unian--2020-12-04--Rada reinstates criminal liability for inaccurate declaration of assets by officials

The new legislation reverses the recent controversial move by the Constititional Court to repeal criminal punishment for the said offense , which drew wide criticism in Ukraine and among foreign partners .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , has passed the Law `` On amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine regarding the establishment of responsibility for declaring false information and failure to submit a declaration by a person authorized to perform the functions of the state or local government '' ( No .
4460-d ) .
Some 289 MPs out of 322 registered in the session hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by technical and legal editing , an UNIAN correspondent reports .
The bill supplements the Criminal Code of Ukraine with Article 366-2 `` Declaring inaccurate information . ''
The article lays down liability for public servants for deliberately filing inaccurate information if the gap from the actual volume of assets ranges from 500 to 4,000 subsistence minimums for able-bodied persons .
Read alsoZelensky , Venice Commission chief talk ways to resolve CCU crisisFines shall be introduced for the relevant violations in the amount of 2,500 to 3,000 tax-free subsistence minimums ( from UAH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,500-1,800 ) ) , public works for a period of 150 to 240 hours , and a ban on certain public positions or engaging in certain activity for up to three years .
Deliberate filing inaccurate information if the gap from the actual volume of assets exceeds 4,000 subsistence minimums for able-bodied persons is punished with a fine from 3,000 to 5,000 tax-free subsistence minimums ( from UAH 51,000 to UAH 85,000 ( US $ 1,500-3,000 ) ) , public works for a period of 150 to 240 hours , or imprisonment for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on certain public positions or engaging in certain activity for up to three years .
Also , the Criminal Code is supplemented by Article 366-3 punishing officials for the failure to file asset declarations .
According to its provisions , deliberate failure by a person authorized to perform government functions to file the declaration of income is punishable with a fine from 2,500 to 3,000 tax-free subsistence minimums ( from UAH 42,500 to UAH 51,000 ( US $ 1,500-1,800 ) ) , public works for a period of 150 to 240 hours , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions or engaging in certain activity for up to three years .
In particular , the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine establishes that the High Anti-Corruption Court has jurisdiction over criminal proceedings on corruption-related criminal offenses laid down in the said two articles .
Pretrial investigation of these criminal offenses shall be carried out by detectives of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine ( NABU ) .
The law also introduces amendments to the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses , as well as Law on Prevention of Corruption The new legislation comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date of its publication .
On October 27 , the Constitutional Court made a decision on a motion filed by 47 Members of Parliament , having repealed Article 366-1 of the Criminal Code , which provided for criminal liability for inaccurate declaration by government officials of their income .
The Constitutional Court also recognized the provisions of laws on the audit of officials ' e-declarations as unconstitutional and stripped the National Agency on Corruption Prevention ( NACP ) of powers to check declarations and identify conflicts of interest .
President Volodymyr Zelensky tabled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terminate the powers of all CCU judges .
The document states , in particular , that the decision of the Constitutional Court of October 27 is `` null and void '' ( such that it does not create legal consequences ) as such that was adopted by the CCU judges in conditions of a real conflict of interests . ''
Zelensky proposes the termination of the powers of CCU judges from the date when the law becomes effective , suggesting that subjects authorized to appoint new judges should immediately begin the procedure for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new members .
On November 25 , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the Venice Commission to assess the constitutional situation caused by the Constitutional Court 's October 27 decision and provide an opinion on the state of anti-corruption legislation after its adoption .
The European Union in its assessment report on Ukraine 's reform progress , said the recent decisions by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine `` have called into question the country 's achievements in the fight against corruption . ''

Rada reinstates criminal liability for inaccurate declaration of assets by officials
14:25, 04.12.20 6054
The new legislation reverses the recent controversial move by the Constititional Court to repeal criminal punishment for the said offense, which drew wide criticism in Ukraine and among foreign partners.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-04--PM vows to pay off wage arrears to coal miners in near future

PM vows to pay off wage arrears to coal miners in near future The government made appropriate decisions on the @ @ @ @ @ to be received from Ukrtransnafta and Ukrnafta .

PM vows to pay off wage arrears to coal miners in near future
14:00, 04.12.20 3393
The government made appropriate decisions on the distribution of funds that are to be received from Ukrtransnafta and Ukrnafta.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-04--Ukrainian businesses to get compensation during lockdown – Rada's decision

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

Ukrainian businesses to get compensation during lockdown – Rada's decision
13:35, 04.12.20 7093
The bill was backed by 297 MPs.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-04--Ukrainian Startup Fund allocates almost US$3 mln for domestic projects – ministry

Ukrainian Startup Fund allocates almost US$3 mln for domestic projects – ministry
13:10, 04.12.20 190
Special conditions are being created in the Diia.City virtual free economic zone toward rapid development of Ukrainian startups.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-04--FSB reports shootout on Ukraine border: one dead, two at large

Ukraine border guards say no shooting incidents were reported in the area , while further verification continues .
Russia 's FSB Federal Security Service says border guards have reportedly prevented a border breach from Ukraine , resulting in one violator being killed .
`` In the zone of responsibility of Russia 's FSB Border Directorate for Belgorod and Voronezh regions , on December 4 this year , a border unit suppressed an attempt to violate the border from Ukraine to the Russian Federation by three unidentified armed persons , '' as reported on the FSB website .
The perpetrators have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcers .
Read alsoDiamonds worth UAH 17 mln : Boryspil border guards bust smuggler ( Photo , video ) After border guards returned fire , one of the violators sustained deadly wounds , while another two persons reportedly fled to the territory of Ukraine , as per the FSB .
Press secretary of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine , Andriy Demchenko , has told UNIAN that the FSB 's statement was being verified .
So far , reports say border patrols did not record any shooting incidents at the border with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Russian side had not informed Ukrainian border guards of any incidents at the border .
`` Currently , all areas are being additionally checked , including the zone that the Russian side is talking about , '' Demchenko said .

Ukraine border guards say no shooting incidents were reported in the area, while further verification continues.
Russia's FSB Federal Security Service says border guards have reportedly prevented a border breach from Ukraine, resulting in one violator being killed.
"In the zone of responsibility of Russia's FSB Border Directorate for Belgorod and Voronezh regions, on December 4 this year, a border unit suppressed an attempt to violate the border from Ukraine to the Russian Federation by three unidentified armed persons," as reported on the FSB website.
The perpetrators have reportedly resisted arrest, firing at law enforcers.
Видео дня
Read alsoDiamonds worth UAH 17 mln: Boryspil border guards bust smuggler (Photo, video)After border guards returned fire, one of the violators sustained deadly wounds, while another two persons reportedly fled to the territory of Ukraine, as per the FSB.
Ukraine's comment on the FSB report
Press secretary of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Andriy Demchenko, has told UNIAN that the FSB's statement was being verified.
So far, reports say border patrols did not record any shooting incidents at the border with Russia.
Also, the spokesman said, the Russian side had not informed Ukrainian border guards of any incidents at the border.
"Currently, all areas are being additionally checked, including the zone that the Russian side is talking about," Demchenko said.


unian--2020-12-04--Aviation industry may rebound to half of pre-crisis volume in year – minister

Aviation industry may rebound to half of pre-crisis volume in year – minister
12:20, 04.12.20 171
That's if no other turbulence waves hit the economy, Kryklii adds.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-04--Parliament in Moldova regains jurisdiction over intelligence agency

A pro-European president-elect has described the decision as `` an attempt to usurp power '' by a pro-Russian legislature .
Moldova 's Socialist-controlled parliament on December 3 passed the bill effectively stripping President-elect Maia Sandu of control over the intelligence agency SIB and allowing lawmakers to regain jurisdiction over it .
The new legislation has been approved just weeks before Sandu is set to be sworn in , RFE/RL reported .
Sandu , who favors closer ties with the European Union , defeated the Russia-backed incumbent president Igor Dodon in the recent election , while parliament remains dominated by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority in parliament have argued that since Moldova was a parliamentary republic , control over the intelligence service should be handed to parliament .
Read alsoZelensky congratulates Sandu on victory at presidential elections in MoldovaThe bill has passed parliament despite public outcry and harsh criticism on the part of the president-elect .
Sandu has described the decision as `` an attempt to usurp power '' and undermine her presidency .
Noteworthy , during Dodon 's cadence , in June last year , the same parliament voted to transfer the control of the intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Candidate from the Action and Solidarity Party , former Prime Minister Maia Sandu won the presidential election runoff in Moldova on November 15 .
Her rival was the then-incumbent head of state , Igor Dodon .
• Maia Sandu has reaffirmed her position on supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine in relation to Crimea .
• The president-elect has also called for thw withdrawal of Russian troops from the country 's Transnistria region .

A pro-European president-elect has described the decision as "an attempt to usurp power" by a pro-Russian legislature.
Moldova's Socialist-controlled parliament on December 3 passed the bill effectively stripping President-elect Maia Sandu of control over the intelligence agency SIB and allowing lawmakers to regain jurisdiction over it.
The new legislation has been approved just weeks before Sandu is set to be sworn in, RFE/RL reported.
Sandu, who favors closer ties with the European Union, defeated the Russia-backed incumbent president Igor Dodon in the recent election, while parliament remains dominated by the pro-Moscow Socialists aligned with Dodon.
Видео дня
The majority in parliament have argued that since Moldova was a parliamentary republic, control over the intelligence service should be handed to parliament.
Read alsoZelensky congratulates Sandu on victory at presidential elections in MoldovaThe bill has passed parliament despite public outcry and harsh criticism on the part of the president-elect.
Sandu has described the decision as "an attempt to usurp power" and undermine her presidency.
Noteworthy, during Dodon's cadence, in June last year, the same parliament voted to transfer the control of the intelligence agency from parliament to president.
Moldova's Sandu: Other reports


unian--2020-12-04--Lockdown prospects: Expert tells of possible losses for economy

Lockdown prospects: Expert tells of possible losses for economy
11:30, 04.12.20 3227
Strict quarantine's blow would not be too devastating, pundit predicts.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-04--Hryvnia keeps climbing: fresh rates for Dec 4

Hryvnia keeps climbing: fresh rates for Dec 4
11:05, 04.12.20 10921
The rate against the euro is fixed at UAH 34.40 per euro.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-04--Health Ministry says not to initiate lockdown before year-end

Strict quarantine throughout the country could be imposed in early January and last for three weeks .
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has said the ministry has no plans to propose that a full lockdown be introduced before the end of this year .
Strict quarantine with maximum curbs should be imposed for three weeks starting early January , Stepanov told a Kyiv briefing on Friday , December 4 , an UNIAN correspondent reports .
Read alsoUkraine may step up quarantine curbs in early January – media '' We , as the Health Ministry , will not recommend introducing lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see a steady growth of new coronavirus cases without sharp leaps .
And we can say that our healthcare system will fully withstand the load that 's being observed , '' the minister said .
Due to the fact that the ascertainment and hospitalization rates still remain at a high level , the ministry sees the need to `` bring down the wave of the COVID-19 spread and bring it to the lowest possible figures . ''
`` Based on healthcare and anti-epidemic indicators , we will offer that the government impose a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first days of January .
We believe such quarantine should last for three weeks to yield maximum effect , '' the minister said .
On December 2 , Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said his government would not extend the weekend quarantine .
At the same time , the Cabinet of Ministers , Ukraine 's government , is working on the most balanced solution to the possible strengthening of quarantine curbs .
Under the law , the government shall announce its decision at least seven days in advance .

Strict quarantine throughout the country could be imposed in early January and last for three weeks.
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has said the ministry has no plans to propose that a full lockdown be introduced before the end of this year.
Strict quarantine with maximum curbs should be imposed for three weeks starting early January, Stepanov told a Kyiv briefing on Friday, December 4, an UNIAN correspondent reports.
Read alsoUkraine may step up quarantine curbs in early January – media"We, as the Health Ministry, will not recommend introducing lockdown before the end of December since we see a steady growth of new coronavirus cases without sharp leaps. And we can say that our healthcare system will fully withstand the load that's being observed," the minister said.
Видео дня
Due to the fact that the ascertainment and hospitalization rates still remain at a high level, the ministry sees the need to "bring down the wave of the COVID-19 spread and bring it to the lowest possible figures."
"Based on healthcare and anti-epidemic indicators, we will offer that the government impose a strict quarantine with maximum restrictions starting from the first days of January. We believe such quarantine should last for three weeks to yield maximum effect," the minister said.
Lockdown in Ukraine: Recent developments


unian--2020-12-04--Brussels postponing EU-Ukraine Association Council meeting – DW source

The previous plan was to hold the meeting via video conference , but in this case , it would be deemed informal .
The European Union has reportedly decided to postpone the annual meeting of the Ukraine-EU Association Council , according to a source in Brussels .
It was supposed to be held via videoconference on December 8 , Deutsche Welle reports .
The EU officials are willing to meet in person rather than by conference , the source said , explaining the reason behind the postponement .
Read alsoSomeone is rocking the `` separatism boat '' in Zakarpattia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coronavirus restrictions .
A virtual meeting would be deemed informal because in the EU any formal meetings at the political level shall only be held physically .
And only at actual meetings would it be possible to pass decisions At the Association Council , the EU is represented by the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy , while Ukraine 's government – by Prime Minister .
On December 1 , the European Commission and the EU External Service released a report that assessed the reform progress in Ukraine .
The latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , it said , `` called into question '' Ukraine 's achievements in the fight against corruption , and confirmed the vital importance of a `` robust judicial reform . ''
• EU calls on Ukraine to restore e-declaration of assets , work of anti-graft bodies

The previous plan was to hold the meeting via video conference, but in this case, it would be deemed informal.
The European Union has reportedly decided to postpone the annual meeting of the Ukraine-EU Association Council, according to a source in Brussels.
It was supposed to be held via videoconference on December 8, Deutsche Welle reports.
The EU officials are willing to meet in person rather than by conference, the source said, explaining the reason behind the postponement.
Видео дня
Read alsoSomeone is rocking the "separatism boat" in Zakarpattia, againThe videoconference format was initially planned due to coronavirus restrictions.
A virtual meeting would be deemed informal because in the EU any formal meetings at the political level shall only be held physically.
And only at actual meetings would it be possible to pass decisions
At the Association Council, the EU is represented by the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, while Ukraine's government – by Prime Minister.
On December 1, the European Commission and the EU External Service released a report that assessed the reform progress in Ukraine.
The latest recent decisions by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, it said, "called into question" Ukraine's achievements in the fight against corruption, and confirmed the vital importance of a "robust judicial reform."
Related coverage


unian--2020-12-04--COVID-19: Over 15,100 new active cases reported as of Dec 4

The total number of confirmed cases has reached 787,891 .
Ukraine said 15,131 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 4 , 2020 .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 787,891 as of December 4 , 2020 , according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
As many as 397,809 patients , including 13,383 in the past day , have recovered .
The death toll has hit 13,195 with 235 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours .
The government reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In total , there have been 879,607 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
In total , 74,880 tests were conducted in the country in the past day .
In particular , there were 48,028 PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) tests run , as well as 26,852 ELISA ( enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ) tests .
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv ( 1,374 ) , Dnipropetrovsk region ( 1,258 ) , Odesa region ( 1,211 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kyiv region ( 988 ) .
The overall incidence per region is as follows : • 76,750 cases in the city of Kyiv ; Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .
• Ukrainians may be vaccinated against COVID-19 by late 2021 – NSDC • Over half of Ukrainians ready to get free COVID-19 vaccine – poll • Nearly 3 % of Ukraine population has already contracted COVID-19

The total number of confirmed cases has reached 787,891.
Ukraine said 15,131 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 4, 2020.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 787,891 as of December 4, 2020, according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
As many as 397,809 patients, including 13,383 in the past day, have recovered.
Видео дня
The death toll has hit 13,195 with 235 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours.
The government reported 376,887 active cases as of December 4. In total, there have been 879,607 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
"In the past day, 15,131 people tested positive for the coronavirus, including 649 children and 681 healthcare workers. Some 1,776 new patients were hospitalized," Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Friday.
In total, 74,880 tests were conducted in the country in the past day. In particular, there were 48,028 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests run, as well as 26,852 ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests.
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv (1,374), Dnipropetrovsk region (1,258), Odesa region (1,211), Zaporizhia region (1,106), and Kyiv region (988).
The overall incidence per region is as follows:
76,750 cases in the city of Kyiv;
58,030 in Kharkiv region;
49,131 in Odesa region;
48,819 in Lviv region;
42,224 in Dnipropetrovsk region;
41,415 in Kyiv region;
38,588 in Ivano-Frankivsk region;
34,721 in Zaporizhia region;
34,710 in Chernivtsi region;
32,702 in Rivne region;
32,080 in Sumy region;
31,412 in Khmelnytsky region;
31,183 in Zhytomyr region;
29,007 in Ternopil region;
25,492 in Cherkasy region;
25,465 in Volyn region;
24,595 in Donetsk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts);
24,532 in Poltava region;
24,067 in Zakarpattia region;
20,358 in Mykolaiv region;
20,327 in Chernihiv region;
18,271 in Vinnytsia region;
11,398 in Kherson region;
6,726 in Luhansk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts); and
5,888 in Kirovohrad region.
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
Related reports


unian--2020-12-04--Donbas update: Ukraine reports nine ceasefire violations on Dec 3

No casualties were reported in the past day .
The Command of Ukraine 's Armed Forces has reported nine violations of the latest ceasefire agreement by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Thursday , December 3 .
`` In the past day , December 3 , the Russian Federation 's armed formations and its mercenaries nine times violated the ceasefire agreements , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 4 , 2020 .
Read alsoEstonia , UK , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warIn particular , the enemy fired 120mm mortars and an automatic grenade launcher near the village of Vodiane .
Also , the invaders remotely planted POM-2 anti-personnel mines four times in that area in front of Ukrainian positions .
What is more , the occupiers fired hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers near the town of Avdiyivka and the village of Shumy , as well as an under-barrel grenade launcher near the village of Opytne .
No casualties were reported in the past day .
Joint Forces did not return fire .
Since Friday midnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupation forces was recorded near Vodiane .
In particular , the enemy fired 122mm artillery systems and 120mm mortars .
The shots posed no threat to the lives and health of Ukrainian soldiers so the Joint Forces did not return fire , the JFO HQ said .
Read alsoRussia 's envoy to UN admits Donbas war not `` Ukraine 's internal conflict '' The violations of the ceasefire were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Control and Coordination ( JCCC ) of the ceasefire in Donbas .
The situation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and the OSCE ) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
• On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
Ukraine has reported more such violations over the latest period .

No casualties were reported in the past day.
The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported nine violations of the latest ceasefire agreement by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Thursday, December 3.
"In the past day, December 3, the Russian Federation's armed formations and its mercenaries nine times violated the ceasefire agreements," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 4, 2020.
Read alsoEstonia, UK, U.S. reiterate Russia active participant in Donbas warIn particular, the enemy fired 120mm mortars and an automatic grenade launcher near the village of Vodiane. Also, the invaders remotely planted POM-2 anti-personnel mines four times in that area in front of Ukrainian positions.
Видео дня
What is more, the occupiers fired hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers near the town of Avdiyivka and the village of Shumy, as well as an under-barrel grenade launcher near the village of Opytne.
No casualties were reported in the past day. Joint Forces did not return fire.
Since Friday midnight, one ceasefire violation by the Russian occupation forces was recorded near Vodiane. In particular, the enemy fired 122mm artillery systems and 120mm mortars.
The shots posed no threat to the lives and health of Ukrainian soldiers so the Joint Forces did not return fire, the JFO HQ said.
Read alsoRussia's envoy to UN admits Donbas war not "Ukraine's internal conflict"The violations of the ceasefire were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire in Donbas.
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
Donbas ceasefire: Background


unian--2020-12-04--Health ministry speaks of mass COVID-19 testing option

Ukraine has no plans to conduct mass COVID-19 testing of citizens , says Health Minister Maksym Stepanov .
The government 's strategy , he said , is to increase the number of express tests , Segodnya reports citing Ukraine 24 TV .
`` Nobody in Ukraine is preparing to introduce mass testing , or total testing .
We 're talking about our testing strategy , which is about increasing the number of express tests , '' Stepanov said , adding that the government has no intention so far to shift away from the chosen strategy .
Earlier , the Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make COVID-19 tests free .
On November 12 , Maksym Stepanov said that in three weeks , Ukrainians would not have to wait in line to take a coronavirus test , and then also have a long wait for test results to return .
Read alsoNumber of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 64.5 mlnNSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov , speaking about the possibility of general testing of the population , noted that `` we need to look into what this will bring us . ''
• Over half of Ukrainians ready to get free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Ukraine population has already contracted COVID-19 • MP : Ukraine may get accelerated access to COVID-19 vaccine with proper legislation • Over 1,300 new COVID-19 cases reported in Kyiv on Dec 3 • Ukraine reports 189 new COVID-19 cases in armed forces as of Dec 3

Stepanov has revealed the ministry's strategy.
Ukraine has no plans to conduct mass COVID-19 testing of citizens, says Health Minister Maksym Stepanov.
The government's strategy, he said, is to increase the number of express tests, Segodnya reports citing Ukraine 24 TV.
"Nobody in Ukraine is preparing to introduce mass testing, or total testing. We're talking about our testing strategy, which is about increasing the number of express tests," Stepanov said, adding that the government has no intention so far to shift away from the chosen strategy.
Earlier, the Ministry of Social Policy said it intended to make COVID-19 tests free.
On November 12, Maksym Stepanov said that in three weeks, Ukrainians would not have to wait in line to take a coronavirus test, and then also have a long wait for test results to return.
Read alsoNumber of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 64.5 mlnNSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov, speaking about the possibility of general testing of the population, noted that "we need to look into what this will bring us."
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest


unian--2020-12-04--Minister Kuleba: Inexpedient to close borders, restrict air traffic for new lockdown

The minister says a ban on foreigners ' entry into Ukraine is also not expedient .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says it is inexpedient for Ukraine to close the borders or limit air transportation services for a new possible lockdown .
`` My position as minister of foreign affairs is that it is inexpedient to close the borders or restrict air traffic now .
And the lockdown poses no threat to holidays abroad , '' Kuleba said , according to the RBC Ukraine news agency .
The minister says a ban on foreigners ' entry into Ukraine is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a final decision on quarantine-related measures will be collectively taken by the entire government .
Kuleba also explained the difference between the curbs that were introduced in the spring during the first lockdown and those that might be introduced now .
`` In the spring , there was no virus in the country yet , and the task was to block channels of its possible penetration into Ukrainian territory .
Then it made sense to close airports and ban foreigners from entering .
Now the situation is different .
The virus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all other countries .
I consider it inappropriate to impose a ban on entry , and I will defend this position during debates on [ a new ] lockdown , '' the minister said .
• According to certain media outlets , the strict quarantine may be introduced in Ukraine in December .
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 's spokesperson Yulia Mendel says there is a possibility of introducing a lockdown nationwide , but its date is still unknown .
• Members of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction explained that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on public transportation services during the lockdown since this requires the development of a system of special passes .
• On December 4 , Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said that his ministry would propose the government should introduce a planned strict quarantine with maximum restrictions for three weeks , starting from the first days of January 2021 .

The minister says a ban on foreigners' entry into Ukraine is also not expedient.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says it is inexpedient for Ukraine to close the borders or limit air transportation services for a new possible lockdown.
"My position as minister of foreign affairs is that it is inexpedient to close the borders or restrict air traffic now. And the lockdown poses no threat to holidays abroad," Kuleba said, according to the RBC Ukraine news agency.
The minister says a ban on foreigners' entry into Ukraine is not expedient either.
Видео дня
Yet, he said, a final decision on quarantine-related measures will be collectively taken by the entire government.
Read alsoZelensky: No lockdown in December
Kuleba also explained the difference between the curbs that were introduced in the spring during the first lockdown and those that might be introduced now.
"In the spring, there was no virus in the country yet, and the task was to block channels of its possible penetration into Ukrainian territory. Then it made sense to close airports and ban foreigners from entering. Now the situation is different. The virus is already inside the country, as in all other countries. I consider it inappropriate to impose a ban on entry, and I will defend this position during debates on [a new] lockdown," the minister said.
Lockdown in Ukraine: Background


unian--2020-12-04--OSCE SMM reports 116 civilian casualties in Donbas since year's start

Members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine say that 116 civilian casualties have already been recorded in Donbas since the beginning of the year .
`` The total number of civilian casualties since the beginning of 2020 stands at 116 : 21 fatalities and 95 injuries , '' the OSCE SMM said in its status report as of November 30 , 2020 .
`` For the eighteenth consecutive week , the security situation remained relatively calm following additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire that took effect on 27 July , '' it said .
`` Between 16 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceasefire violations , compared with 468 in the previous two-week period . ''
The SMM corroborated reports of 13 civilian casualties , including three fatalities due to the detonation of an explosive device , assessed as accidental , on October 30 in the town of Horlivka .
`` Seven of the 13 casualties were due to the detonation of explosive devices .
Four casualties , all injuries , occurred prior to the additional measures that took effect on 27 July , '' the report said .
The mission also reported its freedom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ground , all but three times in non-government-controlled areas . ''
• Ukraine takes tougher stand in TCG talks with Russia on Donbas – journalist

There were 21 fatalities.
Members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine say that 116 civilian casualties have already been recorded in Donbas since the beginning of the year.
"The total number of civilian casualties since the beginning of 2020 stands at 116: 21 fatalities and 95 injuries," the OSCE SMM said in its status report as of November 30, 2020.
Read alsoUkrainian soldier wounded in sniper hit
Видео дня
"For the eighteenth consecutive week, the security situation remained relatively calm following additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire that took effect on 27 July," it said. "Between 16 and 29 November, the SMM recorded 341 ceasefire violations, compared with 468 in the previous two-week period."
The SMM corroborated reports of 13 civilian casualties, including three fatalities due to the detonation of an explosive device, assessed as accidental, on October 30 in the town of Horlivka.
"Seven of the 13 casualties were due to the detonation of explosive devices. Four casualties, all injuries, occurred prior to the additional measures that took effect on 27 July," the report said.
The mission also reported its freedom of movement had been "restricted 18 times on the ground, all but three times in non-government-controlled areas."
Other related news reports


unian--2020-12-04--Speaker Razumkov says 26 lawmakers, 67 parliament workers ill with COVID-19 now

He estimates that over 150 lawmakers have been tested positive for the coronavirus .
Twenty-six Members of Parliament and 67 @ @ @ @ @ secretariat were ill with COVID-19 as of December 4 .
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada @ @ @ @ @ a TV channel , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
He estimates that more than @ @ @ @ @ positive for the coronavirus so far , but at the same time he says he @ @ @ @ @ figure .
Razumkov said he had also had COVID-19 .
`` The disease is quite @ @ @ @ @ is that it comes back .
Therefore , [ it 's a mistake ] to @ @ @ @ @ and it is over now .
No , unfortunately , even in parliament there are @ @ @ @ @ ill for the second time , '' he added .
• Ukraine said 15,131 new @ @ @ @ @ confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 4 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ of confirmed cases grew to 787,891 .

He estimates that over 150 lawmakers have been tested positive for the coronavirus.
Twenty-six Members of Parliament and 67 employees of the Verkhovna Rada secretariat were ill with COVID-19 as of December 4.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Dmytro Razumkov announced this on a TV channel, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoZelensky: No lockdown in December
Видео дня
He estimates that more than 150 lawmakers have been tested positive for the coronavirus so far, but at the same time he says he does not know the exact figure.
Razumkov said he had also had COVID-19.
"The disease is quite insidious and the main problem is that it comes back. Therefore, [it's a mistake] to say that you were ill and it is over now. No, unfortunately, even in parliament there are MPs who have already been ill for the second time," he added.
Coronavirus in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-04--Zelensky: No lockdown in December

Zelensky: No lockdown in December

President Volodymyr Zelensky says he has recommended that Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal should not introduce a lockdown in December .
@ @ @ @ @ an evening address to citizens .
He noted that during the consultations , the authorities @ @ @ @ @ cons , based on the forecasts of experts and the opinion of local government representatives @ @ @ @ @ assurances from the Health Ministry regarding the controllability of the situation in hospitals .
And @ @ @ @ @ should not declare a lockdown in December , '' Zelensky said .
At the same @ @ @ @ @ that the weekend quarantine had produced its results , citing a slowdown in the growth @ @ @ @ @

The authorities weighed all the pros and cons.
President Volodymyr Zelensky says he has recommended that Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal should not introduce a lockdown in December.
He spoke about this during an evening address to citizens.
He noted that during the consultations, the authorities weighed all the pros and cons, based on the forecasts of experts and the opinion of local government representatives.
Видео дня
Read alsoCOVID-19: Over 15,100 new active cases reported as of Dec 4
"We've received assurances from the Health Ministry regarding the controllability of the situation in hospitals. And I recommended the Prime Minister should not declare a lockdown in December," Zelensky said.
At the same time, the president noted that the weekend quarantine had produced its results, citing a slowdown in the growth of daily COVID-19 cases.
Lockdown in Ukraine: Recent developments


unian--2020-12-04--Poll: 70% of Ukrainians see COVID-19 as threat for themselves, their families

In addition , 79 % of the pollees back the idea of mass testing .
Some 70 % of Ukrainians believe COVID-19 is a real threat for themselves and their families .
`` A total of 70 % of those surveyed consider the coronavirus a real threat for themselves and their families .
Some 35 % constantly wear face masks , 63 % wear them only in crowded places ( transport , shops , markets , etc. )
.
Only 2 % neglect face masks , '' according to a survey conducted by the Rating Sociological Group .
Read alsoHealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year-end It is noted 50 % of respondents , assessing the coronavirus crisis , are more afraid of its economic consequences , while 34 % fear the disease itself more than financial difficulties .
The latter are more among senior citizens , women , and rural residents .
Also , about 40 % of the respondents believe that success in the fight against the coronavirus depends to a large extent on the president and the Health Ministry , 32 % believe it depends on Health Minister Maksym Stepanov , 17-18 % pin their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 13 % on the prime minister .
In addition , 79 % of the pollees back the idea of mass testing and the mandatory isolation of confirmed patients as a means of countering the coronavirus .
The opposite opinion has been expressed by 17 % of the respondents .
In turn , 73 % believe such measures are effective , while 19 % disagree .
The main sources from which the respondents get information about the coronavirus include national television ( especially among elderly people ) and websites ( young people ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another 25 % get information from Facebook or relatives and friends , 10-11 % each from YouTube , Instagram , radio , 8-9 % each from the press and Viber and Telegram channels ( Coronavirus-info ) , and 6 % from the Health Ministry 's official website .
The poll was conducted November 27 through December 1 via face-to-face interviews among people aged 18 and older .
Some 1,200 adult respondents were polled in all regions of Ukraine except Crimea and other Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine , namely certain districts in Donetsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ error is no more than 2.8 % .
• Ukraine said 15,131 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 4 , 2020 .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 787,891 .

In addition, 79% of the pollees back the idea of mass testing.
Some 70% of Ukrainians believe COVID-19 is a real threat for themselves and their families.
"A total of 70% of those surveyed consider the coronavirus a real threat for themselves and their families. Some 35% constantly wear face masks, 63% wear them only in crowded places (transport, shops, markets, etc.). Only 2% neglect face masks," according to a survey conducted by the Rating Sociological Group.
Read alsoHealth Ministry says not to initiate lockdown before year-end
Видео дня
It is noted 50% of respondents, assessing the coronavirus crisis, are more afraid of its economic consequences, while 34% fear the disease itself more than financial difficulties. The latter are more among senior citizens, women, and rural residents.
Also, about 40% of the respondents believe that success in the fight against the coronavirus depends to a large extent on the president and the Health Ministry, 32% believe it depends on Health Minister Maksym Stepanov, 17-18% pin their hopes on the parliament and government, and 13% on the prime minister.
In addition, 79% of the pollees back the idea of mass testing and the mandatory isolation of confirmed patients as a means of countering the coronavirus. The opposite opinion has been expressed by 17% of the respondents. In turn, 73% believe such measures are effective, while 19% disagree.
The main sources from which the respondents get information about the coronavirus include national television (especially among elderly people) and websites (young people) – 56% of all respondents each. Another 25% get information from Facebook or relatives and friends, 10-11% each from YouTube, Instagram, radio, 8-9% each from the press and Viber and Telegram channels (Coronavirus-info), and 6% from the Health Ministry's official website.
The poll was conducted November 27 through December 1 via face-to-face interviews among people aged 18 and older. Some 1,200 adult respondents were polled in all regions of Ukraine except Crimea and other Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine, namely certain districts in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The margin of error is no more than 2.8%.
Coronavirus in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-04--Rada passes bill to support individual entrepreneurs

The draft law is part of President Volodymyr Zelensky 's package of bills to help businesses if the lockdown is toughened .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , has passed Bill No.4430 to introduce tax holidays for individual entrepreneurs of the first group , as well as write off their tax debts or defer the debt payments .
The bill was backed by 305 MPs ( as a basis ) and 302 ( as a whole ) with the required minimum of 226 votes , an UNIAN correspondent reported on December 4 .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Volodymyr Zelensky 's package of bills to help businesses if lockdown is toughened .
The document envisages tax holidays for 200,000 individual entrepreneurs of the first taxation group , since they are exempt from paying single taxes and single social security taxes from December 2020 to May 2021 .
In addition , tax debt is written off if it does not exceed UAH 3,060 ( US $ 108 ) as of November 1 , 2020 .
Read alsoUkrainian businesses to get compensation during lockdown – Rada 's decisionAlso , the bill postpones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repayment of the tax debt by taxpayers ( individuals ) , including self-employed persons , if it does not exceed UAH 6,800 ( US $ 240 ) .
Head of the Financial , Tax and Customs Policy Parliamentary Committee Danylo Getmantsev says the bill stipulates writing off penalties and fines if taxpayers independently pay off their tax debts on the principal payment within a six-month period after the draft law becomes effective .
Also , the deadlines for writing off a single social security tax paid by inactive self-employed individuals have been extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zelensky submitted three bills to support businesses and workers , whose activities are subject to a ban if the curbs are stepped up nationwide .
Deputy Head of Ukraine 's Presidential Office Yuliya Kovaliv said the new package of assistance to domestic businesses in case of reintroduction of strict quarantine in Ukraine involves the allocation of UAH 12 billion or UAH 15 billion ( US $ 424 million – US $ 539 million ) by the end of the year .
On December 4 , 2020 , the Verkhovna Rada passed a presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period of quarantine restrictions through the payment of one-time financial assistance to employees and individual entrepreneurs .

The draft law is part of President Volodymyr Zelensky's package of bills to help businesses if the lockdown is toughened.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has passed Bill No.4430 to introduce tax holidays for individual entrepreneurs of the first group, as well as write off their tax debts or defer the debt payments.
The bill was backed by 305 MPs (as a basis) and 302 (as a whole) with the required minimum of 226 votes, an UNIAN correspondent reported on December 4.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says the draft law is part of President Volodymyr Zelensky's package of bills to help businesses if lockdown is toughened.
Видео дня
The document envisages tax holidays for 200,000 individual entrepreneurs of the first taxation group, since they are exempt from paying single taxes and single social security taxes from December 2020 to May 2021. In addition, tax debt is written off if it does not exceed UAH 3,060 (US$108) as of November 1, 2020.
Read alsoUkrainian businesses to get compensation during lockdown – Rada's decisionAlso, the bill postpones until December 29, 2021, the repayment of the tax debt by taxpayers (individuals), including self-employed persons, if it does not exceed UAH 6,800 (US$240).
Head of the Financial, Tax and Customs Policy Parliamentary Committee Danylo Getmantsev says the bill stipulates writing off penalties and fines if taxpayers independently pay off their tax debts on the principal payment within a six-month period after the draft law becomes effective.
Also, the deadlines for writing off a single social security tax paid by inactive self-employed individuals have been extended by three months.
Background
Earlier, President Zelensky submitted three bills to support businesses and workers, whose activities are subject to a ban if the curbs are stepped up nationwide.
Deputy Head of Ukraine's Presidential Office Yuliya Kovaliv said the new package of assistance to domestic businesses in case of reintroduction of strict quarantine in Ukraine involves the allocation of UAH 12 billion or UAH 15 billion (US$424 million – US$539 million) by the end of the year.
On December 4, 2020, the Verkhovna Rada passed a presidential bill on support for businesses for the period of quarantine restrictions through the payment of one-time financial assistance to employees and individual entrepreneurs.


unian--2020-12-05--Number of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 66 mln

The overall death toll is 1,521,598 people , while 42,484,682 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 66 million patients as of December 5 .
As many as 66,045,464 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 15:26 on December 5 , according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering ( CSSE ) at Johns Hopkins University .
Read alsoPoll : 70 % of Ukrainians see COVID-19 as threat for themselves , their familiesThe overall death toll is 1,521,598 people , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The highest death toll was recorded in the United States ( 279,008 people ) , Brazil ( 175,964 ) , India ( 139,700 ) , Mexico ( 108,863 ) , the United Kingdom ( 60,714 ) , Italy ( 58,852 ) , and France ( 54,859 ) .
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States ( 14,373,720 confirmed cases ) , India ( 9,608,211 ) , Brazil ( 6,533,968 ) , Russia ( 2,410,462 ) , France ( 2,321,703 ) , the United Kingdom ( 1,694,806 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many as 191 countries have been affected by the virus .

The overall death toll is 1,521,598 people, while 42,484,682 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 66 million patients as of December 5.
As many as 66,045,464 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 15:26 on December 5, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
Read alsoPoll: 70% of Ukrainians see COVID-19 as threat for themselves, their familiesThe overall death toll is 1,521,598 people, while 42,484,682 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
Видео дня
The highest death toll was recorded in the United States (279,008 people), Brazil (175,964), India (139,700), Mexico (108,863), the United Kingdom (60,714), Italy (58,852), and France (54,859).
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (14,373,720 confirmed cases), India (9,608,211), Brazil (6,533,968), Russia (2,410,462), France (2,321,703), the United Kingdom (1,694,806), and Italy (1,688,939).
As many as 191 countries have been affected by the virus.


unian--2020-12-05--Kyiv mayor reports over 1,500 new COVID-19 cases, 15 deaths as of Dec 5

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 78,291 .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said 1,541 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in the city in the past 24 hours as of December 5 , 2020 .
`` In the past day , another 1,541 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus , including 57 healthcare workers .
There were 15 fatalities , '' Klitschko reported via Telegram on Saturday .
According to the city mayor , 874 women aged 19 to 100 and 566 men aged 18 to 92 are among those infected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinated against COVID-19 at expense of budgetThe new cases include 44 girls aged seven to 17 years and 57 boys aged seven months to 17 years .
Klitschko said 113 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision .
He added that 523 people had recovered in the past day .
In total , 25,108 Kyiv residents have already beaten the disease .
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Dniprovsky district ( 283 ) , Darnytsky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district ( 239 ) .
The death toll in the city stands at 1,410 .
• Ukraine said 13,825 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 5 , 2020 .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 801,716 .

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 78,291.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said 1,541 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in the city in the past 24 hours as of December 5, 2020.
"In the past day, another 1,541 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus, including 57 healthcare workers. There were 15 fatalities," Klitschko reported via Telegram on Saturday.
"As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 78,291."
According to the city mayor, 874 women aged 19 to 100 and 566 men aged 18 to 92 are among those infected.
Read alsoAbout 20 mln Ukrainians to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at expense of budgetThe new cases include 44 girls aged seven to 17 years and 57 boys aged seven months to 17 years.
Klitschko said 113 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision.
He added that 523 people had recovered in the past day.
In total, 25,108 Kyiv residents have already beaten the disease.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Dniprovsky district (283), Darnytsky district (253), and Desniansky district (239).
The death toll in the city stands at 1,410.
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-05--About 20 mln Ukrainians to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at expense of budget

Ukraine expects 8 million doses in the first half of 2021 .
About 20 million Ukrainians are to be vaccinated against coronavirus at the expense of budget funds .
Health Minister Maksym Stepanov announced this on a TV talk show , according to the Segodnya media outlet .
Read alsoOver half of Ukrainians ready to get free COVID-19 vaccine – poll '' All risk groups number about 20 million people .
We think they need to get a [ COVID-19 ] vaccine and need to be vaccinated at the expense of the state budget , '' he said .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government will offer free doses to citizens at risk , i.e .
those who are 60 and older , patients suffering from chronic diseases and different groups of professionals ( healthcare workers , teachers , etc. )
.
The minister forecasts that first batches of vaccines under the COVAX facility are expected in Ukraine in the first quarter of 2021 .
`` We should receive 8 million doses as part of this initiative in the first half of 2021 .
We hope this will be the end of the first or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stepanov said .
The minister stressed that the program covers such vaccines as AstraZeneca , Moderna , and Novavax .
The vaccines are produced according to different principles , he said .
• On December 4 , the Verkhovna Rada allowed a fast-track procedure for the approval of clinical trials and state registration for vaccines or other immunobiological medications to be used to prevent the coronavirus .
• The Cabinet of Ministers has already announced that Ukraine will get accelerated access to a COVID-19 vaccine .
• According to scientists , the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown to create immunity against the virus for at least three months .

Ukraine expects 8 million doses in the first half of 2021.
About 20 million Ukrainians are to be vaccinated against coronavirus at the expense of budget funds.
Health Minister Maksym Stepanov announced this on a TV talk show, according to the Segodnya media outlet.
Read alsoOver half of Ukrainians ready to get free COVID-19 vaccine – poll
Видео дня
"All risk groups number about 20 million people. We think they need to get a [COVID-19] vaccine and need to be vaccinated at the expense of the state budget," he said.
According to him, first of all, the government will offer free doses to citizens at risk, i.e. those who are 60 and older, patients suffering from chronic diseases and different groups of professionals (healthcare workers, teachers, etc.).
The minister forecasts that first batches of vaccines under the COVAX facility are expected in Ukraine in the first quarter of 2021.
"We should receive 8 million doses as part of this initiative in the first half of 2021. We hope this will be the end of the first or the beginning of the second quarter," Stepanov said.
The minister stressed that the program covers such vaccines as AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Novavax. The vaccines are produced according to different principles, he said.
Coronavirus vaccines


unian--2020-12-05--Parliament speaker says disbanding of government not on the table

No motion regarding the prime minister 's dismissal has been tabled in parliament yet .
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , Dmytro Razumkov says the dismissal of the prime minister and the incumbent government in the near future is not being considered .
He announced this on a TV channel on Friday , an UNIAN correspondent reported .
According to him , now there are no draft resolutions in the parliament providing for dismissing ministers .
At the same time , the speaker recalled that there have been talks for a long time about the possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ministers , today there are no Verkhovna Rada resolutions as this could be initiated by the parliament , nor is there a motion regarding the prime minister yet , '' he said .
At the same time , he added that there is a draft resolution , initiated by Members of Parliament to dismiss Health Minister Maksym Stepanov .
`` But I do n't know if it could get the required number of votes… I think that today the Health Ministry can not be left without the head .
Because the challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious , '' he said .
• Yermak says possible reshuffle in President 's Office not ruled out • Ex-chief of presidential office Bohdan comments on own dismissal • Cabinet wants parliament to be authorized to dismiss NABU chief

No motion regarding the prime minister's dismissal has been tabled in parliament yet.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, Dmytro Razumkov says the dismissal of the prime minister and the incumbent government in the near future is not being considered.
He announced this on a TV channel on Friday, an UNIAN correspondent reported.
"I do not think that the question regarding the prime minister will be raised in the near future. I don't see such questions [on the table]," Razumkov said.
According to him, now there are no draft resolutions in the parliament providing for dismissing ministers. At the same time, the speaker recalled that there have been talks for a long time about the possible dismissal of certain ministers.
Read alsoMotion registered in Ukraine's parliament to dismiss health minister
"Regarding the ministers, today there are no Verkhovna Rada resolutions as this could be initiated by the parliament, nor is there a motion regarding the prime minister yet," he said.
At the same time, he added that there is a draft resolution, initiated by Members of Parliament to dismiss Health Minister Maksym Stepanov.
"But I don't know if it could get the required number of votes… I think that today the Health Ministry cannot be left without the head. Because the challenges facing the state today are more than serious," he said.
Other related news reports


unian--2020-12-05--Handziuk case: Kyiv court extends arrest of Manger and Levin

They will be remanded in custody until February 1 .
Kyiv 's Dniprovsky District Court has extended the arrest of Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manger and his accomplice Oleksiy Levin , who are accused of ordering and organizing the murder of local activist Kateryna Handziuk .
The respective motion filed by prosecutors was satisfied by judge of the court Yulia Ivanina , an UNIAN correspondent reported .
Read alsoHandziuk case : Court sentences Pavlovsky to two years in prison , one-year probation '' To extend the measure of restraint in the form of arrest of Oleksiy Levin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days – until February 1 , 2021 – without determining the amount of bail , '' the court 's ruling said .
It can be appealed to Kyiv 's Court of Appeals within seven days from the date of its announcement .
Manger and Levin will be remanded in custody until at least February 1 , 2021 .
• Kherson activist , advisor to the Mayor of Kherson and acting manager of affairs at Kherson City Council 's executive committee Kateryna Handziuk , 33 , on July 31 , 2018 , survived an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 35 % of her body and underwent 11 operations in Kyiv .
• Handziuk died on November 4 , 2018 .
The immediate cause of her death was a severed blood clot resulting from the acid attack .
• On May 7 , 2019 , the Prosecutor General 's Office sent an indictment against five defendants in the case of the murder : Mykyta Hrabchuk , Volodymyr Vasyanovych , Vyacheslav Vishnevsky , Serhiy Torbin , and Viktor Horbunov .
• On June 6 , 2019 , the court announced their sentences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder , was sentenced to six years and six months in prison .
Hrabchuk , the actual perpetrator of the crime , was sentenced to six years in prison .
Accused of aiding , Vasyanovych and Horbunov were sentenced to four and three years in prison , respectively ; accomplice Vishnevsky 's sentence is four years ' imprisonment .
• On April 27 , 2020 , the SBU Security Service of Ukraine reported it had completed its pretrial investigation into the acid attack on Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk and materials of the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per the investigation , Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manger and Oleksiy Levin , an aide to a member of the same council , are suspected of ordering the crime .
• Manger and Levin are charged with offenses under Part 3 of Article 27 , Part 2 of Article 28 , and Part 2 of Article 121 of the Criminal Code ( `` intentional grievous bodily harm in a manner bearing the nature of special torment and resulting in the death of the victim '' ) .

They will be remanded in custody until February 1.
Kyiv's Dniprovsky District Court has extended the arrest of Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manger and his accomplice Oleksiy Levin, who are accused of ordering and organizing the murder of local activist Kateryna Handziuk.
The respective motion filed by prosecutors was satisfied by judge of the court Yulia Ivanina, an UNIAN correspondent reported.
Read alsoHandziuk case: Court sentences Pavlovsky to two years in prison, one-year probation
Видео дня
"To extend the measure of restraint in the form of arrest of Oleksiy Levin and Vladyslav Manger for a period of 60 days – until February 1, 2021 – without determining the amount of bail," the court's ruling said.
It can be appealed to Kyiv's Court of Appeals within seven days from the date of its announcement.
Manger and Levin will be remanded in custody until at least February 1, 2021.
Handziuk case


unian--2020-12-05--Ukraine reports one soldier wounded by enemy sniper amid two ceasefire violations on Dec 4

The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military .
The Command of Ukraine 's Armed Forces has reported one soldier wounded by an enemy sniper amid two violations of the latest ceasefire agreement by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Friday , December 4 .
Read alsoUkrainian soldier wounded in sniper hit '' In the past day , December 4 , the Russian Federation 's armed formations and its mercenaries twice violated the ceasefire agreements reached by the Trilateral Contact Group on July 22 , 2020 , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 5 , 2020 .
In particular , the Russian occupation forces fired banned 122mm artillery and 120mm mortars at Ukrainian positions near the village of Vodiane .
One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in a sniper hit near the village of Luhanske .
He was promptly taken to a hospital , his health condition is stable .
Since Saturday midnight , one ceasefire violation by the enemy with the use of tripod-mounted man-portable antitank guns and small arms has been recorded near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no threat to the lives and health of Ukrainian soldiers so the Joint Forces did not return fire , the JFO HQ said .
The violations of the ceasefire were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Control and Coordination ( JCCC ) of the ceasefire in Donbas .
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military .
• Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and the OSCE ) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , July 27 .
• On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
Ukraine has reported more such violations over the latest period .

The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported one soldier wounded by an enemy sniper amid two violations of the latest ceasefire agreement by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Friday, December 4.
Read alsoUkrainian soldier wounded in sniper hit"In the past day, December 4, the Russian Federation's armed formations and its mercenaries twice violated the ceasefire agreements reached by the Trilateral Contact Group on July 22, 2020," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 5, 2020.
In particular, the Russian occupation forces fired banned 122mm artillery and 120mm mortars at Ukrainian positions near the village of Vodiane.
Видео дня
One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in a sniper hit near the village of Luhanske. He was promptly taken to a hospital, his health condition is stable.
Since Saturday midnight, one ceasefire violation by the enemy with the use of tripod-mounted man-portable antitank guns and small arms has been recorded near the village of Shumy.
The shots posed no threat to the lives and health of Ukrainian soldiers so the Joint Forces did not return fire, the JFO HQ said.
The violations of the ceasefire were reported to OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire in Donbas.
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
Donbas ceasefire: Background


unian--2020-12-05--COVID-19: Over 13,800 new active cases reported as of Dec 5

The total number of confirmed cases has reached 801,716 .
Ukraine said 13,825 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 5 , 2020 .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 801,716 as of December 5 , 2020 , according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
Read alsoUkraine not to buy Russian vaccine , health minister saysAs many as 412,533 patients , including 14,724 in the past day , have recovered .
The death toll has hit 13,421 with 226 fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government reported 375,762 active cases as of December 5 .
In total , there have been 894,299 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
`` In the past day , 13,825 people tested positive for the coronavirus , including 716 children and 628 healthcare workers .
Some 1,504 new patients were hospitalized , '' Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Saturday .
In total , 67,533 tests were conducted in the country in the past day .
In particular , there were 44,538 PCR ( polymerase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as 22,995 ELISA ( enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ) tests .
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv ( 1,541 ) , Dnipropetrovsk region ( 1,058 ) , Odesa region ( 1,015 ) , Zaporizhia region ( 1,001 ) , and Kyiv region ( 995 ) .
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .
• Poll : 70 % of Ukrainians see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families • Health Ministry says not to initiate lockdown before year-end • Nearly 3 % of Ukraine population has already contracted COVID-19

The total number of confirmed cases has reached 801,716.
Ukraine said 13,825 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 5, 2020.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 801,716 as of December 5, 2020, according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
Read alsoUkraine not to buy Russian vaccine, health minister saysAs many as 412,533 patients, including 14,724 in the past day, have recovered.
Видео дня
The death toll has hit 13,421 with 226 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours.
The government reported 375,762 active cases as of December 5. In total, there have been 894,299 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
"In the past day, 13,825 people tested positive for the coronavirus, including 716 children and 628 healthcare workers. Some 1,504 new patients were hospitalized," Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Saturday.
In total, 67,533 tests were conducted in the country in the past day. In particular, there were 44,538 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests run, as well as 22,995 ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests.
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv (1,541), Dnipropetrovsk region (1,058), Odesa region (1,015), Zaporizhia region (1,001), and Kyiv region (995).
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
Related reports


unian--2020-12-05--Ukraine ready to boost contributions to NATO operations – defense minister

The minister hopes for political support of NATO allies that a decision on a NATO Membership Action Plan for Ukraine be made at the next NATO summit .
Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran says Ukraine is ready to increase contributions to NATO operations and send additional personnel to the Alliance structures .
`` We 're ready to increase national contributions to NATO-led operations , as well as send additional military and civilian personnel to the Alliance structures , and start implementing practical activities to establish online information exchange , using automated systems , '' he told the official government gazette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Taran , all this should make Ukraine stronger and bring it closer to the strategic goal , that is full-fledged membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization .
`` In this context , we clearly define our ambitions to receive a NATO Membership Action Plan [ MAP ] and hope for the full political support of NATO allies that such a decision be made at the next NATO summit in 2021 , '' the minister summed up .
• NATO Allies ready to step up support to Ukraine , Georgia – Stoltenberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2023 if several conditions met – expert

The minister hopes for political support of NATO allies that a decision on a NATO Membership Action Plan for Ukraine be made at the next NATO summit.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran says Ukraine is ready to increase contributions to NATO operations and send additional personnel to the Alliance structures.
"We're ready to increase national contributions to NATO-led operations, as well as send additional military and civilian personnel to the Alliance structures, and start implementing practical activities to establish online information exchange, using automated systems," he told the official government gazette Uriadovy Kurier on December 5.
Read alsoZelensky to Johnson: Ukraine needs NATO Membership Action Plan – MFA
Видео дня
According to Taran, all this should make Ukraine stronger and bring it closer to the strategic goal, that is full-fledged membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
"In this context, we clearly define our ambitions to receive a NATO Membership Action Plan [MAP] and hope for the full political support of NATO allies that such a decision be made at the next NATO summit in 2021," the minister summed up.


unian--2020-12-05--Ukraine reports 184 new COVID-19 cases in armed forces as of Dec 5

Some 465 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 184 as of the morning of December 5 .
`` As of 10:00 Kyiv time on December 5 , some 3,168 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus .
In total , 7,878 people have recovered and 29 have died during the pandemic , '' the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were registered in the past 24 hours . ''
Read alsoHealth official elaborates on possible tough quarantine in early January ( Video ) Of those newly-infected , 26 people have been hospitalized , while another 158 are self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under doctors ' supervision .
Currently , their state of health is satisfactory .
Some 465 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 75 people .
• Ukraine said 13,825 new active COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past 24 hours as of December 5 , 2020 .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 801,716 .

Some 465 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation).
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 184 as of the morning of December 5.
"As of 10:00 Kyiv time on December 5, some 3,168 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In total, 7,878 people have recovered and 29 have died during the pandemic," the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on Saturday. "Some 184 new COVID-19 cases were registered in the past 24 hours."
Read alsoHealth official elaborates on possible tough quarantine in early January (Video)Of those newly-infected, 26 people have been hospitalized, while another 158 are self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under doctors' supervision. Currently, their state of health is satisfactory.
Видео дня
Some 465 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation). The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 75 people.
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-05--Health official elaborates on possible tough quarantine in early January

Three dates in the first months of 2021 are now being considered in this regard .
Ukraine 's Deputy Health Minister , Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko says the operation of public transportation , hotels , ski resorts , and churches may be allowed during the enhanced quarantine , which the Cabinet of Ministers can potentially introduce from early January 2021 , unlike during the previous lockdown .
He announced this at a meeting with journalists on December 5 , as reported by RFE/RL 's Ukrainian bureau on Saturday .
Read alsoZelensky : No lockdown in DecemberAccording to Liashko , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being considered in this regard .
The exact date is expected to be announced at a government meeting on Wednesday , December 9 .
The official added that churches would be open , but with epidemiological restrictions .
Grocery stores will not shut down as well .
Also , ski resorts will be open so that people have somewhere to go from cities during the lockdown .
At the same time , the government plans to completely ban the work of catering establishments ( except takeaway ) .
They also plan to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and entertainment centers .
Liashko says these are indicative limitations .
The government will finally decide on quarantine measures next week .
According to the Health Ministry 's forecast , a three-week quarantine in January will reduce the number of daily COVID-19 cases to about 6,000-8,000 .
• Ukraine may step up quarantine curbs in early January – media • Public transport not to halt during lockdown – PM Shmyhal • Minister Kuleba : Inexpedient to close borders , restrict air traffic for new lockdown

Three dates in the first months of 2021 are now being considered in this regard.
Ukraine's Deputy Health Minister, Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko says the operation of public transportation, hotels, ski resorts, and churches may be allowed during the enhanced quarantine, which the Cabinet of Ministers can potentially introduce from early January 2021, unlike during the previous lockdown.
He announced this at a meeting with journalists on December 5, as reported by RFE/RL's Ukrainian bureau on Saturday.
Read alsoZelensky: No lockdown in DecemberAccording to Liashko, three dates in early January are now being considered in this regard. The exact date is expected to be announced at a government meeting on Wednesday, December 9.
Видео дня
The official added that churches would be open, but with epidemiological restrictions. Grocery stores will not shut down as well. Also, ski resorts will be open so that people have somewhere to go from cities during the lockdown.
At the same time, the government plans to completely ban the work of catering establishments (except takeaway). They also plan to shut down schools, kindergartens, gyms, and entertainment centers.
Liashko says these are indicative limitations. The government will finally decide on quarantine measures next week. According to the Health Ministry's forecast, a three-week quarantine in January will reduce the number of daily COVID-19 cases to about 6,000-8,000.


unian--2020-12-05--Zelensky: Volunteers united all of Ukraine in 2014

The state should look up to volunteers in some respects , he believes .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says volunteers in 2014 united all of Ukraine , protecting the country from Russian aggression .
He made the comment during a visit to the Defense Ministry 's Military Medical Clinical Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in the town of Irpin , as reported by the press service of the President 's Office on December 5 .
Read alsoZelensky vows not to reduce Ukrainian army budget in 2021The head of state got acquainted with the work of the Rehabilitation Department for Patients with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with servicemen and presented them with state awards .
Zelensky inspected the Physical and Sports Rehabilitation Department , as well as the equipment used to recover the Ukrainian military after severe injuries .
Also , the president met with the center 's staff .
He stressed the crucial role of volunteers in defending Ukraine in the most difficult times .
`` I 'd like to thank all the volunteers .
I believe that at the beginning of the war in Donbas , the Ukrainian army was largely created thanks to you .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
Zelensky believes that it was the volunteers who quickly found the national idea that Ukraine has been looking for many years .
The president believes that the state should look up to volunteers in some respects .
He promised to pay attention to those issues where the government could help .

The state should look up to volunteers in some respects, he believes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says volunteers in 2014 united all of Ukraine, protecting the country from Russian aggression.
He made the comment during a visit to the Defense Ministry's Military Medical Clinical Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in the town of Irpin, as reported by the press service of the President's Office on December 5.
Read alsoZelensky vows not to reduce Ukrainian army budget in 2021The head of state got acquainted with the work of the Rehabilitation Department for Patients with Amputated Limbs and Disabilities, talked informally with servicemen and presented them with state awards.
Видео дня
Zelensky inspected the Physical and Sports Rehabilitation Department, as well as the equipment used to recover the Ukrainian military after severe injuries.
Also, the president met with the center's staff. He stressed the crucial role of volunteers in defending Ukraine in the most difficult times.
"I'd like to thank all the volunteers. I believe that at the beginning of the war in Donbas, the Ukrainian army was largely created thanks to you. The modern army that we have today," he said.
Zelensky believes that it was the volunteers who quickly found the national idea that Ukraine has been looking for many years.
"Volunteers united the whole of Ukraine with their energy and dedication in 2014, protecting it from Russian aggression," he summed up.
The president believes that the state should look up to volunteers in some respects. He promised to pay attention to those issues where the government could help.


unian--2020-12-06--Zelensky says Ukraine should focus more on developing Army

The president spoke of how grateful the nation is to Ukrainian soldiers who `` saved Ukraine from Russia 's aggression . ''
President Volodymyr Zelensky stresses the need to focus more on and invest substantial funds in developing the Armed Forces of Ukraine .
`` Today is one of our most important holidays – Armed Forces Day , '' Zelensky wrote in his address posted on Facebook .
`` First .
Each of us is able to live their ordinary lives , realize their dreams and build plans for the future solely thanks to those men and women who defend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces , '' the president noted , adding that `` it is they who ensure freedom for us . ''
Every Ukrainian should think about it today , the head of state believes .
`` Second .
It 's not a common thing to do , but I would include in the circle of those who we congratulate on this day war correspondents and our volunteers as well .
Because very few people have such a sincere admiration for the Army and such respect for the soldiers as they do .
And what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the military at the front line and after they return , '' Zelensky said .
War correspondents and volunteers `` have become an integral part '' of the Armed Forces during the war years .
`` The way nations fight wars will soon be different .
So , we must focus even more , much more on developing our Armed Forces , the entire defense system and , accordingly , public attitudes to this task .
We must invest substantial funds in this , '' the head of state said .
Artificial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms and methods of aggressive coercion , and information warfare make future threats even more serious , requiring from Ukraine to more actively pursue modernization efforts , according to the president .
`` Ukrainians are a peaceful nation .
We really want a fair end to the war in Donbas , the return of all our temporarily occupied territories and people .
Some , however , harbor illusions that once this happens , it will be possible to relax and not care about defense .
Also , we have no illusions about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Zelensky said .
`` So many of our defenders sacrificed their lives for Ukraine to survive , that none of us now has the right to allow negligence , as before , when the country 's leaders were focused on everything but the Armed Forces , '' the head of state added .
The president thanked the military for their service and congratulated them on Armed Forces Day .
• The state holiday was established by Verkhovna Rada Resolution No .
3528-XII of October 19 , 1993 .
• On December 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the laws on the Armed Forces of Ukraine and on Ukraine 's Defense .

The president spoke of how grateful the nation is to Ukrainian soldiers who "saved Ukraine from Russia's aggression."
President Volodymyr Zelensky stresses the need to focus more on and invest substantial funds in developing the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"Today is one of our most important holidays – Armed Forces Day," Zelensky wrote in his address posted on Facebook.
"First. Each of us is able to live their ordinary lives, realize their dreams and build plans for the future solely thanks to those men and women who defend our country being part of the Armed Forces," the president noted, adding that "it is they who ensure freedom for us."
Видео дня
Every Ukrainian should think about it today, the head of state believes.
"Second. It's not a common thing to do, but I would include in the circle of those who we congratulate on this day war correspondents and our volunteers as well. Because very few people have such a sincere admiration for the Army and such respect for the soldiers as they do. And what's especially valuable is their emotional support for the military at the front line and after they return," Zelensky said.
War correspondents and volunteers "have become an integral part" of the Armed Forces during the war years.
"And the third thing. Armed Forces Day is a time to not only speak about what happened and about our gratitude to our soldiers who saved Ukraine from Russia's aggression, but also about the future," said Zelensky.
"The way nations fight wars will soon be different. So, we must focus even more, much more on developing our Armed Forces, the entire defense system and, accordingly, public attitudes to this task. We must invest substantial funds in this," the head of state said.
Artificial intelligence, robots, drones, new forms and methods of aggressive coercion, and information warfare make future threats even more serious, requiring from Ukraine to more actively pursue modernization efforts, according to the president.
"Ukrainians are a peaceful nation. We really want a fair end to the war in Donbas, the return of all our temporarily occupied territories and people. Some, however, harbor illusions that once this happens, it will be possible to relax and not care about defense. Also, we have no illusions about the true intentions of the aggressor state," Zelensky said.
"So many of our defenders sacrificed their lives for Ukraine to survive, that none of us now has the right to allow negligence, as before, when the country's leaders were focused on everything but the Armed Forces," the head of state added.
The president thanked the military for their service and congratulated them on Armed Forces Day.
Memo


unian--2020-12-06--Ukraine may demand that SWIFT be switched off for Russia – chief negotiator on Donbas

The government will assess progress in talks at the end of the year .
If Russia takes no steps toward bringing peace to eastern Ukraine 's Donbas , Ukraine may push for disconnecting the aggressor state from SWIFT , a major international payment system .
That 's according to the head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas settlement , first president of independent Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk , who spoke on the air of Ukraine 24 TV .
The government will assess progress in talks at the end of the year , he explained .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be about us starting to apply a new standard for assessing the situation , searching for new levers , and putting forward proposals to exert pressure on the aggressor .
These may be sanctions , including as regards [ switching off for Russia ] the international payment system .
We will be asking and demanding this , '' Kravchuk said .
On January 9 , 2019 , the then-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin said Ukraine 's international partners were considering the possibility of disconnecting Russia from SWIFT as a last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then-U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations Kurt Volker said : `` People refer to it as a nuclear option . ''
`` It would have costs for everybody involved .
Big costs for Russia , but big costs for allies as well .
Ultimately , we have to keep it on the table as a possibility because we just ca n't continue to see Russia launch further steps of aggression in its neighborhood like this . ''
The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication ( SWIFT ) , legally S.W.I.F.T .
SCRL , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worldwide to send and receive information about financial transactions in a secure , standardized and reliable environment , as per Wikipedia .

The government will assess progress in talks at the end of the year.
If Russia takes no steps toward bringing peace to eastern Ukraine's Donbas, Ukraine may push for disconnecting the aggressor state from SWIFT, a major international payment system.
That's according to the head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas settlement, first president of independent Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk, 24 TV reports.
The government will assess progress in talks at the end of the year, he explained.
Видео дня
"The beginning of the new year will be about us starting to apply a new standard for assessing the situation, searching for new levers, and putting forward proposals to exert pressure on the aggressor. These may be sanctions, including as regards [switching off for Russia] the international payment system. We will be asking and demanding this," Kravchuk said.
"If Russia doesn't want to come to an agreement by diplomatic political means, we must do everything to force them to cease aggression and restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine through wider pressure of the international community and Ukraine," concluded Kravchuk.
Background
On January 9, 2019, the then-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin said Ukraine's international partners were considering the possibility of disconnecting Russia from SWIFT as a last resort option.
In 2018, the then-U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations Kurt Volker said: "People refer to it as a nuclear option."
"It would have costs for everybody involved. Big costs for Russia, but big costs for allies as well. Ultimately, we have to keep it on the table as a possibility because we just can't continue to see Russia launch further steps of aggression in its neighborhood like this."
Memo
The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), legally S.W.I.F.T. SCRL, provides a network that enables financial institutions worldwide to send and receive information about financial transactions in a secure, standardized and reliable environment, as per Wikipedia.