unian--2020-06-04--IMF to consider new loan program for Ukraine on June 9

The IMF will also evaluate the 2015 Extended Fund Arrangement during the meeting .
A meeting of the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) Executive Board on the allocation of the first tranche for Ukraine under a new Stand-By Arrangement ( SBA ) is scheduled for June 9 .
The IMF will also evaluate the 2015 Extended Fund Arrangement during the meeting , as reported at the IMF Executive Board Calendar on June 3 , 2020 .
Read alsoIMF 's Stand-By Arrangement with Ukraine to be approved soon – phone talk with Zelensky As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukrainian Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expects the IMF to make a final decision by June 10 on the allocation of the first tranche for Ukraine under the new SBA .
UNIAN memo .
An IMF staff team led by Ivanna Vladkova Hollar concluded remote discussions with the Ukrainian authorities on May 21 and reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies for a new 18-month SBA .
The new SBA , with a requested access of SDR 3.6 billion ( equivalent to US $ 5 billion ) , aims to provide balance of payments and budget support to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 shock , while consolidating achievements to date , and moving forward on important structural reforms to reduce key vulnerabilities .
The National Bank of Ukraine predicts the first US $ 2 billion disbursement from the IMF will arrive in the second quarter of 2020 .

The IMF will also evaluate the 2015 Extended Fund Arrangement during the meeting.
A meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board on the allocation of the first tranche for Ukraine under a new Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) is scheduled for June 9.
The IMF will also evaluate the 2015 Extended Fund Arrangement during the meeting, as reported at the IMF Executive Board Calendar on June 3, 2020.
Read alsoIMF's Stand-By Arrangement with Ukraine to be approved soon – phone talk with Zelensky
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As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine's government expects the IMF to make a final decision by June 10 on the allocation of the first tranche for Ukraine under the new SBA.
UNIAN memo. An IMF staff team led by Ivanna Vladkova Hollar concluded remote discussions with the Ukrainian authorities on May 21 and reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies for a new 18-month SBA.
The new SBA, with a requested access of SDR 3.6 billion (equivalent to US$5 billion), aims to provide balance of payments and budget support to help the authorities address the effects of the COVID-19 shock, while consolidating achievements to date, and moving forward on important structural reforms to reduce key vulnerabilities.
The National Bank of Ukraine predicts the first US$2 billion disbursement from the IMF will arrive in the second quarter of 2020.


unian--2020-06-04--Number of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 6.5 mln

The overall death toll is 386,073 people , while 2,807,420 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 6.5 million patients as of the morning of June 4 .
As many as 6,511,713 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 08:33 on June 4 , according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering ( CSSE ) at Johns Hopkins University .
The overall death toll is 386,073 people , while 2,807,420 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The highest death toll was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ) , the United Kingdom ( 39,811 ) , Italy ( 33,601 ) , Brazil ( 32,548 ) , France ( 29,024 ) , Spain ( 27,128 ) .
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States ( 1,851,520 confirmed cases ) , Brazil ( 584,016 ) , Russia ( 431,715 ) , Great Britain ( 281,270 ) , Spain ( 240,326 ) , Italy ( 233,836 ) , India ( 216,919 ) , France ( 188,802 ) , Germany ( 184,121 ) , Peru ( 178,914 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus .

The overall death toll is 386,073 people, while 2,807,420 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 6.5 million patients as of the morning of June 4.
Read alsoHealth minister lists Ukraine's leading regions by COVID-19 cases in past day
As many as 6,511,713 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 08:33 on June 4, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
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The overall death toll is 386,073 people, while 2,807,420 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The highest death toll was recorded in the United States (107,175 people), the United Kingdom (39,811), Italy (33,601), Brazil (32,548), France (29,024), Spain (27,128).
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (1,851,520 confirmed cases), Brazil (584,016), Russia (431,715), Great Britain (281,270), Spain (240,326), Italy (233,836), India (216,919), France (188,802), Germany (184,121), Peru (178,914), and Turkey (166,422).
As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus.


unian--2020-06-04--Ukraine's hryvnia strengthens to UAH 26.75 to U.S. dollar on June 4

The official forex rate against the euro for Thursday is fixed at UAH 29.96 per euro .
The National Bank @ @ @ @ @ on June 3 set the official forex rate of the hryvnia for Thursday , June @ @ @ @ @ to the U.S. dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen by five @ @ @ @ @ seen gains in value against the U.S. dollar for the fifth consecutive day , according @ @ @ @ @ The official forex rate against the euro for Thursday is fixed at UAH 29.96 per @ @ @ @ @ four kopiykas in value since Wednesday .
By 17:00 Kyiv time on June 3 , @ @ @ @ @ on the interbank forex market settled at UAH 26.73/26.75 to the dollar , while those @ @ @ @ @ UAH 29.91/29.93 .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the National Bank set the official forex @ @ @ @ @ UAH 26.80 to the U.S. dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen @ @ @ @

Ukraine's hryvnia strengthens to UAH 26.75 to U.S. dollar on June 4
09:50, 04.06.20 1723
The official forex rate against the euro for Thursday is fixed at UAH 29.96 per euro.
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unian--2020-06-04--Ukraine reports four enemy attacks in Donbas on June 3

According to intelligence data , at least one member of Russia-led forces was wounded on June 3 .
Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ 3 mounted four attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ violated the ceasefire four times in the past day , '' the press center of @ @ @ @ @ said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on June 4 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ for pro-Ukrainian stunt in occupied Donbas ( Photo ) Russia-led forces opened fire from grenade @ @ @ @ @ cannons installed on infantry fighting vehicles , and heavy machine guns .
Under attack came @ @ @ @ @ of Pavlopil , Shyrokyne , and Bohdanivka .
Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy @ @ @ @ @ data , at least one member of Russia-led forces was wounded on June 3 .
@ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian positions from 00:00 to 07:00 Kyiv time on June 4 .
No Ukrainian army @ @ @ @ @ troops over the period under review .

According to intelligence data, at least one member of Russia-led forces was wounded on June 3.
Russia's hybrid military forces on June 3 mounted four attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
"The Russian Federation's armed formations violated the ceasefire four times in the past day," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on June 4, 2020.
Read alsoDaredevil activists go for pro-Ukrainian stunt in occupied Donbas (Photo)
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Russia-led forces opened fire from grenade launchers of various types, cannons installed on infantry fighting vehicles, and heavy machine guns.
Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the villages of Pavlopil, Shyrokyne, and Bohdanivka.
Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy shelling. According to intelligence data, at least one member of Russia-led forces was wounded on June 3.
The enemy did not attack Ukrainian positions from 00:00 to 07:00 Kyiv time on June 4.
No Ukrainian army casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops over the period under review.


unian--2020-06-04--Oil prices fall on doubts over output cuts, surging U.S. diesel inventories

Brent crude LCOc1 futures fell 1.46 % , or 58 cents , to $ 39.21 a barrel as of 0459 GMT , while U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) crude CLc1 futures slid 1.98 % , or 74 cents , to $ 36.55 a barrel .
Oil prices dropped on Thursday , reversing gains in the previous session , on concern over whether major crude producers will be able to agree to extend record output cuts , heightened by worries over a huge build in U.S. distillate inventories .
Brent crude LCOc1 futures fell 1.46 % , or 58 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of 0459 GMT , while U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) crude CLc1 futures slid 1.98 % , or 74 cents , to $ 36.55 a barrel , as reported by Reuters .
Read alsoNaftogaz posts over US $ 119 mln in net profit in Q1 , 80 % down y-o-y Saudi Arabia and Russia , two of the world 's biggest oil producers , have agreed to support extending into July the 9.7 million barrels per day ( bpd ) in supply cuts backed in April by the OPEC+ group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Petroleum Exporting Countries and other major producers .
But they failed to agree on holding an OPEC+ meeting on Thursday to discuss the cuts , with OPEC sources saying it would be conditional on countries that have not complied with their targets so far deepening their cuts .
Further , Saudi Arabia and other Gulf producers Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates are not planning to extend voluntary additional output cuts of 1.18 million bpd after June , indicating crude supply could rise next month no matter what OPEC+ decides .
U.S. Energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stocks rose by 2.8 million barrels , nearly triple what analysts had expected , while distillate stocks rose by 9.9 million barrels , or nearly four times more than expected .
Overall demand for diesel and similar fuels is down 13 % from the year-ago period over the last four weeks .
Gasoline product supplied , a proxy for demand , picked up last week , but the four-week average still shows a 23 % drop from the year-ago period .

Brent crude LCOc1 futures fell 1.46%, or 58 cents, to $39.21 a barrel as of 0459 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures slid 1.98%, or 74 cents, to $36.55 a barrel.
Oil prices dropped on Thursday, reversing gains in the previous session, on concern over whether major crude producers will be able to agree to extend record output cuts, heightened by worries over a huge build in U.S. distillate inventories.
Brent crude LCOc1 futures fell 1.46%, or 58 cents, to $39.21 a barrel as of 0459 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures slid 1.98%, or 74 cents, to $36.55 a barrel, as reported by Reuters.
Read alsoNaftogaz posts over US$119 mln in net profit in Q1, 80% down y-o-y
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Saudi Arabia and Russia, two of the world's biggest oil producers, have agreed to support extending into July the 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) in supply cuts backed in April by the OPEC+ group, comprised of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other major producers.
But they failed to agree on holding an OPEC+ meeting on Thursday to discuss the cuts, with OPEC sources saying it would be conditional on countries that have not complied with their targets so far deepening their cuts.
Further, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf producers Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates are not planning to extend voluntary additional output cuts of 1.18 million bpd after June, indicating crude supply could rise next month no matter what OPEC+ decides.
U.S. Energy Information Administration data on Wednesday showed gasoline stocks rose by 2.8 million barrels, nearly triple what analysts had expected, while distillate stocks rose by 9.9 million barrels, or nearly four times more than expected.
Overall demand for diesel and similar fuels is down 13% from the year-ago period over the last four weeks. Gasoline product supplied, a proxy for demand, picked up last week, but the four-week average still shows a 23% drop from the year-ago period.


unian--2020-06-04--Confidence in Putin has fallen. Is it worth celebrating?

According to the latest surveys by Russian Levada-center , the rating of Russian President Vladimir Putin has dropped to a new low over the past four years .
Only 25 % of Russians expressed confidence in their leader .
This seems to be a serious signal .
Should Putin really worry about his career ?
After all , the main question is whether those 75 % of the Russians who harbor no trust in their president 's policies are ready to rally on Red Square .
But will they force the Kremlin 's master to step down ?
Probably , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow and other Russian cities that we saw earlier have resulted in any serious changes in the political scheme of Russia 's political elite .
Putin was still winning popular votes .
Moreover , every time when the Russian president 's rating fell , stories appeared in media space about either the Russian military success in some regional hot spots or a worldwide conspiracy broiling against the Russians .
Thus , the main tool of Putin 's rating boost has always been propaganda , which has long proved its effectiveness both within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Television war '' does not need reality ; it creates it .
Moreover , in some cases , it surpasses reality , becoming more real than the reality itself .
And propaganda works easy enough : it chooses the necessary facts , deprives them of the real context , and gives them the context needed for a `` customer . ''
Separately , it should be mentioned , the information campaign on enhancing the role and importance of the Russian president , as a rule , targets the international arena .
Indeed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conquering '' new territories .
In turn , this conquering does not always happen with the help of troops .
Sometimes it is enough to apply the information impact .
The Kremlin 's ideology , especially at the macro level , is the `` Russian world '' as the base of the post-imperial country program .
To implement this `` idea '' successfully , it is necessary to have a strong regime that will be able to bring this `` project '' to life .
Unfortunately , in Ukraine , information flows often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest Vladimir Putin 's rating drop means imminent overthrow of his regime or live a dream of seeing him step down under pressure of guilty conscience .
But , actually , none of this has anything to do with reality .
As is known , through passing changes in the Constitution of the Russian Federation , the Kremlin 's master is set to stay in power for life .
Moreover , this sparked no mass protests whatsoever .
So the `` low ratings '' that have been published are also unlikely to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian president .
We should remember that living a life of illusions is a costly endeavor as it distracts our people frrom our own country 's problems .

According to the latest surveys by Russian Levada-center, the rating of Russian President Vladimir Putin has dropped to a new low over the past four years. Only 25% of Russians expressed confidence in their leader. This seems to be a serious signal. Should Putin really worry about his career?
After all, the main question is whether those 75% of the Russians who harbor no trust in their president's policies are ready to rally on Red Square. But will they force the Kremlin's master to step down? Probably, not.
The main tool of Putin’s rating increase has always been propaganda
None of mass protests held in Moscow and other Russian cities that we saw earlier have resulted in any serious changes in the political scheme of Russia's political elite. Putin was still winning popular votes. Moreover, every time when the Russian president's rating fell, stories appeared in media space about either the Russian military success in some regional hot spots or a worldwide conspiracy broiling against the Russians. Thus, the main tool of Putin's rating boost has always been propaganda, which has long proved its effectiveness both within the Russian Federation and beyond.
"Television war" does not need reality; it creates it. Moreover, in some cases, it surpasses reality, becoming more real than the reality itself. And propaganda works easy enough: it chooses the necessary facts, deprives them of the real context, and gives them the context needed for a "customer."
Separately, it should be mentioned, the information campaign on enhancing the role and importance of the Russian president, as a rule, targets the international arena. Indeed, the "empire" lives by "conquering" new territories. In turn, this conquering does not always happen with the help of troops. Sometimes it is enough to apply the information impact. The Kremlin's ideology, especially at the macro level, is the "Russian world" as the base of the post-imperial country program. To implement this "idea" successfully, it is necessary to have a strong regime that will be able to bring this "project" to life.
Unfortunately, in Ukraine, information flows often affect us. Therefore, we immediately suggest Vladimir Putin's rating drop means imminent overthrow of his regime or live a dream of seeing him step down under pressure of guilty conscience. But, actually, none of this has anything to do with reality.
Putin is not planning to go anywhere; he is striving for absolute power
As is known, through passing changes in the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the Kremlin's master is set to stay in power for life. Moreover, this sparked no mass protests whatsoever. So the "low ratings" that have been published are also unlikely to take people to the streets demanding resignation of the Russian president. We should remember that living a life of illusions is a costly endeavor as it distracts our people frrom our own country's problems.
Taras Semeniuk, KyivStratPro


unian--2020-06-04--Chinese company wins subway train deal in Ukraine – Xinhua

The deal also included spare parts , tools and services .
CRRC Tangshan Co. , Ltd. , one of China @ @ @ @ @ said Thursday it had won a deal to produce 40 train coaches for the subway @ @ @ @ @ .
The company will deliver eight trains for Metro in Kharkiv , the second-largest city @ @ @ @ @ told Xinhua .
Each train , consisting of five coaches , will be 96 meters @ @ @ @ @ maximum speed of 80 km per hour , according to the sources .
The deal @ @ @ @ @ tools and services .
The CRRC Tangshan bid for the deal in October 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ to be announced by February 10 , was delayed twice due to the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ previously exported train coaches to other countries including Turkmenistan , Kazakhstan and Mongolia .

The deal also included spare parts, tools and services.
CRRC Tangshan Co., Ltd., one of China's major train manufacturers, said Thursday it had won a deal to produce 40 train coaches for the subway operations of a Ukrainian city.
The company will deliver eight trains for Metro in Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, corporate sources told Xinhua.
Each train, consisting of five coaches, will be 96 meters long, with a designed maximum speed of 80 km per hour, according to the sources.
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Read alsoSubway resumes work in Kyiv, Kharkiv: new safety rules, explained (Photo)
The deal also included spare parts, tools and services.
The CRRC Tangshan bid for the deal in October 2019, and the result, scheduled to be announced by February 10, was delayed twice due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The company has previously exported train coaches to other countries including Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.


unian--2020-06-04--COVID-19 peak "already behind", says Ukraine's health scholar

Also , he elaborated on the reasons for today 's increase in daily incidence .
The average number of coronavirus cases is on decline , says Anatoliy Zahorodniy , Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences , the institution dealing with the modeling of the COVID-19 spread .
Also , the increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in Ukraine ( 588 ) over the past 24 hours is associated with a recent quarantine relaxation , but it 's the statistics for 10 days into the last stage of mitigation that will be crucial for further assessment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , the epidemic is passing , albeit slowly .
The average number of diseases and new active cases suggests that the peak is already behind .
It occurred in the first decade of May , then there was a noticeable decrease and slight growth .
Ten days into the last stage of mitigation , we will have a clearer picture .
If there is no significant growth , everything is not so pessimistic , '' the scholar said .
Read alsoNumber of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ukraine exceeds 25,000 on June 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of new cases and recoveries , the NAS predicts a decrease or a plateau .
`` Had the quarantine not been relaxed , the epidemic would have been dying out .
If the increase reaches the plus 10 % level , there will be a sort of a plateau with a small number of new active cases .
This is not so bad , either .
If the number of recoveries will continue to exceed the number of new cases , this will be a very positive trend , meaning that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he assured .
Former senior health official Sviatoslav Protas agrees that a surge in the daily number of new cases is a consequence of quarantine relaxation .

Also, he elaborated on the reasons for today's increase in daily incidence.
The average number of coronavirus cases is on decline, says Anatoliy Zahorodniy, Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences, the institution dealing with the modeling of the COVID-19 spread.
Also, the increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in Ukraine (588) over the past 24 hours is associated with a recent quarantine relaxation, but it's the statistics for 10 days into the last stage of mitigation that will be crucial for further assessment, Zahorodniy has told Obozrevatel.
"In Ukraine, the epidemic is passing, albeit slowly. The average number of diseases and new active cases suggests that the peak is already behind. It occurred in the first decade of May, then there was a noticeable decrease and slight growth. Ten days into the last stage of mitigation, we will have a clearer picture. If there is no significant growth, everything is not so pessimistic," the scholar said.
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Read alsoNumber of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ukraine exceeds 25,000 on June 4
Based on the current figures regarding the number of new cases and recoveries, the NAS predicts a decrease or a plateau.
"Had the quarantine not been relaxed, the epidemic would have been dying out. If the increase reaches the plus 10% level, there will be a sort of a plateau with a small number of new active cases. This is not so bad, either. If the number of recoveries will continue to exceed the number of new cases, this will be a very positive trend, meaning that the epidemic is on the decline," he assured.
Former senior health official Sviatoslav Protas agrees that a surge in the daily number of new cases is a consequence of quarantine relaxation.


unian--2020-06-04--NATO standards: Rada introduces two new military ranks

Legislators have passed the corresponding amendments to legislation to bring the structure of senior military command in line with that of leading EU powers and NATO .
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine , the country 's parliament , introduced the military ranks of Brigadier General and Commodore , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
On Thursday , June 4 , legislators approved Law `` On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Concerning the Military Ranks of Military Personnel '' ( No .
2247 ) .
A total of 291 MPs have backed the bill .
Legislators have passed the corresponding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of senior military command in line with that of leading EU powers and NATO .
Read alsoUkrainian Foreign Minister : Most of allies support Ukraine 's accession to NATO 's EOP The law provides that the ranks of senior army officers will now include brigadier general , major general , lieutenant general , and general ( previously it was major general , lieutenant general , colonel general , and Ukraine army general ) .
Senior naval ranks will now include commodore , rear admiral , vice admiral , and admiral ( previously it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and admiral ) .
According to the law , the words `` of justice '' and `` of medical service '' shall be added to the military ranks of officers of the legal and medical services of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military units that have the appropriate education and hold the corresponding full-time position .

Legislators have passed the corresponding amendments to legislation to bring the structure of senior military command in line with that of leading EU powers and NATO.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the country's parliament, introduced the military ranks of Brigadier General and Commodore, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
On Thursday, June 4, legislators approved Law "On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Concerning the Military Ranks of Military Personnel" (No. 2247).
A total of 291 MPs have backed the bill.
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Legislators have passed the corresponding amendments to legislation to bring the structure of senior military command in line with that of leading EU powers and NATO.
Read alsoUkrainian Foreign Minister: Most of allies support Ukraine's accession to NATO's EOP
The law provides that the ranks of senior army officers will now include brigadier general, major general, lieutenant general, and general (previously it was major general, lieutenant general, colonel general, and Ukraine army general).
Senior naval ranks will now include commodore, rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral (previously it was rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral).
According to the law, the words "of justice" and "of medical service" shall be added to the military ranks of officers of the legal and medical services of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military units that have the appropriate education and hold the corresponding full-time position.


unian--2020-06-04--Zelensky offers to grant visa-free travel to citizens of China, some other countries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will propose that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs liberalize the country 's travel regime with China and a number of other countries , whose citizens seek to come to Ukraine for tourist purposes .
`` I 'll instruct the Foreign Ministry because it is my vertical .
My proposal for visa liberalization , especially today , is to lift visa requirements for the list of countries whose citizens are willing to visit us , '' Zelensky said , He speaking at a meeting with tour operators in Kamyanets-Podilskyi , Khmelnytsky region .
The president says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arab countries , as well as Australia , New Zealand , India , and China .
`` Most importantly , it 's China because there 's a stunning number of tourists who 'd like to come to Ukraine , '' the president said .
Read alsoEU not to revise conditions of visa-free travel with Ukraine He recalled that Ukraine 's visa policy provides for canceling visas for citizens of countries where governments cancel visas for Ukrainians .
`` Now , probably , is not the time .
We need to compete for tourists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift [ visas ] and I think a lot of people will be coming to us , especially Chinese or Indians who wish to visit Ukraine , '' said Zelensky .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expects the arrival of an assessment mission from Canada to study the possibility of liberalizing the visa regime between the two countries .

Ukraine should compete for tourists, president believes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will propose that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs liberalize the country's travel regime with China and a number of other countries, whose citizens seek to come to Ukraine for tourist purposes.
"I'll instruct the Foreign Ministry because it is my vertical. My proposal for visa liberalization, especially today, is to lift visa requirements for the list of countries whose citizens are willing to visit us," Zelensky said, He speaking at a meeting with tour operators in Kamyanets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytsky region.
The president says the move will apply to a number of Arab countries, as well as Australia, New Zealand, India, and China.
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"Most importantly, it's China because there's a stunning number of tourists who'd like to come to Ukraine," the president said.
Read alsoEU not to revise conditions of visa-free travel with Ukraine
He recalled that Ukraine's visa policy provides for canceling visas for citizens of countries where governments cancel visas for Ukrainians.
"Now, probably, is not the time. We need to compete for tourists, so I think we need to lift [visas] and I think a lot of people will be coming to us, especially Chinese or Indians who wish to visit Ukraine," said Zelensky.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expects the arrival of an assessment mission from Canada to study the possibility of liberalizing the visa regime between the two countries.


unian--2020-06-04--Putin declares state of emergency after massive fuel spill in Norilsk

The accident has caused nearly $ 80 million in waterway damages , Greenpeace reports .
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a state of emergency Wednesday five days after more than 20,000 metric tonnes of diesel fuel spilled into rivers near the city of Norilsk .
The declaration is needed to bring in federal resources for the cleanup effort .
The spill into a Siberian river caused at least 6 billion rubles ( more than $ 76 million ) in damages to waterways above the Arctic Circle , Greenpeace Russia said Wednesday , according to the Moscow Times .
`` Using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the environmental damage to water bodies , it may amount to 6 billion rubles , '' said Greenpeace Russia 's head of energy , Vladimir Chuprov .
“ The installed buoys will only help collect a small part of the pollution , leading us to say that nearly all the diesel fuel will remain in the environment , '' Chuprov said in a statement .
The estimate does not include damages to soil and the atmosphere from greenhouse gas emissions , the environmental NGO added .
Satellite images after the leak showed crimson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents posted videos on social media of the polluted water .
Russia 's Federal Inspection Service for Natural Resources Use estimated the overall damage at `` several dozen , perhaps hundreds of billions of rubles . ''
Russia 's Federal Fisheries Agency forecast that it could take `` more than a decade '' to restore the local aquatic ecosystem , saying the scale of the damage is underestimated .
Read alsoEcologist warns of radioactive contamination threat over Russia-led forces ' actions in Donbas '' The accident took place at the industrial site of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the spilled petrochemicals , a considerable amount actually , seeped into the Ambarnaya River , '' Putin said as he discussed the incident with officials on Wednesday , CNBC reported citing the Kremlin .
He questioned the measures being taken to clean up the fuel leak that took place near the city of Norilsk in the Krasnoyarsk region , within the Arctic Circle .
Discussing how news of the spill emerged in the televised meeting , Putin was reportedly shocked to discover that local authorities had only learned of the incident from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he admonished the region ’ s governor Alexander Uss , the report adds , citing Reuters .
Norilsk Nickel said the tank began leaking last Friday after supporting pillars that had `` held it in place for 30 years without difficulty '' began to sink .
Norilsk was constructed on permafrost and its infrastructure is threatened by melting ice caused by climate change .
Russia 's Investigative Committee , which handles major crimes , announced it had launched four criminal probes into the accident and detained a power plant employee .

The accident has caused nearly $80 million in waterway damages, Greenpeace reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a state of emergency Wednesday five days after more than 20,000 metric tonnes of diesel fuel spilled into rivers near the city of Norilsk. The declaration is needed to bring in federal resources for the cleanup effort.
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The spill into a Siberian river caused at least 6 billion rubles (more than $76 million) in damages to waterways above the Arctic Circle, Greenpeace Russia said Wednesday, according to the Moscow Times.
"Using the environment ministry's methodology for assessing the environmental damage to water bodies, it may amount to 6 billion rubles," said Greenpeace Russia's head of energy, Vladimir Chuprov.
“The installed buoys will only help collect a small part of the pollution, leading us to say that nearly all the diesel fuel will remain in the environment," Chuprov said in a statement.
The estimate does not include damages to soil and the atmosphere from greenhouse gas emissions, the environmental NGO added.
Satellite images after the leak showed crimson water in the Ambarnaya River and nearby residents posted videos on social media of the polluted water.
Russia's Federal Inspection Service for Natural Resources Use estimated the overall damage at "several dozen, perhaps hundreds of billions of rubles."
Russia's Federal Fisheries Agency forecast that it could take "more than a decade" to restore the local aquatic ecosystem, saying the scale of the damage is underestimated.
Read alsoEcologist warns of radioactive contamination threat over Russia-led forces' actions in Donbas
"The accident took place at the industrial site of the Nadezhdinski Metallurgical Plant, and part of the spilled petrochemicals, a considerable amount actually, seeped into the Ambarnaya River," Putin said as he discussed the incident with officials on Wednesday, CNBC reported citing the Kremlin. He questioned the measures being taken to clean up the fuel leak that took place near the city of Norilsk in the Krasnoyarsk region, within the Arctic Circle.
Discussing how news of the spill emerged in the televised meeting, Putin was reportedly shocked to discover that local authorities had only learned of the incident from social media two days after it happened, and he admonished the region’s governor Alexander Uss, the report adds, citing Reuters.
Norilsk Nickel said the tank began leaking last Friday after supporting pillars that had "held it in place for 30 years without difficulty" began to sink.
Norilsk was constructed on permafrost and its infrastructure is threatened by melting ice caused by climate change.
Russia's Investigative Committee, which handles major crimes, announced it had launched four criminal probes into the accident and detained a power plant employee.


unian--2020-06-04--U.S. - sanctions - Gazprom: Washington's attempt to defeat Nord Stream 2

Despite the global threat – the coronavirus pandemic – economic issues are going nowhere from the international agenda .
Now , one of the topics discussed globally is Russia 's moves to try to complete its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project , which is designed to deprive Ukraine of the gas transit country status , as well as billions of dollars in revenues .
The reason for putting this issue on top agenda was the statement by the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Germany , Richard Grenell .
In anticipation of the end of his cadence in Berlin , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 were just around the corner and that they could be passed by the American Congress very quickly .
The new sanctions package enjoys bipartisan support , according to Grenell , who spoke with Handelsblatt .
Also , he called on the German federal government to rethink its policy on Russia and `` stop feeding the beast '' , while failing to provide sufficient financial support to NATO .
They intend to adopt sanctions to prevent the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project .
The main reason is Russia 's use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which casts doubt on the principles of the European Union .
Only Germany keeps supporting the project .
If the pipeline is put into operation , the country will become the largest gas hub in Europe .
Therefore , Berlin considered the statement by the U.S. ambassador inappropriate .
`` The time when the pandemic is putting enormous pressure on countries around the world is not suitable to escalate the spiral and threaten further extraterritorial sanctions , which are contrary to international law , '' said Peter Altmeier , spokesperson for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the first dispute between Germany and the United States .
Berlin was outraged by U.S. sanctions against the project , introduced in December , which forced companies involved to cease construction immediately .
The Swiss Allseas almost immediately brought their pipe layer out of the Baltic Sea .
So the construction of the Nord Stream 2 was suspended .
But Russia said that all problems would be resolved .
To complete the construction by the end of 2020 , the Akademik Chersky ship was `` modernized '' .
In early May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mukran .
By the way , the history of this ship is quite amusing .
History says that the new U.S. sanctions are a reality , and most importantly , this time , they are a direct threat to Gazprom .
So , realizing that restrictive measures will affect their assets , while the Akademik Chersky is one of them , the vessel was in 2016 transferred to the ownership of the Samara Thermal Energy Property Fund .
That is , the vessel , presumably , has nothing to do with Gazprom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions should n't be a problem .
But problems did n't end there .
The snag with the completion of Nord Stream 2 led to the fact that the German Federal Network Agency ( Bnetza ) rejected the application of the Nord Stream 2 AG operator to provide Nord Stream 2 with exceptions to the EU Gas Directive .
It was approved last year and in fact is an amendment to the Gas Directive , according to which gas pipelines from third countries must also comply with the Third Energy Package .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be both gas supplier and owner of a gas pipeline , while independent suppliers must have access to the pipe .
This means that up to 50 % of its capacity should be reserved for them .
In the case of Nord Stream 2 , this means that the project will operate at half capacity – at 27.5 billion cubic meters per year .
The Directive , at the request of Germany , indicated that exceptions could be granted , but only if the pipeline was built before May 23 , 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadline for the commissioning of Nord Stream 2 .
But U.S. sanctions did their job , and the pipe did n't fit into Germany-lobbied mitigation scheme .
Russia immediately announced that , despite various `` barriers '' , Nord Stream 2 will have been commissioned before the end of 2020 , while Gazprom will find ways to circumvent restrictive measures .
For example , they could transfer gas delivery points to European customers to where the Baltic gas pipeline enters German territorial waters and , in fact , crosses the EU border , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
Seeing all the `` cunning '' schemes on the part of Russia , the United States moved to threaten Russians with new sanctions .
But will they be able to destroy the Nord Stream 2 ?
President of the Center for Global Studies `` Strategy XXI '' , Mykhailo Honchar , believes that sanctions will be introduced .
They have already been designated , and the corresponding bill has been developed .
And they cover the companies that will risk joining the completion of the NS2 project .
`` Of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They would primarily affect the management and owners of companies that would cooperate with Gazprom .
Thus , they would lose the opportunity to do business with the United States , cooperate with American companies , the ability to cross into the United States , etc .
Although , on the one hand , it may seem that sanctions are insufficient .
For example , Gazprom , when they re-registered its only pipe-laying vessel Akademik Chersky to Samara Thermal Energy Property Fund , were probably thinking precisely this way .
Indeed , U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care about the U.S. sanctions : they do n't cooperate with the U.S. and nor do they do business around the world .
The situation with the Swiss Allseas looked different .
The U.S. sanctions package introduced in December forced the company to withdraw from the project their pipe layer Solitaire .
But if the Russians believe that with such a trick they leveled the risk of falling under new sanctions , then this is n't the case , '' said Honchar .
In his opinion , now the ideal situation would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , say , to pay off the claim of a Polish state company which won Stockholm arbitration vs Gazprom in the amount of $ 1.5 billion , while Russia refuses to pay .
Also , the new bill says that the cheat maneuver with the ship will not help the Russians , since sanctions will target not only the entity that currently owns certain assets , technologies and equipment that can be used for laying Nord Stream 2 , but also those who have handed the said assets over to that entity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vessel , which had previously been on Gazprom 's balance sheet before being handed to the Samara Fund , which itself will be subject to sanctions , will lead to Gazprom also falling under those sanctions .
`` But for Gazprom , this would equal a death sentence .
Previously , the Americans spared the company .
Now they wo n't .
Gazprom has a certain relationship with the U.S. financial system .
So for them , this would be a sort of collapse , '' said Honchar .
But even if Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then the expert says no one will be willing to use it ; otherwise , the risk remains of being targeted by U.S. sanctions after receiving gas from this pipeline .
There 's another important factor that could destroy Nord Stream 2 .
`` The Danish regulator has not yet given its final consent to pipe-laying works .
Therefore , the fact that the Russians are now sailing back and forth around the German island of Rügen does n't mean that they have restarted their work .
The fact is that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Akademik Chersky , along with the Fortuna barge , will be able to do their job without hitting the risk zones hosting loads of chemical munitions sunk around Bornholm Island after World War 2 .
I do n't rule out the possibility that , if Russia ignores this very serious element and sneakily pursues with construction , NATO will quickly restore order .
European experts have repeatedly stated that , it would seem , there 's a certain map that shows the exact location of chemical munitions dumping sites .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it turned out that the sites are n't indicated properly .
Moreover , batches of highly hazardous munitions have been carried by underwater currents downstream toward the coast of Sweden .
Gazprom assures that it has talked with almost every fish swimming at the sea bottom , but the risk is still very high , '' says Honchar .
The expert believes that it actually does n't matter in which way Nord Stream 2 will be stopped .
For Ukraine , the main thing is that it never starts operating .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , falling short of just 1 kilometer worth of pipes , the project wo n't work .
Head of the Center for Energy Research , Oleksandr Kharchenko , it is too early to talk about which U.S. sanctions will actually be introduced .
Today this information remains beyond a public plane .
Nevertheless , just as the first batch of sanctions was clearly formulated and hit right on target , this will also be the case with the second package .
There is no reason to expect that the United States will fail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 poses major threat to environment in Baltic Sea over WW2-era chemical munitions – experts '' Theoretically , Gazprom has the opportunity to try to complete the construction of Nord Stream 2 .
But so far nothing 's been done as they only sail their ships back and forth .
Gazprom is now as the risk group .
For the company , sanctions would be an extremely unpleasant story .
Frankly speaking , it would be a heavy blow for them .
In general , for Russia , things are developing in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I doubt that Gazprom will launch the Akademik Chersky .
Another issue for Gazprom is the Danish construction permit .
Fortunately for us , they do n't have the opportunity to have their vessels operating within the framework of an already issued permit , although it might be amended .
Now the Russians are actively negotiating , with no results so far .
American and Ukrainian diplomats are very pro-active in working with the Danes , trying to provide them with all kinds of support since there is pressure coming on the part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russians .
Therefore , there are many multidirectional factors , as well as the understanding that the current U.S. sanctions have already complicated the situation a lot , while a new package of measures is being prepared that will make the completion of the pipeline impossible as such .
Sanctions are introduced precisely so that the project is n't implemented .
And the fact that Russia is convinced of the opposite is its very problem .
The threat of construction failure is more than real .
I believe that the new sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 , '' summed up Kharchenko .
U.S. sanctions targeting Nord Stream 2 , based on the statement of the American diplomat , could be approved `` very quickly . ''
I wish this will be the case because time does n't wait .

The U.S. threatens Russia with new sanctions over the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which was designed to deprive Ukraine of gas transit revenues. UNIAN figured out whether Washington could defeat Moscow in the latest episode of gas war.
Despite the global threat – the coronavirus pandemic – economic issues are going nowhere from the international agenda. Now, one of the topics discussed globally is Russia's moves to try to complete its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, which is designed to deprive Ukraine of the gas transit country status, as well as billions of dollars in revenues.
The reason for putting this issue on top agenda was the statement by the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell. In anticipation of the end of his cadence in Berlin, he said that new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 were just around the corner and that they could be passed by the American Congress very quickly.
The new sanctions package enjoys bipartisan support, according to Grenell, who spoke with Handelsblatt.
Видео дня
Also, he called on the German federal government to rethink its policy on Russia and "stop feeding the beast", while failing to provide sufficient financial support to NATO.
They intend to adopt sanctions to prevent the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project. The main reason is Russia's use of gas as a tool of political pressure, which casts doubt on the principles of the European Union. Only Germany keeps supporting the project. If the pipeline is put into operation, the country will become the largest gas hub in Europe. Therefore, Berlin considered the statement by the U.S. ambassador inappropriate.
"The time when the pandemic is putting enormous pressure on countries around the world is not suitable to escalate the spiral and threaten further extraterritorial sanctions, which are contrary to international law," said Peter Altmeier, spokesperson for the German economy and energy.
This is not the first dispute between Germany and the United States. Berlin was outraged by U.S. sanctions against the project, introduced in December, which forced companies involved to cease construction immediately. The Swiss Allseas almost immediately brought their pipe layer out of the Baltic Sea. So the construction of the Nord Stream 2 was suspended. But Russia said that all problems would be resolved. To complete the construction by the end of 2020, the Akademik Chersky ship was "modernized". In early May, she anchored outside the German port of Mukran.
By the way, the history of this ship is quite amusing. History says that the new U.S. sanctions are a reality, and most importantly, this time, they are a direct threat to Gazprom. So, realizing that restrictive measures will affect their assets, while the Akademik Chersky is one of them, the vessel was in 2016 transferred to the ownership of the Samara Thermal Energy Property Fund. That is, the vessel, presumably, has nothing to do with Gazprom. And if it's the case, sanctions shouldn't be a problem. But problems didn't end there.
The snag with the completion of Nord Stream 2 led to the fact that the German Federal Network Agency (Bnetza) rejected the application of the Nord Stream 2 AG operator to provide Nord Stream 2 with exceptions to the EU Gas Directive.
It was approved last year and in fact is an amendment to the Gas Directive, according to which gas pipelines from third countries must also comply with the Third Energy Package. That is, a single company cannot be both gas supplier and owner of a gas pipeline, while independent suppliers must have access to the pipe. This means that up to 50% of its capacity should be reserved for them. In the case of Nord Stream 2, this means that the project will operate at half capacity – at 27.5 billion cubic meters per year. The Directive, at the request of Germany, indicated that exceptions could be granted, but only if the pipeline was built before May 23, 2019.
Actually, the date was precisely the deadline for the commissioning of Nord Stream 2. But U.S. sanctions did their job, and the pipe didn't fit into Germany-lobbied mitigation scheme.
Russia immediately announced that, despite various "barriers", Nord Stream 2 will have been commissioned before the end of 2020, while Gazprom will find ways to circumvent restrictive measures. For example, they could transfer gas delivery points to European customers to where the Baltic gas pipeline enters German territorial waters and, in fact, crosses the EU border, or to the NS2 entry point in Russia.
Seeing all the "cunning" schemes on the part of Russia, the United States moved to threaten Russians with new sanctions. But will they be able to destroy the Nord Stream 2?
U.S. vs Russia
President of the Center for Global Studies "Strategy XXI", Mykhailo Honchar, believes that sanctions will be introduced. They have already been designated, and the corresponding bill has been developed. And they cover the companies that will risk joining the completion of the NS2 project.
"Of course, American sanctions are always targeted. They would primarily affect the management and owners of companies that would cooperate with Gazprom. Thus, they would lose the opportunity to do business with the United States, cooperate with American companies, the ability to cross into the United States, etc. Although, on the one hand, it may seem that sanctions are insufficient. For example, Gazprom, when they re-registered its only pipe-laying vessel Akademik Chersky to Samara Thermal Energy Property Fund , were probably thinking precisely this way. Indeed, U.S. the new owner wasn't supposed to care about the U.S. sanctions: they don't cooperate with the U.S. and nor do they do business around the world. The situation with the Swiss Allseas looked different. The U.S. sanctions package introduced in December forced the company to withdraw from the project their pipe layer Solitaire. But if the Russians believe that with such a trick they leveled the risk of falling under new sanctions, then this isn't the case," said Honchar.
In his opinion, now the ideal situation would be where the Akademik Chersky ship is seized, say, to pay off the claim of a Polish state company which won Stockholm arbitration vs Gazprom in the amount of $1.5 billion, while Russia refuses to pay.
Also, the new bill says that the cheat maneuver with the ship will not help the Russians, since sanctions will target not only the entity that currently owns certain assets, technologies and equipment that can be used for laying Nord Stream 2, but also those who have handed the said assets over to that entity. In other words, the Akademik Chersky vessel, which had previously been on Gazprom's balance sheet before being handed to the Samara Fund, which itself will be subject to sanctions, will lead to Gazprom also falling under those sanctions.
"But for Gazprom, this would equal a death sentence. Previously, the Americans spared the company. Now they won't. Gazprom has a certain relationship with the U.S. financial system. So for them, this would be a sort of collapse," said Honchar.
But even if Russia completes the construction of Nord Stream 2, then the expert says no one will be willing to use it; otherwise, the risk remains of being targeted by U.S. sanctions after receiving gas from this pipeline.
There's another important factor that could destroy Nord Stream 2.
"The Danish regulator has not yet given its final consent to pipe-laying works. Therefore, the fact that the Russians are now sailing back and forth around the German island of Rügen doesn't mean that they have restarted their work. The fact is that there's no certainty on the Danish side that the Akademik Chersky, along with the Fortuna barge, will be able to do their job without hitting the risk zones hosting loads of chemical munitions sunk around Bornholm Island after World War 2. I don't rule out the possibility that, if Russia ignores this very serious element and sneakily pursues with construction, NATO will quickly restore order. European experts have repeatedly stated that, it would seem, there's a certain map that shows the exact location of chemical munitions dumping sites. However, in the process of further research, it turned out that the sites aren't indicated properly. Moreover, batches of highly hazardous munitions have been carried by underwater currents downstream toward the coast of Sweden. Gazprom assures that it has talked with almost every fish swimming at the sea bottom, but the risk is still very high," says Honchar.
The expert believes that it actually doesn't matter in which way Nord Stream 2 will be stopped. For Ukraine, the main thing is that it never starts operating. Even if Gazprom completes it by 99.9%, falling short of just 1 kilometer worth of pipes, the project won't work.
Head of the Center for Energy Research, Oleksandr Kharchenko, it is too early to talk about which U.S. sanctions will actually be introduced. Today this information remains beyond a public plane. Nevertheless, just as the first batch of sanctions was clearly formulated and hit right on target, this will also be the case with the second package. There is no reason to expect that the United States will fail in its endeavor.
Read alsoNord Stream 2 poses major threat to environment in Baltic Sea over WW2-era chemical munitions – experts
"Theoretically, Gazprom has the opportunity to try to complete the construction of Nord Stream 2. But so far nothing's been done as they only sail their ships back and forth. Gazprom is now as the risk group. For the company, sanctions would be an extremely unpleasant story. Frankly speaking, it would be a heavy blow for them. In general, for Russia, things are developing in a very wrong way now. Therefore, I doubt that Gazprom will launch the Akademik Chersky. Another issue for Gazprom is the Danish construction permit. Fortunately for us, they don't have the opportunity to have their vessels operating within the framework of an already issued permit, although it might be amended. Now the Russians are actively negotiating, with no results so far. American and Ukrainian diplomats are very pro-active in working with the Danes, trying to provide them with all kinds of support since there is pressure coming on the part of the Germans, as well as the Russians. Therefore, there are many multidirectional factors, as well as the understanding that the current U.S. sanctions have already complicated the situation a lot, while a new package of measures is being prepared that will make the completion of the pipeline impossible as such. Sanctions are introduced precisely so that the project isn't implemented. And the fact that Russia is convinced of the opposite is its very problem. The threat of construction failure is more than real. I believe that the new sanctions will not allow completing the Nord Stream 2," summed up Kharchenko.
U.S. sanctions targeting Nord Stream 2, based on the statement of the American diplomat, could be approved "very quickly." I wish this will be the case because time doesn't wait.
Nana Chornaya


unian--2020-06-04--Poroshenko's lawyer comments on court subpoena for questioning

The former president has recently skipped questionings as a witness in the two cases being investigated .
Ihor Golovan , the lawyer representing the fifth president of Ukraine , now Member of Parliament Petro Poroshenko , has issued a comment on the court subpoena allowing investigative authorities to bring his client for questioning by force , if required .
The lawyer says his client had not been informed about the upcoming court hearing where the question of issuing a subpoena was considered , and neither had he been invited to attend it .
At the same time , legislation says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer wrote on Facebook .
Holovan has referred to the court 's move as `` another confirmation of the purely political nature of all cases '' where his client is involved and that law enforcement are trying to interfere with Poroshenko 's activities .
The latest summons for questioning that Poroshenko 's legal team claims were never properly delivered relate to the case of the alleged artwork smuggling and the one about the circumstances of the alleged eavesdropping of presidential conversations at his office ( initiated in the wake of the recent leaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and U.S. officials , including former Vice President Joe Biden and ex-Secretary of State John Kerry ) .

The former president has recently skipped questionings as a witness in the two cases being investigated.
Ihor Golovan, the lawyer representing the fifth president of Ukraine, now Member of Parliament Petro Poroshenko, has issued a comment on the court subpoena allowing investigative authorities to bring his client for questioning by force, if required.
The lawyer says his client had not been informed about the upcoming court hearing where the question of issuing a subpoena was considered, and neither had he been invited to attend it.
At the same time, legislation says witnesses shall attend such hearings, the lawyer wrote on Facebook.
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Read alsoKyiv's court authorizes compulsory interrogation of Poroshenko on June 10
Holovan has referred to the court's move as "another confirmation of the purely political nature of all cases" where his client is involved and that law enforcement are trying to interfere with Poroshenko's activities.
The latest summons for questioning that Poroshenko's legal team claims were never properly delivered relate to the case of the alleged artwork smuggling and the one about the circumstances of the alleged eavesdropping of presidential conversations at his office (initiated in the wake of the recent leaks of what purportedly is communications between Poroshenko and U.S. officials, including former Vice President Joe Biden and ex-Secretary of State John Kerry).


unian--2020-06-04--Prices for fruit, berries rise to historic highs in Ukraine

Wholesale prices for garden strawberries grew the most , by 61.5 % on average .
Prices for fruit and berries have risen to historic highs in Ukraine due to the negative impact of weather conditions .
`` Despite the decline in consumer income as a result of the coronavirus-related crisis , prices for fruit and berries on the Ukrainian market are now at historic highs , '' according to the press service of the Ukrainian Horticultural Association ( UHA ) .
Wholesale prices for garden strawberries grew the most , by 61.5 % on average as of early June .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded as late as in the second half of May , have destroyed large parts of the crops .
`` Therefore , the supply of strawberries fell sharply compared to last year , and prices remain high .
The situation is complicated by the cool and cloudy weather in most production regions , which delays the berry ripening season , '' reads the report .
The prices of black cherries also rose sharply in Ukraine since the bulk of its crop had been destroyed due to frost .
Apple prices remained high throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
To date , stocks of apples have almost been exhausted , so imports dominate the market , albeit at higher prices due to increased demand in Europe .
Prices of pears , most of which are imported , have grown by 30-35 % against last year .
As for exotic fruits , banana prices grew the least – by only 2-4 % .
Lemon prices are now 25 % higher on average than last year , while oranges are 40 % more expensive .
Demand rose sharply in the midst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite high .
Increased supplies of apricots are expected from Turkey , Uzbekistan and Spain in the near future .
`` Unfortunately , apricot orchards in Ukraine have also been severely affected by frosts , so the crop of our own stone fruits will be extremely low .
Of course , we should not expect low prices for apricots this season , '' the UHA said .

Prices for fruit, berries rise to historic highs in Ukraine
18:40, 04.06.20 3599
Wholesale prices for garden strawberries grew the most, by 61.5% on average.
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unian--2020-06-04--Ukraine's new culture minister vows to sell stake in Odesa Film Studio

The statement came at a parliament meeting before deputies endorsed his nomination on June 4 .
The newly appointed Ukrainian Minister of Culture and Information Policy , Oleksandr Tkachenko , has said he will soon sell off his shares in the Odesa Film Studio to avoid any conflict of interest .
The statement came at a parliament meeting before deputies endorsed his nomination on June 4 as Tkachenko responded to allegations of `` conflict of interest '' voiced by a number of lawmakers amid ongoing litigation regarding the studio 's shares to which the Culture Ministry is one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I know that lies have no limits since it is about ignorance and rudeness I constantly face in this regard .
I 'd like to declare that there will be no conflict of interest – my shares are being prepared for sale , and it will be no 'blind trust ' .
This will be done soon , '' he said .
The minister emphasized positive notes in reports about the Odesa Film Studio , which has been operating .
At the same time , he claims , everyone is `` turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Studio of Chronicle and Documentary Films that has been stolen , or to the National Cinematheque of Ukraine that 's been half-stolen . ''
As UNIAN reported earlier , on June 4 , the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , appointed Tkachenko the country 's new Culture and Information Policy Minister .
Earlier , Ukraine 's ruling Servant of the People party nominated MP Tkachenko , their fellow party member , for the post of minister of culture .
He chaired the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy .

The statement came at a parliament meeting before deputies endorsed his nomination on June 4.
The newly appointed Ukrainian Minister of Culture and Information Policy, Oleksandr Tkachenko, has said he will soon sell off his shares in the Odesa Film Studio to avoid any conflict of interest.
The statement came at a parliament meeting before deputies endorsed his nomination on June 4 as Tkachenko responded to allegations of "conflict of interest" voiced by a number of lawmakers amid ongoing litigation regarding the studio's shares to which the Culture Ministry is one of the parties, an UNIAN correspondent reported.
Tkachenko has refuted the allegations.
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Read alsoUkraine's Rada votes for new culture minister's appointment
"I know that lies have no limits since it is about ignorance and rudeness I constantly face in this regard. I'd like to declare that there will be no conflict of interest – my shares are being prepared for sale, and it will be no 'blind trust'. This will be done soon," he said.
The minister emphasized positive notes in reports about the Odesa Film Studio, which has been operating. At the same time, he claims, everyone is "turning a blind eye to the state-owned Ukrainian Studio of Chronicle and Documentary Films that has been stolen, or to the National Cinematheque of Ukraine that's been half-stolen."
As UNIAN reported earlier, on June 4, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, appointed Tkachenko the country's new Culture and Information Policy Minister.
Earlier, Ukraine's ruling Servant of the People party nominated MP Tkachenko, their fellow party member, for the post of minister of culture. He chaired the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy.


unian--2020-06-04--U.S. Freedom Holding to acquire 20% stake in Ukrainian Exchange

The arrival of a strong foreign investor is a positive signal for the Ukrainian stock market .
Ukraine 's National Commission on Securities and Stock Market ( NSSMC ) June 3 green-lighted the acquisition of a 20 % stake in the Ukrainian Exchange by the U.S. Freedom Holding , which is the parent company of Freedom Finance Ukraine , a player on Ukraine 's stock market .
`` This suggests that not only local players , but also backbone international investors see good potential in the market and believe in the fast recovery of the Ukrainian economy , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company 's CEO Artemiy Yershov as saying .
The fact that a strong foreign investor has joined the capital of the exchange is a positive signal for the Ukrainian stock market , he said .
UNIAN memo .
Freedom Holding Corp is a corporation organized in the United States under the laws of the State of Nevada that owns several operating subsidiaries that engage in a broad range of activities in the securities industry , including retail securities brokerage , research , investment counseling , securities trading , market making , corporate investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The company is headquartered in Almaty , Kazakhstan , with supporting administrative office locations in Russia , Cyprus and the United States and is a professional participant on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange ( KASE ) , Moscow Exchange ( MOEX ) , Saint-Petersburg Exchange ( SPB ) , the Ukrainian Exchange , and the Republican Stock Exchange of Tashkent ( UZSE ) .
Established in October 2008 , the Ukrainian Exchange has become one of the fastest developing exchanges in the world .
Now it offers trading in a wide array of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options .

U.S. Freedom Holding to acquire 20% stake in Ukrainian Exchange
16:55, 04.06.20 1328
The arrival of a strong foreign investor is a positive signal for the Ukrainian stock market.
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unian--2020-06-04--Ukrainian parliament sends government's draft action program for finalization

It will take into account the comments and suggestions made by MPs during debates in the parliamentary committees .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , has sent the government 's draft action program for finalization .
The relevant decision was backed by 245 MPs with the required minimum of 226 votes , an UNIAN correspondent reports .
Read alsoPM Shmyhal says Ukraine manages to cope with COVID-19 challenges in spring As stated in the parliament 's resolution , the program will be finalized taking into account the comments and suggestions made by MPs during debates in the parliamentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke before the vote , having thanked those parliamentary committees that had worked constructively with the Cabinet and its ministers to update the government 's action program .
`` As of today , it is a comprehensive document with estimates , conclusions , goals , specific dates for achieving these goals and results .
The documents we have developed will give us the foundation and vision where we should move , what reforms are Ukraine 's priority today , how we should implement these reforms in favor of people , in favor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .

Ukrainian parliament sends government's draft action program for finalization
16:40, 04.06.20 836
It will take into account the comments and suggestions made by MPs during debates in the parliamentary committees.
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unian--2020-06-04--Ukraine to introduce new anti-epidemic rules for resumption of flights

The country is expected to relaunch domestic flights from June 5 , while international routes will start operating from June 15 .
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has said the ministry this week will develop and publish new anti-epidemic rules for the resumption of flights , taking into account the requirements set by European partners and other countries that have relaunched their international air services .
Read alsoUkraine International Airlines resuming flights between Kyiv and Odesa as quarantine eases '' We are now developing the rules taking into account European experience .
Our Ukrainian specialists who we have been working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are elaborating these rules .
I think that this week we should have more or less finalized , clear and specific rules that we will immediately make public , '' he told a briefing on June 4 .
`` The rules will be developed taking into account experience and requirements that will be set by our European partners or other countries where international flights have resumed .
The rules will be developed , approved , and published , '' the minister added .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradually resume air transportation services .
So , domestic flights will be relaunched from June 5 , while international routes will start operating from June 15 .

The country is expected to relaunch domestic flights from June 5, while international routes will start operating from June 15.
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has said the ministry this week will develop and publish new anti-epidemic rules for the resumption of flights, taking into account the requirements set by European partners and other countries that have relaunched their international air services.
Read alsoUkraine International Airlines resuming flights between Kyiv and Odesa as quarantine eases
"We are now developing the rules taking into account European experience. Our Ukrainian specialists who we have been working with since the start of the pandemic are elaborating these rules. I think that this week we should have more or less finalized, clear and specific rules that we will immediately make public," he told a briefing on June 4.
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"The rules will be developed taking into account experience and requirements that will be set by our European partners or other countries where international flights have resumed. The rules will be developed, approved, and published," the minister added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii on June 3 said that Ukraine would gradually resume air transportation services. So, domestic flights will be relaunched from June 5, while international routes will start operating from June 15.


unian--2020-06-04--Bakhmatyuk's UkrLandFarming boasts new equipment, updates on current sowing campaign

The UkrLandFarming group of companies , one of the largest Ukrainian agricultural holdings , owned by businessman Oleg Bakhmatyuk , made investment in its own fleet of modern agricultural equipment in the spring of 2020 .
This was reported by Ukrainian News .
Currently , divisions of the group 's five enterprises have been modernized with trailing equipment , including cultivators and seeders manufactured by John Deere , Kinze , and Great Plains .
The coronavirus crisis did not halt the process : the equipment had been purchased before the quarantine began with the closure of the state borders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sowing campaign in three years – Bakhmatyuk '' In the complex of works with elements of precision farming , the presence of pneumatic seeders for tillage , additionally equipped with Precision Planting sowing systems , is perhaps the most critical , '' UkrLandFarming 's Deputy CEO for Agricultural Production Viktor Spassky said .
`` The precision sowing systems operating today in the holding allow sowing row crops not only qualitatively , but also differentially , i.e .
with different norms depending on the characteristics of the field .
Some seeders have been improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which the norm and quality of crops is controlled online . ''
The atypical weather conditions of spring 2020 after a warm winter have introduced their changes to the production technology of one of the largest agricultural holdings in Ukraine .
According to Spassky , `` additional use of insecticides is planned to prevent the spread of pests .
By the end of May , seedlings were obtained on all areas of the holding designated for spring crops .
Also , various planned crop care activities are being carried out : herbicides have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding to maize crops is being completed , and measures to ensure soybean purity are next in line .
Timely monitoring of the state of crops allows the use of the necessary substances in accordance with the phases of plant growing .
All operations to protect crops are carried out by our own agricultural machinery . ''
UkrLandFarming is one of Ukraine 's largest agricultural holdings engaged in harvesting cereals and oilseeds , other seeds , production of eggs and egg products ( Avangardco IPL ) , livestock , and production of meat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elevators , 11 agricultural clusters , 19 poultry farms , three hatcheries , 10 factories for young-stock breeding , six feed mills , three warehouses for long-term storage of eggs , the Imperovo Foods egg processing plant , the Avis and Chernobaevska full-cycle egg production facilities with a total capacity of 3.5 billion eggs per year and a livestock of 10.5 million laying hens .
The holding is owned by businessman Oleg Bakhmatyuk .

The UkrLandFarming group of companies, one of the largest Ukrainian agricultural holdings, owned by businessman Oleg Bakhmatyuk, made investment in its own fleet of modern agricultural equipment in the spring of 2020.
This was reported by Ukrainian News.
Currently, divisions of the group's five enterprises have been modernized with trailing equipment, including cultivators and seeders manufactured by John Deere, Kinze, and Great Plains. The coronavirus crisis did not halt the process: the equipment had been purchased before the quarantine began with the closure of the state borders and other obstacles.
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Read alsoUkrLandFarming conducts best sowing campaign in three years – Bakhmatyuk
"In the complex of works with elements of precision farming, the presence of pneumatic seeders for tillage, additionally equipped with Precision Planting sowing systems, is perhaps the most critical," UkrLandFarming's Deputy CEO for Agricultural Production Viktor Spassky said. "The precision sowing systems operating today in the holding allow sowing row crops not only qualitatively, but also differentially, i.e. with different norms depending on the characteristics of the field. Some seeders have been improved by the AgLeader system, thanks to which the norm and quality of crops is controlled online."
The atypical weather conditions of spring 2020 after a warm winter have introduced their changes to the production technology of one of the largest agricultural holdings in Ukraine. According to Spassky, "additional use of insecticides is planned to prevent the spread of pests. By the end of May, seedlings were obtained on all areas of the holding designated for spring crops. Also, various planned crop care activities are being carried out: herbicides have been added to sunflower crops, their adding to maize crops is being completed, and measures to ensure soybean purity are next in line. Timely monitoring of the state of crops allows the use of the necessary substances in accordance with the phases of plant growing. All operations to protect crops are carried out by our own agricultural machinery."
UkrLandFarming is one of Ukraine's largest agricultural holdings engaged in harvesting cereals and oilseeds, other seeds, production of eggs and egg products (Avangardco IPL), livestock, and production of meat and milk. The company includes 17 elevators, 11 agricultural clusters, 19 poultry farms, three hatcheries, 10 factories for young-stock breeding, six feed mills, three warehouses for long-term storage of eggs, the Imperovo Foods egg processing plant, the Avis and Chernobaevska full-cycle egg production facilities with a total capacity of 3.5 billion eggs per year and a livestock of 10.5 million laying hens.
The holding is owned by businessman Oleg Bakhmatyuk.


unian--2020-06-04--Kyiv's court authorizes compulsory interrogation of Poroshenko on June 10

The ruling was delivered on June 4 .
Kyiv 's Pechersky District Court has ruled that fifth president of Ukraine , Member of Parliament Petro Poroshenko must be brought to the premises of the State Bureau of Investigation ( SBI ) for questioning on June 10 .
The court 's ruling that authorizes compulsory interrogation of Poroshenko was passed on June 4 , the SBI 's press service said .
He will be interrogated as a witness in a criminal case probing into the circumstances of the transfer of 43 paintings across the customs border of Ukraine in circumvention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin at 11:00 Kyiv time on June 10 , the address is 15 Symona Petliury Street , Kyiv .
On June 4 , Poroshenko was expected to visit the SBI at 11:00 and 12:00 .
The first visit concerned the 43 paintings case , and the other one is related to the so-called `` Biden call recordings '' case .
It became known on May 22 that Poroshenko had urgently been summoned to the SBI for questioning as a witness on May 26 in a criminal proceeding probing into the transfer of 43 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in circumvention of customs control .
Poroshenko failed to appear for interrogation was he was present at Kyiv 's Ivan Honchar Museum to open an exhibition of those paintings .
On the afternoon of May 26 , SBI investigators arrived at the museum to conduct urgent investigative actions and search the museum 's premises `` in order to preserve the assets [ paintings ] . ''
The director of the museum , Petro Honchar , said that the SBI agents had broken the entrance door of the premises and had not let him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that Poroshenko had not commissioned the museum 's administration to relocate the paintings that were on exhibit .
The SBI officers conducted an inventory of the paintings from Poroshenko 's collection and seized the originals of the related customs declarations .
On May 27 , the SBI again summoned Poroshenko for questioning as a witness in the two cases scheduled for May 29 , yet he did not appear .
His lawyers said that the summons had been handed over to the ex-president improperly , so he had skipped the interrogation .

The ruling was delivered on June 4.
Kyiv's Pechersky District Court has ruled that fifth president of Ukraine, Member of Parliament Petro Poroshenko must be brought to the premises of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) for questioning on June 10.
The court's ruling that authorizes compulsory interrogation of Poroshenko was passed on June 4, the SBI's press service said.
Read alsoPoroshenko declares almost US$29 mln in 2019 income
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He will be interrogated as a witness in a criminal case probing into the circumstances of the transfer of 43 paintings across the customs border of Ukraine in circumvention of customs control.
The interrogation is to begin at 11:00 Kyiv time on June 10, the address is 15 Symona Petliury Street, Kyiv.
On June 4, Poroshenko was expected to visit the SBI at 11:00 and 12:00. The first visit concerned the 43 paintings case, and the other one is related to the so-called "Biden call recordings" case.
It became known on May 22 that Poroshenko had urgently been summoned to the SBI for questioning as a witness on May 26 in a criminal proceeding probing into the transfer of 43 paintings across the customs border of Ukraine in circumvention of customs control. Poroshenko failed to appear for interrogation was he was present at Kyiv's Ivan Honchar Museum to open an exhibition of those paintings.
On the afternoon of May 26, SBI investigators arrived at the museum to conduct urgent investigative actions and search the museum's premises "in order to preserve the assets [paintings]." The director of the museum, Petro Honchar, said that the SBI agents had broken the entrance door of the premises and had not let him get into the building. He also added that Poroshenko had not commissioned the museum's administration to relocate the paintings that were on exhibit. The SBI officers conducted an inventory of the paintings from Poroshenko's collection and seized the originals of the related customs declarations.
On May 27, the SBI again summoned Poroshenko for questioning as a witness in the two cases scheduled for May 29, yet he did not appear. His lawyers said that the summons had been handed over to the ex-president improperly, so he had skipped the interrogation.


unian--2020-06-04--Zelensky ready to pay fine for indoor meeting at café amid quarantine

Cafés and restaurants are allowed to work as open-air seating subject to 1.5-meter social distancing rules .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to pay a fine if his indoor meeting at a café in the city of Khmelnytsky is considered a violation of the quarantine rules .
`` I am ready to pay a fine if I 've violated something ...
I was invited , I went in , everything was checked there , '' he told a local journalist , according to the Ukrayinska Pravda online newspaper .
On June 3 , the President Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zelensky sitting at one table with other officials , including President 's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak , First Deputy Head of the President 's Office Serhiy Trofimov , Khmelnytsky Governor Dmytro Gabinet , and Khmelnytsky Mayor Oleksandr Symchyshyn .
`` President Volodymyr Zelensky had a walk around the central part of the city of Khmelnytsky and tried coffee at a local café , '' the president 's press service said .
`` Nice coffee in Khmelnytsky !
Fragrant and delicious !
The first cafés are exiting from quarantine , we are rebounding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported on the president 's Instagram account under another similar photo taken in the same café .
As UNIAN reported earlier , on June 3 , Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the Cabinet of Ministers plans to let cafés and restaurants serve visitors indoors from June 5 as part of the easing of quarantine-related measures .
Until then , cafés and restaurants are allowed to work as open-air seating subject to 1.5-meter social distancing rules .

Cafés and restaurants are allowed to work as open-air seating subject to 1.5-meter social distancing rules.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to pay a fine if his indoor meeting at a café in the city of Khmelnytsky is considered a violation of the quarantine rules.
"I am ready to pay a fine if I've violated something... I was invited, I went in, everything was checked there," he told a local journalist, according to the Ukrayinska Pravda online newspaper.
On June 3, the President Office's Telegram channel posted a photo showing Zelensky sitting at one table with other officials, including President's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, First Deputy Head of the President's Office Serhiy Trofimov, Khmelnytsky Governor Dmytro Gabinet, and Khmelnytsky Mayor Oleksandr Symchyshyn.
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Read alsoSome 76% of Ukrainian restaurants reopen after lockdown
"President Volodymyr Zelensky had a walk around the central part of the city of Khmelnytsky and tried coffee at a local café," the president's press service said.
"Nice coffee in Khmelnytsky! Fragrant and delicious! The first cafés are exiting from quarantine, we are rebounding from the coronavirus epidemic," as reported on the president's Instagram account under another similar photo taken in the same café.
As UNIAN reported earlier, on June 3, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the Cabinet of Ministers plans to let cafés and restaurants serve visitors indoors from June 5 as part of the easing of quarantine-related measures.
Until then, cafés and restaurants are allowed to work as open-air seating subject to 1.5-meter social distancing rules.


unian--2020-06-04--Ukraine's Rada votes for new culture minister's appointment

Tkachenko 's nomination was backed by the Servant of the People faction at a meeting on June 1 .
Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ appointment of Member of Parliament from the Servant of the People parliamentary faction Oleksandr Tkachenko @ @ @ @ @ Culture and Information Policy Minister .
Some 263 MPs voted for the decision .
As @ @ @ @ @ Servant of the People faction on June 1 supported Tkachenko 's nomination for the ministerial @ @ @ @ @ , Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal had submitted new nominations @ @ @ @ @ by parliament .
The Verkhovna Rada 's Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy recommended that @ @ @ @ @ appointment .

Tkachenko's nomination was backed by the Servant of the People faction at a meeting on June 1.
Ukrainian lawmakers have voted for the appointment of Member of Parliament from the Servant of the People parliamentary faction Oleksandr Tkachenko as the country's new Culture and Information Policy Minister.
Some 263 MPs voted for the decision.
Read alsoUkraine's parliament appoints Stefanishyna as Deputy PM for Euro-Atlantic integration
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As UNIAN reported earlier, the Servant of the People faction on June 1 supported Tkachenko's nomination for the ministerial post.
On June 3, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal had submitted new nominations to Cabinet posts for approval by parliament.
The Verkhovna Rada's Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy recommended that lawmakers vote for Tkachenko's appointment.


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine's NSDC secretary predicts Russia's break-up

He says Russia is an artificial entity , which was once formed `` at gunpoint . ''
Secretary of Ukraine 's National Security and Defense Council ( NSDC ) Oleksiy Danilov says the Russian Federation has been confronting its neighboring countries all the time and he thinks that it will break up sooner or later .
Read alsoNSDC secretary : Ukraine seeks to end war with Russia soon , but not going to make concessions '' This is an artificial entity , which once was also formed at gunpoint .
No one willingly joined it .
This is an 'assembled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later fall apart , '' he said on TV Channel 24 on June 4 .
The official added that peoples associated with Russia , for example , Ichkeria , have nothing to do with it .
`` We must also be aware that this will not happen as quickly as we would like , but the fact that it will happen in our lifetime is clear , '' he said .
According to Danilov , Russia has had an external enemy all the time of its existence .
At first , it considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its adversaries , then this was Georgia , and now it is Ukraine .
Ukraine 's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba earlier said that Ukraine would not allow the red lines that relate to national security , sovereignty and territorial integrity to be crossed .
So , negotiations with Russian-backed forces of the so-called `` Donetsk and Luhansk People 's Republics '' ( `` DPR '' and `` LPR '' ) , federalization and Russia 's other demands are unacceptable to Kyiv .

He says Russia is an artificial entity, which was once formed "at gunpoint."
Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov says the Russian Federation has been confronting its neighboring countries all the time and he thinks that it will break up sooner or later.
Read alsoNSDC secretary: Ukraine seeks to end war with Russia soon, but not going to make concessions
"This is an artificial entity, which once was also formed at gunpoint. No one willingly joined it. This is an 'assembled territory,' which will sooner or later fall apart," he said on TV Channel 24 on June 4.
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The official added that peoples associated with Russia, for example, Ichkeria, have nothing to do with it.
"We must also be aware that this will not happen as quickly as we would like, but the fact that it will happen in our lifetime is clear," he said.
According to Danilov, Russia has had an external enemy all the time of its existence. At first, it considered the United States and NATO to be its adversaries, then this was Georgia, and now it is Ukraine.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba earlier said that Ukraine would not allow the red lines that relate to national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity to be crossed. So, negotiations with Russian-backed forces of the so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" ("DPR" and "LPR"), federalization and Russia's other demands are unacceptable to Kyiv.


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine's GDP drops by 5% since early 2020 – economy ministry

This indicator is fully in line with the forecast .
Ukraine 's gross domestic product ( GDP ) in January-April 2020 dropped by 5 % , which is in line with the forecast of the Ministry of Economic Development , Trade and Agriculture .
`` In conjunction with stimulating factors of the previous periods , a decline in GDP in January-April 2020 was estimated by the Economy Ministry at 5 % , which is fully in line with the forecast ( according to the State Statistics Service , the decline in GDP was 1.5 % in Q1 2020 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review for January-April 2020 published on the ministry 's official website .
Read alsoMost Ukrainian companies see drop in revenue over coronavirus – survey In April , most types of production activities were affected by the spread of the coronavirus worldwide and the continuation of quarantine-related measures to curb the epidemic in the country .
At the same time , the ministry expects the easing of the measures from mid-May and further lifting of restrictions amid the implementation of government decisions aimed at easing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will allow economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of the year .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Cabinet of Ministers projects that Ukraine 's GDP may decrease by 4-8 % in 2020 compared to 2019 .
These figures are mentioned in the comprehensive economic recovery program passed on May 27 and published on May 28 .
The updated budget is based on such forecasts as a 3.9 % decline in GDP ( it was previously expected to grow by 3.7 % ) and 9.4 % unemployment ( instead of 8.1 % ) .

Ukraine's GDP drops by 5% since early 2020 – economy ministry
14:55, 05.06.20 1137
This indicator is fully in line with the forecast.
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unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine's Wall project on border with Russia implemented by a mere 40%

The Wall project has been under construction since 2015 as a defense complex to counter Russian aggression .
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine implemented the Wall project on the border with the Russian Federation by 40 % as of the end of May 2020 .
The relevant figure was mentioned by the border guards in response to a request from analysts of Ukrainian NGO StateWatch .
Read alsoZelensky comments on possible `` wall '' in Donbas The Wall project is financed under the Border Engineering Measures budget program of the State Border Guard Service .
The department is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Arsen Avakov .
The program provides for the allocation of UAH 400 million ( US $ 14.9 million ) in 2020 , of which UAH 53 million ( US $ 1.9 million ) was spent as of June 1 .
The Wall project has been under construction since 2015 as a defense complex to counter Russian aggression .
A total of UAH 1.7 billion ( US $ 63.6 million ) has been spent on the project for five years .
The project was supposed to be completed in 2018 , but later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Border Guard Service says the deadlines of the project and its completion should be rescheduled for 2025 due to a decrease in the funding and an increase in the costs of work .
A draft of the relevant resolution has already been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine .

The Wall project has been under construction since 2015 as a defense complex to counter Russian aggression.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine implemented the Wall project on the border with the Russian Federation by 40% as of the end of May 2020.
The relevant figure was mentioned by the border guards in response to a request from analysts of Ukrainian NGO StateWatch.
Read alsoZelensky comments on possible "wall" in Donbas
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The Wall project is financed under the Border Engineering Measures budget program of the State Border Guard Service. The department is controlled by the Ukrainian Interior Ministry headed by Arsen Avakov.
The program provides for the allocation of UAH 400 million (US$14.9 million) in 2020, of which UAH 53 million (US$1.9 million) was spent as of June 1.
The Wall project has been under construction since 2015 as a defense complex to counter Russian aggression. A total of UAH 1.7 billion (US$63.6 million) has been spent on the project for five years.
The project was supposed to be completed in 2018, but later was postponed until 2021.
The State Border Guard Service says the deadlines of the project and its completion should be rescheduled for 2025 due to a decrease in the funding and an increase in the costs of work. A draft of the relevant resolution has already been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine reports 14 new COVID-19 cases in its armed forces as of June 5

A total of 567 servicemen have been quarantined , including in self-isolation .
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 14 as of the morning of June 5 .
Read alsoPM Shmyhal says Ukraine manages to cope with COVID-19 challenges in spring '' As of 10:00 Kyiv time on June 5 , some 142 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine have acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus .
In total , 131 people recovered and four died during the pandemic , '' the press service of the Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine wrote on Facebook on June 5 .
Seven new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors .
Currently , their state of health is satisfactory and they have no symptoms of the disease .
Some 567 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 67 people .
As UNIAN reported earlier , there were 25,964 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including 762 COVID-19 deaths and 11,372 recoveries .
Some 553 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours .

A total of 567 servicemen have been quarantined, including in self-isolation.
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 14 as of the morning of June 5.
Read alsoPM Shmyhal says Ukraine manages to cope with COVID-19 challenges in spring
"As of 10:00 Kyiv time on June 5, some 142 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine have acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In total, 131 people recovered and four died during the pandemic," the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on June 5.
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Seven new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors. Currently, their state of health is satisfactory and they have no symptoms of the disease.
Some 567 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation). The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 67 people.
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 25,964 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 5, including 762 COVID-19 deaths and 11,372 recoveries. Some 553 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours.


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine loses 6,000 ha of forests in four regions over illegal amber extraction

Environmentalists say the amber extraction areas have turned into an environmental disaster zone .
Ukraine has lost 6,000 ha of forests in four regions over illegal amber extraction .
Such a scale of the environmental disaster was reported by employees of the Volyn , Zhytomyr , Kyiv , and Rivne regional forestry and hunting departments , Ukrainian TV Channel 24 said in a report titled `` Ukraine is helpless against the 'amber mafia . '
'' Environmentalists say the amber extraction areas have turned into a zone of the environmental disaster , which the state has not yet begun to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal diggers do not comply with elementary rules and technologies , washing amber with motor pumps , which destroys groundwater drainage channels , '' ecologist Petro Tiestov said .
`` There are such areas where mining , even the legal one , is impossible at all because [ plants and animal ] populations and biological diversity in such forests will recover no earlier than in a hundred years , '' he said .
The experience of neighboring Poland where politicians managed to pass a number of laws on amber production on time shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begins , the greater the chances of their full recovery are .
According to a study by the Data Journalism Agency , the illegal amber extraction in Ukraine has damaged an area of about 5,000 ha .
Some of these zones belong to the nature reserve fund .
As a rule , re-planting forests is possible about four to five years after legal extraction of amber in open pits .
Harm is done to the environment , but it could be minimized .
It is difficult to predict how long it could take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of illegal extraction .
It could be five or 10 years .
In general , it is typical for Ukrainian politicians to hush up environmental issues .
Such an approach has existed since Soviet times .
It is enough to mention the Chornobyl tragedy of 1986 when the authorities did not tell people the truth to the last and surrendered only under the international community 's pressure .
However , they did not disclose the whole truth about the Chornobyl disaster .

Ukraine loses 6,000 ha of forests in four regions over illegal amber extraction
13:50, 05.06.20 6659
Environmentalists say the amber extraction areas have turned into an environmental disaster zone.
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