unian--2020-06-05--Court ruling confirms illegality of Bakhmatyuk's arrest in absentia – media

A court ruling on the illegality of an announcement on the arrest of Konstantin Zhevago in absentia , who is not on the international wanted list , confirms the illegality of putting Oleg Bakhmatyuk on the wanted list under similar circumstances .
This is reported by Ukrainian News .
On May 25 , 2020 , Kyiv 's Court of Appeals revoked a court ruling to arrest and remand in custody Konstantin Zhevago , which was delivered by Kyiv 's Pechersky District Court in early December 2019 , because the defendant was not on the international wanted list .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zhevago was not and is not on the international wanted list , was not and is not hiding from the pretrial investigation and the court , and also that there are no legal grounds for remanding Zhevago in custody , '' Zhevago 's press service said .
`` Under similar circumstances , the High Anti-Corruption Court ( HACC ) ruled to detain in absentia businessman Oleg Bakhmatyuk , who is also not on the international wanted list .
The appeals court 's ruling in the Zhevago case also confirms the illegality of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year against Oleg Bakhmatyuk , as stated by his lawyers referring to the norms of the current legislation , '' the media outlet wrote .
Moreover , the HACC 's Appeals Chamber ruled on the cancellation of the arrest of former Health Minister Raisa Bohatyriova in absentia .
The rationale of the ruling says that when delivering a suspicion notice to Bohatyriova , the Kyiv Prosecutor 's Office grossly violated the Code of Criminal Procedure .
`` It must be mentioned that a similar violation was committed during the unlawful delivery of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressed by Bakhmatyuk 's lawyers .
Thus , the HACC delivered two directly opposite rulings in two identical cases within one week , which can not but arouse suspicion that it is politically motivated , '' the media added .
As was earlier reported , court rulings in cases against ex-officials of Viktor Yanukovych 's presidency – Andriy Kliuyev and Oleksandr Klymenko – also banned their arrest in absentia over to the fact that they are not on the international wanted list .
The only decision on arrest in absentia taken under similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that such a ruling had been taken under pressure from Director of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine ( NABU ) Artem Sytnyk , who has a conflict of interest in this matter .

A court ruling on the illegality of an announcement on the arrest of Konstantin Zhevago in absentia, who is not on the international wanted list, confirms the illegality of putting Oleg Bakhmatyuk on the wanted list under similar circumstances.
This is reported by Ukrainian News.
On May 25, 2020, Kyiv's Court of Appeals revoked a court ruling to arrest and remand in custody Konstantin Zhevago, which was delivered by Kyiv's Pechersky District Court in early December 2019, because the defendant was not on the international wanted list.
Видео дня
"The appellate court's ruling has established that Zhevago was not and is not on the international wanted list, was not and is not hiding from the pretrial investigation and the court, and also that there are no legal grounds for remanding Zhevago in custody," Zhevago's press service said.
"Under similar circumstances, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) ruled to detain in absentia businessman Oleg Bakhmatyuk, who is also not on the international wanted list. The appeals court's ruling in the Zhevago case also confirms the illegality of the HACC's decision dated May 28 this year against Oleg Bakhmatyuk, as stated by his lawyers referring to the norms of the current legislation," the media outlet wrote.
Read alsoHigh Anti-Corruption Court repeals lower court's move to arrest ex-health minister Bohatyriova
Moreover, the HACC's Appeals Chamber ruled on the cancellation of the arrest of former Health Minister Raisa Bohatyriova in absentia. The rationale of the ruling says that when delivering a suspicion notice to Bohatyriova, the Kyiv Prosecutor's Office grossly violated the Code of Criminal Procedure.
"It must be mentioned that a similar violation was committed during the unlawful delivery of a suspicion notice to Bakhmatyuk, which was stressed by Bakhmatyuk's lawyers. Thus, the HACC delivered two directly opposite rulings in two identical cases within one week, which cannot but arouse suspicion that it is politically motivated," the media added.
As was earlier reported, court rulings in cases against ex-officials of Viktor Yanukovych's presidency – Andriy Kliuyev and Oleksandr Klymenko – also banned their arrest in absentia over to the fact that they are not on the international wanted list. The only decision on arrest in absentia taken under similar circumstances concerns Oleg Bakhmatyuk. His lawyers said that such a ruling had been taken under pressure from Director of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) Artem Sytnyk, who has a conflict of interest in this matter.


unian--2020-06-05--Kyiv mayor reports 82 new COVID-19 cases, four fatalities in past day

Twenty-seven people recovered from the disease in the past day .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city rose by 82 in the past day .
`` In the past day , the number of Kyiv residents who tested positive for the coronavirus increased by 82 , including 14 healthcare workers .
There were four fatalities , '' he said during an online press conference on June 5 , an UNIAN correspondent reported .
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 3,292 .
Klitschko said 16 new patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors .
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsia district ( 21 ) , Podilsky district ( 13 ) , and Desniansky district ( 12 ) .
Twenty-seven people recovered from the disease in the past day , he said .
In total , 876 Kyiv residents have already recovered .
As UNIAN reported earlier , there were 25,964 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 5 , including 762 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 553 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours .

Twenty-seven people recovered from the disease in the past day.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city rose by 82 in the past day.
Read alsoHealth Ministry elaborates on COVID-19 death rate dynamics in Ukraine
"In the past day, the number of Kyiv residents who tested positive for the coronavirus increased by 82, including 14 healthcare workers. There were four fatalities," he said during an online press conference on June 5, an UNIAN correspondent reported.
Видео дня
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 3,292.
Klitschko said 16 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsia district (21), Podilsky district (13), and Desniansky district (12).
Twenty-seven people recovered from the disease in the past day, he said.
In total, 876 Kyiv residents have already recovered.
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 25,964 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 5, including 762 COVID-19 deaths and 11,372 recoveries. Some 553 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours.


unian--2020-06-05--Expert estimates smuggling in Ukraine at US$12 bln annually

The scale of the smuggling problem is especially obvious in the Ukrainian border areas .
Expert in Programs for International and Domestic Policy of the Ukrainian Institute for the Future ( UIF ) Igar Tyshkevich has said the volume of smuggling in Ukraine is estimated at about US $ 12 billion annually .
`` According to our estimates , the total volume of export and import smuggling in Ukraine is about US $ 12 billion annually .
This is the minimum figure we 've got , and not only with neighboring countries ... , '' he said at a press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titled `` Smuggling of border areas : economic , social and political aspects . ''
`` It is necessary to fight against smuggling , but do it so that it becomes legal trade , and the fight against it does not stop the economic activity of entire regions , '' Tyshkevich said .
Read alsoZelensky says smugglers ready to `` rock '' Ukraine for another two to three years According to the expert , the scale of the smuggling problem is especially obvious in the Ukrainian border areas .
There are 15 such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the structure of the economy , employment , and infrastructure development .
`` In some regions , smuggling is the only means of earning , except for the budget sphere .
Cross-border trade provides resources to [ such ] regions , '' he said .
`` Repressive measures can not solve the problem , which has become part of the local economy , social relations and even politics .
By introducing increased responsibility , the state should think about compensators .
At least about creating new jobs , '' the expert said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the smuggling situation in the country in general , Tyshkevich suggested trying to legalize at least part of the shadow flows and get an additional source of budget replenishment .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the volume of potential smuggling with neighboring countries reached US $ 7.067 billion in Ukraine in 2018 , which was up 35.9 % against 2017 .
The volume of smuggling through the customs is estimated at UAH 50-60 billion ( US $ 1.9-2.2 billion ) per year .

Expert estimates smuggling in Ukraine at US$12 bln annually
12:55, 05.06.20 1032
The scale of the smuggling problem is especially obvious in the Ukrainian border areas.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine sees new stage of lifting quarantine-related curbs from June 5

The next phase of exiting the quarantine is scheduled for the middle of June 2020 .
An adaptive quarantine introduced to counter the spread of the coronavirus is underway in Ukraine .
However , the government has prepared another stage to lift the curbs .
Read alsoUkraine PM : Airlines to relaunch domestic flights , restaurants to resume indoor work from June 5 Ukraine has switched to the fourth step toward exiting the quarantine .
The following activities are allowed from June 5 under a Cabinet decision : • Cafés and restaurants may serve visitors indoors subject to anti-epidemic measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not need to adhere to self-isolation ; • Holding religious events in the premises provided that no more than one person per five square meters ; • Conducting accreditation of educational programs for which the training of applicants for higher education is carried out remotely ; and This applies to the regions where the coronavirus-related situation is favorable .
According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal , if the epidemic situation in a region does not correspond to indicators to ease measures for three consecutive days , the easing of some quarantine restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bans on schedule The next phase of exiting the quarantine is scheduled for June 15 .
This will become possible subject to a favorable epidemiological situation .
From this date , it is planned to relaunch international air traffic .
Passenger flights abroad will be carried out to those countries that have reopened airports for Ukraine .
The Health Ministry is developing and will soon publish new anti-epidemic rules for the planned relaunch of air travel .
They will take into account the experience and requirements of European partners or other countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Passenger travel by cars is allowed for up to five people , including a driver ( excluding children under the age of 14 ) .

The next phase of exiting the quarantine is scheduled for the middle of June 2020.
An adaptive quarantine introduced to counter the spread of the coronavirus is underway in Ukraine. However, the government has prepared another stage to lift the curbs.
Restrictions lifted from June 5
Read alsoUkraine PM: Airlines to relaunch domestic flights, restaurants to resume indoor work from June 5
Видео дня
Ukraine has switched to the fourth step toward exiting the quarantine. The following activities are allowed from June 5 under a Cabinet decision:
• Cafés and restaurants may serve visitors indoors subject to anti-epidemic measures;
• People over 60 years old do not need to adhere to self-isolation;
• Holding religious events in the premises provided that no more than one person per five square meters;
• Conducting accreditation of educational programs for which the training of applicants for higher education is carried out remotely; and
• Relaunch of domestic flights in Ukraine.
This applies to the regions where the coronavirus-related situation is favorable. According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, if the epidemic situation in a region does not correspond to indicators to ease measures for three consecutive days, the easing of some quarantine restrictions will be suspended.
Further lifting of bans on schedule
The next phase of exiting the quarantine is scheduled for June 15. This will become possible subject to a favorable epidemiological situation.
From this date, it is planned to relaunch international air traffic. Passenger flights abroad will be carried out to those countries that have reopened airports for Ukraine.
The Health Ministry is developing and will soon publish new anti-epidemic rules for the planned relaunch of air travel. They will take into account the experience and requirements of European partners or other countries, which have already reopened international air traffic.
Other rules
Passenger travel by cars is allowed for up to five people, including a driver (excluding children under the age of 14).


unian--2020-06-05--Over 320 healthcare workers resign in Ukraine's Rivne region over COVID-19

Of them , 38 are doctors .
Some 324 healthcare workers in Ukraine 's Rivne region resigned over the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) epidemic as of June 3 , 2020 .
Read alsoHealth minister names Ukraine 's regions with largest number of COVID-19 cases in past day '' As of June 3 , some 324 healthcare workers resigned in the region 's medical institutions , including 38 doctors , 109 nurses and 177 junior nurses .
In particular , 11 healthcare workers quitted their job at Kostopil Central Regional Hospital alone .
Twenty-five have contracted the coronavirus , '' Rivne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 4 .
Yet , it said , there are enough healthcare personnel , as the regional health department has a special reserve base to address staff-related issues if required , the report said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , there were 25,964 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 5 , including 762 COVID-19 deaths and 11,372 recoveries .
Some 553 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours .
The COVID-19 death rate per 100,000 people in Ukraine as of June 3 was 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry 's Public Health Center .

Of them, 38 are doctors.
Some 324 healthcare workers in Ukraine's Rivne region resigned over the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic as of June 3, 2020.
Read alsoHealth minister names Ukraine's regions with largest number of COVID-19 cases in past day
"As of June 3, some 324 healthcare workers resigned in the region's medical institutions, including 38 doctors, 109 nurses and 177 junior nurses. In particular, 11 healthcare workers quitted their job at Kostopil Central Regional Hospital alone. Twenty-five have contracted the coronavirus," Rivne Regional State Administration said on Facebook on June 4.
Видео дня
Yet, it said, there are enough healthcare personnel, as the regional health department has a special reserve base to address staff-related issues if required, the report said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 25,964 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 5, including 762 COVID-19 deaths and 11,372 recoveries. Some 553 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours.
The COVID-19 death rate per 100,000 people in Ukraine as of June 3 was 3%, according to the Ukrainian Health Ministry's Public Health Center.


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine's parliament updates customs tariff in line with HS 2017

It refined HS codes without changing import duty rates on goods .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , on June 4 passed a bill on the new customs tariff of Ukraine , providing for updating the existing customs tariff in accordance with the harmonized system of 2017 .
Some 290 MPs voted for relevant bill No .
3228 on the Customs Tariff of Ukraine as a basis and in general with the necessary technical and legal amendments , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
According to the explanatory note to the bill , the need for the adoption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's legislative base into line with the system of generally recognized norms of international law .
It says the current customs tariff of Ukraine uses the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System ( HS ) adopted in 2012 , while the application of tariff and non-tariff regulation measures in most countries , in particular the European Union and the CIS , is based on HS 2017 , which was introduced on January 1 , 2017 .
Read alsoUkraine to stop levying war tax on income on government bonds According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not change , yet only changes , additions , and refinement of codes and descriptive parts of certain goods , notes to product groups are provided .
As UNIAN reported earlier , in September 2013 , the Verkhovna Rada passed a Eurointegration-oriented bill to amend the Customs Tariff of Ukraine , which was enacted by the Law of Ukraine on the Customs Tariff of Ukraine .
The new law switched the Customs Tariff from HS 2007 to HS 2012 , which was used in most countries , including the EU .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduction in preferential rates of import duties on certain types of goods .
In December 2018 , the Cabinet of Ministers decided to reorganize the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine by splitting it into two agencies – the tax and customs services .

Ukraine's parliament updates customs tariff in line with HS 2017
11:55, 05.06.20 1473
It refined HS codes without changing import duty rates on goods.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-06-05--Number of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 6.6 mln

The overall death toll is 391,285 people , while 2,873,330 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 6.6 million patients as of the morning of June 5 .
As many as 6,640,960 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 09:33 on June 5 , according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering ( CSSE ) at Johns Hopkins University .
The overall death toll is 391,285 people , while 2,873,330 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The highest death toll was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ) , the United Kingdom ( 39,987 ) , Brazil ( 34,021 ) , Italy ( 33,689 ) , France ( 29,068 ) , Spain ( 27,133 ) .
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States ( 1,872,660 confirmed cases ) , Brazil ( 614,941 ) , Russia ( 440,538 ) , Great Britain ( 283,079 ) , Spain ( 240,660 ) , Italy ( 234,013 ) , India ( 227,029 ) , France ( 189,569 ) , Germany ( 184,472 ) , Peru ( 183,198 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus .

The overall death toll is 391,285 people, while 2,873,330 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 6.6 million patients as of the morning of June 5.
Read alsoG7 envoys voice support for Ukraine's coronavirus response efforts
As many as 6,640,960 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 09:33 on June 5, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
Видео дня
The overall death toll is 391,285 people, while 2,873,330 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The highest death toll was recorded in the United States (108,211 people), the United Kingdom (39,987), Brazil (34,021), Italy (33,689), France (29,068), Spain (27,133).
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (1,872,660 confirmed cases), Brazil (614,941), Russia (440,538), Great Britain (283,079), Spain (240,660), Italy (234,013), India (227,029), France (189,569), Germany (184,472), Peru (183,198), and Turkey (167,410).
As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus.


unian--2020-06-05--Action plan returned for revision: will Shmyhal’s Cabinet receive 12-month immunity

It seems that the plan that the Cabinet Action Program will be quickly approved by people 's deputies has failed .
The Cabinet couldn ’ t seal 12-month immunity from dismissal , which the Constitution grants any government if such a document is approved .
On Thursday , Ukraine 's Parliament , at the request of the prime minister himself , sent the Program for revision by its authors .
President Volodymyr Zelensky also said the government ’ s program had to be improved since it had been developed when no one was expecting the corona pandemic .
`` A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one expected a coronavirus .
Therefore , he [ PM Shmyhal ] turned to people , saying : we have a coronavirus , quarantine measures , and the government ’ s program should be changed due to COVID-19 .
We need to update it , '' Zelensky said during a trip to the Khmelnytsky region .
A weird situation , given that throughout the three months since Shmyhal Cabinet was appointed , the pandemic has only been gaining momentum in Ukraine , while the first steps to combat the novel disease had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this government 's predecessors .
In March , as the new prime minister was taking the helm , the economy was already struggling .
After GDP growth in 4Q of 2019 slowed down to 1.5 % compared to 2018 , in January-February 2020 , GDP fell by 0.2 % , while the decline in industrial output that began last year reached 7.7 % in March .
A few weeks of downtime further exacerbated the crisis , which led to the industrial output plunging by 16.2 % in April , with unemployment affecting half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , forecasts of Ukrainian and international experts on the fall in GDP in 2020 are in the range of 5 to 8 % .
But if the economy is n't revived in the near future , the decline may turn out to be even deeper .
In the conditions of an unfolding economic storm , the public and businesses logically expected from government some concrete and effective steps to save the economy and alleviate the burden of the crisis for citizens .
And all this should have been reflected in the Cabinet 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately upon taking office .
However , the Cabinet made few meaningful steps to stimulate the economy amid the national quarantine .
Legislators discussing this document compared the program with a `` school essay . ''
However , PM disagreed with such an assessment .
`` The presentation we delivered is the ideological framework of our program , which includes an analysis of the current state of affairs in key sectors of the economy .
At the same time , this ideological framework is already supported by proposals for regulatory changes within this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided for all sectors of the economy , and most importantly , for small and medium-sized businesses , '' Shmyhal told the parliament meeting on Thursday .
The prime minister and his team foresaw such a critical attitude on the part of lawmakers , therefore , a few days prior to the vote , apparently , along with the president 's office , a compromise decision was made – to return the action program for revision .
A sneak peek into what the government 's program will look like following the revision could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy of economic incentives to overcome the consequences of COVID-19 that the government approved last week .
PM says the document was developed over six weeks involving dozens of think tanks , business associations and companies .
`` The strategy provides comprehensive responses to challenges .
We decided that the coronacrisis is , among other things , our chance to pursue radical transformations , our chance to change approaches and our chance to start real transformations in the economy and country , '' said Shmyhal .
According to him , the strategy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy economic nationalism '' and protection of domestic producers are the two ideas seen all across it .
The government expects that its implementation will bring the national economy into the recovery phase in the second half of this year .
Minister for Development of Economy , Trade and Agriculture Ihor Petrashko pointed out that the strategy includes more than 200 specific measures and stands `` on three pillars '' , which are access to finance , access to markets , and ensuring modernization and sustainable development .
`` First of all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directions that have been developed include ensuring the safe functioning of the economy , since the challenges posed by the coronavirus concern not only the economic development , but also its safe functioning , '' said the minister .
The government wants to engage in protectionism , that is , to protect manufacturers of domestic goods from foreign competitors .
To this end , the Cabinet plans to actively conduct anti-dumping and protective investigations , as well as to limit `` unfair and growing imports '' , applying trade protection tools .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mechanisms of the World Trade Organization and international treaties .
It will be interesting to observe how these ideas will be implemented in real life , taking into account the existing free trade zones with the European Union and several other countries .
The Cabinet proposes in the coming years to implement the following incentives for the industry : introducing a moratorium on increasing tax rates , restoring timely automatic VAT refunds , reducing restrictions on imports of raw materials , and activating localization mechanisms for Ukrainian engineering products .
Similar steps for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to create value-added goods , increasing efficiency of government subsidies , stimulating remote marketing of agricultural products , and establishing distribution channels for smaller farmers .
For the energy sector , the government plans to revise electricity tariffs for households and the so-called `` green feed-in tariff '' , as well as establish a stimulating rental rate for hydrocarbon production within five years from the start of drilling .
They also seek to provide tax breaks , soft loans and financial support for the transport industry and infrastructure , establish a zero VAT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unbundling of Ukrzaliznytsia railway operator , and reorganize the Administration of Seaports .
The government proposes to support businesses through the two lending programs ( `` 5-7-9 '' and `` New Money '' ) , by providing state guarantees for loans .
Besides , they want to give local budgets the opportunity to provide loan guarantees for entrepreneurs .
To conquer foreign markets , the Cabinet seeks to start issuing grants to exporters , launch an export credit agency , and strengthen lending to producers through the state-owned Ukreximbank .
In expert circles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviews .
According to Serhiy Fursa of the Dragon Capital Investment Company , the Cabinet ’ s intention to protect domestic producers could yield the opposite effect .
`` Program messages about economic nationalism are rather dangerous for the Ukrainian economy and may be dangerous to the result .
Instead of giving a boost to economic recovery , it will slow down growth .
This is an attempt to roll back reform , first of all , Prozorro [ e-procurement platform ] , and an attempt to play games of protectionism , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told UNIAN .
According to Dmytro Horiunov , senior economist at the Center for Economic Strategy , the strategy for economic recovery has more harmful or simply meaningless initiatives than useful ones .
`` There are frankly lobbying proposals in the field of industry , transport , and environment .
There 's nothing or almost nothing there about privatization , competition , and law enforcement .
Industry blocs are not too interconnected .
There are empty initiatives like 'creating such and such a regulator ' or 'drafting such and such a law ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or there are proposals to do certain things that should be done anyway , '' he told UNIAN .
The expert noted that medium-term measures of the program are also a matter of concern because , despite the presence of blocs on small businesses , innovation , and creative industries , they , in fact , offer preservation of the existing model of the economy with the dominance of big capital .
At the same time , Horiunov said the program also had positive initiatives related to business deregulation .
`` For example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting , replacement of state control with voluntary liability insurance or prevention of blocking of operations at a multidisciplinary enterprise in case if violations are detected on one type of activity , '' he said .
Executive Director at the Blazer International Foundation , Oleh Ustenko , in turn , pointed out that the strategy 's main objective is to restore the national economy in the post-quarantine period to help it revive .
`` The government and developers set the main task to mitigate COVID-19 's negative impact on the economy of Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis that affects us .
From this perspective , I believe that the program corresponds to the tasks set , '' the expert said .
According to Dmytro Horiunov , if today the goal is to restore the economy from the negative impact of quarantine , it is more logical to stimulate growth from below , that is , directly through people affected by restrictions .
`` This will restore demand and automatically stimulate supply .
As for fiscal incentives , they should be limited to easing fixed taxes and fees , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to him , the government needs to add measures to strengthen the fight against corruption and enhance antitrust regulation , as well as continue large-scale privatization , which , among other things , should be aimed at reducing the state 's participation in the banking system .
According to Oleh Ustenko , the program should include actions that could deliver a quick and positive effect .
First of all , it 's about measures to attract capital to the country and preserve the investments that are already here , in Ukraine .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those large investment projects that are already working in the country .
They need help so that they are not put on pause .
If we do n't help those who are already investing in the country , there 's a risk that the projects will be put on hold and that we wo n't see additional jobs .
In the long run , we will not receive taxes to the revenue side of the state budget , '' the expert explained .
He also drew attention to the fact that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is necessary for Ukraine to concentrate state support on sectors that could have a multiplier effect .
In the coming weeks , we will be able to see if the government heard deputies , business CEOs , and experts and if they will be able to create a working mechanism for effective support of the economy to ensure its recovery .
But the main thing is to make sure that they finally start taking real steps to improve the situation because , in a crisis period , any delay could be deadly .

The government submitted to parliament an action plan to restore the economy. On Thursday, the Rada sent it back for revision, refusing to provide the Cabinet, led by Denys Shmyhal, 12-month immunity from resignation. Is there a future for the program of "healthy economic nationalism"?
It seems that the plan that the Cabinet Action Program will be quickly approved by people's deputies has failed. The Cabinet couldn’t seal 12-month immunity from dismissal, which the Constitution grants any government if such a document is approved.
On Thursday, Ukraine's Parliament, at the request of the prime minister himself, sent the Program for revision by its authors. President Volodymyr Zelensky also said the government’s program had to be improved since it had been developed when no one was expecting the corona pandemic.
"A government program had been developed, but no one expected a coronavirus. Therefore, he [PM Shmyhal] turned to people, saying: we have a coronavirus, quarantine measures, and the government’s program should be changed due to COVID-19. We need to update it," Zelensky said during a trip to the Khmelnytsky region.
Видео дня
A weird situation, given that throughout the three months since Shmyhal Cabinet was appointed, the pandemic has only been gaining momentum in Ukraine, while the first steps to combat the novel disease had been taken back in February, by this government's predecessors.
In March, as the new prime minister was taking the helm, the economy was already struggling. After GDP growth in 4Q of 2019 slowed down to 1.5% compared to 2018, in January-February 2020, GDP fell by 0.2%, while the decline in industrial output that began last year reached 7.7% in March.
A few weeks of downtime further exacerbated the crisis, which led to the industrial output plunging by 16.2% in April, with unemployment affecting half a million people.
As a result, forecasts of Ukrainian and international experts on the fall in GDP in 2020 are in the range of 5 to 8%. But if the economy isn't revived in the near future, the decline may turn out to be even deeper.
"School essay"
In the conditions of an unfolding economic storm, the public and businesses logically expected from government some concrete and effective steps to save the economy and alleviate the burden of the crisis for citizens.
And all this should have been reflected in the Cabinet's program, which ministers began to prepare immediately upon taking office. However, the Cabinet made few meaningful steps to stimulate the economy amid the national quarantine. Legislators discussing this document compared the program with a "school essay." However, PM disagreed with such an assessment.
"The presentation we delivered is the ideological framework of our program, which includes an analysis of the current state of affairs in key sectors of the economy. At the same time, this ideological framework is already supported by proposals for regulatory changes within this program's framework. Support is also provided for all sectors of the economy, and most importantly, for small and medium-sized businesses," Shmyhal told the parliament meeting on Thursday.
The prime minister and his team foresaw such a critical attitude on the part of lawmakers, therefore, a few days prior to the vote, apparently, along with the president's office, a compromise decision was made – to return the action program for revision.
"Healthy economic nationalism"
A sneak peek into what the government's program will look like following the revision could be provided by another document – a strategy of economic incentives to overcome the consequences of COVID-19 that the government approved last week.
PM says the document was developed over six weeks involving dozens of think tanks, business associations and companies. "The strategy provides comprehensive responses to challenges. We decided that the coronacrisis is, among other things, our chance to pursue radical transformations, our chance to change approaches and our chance to start real transformations in the economy and country," said Shmyhal.
According to him, the strategy is designed for three years, while "healthy economic nationalism" and protection of domestic producers are the two ideas seen all across it.
The government expects that its implementation will bring the national economy into the recovery phase in the second half of this year. Minister for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture Ihor Petrashko pointed out that the strategy includes more than 200 specific measures and stands "on three pillars", which are access to finance, access to markets, and ensuring modernization and sustainable development.
"First of all, the task of the program and the directions that have been developed include ensuring the safe functioning of the economy, since the challenges posed by the coronavirus concern not only the economic development, but also its safe functioning," said the minister.
The government wants to engage in protectionism, that is, to protect manufacturers of domestic goods from foreign competitors. To this end, the Cabinet plans to actively conduct anti-dumping and protective investigations, as well as to limit "unfair and growing imports", applying trade protection tools.
To this end, authors propose to apply mechanisms of the World Trade Organization and international treaties. It will be interesting to observe how these ideas will be implemented in real life, taking into account the existing free trade zones with the European Union and several other countries.
Government plans
The Cabinet proposes in the coming years to implement the following incentives for the industry: introducing a moratorium on increasing tax rates, restoring timely automatic VAT refunds, reducing restrictions on imports of raw materials, and activating localization mechanisms for Ukrainian engineering products.
Similar steps for the agro-industrial complex should include introducing programs to create value-added goods, increasing efficiency of government subsidies, stimulating remote marketing of agricultural products, and establishing distribution channels for smaller farmers.
For the energy sector, the government plans to revise electricity tariffs for households and the so-called "green feed-in tariff", as well as establish a stimulating rental rate for hydrocarbon production within five years from the start of drilling.
They also seek to provide tax breaks, soft loans and financial support for the transport industry and infrastructure, establish a zero VAT rate on domestic transport, complete the unbundling of Ukrzaliznytsia railway operator, and reorganize the Administration of Seaports.
The government proposes to support businesses through the two lending programs ("5-7-9" and "New Money"), by providing state guarantees for loans. Besides, they want to give local budgets the opportunity to provide loan guarantees for entrepreneurs.
To conquer foreign markets, the Cabinet seeks to start issuing grants to exporters, launch an export credit agency, and strengthen lending to producers through the state-owned Ukreximbank.
More questions than answers
In expert circles, the anti-crisis strategy has received mixed reviews. According to Serhiy Fursa of the Dragon Capital Investment Company, the Cabinet’s intention to protect domestic producers could yield the opposite effect. "Program messages about economic nationalism are rather dangerous for the Ukrainian economy and may be dangerous to the result. Instead of giving a boost to economic recovery, it will slow down growth. This is an attempt to roll back reform, first of all, Prozorro [e-procurement platform], and an attempt to play games of protectionism, which always affects the economy," Fursa told UNIAN.
According to Dmytro Horiunov, senior economist at the Center for Economic Strategy, the strategy for economic recovery has more harmful or simply meaningless initiatives than useful ones.
"There are frankly lobbying proposals in the field of industry, transport, and environment. There's nothing or almost nothing there about privatization, competition, and law enforcement. Industry blocs are not too interconnected. There are empty initiatives like 'creating such and such a regulator' or 'drafting such and such a law' without describing the essence of changes, or there are proposals to do certain things that should be done anyway," he told UNIAN.
The expert noted that medium-term measures of the program are also a matter of concern because, despite the presence of blocs on small businesses, innovation, and creative industries, they, in fact, offer preservation of the existing model of the economy with the dominance of big capital.
At the same time, Horiunov said the program also had positive initiatives related to business deregulation.
"For example, it's the abolition of excessive reporting, replacement of state control with voluntary liability insurance or prevention of blocking of operations at a multidisciplinary enterprise in case if violations are detected on one type of activity," he said.
Executive Director at the Blazer International Foundation, Oleh Ustenko, in turn, pointed out that the strategy's main objective is to restore the national economy in the post-quarantine period to help it revive.
"The government and developers set the main task to mitigate COVID-19's negative impact on the economy of Ukraine, rather than that of the global crisis that affects us. From this perspective, I believe that the program corresponds to the tasks set," the expert said.
Time to act
According to Dmytro Horiunov, if today the goal is to restore the economy from the negative impact of quarantine, it is more logical to stimulate growth from below, that is, directly through people affected by restrictions.
"This will restore demand and automatically stimulate supply. As for fiscal incentives, they should be limited to easing fixed taxes and fees," the expert said. Also, according to him, the government needs to add measures to strengthen the fight against corruption and enhance antitrust regulation, as well as continue large-scale privatization, which, among other things, should be aimed at reducing the state's participation in the banking system.
According to Oleh Ustenko, the program should include actions that could deliver a quick and positive effect. First of all, it's about measures to attract capital to the country and preserve the investments that are already here, in Ukraine.
"It is necessary to make an inventory of those large investment projects that are already working in the country. They need help so that they are not put on pause. If we don't help those who are already investing in the country, there's a risk that the projects will be put on hold and that we won't see additional jobs. In the long run, we will not receive taxes to the revenue side of the state budget," the expert explained.
He also drew attention to the fact that in conditions of limited financial resources, it is necessary for Ukraine to concentrate state support on sectors that could have a multiplier effect.
In the coming weeks, we will be able to see if the government heard deputies, business CEOs, and experts and if they will be able to create a working mechanism for effective support of the economy to ensure its recovery.
But the main thing is to make sure that they finally start taking real steps to improve the situation because, in a crisis period, any delay could be deadly.
Dmytro Shvarts


unian--2020-06-05--RFE/RL: Crimean court jails Jehovah's Witness for six years for 'extremist' activity

Gerasimov is the second Jehovah 's Witness to be sentenced in Crimea , and the 30th Jehovah 's Witness convicted in Russia and Crimea since 2017 .
A court in Russian-annexed Crimea has sentenced a Jehovah 's Witness to six years in prison for being a member of an extremist group .
The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group , a Ukrainian organization , called the sentencing of Artyom Gerasimov on June 4 `` a shocking escalation of repression in occupied Crimea , '' Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty ( RFE/RL ) said .
Read alsoEnvironmental disaster over lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Russia officially banned the Jehovah 's Witnesses in April 2017 and deemed it an `` extremist organization , '' despite widespread condemnation from Western countries and human rights groups .
The Supreme Court in Crimea ruled in an appeal on June 4 that Gerasimov should serve six years in a penal colony .
The sentence came after Gerasimov appealed a Yalta city court fining him 400,000 rubles ( $ 5,785 ) in March , the Jehovah 's Witnesses said in a statement .
The prosecutor 's office then demanded 6.5 years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Crimean Supreme Court brings religious persecution to a new level of cruelty , '' Jehovah 's Witnesses spokesman Jarrod Lopes said .
According to the group , Gerasimov is the second Jehovah 's Witness to be sentenced in Crimea , and the 30th Jehovah 's Witness convicted in Russia and Crimea since 2017 .
Ten have been imprisoned .
On March 5 , a Crimean court found Sergei Filatov guilty of being a member of the religious group and sentenced him to six years in prison .
For decades the Jehovah 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , where the dominant Russian Orthodox Church is championed by President Vladimir Putin .
The Christian group is known for door-to-door preaching , close Bible study , rejection of military service , and not celebrating national and religious holidays or birthdays .
Authorities in annexed Crimea also persecute members of the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir , which was declared a terrorist group in Russia .
Dozens of people have been convicted for involvement in the group 's activities .
Neither Hizb ut-Tahrir nor the Jehovah 's Witnesses are banned in Ukraine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 2014 , when Russia forcibly annexed the peninsula , sending in troops and staging a referendum denounced as illegitimate by at least 100 countries , after Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted amid a wave of public protests .

Gerasimov is the second Jehovah's Witness to be sentenced in Crimea, and the 30th Jehovah's Witness convicted in Russia and Crimea since 2017.
A court in Russian-annexed Crimea has sentenced a Jehovah's Witness to six years in prison for being a member of an extremist group.
The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, a Ukrainian organization, called the sentencing of Artyom Gerasimov on June 4 "a shocking escalation of repression in occupied Crimea," Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said.
Read alsoEnvironmental disaster over lack of water unfolding in occupied Crimea (Photos)
Видео дня
Russia officially banned the Jehovah's Witnesses in April 2017 and deemed it an "extremist organization," despite widespread condemnation from Western countries and human rights groups.
The Supreme Court in Crimea ruled in an appeal on June 4 that Gerasimov should serve six years in a penal colony.
The sentence came after Gerasimov appealed a Yalta city court fining him 400,000 rubles ($5,785) in March, the Jehovah's Witnesses said in a statement.
The prosecutor's office then demanded 6.5 years of imprisonment.
"Today's ruling by the Crimean Supreme Court brings religious persecution to a new level of cruelty," Jehovah's Witnesses spokesman Jarrod Lopes said.
According to the group, Gerasimov is the second Jehovah's Witness to be sentenced in Crimea, and the 30th Jehovah's Witness convicted in Russia and Crimea since 2017. Ten have been imprisoned.
On March 5, a Crimean court found Sergei Filatov guilty of being a member of the religious group and sentenced him to six years in prison.
For decades the Jehovah's Witnesses have been viewed with suspicion in Russia, where the dominant Russian Orthodox Church is championed by President Vladimir Putin.
The Christian group is known for door-to-door preaching, close Bible study, rejection of military service, and not celebrating national and religious holidays or birthdays.
Authorities in annexed Crimea also persecute members of the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, which was declared a terrorist group in Russia.
Dozens of people have been convicted for involvement in the group's activities. Neither Hizb ut-Tahrir nor the Jehovah's Witnesses are banned in Ukraine.
Crimea has been controlled by Moscow since March 2014, when Russia forcibly annexed the peninsula, sending in troops and staging a referendum denounced as illegitimate by at least 100 countries, after Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted amid a wave of public protests.


unian--2020-06-05--High Anti-Corruption Court repeals lower court's move to arrest ex-health minister Bohatyriova

The decision is due to gross violations by Kyiv prosecutors in handing the suspicion notice in line with the Criminal Procedure Code .
The Appeals Chamber of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court has repealed the ruling of the lower-instance court to remand in custody ex-Minister of Health Raisa Bohatyriova , the HACC press service reports .
The decision is due to the failure by Kyiv prosecutors to hand the former official the suspicion notice in line with the Criminal Procedure Code .
The HACC has thus satisfied the appeal on the part of the suspect 's defense team on the ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 , to remand Bohatyriova in custody , while setting bail as an alternative .
The HACC also explained that the Pechersk District Court 's judge failed to eliminate the said obvious violations of criminal procedure during the hearing .
As UNIAN reported earlier , former Ukrainian Health Minister Raisa Bohatyriova was detained by border guards at Kyiv 's Zhuliany Airport upon her arrival in Ukraine .
Bohatyriova had been on the run since 2014 after she was charged with embezzlement of budget funds in 2012 in the amount of UAH 6.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on medication and equipment procurement .
Kyiv 's Pechersk district court on August 28 , 2019 , ruled to take Bohatyriova into custody for two months , setting bail at UAH 6 million ( $ 238,663 ) .

The decision is due to gross violations by Kyiv prosecutors in handing the suspicion notice in line with the Criminal Procedure Code.
The Appeals Chamber of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court has repealed the ruling of the lower-instance court to remand in custody ex-Minister of Health Raisa Bohatyriova, the HACC press service reports.
The decision is due to the failure by Kyiv prosecutors to hand the former official the suspicion notice in line with the Criminal Procedure Code.
The HACC has thus satisfied the appeal on the part of the suspect's defense team on the ruling of Pechersk District Court of August 28, 2019, to remand Bohatyriova in custody, while setting bail as an alternative.
Видео дня
The HACC also explained that the Pechersk District Court's judge failed to eliminate the said obvious violations of criminal procedure during the hearing.
As UNIAN reported earlier, former Ukrainian Health Minister Raisa Bohatyriova was detained by border guards at Kyiv's Zhuliany Airport upon her arrival in Ukraine.
Read alsoCourt rules to arrest ex-Health Minister Bohatyriova, sets US$238,663 bail
Bohatyriova had been on the run since 2014 after she was charged with embezzlement of budget funds in 2012 in the amount of UAH 6.5 billion (US$258.5 million) on medication and equipment procurement.
Kyiv's Pechersk district court on August 28, 2019, ruled to take Bohatyriova into custody for two months, setting bail at UAH 6 million ($238,663).
MP Vadym Novynskyi posted the relevant bail on August 29.


unian--2020-06-05--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ukraine exceeds 25,900 on June 5

Of them , 553 cases were reported in the past 24 hours .
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Ukraine exceeded 25,900 on Friday morning .
`` According to the Public Health Center , there were 25,964 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 5 , '' Ukraine 's Health Ministry said on Facebook in its morning update on June 5 .
Read alsoPM Shmyhal says Ukraine manages to cope with COVID-19 challenges in spring Of them , 553 cases were reported in the past 24 hours .
Overall incidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Vinnytsia region ; 1,008 in Volyn region ; 960 in Dnipropetrovsk region ; 195 in Donetsk region ; 855 in Zhytomyr region ; 1,280 in Zakarpattia region ; 477 in Zaporizhia region ; 1,507 in Ivano-Frankivsk region ; 538 in Kirovohrad region ; 3,292 in the city of Kyiv ; 1,711 in Kyiv region ; 1,988 in Lviv region ; 51 in Luhansk region ; 307 in Mykolayiv region ; 970 in Odesa region ; 272 in Poltava region ; 1,962 in Rivne region ; 188 in Sumy region ; 1,233 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region ; 179 in Kherson region ; 501 in Khmelnytsky region ; 3,519 in Chernivtsi region ; 432 in Cherkasy region ; 250 in Chernihiv region .
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .
COVID-19 tests were conducted by the Public Health Center 's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories .
As of the morning of June 5 , 2020 , the Center had received 1,043 reports of suspected cases .
In total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
A total of 762 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country .
Some 11,372 patients have recovered .
As UNIAN reported earlier , there were 25,411 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of the morning of June 4 , including 747 COVID-19 deaths and 11,042 recoveries .
Some 588 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours .

Of them, 553 cases were reported in the past 24 hours.
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Ukraine exceeded 25,900 on Friday morning.
"According to the Public Health Center, there were 25,964 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 5," Ukraine's Health Ministry said on Facebook in its morning update on June 5.
Read alsoPM Shmyhal says Ukraine manages to cope with COVID-19 challenges in spring
Видео дня
Of them, 553 cases were reported in the past 24 hours.
Overall incidence per region is the following: 1,093 cases in Vinnytsia region; 1,008 in Volyn region; 960 in Dnipropetrovsk region; 195 in Donetsk region; 855 in Zhytomyr region; 1,280 in Zakarpattia region; 477 in Zaporizhia region; 1,507 in Ivano-Frankivsk region; 538 in Kirovohrad region; 3,292 in the city of Kyiv; 1,711 in Kyiv region; 1,988 in Lviv region; 51 in Luhansk region; 307 in Mykolayiv region; 970 in Odesa region; 272 in Poltava region; 1,962 in Rivne region; 188 in Sumy region; 1,233 in Ternopil region; 1,196 in Kharkiv region; 179 in Kherson region; 501 in Khmelnytsky region; 3,519 in Chernivtsi region; 432 in Cherkasy region; 250 in Chernihiv region.
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
COVID-19 tests were conducted by the Public Health Center's virological reference laboratory and regional laboratories. As of the morning of June 5, 2020, the Center had received 1,043 reports of suspected cases. In total, there have been 63,343 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
A total of 762 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country. Some 11,372 patients have recovered.
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 25,411 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of the morning of June 4, including 747 COVID-19 deaths and 11,042 recoveries. Some 588 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours.


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine's hryvnia strengthens to UAH 26.70 to U.S. dollar on June 5

The official forex rate against the euro for Friday is fixed at UAH 30.00 per euro .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) has set the official forex rate for June 5 at UAH 26.70 to the U.S. dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen by five kopiykas .
Read alsoUkraine 's hryvnia may strengthen to UAH 21 to U.S. dollar by year-end – expert The central bank has fixed the following official forex rates of the hryvnia against key foreign currencies for June 5 : US $ 100 will be quoted at UAH 2,669.53 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) ; EUR 100 will be quoted at UAH 2,999.75 ( UAH 2,996.09 as of June 4 ) .
By 17:00 Kyiv time on June 4 , hryvnia quotations against the dollar on the interbank forex market settled at UAH 26.68/26.70 to the dollar , while those against the euro were at UAH 29.89/29.91 .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the National Bank set the official forex rate of the hryvnia for Thursday , June 4 , at UAH 26.75 to the U.S. dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hryvnia saw gains against the U.S. dollar for the fifth consecutive day .

Ukraine's hryvnia strengthens to UAH 26.70 to U.S. dollar on June 5
09:50, 05.06.20 4720
The official forex rate against the euro for Friday is fixed at UAH 30.00 per euro.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine reports 14 enemy attacks in Donbas on June 4

Russia 's hybrid military forces on June 4 mounted 14 attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
@ @ @ @ @ armed formations violated the ceasefire 14 times in the past day , '' the press @ @ @ @ @ Forces Operation said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on June 5 @ @ @ @ @ activists go for pro-Ukrainian stunt in occupied Donbas ( Photo ) Russia-led forces opened fire @ @ @ @ @ anti-tank missile systems , grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and @ @ @ @ @ came Ukrainian positions near the towns of Krasnohorivka and Avdiyivka , and the villages of @ @ @ @ @ , Kamianka , Novoluhanske , Orikhove , and Novhorodske .
`` Since Friday midnight , @ @ @ @ @ positions near the village of Novo-Oleksandrivka , using rifles , '' the update said .
@ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian troops over the period under review .

Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy shelling.
Russia's hybrid military forces on June 4 mounted 14 attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
"The Russian Federation's armed formations violated the ceasefire 14 times in the past day," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on June 5, 2020.
Read alsoDaredevil activists go for pro-Ukrainian stunt in occupied Donbas (Photo)
Видео дня
Russia-led forces opened fire from proscribed 120mm mortars, anti-tank missile systems, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms.
Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the towns of Krasnohorivka and Avdiyivka, and the villages of Bohdanivka, Chermalyk, Pavlopil, Kamianka, Novoluhanske, Orikhove, and Novhorodske.
Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy shelling.
"Since Friday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near the village of Novo-Oleksandrivka, using rifles," the update said.
No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops over the period under review.


unian--2020-06-05--Reuters: Oil edges higher as traders eye producer talks on extending supply cuts

Brent has risen about 14 % this week , while WTI is up nearly 6 % , leaving benchmarks on track for a sixth week of gains .
Oil prices nudged higher on Friday as traders await cues from a meeting that could take place as soon as this weekend where major oil producers will discuss whether to extend record production cuts .
Brent crude futures were up 20 cents , or 0.5 % , at $ 40.19 a barrel as of 0419 GMT , while U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) crude futures were up 8 cents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a barrel , as reported by Reuters .
Brent has risen about 14 % this week , while WTI is up nearly 6 % , leaving benchmarks on track for a sixth week of gains .
The surge was triggered by the output cuts amid signs of improving fuel demand as countries begin to ease lockdowns they had imposed to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus .
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) and allies led by Russia , a grouping known as OPEC+ , will meet on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Algeria 's Ennahar TV channel reported on Friday , citing an OPEC source .
Three OPEC+ sources said earlier a ministerial videoconference could be held this week , should Iraq and others agree to boost their adherence to existing supply cuts .
Saudi Arabia and Russia , two of the world 's biggest oil producers , want to extend output cuts of 9.7 million barrels per day ( bpd ) into July .
The OPEC+ meeting had been expected to take place on June 4 , but was delayed amid talk about poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some producers .
If OPEC+ fails to agree to roll over the current output curbs , that would mean the cut could drop back to 7.7 million bpd from July through December as previously agreed .

Brent has risen about 14% this week, while WTI is up nearly 6%, leaving benchmarks on track for a sixth week of gains.
Oil prices nudged higher on Friday as traders await cues from a meeting that could take place as soon as this weekend where major oil producers will discuss whether to extend record production cuts.
Brent crude futures were up 20 cents, or 0.5%, at $40.19 a barrel as of 0419 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 8 cents, or 0.2%, to $37.49 a barrel, as reported by Reuters.
Brent has risen about 14% this week, while WTI is up nearly 6%, leaving benchmarks on track for a sixth week of gains. The surge was triggered by the output cuts amid signs of improving fuel demand as countries begin to ease lockdowns they had imposed to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
Видео дня
Read alsoU.S. senators to back expanding Nord Stream 2 sanctions to insurers – media
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies led by Russia, a grouping known as OPEC+, will meet on Saturday to discuss extending output cuts, Algeria's Ennahar TV channel reported on Friday, citing an OPEC source.
Three OPEC+ sources said earlier a ministerial videoconference could be held this week, should Iraq and others agree to boost their adherence to existing supply cuts.
Saudi Arabia and Russia, two of the world's biggest oil producers, want to extend output cuts of 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) into July.
The OPEC+ meeting had been expected to take place on June 4, but was delayed amid talk about poor compliance with commitments to cut supply by some producers.
If OPEC+ fails to agree to roll over the current output curbs, that would mean the cut could drop back to 7.7 million bpd from July through December as previously agreed.


unian--2020-06-05--Radio Farda: Iran admits proposing separate settlement to Ukraine on downed plane

The Ukrainian government has consistently rejected a separate deal with Iran and says its position has not changed .
In a statement issued on Thursday , the Embassy of the Islamic Republic in Ukraine for the first time admitted that Iran has proposed a settlement to close the case of the country 's Flight PS752 which Iran 's Revolutionary Guard downed in January .
The statement says Iran is willing to resolve the issues related to the incident and `` therefore , underlines that it is necessary [ Ukraine ] expedites its response to the proposal officially submitted to Kyiv @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports .
The Ukrainian passenger plane was hit by two missiles shortly after taking off from Tehran 's Imam Khomeini International Airport on January 8 .
All 176 passengers and crew members onboard were killed in the crash .
It took Iranian authorities three days to finally admit that the Revolutionary Guard was responsible for firing the missiles at the plane .
Yevhen Yenin , Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine who is in charge of the case of the crash dossier , met with the Iranian Ambassador Manouchehr Moradi on Tuesday to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radio Farda that Iran 's proposed MoU subjects the deciphering of the flight recorders to conditions but Ukraine has repeatedly announced that such no conditions are acceptable .
`` We stress that examining the contents of the flight recorders is subject to the responsibilities that Iran has accepted in the framework of Montreal and Chicago conventions .
They must submit the flight recorders to a country that can decode them if they are not able to do so themselves , Yenin added .
Read alsoIran pushing Ukraine not to take action for downed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ukraine demands a guarantee of implementation of international laws , explanation of the real cause of the incident -- whether human error or other reasons -- and punishment of those responsible for the incident .
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry official in charge of the case also said Ukraine wants technical and criminal investigations to be conducted alongside the legal proceedings for which decoding the flight recorders is only one of the required steps .
Radio Farda disclosed the content of the proposal on April 14 on the basis of interviews with Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) , contained a vague promise of compensation in return for Ukraine abandoning any further claims against Iran .
Radio Farda 's sources said that the proposed MoU appeared to oblige Ukraine and the families of victims of flight 752 to waive their right to pursue the matter any further through courts and accept `` human error '' as the cause of the crash .
Commenting on the proposal , a Ukrainian aviation law expert told Radio Farda that Iran 's aim was probably to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims in the plane disaster .
The Ukrainian government has consistently rejected a separate deal with Iran and says its position has not changed .

The Ukrainian government has consistently rejected a separate deal with Iran and says its position has not changed.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic in Ukraine for the first time admitted that Iran has proposed a settlement to close the case of the country's Flight PS752 which Iran's Revolutionary Guard downed in January.
The statement says Iran is willing to resolve the issues related to the incident and "therefore, underlines that it is necessary [Ukraine] expedites its response to the proposal officially submitted to Kyiv three months ago", Radio Farda reports.
The Ukrainian passenger plane was hit by two missiles shortly after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport on January 8. All 176 passengers and crew members onboard were killed in the crash. It took Iranian authorities three days to finally admit that the Revolutionary Guard was responsible for firing the missiles at the plane.
Видео дня
Yevhen Enin, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine who is in charge of the case of the crash dossier, met with the Iranian Ambassador Manouchehr Moradi on Tuesday to discuss the matter. On Thursday he told Radio Farda that Iran's proposed MoU subjects the deciphering of the flight recorders to conditions but Ukraine has repeatedly announced that such no conditions are acceptable.
"We stress that examining the contents of the flight recorders is subject to the responsibilities that Iran has accepted in the framework of Montreal and Chicago conventions. They must submit the flight recorders to a country that can decode them if they are not able to do so themselves, Enin added.
Read alsoIran pushing Ukraine not to take action for downed plane – Radio Farda
According to Enin, Ukraine demands a guarantee of implementation of international laws, explanation of the real cause of the incident -- whether human error or other reasons -- and punishment of those responsible for the incident.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry official in charge of the case also said Ukraine wants technical and criminal investigations to be conducted alongside the legal proceedings for which decoding the flight recorders is only one of the required steps.
Radio Farda disclosed the content of the proposal on April 14 on the basis of interviews with Ukrainian informed sources who had seen the proposal. The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), contained a vague promise of compensation in return for Ukraine abandoning any further claims against Iran.
Radio Farda's sources said that the proposed MoU appeared to oblige Ukraine and the families of victims of flight 752 to waive their right to pursue the matter any further through courts and accept "human error" as the cause of the crash.
Commenting on the proposal, a Ukrainian aviation law expert told Radio Farda that Iran's aim was probably to separate Ukraine from the other countries with victims in the plane disaster.
The Ukrainian government has consistently rejected a separate deal with Iran and says its position has not changed.


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine world's second-largest exporter of organic produce to EU

In 2019 , the EU imported 3.24 million tonnes of organic products , of which more than 10 % was delivered from Ukraine .
Ukraine in 2019 was the top exporter in Europe and second-largest exporter worldwide of organic products to the European Union , rising two positions against last year .
That 's according to the press service of the Ministry for Development of Economy , Trade and Agriculture , citing the European Commission 's annual report .
`` The growing demand of European consumers for Ukrainian organic products testifies to its high quality and competitiveness .
Ukraine 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products demonstrates the active development of the industry , which is a priority in the ministry 's agricultural policy , '' the press service of the ministry quotes Taras Kachka , Ukraine 's Trade Representative , as saying .
In 2019 , the EU imported 3.24 million tonnes of organic agricultural and food products , of which more than 10 % was delivered from Ukraine .
Read alsoAgri-exports from Ukraine up 2 % in Jan-May Ukrainian exports to the EU increased by 27 % , to 337,856 tonnes ( against 265,817 tonnes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU exports from Ukraine grain ( except rice and wheat , 76.9 % of cereals are of Ukrainian origin ) , wheat ( 31.8 % from Ukraine ) , oilseeds ( except soy , 18.2 % , Ukraine is runner-up after Turkey ) , soybeans ( 4th place with 13 % of soybean imports from Ukraine ) , and fruit ( 11 % , 3rd place ) .
Also , Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of oilcake , fruit juices , and vegetables , which are key export products , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ukraine in 2019 exported goods worth $ 50 billion , with the European Union being the country 's largest trading partner .

Ukraine world's second-largest exporter of organic produce to EU
23:20, 05.06.20 2043
In 2019, the EU imported 3.24 million tonnes of organic products, of which more than 10% was delivered from Ukraine.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine's foreign reserves stand at USD 25.4 bln

Foreign reserves now cover 4.4 months of future imports – sufficient for Ukraine to meet its commitments , and for the government and the NBU to make their current transactions .
Ukraine 's international reserves stood at USD 25.3718 billion ( in the equivalent ) as of June 1 , 2020 , according to early data reported by the National Bank of Ukraine .
In May , international reserves declined by 1.3 % , but are close to where they started the year , the central bank reported .
The decrease in international reserves over the past month was primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of this year 's public debt .
The NBU also reported on drivers that determined how international reserves changed during the month .
Among them are government transactions to repay public debt .
Ukraine paid a total USD 1,476.1 million ( in the equivalent ) to service and repay its public and publicly guaranteed forex debt .
That includes $ 1,009.2 million in Eurobond repayments , $ 337.7 million in repayments on forex domestic government debt securities , and $ 60 million to repay the debt to the IMF .
The remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international creditors .
These international reserve outflows were partially offset by $ 418.8 million in new proceeds , including from the placement of $ 368.8 million of forex domestic government debt securities , the NBU said .
Also , there were NBU ’ s transactions in the forex interbank market .
The supply of foreign currency from businesses continued to surpass demand , enabling the NBU to buy back excess foreign currency and to replenish international reserves .
In May , the NBU bought a total of $ 660.6 million and made no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's the revaluation of financial instruments ( due to changes in their market value and exchange rate fluctuations ) .
These instruments gained an equivalent of $ 73.4 million in value last month .
Foreign reserves now cover 4.4 months of future imports – sufficient for Ukraine to meet its commitments , and for the government and the NBU to make their current transactions .

Ukraine's foreign reserves stand at USD 25.4 bln
22:40, 05.06.20 1569
Foreign reserves now cover 4.4 months of future imports – sufficient for Ukraine to meet its commitments, and for the government and the NBU to make their current transactions.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-06-05--Foreign Minister elaborates on relaunch of international flights

Ukraine plans to relaunch international flights from June 15 , minister says .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Ukraine plans to resume regular international passenger flights in July-August 2020 .
`` We plan to relaunch international flights from June 15 .
Of course , we can reopen them , but the main thing is that our partners are to do the same as well .
Therefore , we are currently negotiating with other countries so that they reopen [ air traffic ] for us , so that our planes could fly regularly , '' he said at a morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on June 5 .
Read alsoZelensky offers to grant visa-free travel to citizens of China , some other countries '' We have already talked to Turkey , which , on principle , is ready to receive Ukrainian tourists .
Moreover , I talked to my Turkish counterpart about the ways to ensure ultimate safety measures for Ukrainians , in terms of coronavirus .
Also , we 're in talks with Greece , Spain ... that is , with the countries that are most popular among Ukrainians , '' he added .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains quite complicated .
`` They planned to reopen for their neighbors , namely France and Portugal .
But the pandemic situation is not that simple there , so they postponed the reopening , '' the minister added .
`` In general , we assume that in the second half of June , countries will be taking decisions on when and on what terms to relaunch [ air services ] .
Therefore , we expect gradual resumption of flights within July-August , '' the minister added .

Ukraine plans to relaunch international flights from June 15, minister says.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Ukraine plans to resume regular international passenger flights in July-August 2020.
"We plan to relaunch international flights from June 15. Of course, we can reopen them, but the main thing is that our partners are to do the same as well. Therefore, we are currently negotiating with other countries so that they reopen [air traffic] for us, so that our planes could fly regularly," he said at a morning TV show "Snidanok z 1+1" on June 5.
Read alsoZelensky offers to grant visa-free travel to citizens of China, some other countries
Видео дня
"We have already talked to Turkey, which, on principle, is ready to receive Ukrainian tourists. Moreover, I talked to my Turkish counterpart about the ways to ensure ultimate safety measures for Ukrainians, in terms of coronavirus. Also, we're in talks with Greece, Spain ... that is, with the countries that are most popular among Ukrainians," he added.
At the same time, the situation in Spain remains quite complicated.
"They planned to reopen for their neighbors, namely France and Portugal. But the pandemic situation is not that simple there, so they postponed the reopening," the minister added.
"In general, we assume that in the second half of June, countries will be taking decisions on when and on what terms to relaunch [air services]. Therefore, we expect gradual resumption of flights within July-August," the minister added.


unian--2020-06-05--President Zelensky speaks for legalization of private military companies

Neither of the two draft laws on the issue have yet been submitted to Parliament .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky @ @ @ @ @ involved in the preparation of legislation that would legalize private military companies in Ukraine .
@ @ @ @ @ at the first meeting of the Advisory Council for the affairs of war veterans and @ @ @ @ @ the President 's Office reports .
The Advisory Council could help develop a balanced bill @ @ @ @ @ There are two draft laws on a private army , none of which have been @ @ @ @ @ of them provides no restrictions .
This is a bill that could allow some business @ @ @ @ @ a private army for itself .
And this would be very dangerous , '' he @ @ @ @ @ , the Verkhovna Rada should put forward `` priority legislative developments '' as soon as @ @ @ @ @ time to adopt them by the close of the current session .

Neither of the two draft laws on the issue have yet been submitted to Parliament.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says war veterans should be involved in the preparation of legislation that would legalize private military companies in Ukraine.
The issue was brought up at the first meeting of the Advisory Council for the affairs of war veterans and families of Ukraine defenders, the President's Office reports.
The Advisory Council could help develop a balanced bill on the issue.
Видео дня
"There are two draft laws on a private army, none of which have been submitted to parliament. One of them provides no restrictions. This is a bill that could allow some business group to officially set up a private army for itself. And this would be very dangerous," he said.
Read alsoSBU refutes fake report on "Ukrainian PMC" operating in Syria
According to him, the Verkhovna Rada should put forward "priority legislative developments" as soon as possible so that legislators had time to adopt them by the close of the current session.


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine, Hungary move to settle differences over minority legislation

Meanwhile , Hungary 's political leaders seem oblivious to the risk that their tactics in NATO may set a precedent whereby other member countries would inject parochial issues into the Alliance unrelated to its mandate and missions .
Kyiv and Budapest have initiated an effort to resolve their differences over the impact of Ukrainian language and education laws on the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine 's Zakarpattia region .
Budapest 's position is based on a sui generis conception of Hungarian national community entitlements in Zakarpattia .
Versions of that conception also apply to Hungary 's kin communities in other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since late 2017 , has been blocking NATO-Ukraine meetings at the presidential , ministerial and flag-officer levels , jeopardizing NATO-Ukraine cooperation programs amidst the Russia-Ukraine war , the Jamestown Foundation reports .
To generate pressure on Ukraine to fall into line with that conception , Budapest seeks , in effect , to misuse NATO and divert it from its purposes ( not overly ambitious in the first place ) regarding Ukraine .
Hungary 's political leaders seem oblivious to the risk that their tactics may set a precedent whereby other NATO member countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrelated to its mandate and missions .
For its part , the North Atlantic Alliance collectively takes the position that this dispute is only for Hungary and Ukraine to settle bilaterally .
Yet , NATO 's consensus-based decision-making has left the Alliance with no choice but to accept Budapest 's veto against senior-level meetings with Ukraine .
The controversy can also complicate Ukraine 's position in the context of the European Union .
As an EU-aspirant country , Ukraine must in its own interest accept Brussels ' assessments of Ukrainian domestic legislation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Venice Commission , would be loath to side with one EU member country against another member country , but might deem unproblematic politically to go along with an EU country 's perspective against that of a non-member .
Furthermore , current notions of multiculturalism in Western Europe may complicate the understanding of Ukraine 's nation- and state-building tasks .
As a latecomer to statehood , Ukraine must of necessity focus on the national language and education , as was the case everywhere in Europe earlier , during the state-building phase .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stalemate at NATO , Hungary can not be comfortable with that stalemate either , as initial Hungarian objectives remain unfulfilled .
Meanwhile , Budapest interprets the political changes in Ukraine as having brought to power a `` less nationalistic '' president and parliamentary majority .
Consequently , Budapest sees an opportunity to secure certain entitlements for the Hungarian national community on school education , language use and , possibly , the legalization of dual citizenship in Ukraine .
The Hungarian government proposes to attain these objectives by agreement between Kyiv on one side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the other side .
Both Kyiv and Budapest now seem to envisage possibilities for normalizing relations on two tracks : Ukrainian accommodation of some Hungarian national minority grievances , in correlation with Budapest 's support for economic and infrastructure programs in Ukraine 's Hungarian-inhabited Zakarpattia districts .
The linkage is implicit but fairly apparent on both sides .
Hungary 's complaints have centered on three Ukrainian legislative acts : on education , on ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language , and on secondary-level education .
The Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in close succession in the last ten months .
The current government will be taking the Venice Commission ’ s recommendations under serious consideration .

Meanwhile, Hungary's political leaders seem oblivious to the risk that their tactics in NATO may set a precedent whereby other member countries would inject parochial issues into the Alliance unrelated to its mandate and missions.
Kyiv and Budapest have initiated an effort to resolve their differences over the impact of Ukrainian language and education laws on the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine's Zakarpattia region.
Budapest's position is based on a sui generis conception of Hungarian national community entitlements in Zakarpattia. Versions of that conception also apply to Hungary's kin communities in other neighboring countries. Budapest, however, since late 2017, has been blocking NATO-Ukraine meetings at the presidential, ministerial and flag-officer levels, jeopardizing NATO-Ukraine cooperation programs amidst the Russia-Ukraine war, the Jamestown Foundation reports.
To generate pressure on Ukraine to fall into line with that conception, Budapest seeks, in effect, to misuse NATO and divert it from its purposes (not overly ambitious in the first place) regarding Ukraine. Hungary's political leaders seem oblivious to the risk that their tactics may set a precedent whereby other NATO member countries would inject parochial issues into the Alliance unrelated to its mandate and missions. For its part, the North Atlantic Alliance collectively takes the position that this dispute is only for Hungary and Ukraine to settle bilaterally. Yet, NATO's consensus-based decision-making has left the Alliance with no choice but to accept Budapest's veto against senior-level meetings with Ukraine.
Видео дня
Read alsoUkraine, Hungary seek to overcome impasse over language law impeding NATO initiatives – media
The controversy can also complicate Ukraine's position in the context of the European Union. As an EU-aspirant country, Ukraine must in its own interest accept Brussels' assessments of Ukrainian domestic legislation and policies. EU institutions, among them the Venice Commission, would be loath to side with one EU member country against another member country, but might deem unproblematic politically to go along with an EU country's perspective against that of a non-member. Furthermore, current notions of multiculturalism in Western Europe may complicate the understanding of Ukraine's nation- and state-building tasks. As a latecomer to statehood, Ukraine must of necessity focus on the national language and education, as was the case everywhere in Europe earlier, during the state-building phase.
While Ukraine is keen to overcome the two-and-a-half-year-old stalemate at NATO, Hungary cannot be comfortable with that stalemate either, as initial Hungarian objectives remain unfulfilled. Meanwhile, Budapest interprets the political changes in Ukraine as having brought to power a "less nationalistic" president and parliamentary majority. Consequently, Budapest sees an opportunity to secure certain entitlements for the Hungarian national community on school education, language use and, possibly, the legalization of dual citizenship in Ukraine. The Hungarian government proposes to attain these objectives by agreement between Kyiv on one side and the Zakarpattia Hungarian representatives and Budapest on the other side.
Both Kyiv and Budapest now seem to envisage possibilities for normalizing relations on two tracks: Ukrainian accommodation of some Hungarian national minority grievances, in correlation with Budapest's support for economic and infrastructure programs in Ukraine's Hungarian-inhabited Zakarpattia districts. The linkage is implicit but fairly apparent on both sides.
Hungary's complaints have centered on three Ukrainian legislative acts: on education, on ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language, and on secondary-level education.
The Ukrainian government has changed three ministers of education in close succession in the last ten months. The current government will be taking the Venice Commission’s recommendations under serious consideration.


unian--2020-06-05--"Returning" to G7: Why Russia remains an outcast

In recent days , the issue came up on top international agenda of the alleged prospects for Russia 's return to the Group of Seven ( G7 ) , a club of seven major powers , which includes the USA , Japan , Germany , UK , France , Canada , and Italy .
Rumors of yet another international conspiracy started circulating in media space , with more and more elaborate details building up and presented by some as an almost accomplished fact .
This hype resembles the notorious fake news about the alleged `` exchange of Crimea for Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various online platforms following the U.S. presidential elections of 2016 .
Meanwhile , German Chancellor Angela Merkel turned down U.S. President Donald Trump 's invitation to attend the G7 summit in person ( the report came May 29 ) .
With reference to an official representative of the German government , it was noted that Merkel `` can not agree to personal participation '' in the G7 summit and neither can she take a trip to Washington , `` given the general situation with the pandemic . ''
This message spiced up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topic to the top news segment .
However , a thorough analysis of various media reports suggests that on Saturday , May 30 , U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to postpone the G7 summit to later this year , around the fall ( that 's if it 's held , at all , given the coronavirus uncertainty ) and to invite another four leaders to attend : those of Russia , South Korea , Australia , and India .
Even the Russian President 's website said that , during a conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump on June 1 , the two discussed Trump 's `` idea of holding a G7 summit with the possible invitation of the leaders of Russia , Australia , India and the Republic of Korea . ''
As it later turned out , international media did n't fully grasp the issue , constantly confusing the `` invitation to an event of the G7 member states '' with the `` return of the Russian Federation to the G7 '' .
For example , The New York Times said that while talking to reporters onboard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the U.S. president said that he planned to invite Russia , adding that the president sought to discuss the future of China .
Unfortunately , Ukrainian-language media also jumped on the hype train , obviously , having confused the phrase from the Reuters report dated June 1 on Trump 's plans to `` expand the list of invitees '' for `` expand the Group of Seven '' to the G8 at the expense of Russia .
Perhaps , some Russian media contributed to this confusion .
The Moscow Times wrote precisely that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to include Russia in an expanded G7 summit '' .
At the same time , the position of Canada , the country truly friendly to Ukraine , has remained unhindered , as always .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday , June 1 , said : `` Russia was excluded from the G7 after it invaded Crimea a number of years ago , and its continued disrespect and flaunting of international rules and norms is why it remains outside of the G7 , and it will continue to remain out . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ any moves to bring Russia back to the G7 , where all important decisions are taken by a consensus , are off the table .
However , the presiding country ( this year it 's the United States ) may , according to tradition , invite other countries to attend the summit , at its discretion .
For example , in 2019 , the French Presidency of G7 , unexpectedly for many , invited the Iranian foreign minister .
So , it is quite possible that Russia will receive an invitation to attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it 's held this year at all Oleh Belokolos is Chairman of the Board at the Maidan of Foreign Affairs Foundation

In recent days, the issue came up on top international agenda of the alleged prospects for Russia's return to the Group of Seven (G7), a club of seven major powers, which includes the USA, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Canada, and Italy.
Rumors of yet another international conspiracy started circulating in media space, with more and more elaborate details building up and presented by some as an almost accomplished fact.
This hype resembles the notorious fake news about the alleged "exchange of Crimea for Syria", which were actively discussed on various online platforms following the U.S. presidential elections of 2016.
Видео дня
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel turned down U.S. President Donald Trump's invitation to attend the G7 summit in person (the report came May 29). With reference to an official representative of the German government, it was noted that Merkel "cannot agree to personal participation" in the G7 summit and neither can she take a trip to Washington, "given the general situation with the pandemic." This message spiced up the whole story even more, bringing the topic to the top news segment.
However, a thorough analysis of various media reports suggests that on Saturday, May 30, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to postpone the G7 summit to later this year, around the fall (that's if it's held, at all, given the coronavirus uncertainty) and to invite another four leaders to attend: those of Russia, South Korea, Australia, and India.
International media didn't fully grasp the issue, constantly confusing the "invitation to an event of the G7 member states" with the "return of the Russian Federation to the G7"
Even the Russian President's website said that, during a conversation between Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump on June 1, the two discussed Trump's "idea of holding a G7 summit with the possible invitation of the leaders of Russia, Australia, India and the Republic of Korea."
As it later turned out, international media didn't fully grasp the issue, constantly confusing the "invitation to an event of the G7 member states" with the "return of the Russian Federation to the G7".
For example, The New York Times said that while talking to reporters onboard the Air Force One on May 30, the U.S. president said that he planned to invite Russia, adding that the president sought to discuss the future of China.
Unfortunately, Ukrainian-language media also jumped on the hype train, obviously, having confused the phrase from the Reuters report dated June 1 on Trump's plans to "expand the list of invitees" for "expand the Group of Seven" to the G8 at the expense of Russia.
Perhaps, some Russian media contributed to this confusion. The Moscow Times wrote precisely that the U.S. president "proposed his plan to include Russia in an expanded G7 summit".
At the same time, the position of Canada, the country truly friendly to Ukraine, has remained unhindered, as always. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, June 1, said: "Russia was excluded from the G7 after it invaded Crimea a number of years ago, and its continued disrespect and flaunting of international rules and norms is why it remains outside of the G7, and it will continue to remain out."
It is quite possible that Russia will receive an invitation to attend the summit this fall – that's if it's held this year at all
So, as we can understand, any moves to bring Russia back to the G7, where all important decisions are taken by a consensus, are off the table. However, the presiding country (this year it's the United States) may, according to tradition, invite other countries to attend the summit, at its discretion.
For example, in 2019, the French Presidency of G7, unexpectedly for many, invited the Iranian foreign minister.
So, it is quite possible that Russia will receive an invitation to attend the summit this fall – that's if it's held this year at all
Oleh Belokolos is Chairman of the Board at the Maidan of Foreign Affairs Foundation


unian--2020-06-05--Ukraine, Greece discuss travel resumption

The foreign ministers shared practices on countering the spread of COVID-19 and overcoming the consequences of the pandemic .
Ukraine and Greece are ready to resume travel between the two countries from July 1 , provided a stable epidemiological situation .
Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba held a phone conversation with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias , MFA Ukraine 's press service has told UNIAN .
In particular , Kuleba and Dendias expressed their readiness to resume travel between Ukraine and Greece from July 1 , subject to a stable epidemic situation in both countries .
The heads of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries also exchanged experiences on countering the spread of COVID-19 and overcoming the consequences of the pandemic .
In turn , Dendias invited Kuleba to pay a working visit to Greece , whenever the situation allows .
Ukraine 's top diplomat has accepted the invitation .
The parties noted the importance of the comprehensive development of mutually beneficial bilateral relations for the development of trade and investment , as well as cooperation in the cultural , humanitarian and educational fields .
At the same time , Kuleba congratulated his colleague on the Greek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Council of Europe and urged him to bring to the top agenda priority Ukrainian issues .
In response , Dendias assured that Greece has always supported Ukraine 's European integration aspirations .
The Foreign Ministry also reported that in 2019 the volume of trade between Ukraine and the Hellenic Republic amounted to $ 586 million ( +10 % ) .

Ukraine, Greece discuss travel resumption
19:20, 05.06.20 2188
The foreign ministers shared practices on countering the spread of COVID-19 and overcoming the consequences of the pandemic.
Помогите проекту
Support us