Select Committee on Intelligence .
The committee 's report on Russia interference was unanimously approved by all of its Democratic and Republican members .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , government-run covert operation that hacked into the DNC and individuals ' personal emails , and weaponized that information to release it at the most important times , '' committee vice-chairman Democrat Mark Warner said .
But the idea that the Trump campaign was helped by Russia , even unwittingly , was a unanimous judgment Mr. Trump would not accept .
Trump began a campaign to discredit the intelligence community 's conclusions .
He tweeted , `` So how and why are they so sure about hacking if they never even requested an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Mr. Trump 's telling , the FBI failed to look for evidence on the Democrats ' computer network .
The story of the mystery server was born .
Robert Johnston dealt directly with the FBI as an investigator of the DNC hack for CrowdStrike , a leading cyber security company hired by the Democrats .
He told us the FBI did n't physically examine the DNC servers because CrowdStrike gave the bureau copies of the data from the servers .
`` If there is a server or a computer system of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can take an exact bit for bit digital copy of what 's on that system .
Now that digital copy is just as good as having the real thing , '' Johnston said .
The FBI used the data to help indict 12 Russian intelligence agents for hacking the DNC .
But Mr. Trump 's tweets persisted , `` Where is the server ?
I want to know , where is the server ?
And what is the server saying ?
With that being said , all I can do is ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a press conference while standing alongside President Putin .
`` My people came to me – Dan Coats came to me and some others – they said they think it 's Russia .
I have President Putin ; he just said it 's not Russia .
I will say this : I do n't see any reason why it would be , but I really do want to see the server . ''
That statement , letting Russia off the hook , forced President Trump to issue a retraction the next day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin was n't just standing idly by .
He was working to shift blame away from Russia .
`` They 're picking up on elements or narratives that already exist in a society and amplifying those narratives that advance Russian interests , '' said Kendall-Taylor .
The interest of Putin was to drive a wedge between his enemy , Ukraine and Ukraine 's most important ally , the United States .
`` A successful , prosperous , Western-oriented Ukraine provides a direct threat to Putin 's hold on power , '' Kendall-Taylor said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful Ukraine on his southern border , because then it demonstrates to Russians what is possible . ''
`` The word , '' that Ukraine was involved in election meddling , was amplified by the Trump 's defenders in the impeachment inquiry .
They pointed to a 2016 opinion article and social media posts , written by Ukrainians , that were critical of Mr. Trump , as though they were equivalent to Russia 's covert campaign targeting U.S. computer networks , voting systems and social media .
Fiona Hill , Mr. Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Security Council , warned the committee .
`` Some of you on this committee appear to believe that Russia and its security services did not conduct a campaign against our country - and that , perhaps , somehow , for some reason , Ukraine did , '' Hill said .
`` This is a fictional narrative that has been perpetrated and propagated by the Russian security services themselves . ''
`` What are the chances that this whispering campaign about a Democratic National Committee server in Ukraine is actually a Russian intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Pelley asked Bill Taylor , a former chief of U.S. embassy in Ukraine .
Read alsoNYT : Charges of Ukrainian meddling ?
A Russian operation , U.S. intelligence says '' The Russians are very good at that , '' Taylor said .
`` It 's these fake stories that they have propagated .
And that 's what they do .
They do it pretty well .
We have to be on guard against that . ''
From Vladimir Putin 's perspective it worked .
Last November , as impeachment played out and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said , at a forum , `` Thank God no one is accusing us of interfering in the U.S. elections anymore ; now they 're accusing Ukraine . ''
CBS News reached out to the White House multiple times on this story , but they did not respond .

The consensus view of the CIA, NSA, FBI and a Senate investigation is that Russians interfered in the 2016 election. But those findings don't line up with the ever-evolving story President Trump has been telling about Ukraine.
Last July, U.S. President Donald Trump made the phone call to Ukraine asking the president of Ukraine to investigate a mysterious Democratic National Committee computer server that Mr. Trump said was hidden in Ukraine.
CBS News has found that odd request is a story that has grown over the years and was influenced by Moscow.
The Russian attack on the 2016 election included hacking the computers of the Democratic National Committee. U.S. intelligence agencies found, "…the Russian government aspired to help President-elect Trump's election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton…" Former deputy national intelligence officer and CIA Russia analyst, Andrea Kendall-Taylor worked on that report.
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"The report itself was based on a large body of evidence that demonstrated not only what Russia was doing, but also its intent," Kendall-Taylor said. "And it's based on a number of different sources, collected human intelligence, technical intelligence."
Read alsoTop U.S. diplomat: no evidence Ukraine meddled in 2016 U.S. election – Reuters
Kendall-Taylor said the evidence is convincing and it isn't a close call. "If you read the intelligence report, it's the consensus view of three intelligence agencies; CIA, NSA and the FBI," Kendall-Taylor said.
The same conclusion was reached by the Republican-led Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. The committee's report on Russia interference was unanimously approved by all of its Democratic and Republican members.
"The Russian project was a top down, government-run covert operation that hacked into the DNC and individuals' personal emails, and weaponized that information to release it at the most important times," committee vice-chairman Democrat Mark Warner said.
But the idea that the Trump campaign was helped by Russia, even unwittingly, was a unanimous judgment Mr. Trump would not accept.
Trump began a campaign to discredit the intelligence community's conclusions. He tweeted, "So how and why are they so sure about hacking if they never even requested an examination of the computer servers?" In Mr. Trump's telling, the FBI failed to look for evidence on the Democrats' computer network. The story of the mystery server was born.
Robert Johnston dealt directly with the FBI as an investigator of the DNC hack for CrowdStrike, a leading cyber security company hired by the Democrats. He told us the FBI didn't physically examine the DNC servers because CrowdStrike gave the bureau copies of the data from the servers.
Read alsoFiona Hill: Ukraine election meddling "fictional narrative" told by Russia
"If there is a server or a computer system of any kind that's involved in the incident you can take an exact bit for bit digital copy of what's on that system. Now that digital copy is just as good as having the real thing," Johnston said.
The FBI used the data to help indict 12 Russian intelligence agents for hacking the DNC. But Mr. Trump's tweets persisted, "Where is the server? I want to know, where is the server? And what is the server saying? With that being said, all I can do is ask the question," Mr Trump said in a press conference while standing alongside President Putin. "My people came to me – Dan Coats came to me and some others – they said they think it's Russia. I have President Putin; he just said it's not Russia. I will say this: I don't see any reason why it would be, but I really do want to see the server."
That statement, letting Russia off the hook, forced President Trump to issue a retraction the next day. Through all of this, Vladimir Putin wasn't just standing idly by. He was working to shift blame away from Russia.
"They're picking up on elements or narratives that already exist in a society and amplifying those narratives that advance Russian interests," said Kendall-Taylor.
The interest of Putin was to drive a wedge between his enemy, Ukraine and Ukraine's most important ally, the United States. "A successful, prosperous, Western-oriented Ukraine provides a direct threat to Putin's hold on power," Kendall-Taylor said. "He can't have a successful Ukraine on his southern border, because then it demonstrates to Russians what is possible."
"The word," that Ukraine was involved in election meddling, was amplified by the Trump's defenders in the impeachment inquiry. They pointed to a 2016 opinion article and social media posts, written by Ukrainians, that were critical of Mr. Trump, as though they were equivalent to Russia's covert campaign targeting U.S. computer networks, voting systems and social media. Fiona Hill, Mr. Trump's former senior director for Russia on the National Security Council, warned the committee.
"Some of you on this committee appear to believe that Russia and its security services did not conduct a campaign against our country - and that, perhaps, somehow, for some reason, Ukraine did," Hill said. "This is a fictional narrative that has been perpetrated and propagated by the Russian security services themselves."
"What are the chances that this whispering campaign about a Democratic National Committee server in Ukraine is actually a Russian intelligence operation, a Russian disinformation operation?" Pelley asked Bill Taylor, a former chief of U.S. embassy in Ukraine.
Read alsoNYT: Charges of Ukrainian meddling? A Russian operation, U.S. intelligence says
"The Russians are very good at that," Taylor said. "It's these fake stories that they have propagated. And that's what they do. They do it pretty well. We have to be on guard against that."
From Vladimir Putin's perspective it worked. Last November, as impeachment played out and America's next election season was underway, he said, at a forum, "Thank God no one is accusing us of interfering in the U.S. elections anymore; now they're accusing Ukraine."
CBS News reached out to the White House multiple times on this story, but they did not respond.


unian--2020-02-17--Coronavirus death toll tops 1,770

Coronavirus death toll tops 1,770

The number of deaths from the novel coronavirus has risen to 1,770 , with an additional 100 deaths reported Sunday in Hubei , the Chinese province at the center of the outbreak .
There have been more than 71,000 cases worldwide , with the vast majority of those in mainland China .
The largest outbreaks outside of China have been in Singapore and Japan , CNN reports .
While the vast majority of deaths have occurred in mainland China , there have been fatal cases of the virus in Hong Kong , the Philippines , Japan , and France .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in more than two dozen countries worldwide , affecting nearly every continent , CNN reports .
`` Right now we 're in an aggressive containment mode , '' Robert Redfield , director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) , told CNN last week .
`` We do n't know a lot about this virus .
This virus is probably with us beyond this season , beyond this year , and I think eventually the virus will find a foothold and we will get community-based transmission . ''
Slowing progression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on developing and testing a vaccine and antiviral drugs for this novel coronavirus .
Currently , there is no known cure for the virus .
As the outbreak has worsened , officials in Hubei have faced increasing scrutiny about whether they intentionally downplayed reports of the virus in the early weeks , or ignored evidence that it was being spread from person-to-person , delaying any efforts to contain it before it was too late .
Multiple officials have been removed from their positions , while others have offered to resign .
It had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay in response was contained to Hubei itself , and that central authorities were as in the dark as the international community until late January , when Chinese President Xi Jinping stepped in himself , ordering `` all out efforts '' to rein in the virus ' spread .
Over the weekend , however , a transcript of a speech Xi gave earlier this month was published .
In it , Xi said he first `` issued requirements for the prevention and control of the new coronavirus '' on January 7 .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personally directing the response to the outbreak -- something that has been repeatedly emphasized in state media -- the revelation that he knew about the virus when Hubei officials were publicly downplaying its danger , exposes him to the risk of being blamed , along with them , for failing to properly handle the outbreak in its early weeks .
It also raises additional questions for the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , which has previously praised China for its `` transparency '' and for sounding the alarm early and enabling a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , Hubei announced new measures , including province-wide traffic restrictions on all non-emergency vehicles and the closure of all non-essential public venues .
Already there are reports of residential compounds being completely sealed off , with no one able to go in or out except in rare circumstances .
Health screening is to be stepped up , with officials going door-to-door to look for new cases .
Anyone displaying potential symptoms `` should be immediately reported to the local community or village , '' the government said in a circular announcing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be infected with the virus , their close contacts , or anyone with a fever , should be `` timely treated or placed in quarantine instead of self-isolation at home , '' it said .
On the economic side , Hubei said that `` companies should not resume production unless allowed by local epidemic prevention authorities . ''

The number of deaths from the novel coronavirus has risen to 1,770, with an additional 100 deaths reported Sunday in Hubei, the Chinese province at the center of the outbreak.
There have been more than 71,000 cases worldwide, with the vast majority of those in mainland China. The largest outbreaks outside of China have been in Singapore and Japan, CNN reports.
While the vast majority of deaths have occurred in mainland China, there have been fatal cases of the virus in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, and France. Cases of the virus have been confirmed in more than two dozen countries worldwide, affecting nearly every continent, CNN reports.
"Right now we're in an aggressive containment mode," Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), told CNN last week. "We don't know a lot about this virus. This virus is probably with us beyond this season, beyond this year, and I think eventually the virus will find a foothold and we will get community-based transmission."
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Slowing progression gives more time for researchers to work on developing and testing a vaccine and antiviral drugs for this novel coronavirus. Currently, there is no known cure for the virus.
As the outbreak has worsened, officials in Hubei have faced increasing scrutiny about whether they intentionally downplayed reports of the virus in the early weeks, or ignored evidence that it was being spread from person-to-person, delaying any efforts to contain it before it was too late.
Multiple officials have been removed from their positions, while others have offered to resign. It had been thought that any blame for the delay in response was contained to Hubei itself, and that central authorities were as in the dark as the international community until late January, when Chinese President Xi Jinping stepped in himself, ordering "all out efforts" to rein in the virus' spread.
Read alsoUkrainian plane to evacuate from Wuhan Ukrainian, Argentinian nationals
Over the weekend, however, a transcript of a speech Xi gave earlier this month was published. In it, Xi said he first "issued requirements for the prevention and control of the new coronavirus" on January 7.
While the speech underlines that Xi has been personally directing the response to the outbreak -- something that has been repeatedly emphasized in state media -- the revelation that he knew about the virus when Hubei officials were publicly downplaying its danger, exposes him to the risk of being blamed, along with them, for failing to properly handle the outbreak in its early weeks.
It also raises additional questions for the World Health Organization (WHO), which has previously praised China for its "transparency" and for sounding the alarm early and enabling a global response to the virus.
On Sunday, Hubei announced new measures, including province-wide traffic restrictions on all non-emergency vehicles and the closure of all non-essential public venues. Already there are reports of residential compounds being completely sealed off, with no one able to go in or out except in rare circumstances.
Health screening is to be stepped up, with officials going door-to-door to look for new cases. Anyone displaying potential symptoms "should be immediately reported to the local community or village," the government said in a circular announcing the new restrictions.
Anyone suspected or confirmed to be infected with the virus, their close contacts, or anyone with a fever, should be "timely treated or placed in quarantine instead of self-isolation at home," it said.
On the economic side, Hubei said that "companies should not resume production unless allowed by local epidemic prevention authorities."


unian--2020-02-17--Putin not to give Crimea back to Ukraine – Sentsov

At the same time , Putin must not be allowed to stabilize the political , economic , and social situation in Russia .
Ukrainian film director and former Kremlin political prisoner Oleh Sentsov believes that under Vladimir Putin 's rule , Russia will never return Crimea to Ukraine , while the only strategy remaining for Ukraine and its allies is to keep exerting pressure on Moscow .
`` Here you need to understand that Putin will not give up Crimea – this is impossible .
It would be easier for him to give up the Kremlin than to give up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to try to agree with him on Crimea .
He will not return Donbas on our terms , either , '' Sentsov said in an interview Ukrayinska Pravda .
`` So , we need to push on him – this is the only strategy for both Ukraine and the international community .
We must put pressure on him , not let him stabilize the political , economic , and social situation in Russia , '' the film director added .
Read alsoSentsov tells U.S. Congress about confessions of Russian military who seized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Putin 's regime is `` doomed '' anyway , since there are no independent institutions left in the Russian Federation that are not fixated on the figure of the incumbent president .
`` So anyone who succeeds Putin will be forced to seek support abroad in order to rely on their political influence and support , because he will have none within the country .
And in this situation , with the help of Western partners , we can take a tough stance on non-recognizing the new government without having our territories @ @ @ @ @ @

At the same time, Putin must not be allowed to stabilize the political, economic, and social situation in Russia.
Ukrainian film director and former Kremlin political prisoner Oleh Sentsov believes that under Vladimir Putin's rule, Russia will never return Crimea to Ukraine, while the only strategy remaining for Ukraine and its allies is to keep exerting pressure on Moscow.
"Here you need to understand that Putin will not give up Crimea – this is impossible. It would be easier for him to give up the Kremlin than to give up Crimea. So, we can't continue to try to agree with him on Crimea. He will not return Donbas on our terms, either," Sentsov said in an interview Ukrayinska Pravda.
"So, we need to push on him – this is the only strategy for both Ukraine and the international community. We must put pressure on him, not let him stabilize the political, economic, and social situation in Russia," the film director added.
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Read alsoSentsov tells U.S. Congress about confessions of Russian military who seized Crimea
Sentsov notes that in the future, Putin's regime is "doomed" anyway, since there are no independent institutions left in the Russian Federation that are not fixated on the figure of the incumbent president.
"So anyone who succeeds Putin will be forced to seek support abroad in order to rely on their political influence and support, because he will have none within the country. And in this situation, with the help of Western partners, we can take a tough stance on non-recognizing the new government without having our territories returned," Sentsov concluded.


unian--2020-02-17--Russia names condition for holding Normandy Four summit

The foreign ministry noted that Moscow would continue to insist on compliance with the agreements already reached .
The decision to hold a new summit in the Normandy format will be made based on progress in implementing the existing arrangements , says Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation , Alexander Grushko .
Speaking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference , he said : `` The agreement was absolutely clear that the new summit [ in the Norman format ] should summarize what was discussed at the previous summit .
This concerns disengagement of forces , ceasefire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steinmeier formula in [ Ukrainian ] legislation , and some other things , '' RBC reports .
The main condition for holding a new summit is `` progress on a set of agreements – both on the security track and on the political track , '' according to the official .
`` Simultaneous movement on these tracks is the core of the philosophy that was laid down in the Minsk agreements , '' the Russian official added .
Read alsoPompeo : Russia has contempt for territorial integrity of other nations According to Grushko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compliance with the agreements already reached .
`` It is possible to get together , but if there are no changes for the better on the ground , the benefits of such meetings are dubious , '' he said .
As one of the main obstacles to the implementation of the Minsk agreements , Grushko called `` the lack of Kyiv 's readiness for a normal dialogue with Donetsk and Luhansk . ''
As UNIAN reported earlier , President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Ukrainian authorities were making every effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place in April this year .
In turn , Foreign Minister Vadym Pristayko noted that the Normandy Summit may not take place in April , as previously scheduled .
Zelensky also ruled out the possibility of direct dialogue between the Ukrainian authorities and representatives of occupation administrations in eastern Ukraine 's Donbas .
`` We are ready for dialogue with the civilian population of these territories , but not with those who have n't been recognized from the international law perspective , and therefore can not represent the local population of Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Conference .

The foreign ministry noted that Moscow would continue to insist on compliance with the agreements already reached.
The decision to hold a new summit in the Normandy format will be made based on progress in implementing the existing arrangements, says Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexander Grushko.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, he said: "The agreement was absolutely clear that the new summit [in the Norman format] should summarize what was discussed at the previous summit. This concerns disengagement of forces, ceasefire, demining, prisoner swap, introduction of Steinmeier formula in [Ukrainian] legislation, and some other things," RBC reports.
The main condition for holding a new summit is "progress on a set of agreements – both on the security track and on the political track," according to the official.
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"Simultaneous movement on these tracks is the core of the philosophy that was laid down in the Minsk agreements," the Russian official added.
Read alsoPompeo: Russia has contempt for territorial integrity of other nations
According to Grushko, Russia will continue to insist on compliance with the agreements already reached.
"It is possible to get together, but if there are no changes for the better on the ground, the benefits of such meetings are dubious," he said.
As one of the main obstacles to the implementation of the Minsk agreements, Grushko called "the lack of Kyiv's readiness for a normal dialogue with Donetsk and Luhansk."
As UNIAN reported earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Ukrainian authorities were making every effort to ensure that the next Normandy Four summit took place in April this year. In turn, Foreign Minister Vadym Pristayko noted that the Normandy Summit may not take place in April, as previously scheduled.
Zelensky also ruled out the possibility of direct dialogue between the Ukrainian authorities and representatives of occupation administrations in eastern Ukraine's Donbas.
"We are ready for dialogue with the civilian population of these territories, but not with those who haven't been recognized from the international law perspective, and therefore cannot represent the local population of Ukraine," Zelensky said during the Munich Security Conference.


unian--2020-02-17--"Don't take it so seriously": Ischinger on controversial "Munich Plan" for Donbas settlement

Ischinger believes that Europe should n't accept Russia 's isolation and should instead strengthen dialogue with Moscow .
Chairman of the Munich Security Conference , Wolfgang Ishinger , has commented on the scandalous `` Munich Plan `` Twelve Steps toward Greater Security in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Region '' , which was developed , including , by the Russians .
Ischinger believes that Europe should not accept Russia 's isolation and should instead strengthen dialogue with Moscow , keeping the doors open – that 's despite the Kremlin 's actions in Syria , Georgia , and Ukraine , TSN Tyzhden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ document sparked such a controversy .
`` I did privately sign this document , just like Carl Bild did .
But there is no reason to be so indignant .
We put forward many different offers and I hope that from time to time we make reasonable ones .
But all this should not be taken so terribly seriously , '' Ischinger said , according to a report delivered in Ukrainian .
As reported earlier , the Plan titled `` Twelve Steps toward Greater Security in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Region '' appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conference before being taken off the website .
However , later , the document was put on the website again .
The document noted that its signatories were the chairman of the Munich Security Conference , Wolfgang Ischinger and former Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov .
Among signatories were the three Ukrainian experts – Vasyl Filipchuk , Oleksandr Chaliy , and Oleksiy Semeniy .
The document did not address Russia 's military aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of Ukrainian territories , at the same time echoing certain talking points and narratives of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradual lifting of sanctions off of Russia subject to the step-by-step implementation of the Minsk agreements and the start of a comprehensive dialogue in Ukraine regarding national identity , which would take into account the positions of Russia , Hungary and Poland .
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said the document was not official paper and contradicted the official position of Ukraine .

Ischinger believes that Europe shouldn't accept Russia's isolation and should instead strengthen dialogue with Moscow.
Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ishinger, has commented on the scandalous "Munich Plan "Twelve Steps toward Greater Security in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Region", which was developed, including, by the Russians.
Ischinger believes that Europe should not accept Russia's isolation and should instead strengthen dialogue with Moscow, keeping the doors open – that's despite the Kremlin's actions in Syria, Georgia, and Ukraine, TSN Tyzhden reports.
Ischinger also wonders why the document sparked such a controversy.
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Read alsoMFA Ukraine comments on "Munich plan" for Donbas settlement
"I did privately sign this document, just like Carl Bild did. But there is no reason to be so indignant. We put forward many different offers and I hope that from time to time we make reasonable ones. But all this should not be taken so terribly seriously," Ischinger said, according to a report delivered in Ukrainian.
As reported earlier, the Plan titled "Twelve Steps toward Greater Security in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Region" appeared on the website of the Munich Security Conference before being taken off the website.
However, later, the document was put on the website again.
The document noted that its signatories were the chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger and former Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.
Among signatories were the three Ukrainian experts – Vasyl Filipchuk, Oleksandr Chaliy, and Oleksiy Semeniy.
The document did not address Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of Ukrainian territories, at the same time echoing certain talking points and narratives of Russian propaganda.
The Plan offered the gradual lifting of sanctions off of Russia subject to the step-by-step implementation of the Minsk agreements and the start of a comprehensive dialogue in Ukraine regarding national identity, which would take into account the positions of Russia, Hungary and Poland.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said the document was not official paper and contradicted the official position of Ukraine.


unian--2020-02-17--Ukrainian plane to evacuate from Wuhan Ukrainian, Argentinian nationals

Argentinian authorities have expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian government .
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina says Ukraine has offered to take out of Wuhan , a Chinese city in the epicenter of COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic , Argentinian nationals who happened to be in that locality .
`` The Government of Ukraine has informed , through our Embassy in Kyiv , their willingness to provide a place for Argentine citizens who are in Wuhan , China , on a flight prepared by that country that is departing on February 18 , planning to return to Kyiv the next day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks , '' the ministry said in a statement .
Read alsoTaiwan confirms first coronavirus death on island , cases at 20 – Reuters '' Once again our foreign ministry expresses gratitude to the Ukrainian government for its generosity and to the government of China for its collaboration in this invaluable action , '' the diplomats say .
The report does not elaborate on the number of Argentinians set to be evacuated .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Ukrainian liner is set to take Ukrainian citizens from Wuhan on February 18 @

The plane is set to arrive in Kyiv February 19.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina says Ukraine has offered to take out of Wuhan, a Chinese city in the epicenter of COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic, Argentinian nationals who happened to be in that locality.
"The Government of Ukraine has informed, through our Embassy in Kyiv, their willingness to provide a place for Argentine citizens who are in Wuhan, China, on a flight prepared by that country that is departing on February 18, planning to return to Kyiv the next day, where passengers must be quarantined for two weeks," the ministry said in a statement.
Read alsoTaiwan confirms first coronavirus death on island, cases at 20 – Reuters
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"Once again our foreign ministry expresses gratitude to the Ukrainian government for its generosity and to the government of China for its collaboration in this invaluable action," the diplomats say.
The report does not elaborate on the number of Argentinians set to be evacuated.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Ukrainian liner is set to take Ukrainian citizens from Wuhan on February 18.


unian--2020-02-17--Ukraine reports nine enemy attacks in Donbas on Feb 16

No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops in the past day .
Russia 's hybrid military forces on Sunday mounted @ @ @ @ @ in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
`` The armed forces of the Russian Federation violated @ @ @ @ @ February 16 , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation said in @ @ @ @ @ 07:00 Kyiv time on February 17 , 2020 .
The enemy opened fire , employing @ @ @ @ @ , grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and rifles .
Read @ @ @ @ @ in this fight together '' : Pompeo tells of meeting with Ukrainian wounded soldier Under @ @ @ @ @ the town of Maryinka , and the villages of Lebedynske , Novoluhanske , Krymske , @ @ @ @ @ Khutir Vilny .
No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops in the past day .
@ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian positions from 00:00 to 07:00 Kyiv time on February 17 .

No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops in the past day.
Russia's hybrid military forces on Sunday mounted nine attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
"The armed forces of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire nine times on February 16," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on February 17, 2020.
The enemy opened fire, employing proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and rifles.
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Read also"We're all in this fight together": Pompeo tells of meeting with Ukrainian wounded soldier
Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Lebedynske, Novoluhanske, Krymske, Orikhove, Novozvanivka, and Khutir Vilny.
No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops in the past day.
The enemy did not attack Ukrainian positions from 00:00 to 07:00 Kyiv time on February 17.


unian--2020-02-17--Russian agents plunge to new ocean depths in Ireland to crack transatlantic cables – The Times

Irish security officials suspect that Russia might be considering their country as a regional base for intelligence operations .
Russia has sent intelligence agents to Ireland to map the precise location of the fiber-optic , ocean-bed cables that connect Europe to America , gardai suspect .
This has raised concerns that Russian agents are checking the cables for weak points , with a view to tapping or even damaging them in the future , The Times reports .
Ireland is the landing point for undersea cables which carry internet traffic between America , Britain , and Europe .
The cables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow financial transactions to take place seamlessly .
Garda and military sources believe the agents were sent by the GRU , the military intelligence branch of the Russian armed forces which was blamed for the nerve agent attack in Britain on Sergei Skripal , a former Russian intelligence officer .
Irish security officials also suspect that Russia might be considering their country as a regional base for intelligence operations .
Ireland 's counterintelligence is not that developed , according to a British expert on Russia , Mark Galeotti , who suggests this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weakest link .
Also , Russian spies could be interested in various tech giants that placed their offices in Dublin .

Irish security officials suspect that Russia might be considering their country as a regional base for intelligence operations.
Russia has sent intelligence agents to Ireland to map the precise location of the fiber-optic, ocean-bed cables that connect Europe to America, gardai suspect.
This has raised concerns that Russian agents are checking the cables for weak points, with a view to tapping or even damaging them in the future, The Times reports.
Ireland is the landing point for undersea cables which carry internet traffic between America, Britain, and Europe. The cables enable millions of people to communicate and allow financial transactions to take place seamlessly.
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Garda and military sources believe the agents were sent by the GRU, the military intelligence branch of the Russian armed forces which was blamed for the nerve agent attack in Britain on Sergei Skripal, a former Russian intelligence officer.
Read alsoFacebook removes Russian accounts over Ukraine interference
Irish security officials also suspect that Russia might be considering their country as a regional base for intelligence operations.
Ireland's counterintelligence is not that developed, according to a British expert on Russia, Mark Galeotti, who suggests this is why Moscow could see the country as the weakest link.
Also, Russian spies could be interested in various tech giants that placed their offices in Dublin.


unian--2020-02-18--Ukraine's Economy Ministry expects over US$3 bln in foreign investment in 2020

The amount is set at up to US $ 5 billion under the best-case scenario .
Ukraine 's Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ Agriculture expects that foreign investment in 2020 will amount to US $ 3 billion – @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Minister of Economic Development , Trade and Agriculture Sergey Nikolaychuk announced such figures during @ @ @ @ @ 's strategy for economic growth of Ukraine .
`` We have two scenarios that were @ @ @ @ @ are now working on their updating .
If we are talking about the base-case scenario @ @ @ @ @ in foreign investment to US $ 3-3.5 billion .
In our best-case scenario , we @ @ @ @ @ up to US $ 5 billion .
In addition to foreign investors , we rely @ @ @ @ @ he said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Cabinet of Ministers set itself the @ @ @ @ @ % increase in Ukraine 's GDP in the next five years .
To do this @ @ @ @ @ raise about US $ 50 billion in investment .

Ukraine's Economy Ministry expects over US$3 bln in foreign investment in 2020
01:55, 18.02.20 6715
The amount is set at up to US$5 billion under the best-case scenario.
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unian--2020-02-17--PM Honcharuk promises 1 mln new jobs in five years

Some 200,000 new jobs are expected in 2020 alone .
Ukraine 's Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk says his government will @ @ @ @ @ and there will be one million legal job openings in five years .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ year 2020 is plus 200,000 new legal jobs and time to be spent on searching @ @ @ @ @ from 3.6 to 2 months on the average , '' he said on Facebook on @ @ @ @ @ five years , there will be 1 million [ new ] jobs . ''
As @ @ @ @ @ government launched a campaign to bring the labor market out of the shadows in order @ @ @ @ @ working conditions .
To this end , awareness campaigns and inspections will be conducted in @ @ @ @ @ construction , transport and courier services .

PM Honcharuk promises 1 mln new jobs in five years
23:58, 17.02.20 1063
Some 200,000 new jobs are expected in 2020 alone.
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unian--2020-02-17--Russia's MFA Lavrov: NATO "has nothing to do with Ukraine," shouldn't interfere in Donbas talks

He says NATO `` could only worsen '' the Ukrainian issue .
Russia 's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov insists NATO `` has nothing to do with Ukraine '' and should not interfere in talks on Donbas .
`` When they [ at NATO ] say that they are ready for dialogue with Russia , they are not completely true – they are open for dialogue that they understand as advancing claims against us , primarily regarding Ukraine , '' Lavrov said after the 2020 Munich Security Conference , according to an UNIAN correspondent in the Russian Federation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has never gathered `` without an attempted ultimatum to force us to consider Ukrainian problems in this format . ''
`` Our response is – and I mentioned this [ to NATO Secretary General Jens ] Stoltenberg when we met in Munich – that NATO has nothing to do with Ukraine .
We have dialogue with those Western countries that are in charge of the Ukrainian settlement – primarily participants of the Normandy format – France and Germany , '' he said .
`` And as Americans also joined these Ukrainian negotiations from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last couple of years , we 're still in contact with them but NATO as it is – they have nothing to do with the Ukrainian issue .
They could only worsen it , deepen the problems by keeping on saying that NATO is looking forward to having Ukraine joining them .
That 's undermining the efforts to implement the Minsk agreements , '' he said .

He says NATO "could only worsen" the Ukrainian issue.
Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov insists NATO "has nothing to do with Ukraine" and should not interfere in talks on Donbas.
"When they [at NATO] say that they are ready for dialogue with Russia, they are not completely true – they are open for dialogue that they understand as advancing claims against us, primarily regarding Ukraine," Lavrov said after the 2020 Munich Security Conference, according to an UNIAN correspondent in the Russian Federation.
Read alsoRussia names condition for holding Normandy Four summit
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According to him, the Russia-NATO Council has never gathered "without an attempted ultimatum to force us to consider Ukrainian problems in this format."
"Our response is – and I mentioned this [to NATO Secretary General Jens] Stoltenberg when we met in Munich – that NATO has nothing to do with Ukraine. We have dialogue with those Western countries that are in charge of the Ukrainian settlement – primarily participants of the Normandy format – France and Germany," he said.
"And as Americans also joined these Ukrainian negotiations from time to time, at least in the last couple of years, we're still in contact with them but NATO as it is – they have nothing to do with the Ukrainian issue. They could only worsen it, deepen the problems by keeping on saying that NATO is looking forward to having Ukraine joining them. That's undermining the efforts to implement the Minsk agreements," he said.


unian--2020-02-17--Kyiv's airport monument unveiled in memory of Iran plane crash victims – media

A memorial stone with the inscription `` PS 752 , 08.01.2020 '' was unveiled on February 17 at Boryspil International Airport outside the Ukrainian capital .
Ukrainian officials have unveiled a monument at Kyiv 's international airport to commemorate the victims of a Ukrainian airliner that crash in Iran last month .
A memorial stone with the inscription `` PS 752 , 08.01.2020 '' was unveiled on February 17 at Boryspil International Airport outside the Ukrainian capital , Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty ( RFE/RL ) reported .
Read alsoIran not to hand over black boxes from UIA 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Airlines ( UIA ) Boeing 737-800 crashed on January 8 after taking off from Tehran 's primary international airport , killing all 176 people aboard .
Three days after the tragedy , the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps ( IRGC ) admitted that Flight PS752 had been shot down `` unintentionally '' by the country 's air defenses , amid heightened tensions in the region .
The ceremony was attended by relatives of the victims , as well as Ukraine 's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystayko , the secretary of the Ukrainian Security Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yevhen Dyhne .
Representatives of other countries which lost their citizens in the crash – Afghanistan , Britain , Canada , Germany , Iran , and Sweden – were also present .
Addressing reporters , Prystayko said the investigation into the crash was still underway .
`` The Prosecutor General 's Office addressed the Iranian side with a request to create a joint investigation group which will result in punishing all those guilty – not only the person who pressed the button , '' he said .

A memorial stone with the inscription "PS 752, 08.01.2020" was unveiled on February 17 at Boryspil International Airport outside the Ukrainian capital.
Ukrainian officials have unveiled a monument at Kyiv's international airport to commemorate the victims of a Ukrainian airliner that crash in Iran last month.
A memorial stone with the inscription "PS 752, 08.01.2020" was unveiled on February 17 at Boryspil International Airport outside the Ukrainian capital, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported.
Read alsoIran not to hand over black boxes from UIA's downed plane to outside governments
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The Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) Boeing 737-800 crashed on January 8 after taking off from Tehran's primary international airport, killing all 176 people aboard. Three days after the tragedy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) admitted that Flight PS752 had been shot down "unintentionally" by the country's air defenses, amid heightened tensions in the region.
The ceremony was attended by relatives of the victims, as well as Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystayko, the secretary of the Ukrainian Security Service, Oleksiy Danilov, and UIA President Yevhen Dyhne.
Representatives of other countries which lost their citizens in the crash – Afghanistan, Britain, Canada, Germany, Iran, and Sweden – were also present.
Addressing reporters, Prystayko said the investigation into the crash was still underway.
"The Prosecutor General's Office addressed the Iranian side with a request to create a joint investigation group which will result in punishing all those guilty – not only the person who pressed the button," he said.


unian--2020-02-17--Ukraine's state debt shrinks to almost 44% of GDP amid hryvnia revaluation

The share of the country 's state debt in the national currency grew to 41 % .
Ukraine 's state debt as of the end of 2019 shrank to 43.8 % of GDP from 52.2 % as of the end of 2018 .
The share of government debt in the national currency increased to 41 % , from 33 % , according to the government report for 2019 , published on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers .
The cost of servicing the public debt in 2019 turned out to be UAH 26 billion ( US $ 1.06 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjustment of the borrowing schedule , lower rates and the transition to longer-term instruments , it said .
Read alsoAmount of foreign currency alone for repayment of Ukraine 's debts in 2020 exceeds US $ 9 bln Also , spending decreased by UAH 7 billion ( US $ 286 million ) due to the strengthening of the hryvnia .
Borrowings of the state budget 's general fund for the year amounted to UAH 409.8 billion ( US $ 16.76 billion ) , which was 1.2 % higher than the target .
As UNIAN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ukraine for 2019 increased in dollar terms by US $ 6.05 billion , or 7.7 % , to US $ 84.36 billion .
In the hryvnia equivalent , the state debt for the year decreased by UAH 170.17 billion , or by 7.8 % , to UAH 1.998 trillion .
At the beginning of this year , the ratio of state and state-guaranteed debt to GDP was 50 % .

Ukraine's state debt shrinks to almost 44% of GDP amid hryvnia revaluation
20:58, 17.02.20 2189
The share of the country's state debt in the national currency grew to 41%.
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unian--2020-02-17--Shadow transactions in Ukraine account for 23.8% of official GDP – study

The share of the shadow economy in 33 countries varies between 10.1 % and 26.9 % of GDP .
Shadow transactions in Ukraine account for 23.8 % of official GDP , or UAH 846 billion ( US $ 34.60 billion ) , according to a study .
The study was conducted by Ernst & Young with the support of Mastercard as part of a memorandum with the Ministry of Economic Development , Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine , the State Statistics Service of Ukraine , and the National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) , the latter said on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , including the Czech Republic , Poland , Slovenia , Slovakia , Croatia , Bulgaria , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Serbia , reveals that the share of the shadow economy ranges from 10.1 % to 26.9 % of GDP .
At the same time , the cash-based shadow economy in Ukraine accounts for 19.7 % of GDP , while 4.1 % of GDP is domestic production for own use , that is , a non-monetary shadow economy .
According to previous studies in European countries , an increase in the share of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce the shadow economy by 0.6-3.7 % of GDP , and government revenues grow by 0.1-0.8 % of GDP .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the number of transactions using payment cards in Ukraine in 2019 compared with the previous year increased by 29 % , to 5 billion units , and the volume of these operations rose by 24 % , to UAH 3.6 trillion ( US $ 147.2 billion ) .

Shadow transactions in Ukraine account for 23.8% of official GDP – study
19:55, 17.02.20 1700
The share of the shadow economy in 33 countries varies between 10.1% and 26.9% of GDP.
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unian--2020-02-17--Ambassador Taylor: 'No one' at State Department believed Trump conspiracy theory about Ukraine elect

Ambassador Taylor: 'No one' at State Department believed Trump conspiracy theory about Ukraine election meddling – Newsweek

He says no one at the State Department was told to investigate whether there was a DNC server in Ukraine .
Former U.S .
Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor has said that no officials at the State Department ever seriously considered conspiracy theories alleging that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 presidential elections to undermine President Donald Trump .
Taylor – who appeared as a witness during the House impeachment investigation into the president – told CBS News ' 60 Minutes program he saw no merit in the conspiracy theory , which has been propagated by the president and his allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , broadcast Sunday , Taylor told correspondent Scott Pelley he was frustrated by Trump 's parallel Ukraine policy , in which top advisers worked to bolster the president 's political fortunes .
Read also '' I wanted to be popular in U.S. '' : Zelensky jokes about Trump phone call The president 's attorney Rudy Giuliani was at the forefront of this effort , as he tried to dig up dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden and find evidence that the 2016 hack of the Democratic National Committee was directed from Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleges that the DNC then gave a key server that might contain evidence to Ukrainian company CrowdStrike .
The theory has been debunked , but this has not stopped the president peddling the allegations .
Taylor told CBS News that no one at the State Department was told to investigate whether there was a DNC server in Ukraine because `` no one took it seriously . ''
Taylor headed up the U.S. embassy in Ukraine while Trump froze hundreds of millions of military aid earmarked to the country .
The president was allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by President Volodymyr Zelensky into announcing an investigation into Biden .
Trump and his allies accuse Biden and his son Hunter of corruption , related to Hunter 's position on the board of the Burisma natural gas company during President Barack Obama 's tenure .
During his House testimony , Taylor warned that Trump 's conduct damaged U.S. and Ukrainian national security , and undermined Kyiv 's fight against Russian-backed armed formations in the east of the country .
Taylor told Pelley , `` Ukraine 's security is important to our security and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine is on the front line . ''
He explained that Russia is waging `` a hybrid war against Ukraine , but it 's not just about Ukraine , they are fighting a hybrid war against Europe and against the United States . ''
Taylor said the U.S. has a stake in the fighting , which extends far beyond the battlefields of eastern Ukraine .
`` Hybrid war is more than tanks and soldiers , '' he told Pelley .
`` Hybrid war is information war , it 's cyber war , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on elections and as we know they have attacked our elections . ''

He says no one at the State Department was told to investigate whether there was a DNC server in Ukraine.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor has said that no officials at the State Department ever seriously considered conspiracy theories alleging that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 presidential elections to undermine President Donald Trump.
Taylor – who appeared as a witness during the House impeachment investigation into the president – told CBS News' 60 Minutes program he saw no merit in the conspiracy theory, which has been propagated by the president and his allies, Newsweek reported.
In the interview, broadcast Sunday, Taylor told correspondent Scott Pelley he was frustrated by Trump's parallel Ukraine policy, in which top advisers worked to bolster the president's political fortunes.
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Read also"I wanted to be popular in U.S.": Zelensky jokes about Trump phone call
The president's attorney Rudy Giuliani was at the forefront of this effort, as he tried to dig up dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden and find evidence that the 2016 hack of the Democratic National Committee was directed from Ukraine and blamed on Russia. The theory alleges that the DNC then gave a key server that might contain evidence to Ukrainian company CrowdStrike.
The theory has been debunked, but this has not stopped the president peddling the allegations. Taylor told CBS News that no one at the State Department was told to investigate whether there was a DNC server in Ukraine because "no one took it seriously."
Taylor headed up the U.S. embassy in Ukraine while Trump froze hundreds of millions of military aid earmarked to the country. The president was allegedly trying to extort the new government led by President Volodymyr Zelensky into announcing an investigation into Biden.
Trump and his allies accuse Biden and his son Hunter of corruption, related to Hunter's position on the board of the Burisma natural gas company during President Barack Obama's tenure.
During his House testimony, Taylor warned that Trump's conduct damaged U.S. and Ukrainian national security, and undermined Kyiv's fight against Russian-backed armed formations in the east of the country.
Taylor told Pelley, "Ukraine's security is important to our security and the reason I believe that is that Ukraine is on the front line." He explained that Russia is waging "a hybrid war against Ukraine, but it's not just about Ukraine, they are fighting a hybrid war against Europe and against the United States."
Taylor said the U.S. has a stake in the fighting, which extends far beyond the battlefields of eastern Ukraine. "Hybrid war is more than tanks and soldiers," he told Pelley. "Hybrid war is information war, it's cyber war, it's economic war, it's attacks on elections and as we know they have attacked our elections."


unian--2020-02-17--RFE/RL: U.S.-Ukraine produced rocket lifts off, takes supplies to International Space Station

Its arrival is scheduled for February 18 .
A medium-class rocket jointly developed by U.S. and Ukrainian specialists successfully launched from a NASA flight facility in Virginia on February 15 , carrying nearly four tons of supplies , hardware , and science payloads to the International Space Station ( ISS ) .
The Antares rocket , partly designed by the Pivdenne Design Bureau and made by the Pivdenmash in Ukraine 's Dnipro region , lifted off at 3:21 p.m. local time carrying U.S. defense corporation Northrop Grumman 's robotic Cygnus cargo spacecraft , Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine conducts first burn test of Cyclone-4 launch vehicle stage Its cylindrical 3,750-kilogram payload included fresh fruit , cheddar and manchego cheese , as well as candy for the crew aboard the International Space Station ( ISS ) .
Its arrival is scheduled for February 18 and the crew will grab onto the spacecraft with the station 's Canadian-built robotic arm for its berthing .
The first electron microscope to fly in space , built by a Seattle company called Voxa , will conduct scientific experiments aboard the Cygnus .
The 13th Cygnus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawrence Jr. , the first African-American ever selected as an astronaut .
He was killed in a 1967 jet crash during his training mission for space .
NASA said a tissue and cell-culturing facility will be delivered to the ISS as well .
`` The Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to remain at the space station until May 11 , when it will depart the orbiting laboratory , '' NASA said in a news release .
It will support dozens of new and existing investigations , according to a blog by NASA and Northrop @ @

Its arrival is scheduled for February 18.
A medium-class rocket jointly developed by U.S. and Ukrainian specialists successfully launched from a NASA flight facility in Virginia on February 15, carrying nearly four tons of supplies, hardware, and science payloads to the International Space Station (ISS).
The Antares rocket, partly designed by the Pivdenne Design Bureau and made by the Pivdenmash in Ukraine's Dnipro region, lifted off at 3:21 p.m. local time carrying U.S. defense corporation Northrop Grumman's robotic Cygnus cargo spacecraft, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said.
Read alsoSuccess as Ukraine conducts first burn test of Cyclone-4 launch vehicle stage
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Its cylindrical 3,750-kilogram payload included fresh fruit, cheddar and manchego cheese, as well as candy for the crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Its arrival is scheduled for February 18 and the crew will grab onto the spacecraft with the station's Canadian-built robotic arm for its berthing.
The first electron microscope to fly in space, built by a Seattle company called Voxa, will conduct scientific experiments aboard the Cygnus.
The 13th Cygnus cargo spacecraft is named after Robert Henry Lawrence Jr., the first African-American ever selected as an astronaut. He was killed in a 1967 jet crash during his training mission for space.
NASA said a tissue and cell-culturing facility will be delivered to the ISS as well.
"The Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to remain at the space station until May 11, when it will depart the orbiting laboratory," NASA said in a news release.
It will support dozens of new and existing investigations, according to a blog by NASA and Northrop Grumman.


unian--2020-02-17--Ukraine's FM demands that Iranian counterpart share circumstances of plane downing

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko at a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammed Javad Zarif has demanded to investigate and report the reasons for the downing of a Ukrainian plane near Tehran .
`` We are actively working both as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as our government to restore justice , to bring to responsibility all those who are guilty , '' Prystaiko said at the Boryspil Airport to relatives of the dead Ukrainians on board the PS752 flight .
`` I understand we can in no way repay the lives of your relatives .
The only thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compensation for this , '' Prystaiko said .
He reiterated he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif on February 15 .
`` During this meeting , we demanded a fair and honest investigation .
We will not agree to just blame some soldier who shot it down .
We demand to know the whole truth about what happened with our flight , which led to the death of our people , '' Prystaiko said .
Read alsoPS752 downing : Ukraine releases intercepted tower communications proving Iran was aware of missile launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meeting of ministers of the countries of the International group for the coordination of assistance to the victims of the Ukrainian aircraft PS752 crash took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on February 15 .
The meeting was attended by representatives of Ukraine , Canada , Sweden , Britain , and Afghanistan .
Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the common goal of all five countries is to ensure responsibility , transparency and justice from Iran for the victims of the terrible tragedy .
According to him , Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meeting for a short time .
In particular , the ministers of five countries called on Iran to hand over `` black boxes '' from a downed Ukrainian plane for examination .
In turn , Zarif confirmed his readiness to cooperate with Ukraine in the probe of the crash .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Kyiv-bound UIA flight PS752 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran 's Imam Khomeini International Airport in the early hours of January 8 .
It was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members on board .
Two passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Read alsoIran not to hand over black boxes from UIA 's downed plane to outside governments On January 11 , Iranian President Hassan Rouhani officially admitted that the Ukrainian airliner had been shot down by accident as a result of a `` human error '' and that those responsible would be held accountable .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airport 's air traffic control tower and the second pilot of Iran 's Aseman Airlines flight at the time of the crash of flight PS752 were released by TSN.Tyzhden .
Tehran blamed the Ukrainian authorities for leaking what it described as confidential evidence , and said it would no longer share investigation materials with Ukraine .
Tehran has not yet handed over the PS752 black boxes to Kyiv , although the Iranian authorities do not have equipment to analyze them .

Ukraine demands fair compensation over the incident.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko at a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammed Javad Zarif has demanded to investigate and report the reasons for the downing of a Ukrainian plane near Tehran.
"We are actively working both as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as our government to restore justice, to bring to responsibility all those who are guilty," Prystaiko said at Boryspil Airport to relatives of the dead Ukrainians on board the PS752 flight.
"I understand we can in no way repay the lives of your relatives. The only thing we can do is to demand fair compensation for this," Prystaiko said.
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He reiterated he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif on February 15.
"During this meeting, we demanded a fair and honest investigation. We will not agree to just blame some soldier who shot it down. We demand to know the whole truth about what happened with our flight, which led to the death of our people," Prystaiko said.
Read alsoPS752 downing: Ukraine releases intercepted tower communications proving Iran was aware of missile launch all along
As UNIAN reported earlier, a meeting of ministers of the countries of the International group for the coordination of assistance to the victims of the Ukrainian aircraft PS752 crash took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on February 15.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Ukraine, Canada, Sweden, Britain, and Afghanistan.
Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the common goal of all five countries is to ensure responsibility, transparency and justice from Iran for the victims of the terrible tragedy. According to him, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif also joined the meeting for a short time.
In particular, the ministers of five countries called on Iran to hand over "black boxes" from a downed Ukrainian plane for examination.
In turn, Zarif confirmed his readiness to cooperate with Ukraine in the probe of the crash.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Kyiv-bound UIA flight PS752 crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport in the early hours of January 8. It was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members on board. Two passengers and the crew members were Ukrainians. There were also 82 citizens of Iran, 63 citizens of Canada, 10 citizens of Sweden, four citizens of Afghanistan, three citizens of Germany and the United Kingdom each. There were no survivors.
Read alsoIran not to hand over black boxes from UIA's downed plane to outside governments
On January 11, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani officially admitted that the Ukrainian airliner had been shot down by accident as a result of a "human error" and that those responsible would be held accountable.
On February 2, intercepted communications between Tehran Airport's air traffic control tower and the second pilot of Iran's Aseman Airlines flight at the time of the crash of flight PS752 were released by TSN.Tyzhden. Tehran blamed the Ukrainian authorities for leaking what it described as confidential evidence, and said it would no longer share investigation materials with Ukraine.
Tehran has not yet handed over the PS752 black boxes to Kyiv, although the Iranian authorities do not have equipment to analyze them.


unian--2020-02-17--Ukraine's Naftogaz presents strategy to boost gas production

The company plans to increase production through ultra-deep drilling at the Shebelynka gas field .
Director of Integrated Gas Division at NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine Andriy Favorov says the company has presented the Tryzub ( `` Trident '' /Ukraine 's national coat of arms ) strategy to boost the country 's gas production within the next decade years .
The strategy is based on three focus areas , he told a press conference on February 17 .
In particular , the company plans to increase production through ultra-deep drilling at the Shebelynka gas field , extracting gas from dense rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelf .
Naftogaz also plans to intensify production at both existing wells and traditional fields .
Read alsoNaftogaz group seeks nearly US $ 8 bln over assets Russia seized in Crimea Favorov says the annual natural decline in gas production in existing fields is about 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas .
Moreover , the company 's largest fields , which were discovered in 1960-1980 , are almost exhausted , so the country needs the new development strategy .
However , he did not voice specific figures , noting that it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the program before its final stage .
`` I will not deceive you , giving you any figures , '' he said .

Ukraine's Naftogaz presents strategy to boost gas production
16:20, 17.02.20 1771
The company plans to increase production through ultra-deep drilling at the Shebelynka gas field.
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unian--2020-02-17--Zelensky has reasons to oppose Trump's words about corrupt Ukraine – media

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the Munich Security Conference spoke out about the infamous phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump .
The latter called this episode `` perfect . ''
In turn , the Ukrainian president during an interview with CNN said he was ready for a new call .
At the same time , he firmly rejected Trump 's allegations that Ukraine was a corrupt country .
`` When I had a meeting with Mr. President Trump , and he said that in previous years , it was so corrupt , that country , Ukraine .
I told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open with him .
I told him that we fight with corruption , we fight with this , fight each day , but please , please , stop saying that Ukraine is a corrupt country .
Because from now on , it 's not true , '' CNN cited Zelensky as saying .
According to CNN national security analyst Samantha Vinograd , the Ukrainian president rejected Trump 's statement to improve the image of his country in the eyes of investors .
Read alsoWhy President Trump asked Ukraine to look into a DNC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News '' I think President Zelensky was really trying to address a PR problem .
Being labeled as a corrupt country can discourage foreign investment and foreign assistance .
And that 's why Zelensky used part of his interview to try to rehabilitate Ukraine 's image , '' she said .
`` But he is right that Ukraine is making progress on anti-corruption measures .
The IMF and actual U.S. experts , leave President Trump aside , agree on that point .
In addition to trying to rehabilitate Ukraine 's image as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also publicly grappling with the peace problem .
Later in his interview , he spoke with Christian about Ukraine 's ongoing armed conflict with Russia .
Zelensky campaigned on ending that conflict with Russia .
He has not been successful .
And the wavering in U.S. support , namely the withholding of U.S. security assistance will make it harder for Ukraine to defend itself and decrease Zelensky 's leverage in negotiations with Vladimir Putin , '' she said .

Trump's words harm Kyiv's investment image.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the Munich Security Conference spoke out about the infamous phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. The latter called this episode "perfect." In turn, the Ukrainian president during an interview with CNN said he was ready for a new call.
At the same time, he firmly rejected Trump's allegations that Ukraine was a corrupt country.
"When I had a meeting with Mr. President Trump, and he said that in previous years, it was so corrupt, that country, Ukraine. I told him very honestly and I was very open with him. I told him that we fight with corruption, we fight with this, fight each day, but please, please, stop saying that Ukraine is a corrupt country. Because from now on, it's not true," CNN cited Zelensky as saying.
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According to CNN national security analyst Samantha Vinograd, the Ukrainian president rejected Trump's statement to improve the image of his country in the eyes of investors.
Read alsoWhy President Trump asked Ukraine to look into a DNC "server" and CrowdStrike – CBS News
"I think President Zelensky was really trying to address a PR problem. Being labeled as a corrupt country can discourage foreign investment and foreign assistance. And that's why Zelensky used part of his interview to try to rehabilitate Ukraine's image," she said.
Vinograd added Ukraine does suffer from corruption.
"But he is right that Ukraine is making progress on anti-corruption measures. The IMF and actual U.S. experts, leave President Trump aside, agree on that point. In addition to trying to rehabilitate Ukraine's image as a safe place to do business, Zelensky was also publicly grappling with the peace problem. Later in his interview, he spoke with Christian about Ukraine's ongoing armed conflict with Russia. Zelensky campaigned on ending that conflict with Russia. He has not been successful. And the wavering in U.S. support, namely the withholding of U.S. security assistance will make it harder for Ukraine to defend itself and decrease Zelensky's leverage in negotiations with Vladimir Putin," she said.


unian--2020-02-17--Ukrainian gas stocks shrink to 16.32 bcm since Nov 2

As of February 15 , 2020 , gas reserves in the country 's USFs were 58 % up from the @ @ @ @ @ 15 , 2019 .
Natural gas stocks in Ukraine 's underground storage facilities ( USFs @ @ @ @ @ % , to 16.32 billion cubic meters ( bcm ) since November 2 , when @ @ @ @ @ from its reserves amid the heating season .
As of February 15 , 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ 's USFs stood at 16.32 bcm , which was 58 % up from 10.35 bcm @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , the state-run gas transport system operator Ukrtransgaz said .
As UNIAN reported earlier @ @ @ @ @ stopped injecting gas into the underground storage facilities and began pumping it out for the @ @ @ @ @ the start of the heating season , Ukraine had accumulated 21.76 bcm of gas in @ @ @ @ @ 17.2 bcm year-on-year .

Ukrainian gas stocks shrink to 16.32 bcm since Nov 2
15:40, 17.02.20 2163
As of February 15, 2020, gas reserves in the country's USFs were 58% up from the figure reported as of February 15, 2019.
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unian--2020-02-17--Final draft of bill on all-Ukrainian referendum ready – Parl't deputy speaker

Stefanchuk stands for holding a discussion between factions and groups , as well as an `` internal scientific round table . ''
First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk says Parliament has drafted the final version of the bill on an all-Ukrainian referendum .
`` We have actually reached the final version of the law of Ukraine on the all-Ukrainian referendum .
This is the first draft of a series of bills related to people 's rule , '' he said during the Conciliation Council of faction leaders and chairmen of parliamentary committees , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of factions that took up the initiative in this matter would also be involved in this work .
Read alsoUkraine 's Rada considers 184 of over 4,000 amendments to farmland bill , to continue on Friday '' This is a unique example where we have the opportunity to attract almost all public organizations specializing in this field , '' he said .
Stefanchuk also advocated holding a discussion between factions and groups , as well as an `` internal scientific round table . ''
Later , Stefanchuk says , the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviews from leading institutions dealing with issues of people 's rule across the world .

Stefanchuk stands for holding a discussion between factions and groups, as well as an "internal scientific round table."
First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk says Parliament has drafted the final version of the bill on an all-Ukrainian referendum.
"We have actually reached the final version of the law of Ukraine on the all-Ukrainian referendum. This is the first draft of a series of bills related to people's rule," he said during the Conciliation Council of faction leaders and chairmen of parliamentary committees, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Stefanchuk added that a number of factions that took up the initiative in this matter would also be involved in this work.
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Read alsoUkraine's Rada considers 184 of over 4,000 amendments to farmland bill, to continue on Friday
"This is a unique example where we have the opportunity to attract almost all public organizations specializing in this field," he said.
Stefanchuk also advocated holding a discussion between factions and groups, as well as an "internal scientific round table."
Later, Stefanchuk says, the bill must be translated into English to receive reviews from leading institutions dealing with issues of people's rule across the world.


unian--2020-02-17--Ukraine prepares to snub China in aerospace deal with U.S. help – Forbes

The antitrust authority says it might have a strong case against the deal , which has become a major sticking point in the global military and political rivalry between China and the U.S .
Withholding U.S. defense aid to Ukraine became the talk of town in Washington D.C. during the impeachment hearings .
Meanwhile , a different drama has been unfolding in Ukraine around a key strategic aerospace company , Motor Sich , which the USA is trying to stop China from buying .
Ukraine 's antitrust authority is preparing a case to potentially block a deal that would give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the U.S. diplomacy and technical assistance has played a key role in the process , according to the agency 's chairman , Forbes reports .
The final decision on the deal is expected by the end of March .
Created in 1907 , Motor Sich is a leading manufacturer of helicopter and aircraft engines , including engines for the world 's largest cargo plane An-225 , also known as Mriya .
A major chunk of its business is also built around servicing and upgrading Soviet-made defense technology .
Motor Sich has clients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that historically built their military capacity using Soviet-made technology .
Read alsoU.S .
hopes Ukraine 's Motor Sich not be sold to China In June , Chinese aerospace company Skyrizon announced they were buying a controlling stake in the enterprise for an undisclosed amount , pending approval of Ukraine 's Antimonopoly Committee .
But now the antitrust authority says it might have a strong case against the deal , which has become a major sticking point in the global military and political rivalry between China and the U.S .
The latter has worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will most likely succeed in its effort .
`` Currently we are effectively investigating two issues : the market consequences of this transaction , and the second – we are investigating the fact that the Chinese side may have illegally acquired control over Motor Sich as of the beginning of 2017 , '' says Yuriy Terentyev , chairman of the Antimonopoly Committee .
Terentyev says there is a trove of independent evidence that Skyrizon already controls Motor Sich through offshore companies .
If found in violation of antitrust laws , any changes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reversed , and Motor Sich could be fined up to 5 % of its turnover , which would deal a massive blow to its already dire finances .
The company declared a turnover of $ 256 million and a loss of $ 21 million in nine months of 2019 , the latest data available .
Motor Sich lost a major part of its business in Russia when the war between the two countries broke out and traditional defense ties were severed .
There are other indications that official Kyiv is not expecting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the finance ministry budgeted for an income of $ 100 million from the new Chinese owners as payment into a special fund dedicated to the development of the aerospace industry in Ukraine .
But the 2020 budget contains no such line , Finance Minister Oksana Markarova said .
The economy ministry , which oversees developments at Motor Sich , does not expect to receive an income from its sale .
The Ukrainian authorities fear that if a Chinese buyer takes control over Motor Sich , the company will once again open up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity , thus undermining domestic security .
Ukraine 's Security Service is already investigating alleged illegal supplies of technology to Russia by Motor Sich , an act that could be classified as treason , the agency said in September .
But there is an even bigger geopolitical game at play around Motor Sich , as the United States has maneuvered to block its sale to China .
In August , U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton discussed the case with top officials in Ukraine , including President Volodymyr Zelensky .
In November , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump 's Administration approached Erik Prince , a private security contractor and informal adviser to President Trump to buy the company .
To complement its diplomatic effort , the U.S. has been working behind the scenes in Ukraine to thwart the deal .
Representatives of the United States met with Ukraine 's Antimonopoly Committee at least four times about this case in recent months .
Terentyev said that the U.S. `` gave us part of the information '' about Beijing Xinwei Technology , the Chinese group behind the deal that controls Skyrizon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interested in details about final beneficiaries of offshore companies that currently own Motor Sich , as well as other projects by Xinwei , their ties with Russia , and any outstanding investigations in other jurisdictions against the group and its executives .
The information his agency received from the U.S. and from other channels is currently being analyzed , Terentyev said .
Because of the pending Motor Sich deal , the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine also initiated a letter to the president ’ s office to create a new investment control procedure for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antimonopoly Committee .
His agency supported the process , which would set transparent rules for blocking transfer of strategic technology to third parties .

The antitrust authority says it might have a strong case against the deal, which has become a major sticking point in the global military and political rivalry between China and the U.S.
Withholding U.S. defense aid to Ukraine became the talk of town in Washington D.C. during the impeachment hearings. Meanwhile, a different drama has been unfolding in Ukraine around a key strategic aerospace company, Motor Sich, which the USA is trying to stop China from buying.
Ukraine's antitrust authority is preparing a case to potentially block a deal that would give Beijing access to unique defense technology, and the U.S. diplomacy and technical assistance has played a key role in the process, according to the agency's chairman, Forbes reports.
The final decision on the deal is expected by the end of March.
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Created in 1907, Motor Sich is a leading manufacturer of helicopter and aircraft engines, including engines for the world's largest cargo plane An-225, also known as Mriya. A major chunk of its business is also built around servicing and upgrading Soviet-made defense technology.
Motor Sich has clients in some 120 countries, especially those that historically built their military capacity using Soviet-made technology.
Read alsoU.S. hopes Ukraine's Motor Sich not be sold to China
In June, Chinese aerospace company Skyrizon announced they were buying a controlling stake in the enterprise for an undisclosed amount, pending approval of Ukraine's Antimonopoly Committee.
But now the antitrust authority says it might have a strong case against the deal, which has become a major sticking point in the global military and political rivalry between China and the U.S.
The latter has worked hard to halt the deal, and will most likely succeed in its effort.
"Currently we are effectively investigating two issues: the market consequences of this transaction, and the second – we are investigating the fact that the Chinese side may have illegally acquired control over Motor Sich as of the beginning of 2017," says Yuriy Terentyev, chairman of the Antimonopoly Committee.
Terentyev says there is a trove of independent evidence that Skyrizon already controls Motor Sich through offshore companies.
If found in violation of antitrust laws, any changes of ownership over the Ukrainian company would be reversed, and Motor Sich could be fined up to 5% of its turnover, which would deal a massive blow to its already dire finances.
The company declared a turnover of $256 million and a loss of $21 million in nine months of 2019, the latest data available. Motor Sich lost a major part of its business in Russia when the war between the two countries broke out and traditional defense ties were severed.
There are other indications that official Kyiv is not expecting the deal to go through.
Last year, the finance ministry budgeted for an income of $100 million from the new Chinese owners as payment into a special fund dedicated to the development of the aerospace industry in Ukraine.
Read alsoMedia: Chinese buyer of Ukraine's Motor Sich declares bankruptcy
But the 2020 budget contains no such line, Finance Minister Oksana Markarova said. The economy ministry, which oversees developments at Motor Sich, does not expect to receive an income from its sale.
The Ukrainian authorities fear that if a Chinese buyer takes control over Motor Sich, the company will once again open up for Russian business and strengthen its military capacity, thus undermining domestic security.
Ukraine's Security Service is already investigating alleged illegal supplies of technology to Russia by Motor Sich, an act that could be classified as treason, the agency said in September.
But there is an even bigger geopolitical game at play around Motor Sich, as the United States has maneuvered to block its sale to China.
In August, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton discussed the case with top officials in Ukraine, including President Volodymyr Zelensky. In November, the Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump's Administration approached Erik Prince, a private security contractor and informal adviser to President Trump to buy the company.
To complement its diplomatic effort, the U.S. has been working behind the scenes in Ukraine to thwart the deal. Representatives of the United States met with Ukraine's Antimonopoly Committee at least four times about this case in recent months.
Terentyev said that the U.S. "gave us part of the information" about Beijing Xinwei Technology, the Chinese group behind the deal that controls Skyrizon. In particular, his agency was interested in details about final beneficiaries of offshore companies that currently own Motor Sich, as well as other projects by Xinwei, their ties with Russia, and any outstanding investigations in other jurisdictions against the group and its executives.
Read alsoChinese Embassy in Ukraine considers Bolton's statements about China-Ukraine cooperation "unfriendly"
The information his agency received from the U.S. and from other channels is currently being analyzed, Terentyev said.
Because of the pending Motor Sich deal, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine also initiated a letter to the president’s office to create a new investment control procedure for sensitive acquisitions, says Terentyev of the Antimonopoly Committee. His agency supported the process, which would set transparent rules for blocking transfer of strategic technology to third parties.


unian--2020-02-17--Naftogaz group seeks nearly US$8 bln over assets Russia seized in Crimea

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Naftogaz group seeks nearly US$8 bln over assets Russia seized in Crimea
14:40, 17.02.20 1747
Russia argues that it owes Naftogaz nothing despite it does not dispute that it unlawfully expropriated Naftogaz's assets.
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unian--2020-02-18--Russia claims "not involved" in latest Donbas escalation

At the same time , Peskov told journalists the Kremlin was aware of today 's clash `` between the 'Luhansk People 's Republic ' and the Ukrainian Armed Forces '' .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claims it would be `` completely wrong '' to raise the issue of Russia 's responsibility for the latest violent escalation in Donbas .
Answering a question of an UNIAN correspondent in Russia on whether the Kremlin intends to admit responsibility for the escalation in Donbas , since Russian leadership constantly declares its `` influence '' on the illegal armed groups fighting Ukrainian forces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a completely incorrect formulation .
It should n't be seen like this . ''
At the same time , Peskov told journalists the Kremlin was aware of a morning 's clash `` between the 'Luhansk People 's Republic ' and the Ukrainian Armed Forces '' .
Read alsoDonbas escalation : Russian occupation forces attack Ukrainian troops , try to penetrate line of contact ( Video ) '' We do n't have the details of the clash , we do n't know what triggered the clash .
We read there are casualties on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and express our hope that soon we will be able to clarify the details of what happened before going for any conclusions , '' Peskov said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , on Tuesday morning , Russian occupation forces attacked Ukrainian defense positions in Donbas , employing 120 mm mortars , proscribed by Minsk agreements .
Under fire cover , the Russian invaders began their offensive operation and attempted to advance through the demarcation line .
As a result of the battle , one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another four were injured @

At the same time, Peskov told journalists the Kremlin was aware of today's clash "between the 'Luhansk People's Republic' and the Ukrainian Armed Forces".
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claims it would be "completely wrong" to raise the issue of Russia's responsibility for the latest violent escalation in Donbas.
Answering a question of an UNIAN correspondent in Russia on whether the Kremlin intends to admit responsibility for the escalation in Donbas, since Russian leadership constantly declares its "influence" on the illegal armed groups fighting Ukrainian forces, Peskov said: "No, this is a completely incorrect formulation. It shouldn't be seen like this."
At the same time, Peskov told journalists the Kremlin was aware of a morning's clash "between the 'Luhansk People's Republic' and the Ukrainian Armed Forces".
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Read alsoDonbas escalation: Russian occupation forces attack Ukrainian troops, try to penetrate line of contact (Video)
"We don't have the details of the clash, we don't know what triggered the clash. We read there are casualties on both sides, which we find unfortunate and express our hope that soon we will be able to clarify the details of what happened before going for any conclusions," Peskov said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, on Tuesday morning, Russian occupation forces attacked Ukrainian defense positions in Donbas, employing 120 mm mortars, proscribed by Minsk agreements. Under fire cover, the Russian invaders began their offensive operation and attempted to advance through the demarcation line. As a result of the battle, one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another four were injured.