unian--2020-02-06--Prystaiko says U.S. authorities decided on new ambassador to Ukraine

U.S. ambassadors are appointed by the president and endorsed by the Senate .
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vadym Prystaiko @ @ @ @ @ have already decided on a candidate for the position of the U.S .
Ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ moment , we know who will be nominated .
We in general are satisfied with @ @ @ @ @ said at a joint press conference with his Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod , according to @ @ @ @ @ alsoPompeo 's visit to Kyiv : Mission of apology or control ?
`` I hope @ @ @ @ @ new United States Ambassador to Ukraine as soon as possible , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Kyiv last week , the Ukrainian side was informed @ @ @ @ @ select the new candidacy for the post of the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine , he @ @ @ @ @ minister , U.S. ambassadors are appointed by the U.S. president and endorsed by the Senate @ @ @ @ @ the new ambassador will come to Ukraine soon .

U.S. ambassadors are appointed by the president and endorsed by the Senate.
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vadym Prystaiko says that United States authorities have already decided on a candidate for the position of the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine.
"At the moment, we know who will be nominated. We in general are satisfied with this candidate," he said at a joint press conference with his Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoPompeo's visit to Kyiv: Mission of apology or control?
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"I hope to start working with the new United States Ambassador to Ukraine as soon as possible," he added.
During a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Kyiv last week, the Ukrainian side was informed that work was over to select the new candidacy for the post of the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, he said.
According to the minister, U.S. ambassadors are appointed by the U.S. president and endorsed by the Senate.
Prystaiko says he hopes the new ambassador will come to Ukraine soon.


unian--2020-02-06--Ukraine's budget revenue declines by 7% in Jan

The decrease was due to lower customs incomes .
Revenue of Ukraine 's national budget in January 2020 totaled UAH 50.726 billion , which was UAH 3.825 billion , or 7 % , lower year-over-year .
The decrease was due to lower customs incomes , the State Treasury said on its website .
What is more , the budget in January 2020 fell short of UAH 13.860 billion in revenue , or by 21.5 % , compared to the planned indicator .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the revenues of the national budget 's general fund in January 2020 amounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 % lower than the planned figure for this period , the Finance Ministry said .
The main causes behind the shortfall of budget revenue were a significant changes in macroeconomic indicators , including the strengthening of the hryvnia ( UAH 24.1 against UAH 27 per dollar ) , as well as lower imports by 2.5 % and lower gas prices , the ministry said .
The national budget for 2020 foresees UAH 1.096 trillion in revenue and UAH 1.182 trillion in spending .
The budget deficit is capped at UAH 94.3 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAH 2.333 trillion .

Ukraine's budget revenue declines by 7% in Jan
22:22, 06.02.20 1730
The decrease was due to lower customs incomes.
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unian--2020-02-06--Ukraine's Rada considers 184 of over 4,000 amendments to farmland bill, to continue on Friday

The Thursday session was closed at 19:30 Kyiv time .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , has considered 184 out of over 4,000 amendments to the draft law on the farmland market submitted for the second reading and will continue work on the document on Friday , February 7 .
The Thursday session was closed at 19:30 Kyiv time by First Deputy Chairman of the Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
Ukrainian lawmakers on Thursday adopted one amendment , No .
48 , which obliges owners and users of farmland plots of all forms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easement for passage to other owners and users of land in their territory .
This motion was backed by 296 Members of Parliament with the required minimum being 226 votes .
Other amendments were rejected .
They were tabled mainly by two parties – the Opposition Platform — For Life and Batkivshchyna .
In particular , the Rada failed to secure enough votes to approve amendments to provisions regarding a national referendum to open the land market ; a ban on change in the purpose of an agricultural land plot and a ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a change in the conditions and safeguards for acquiring rights of ownership of farmland by legal entities ; and the impossibility of transferring a land plot of agricultural purpose or part of it by a lessee to sublease for seven years from the date of acquisition of the right to lease the plot .
Chairman of the parliament 's agrarian and land policy committee Mykola Solsky explained that the proposed amendments were either identical or were already included in other legislative acts .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the draft law amending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
2178-10 ) , which introduces the farmland market in Ukraine from October 1 , 2020 , passed its first reading on November 13 , 2019 .
Ukrainian lawmakers on February 6 started considering the draft law on the farmland market in the second reading with more than 4,000 submitted proposals .

The Thursday session was closed at 19:30 Kyiv time.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has considered 184 out of over 4,000 amendments to the draft law on the farmland market submitted for the second reading and will continue work on the document on Friday, February 7.
The Thursday session was closed at 19:30 Kyiv time by First Deputy Chairman of the Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoUkrainian MPs clash in Rada over land market bill (Video)
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Ukrainian lawmakers on Thursday adopted one amendment, No. 48, which obliges owners and users of farmland plots of all forms of ownership to grant the right of easement for passage to other owners and users of land in their territory. This motion was backed by 296 Members of Parliament with the required minimum being 226 votes.
Other amendments were rejected. They were tabled mainly by two parties – the Opposition Platform — For Life and Batkivshchyna.
In particular, the Rada failed to secure enough votes to approve amendments to provisions regarding a national referendum to open the land market; a ban on change in the purpose of an agricultural land plot and a ban on such transfer, as well as on a change in the conditions and safeguards for acquiring rights of ownership of farmland by legal entities; and the impossibility of transferring a land plot of agricultural purpose or part of it by a lessee to sublease for seven years from the date of acquisition of the right to lease the plot.
Chairman of the parliament's agrarian and land policy committee Mykola Solsky explained that the proposed amendments were either identical or were already included in other legislative acts.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the draft law amending certain legislative acts concerning farmland turnover (No. 2178-10), which introduces the farmland market in Ukraine from October 1, 2020, passed its first reading on November 13, 2019.
Ukrainian lawmakers on February 6 started considering the draft law on the farmland market in the second reading with more than 4,000 submitted proposals.


unian--2020-02-06--EU may start new antitrust probe against Gazprom

Gazprom in 2018 pledged to work in keeping with market-oriented conditions , observing the principles of competition and openness .
Bulgaria 's state-owned gas supplier Bulgargaz is preparing to ask the European Commission to resume antitrust proceedings against Gazprom because of the Russian company 's failure to adjust its gas prices to average market levels in the EU .
This was reported by NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine 's press service with reference to Euractiv .
The press service also mentioned that in 2018 Gazprom promised the European Commission to work in keeping with market-oriented conditions , observing the principles of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the antitrust investigation , which began back in 2015 , was terminated .
Gazprom had been accused of abuse of dominance in the markets of Bulgaria , the Czech Republic , Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania , Poland , Hungary , and Slovakia .
Read alsoZelensky finds use for money won in gas dispute with Russia 's Gazprom As UNIAN reported earlier , the European Commission sent Gazprom a claim notification in April 2015 .
In May 2018 , the European Commission identified a number of preconditions for antitrust violations in the natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and obliged Gazprom to ensure a competitive price for consumers in the region and remove limitations on gas sales .
As a result of the investigation , it was concluded that Gazprom 's dominant position in the markets of Central and Eastern Europe had created an opportunity for the company to set higher prices for gas in Bulgaria , Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania , and Poland than in the competitive market in Western Europe .
By its decision , the EC imposed the following obligations on Gazprom : the Russian company had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a ban on the resale of gas ; Gazprom was required to remove barriers to gas flows to isolated markets ( in particular for Bulgaria and the Baltic countries ) ; the Russian monopolist had to ensure prices that would reflect the cost of gas in the competitive markets of Western Europe , especially at gas hubs .

EU may start new antitrust probe against Gazprom
20:28, 06.02.20 2064
Gazprom in 2018 pledged to work in keeping with market-oriented conditions, observing the principles of competition and openness.
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unian--2020-02-06--Ukraine's Foreign Minister says no official proposals for Normandy ministerial meeting

The Normandy meeting is scheduled to be held in April at the level of the four countries ' leaders .
@ @ @ @ @ Prystaiko says he has no official proposals for a meeting of foreign ministers in the @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , France , Germany , and Russia .
`` I have no official proposals @ @ @ @ @ give priority to the leaders ' meeting in April , '' he said at a @ @ @ @ @ Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
Read alsoIncluding Crimea issue @ @ @ @ @ `` negotiating ship '' to bottom – French envoy The Normandy foreign ministers could have @ @ @ @ @ the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in the middle of February .
Prystaiko added @ @ @ @ @ the ministerial meeting to replace the four leaders ' upcoming summit in April .

The Normandy meeting is scheduled to be held in April at the level of the four countries' leaders.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko says he has no official proposals for a meeting of foreign ministers in the Normandy format, which includes Ukraine, France, Germany, and Russia.
"I have no official proposals yet. I would still give priority to the leaders' meeting in April," he said at a joint press conference with his Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoIncluding Crimea issue in Normandy format may drag "negotiating ship" to bottom – French envoy
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The Normandy foreign ministers could have an opportunity to meet on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in the middle of February.
Prystaiko added that he did not want the ministerial meeting to replace the four leaders' upcoming summit in April.


unian--2020-02-06--Ukraine detains Moldovan suspected of torching RFE/RL correspondent's car in Lviv – media

There were 11 cases last year of property belonging to activists being destroyed .
Ukrainian police have detained a Moldovan national on suspicion of setting the car of RFE/RL correspondent Halyna Tereshchuk on fire in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv last month .
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on February 6 that a Moldovan student from an unidentified school in Lviv had been detained as a suspect in the arson attack , RFE/RL 's Ukrainian Service reported .
`` We are working on finding out who prompted him do that .
The safety of a journalist is a priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tereshchuk 's car was set on fire and completely destroyed on the night of January 29 .
Tereshchuk , who has worked for RFE/RL since 2000 , said at the time that she suspected the attack was linked to her professional activities .
Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko told RFE/RL at the time of the attack that it might have been ordered by a third party .
The Ukrainian unit of rights group Freedom House condemned the torching of Tereshchuk 's car , as well as that of Andriy Lukin , an activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set ablaze on January 29 .
The group stated that `` arson or other methods of destruction of vehicles and property are becoming increasingly used as a means to pressure active people in Ukraine . ''
It noted there were 11 cases last year of property belonging to activists being destroyed and `` in almost all cases , the perpetrators were not found and punished . ''

There were 11 cases last year of property belonging to activists being destroyed.
Ukrainian police have detained a Moldovan national on suspicion of setting the car of RFE/RL correspondent Halyna Tereshchuk on fire in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv last month.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on February 6 that a Moldovan student from an unidentified school in Lviv had been detained as a suspect in the arson attack, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reported.
"We are working on finding out who prompted him do that. The safety of a journalist is a priority," Avakov wrote on Twitter.
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Read alsoRFE/RL correspondent's car set on fire in Lviv – media (Photos)
Tereshchuk's car was set on fire and completely destroyed on the night of January 29.
Tereshchuk, who has worked for RFE/RL since 2000, said at the time that she suspected the attack was linked to her professional activities.
Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko told RFE/RL at the time of the attack that it might have been ordered by a third party.
The Ukrainian unit of rights group Freedom House condemned the torching of Tereshchuk's car, as well as that of Andriy Lukin, an activist in Zaporizhia, whose car was also set ablaze on January 29.
The group stated that "arson or other methods of destruction of vehicles and property are becoming increasingly used as a means to pressure active people in Ukraine."
It noted there were 11 cases last year of property belonging to activists being destroyed and "in almost all cases, the perpetrators were not found and punished."


unian--2020-02-06--EBA: Ukraine's economy may accelerate to 4% in 2020

The current macroeconomic situation in Ukraine is very favorable , the Association head says .
President of the European Business Association ( EBA ) , CEO of Dragon Capital Tomas Fiala says Ukraine 's economy may accelerate to 4 % in 2020 with inflation at 5.2 % .
`` We expect GDP growth at 4 % this year , and at 3.7 % next year , while inflation at 5.2 % this year and at 6.1 % in 2021 , '' he said at an EBA conference on February 6 .
According to Fiala , the current macroeconomic situation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' expectations as of the beginning of 2019 turned out to be more pessimistic than the year 's actual results .
`` Last year turned out to be better than we expected at the beginning of the year , the hryvnia strengthened by 17 % , while inflation dropped to 4.1 % .
Moreover , reserves expanded and the economy grew by 3.3 % , according to the year 's results , '' the expert said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) maintained the forecast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 by 3.5 % .
The growth of Ukraine 's real GDP in the third quarter of 2019 was 4.1 % year-over-year .
The expected growth rate for 2019 as a whole at about 3.5 % would be the highest one over the past eight years .
According to recent forecasts , the International Monetary Fund expects economic growth in Ukraine in 2020 by 3 % , the World Bank 's forecast is set at 3.7 % .
The Ukrainian government predicts an increase in Ukraine 's real GDP this year by 3.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its projections .

EBA: Ukraine's economy may accelerate to 4% in 2020
16:40, 06.02.20 2798
The current macroeconomic situation in Ukraine is very favorable, the Association head says.
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unian--2020-02-06--Milk producers in Ukraine see over US$104.8 mln in profit

Poultry and dairy cattle breeding remained profitable in 2019 as well .
Profit of Ukrainian agricultural enterprises in 2019 was driven by milk production revenues , which reached over UAH 2.6 billion ( US $ 104.8 million ) accounting for the major share in livestock profit , says Director of the National Scientific Center `` Institute of Agrarian Economics '' , Yuriy Lupenko .
`` However , profit of agricultural enterprises off of milk production in 2019 shrank by almost UAH 1.3 billion [ US $ 52.4 million ] against 2018 , '' the Center 's press service quoted Lupenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the same time , profitability of this type of production decreased against the 2018 indicator by a mere 1 % , to 15.1 % , '' he said .
The expert says poultry breeding maintained profitability in 2019 beside dairy cattle breeding .
Read alsoDairy consumption in Ukraine does n't decrease despite decline in production – expert '' Agribusinesses will receive over 2.5 times more profit off of this industry than they did in 2018 , that is about UAH 275 million [ US $ 11.1 million ] against UAH 108.8 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year earlier , '' Lupenko said .
In general , livestock industry 's revenues totaled UAH 3.2 billion ( US $ 129 million ) in 2019 against UAH 5.3 billion ( US $ 214 million ) in 2018 and UAH 6.2 billion ( US $ 250 million ) in 2017 .
`` If it was 12.7 % in 2017 and 9.7 % in 2018 , last year it was replaced by a loss rate ( 3.5 % down ) , '' the press service said .
In particular , the cattle production losses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 , while those of sheep and goats – to 24.6 % from 16.7 % in 2018 .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukraine saw a 26.5 % rise in the profitability of milk production ( the Ukrainian Milk Index/UMI ) in January 2019 .
Last year , milk output in Ukraine shrank by 3.7 % , to 9.68 million tonnes .

Milk producers in Ukraine see over US$104.8 mln in profit
16:20, 06.02.20 806
Poultry and dairy cattle breeding remained profitable in 2019 as well.
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unian--2020-02-06--Prosecutor general: "Even floods may pose a threat to Maidan case" – media

Oleksandr Babikov , who had worked for Yanukovych , landed the job of SBI deputy director .
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Riaboshapka has said that even a `` flood poses a threat '' to the Maidan case , in response to the question of whether the appointment of Viktor Yanukovych 's ex-lawyer as the first deputy head of the State Bureau of Investigations ( SBI ) jeopardized the case .
Riaboshapka said this after a meeting of the parliamentary committee on law enforcement , hromadske correspondent reports .
It emerged on January 20 that Oleksandr Babikov , who had worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the deputy director of the SBI .
Information about the possible appointment of Babikov appeared earlier .
Soon after , the public organization `` Families of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred '' opposed the appointment of Babikov because of a conflict of interest .
At the same time , in her earlier address , acting director of SBI Iryna Venediktova assured that there would be no conflict of interest , and criticism of Babikov 's appointment was `` manipulation . ''
Riaboshapka himself evaded the question of whether there was a conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency currently investigating the Maidan case .
`` We should ask the person that appointed Babikov about the appointment of Babikov .
The head appointed Babikov , and according to the law on corruption prevention , it is the head who determines whether there is a conflict of interest or not .
Therefore [ she ] took some measures to avoid a conflict of interest , '' the prosecutor general said .
Riaboshapka added that `` as far as he heard '' , Venediktova had bumped Babikov from cases related to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the SBI investigators or our prosecutors behave .
The case can even be endangered by floods , there might be a flood and cases might sink to the bottom , '' he summarized .
As UNIAN reported , on January 20 , a lawyer for victims in the Maidan violence case , Yevhenia Zakrevska , said that Babikov 's appointment to the post of SBI first deputy director could lead to the collapse of criminal cases targeting the disgraced ex-president , Viktor Yanukovych .

Oleksandr Babikov, who had worked for Yanukovych, landed the job of SBI deputy director.
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Riaboshapka has said that even a "flood poses a threat" to the Maidan case, in response to the question of whether the appointment of Viktor Yanukovych's ex-lawyer as the first deputy head of the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) jeopardized the case.
Riaboshapka said this after a meeting of the parliamentary committee on law enforcement, hromadske correspondent reports.
It emerged on January 20 that Oleksandr Babikov, who had worked for Yanukovych, officially landed the job of the deputy director of the SBI.
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Information about the possible appointment of Babikov appeared earlier. Soon after, the public organization "Families of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred" opposed the appointment of Babikov because of a conflict of interest.
At the same time, in her earlier address, acting director of SBI Iryna Venediktova assured that there would be no conflict of interest, and criticism of Babikov's appointment was "manipulation."
Riaboshapka himself evaded the question of whether there was a conflict of interest in Babikov's appointment at the agency currently investigating the Maidan case.
Read alsoYanukovych's ex-lawyer appointed SBI's first deputy director
"We should ask the person that appointed Babikov about the appointment of Babikov. The head appointed Babikov, and according to the law on corruption prevention, it is the head who determines whether there is a conflict of interest or not. Therefore [she] took some measures to avoid a conflict of interest," the prosecutor general said.
Riaboshapka added that "as far as he heard", Venediktova had bumped Babikov from cases related to the Maidan events.
"It depends on how the SBI investigators or our prosecutors behave. The case can even be endangered by floods, there might be a flood and cases might sink to the bottom," he summarized.
As UNIAN reported, on January 20, a lawyer for victims in the Maidan violence case, Yevhenia Zakrevska, said that Babikov's appointment to the post of SBI first deputy director could lead to the collapse of criminal cases targeting the disgraced ex-president, Viktor Yanukovych.


unian--2020-02-06--Fewer Russians visiting: Ukraine reports stats on border crossing for 2019

The report notes the annual increase in passenger traffic at aviation , land , and sea border checkpoints .
Ukrainian border guards have published a statistical report on border crossings throughout 2019 .
The demand for visiting Ukraine has been growing among foreigners .
According to 2014 figures , about 13 million foreigners crossed in and out , 14.6 million in 2017 , and 27.3 million in 2019 , according to the press center of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine .
A total of 6.3 million citizens crossed the border with the European Union member states last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Poland .
`` In addition , 7.9 million foreign citizens crossed the border with Moldova , 4.5 million with Belarus , and 2.8 million with Russia , '' reads the report .
`` In total , 21.5 million foreign nationals underwent through passport control routine at land border checkpoints in 2019 .
At the same time , foreigners are more often choosing air travel to Ukraine .
Some 5.5 million foreign citizens crossed the border at airports , and about 265,000 of them passed passport control at sea ports , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denials to Ukrainians by 25 % in 2019 Border guards note that since 2018 , Ukraine has become a more attractive destination for citizens of Germany , Liechtenstein , the UK , Lithuania , Latvia , Sweden , Luxembourg , and Austria .
`` At the same time , there was a 7 % decrease in entry stats for Russians compared to 2018 .
The figure also dropped regarding the entry of citizens of Belarus ( by 13 % ) , Hungary ( 10 % ) , Slovakia ( 14 % ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Spain ( 13 % ) , and Bangladesh ( 21 % ) , '' reads the report .
The report notes the annual increase in passenger traffic at aviation , land , and sea border checkpoints .

The report notes the annual increase in passenger traffic at aviation, land, and sea border checkpoints.
Ukrainian border guards have published a statistical report on border crossings throughout 2019.
The demand for visiting Ukraine has been growing among foreigners. According to 2014 figures, about 13 million foreigners crossed in and out, 14.6 million in 2017, and 27.3 million in 2019, according to the press center of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
A total of 6.3 million citizens crossed the border with the European Union member states last year, including 2.4 million on the border with Poland. "In addition, 7.9 million foreign citizens crossed the border with Moldova, 4.5 million with Belarus, and 2.8 million with Russia," reads the report.
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"In total, 21.5 million foreign nationals underwent through passport control routine at land border checkpoints in 2019. At the same time, foreigners are more often choosing air travel to Ukraine. Some 5.5 million foreign citizens crossed the border at airports, and about 265,000 of them passed passport control at sea ports," the service said.
Read alsoPoland ups entry denials to Ukrainians by 25% in 2019
Border guards note that since 2018, Ukraine has become a more attractive destination for citizens of Germany, Liechtenstein, the UK, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Luxembourg, and Austria.
"At the same time, there was a 7% decrease in entry stats for Russians compared to 2018. The figure also dropped regarding the entry of citizens of Belarus (by 13%), Hungary (10%), Slovakia (14%), Kazakhstan, the Netherlands (9%), Spain (13%), and Bangladesh (21%)," reads the report.
The report notes the annual increase in passenger traffic at aviation, land, and sea border checkpoints.


unian--2020-02-06--Searches underway in Space Agency, Arsenal Plant in Kyiv

The raid is part of the investigation into embezzlement .
Law enforcers are conducting searches at the premises of the @ @ @ @ @ and SE Arsenal Plant .
The SSA press service reported via its website that the @ @ @ @ @ the investigation into the embezzlement of state assets at Arsenal .
It is noted that @ @ @ @ @ with detectives , providing all paperwork required .
Read alsoSBU chief says Channel 1+1 searched @ @ @ @ @ leak of PM Honcharuk 's recordings It should be recalled that recently , the Agency @ @ @ @ @ .
On February , the new chief , Volodymyr Usov , was introduced to the @ @

The raid is part of the investigation into embezzlement.
Law enforcers are conducting searches at the premises of the State Space Agency of Ukraine and SE Arsenal Plant.
The SSA press service reported via its website that the raid is allegedly connected with the investigation into the embezzlement of state assets at Arsenal.
It is noted that the Agency is fully cooperating with detectives, providing all paperwork required.
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Read alsoSBU chief says Channel 1+1 searched as part of probe into leak of PM Honcharuk's recordings
It should be recalled that recently, the Agency's new head was appointed.
On February, the new chief, Volodymyr Usov, was introduced to the staff.


unian--2020-02-06--EBA President shares forecasts for hryvnia rate at year-end

Ukraine 's national currency in 2019 strengthened against the U.S. dollar by 14.5 % , to UAH 23.69 .
President of the European Business Association ( EBA ) , CEO of Dragon Capital Tomas Fiala says hryvnia exchange rate against the U.S. dollar may be UAH 24 late in 2020 and UAH 25.5 in 2021 .
`` As for the [ hryvnia ] rate , last year we finished with somewhere around UAH 23.6-23.7 per dollar .
The average rate was UAH 25.8 .
This year , we expect similar strengthening , may be even a little more .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollar at the end of the year , and at UAH 24 the next , '' he said at an EBA conference on February 6 .
Fiala emphasized that the average value of the national currency against the dollar `` may be even slightly stronger than UAH 24 per dollar . ''
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Ukrainian hryvnia in January weakened by 5.7 % against the U.S. dollar , to UAH 25.03 , and by 4.7 % against the euro , to UAH 27.66 per euro .
Ukraine 's national currency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 14.5 % , to UAH 23.69 and against the euro by 16.7 % , to UAH 26.42 .
The hryvnia 's historical low against the U.S. dollar was registered at UAH 30.01 in February 2015 .

EBA President shares forecasts for hryvnia rate at year-end
15:00, 06.02.20 7219
Ukraine's national currency in 2019 strengthened against the U.S. dollar by 14.5%, to UAH 23.69.
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unian--2020-02-06--Zelensky wants Ukrainians to vote online, using smartphones

This is an `` ambitious '' challenge , which can still be tackled , the president believes .
Ukrainian President @ @ @ @ @ for Ukrainians the opportunity to vote in elections online , including with the use of @ @ @ @ @ general , our goal is to allow people to pursue relations with the government using @ @ @ @ @ , including when voting in presidential , parliamentary or local elections , '' Zelensky said @ @ @ @ @ Diya [ Action ] mobile app in Kyiv , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
@ @ @ @ @ '' challenge , which can still be tackled , the president believes .
As UNIAN @ @ @ @ @ 6 , Ukraine launched a Diya mobile application , opening access to some government services @ @

This is an "ambitious" challenge, which can still be tackled, the president believes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to introduce for Ukrainians the opportunity to vote in elections online, including with the use of a smartphone.
"In general, our goal is to allow people to pursue relations with the government using a smartphone and the internet, including when voting in presidential, parliamentary or local elections," Zelensky said during the presentation of the Diia [Action] mobile app in Kyiv, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoLeading faction chief names conditions for holding elections in Donbas
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This is an "ambitious" challenge, which can still be tackled, the president believes.
As UNIAN reported earlier, on February 6, Ukraine launched a Diia mobile application, opening access to some government services online.


unian--2020-02-07--Russia to continue "protecting Russian speakers" – official

In 2014 , Russia occupied Ukraine 's Crimea and part of Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the pretext of `` protecting '' the Russian-speaking population .
Russian Foreign Ministry 's Commissioner for Human Rights and Democracy , Grigory Lukyantsev , says the protection of Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine and the Baltic States remains Russia 's foreign policy priority .
`` The protection of rights of the Russian and Russian-speaking population , the protection of our compatriots abroad is one of priority tasks of our foreign policy , '' he told a briefing in Moscow , as reported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 .
`` This is not only the situation with regard to the protection of the Russian-speaking population in the Baltic States , this is also the situation of the rights of the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine , which is being brought to the attention [ of related persons ] in diplomatic correspondence , in letters from our permanent missions , '' Lukyantsev said .
Read alsoInternational law may yet contain Putin in Ukraine – Atlantic Council In particular , he mentioned OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier , the commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe , and the CoE secretary general .
`` We will continue to point out that the relevant actions in the educational field – as for Russian-language schools and access to learning Russian – will be of our concern as well , '' he added .
Lukyantsev says the Russian Foreign Ministry is striving to go beyond raising awareness of the issue , that the rights of compatriots , and `` sometimes citizens , '' are being infringed .
`` We strive to point out that certain actions may be qualified as violations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by signing certain international agreements .
This applies to international human rights treaties , '' he summed up .
As UNIAN reported earlier , in 2014 , Russia occupied Ukraine 's Crimea and part of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east of Ukraine under the pretext of protecting the Russian-speaking population .

In 2014, Russia occupied Ukraine's Crimea and part of Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the pretext of "protecting" the Russian-speaking population.
Russian Foreign Ministry's Commissioner for Human Rights and Democracy, Grigory Lukyantsev, says the protection of Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine and the Baltic States remains Russia's foreign policy priority.
"The protection of rights of the Russian and Russian-speaking population, the protection of our compatriots abroad is one of priority tasks of our foreign policy," he told a briefing in Moscow, as reported by an UNIAN correspondent in Russia on February 7.
"This is not only the situation with regard to the protection of the Russian-speaking population in the Baltic States, this is also the situation of the rights of the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine, which is being brought to the attention [of related persons] in diplomatic correspondence, in letters from our permanent missions," Lukyantsev said.
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Read alsoInternational law may yet contain Putin in Ukraine – Atlantic Council
In particular, he mentioned OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier, the commissioner for human rights of the Council of Europe, and the CoE secretary general.
"We will continue to point out that the relevant actions in the educational field – as for Russian-language schools and access to learning Russian – will be of our concern as well," he added.
Lukyantsev says the Russian Foreign Ministry is striving to go beyond raising awareness of the issue, that the rights of compatriots, and "sometimes citizens," are being infringed.
"We strive to point out that certain actions may be qualified as violations of the respective obligations these states undertook by signing certain international agreements. This applies to international human rights treaties," he summed up.
As UNIAN reported earlier, in 2014, Russia occupied Ukraine's Crimea and part of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east of Ukraine under the pretext of protecting the Russian-speaking population.


unian--2020-02-07--Hungary puts forward new proposals regarding Ukraine's education law

Ukrainian Minister of Education and Science Hanna Novosad was asked to take them into consideration .
Hungary has made two proposals to the Ukrainian side on the law on education .
Speaking at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday , Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said Ukrainian Minister of Education and Science Hanna Novosad had been asked to consider the said proposals , as well as to accept representatives of the Zakarpattia Union of Teachers .
`` I believe that Ukrainian and Hungarian goals can be achieved .
So that the Hungarians living in Ukraine learn the state language without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing .
We will help make teaching the Ukrainian language to the Hungarians of Zakarpattia region more effective .
Learning the language at a very high level and simultaneously mastering and applying the mother tongue in the field of education are two goals that can be achieved simultaneously .
We made proposals in this regard , '' the top diplomat said , according to a report by RBC delivered in Russian .
Earlier , Hungary named the condition for unblocking Ukraine 's integration into NATO .
In particular , Budapest believes that Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission .

Ukrainian Minister of Education and Science Hanna Novosad was asked to take them into consideration.
Hungary has made two proposals to the Ukrainian side on the law on education.
Speaking at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said Ukrainian Minister of Education and Science Hanna Novosad had been asked to consider the said proposals, as well as to accept representatives of the Zakarpattia Union of Teachers.
Read alsoHungary's PM Orban names condition for unblocking NATO's Ukraine Declaration
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"I believe that Ukrainian and Hungarian goals can be achieved. So that the Hungarians living in Ukraine learn the state language without the number of classes taught in Ukrainian increasing. We will help make teaching the Ukrainian language to the Hungarians of Zakarpattia region more effective. Learning the language at a very high level and simultaneously mastering and applying the mother tongue in the field of education are two goals that can be achieved simultaneously. We made proposals in this regard," the top diplomat said, according to a report by RBC delivered in Russian.
Earlier, Hungary named the condition for unblocking Ukraine's integration into NATO. In particular, Budapest believes that Ukraine should amend the law on education in accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.


unian--2020-02-07--Estonian defense chief urges president to reject Russia's potential Victory Day invitation – media

Luik pointed to recent statements by the Russian Foreign Ministry .
Juri Luik , Estonia 's Minister of Defense , @ @ @ @ @ Kersti Kaljulaid must not visit Moscow on May 9 , should she receive such an @ @ @ @ @ n't recommend [ accepting the invitation ] , especially considering the current situation , '' @ @ @ @ @ interview with the Sakala newspaper Friday , Russian news agency TASS wrote .
Luik pointed @ @ @ @ @ Russian Foreign Ministry `` about the continuity of Estonia 's history , the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact @ @ @ @ @ the Czech Republic . ''
`` In this context , attending the parade as an @ @ @ @ @ entirely wrong signal , as if we indirectly support Russia 's rhetoric , '' the @ @ @ @ @ 18 , 2019 , Kaljulaid visited Moscow to attend the opening ceremony of the renovated @ @ @ @ @ Russian President Vladimir Putin met her at the Kremlin , and called the absence of @ @ @ @ @ the two nations abnormal .
Kaljulaid invited Putin to visit Estonia in 2020 .

Luik pointed to recent statements by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Juri Luik, Estonia's Minister of Defense, believes the country's President Kersti Kaljulaid must not visit Moscow on May 9, should she receive such an invitation.
"I don't recommend [accepting the invitation], especially considering the current situation," the minister said in an interview with the Sakala newspaper Friday, Russian news agency TASS wrote.
Luik pointed to recent statements by the Russian Foreign Ministry "about the continuity of Estonia's history, the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, and on Poland and the Czech Republic."
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Read alsoRussian State Duma member brands European Union "Hitler's coalition" – media
"In this context, attending the parade as an honored guest would send an entirely wrong signal, as if we indirectly support Russia's rhetoric," the minister said.
On April 18, 2019, Kaljulaid visited Moscow to attend the opening ceremony of the renovated Estonian embassy. Later, Russian President Vladimir Putin met her at the Kremlin, and called the absence of contacts between the officials of the two nations abnormal. Kaljulaid invited Putin to visit Estonia in 2020.


unian--2020-02-07--UK should be looking to Ukraine for food

Importing high quality , lower cost food from Ukraine is `` exactly the type of benefit for UK consumers '' that Brexit is supposed to bring .
The UK and Ukraine can both greatly benefit from increased trade post-Brexit — but only if the right trade deal is done , Bate Toms , Chairman of the British Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce , wrote in a letter to The Financial Times .
The recent suggestion that the UK quickly roll over EU trade treaties into UK treaties is wholly inappropriate for a UK-Ukraine trade treaty , as this will needlessly limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK rollover of other EU treaties , primarily concerning manufacturing where the EU obtained good terms , is acceptable , this approach is not appropriate for a free trade agreement with Ukraine .
Instead , Ukraine is the only country for which the UK should be able to obtain much better trade terms , Toms wrote to FT .
Importing high quality , lower cost food from Ukraine is `` exactly the type of benefit for UK consumers '' that Brexit is supposed to bring , the letter says .
Read alsoZelensky wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10 bln The EU treaty restricts EU , and thus still UK , access to Ukrainian food , limiting price competition with German , French and other EU farmers .
The UK depends on food imports , already importing over half its food , and with its increasing population needs to substantially increase food imports , as it can not readily increase its own agricultural production .
( UK farming is subsidized , so Ukrainian food imports compete only with foreign farm imports . )
`` Ukraine is the principal available food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addresses Britain 's future food needs .
Based on massive investment in modern agriculture over three decades , Ukraine is already the world ’ s second largest grain exporter ( based on wheat , corn , and barley ) .
It has one-third of the world ’ s chernozem , the famous “ black earth ” that is the best soil .
As the largest country in Europe , it has much more land to cultivate and increase production using IT-mechanised , low cost basis farming .
Ukraine is also relatively close , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the UK over land , '' the letter reads .
The UK should , as a priority , conclude a UK-Ukraine FTA eliminating restrictions on food imports , the author stresses , adding that otherwise China , Ukraine 's largest trading partner , along with Japan , South Korea and other Asian consumers aggressively pursuing food in Ukraine , will tie up most Ukrainian food supplies .

Importing high quality, lower cost food from Ukraine is "exactly the type of benefit for UK consumers" that Brexit is supposed to bring.
The UK and Ukraine can both greatly benefit from increased trade post-Brexit — but only if the right trade deal is done, Bate Toms, Chairman of the British Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, wrote in a letter to The Financial Times.
The recent suggestion that the UK quickly roll over EU trade treaties into UK treaties is wholly inappropriate for a UK-Ukraine trade treaty, as this will needlessly limit UK access to food. While quick UK rollover of other EU treaties, primarily concerning manufacturing where the EU obtained good terms, is acceptable, this approach is not appropriate for a free trade agreement with Ukraine. Instead, Ukraine is the only country for which the UK should be able to obtain much better trade terms, Toms wrote to FT.
Importing high quality, lower cost food from Ukraine is "exactly the type of benefit for UK consumers" that Brexit is supposed to bring, the letter says.
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Read alsoZelensky wants trade with Turkey to skyrocket to US$10 bln
The EU treaty restricts EU, and thus still UK, access to Ukrainian food, limiting price competition with German, French and other EU farmers. The UK depends on food imports, already importing over half its food, and with its increasing population needs to substantially increase food imports, as it cannot readily increase its own agricultural production. (UK farming is subsidized, so Ukrainian food imports compete only with foreign farm imports.)
"Ukraine is the principal available food resource to lower UK food costs and addresses Britain's future food needs. Based on massive investment in modern agriculture over three decades, Ukraine is already the world’s second largest grain exporter (based on wheat, corn, and barley). It has one-third of the world’s chernozem, the famous “black earth” that is the best soil. As the largest country in Europe, it has much more land to cultivate and increase production using IT-mechanised, low cost basis farming. Ukraine is also relatively close, so Ukrainian food can be quickly transported to the UK over land," the letter reads.
The UK should, as a priority, conclude a UK-Ukraine FTA eliminating restrictions on food imports, the author stresses, adding that otherwise China, Ukraine's largest trading partner, along with Japan, South Korea and other Asian consumers aggressively pursuing food in Ukraine, will tie up most Ukrainian food supplies.


unian--2020-02-07--Two wounded in Mukachevo shootout

Two wounded in Mukachevo shootout

The ambush targeted Artur Pashkuliak , a man from the entourage of former MP Mykhailo Lanyo .
A shootout unfolded in broad daylight on Friday on Siechenova Street in the town of Mukachevo , leaving two men wounded .
`` A shooting in Mukachevo .
Unknown people attacked Artur Pashkuliak , who is associated with former MP Mykhailo Lanyo .
Pashkuliak and his bodyguard were wounded .
I have managed to quickly get a footage of the shootout through my channels .
The video was filmed by an eyewitness from a nearby house .
More details will follow ... , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read alsoSecurity operatives in Ukraine foil attempt to smuggle Su25 fighter jet components to Russia According to Mukachevo.net , CSI experts and police operatives are working at the scene .
There has been no official information about the shooting yet .
As UNIAN reported earlier , a shooting incident was reported in Mukachevo on July 11 , 2015 , after Right Sector members had an altercation with security guards of former MP Mykhailo Lanyo .
The Right Sector members claim that Lanyo himself invited them for negotiations as they had begun to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured and three died in the Mukachevo incident .

The ambush targeted Artur Pashkuliak, a man from the entourage of former MP Mykhailo Lanyo.
A shootout unfolded in broad daylight on Friday on Siechenova Street in the town of Mukachevo, leaving two men wounded.
"A shooting in Mukachevo. Unknown people attacked Artur Pashkuliak, who is associated with former MP Mykhailo Lanyo. Pashkuliak and his bodyguard were wounded. I have managed to quickly get a footage of the shootout through my channels. The video was filmed by an eyewitness from a nearby house. More details will follow...," journalist Vitaliy Glagola wrote on Telegram.
Read alsoSecurity operatives in Ukraine foil attempt to smuggle Su25 fighter jet components to Russia
According to Mukachevo.net, CSI experts and police operatives are working at the scene.
There has been no official information about the shooting yet.
As UNIAN reported earlier, a shooting incident was reported in Mukachevo on July 11, 2015, after Right Sector members had an altercation with security guards of former MP Mykhailo Lanyo.
The Right Sector members claim that Lanyo himself invited them for negotiations as they had begun to block smuggling flows. Fourteen people were injured and three died in the Mukachevo incident.


unian--2020-02-07--Too much coal left unsold, industry needs reform – energy minister

The load on heat generation and the demand for energy production with the use of coal have shrunk in Ukraine .
Ukrainian Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection Oleksiy Orzhel has said Ukraine is unable to sell all the coal mined , so the industry needs to be reformed .
`` We must frankly admit that our coal industry needs to be restructured and reformed .
Since under such a load , under such system operation , we are not seeing sales of marketable products .
These are painful decisions that require an integrated approach , but still we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said in the parliament .
The load on heat generation and the demand for energy production with the use of coal have shrunk in Ukraine , according to Orzhel .
`` Coal reserves in warehouses increase every day .
This means we do n't use up the coal .
We produce more coal than we consume during the heating season , '' the minister said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , on January 21 , the ministry presented the new long-term climate plan , which targets a 70 % share @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Too much coal left unsold, industry needs reform – energy minister
12:40, 07.02.20 4802
The load on heat generation and the demand for energy production with the use of coal have shrunk in Ukraine.
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unian--2020-02-07--Signing Russia-Ukraine gas transit contract allows 20% gas price cut for Ukrainians – energy ministe

In January , wholesale gas price for households was UAH 4.65 per cubic meter or US $ 0.19 .
Ukrainian Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection Oleksiy Orzhel says the signing of the contract on Russian gas transit via Ukraine has allowed cutting gas prices in January by 20 % year-over-year .
`` There were significant risks that we would n't be able to sign an agreement on the transmission of [ Russian ] gas through Ukraine to Europe .
As a result , we 've made it happen .
This gave us an opportunity to ensure a reduction in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % January [ 2020 ] to January [ 2019 ] , '' he said in the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , on February 7 .
However , the official noted a high level of depreciation of domestic energy infrastructure , which requires significant investment in upgrading .
This may lead to an increase in the ultimate gas tariff .
Read alsoEU may start new antitrust probe against Gazprom '' It is very good that we 're seeing a decrease ( in gas prices ) and there are necessary changes in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the minister said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , in January 2020 , wholesale gas prices for households , heat producers and other protected consumers receiving gas under the terms of public service obligations will be UAH 4.65 per cubic meter or US $ 0.19 ( VAT , retail margin , transmission and distribution costs are not included ) .
On December 30 , 2019 , Ukraine and Russia signed a new gas transit contract for a period of five years , obliging Russia 's Gazprom to pump a minimum of 65 bcm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year and 40 bcm in the next four years .
The parties may extend the contract for another ten years .

Signing Russia-Ukraine gas transit contract allows 20% gas price cut for Ukrainians – energy minister
12:20, 07.02.20 1665
In January, wholesale gas price for households was UAH 4.65 per cubic meter or US$0.19.
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unian--2020-02-07--Ukraine's infrastructure ministry invites U.S. companies to take part in concession projects

The concession mechanism will allow the government attracting major private investment to modernize and improve the efficiency of infrastructure facilities .
The Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine has invited U.S. companies to take part in concession projects across the country , which , through public-private partnerships , will allow introducing progressive and effective methods of managing major infrastructure facilities .
Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii met with U.S. Chargé d'Affaires a.i .
to Ukraine Kristina Kvien and Counselor to the Chief Executive Officer of the International Development Finance Corporation ( DFC ) Caleb McCarry .
The parties discussed the existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the field of infrastructure , according to the ministry 's press service .
`` The concession mechanism will allow the government attracting major private investment to modernize and improve the efficiency of infrastructure facilities.
, such as sea and river ports , roads , airports , and other state-owned facilities , which will realize Ukraine 's transit potential and provide a new quality of transport services .
We invite companies from the United States to join concession projects in Ukraine , '' the ministry 's press service quoted Kryklii as saying .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing cooperation between Ukraine and the U.S. , and expressed hope for the further development of mutually beneficial relations between the two countries .
It is also noted the first concession biddings for the ports of Olvia and Kherson have recently been completed , while new concession projects are being prepared for the seaports of Odesa , Chornomorsk , Mariupol , and Berdyansk .
In addition , projects are being developed for Lviv - Striy and Lviv-Ternopil concession roads , as well as regional airports and railway stations .
Moreover , McCarry said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects in Ukraine .

Ukraine's infrastructure ministry invites U.S. companies to take part in concession projects
12:00, 07.02.20 191
The concession mechanism will allow the government attracting major private investment to modernize and improve the efficiency of infrastructure facilities.
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unian--2020-02-07--NBU strengthens official hryvnia to UAH 24.58 to U.S. dollar on Feb 7

The Ukrainian hryvnia in January weakened by 5.7 % against the U.S. dollar , to UAH 25.03 .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) on February 6 set the official forex rate at UAH 24.58 to the U.S. dollar , which made the country 's national currency stronger by 22 kopiykas .
The Central Bank fixed the following official forex rates of the hryvnia against key foreign currencies for February 7 : US $ 100 will be traded for UAH 2,457.94 ( UAH 2,479.59 as of February 6 ) ; EUR 100 will be traded for UAH 2,704.35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
On Friday , the hryvnia rose against the dollar for the second day in a row after a week-long slide since Monday , January 27 , when it weakened by 27 kopiykas , according to the NBU website .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Ukrainian hryvnia in January weakened by 5.7 % against the U.S. dollar , to UAH 25.03 , and by 4.7 % against the euro , to UAH 27.66 per euro .
Ukraine 's national currency in 2019 strengthened against the U.S. dollar by 14.5 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 16.7 % , to UAH 26.42 .
The hryvnia 's historical low against the U.S. dollar was registered at UAH 30.01 in February 2015 .

NBU strengthens official hryvnia to UAH 24.58 to U.S. dollar on Feb 7
11:40, 07.02.20 3430
The Ukrainian hryvnia in January weakened by 5.7% against the U.S. dollar, to UAH 25.03.
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unian--2020-02-07--Ukrainians to keep managing Ukrzaliznytsia, but with possible support of Deutsche Bahn managers

This refers to counseling at the first stage , while , depending on the outcome , further steps may be taken .
Deutsche Bahn Board Member for Infrastructure Ronald Pofalla says Ukrainians will carry out the management of the national railway operator PJSC Ukrzaliznytsia , but it might be strengthened by managers with Germany 's Deutsche Bahn .
According to Pofalla , this refers to counseling at the first stage , and depending on the successful outcome , further steps may be taken .
`` But whether it comes to this , depends on whether we can find common ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end , it makes no sense to talk about managing the Ukrainian Railways if no results are achieved at the first stage of consulting , '' the executive told the Ukrainian-language service of Germany 's Deutsche Welle ( DW ) on February 6 .
`` Now , during the first step , it is essentially a matter of consulting .
Only then , if it 's successful , it may be that several of our managers will support Ukrzaliznytsia management in the management process .
That is , Ukrainians themselves will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strengthened by our managers , '' he stressed .
Pofalla added that , after signing a memorandum of understanding , the parties should agree on the development of a `` road map . ''
`` Then , possibly , we 'll fix in writing what kind of consulting services we are talking about , since it is required from a legal point of view .
But we believe that we need to start this as soon as possible if the Ukrainians are willing , '' he said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company Ukrzaliznytsia signed a memorandum of cooperation with the German rail operator Deutsche Bahn and its subsidiary , DB Engineering & Consulting GmbH ( DB E & C ) .
UNIAN memo .
Deutsche Bahn AG is one of Europe 's largest railway operators , which transports about 4.6-4.8 billion passengers and 270-290 million tonnes of cargo annually .
The holding includes more than 300 different divisions and individual enterprises .
The company pursues an active policy to expand its business in Europe , constantly invests in the purchase of new companies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bahn 's revenue in 2018 was EUR 44 billion , EBITDA at EUR 4.7 billion , and profit at EUR 542 million .
Ukrzaliznytsia is a joint-stock company wholly owned by the state .
The company is included in the list of state enterprises that are not subject to privatization .
The Ukrainian railways account for 82 % of freight transportation and for about 50 % of passenger traffic by all types of transport .
It ranks fourth on the Eurasian continent , following railway operators of China , Russia , and India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Ukrainians to keep managing Ukrzaliznytsia, but with possible support of Deutsche Bahn managers
11:20, 07.02.20 2597
This refers to counseling at the first stage, while, depending on the outcome, further steps may be taken.
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unian--2020-02-07--Ukrainian farmers issue crop receipts worth US$480 mln

The volume of crop receipts has exceeded UAH 19.5 billion ( US $ 793.3 million ) since project launch in 2015 .
Ukrainian farmers issued crop receipts worth UAH 11.8 billion ( US $ 480 million ) in 2019 as part of the crop receipts project , which is being implemented by the International Finance Corporation ( IFC ) .
At the same time , the volume of crop receipts has exceeded UAH 19.5 billion ( US $ 793.3 million ) since project launch in 2015 , according to the press service of the Ministry of Economic Development , Trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36.3 mln tonnes of grain since July 1 '' One of the results of our cooperation was an accessible online register that ensures transparency of crop receipts functioning .
We 're also planning to update Law of Ukraine 'On crop receipts , ' thereby making agricultural receipts even more affordable – cheaper and faster to issue , '' the press service quoted Deputy Minister Taras Vysotsky .
The crop receipts project was launched in 2015 by IFC and Switzerland 's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs ( SECO ) as a pilot in selected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
So far , nearly 1,600 crop receipts have been issued , representing about $ 452 million .

Ukrainian farmers issue crop receipts worth US$480 mln
11:00, 07.02.20 4942
The volume of crop receipts has exceeded UAH 19.5 billion (US$793.3 million) since project launch in 2015.
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unian--2020-02-07--Parliament speaker's security change rules for visitors in wake of PM audio leak

No smartphones are allowed from now on .
The rules for visiting the office of Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov have been changed following a controversy over secret recordings of Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk 's meeting with government and central bank officials that leaked in the media .
Razumkov told Radio Liberty 's Ukrainian service his security service will check whether visitors leave their smartphones behind .
`` The security service has changed the rules a bit .
They ask people to hand over their phones at the door .
Previously , everyone would come in with their phones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he is not afraid of wiretapping and that he trusts his guards .
As UNIAN reported earlier , audio recordings of allegedly Honcharuk 's conversation with some members of the government and senior officials of the National Bank of Ukraine held in the middle of December 2019 have been posted on YouTube .
They speak about the dollar exchange rate , as well as other economic issues before a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky .
`` Zelensky has a very primitive understanding of economic processes .
He understands that there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forcibly made [ the hryvnia ] .
He is looking for an answer to this question .
And he has no answer to this question , '' says a male voice that resembles Honcharuk 's .
Later , the same voice says that he himself is an `` ignoramus on economics . ''

No smartphones are allowed from now on.
The rules for visiting the office of Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov have been changed following a controversy over secret recordings of Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk's meeting with government and central bank officials that leaked in the media.
Razumkov told Radio Liberty's Ukrainian service his security service will check whether visitors leave their smartphones behind.
"The security service has changed the rules a bit. They ask people to hand over their phones at the door. Previously, everyone would come in with their phones," Razumkov said.
According to him, he is not afraid of wiretapping and that he trusts his guards.
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Read alsoSearches at 1+1 TV Channel HQ: journalists comment on leaked PM audio
As UNIAN reported earlier, audio recordings of allegedly Honcharuk's conversation with some members of the government and senior officials of the National Bank of Ukraine held in the middle of December 2019 have been posted on YouTube. They speak about the dollar exchange rate, as well as other economic issues before a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Zelensky has a very primitive understanding of economic processes. He understands that there is a balance of payments... And they have forcibly made [the hryvnia]. He is looking for an answer to this question. And he has no answer to this question," says a male voice that resembles Honcharuk's. Later, the same voice says that he himself is an "ignoramus on economics."


unian--2020-02-07--WHO warns coronavirus hasn't peaked

WHO warns coronavirus hasn't peaked

Death toll in China now stands at 636 , with more than 31,000 cases .
The World Health Organization said Thursday it was too early to declare a peak in the spread of the coronavirus , a day after China marked its deadliest day since the outbreak began .
Separately , Singapore – home to the second-largest number of cases outside mainland China – reported two new infections , including one with no apparent link to China .
The city-state warned the public to be `` prepared for the possibility of new infection clusters involving locals within the community , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arise from recent travel to China or contact with travelers from that country , The Wall Street Journal reports .
Early Friday in China , government health authorities raised the death toll from the virus to 636 from 563 .
There were 31,161 confirmed illnesses , up from 28,018 .
The deaths and new cases have been concentrated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan , where the outbreak began , and the surrounding province of Hubei , an area of nearly 60 million people that has been quarantined .
Though the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 3,925 , `` this is nothing to celebrate – it 's still a great worry , '' said Mike Ryan , executive director of the WHO 's Health Emergencies Program , speaking at a news conference in Geneva .
`` It 's right now too early to make predictions on numbers . ''
Read alsoUkraine 's Foreign Ministry : 25 Ukrainians on board ship placed in quarantine off Japan But Dr. Ryan said it was heartening that the number of cases in Chinese provinces outside of Hubei had n't accelerated , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prior 24 hours in China had fallen from the previous day .
As deaths and infections from coronavirus-caused respiratory illnesses rise , governments including the U.S. , Taiwan and Japan are taking increasingly aggressive steps to evacuate and quarantine citizens , while companies are scaling back operations in China .
WHO announced that it will bring together an international group of scientists and public health experts on February 11 and 12 to identify research priorities and coordinate funding .
The aim is to fast-track the development of testing , vaccines and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghebreyesus .

Death toll in China now stands at 636, with more than 31,000 cases.
The World Health Organization said Thursday it was too early to declare a peak in the spread of the coronavirus, a day after China marked its deadliest day since the outbreak began.
Separately, Singapore – home to the second-largest number of cases outside mainland China – reported two new infections, including one with no apparent link to China. The city-state warned the public to be "prepared for the possibility of new infection clusters involving locals within the community," and that future cases might not arise from recent travel to China or contact with travelers from that country, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Early Friday in China, government health authorities raised the death toll from the virus to 636 from 563. There were 31,161 confirmed illnesses, up from 28,018.
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The deaths and new cases have been concentrated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the outbreak began, and the surrounding province of Hubei, an area of nearly 60 million people that has been quarantined.
Though the number of new cases world-wide declined from Wednesday's 3,925, "this is nothing to celebrate – it's still a great worry," said Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, speaking at a news conference in Geneva. "It's right now too early to make predictions on numbers."
Read alsoUkraine's Foreign Ministry: 25 Ukrainians on board ship placed in quarantine off Japan
But Dr. Ryan said it was heartening that the number of cases in Chinese provinces outside of Hubei hadn't accelerated, and that the number of new infections over the prior 24 hours in China had fallen from the previous day.
As deaths and infections from coronavirus-caused respiratory illnesses rise, governments including the U.S., Taiwan and Japan are taking increasingly aggressive steps to evacuate and quarantine citizens, while companies are scaling back operations in China.
WHO announced that it will bring together an international group of scientists and public health experts on February 11 and 12 to identify research priorities and coordinate funding. The aim is to fast-track the development of testing, vaccines and other treatments, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.


unian--2020-02-07--President Zelensky introduces new Lviv governor

Lviv region 's new head is described as a strong manager .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 6 introduced 38-year-old Maksym Kozytsky as head of Lviv Regional State Administration during a working visit to the town of Chervonohrad , Lviv region .
The official ceremony to introduce the new governor of Lviv region took place after the president had visited the Mezhyrichanska coal mine in that town .
`` We have your man – Maksym Kozytsky .
He graduated from many different higher education institutions : Lviv Medical University , Kyiv-Mohyla Academy , and Ivan Franko National University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We had been looking for a strong manager with 20-year experience – here he is .
I would like to congratulate him , '' Zelensky said , according to the presidential press service .
`` This is my order [ to appoint him ] , '' he added .
Zelensky is introducing the new governor in Chervonohrad : Video According to the president , Kozytsky will coordinate all problematic issues of the region in cooperation with the recently appointed Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Communities and Territories Development Denys Shmygal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kozytsky for the post of Lviv governor late in 2019 .
He replaced Markiyan Malsky , whom the president dismissed on December 24 .
The president also handed the newly-appointed head of Lviv region a certificate and a decree on his appointment .
Read alsoZelensky decides to dismiss Zakarpattia , Lviv governors over lack of results Interestingly , back in June last year , Kozytsky was one of the applicants seeking Lviv governor 's position .
Zelensky had proposed then that residents of Lviv would choose the right candidate via a Facebook poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was appointed chairman of Lviv Regional State Administration first .
Markiyan Malsky was the former head of the administration .
In December , Zelensky dismissed him over `` the lack of results . ''
Malsky had been in charge of Lviv region for five months ; prior to that he was the honorary consul of Austria in Lviv .
He is also the head of the Arzinger Law Firm 's West Ukrainian Branch office in Lviv .
Kozytsky 's profile .
Until recently , the 38-year-old businessman had been director of Eco-Optima ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electricity from alternative sources , using wind farms and solar power plants ) .
In January 2020 , he handed over the business to his father , Zinovy Kozytsky , who is also a well-known businessman , the owner of the Horizons drilling company group and the first municipal bicycle rental company NextBike in Lviv .
Despite leaving the business , Maksym Kozytsky remained one of the ultimate beneficial owners of Eco-Optima .
In 2015 , Maksym Kozytsky was running for Lviv Regional Council on the Samopomich Party 's list , but failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , Kozytsky indicated that his salary was almost UAH 1.3 million ( US $ 52,889 ) over the year .
He has two apartments in Lviv and a garage .
The newly-appointed governor drives a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg car , while his wife , Oksana , owns a 2014 Mazda CX 5 make .

Lviv region's new head is described as a strong manager.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 6 introduced 38-year-old Maksym Kozytsky as head of Lviv Regional State Administration during a working visit to the town of Chervonohrad, Lviv region.
The official ceremony to introduce the new governor of Lviv region took place after the president had visited the Mezhyrichanska coal mine in that town.
"We have your man – Maksym Kozytsky. He graduated from many different higher education institutions: Lviv Medical University, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. An experienced, professional person. We had been looking for a strong manager with 20-year experience – here he is. I would like to congratulate him," Zelensky said, according to the presidential press service.
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"This is my order [to appoint him]," he added.
Zelensky is introducing the new governor in Chervonohrad: Video
According to the president, Kozytsky will coordinate all problematic issues of the region in cooperation with the recently appointed Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Communities and Territories Development Denys Shmygal.
The government agreed on the candidacy of Kozytsky for the post of Lviv governor late in 2019. He replaced Markiyan Malsky, whom the president dismissed on December 24. The president also handed the newly-appointed head of Lviv region a certificate and a decree on his appointment.
Read alsoZelensky decides to dismiss Zakarpattia, Lviv governors over lack of results
Interestingly, back in June last year, Kozytsky was one of the applicants seeking Lviv governor's position. Zelensky had proposed then that residents of Lviv would choose the right candidate via a Facebook poll.
However, it was Malsky who was appointed chairman of Lviv Regional State Administration first.
Markiyan Malsky was the former head of the administration. In December, Zelensky dismissed him over "the lack of results." Malsky had been in charge of Lviv region for five months; prior to that he was the honorary consul of Austria in Lviv. He is also the head of the Arzinger Law Firm's West Ukrainian Branch office in Lviv.
Kozytsky's profile. Until recently, the 38-year-old businessman had been director of Eco-Optima (western Ukraine's largest company that generates electricity from alternative sources, using wind farms and solar power plants).
In January 2020, he handed over the business to his father, Zinovy Kozytsky, who is also a well-known businessman, the owner of the Horizons drilling company group and the first municipal bicycle rental company NextBike in Lviv.
Despite leaving the business, Maksym Kozytsky remained one of the ultimate beneficial owners of Eco-Optima.
In 2015, Maksym Kozytsky was running for Lviv Regional Council on the Samopomich Party's list, but failed. In his declaration of assets for 2018, Kozytsky indicated that his salary was almost UAH 1.3 million (US$52,889) over the year. He has two apartments in Lviv and a garage. The newly-appointed governor drives a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg car, while his wife, Oksana, owns a 2014 Mazda CX 5 make.


unian--2020-02-07--Searches at 1+1 TV Channel HQ: journalists comment on leaked PM audio

Journalists have launched own investigation into a wiretap effort targeting the prime minister .
The team of the 1+1 TV channel 's projects whose offices and homes were earlier raided by the Security Service of Ukraine as part of the investigation into a leaked audio of prime minister Oleksiy Honcharuk 's meeting with cabinet officials say they had obtained the tapes from open sources , in particular , from YouTube , and refuted allegations of being involved in doing the original recording .
That 's according to Maksym Shylenko , head of the journalistic projects department at 1+1 Media .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right to Power ] panel show on Thursday , Shylenko assured that the journalists working for the investigative project have no special wiretapping devices at their disposal .
`` Of course not , '' Shylenko said , answering the host 's direct question on whether 1+1 journalists eavesdropped on the prime minister , adding that `` we really would like to have such means to record anyone – prime minister or whoever – but we do n't have such devices .
And the SBU is well aware of that . ''
Commenting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Shylenko replied : `` Our journalists say they had obtained this recording from YouTube or from the internet , like everyone else . ''
Also , Shylenko stressed numerous violations during the raid , fixed by 1+1 lawyers and subject to further appeal .
Commenting on the possible pretext behind the SBU raid , Shylenko suggested `` pressure on certain MPs with the Servants of the People party who do n't want to vote on certain issues . ''
This version `` immediately comes to mind '' , Shylenko said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
`` I can only speculate now .
This , for example , could be to distract people from the land [ market ] issue , which is very scandalous and which they are trying to lobby through parliament .
There are a lot of issues .
It 's direct blow to one of the deputies with the Servant of the People , '' he added , stopping short of naming the MP .
Shylenko said journalists of the Ukrayinski Sensatsii [ Ukrainian Sensations ] project had already launched their own investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister 's meeting .
Read alsoSBU chief says Channel 1+1 searched as part of probe into leak of PM Honcharuk 's recordings As UNIAN reported earlier , on February 5 , the Security Service of Ukraine carried out searches at the headquarters of the 1+1 Media Group in Kyiv and homes of three journalists : Denis Danko , Yevhen Kuksin , and Oleksandr Nizovtsev , as part of the probe into the illegal wiretapping of Ukrainian government officials .
`` Two of the journalists are employees of the journalistic investigations department , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Maksym Shylenko .

Journalists have launched own investigation into a wiretap effort targeting the prime minister.
The team of the 1+1 TV channel's projects whose offices and homes were earlier raided by the Security Service of Ukraine as part of the investigation into a leaked audio of prime minister Oleksiy Honcharuk's meeting with cabinet officials say they had obtained the tapes from open sources, in particular, from YouTube, and refuted allegations of being involved in doing the original recording.
That's according to Maksym Shylenko, head of the journalistic projects department at 1+1 Media.
Speaking at a Pravo na Vladu [Right to Power] panel show on Thursday, Shylenko assured that the journalists working for the investigative project have no special wiretapping devices at their disposal.
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"Of course not," Shylenko said, answering the host's direct question on whether 1+1 journalists eavesdropped on the prime minister, adding that "we really would like to have such means to record anyone – prime minister or whoever – but we don't have such devices. And the SBU is well aware of that."
Read alsoServant the People faction, president Zelensky discuss searches in 1+1 Media Group HQ
Commenting on where he journalists had got the recording, Shylenko replied: "Our journalists say they had obtained this recording from YouTube or from the internet, like everyone else."
Also, Shylenko stressed numerous violations during the raid, fixed by 1+1 lawyers and subject to further appeal.
Commenting on the possible pretext behind the SBU raid, Shylenko suggested "pressure on certain MPs with the Servants of the People party who don't want to vote on certain issues."
This version "immediately comes to mind", Shylenko said, adding that there are also "complex ones".
"I can only speculate now. This, for example, could be to distract people from the land [market] issue, which is very scandalous and which they are trying to lobby through parliament. There are a lot of issues. It's direct blow to one of the deputies with the Servant of the People," he added, stopping short of naming the MP.
Shylenko said journalists of the Ukrayinski Sensatsii [Ukrainian Sensations] project had already launched their own investigation to find out who wiretapped the prime minister's meeting.
Read alsoSBU chief says Channel 1+1 searched as part of probe into leak of PM Honcharuk's recordings
As UNIAN reported earlier, on February 5, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out searches at the headquarters of the 1+1 Media Group in Kyiv and homes of three journalists: Denys Danko, Yevhen Kuksin, and Oleksandr Nizovtsev, as part of the probe into the illegal wiretapping of Ukrainian government officials.
"Two of the journalists are employees of the journalistic investigations department, and one has long stopped working for 1+1," said Maksym Shylenko.


unian--2020-02-07--Ukrainian soldier wounded amid four enemy attacks on Feb 6

Since Friday midnight , Russian-led forces have been observing the ceasefire .
Russia 's hybrid military forces on February 6 @ @ @ @ @ army positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded @ @ @ @ @ occupation forces violated the ceasefire four times on February 6 , '' the press center @ @ @ @ @ Headquarters said on Facebook in a morning update on February 7 .
`` One member @ @ @ @ @ amid enemy shelling . ''
Read alsoExperts on children 's `` upbringing '' in occupied @ @ @ @ @ `` Hitler Jügend '' The enemy opened fire , employing proscribed 120mm mortars , grenade @ @ @ @ @ heavy machine guns , and small arms near the villages of Orikhove and Novoluhanske .
@ @ @ @ @ forces have been observing the ceasefire .
No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops on @ @ @ @

Since Friday midnight, Russian-led forces have been observing the ceasefire.
Russia's hybrid military forces on February 6 mounted four attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action.
"Russian occupation forces violated the ceasefire four times on February 6," the press center of the Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in a morning update on February 7. "One member of Joint Forces was wounded amid enemy shelling."
Read alsoExperts on children's "upbringing" in occupied Donbas: This somehow resembles "Hitler Jügend"
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The enemy opened fire, employing proscribed 120mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms near the villages of Orikhove and Novoluhanske.
Since Friday midnight, Russian-led forces have been observing the ceasefire.
No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops on Friday so far.


unian--2020-02-07--U.S. holding up $30 mln worth of arms and ammo, Ukraine officials say – media

Final approval for six arms deals worth roughly $ 30 million has been held up for more than a year , and Ukraine has no idea why , four officials told BuzzFeed News .
At the heart of the impeachment saga that ended on Wednesday in Donald Trump 's acquittal was $ 391 million in U.S. military assistance for Ukraine that the U.S. president ordered be withheld .
But that aid package , which was eventually released last September , was n't the only U.S. arms transfer meant for the war-torn country that was held up .
Several direct commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced significant delays at the same time – and they remain mysteriously frozen months later , BuzzFeed News has learned .
Now , after a lengthy wait and down payments in the tens of millions of dollars for the equipment , Kyiv wants its money back .
The Trump administration is currently withholding approval for at least six commercial orders for arms and ammunition from U.S. companies to Ukraine , together worth roughly $ 30 million , according to three current Ukrainian officials and a former senior U.S. official who have direct knowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fragile relationship between the two countries .
All four officials said that five of the pending sales from U.S. companies have been delayed for around a year , and one of the sales has been held up for more than a year .
The officials said they have n't been able to get any answers from the Trump administration about why the deals , which typically take around two months to approve and must be licensed by the State Department , have n't received approval .
Read alsoCNN : Pentagon officials stunned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , new emails show '' It might be wise for the Ukrainians to look for other sources '' from which to buy arms and ammunition , said the U.S. official , who said he has questioned senior White House and State Department officials about the issue .
He said he received only a cryptic response from both that the sales are still being `` evaluated , '' despite the Ukrainians already putting money down on them .
Two Ukrainian officials who spoke to BuzzFeed News believe the delays could be related to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aerospace company Motor Sich that the U.S. has tried to block , raising the possibility of Kyiv getting caught up in a power play between Beijing and Washington .
The Ukrainian and U.S. officials said the sales are vital to Ukraine 's national security and would also strengthen Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 's negotiating position as he pushes for lasting peace with Russian President Vladimir Putin .
But the officials spoke on the condition of anonymity due to concerns about possible professional retaliation and because they were n't authorized to speak with the @ @ @ @ @

Final approval for six arms deals worth roughly $30 million has been held up for more than a year, and Ukraine has no idea why, four officials told BuzzFeed News.
At the heart of the impeachment saga that ended on Wednesday in Donald Trump's acquittal was $391 million in U.S. military assistance for Ukraine that the U.S. president ordered be withheld.
But that aid package, which was eventually released last September, wasn't the only U.S. arms transfer meant for the war-torn country that was held up. Several direct commercial sales of arms and ammunition to Ukraine faced significant delays at the same time – and they remain mysteriously frozen months later, BuzzFeed News has learned. Now, after a lengthy wait and down payments in the tens of millions of dollars for the equipment, Kyiv wants its money back.
The Trump administration is currently withholding approval for at least six commercial orders for arms and ammunition from U.S. companies to Ukraine, together worth roughly $30 million, according to three current Ukrainian officials and a former senior U.S. official who have direct knowledge of the sales, straining an already fragile relationship between the two countries. All four officials said that five of the pending sales from U.S. companies have been delayed for around a year, and one of the sales has been held up for more than a year. The officials said they haven't been able to get any answers from the Trump administration about why the deals, which typically take around two months to approve and must be licensed by the State Department, haven't received approval.
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Read alsoCNN: Pentagon officials stunned by White House decision to block Ukraine aid, new emails show
"It might be wise for the Ukrainians to look for other sources" from which to buy arms and ammunition, said the U.S. official, who said he has questioned senior White House and State Department officials about the issue. He said he received only a cryptic response from both that the sales are still being "evaluated," despite the Ukrainians already putting money down on them.
Two Ukrainian officials who spoke to BuzzFeed News believe the delays could be related to a Chinese attempt to buy a strategic Ukrainian aerospace company Motor Sich that the U.S. has tried to block, raising the possibility of Kyiv getting caught up in a power play between Beijing and Washington.
The Ukrainian and U.S. officials said the sales are vital to Ukraine's national security and would also strengthen Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's negotiating position as he pushes for lasting peace with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But the officials spoke on the condition of anonymity due to concerns about possible professional retaliation and because they weren't authorized to speak with the media about the matter.


unian--2020-02-08--Canadian lawyers looking for US$1.1 bln in compensation from Iran in PS752 downing case

The suit alleges that the downing of the plane was `` an intentional and deliberate act of terrorism . ''
Canadian lawyers , who previously successfully sued Iran , are seeking class action status in a lawsuit on behalf of victims aboard a Ukrainian plane shot down over Tehran last month , looking for at least C $ 1.5 billion ( US $ 1.1 billion ) in compensation .
The suit names Iran , its supreme leader , the elite Revolutionary Guards and others as defendants , Reuters said .
Read alsoIran not sharing evidence from airline crash with Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted its missiles downed Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 by mistake on January 8 , killing all 176 people aboard , including 57 Canadians .
The lead plaintiff in the case is anonymous , preliminarily identified as John Doe , and described as immediate family to a victim identified as Jack Doe .
The filing says John Doe 's identity must be protected because of the risk that `` his Iranian family would be put at risk of harm or death by the Iranian regime . ''
The suit alleges that the downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deliberate act of terrorism . ''
Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on Friday , when government offices are closed .

The suit alleges that the downing of the plane was "an intentional and deliberate act of terrorism."
Canadian lawyers, who previously successfully sued Iran, are seeking class action status in a lawsuit on behalf of victims aboard a Ukrainian plane shot down over Tehran last month, looking for at least C$1.5 billion (US$1.1 billion) in compensation.
The suit names Iran, its supreme leader, the elite Revolutionary Guards and others as defendants, Reuters said.
Read alsoIran not sharing evidence from airline crash with Ukraine after audio leak: Iran official
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Iran admitted its missiles downed Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 by mistake on January 8, killing all 176 people aboard, including 57 Canadians.
The lead plaintiff in the case is anonymous, preliminarily identified as John Doe, and described as immediate family to a victim identified as Jack Doe.
The filing says John Doe's identity must be protected because of the risk that "his Iranian family would be put at risk of harm or death by the Iranian regime."
The suit alleges that the downing of the plane was "an intentional and deliberate act of terrorism."
Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on Friday, when government offices are closed.


unian--2020-02-07--Amount of foreign currency alone for repayment of Ukraine's debts in 2020 exceeds US$9 bln

The country 's debt-to-GDP ratio as of the beginning of 2020 was 50 % .
The amount of foreign currency @ @ @ @ @ to repay its debts , including funds to service foreign currency debt , exceeds US @ @ @ @ @ was the case last year , `` Ukraine is going through a period of peak @ @ @ @ @ this year , the National Bank of Ukraine said in its inflation report for January @ @ @ @ @ Central Bank predicts a decrease in state budget allocations to finance the repayment and servicing @ @ @ @ @ GDP to 9.9 % , from 11.7 % in 2019 .
As UNIAN reported earlier @ @ @ @ @ government-guaranteed debt in 2019 increased in dollar terms by US $ 6.05 billion , or @ @ @ @ @ $ 84.36 billion .
In hryvnia terms , the state debt for the year decreased @ @ @ @ @ or 7.8 % , to UAH 1.998 trillion .
The country 's debt-to-GDP ratio as @ @ @ @ @ was 50 % .

Amount of foreign currency alone for repayment of Ukraine's debts in 2020 exceeds US$9 bln
23:50, 07.02.20 2315
The country's debt-to-GDP ratio as of the beginning of 2020 was 50%.
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unian--2020-02-07--RFE/RL: Lawyers of Ukrainian army medic suspected in Sheremet murder case say they have 'proof' of h

RFE/RL: Lawyers of Ukrainian army medic suspected in Sheremet murder case say they have 'proof' of her innocence

Independent forensic tests `` proved that the person on the tape is 10 centimeters higher '' than Duhar .
Lawyers of a Ukrainian Army medic suspected of involvement in the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet say they have `` additional proof '' that their client had nothing to do with the high-profile killing .
Yana Duhar 's lawyers , Mykola Orekhovskiy and Vitaliy Kolomiyets , told reporters in Kyiv on February 7 that they provided the Prosecutor-General 's Office with materials that `` prove '' their client had not been involved in Sheremet 's assassination , Radio Free Europe / @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheremet was killed on July 20 , 2016 , when an improvised explosive device planted under the vehicle he was driving exploded .
Investigators suspect Duhar and two other people of involvement in the killing , all of them with ties to the war taking place in eastern Ukraine .
The materials included the results of a lie detector test , they said .
The lawyers said the investigators had `` mistakenly '' identified a person recorded on a CCTV camera monitoring Sheremet 's apartment block a day before his killing as their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the person on the tape is 10 centimeters higher '' than Duhar , they said .
Sheremet was a Belarusian-born Russian citizen who had made Kyiv his permanent home .
His killing underscored concerns of a climate of impunity for attacks on journalists and others who challenge the Ukrainian authorities , while the government has faced persistent criticism over a perceived lack of progress in solving the case .
Those suspected in the case also include former special operations Sergeant Andriy Antonenko and pediatric surgeon and volunteer Yuliya Kuzmenko .
Police have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest in the investigation : Inna Hryshchenko and Vladyslav Hryshchenko .
On January 30 , Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Ruslan Ryaboshapka said additional evidence is needed for the case as `` the volume of compiled evidence is n't enough . ''

Independent forensic tests "proved that the person on the tape is 10 centimeters higher" than Duhar.
Lawyers of a Ukrainian Army medic suspected of involvement in the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet say they have "additional proof" that their client had nothing to do with the high-profile killing.
Yana Duhar's lawyers, Mykola Orekhovskiy and Vitaliy Kolomiyets, told reporters in Kyiv on February 7 that they provided the Prosecutor-General's Office with materials that "prove" their client had not been involved in Sheremet's assassination, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said.
Sheremet was killed on July 20, 2016, when an improvised explosive device planted under the vehicle he was driving exploded.
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Read alsoInterior Ministry speaker refers to slain journalist Sheremet as "Russian agent", leaked correspondence suggests
Investigators suspect Duhar and two other people of involvement in the killing, all of them with ties to the war taking place in eastern Ukraine.
The materials included the results of a lie detector test, they said.
The lawyers said the investigators had "mistakenly" identified a person recorded on a CCTV camera monitoring Sheremet's apartment block a day before his killing as their client.
Independent forensic tests "proved that the person on the tape is 10 centimeters higher" than Duhar, they said.
Sheremet was a Belarusian-born Russian citizen who had made Kyiv his permanent home.
His killing underscored concerns of a climate of impunity for attacks on journalists and others who challenge the Ukrainian authorities, while the government has faced persistent criticism over a perceived lack of progress in solving the case.
Those suspected in the case also include former special operations Sergeant Andriy Antonenko and pediatric surgeon and volunteer Yuliya Kuzmenko.
Police have also named a couple as persons of interest in the investigation: Inna Hryshchenko and Vladyslav Hryshchenko.
On January 30, Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Ruslan Riaboshapka said additional evidence is needed for the case as "the volume of compiled evidence isn't enough."


unian--2020-02-07--Ukraine's Defense Minister: Military bases meeting NATO standards to be built in Donbas

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry plans to build military bases in line with NATO standards in Mariupol and Sievierodonetsk in Donbas @ @ @ @ @ One of the priorities of the new team at Ukraine 's Defense Ministry is to @ @ @ @ @ plan to build several high-quality infrastructure facilities so that everyone knows that we can also @ @ @ @ @ with NATO standards , '' Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk told Kyiv Post in an interview , @ @ @ @ @ press service .
`` In particular , these two facilities that we are building are @ @ @ @ @ will be brigade-level bases : one in Mariupol , the other in Sievierodonetsk , '' @ @ @ @ @ more , Shyrokiy Lan , a giant boot camp in Mykolaiv region , will be @ @ @ @ @ with decent premises for training and lodging , he said .

The ministry will develop infrastructure construction.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry plans to build military bases in line with NATO standards in Mariupol and Sievierodonetsk in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
"One of the priorities of the new team at Ukraine's Defense Ministry is to develop infrastructure construction. We plan to build several high-quality infrastructure facilities so that everyone knows that we can also have military bases in line with NATO standards," Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk told Kyiv Post in an interview, according to the ministry's press service.
Read alsoUkraine's government approves new quality Ukraine-NATO Annual National Program
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"In particular, these two facilities that we are building are a greenfield project. These will be brigade-level bases: one in Mariupol, the other in Sievierodonetsk," he said.
What is more, Shyrokiy Lan, a giant boot camp in Mykolaiv region, will be completely repaired and finally equipped with decent premises for training and lodging, he said.


unian--2020-02-07--President Zelensky calls on Italy's PM to close illegal 'offices' of self-proclaimed Donbas republic

President Zelensky calls on Italy's PM to close illegal 'offices' of self-proclaimed Donbas republics

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Italy 's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to close the illegal `` offices '' of the self-proclaimed `` Donetsk People 's Republic '' ( `` DPR '' ) and `` Luhansk People 's Republic '' ( `` LPR '' ) in some Italian cities .
`` I 've called on the Prime Minister to close the illegal 'DPR ' and 'LPR ' offices opened in several cities of Italy , '' Zelensky told media representatives in Rome on February 7 , according to the presidential press service .
Zelensky and Conte discussed general policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported earlier , it became known in February 2019 that pro-Russian forces in Verona ( Italy ) announced the opening of the so-called `` representative office of the DPR . ''
In turn , Ukraine 's Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note verbale to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy along with requests to the prefecture and questura [ police headquarters ] of Verona , protesting against undermining the pan-European position in support of the territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state .
The requests also sought clarification of the legal status @ @ @ @ @ @

The two officials discussed general policy issues.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to close the illegal "offices" of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") and "Luhansk People's Republic" ("LPR") in some Italian cities.
"I've called on the Prime Minister to close the illegal 'DPR' and 'LPR' offices opened in several cities of Italy," Zelensky told media representatives in Rome on February 7, according to the presidential press service.
Read also"Unintentional mistake": Italian TV host on "Little Russia" slip
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Zelensky and Conte discussed general policy issues, it said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, it became known in February 2019 that pro-Russian forces in Verona (Italy) announced the opening of the so-called "representative office of the DPR."
In turn, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note verbale to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy along with requests to the prefecture and questura [police headquarters] of Verona, protesting against undermining the pan-European position in support of the territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state. The requests also sought clarification of the legal status of that "representation."