unian--2020-05-21--Ukraine's hryvnia weakens to UAH 26.59 to U.S. dollar on May 21

The official forex rate against the euro for Thursday is fixed at UAH 28.14 per euro .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) on May 20 set the official forex rate of the hryvnia for Thursday , May 21 , at UAH 26.59 to the U.S. dollar , which made the country 's national currency weaken by seven kopiykas .
Read alsoCorona crisis no obstacle to hryvnia : what to expect next Thus , the hryvnia saw its value decrease against the U.S. dollar for the first time this week .
The official forex rate against the euro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per euro – the hryvnia has lost 12 kopiykas in value since Wednesday .
By 16:00 Kyiv time on May 20 , hryvnia quotations against the dollar on the interbank forex market settled at UAH 26.66/26.68 to the dollar , while those against the euro were at UAH 29.23/29.25 .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the National Bank set the official forex rate for Wednesday , May 20 , at UAH 26.52 to the U.S. dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen by five kopiykas .
Thus , the hryvnia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sixth consecutive day .

Ukraine's hryvnia weakens to UAH 26.59 to U.S. dollar on May 21
10:15, 21.05.20 1216
The official forex rate against the euro for Thursday is fixed at UAH 28.14 per euro.
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unian--2020-05-21--Meme turning into reality: Debtors' pet dogs put up for auction sale

Earlier this year , a novice politician suggested on live TV that a retiree struggling to pay her bills sell her pet dog .
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has published on its electronic auction website SETAM bids to sell pet dogs as part of the effort to collect debts from their owners .
Earlier this year , a novice deputy with the ruling Servant of the People parliamentary faction Yevhen Brahar suggested on live television that a retiree , who complained about struggling to pay her bills due to the low pension and high utility rates , sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive outrage as Ukrainians took to social networks with their critical comments and memes with dogs .
Read alsoMangoes off menu for lonely primates , as Ukraine zoo struggles in lockdown – media The deputy later apologized but those viral memes lived on .
Today , it seems , they are becoming real .
The bids announced ahead of the May 22 auction offer a pitbull at a starting price of UAH 112.5 ( under US $ 5 ) and an Eastern European Shepherd for UAH 1,300 ( nearly $ 50 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of property arrests made in Donetsk and Khmelnystsky regions in October 2019 and March 2020 , respectively .

Earlier this year, a novice politician suggested on live TV that a retiree struggling to pay her bills sell her pet dog.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has published on its electronic auction website SETAM bids to sell pet dogs as part of the effort to collect debts from their owners.
Earlier this year, a novice deputy with the ruling Servant of the People parliamentary faction Yevhen Brahar suggested on live television that a retiree, who complained about struggling to pay her bills due to the low pension and high utility rates, sell her pet dog.
That statement caused massive outrage as Ukrainians took to social networks with their critical comments and memes with dogs.
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Read alsoMangoes off menu for lonely primates, as Ukraine zoo struggles in lockdown – media
The deputy later apologized but those viral memes lived on. Today, it seems, they are becoming real.
The bids announced ahead of the May 22 auction offer a pitbull at a starting price of UAH 112.5 (under US$5) and an Eastern European Shepherd for UAH 1,300 (nearly $50).
The dogs were confiscated from their owners as part of property arrests made in Donetsk and Khmelnystsky regions in October 2019 and March 2020, respectively.


unian--2020-05-21--Two Ukrainian soldiers wounded amid 18 enemy attacks in Donbas on May 20

According to intelligence data , one member of Russia-led forces was killed and another two were wounded on May 20 .
Russia 's hybrid military forces on May 20 mounted 18 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action .
`` The Russian Federation 's armed formations violated the ceasefire 18 times in the past day , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on May 21 .
`` As a result , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounded in enemy shelling . ''
Read alsoUkraine 's leader unveils existence of Plan B and Plan C on Donbas Russian-led forces opened fire from proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars , grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and sniper and small arms .
Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the towns of Krasnohorivka and Maryinka , and the villages of Pavlopil , Pisky , Kamianka , Starohnativka , Bohdanivka , Orikhove , Shumy , Novo-Oleksandrivka , Pivdenne , and Krymske .
The Joint Forces returned fire in response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data , one member of Russia-led forces was killed and another two were wounded on May 20 .
`` Since Thursday midnight , Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near Bohdanivka , using rifles .
One Ukrainian soldier was wounded as a result of enemy shelling , '' the update said .

According to intelligence data, one member of Russia-led forces was killed and another two were wounded on May 20.
Russia's hybrid military forces on May 20 mounted 18 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action.
"The Russian Federation's armed formations violated the ceasefire 18 times in the past day," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on May 21. "As a result, two servicemen of the Joint Forces were wounded in enemy shelling."
Read alsoUkraine's leader unveils existence of Plan B and Plan C on Donbas
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Russian-led forces opened fire from proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and sniper and small arms.
Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the towns of Krasnohorivka and Maryinka, and the villages of Pavlopil, Pisky, Kamianka, Starohnativka, Bohdanivka, Orikhove, Shumy, Novo-Oleksandrivka, Pivdenne, and Krymske.
The Joint Forces returned fire in response to each enemy attack. According to intelligence data, one member of Russia-led forces was killed and another two were wounded on May 20.
"Since Thursday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near Bohdanivka, using rifles. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded as a result of enemy shelling," the update said.


unian--2020-05-21--Reuters: Oil prices climb as U.S. stock drawdown eases supply glut fears

Brent crude futures for July delivery LCoc1 were trading up 33 cents , or 0.9 % , at $ 36.08 per barrel at 0344 GMT , rising for a second day .
Oil prices advanced on Thursday as a drawdown of U.S. crude inventories and output cuts by major producers helped ease concerns about a supply glut , though lingering fears over the global economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic capped gains .
Brent crude futures for July delivery LCoc1 were trading up 33 cents , or 0.9 % , at $ 36.08 per barrel at 0344 GMT , rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Reuters .
Read alsoReuters : Oil rises on signs of firmer demand , fall in U.S. crude stocks U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) crude futures for July CLc1 were up 20 cents , or 0.6 % , at $ 33.69 a barrel , extending its gains into a sixth straight session .
U.S. crude inventories fell by 5 million barrels last week , against expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.2 million-barrel rise , Energy Information Administration ( EIA ) data showed , while stocks at the Cushing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million barrels .
Prices have been boosted lately by shipping data showing the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries , Russia and other allies , a group known as OPEC+ , are complying with their pledge to cut 9.7 million barrels per day ( bpd ) .

Brent crude futures for July delivery LCoc1 were trading up 33 cents, or 0.9%, at $36.08 per barrel at 0344 GMT, rising for a second day.
Oil prices advanced on Thursday as a drawdown of U.S. crude inventories and output cuts by major producers helped ease concerns about a supply glut, though lingering fears over the global economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic capped gains.
Brent crude futures for July delivery LCoc1 were trading up 33 cents, or 0.9%, at $36.08 per barrel at 0344 GMT, rising for a second day, as reported by Reuters.
Read alsoReuters: Oil rises on signs of firmer demand, fall in U.S. crude stocks
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U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for July CLc1 were up 20 cents, or 0.6%, at $33.69 a barrel, extending its gains into a sixth straight session.
U.S. crude inventories fell by 5 million barrels last week, against expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.2 million-barrel rise, Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed, while stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub dropped by 5.6 million barrels.
Prices have been boosted lately by shipping data showing the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other allies, a group known as OPEC+, are complying with their pledge to cut 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd).


unian--2020-05-21--Threat remains: Zelensky urges Ukrainians not to be deceived by low COVID-19 death rate

The mortality rate stays within the range of 2.7 % -2.9 % .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the COVID-19 death rate in Ukraine , compared with other countries , should n't create a misleading impression that anti-epidemic measures could be neglected .
`` The figures prove once again that Ukraine was rescued by timely quarantine measures and a large share of people who adhered to them .
These figures must not create a deceptive impression to let people think that now the threat of coronavirus could be treated with disdain , '' he said at an intercom meeting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported by the press service of the President 's Office .
Participants discussed further compliance with safety rules in the context of the transition to the adaptive quarantine .
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal noted that quarantine had proven to be the most effective way to combat coronavirus .
This is seen not only by other countries ' spread rate , but also by the death toll , which in Sweden is estimated at 6.25 % , in UK at 5.7 % , while staying in Ukraine within the range of 2.7 % -2.9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Ukraine exceeds 19,700 on May 21 As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine would be switching to an `` adaptive quarantine '' mode from May 22 .
It foresees that curbs will be lifted gradually .
In particular , public transport and commuter services will relaunch from May 22 , kindergartens and subways will reopen from May 25 .
There were 19,706 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May 21 .
Of them , 476 cases were reported in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 579 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country .
Some 6,227 patients have recovered .

The mortality rate stays within the range of 2.7%-2.9%.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the COVID-19 death rate in Ukraine, compared with other countries, shouldn't create a misleading impression that anti-epidemic measures could be neglected.
"The figures prove once again that Ukraine was rescued by timely quarantine measures and a large share of people who adhered to them. These figures must not create a deceptive impression to let people think that now the threat of coronavirus could be treated with disdain," he said at an intercom meeting on anti-coronavirus efforts on May 21, as reported by the press service of the President's Office.
Participants discussed further compliance with safety rules in the context of the transition to the adaptive quarantine.
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Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal noted that quarantine had proven to be the most effective way to combat coronavirus. This is seen not only by other countries' spread rate, but also by the death toll, which in Sweden is estimated at 6.25%, in UK at 5.7%, while staying in Ukraine within the range of 2.7%-2.9%.
Read alsoNumber of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ukraine exceeds 19,700 on May 21
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine would be switching to an "adaptive quarantine" mode from May 22. It foresees that curbs will be lifted gradually. In particular, public transport and commuter services will relaunch from May 22, kindergartens and subways will reopen from May 25.
There were 19,706 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May 21. Of them, 476 cases were reported in the past 24 hours.
A total of 579 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country. Some 6,227 patients have recovered.


unian--2020-05-21--MFA Ukraine calls on int'l community to jointly debunk Russian propaganda myths

Neither Kremlin 's blatant propaganda operations nor the occupying power 's quasi-legal acts can change the legal status of Crimea as an inseparable part of the territory of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders or shake the international community ’ s common position to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine .
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has called on the international community to step up joint efforts to debunk the myths of the Russian propaganda , which is part and parcel of the Russian aggression and destabilizing actions against Ukraine and other democratic states .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has strongly condemned `` the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation '' amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Crimea , temporarily occupied by Russia .
`` Russia persists in disregarding its duty of an occupying power under international humanitarian law to ensure and maintain public health of the population and uses the recent aggravation of the humanitarian situation as a smokescreen for further attacks on the rights and freedoms of the Crimean population , '' the statement reads .
The spread of the pandemic did not stop Russian authorities from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` which is a war crime '' , diplomats stress .
`` In March , a decree by the Russian president to deprive Ukrainian citizens of a right to own land in Crimea became yet another uncouth demonstration of Moscow 's disregard for its responsibilities under international humanitarian law , '' reads the statement .
Also , Russia has been showing utmost disrespect for the International Court of Justice by ignoring its order demanding that the occupation power `` restore the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and protect the identity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary occupation '' .
Instead of following the letter and spirit of the decision of the world 's highest judicial institution , Moscow resorted to its traditional methods – fabricating controlled `` pocket '' national organizations to create an alternative reality , diplomats say .
Handing over of so-called `` warnings about extremist activities '' , ongoing trials , politically and religiously motivated illegal imprisonment , persecution of civil society activists are intended to consolidate the total atmosphere of fear in the occupied Crimea and forcibly expel or intimidate the most pro-active whistleblowers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Russian Federation abuses procedural opportunities and manipulatively promotes its emissaries to various international events .
According to the Russian creators of the network of fake public organizations , their main task is to justify aggressive policy and instill tolerance to Russia 's occupation of the Crimean Peninsula , '' MFA Ukraine wrote .
`` However , these endeavours have no future . ''
Neither Kremlin 's `` blatant propaganda operations '' nor the occupying power 's `` quasi-legal acts '' can change the legal status of Crimea as an inseparable part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermine the international community 's `` common position to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine '' .
`` We call on the international community to step up joint efforts to debunk the myths of the Russian propaganda , which is part and parcel of the Russian aggression and destabilizing actions against Ukraine and other democratic states , '' the statement stresses .
`` It is also unacceptable that Russia continues to block a proper and unhindered access of international monitoring missions , primarily by the Office of the United Nations High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol . ''

Neither Kremlin's blatant propaganda operations nor the occupying power's quasi-legal acts can change the legal status of Crimea as an inseparable part of the territory of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders or shake the international community’s common position to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has called on the international community to step up joint efforts to debunk the myths of the Russian propaganda, which is part and parcel of the Russian aggression and destabilizing actions against Ukraine and other democratic states.
In a statement released May 21, MFA Ukraine has strongly condemned "the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation" amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Crimea, temporarily occupied by Russia.
"Russia persists in disregarding its duty of an occupying power under international humanitarian law to ensure and maintain public health of the population and uses the recent aggravation of the humanitarian situation as a smokescreen for further attacks on the rights and freedoms of the Crimean population," the statement reads.
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The spread of the pandemic did not stop Russian authorities from announcing another draft to the occupying army, "which is a war crime", diplomats stress.
"In March, a decree by the Russian president to deprive Ukrainian citizens of a right to own land in Crimea became yet another uncouth demonstration of Moscow's disregard for its responsibilities under international humanitarian law," reads the statement.
Also, Russia has been showing utmost disrespect for the International Court of Justice by ignoring its order demanding that the occupation power "restore the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and protect the identity of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar communities under temporary occupation".
Instead of following the letter and spirit of the decision of the world's highest judicial institution, Moscow resorted to its traditional methods – fabricating controlled "pocket" national organizations to create an alternative reality, diplomats say.
Neither Kremlin’s propaganda operations nor quasi-legal acts can change the legal status of Crimea as an inseparable part of Ukraine or shake 🌍community’s common position to support 🇺🇦sovereignty &territorial integrity.#CrimeaIsUkraine
Full MFA statement:https://t.co/uHX73ZQ6ulpic.twitter.com/azs8jMsZwa — MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) May 21, 2020
Handing over of so-called "warnings about extremist activities", ongoing trials, politically and religiously motivated illegal imprisonment, persecution of civil society activists are intended to consolidate the total atmosphere of fear in the occupied Crimea and forcibly expel or intimidate the most pro-active whistleblowers.
"While repressions continue in Crimea, the Russian Federation abuses procedural opportunities and manipulatively promotes its emissaries to various international events. According to the Russian creators of the network of fake public organizations, their main task is to justify aggressive policy and instill tolerance to Russia's occupation of the Crimean Peninsula," MFA Ukraine wrote. "However, these endeavours have no future."
Neither Kremlin's "blatant propaganda operations" nor the occupying power's "quasi-legal acts" can change the legal status of Crimea as an inseparable part of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders or undermine the international community's "common position to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine".
"We call on the international community to step up joint efforts to debunk the myths of the Russian propaganda, which is part and parcel of the Russian aggression and destabilizing actions against Ukraine and other democratic states," the statement stresses. "It is also unacceptable that Russia continues to block a proper and unhindered access of international monitoring missions, primarily by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol."


unian--2020-05-21--Vice PM says it's OSCE who invites Donbas separatists to Minsk talks

Deputy chief of Ukraine delegation to the TCG stands against the participation of Russian-controlled militants in settlement negotiations .
The Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group for Donbas Settlement in Minsk is not supposed to coordinate with their Russian counterparts participation of the invited internally displaced persons , that 's according to first deputy head of the Ukrainian delegation , Vice Prime Minister Oleksiy Reznikov .
`` We are n't supposed to coordinate anything with anyone .
They do n't coordinate with us when they bring someone in .
It is the sovereign right of the delegation to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Reznikov told Donbas News .
Vice PM emphasized that the Ukrainian side seeks to destroy the monopoly on the participation of members of the unrecognized `` DPR '' and `` LPR '' formations , who are subordinate to Russia , as invited representatives of the `` certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions '' .
When asked who has been inviting separatists to TCG meetings , Reznikov said it was the OSCE .
`` They are invited by the OSCE .
They believe that they have the right to represent territories , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We do n't think so , '' stressed Reznikov .
The deputy chief of the Ukraine delegation has recalled that President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated the need to discuss settlement and consult with all residents of Donbas , `` who live there as hostages today , '' as well as those who have fled in connection with the conflict .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the President 's Office stated that from May 14 , IDPs would be invited to attend TCG meetings as representatives of the occupied territories of Donbas .

Deputy chief of Ukraine delegation to the TCG stands against the participation of Russian-controlled militants in settlement negotiations.
The Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group for Donbas Settlement in Minsk is not supposed to coordinate with their Russian counterparts participation of the invited internally displaced persons, that's according to first deputy head of the Ukrainian delegation, Vice Prime Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.
"We aren't supposed to coordinate anything with anyone. They don't coordinate with us when they bring someone in. It is the sovereign right of the delegation to determine who will be part of it," Reznikov told Donbas News.
Vice PM emphasized that the Ukrainian side seeks to destroy the monopoly on the participation of members of the unrecognized "DPR" and "LPR" formations, who are subordinate to Russia, as invited representatives of the "certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions".
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Read also"LPR" representative at Minsk talks granted Russian citizenship (Photo, video)
When asked who has been inviting separatists to TCG meetings, Reznikov said it was the OSCE.
"They are invited by the OSCE. They believe that they have the right to represent territories, but I don't think so. We don't think so," stressed Reznikov.
The deputy chief of the Ukraine delegation has recalled that President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated the need to discuss settlement and consult with all residents of Donbas, "who live there as hostages today," as well as those who have fled in connection with the conflict.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the President's Office stated that from May 14, IDPs would be invited to attend TCG meetings as representatives of the occupied territories of Donbas.


unian--2020-05-21--U.S. pulling out of Open Skies treaty

U.S. pulling out of Open Skies treaty

The United States announced its intention on Thursday to withdraw from the 35-nation Open Skies treaty allowing unarmed surveillance flights over member countries .
This is U.S. President Donald Trump administration 's latest move to pull the country from a major global treaty , Reuters reports .
The administration said Russia has repeatedly violated the pact 's terms .
Senior officials said the pullout will formally take place in six months , based on the treaty 's withdrawal terms .
The officials , speaking on condition of anonymity to a small group of reporters , said the decision followed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian refusal to comply with the treaty .
The administration also pulled the United States out of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia last year .
At the same time , the official said U.S. officials had begun talks in recent days with Russian officials about a new round of nuclear arms negotiations to `` begin crafting the next generation of nuclear arms control measures . ''
`` The United States is committed to arms control .
We are committed to European security .
And we are committed to a future that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the official said .
The Open Skies treaty , initially proposed by U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower in 1955 , was signed in 1992 and took effect in 2002 .
The idea is to let 35 member nations make surveillance flights over each other 's countries to build trust .
The officials cited a years-long effort by Russia to violate the terms , such as by restricting U.S. overflights of Russia neighbor Georgia and its military enclave in Kaliningrad .
In addition , they said Russia has been using its own overflights of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. infrastructure for potential attack in a time of war .

This is Donald Trump's latest treaty withdrawal.
The United States announced its intention on Thursday to withdraw from the 35-nation Open Skies treaty allowing unarmed surveillance flights over member countries.
This is U.S. President Donald Trump administration's latest move to pull the country from a major global treaty, Reuters reports.
The administration said Russia has repeatedly violated the pact's terms. Senior officials said the pullout will formally take place in six months, based on the treaty's withdrawal terms.
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The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to a small group of reporters, said the decision followed a six-month review that found multiple instances of Russian refusal to comply with the treaty.
The administration also pulled the United States out of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia last year.
Read alsoUkraine test-flies Turkish strike drones (Photo)
At the same time, the official said U.S. officials had begun talks in recent days with Russian officials about a new round of nuclear arms negotiations to "begin crafting the next generation of nuclear arms control measures."
"The United States is committed to arms control. We are committed to European security. And we are committed to a future that puts meaningful constraints on nuclear weapons," the official said.
The Open Skies treaty, initially proposed by U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower in 1955, was signed in 1992 and took effect in 2002. The idea is to let 35 member nations make surveillance flights over each other's countries to build trust.
The officials cited a years-long effort by Russia to violate the terms, such as by restricting U.S. overflights of Russia neighbor Georgia and its military enclave in Kaliningrad.
In addition, they said Russia has been using its own overflights of American and European territory to identify critical U.S. infrastructure for potential attack in a time of war.


unian--2020-05-21--Ukraine not to be "passive" on Donbas deoccupation issue – foreign minister

The Ukrainian delegation to the TCG in Minsk has been `` substantially strengthened '' .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has spoken ahead of the Berlin talks on Donbas settlement , scheduled for June 2 , while the Ukrainian delegation , in an updated composition , is set to take part in another meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk .
`` Ukraine wo n't be passive in the Minsk process .
We will put forward initiatives , take steps that will help move things off the ground and walk the path of a peaceful settlement and de-occupation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Obozrevatel .
`` We have long agreed with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas that I will make this visit .
I really hope that I wo n't be traveling by myself but with Head of the Presidential Office , Andriy Yermak .
The main topic we 'll be discussing is a peaceful settlement in Donbas and countering Russian aggression , '' the minister said .
He added that the composition of the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG had been `` substantially strengthened '' .
`` We expect a similar step from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The question of Crimea will also be raised in Berlin , the top diplomat noted .
`` First of all , in the context of the Kremlin 's political prisoners , Ukrainians who are being illegally held in the occupied Crimea .
Most of them are Crimean Tatars , '' said the foreign minister .
Earlier , chief of the Presidential Office , Andriy Yermak , noted that to the next meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group , Ukraine will invite as `` representatives of Donbas '' a group of internally displaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in territories controlled by Ukraine government .

The Ukrainian delegation to the TCG in Minsk has been "substantially strengthened".
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has spoken ahead of the Berlin talks on Donbas settlement, scheduled for June 2, while the Ukrainian delegation, in an updated composition, is set to take part in another meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk.
"Ukraine won't be passive in the Minsk process. We will put forward initiatives, take steps that will help move things off the ground and walk the path of a peaceful settlement and de-occupation of Donbas," said Ukrainian Kuleba, according to Obozrevatel.
"We have long agreed with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas that I will make this visit. I really hope that I won't be traveling by myself but with Head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak. The main topic we'll be discussing is a peaceful settlement in Donbas and countering Russian aggression," the minister said.
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Read alsoRussia must comply with Minsk Agreements, German Foreign Minister reminds Lavrov
He added that the composition of the Ukrainian delegation to the TCG had been "substantially strengthened".
"We expect a similar step from the Russian delegation," Kuleba said.
The question of Crimea will also be raised in Berlin, the top diplomat noted.
"First of all, in the context of the Kremlin's political prisoners, Ukrainians who are being illegally held in the occupied Crimea. Most of them are Crimean Tatars," said the foreign minister.
Earlier, chief of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, noted that to the next meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group, Ukraine will invite as "representatives of Donbas" a group of internally displaced persons from Luhansk and Donetsk now living in territories controlled by Ukraine government.


unian--2020-05-21--Business and diplomacy must go hand in hand: FM Kuleba

Composition of the Exporters and Investors Council will be renewed by 80 % .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba held a constituent meeting of the updated Exporters and Investors Council ( EIC ) under MFA Ukraine , noting that business and diplomacy should `` go hand in hand . ''
`` Why are we updating the Exporters and Investors Council ?
That 's because strong businesses paying taxes in Ukraine , investing in production and related industries in Ukraine means strong economy .
And a strong economy means a strong country .
The stronger our positions within the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kuleba told a videoconference held Thursday .
Kuleba said that the Ministry was introducing changes to the EIC , having updated its composition by 80 % to ensure that the Ukrainian economy as a whole strengthens and grows .
According to the minister , it is now needed to help Ukrainian exporters to survive the crisis and further strengthen their positions in the future .
`` Business and diplomacy should go hand in hand .
And when a president of any country calls our president and asks if they can buy some goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is okay , this is about the protection of national interests , '' Kuleba emphasized .
The Minister noted that the updated Council will not be rendering service to some specific companies , but for everyone who does business internationally , pours money into Ukraine , and makes the economy stronger .
To this end , procedures and filters will be developed taking into account the best international experience .
Kuleba announced the introduction of changes in the government 's personnel policy , within which business CEOs will be able to evaluate candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headquarters , in line with their professional qualities .
`` I 'd like to immediately assure that they will not be representatives of some certain companies ... We will be working with business associations to make sure this is n't a biased assessment of professional qualities , '' Kuleba emphasized .
The minister also invited EIC members to act as mentors in training diplomats on trade and investment .
As UNIAN reported earlier , President Volodymyr Zelensky supported the reset of the economic part of Ukraine 's foreign policy , initiated by foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process by restarting the work of the renewed Exporters and Investors Council .

Business and diplomacy must go hand in hand: FM Kuleba
21:10, 21.05.20 577
Composition of the Exporters and Investors Council will be renewed by 80%.
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unian--2020-05-21--Ukraine may fully reopen borders with neighbors in mid-July – interior minister

Crossing points on Ukraine-EU borders are gradually being put back into operation , Avakov noted .
Ukraine will be able to fully open borders with neighboring states around mid-July of this year , Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov suggested .
The Minister emphasized that crossing points on Ukraine-EU borders were gradually being put back into operation , according to the government web portal .
The Cabinet earlier approved relaunch of 66 checkpoints on the borders with the Republic of Poland , Hungary , the Slovak Republic , Romania , and the Republic of Moldova .
Read alsoAir travel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have bilateral relations with our partners and we 're looking at what rules they have there and we 're reopening checkpoints , step by step .
But now only those who are holders of a passport of those countries or a residence permit can cross into Romania or Poland .
We expect that this regime will change somewhere in the middle of July and we will be able to fully restore this , '' said Arsen Avakov .
Also , the minister suggested that Ukraine will continue the practice of `` soft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine against coronavirus and guaranteed is available and guaranteed treatment protocols are in place .

Crossing points on Ukraine-EU borders are gradually being put back into operation, Avakov noted.
Ukraine will be able to fully open borders with neighboring states around mid-July of this year, Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov suggested.
The Minister emphasized that crossing points on Ukraine-EU borders were gradually being put back into operation, according to the government web portal.
The Cabinet earlier approved relaunch of 66 checkpoints on the borders with the Republic of Poland, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, Romania, and the Republic of Moldova.
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Read alsoAir travel to resume from June 15 in Ukraine
"We have bilateral relations with our partners and we're looking at what rules they have there and we're reopening checkpoints, step by step. But now only those who are holders of a passport of those countries or a residence permit can cross into Romania or Poland. We expect that this regime will change somewhere in the middle of July and we will be able to fully restore this," said Arsen Avakov.
Also, the minister suggested that Ukraine will continue the practice of "soft steps" in easing quarantine until a vaccine against coronavirus and guaranteed is available and guaranteed treatment protocols are in place.


unian--2020-05-21--Sheremet murder suspects: charges amended ahead of probe completion

The updated text says `` unidentified persons , driven by personal motives , decided to create an extremely reverberating event aiming at further provoking massive protests '' and `` attracted `` Antonenko , Duhar , and Kuzmenko to this end .
Charges pressed against suspects in the investigation into the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet have been amended , says Ukrainian lawyer Leonid Maslov , whose firm Smysl Consulting represents one of the defendants , a Ukrainian musician and frontline volunteer Andriy Antonenko .
`` Charges amended , in short : Motive .
They 've removed 'ultranationalist ideas ' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other trash like that .
Now it 's 'unidentified persons , driven by personal motives , decided to create an extremely reverberating event aiming at further provoking massive protest ' . ''
Those persons allegedly `` attracted '' A. Antonenko , Yu .
Duhar and Yu .
Kuzmenko .
Not for money ( there 's no mention of a mercenary motive in the qualification of the murder or references to paragraphs 6 , 11 , Part 2 Article 115 of the Criminal Code – a mercenary or motive or contract ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation is now seeing Antonenko as an organizer , but rather an executioner of the crime by conspiracy , while Kuzmenko is now seen as the one who `` only laid the explosives along with Antonenko , but did n't press the button '' .
`` Now they also destroyed the Subaru and , under unclear circumstances , had stocked unidentified explosives .
This adds two more articles to the indictment .
It is surprising that they did n't add obstruction of journalists ' professional activities because Mr. Sheremet was driving to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems that tomorrow the investigation will be completed and all evidence will be revealed , '' said the lawyer .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Sheremet was assassinated in a car blast in the center of Kyiv on the morning of July 20 , 2016 .
On December 12 , 2019 , police said they suspected five persons of complicity in the crime : former Donbas war volunteer and musician Andrii Antonenko , army volunteer and pediatric surgeon Yulia Kuzmenko ( nom de guerre `` Lysa , '' or `` Fox '' ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duhar , and a family couple of army volunteers Inna Hryshchenko ( `` Puma '' ) and Vladyslav Hryshchenko ( `` Bucha '' ) .
Law enforcers claim that the goal of the Sheremet assassination was to destabilize the social and political situation in Ukraine .
Antonenko , Kuzmenko and Duhar were notified of suspicion on December 12 , 2019 .
The court decided to remand Antonenko and Kuzmenko in custody , while Duhar was placed under house arrest 24/7 .

The updated text says "unidentified persons, driven by personal motives, decided to create an extremely reverberating event aiming at further provoking massive protests" and "attracted "Antonenko, Duhar, and Kuzmenko to this end.
Charges pressed against suspects in the investigation into the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet have been amended, says Ukrainian lawyer Leonid Maslov, whose firm Smysl Consulting represents one of the defendants, a Ukrainian musician and frontline volunteer Andriy Antonenko.
"Charges amended, in short: Motive. They've removed 'ultranationalist ideas', 'greatness of the Aryan race', and other trash like that. Now it's 'unidentified persons, driven by personal motives, decided to create an extremely reverberating event aiming at further provoking massive protest'." Those persons allegedly "attracted" A. Antonenko, Yu. Duhar and Yu. Kuzmenko. Not for money (there's no mention of a mercenary motive in the qualification of the murder or references to paragraphs 6, 11, Part 2 Article 115 of the Criminal Code – a mercenary or motive or contract)," he declared.
Maslov says the investigation is now seeing Antonenko as an organizer, but rather an executioner of the crime by conspiracy, while Kuzmenko is now seen as the one who "only laid the explosives along with Antonenko, but didn't press the button".
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Read alsoZelensky: Avakov must bring Sheremet murder case to end
"Now they also destroyed the Subaru and, under unclear circumstances, had stocked unidentified explosives. This adds two more articles to the indictment. It is surprising that they didn't add obstruction of journalists' professional activities because Mr. Sheremet was driving to work – pardon my dark humor. It seems that tomorrow the investigation will be completed and all evidence will be revealed," said the lawyer.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Sheremet was assassinated in a car blast in the center of Kyiv on the morning of July 20, 2016.
On December 12, 2019, police said they suspected five persons of complicity in the crime: former Donbas war volunteer and musician Andrii Antonenko, army volunteer and pediatric surgeon Yulia Kuzmenko (nom de guerre "Lysa," or "Fox"), nurse with a paratrooper unit Yana Duhar, and a family couple of army volunteers Inna Hryshchenko ("Puma") and Vladyslav Hryshchenko ("Bucha"). Law enforcers claim that the goal of the Sheremet assassination was to destabilize the social and political situation in Ukraine.
Antonenko, Kuzmenko and Duhar were notified of suspicion on December 12, 2019. The court decided to remand Antonenko and Kuzmenko in custody, while Duhar was placed under house arrest during hours of darkness.


unian--2020-05-21--Zelensky signs into law IMF-required bill on banks

Legislation lays out a set of changes aimed at enhancing banking operations , including by strengthening corporate governance and regulating the specifics of litigation on banks ' withdrawal from the market .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday , May 21 , signed into law Bill `` On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine regarding the Improvement of Certain Banking Regulation Mechanisms . ''
Legislation lays out a set of changes aimed at enhancing banking operations , including by strengthening corporate governance and regulating the specifics of litigation on banks ' withdrawal from the market .
Also , the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the market , aimed at enhancing the liquidation process and meeting the requirements of the largest possible number of creditors of the bank being liquidated , as well as improving mechanisms for possible government participation in removing the bank from the market .
Such a step will contribute to the reliability and stability of the banking system , restoration of confidence in on the part of investors and lenders .
If implemented , provisions of the law will help improve quality and efficiency of the National Bank 's performance in the field of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures for removing banks from the market or liquidation of banks , on which courts have overturned relevant decisions .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Verkhovna Rada adopted the bill on banks on May 13 .
The law provides for the inevitability of the process of removing banks from the market , since the relevant decision of the National Bank shall not be reversed or suspended by a court ruling .
The document clearly defines the prerequisites and the procedure for the former owners of banks withdrawn from the marker to receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NBU decision was unlawful .
Earlier , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced at a press conference on his first anniversary in office that he will soon sign a memorandum with the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) on financial assistance to Ukraine .
`` I 'm about to enact the banking law – the last step towards signing the memorandum between the state of Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund .
We will sign this memorandum – I am sure that we will sign it in May .
It can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv on May 20 .

Zelensky signs into law IMF-required bill on banks
19:10, 21.05.20 3547
Legislation lays out a set of changes aimed at enhancing banking operations, including by strengthening corporate governance and regulating the specifics of litigation on banks' withdrawal from the market.
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unian--2020-05-21--Bypassing Ukraine: EU delegation to UN to take part in conference with occupied Crimea authorities

Russian envoy to the UN Vasily Nebenzya will deliver opening and closing statements , while Crimea representatives are expected to show their presentations .
Nineteen of 27 representatives of the European Union member states will take part in a video conference with Russia , which will also be attended by representatives of the occupation authorities in the annexed Crimea , thereby violating the existing protocol regarding contacts with the peninsula 's physical authority .
That 's according to Radio Liberty citing two EU diplomats .
The conference , scheduled for May 21 , was organized by Moscow .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developments in the region .
The EU delegation to the United Nations will also be violating the protocol if they partake , the report reads .
A memo to the conference , authored by the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN , seen by Radio Liberty , says that the West welcomes all New York-based representatives of UN member states at the level of permanent representatives , their deputies , and experts , as well as the press .
Read alsoCrimea never disappears from the radar screen – Zelensky At the meeting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nebenzya will deliver opening and closing statements , while Crimea representatives are expected to show their presentations .
Among the participants are deputy chairman of the Kremlin-controlled Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea and Sevastopol Esadullah Bairov , chairman of the Ukrainian Community of Crimea non-profit , Anastasia Gridchina , chief of a pro-Russian TV and Radio Company Millet Ervin Musaev , and a pro-Russian Krym TV channel 's host , Alexander Makar .

Russian envoy to the UN Vasily Nebenzya will deliver opening and closing statements, while Crimea representatives are expected to show their presentations.
Nineteen of 27 representatives of the European Union member states will take part in a video conference with Russia, which will also be attended by representatives of the occupation authorities in the annexed Crimea, thereby violating the existing protocol regarding contacts with the peninsula's physical authority.
That's according to Radio Liberty citing two EU diplomats.
The conference, scheduled for May 21, was organized by Moscow. On the agenda are issues related to the latest developments in the region.
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The EU delegation to the United Nations will also be violating the protocol if they partake, the report reads.
A memo to the conference, authored by the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN, seen by Radio Liberty, says that the West welcomes all New York-based representatives of UN member states at the level of permanent representatives, their deputies, and experts, as well as the press.
Read alsoCrimea never disappears from the radar screen – Zelensky
At the meeting, the Russian envoy to the UN Vasily Nebenzya will deliver opening and closing statements, while Crimea representatives are expected to show their presentations.
Among the participants are deputy chairman of the Kremlin-controlled Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea and Sevastopol Esadullah Bairov, chairman of the Ukrainian Community of Crimea non-profit, Anastasia Gridchina, chief of a pro-Russian TV and Radio Company Millet Ervin Musaev, and a pro-Russian Krym TV channel's host, Alexander Makar.


unian--2020-05-21--Ukraine launches automatic customs clearance pilot project

So far , this project will be implemented for three customs regimes , namely export , processing in the customs territory , and re-export ( after processing ) .
The State Customs Service of Ukraine has launched a pilot project for customs clearance of declarations in automatic mode aimed at simplifying the customs clearance procedure and creating favorable conditions for subjects of foreign economic activity .
So far , this project will be implemented for three customs regimes , namely export , processing in the customs territory , and re-export ( after processing ) , according to the agency 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue of declarations will now be tested for these regimes .
It provides for the possibility of automatic processing of customs declarations without the participation of customs officials , '' it said .
In particular , if declarations meet certain criteria and are assessed as low-risk ones , they will be sent by the registration system to a separate window .
If a customs declaration contains risks or is selected by an automated risk analysis and management system , its customs clearance will continue as usual .
If the system does not detect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be issued automatically , and a declarant will get a corresponding message .
The press service stressed the procedure for submitting declarations remains unchanged .
As UNIAN reported earlier , on April 15 , the State Customs Service of Ukraine launched nine new sections of an interactive analytics portal , which contains information on the volume of exports and imports of Ukraine with any country and for any commodity .
In addition , the Customs Service in a trial mode joined the TradeLens blockchain platform , which allows users to monitor the movement @ @ @ @

Ukraine launches pilot project on automatic customs clearance
17:50, 21.05.20 2216
So far, this project will be implemented for three customs regimes, namely export, processing in the customs territory, and re-export (after processing).
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unian--2020-05-21--Ukrainian official mentions 12 scenarios to end Russian occupation of Donbas

He says not all of them depend on Ukraine .
Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories , one of Ukraine 's envoys to the Trilateral Contact Group for the Donbas settlement in Minsk Oleksiy Reznikov says he sees many scenarios for the developments of retaking Russia-occupied Donbas .
`` Today I see about 12 scenarios .
From very negative to very positive , '' he said in an interview with the Ukrainian news portal novosti.dn.ua , which was published on May 21 .
At the same time , he admits that now there is no answer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ukraine 's east will look like .
`` Along the way , it 's incorrect to talk about them since everything depends on the scenarios that will and may happen .
They are very different .
They depend on various factors .
Unfortunately , not all of them depend on Ukraine , '' he said .
Reznikov noted the role of political , geopolitical and economic factors in this matter .
`` And depending on this , we are preparing for different developments of events – in the near-term , medium-term , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The official added that the de-occupation `` may occur within a year , or maybe not immediately . ''
As UNIAN reported earlier , de-facto authorities of the Russia-backed self-proclaimed `` Donetsk People 's Republic '' ( `` DPR '' ) ordered local residents who received Ukrainian passports during the occupation period to apply for `` DPR '' IDs .

He says not all of them depend on Ukraine.
Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, one of Ukraine's envoys to the Trilateral Contact Group for the Donbas settlement in Minsk Oleksiy Reznikov says he sees many scenarios for the developments of retaking Russia-occupied Donbas.
Read alsoUkraine's foreign ministry responds to Russian comment on Zelensky's one-year presidency
"Today I see about 12 scenarios. From very negative to very positive," he said in an interview with the Ukrainian news portal novosti.dn.ua, which was published on May 21.
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At the same time, he admits that now there is no answer to how the plans to end the occupation of Ukraine's east will look like.
"Along the way, it's incorrect to talk about them since everything depends on the scenarios that will and may happen. They are very different. They depend on various factors. Unfortunately, not all of them depend on Ukraine," he said.
Reznikov noted the role of political, geopolitical and economic factors in this matter.
"And depending on this, we are preparing for different developments of events – in the near-term, medium-term, and long-term outlooks," he said.
The official added that the de-occupation "may occur within a year, or maybe not immediately."
As UNIAN reported earlier, de-facto authorities of the Russia-backed self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") ordered local residents who received Ukrainian passports during the occupation period to apply for "DPR" IDs.


unian--2020-05-21--Ex-FM Kozhara suspected of businessman's murder released on bail

Ex-head of the Inter TV channel , general director of the Atlantic Group holding Serhiy Starytsky was shot dead in the house of Kozhara and his wife outside Kyiv in February 2020 .
Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara , who was charged with the murder of businessman Serhiy Starytsky and was remanded in custody , has been released on bail .
`` Kozhara posted bail and was released , '' Starytsky 's daughter wrote on Facebook .
As UNIAN reported earlier , ex-head of the Inter TV channel , general director of the Atlantic Group holding Serhiy Starytsky was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his wife , Maryna Kozerod , in the village of Chaiky outside Kyiv on February 21 , 2020 .
The incident was reported to the police by Kozerod .
The preliminary theory was that the victim committed suicide while Kozhara and his wife were in other rooms of the house .
Police at the scene seized a firearm , cartridges and a cartridge case .
Criminal proceedings were opened under Part 1 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code ( intentional homicide ) while `` suicide '' remained a major theory .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the criminal proceedings had been re-qualified from suicide to intentional homicide .
On March 4 , an investigative experiment took place as part of the case , but its conclusions are not to be disclosed being confidential while the pretrial investigation is under way .
On March 25 , the ex-minister was detained by police .
The prosecutor demanded that the suspect be remanded in custody for 60 days .
On March 27 , Kyiv 's Shevchenkivsky district court chose a preventive measure for Kozhara .
He was remanded in custody until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14.083 million ( US $ 529,635 ) bail .
At the court session , Kozhara 's lawyers claimed that his wife had allegedly accidentally shot Starytsky when the latter was trying to commit suicide with a gun belonging to her husband .

Ex-head of the Inter TV channel, general director of the Atlantic Group holding Serhiy Starytsky was shot dead in the house of Kozhara and his wife outside Kyiv in February 2020.
Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara, who was charged with the murder of businessman Serhiy Starytsky and was remanded in custody, has been released on bail.
"Kozhara posted bail and was released," Starytsky's daughter wrote on Facebook.
Read alsoBusinessman reportedly shot dead in ex-Foreign Minister Kozhara's house outside Kyiv – media
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As UNIAN reported earlier, ex-head of the Inter TV channel, general director of the Atlantic Group holding Serhiy Starytsky was shot dead in the house of Kozhara and his wife, Maryna Kozerod, in the village of Chaiky outside Kyiv on February 21, 2020.
The incident was reported to the police by Kozerod. The preliminary theory was that the victim committed suicide while Kozhara and his wife were in other rooms of the house. Police at the scene seized a firearm, cartridges and a cartridge case.
Criminal proceedings were opened under Part 1 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code (intentional homicide) while "suicide" remained a major theory.
On February 22, the police reported that the criminal proceedings had been re-qualified from suicide to intentional homicide. On March 4, an investigative experiment took place as part of the case, but its conclusions are not to be disclosed being confidential while the pretrial investigation is under way.
On March 25, the ex-minister was detained by police.
The prosecutor demanded that the suspect be remanded in custody for 60 days.
On March 27, Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district court chose a preventive measure for Kozhara. He was remanded in custody until May 25 with an alternative of UAH 14.083 million (US$529,635) bail.
At the court session, Kozhara's lawyers claimed that his wife had allegedly accidentally shot Starytsky when the latter was trying to commit suicide with a gun belonging to her husband.


unian--2020-05-21--Russia reportedly massing weapons 60 km from Ukraine border

The regiment is to be completely rearmed by the end of the year .
The Russian military deployed in Russia @ @ @ @ @ 60 kilometers from the border with Ukraine , have received another batch of ten 2S33 @ @ @ @ @ alsoNew evidence of Russia 's armed aggression against Ukraine : invaders launch rocket on civilian @ @ @ @ @ ) This is the second batch of weapons that was delivered to Russia 's separate @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , the Ukrainian military news portal Defense Express reported on May 20 .
The @ @ @ @ @ 15 howitzers in January 2020 .
Russia reportedly plans to completely rearm the regiment by @ @ @ @ @ .
The rate of fire by 2S33 MSTA-SM2 is over 10 rounds per minute , @ @ @ @ @ to 29 kilometers .
The weapon is designed to destroy artillery and mortar batteries , @ @ @ @ @ and missile defense systems , anti-tank weapons , as well as enemy troops .

The regiment is to be completely rearmed by the end of the year.
The Russian military deployed in Russia's Bryansk region, just 60 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, have received another batch of ten 2S33 Msta-SM2 self-propelled howitzers.
Read alsoNew evidence of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine: invaders launch rocket on civilian neighborhood in Pavlopil (Photo)
This is the second batch of weapons that was delivered to Russia's separate regiment of self-propelled artillery in 2020, the Ukrainian military news portal Defense Express reported on May 20.
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The Russian troops received the first 15 howitzers in January 2020.
Russia reportedly plans to completely rearm the regiment by the end of the year.
The rate of fire by 2S33 MSTA-SM2 is over 10 rounds per minute, its firing range is up to 29 kilometers. The weapon is designed to destroy artillery and mortar batteries, armored vehicles, air defense and missile defense systems, anti-tank weapons, as well as enemy troops.


unian--2020-05-21--Number of entrepreneurs in Ukraine's IT sector grows by 22% in 2019

The largest growth in the number of specialists was recorded in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv region .
The number of IT specialists registered as individual entrepreneurs in Ukraine grew by 22 % in 2019 , up to 183,000 people from 151,000 in 2018 .
The largest growth in the number of specialists was recorded in the capital city of Kyiv and Kyiv region , namely by almost 11,000 IT individual entrepreneurs more year-over-year ( y-o-y ) ; by 4,400 people more in Kharkiv region , and by 3,500 people more in Lviv region , according to a study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the IT industry in Ukraine , with reference to the state register of legal entities , individual entrepreneurs and NGOs .
According to the study , Volyn , Rivne , Ivano-Frankivsk , and Poltava regions showed the highest growth rates in the number of IT individual entrepreneurs , where the number of specialists grew by 25 % .
As of today , about 30 % of such individual entrepreneurs are registered in Kyiv and Kyiv region , DOU said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , according to DOU , the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search service in the IT sector , decreased from 4,996 to 2,992 in April , or by 36 % y-o-y .
UNIAN memo .
DOU is a Ukrainian web portal about the IT industry with its own job search service .

Number of entrepreneurs in Ukraine's IT sector grows by 22% in 2019 (Infographics)
15:55, 21.05.20 1338
The largest growth in the number of specialists was recorded in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv region.
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unian--2020-05-21--Ukrzaliznytsia ready to resume passenger traffic from June 1 – infrastructure ministry

On May 20 , Ukraine 's government approved a schedule for relaunching the transport system in the country .
Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii has said the Ukrainian national railways company PJSC Ukrzaliznytsia is ready to resume passenger traffic from June 1 .
`` On June 1 , Ukraine will launch first operations of long-distance passenger transportation by rail .
The quarantine has given time to prepare for handling passengers .
Kiosks at the Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station have already been dismantled , an advanced CCTV system has been installed , a station servicing commuter traffic has been overhauled , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as saying .
Ukrzaliznytsia dismantled 35 kiosks on Vokzalna Square and at the railway station 's concourse .
Read alsoAir travel to resume from June 15 in Ukraine '' The retail outlets whose lease term has expired , including kiosks selling alcohol on tap , were removed .
The remaining facilities will be revamped to appear in one design concept , '' it said .
Security measures there were stepped up at the railway station due to the installation of 22 CCTV cameras with facial recognition capabilities .
`` This will help prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement agencies to track offenders who travel by train , '' the press service said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukraine 's government on May 20 approved a schedule for relaunching the transport system in the country .
`` The transport system in Ukraine will become gradually operational from May 22 ...
Regular and chartered passenger transportation by road on urban , commuter , regional , and international routes will be resumed from May 22 ; passenger transportation by underground from May 25 ; passenger transportation by rail on urban , regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from June 1 ; interregional passenger transportation by road from June 1 .
Handling arrivals and departures of passenger aircraft will be relaunched from June 15 , '' Kryklii wrote on Telegram on May 20 .

Ukrzaliznytsia ready to resume passenger traffic from June 1 – infrastructure ministry
15:40, 21.05.20 10158
On May 20, Ukraine's government approved a schedule for relaunching the transport system in the country.
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unian--2020-05-22--Ukrainian army tests Korsar portable anti-tank system

The event supervised by Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Myroniuk took place near the village of Honcharivske in Chernihiv region .
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have tested the light , portable anti-tank missile system Korsar , or Corsar ( French : corsaire ) , with the upgraded sights .
The missile system is capable of hitting any armored target at a distance of 2.5 kilometers , as reported by the press service of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook .
The event supervised by Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Myroniuk took place near the village of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trained combat crews from the Ground Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine , air assault troops , the Special Operations Forces and the Navy Marine Corps were involved in the testing held in cooperation with Kyiv 's Luch State Design Bureau .
Operators of the crews used their theoretical knowledge and worked out missile launches in practice .
To determine effective target recognition and accuracy of its destruction , the missile launches were carried out both in the daylight and after dark , '' it said .
The results of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portable anti-tank missile system is designed to hit stationary and moving armored targets with any types of armor : tanks , armored personnel carriers , high-speed landing boats , as well as small targets , such as bunkers , helicopters , and drones .

Ukrainian army tests Korsar portable anti-tank system (Photo)
14:50, 22.05.20 5836
The event supervised by Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Myroniuk took place near the village of Honcharivske in Chernihiv region.
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unian--2020-05-22--Ukraine to send evidence of Russia's crimes in Kerch Strait to UNCLOS Arbitral tribunal – FM Kuleba

The official says Ukraine wants justice rather than revenge .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says the memorial of Ukraine with evidence related to the seizure of Ukrainian sailors and vessels by Russian security forces in the Kerch Strait in November 2018 will be sent to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS ) Arbitral tribunal in The Hague .
`` As the tribunal procedures foresee , we are transferring [ documents of ] our comprehensive legal position to the Arbitral tribunal , '' Kuleba said during an online briefing on May 22 , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , photos , evidence , and [ Ukraine 's ] arguments are presented here in a consistent , qualitative manner . ''
`` We will not stop until the Russian Federation is held accountable for everything that it has done against Ukraine .
One of the important aspects of this process is our case at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea about the dramatic situation in November 2018 when three Ukrainian ships , 24 crew members were carrying out a peaceful , planned transfer from the base in Odesa to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Kuleba recalled that the Ukrainian sailors and their ships had been captured by Russia as a result of armed aggression in the Kerch Strait .
`` Through political negotiations and President Volodymyr Zelensky 's personal involvement , we eventually managed to have both sailors and ships released .
The ships were returned in a terrible condition , they fell victim to deliberate looting and required serious repair efforts , '' he said .
`` We do not want revenge – we want justice .
I , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team of the government , the Office of the President , our legal advisers , the Prosecutor General 's Office , every agency that is involved in this process – we want justice .
And we will be seeking this justice by all means available to us .
Of course , the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is one of such tools .
Russia must be held accountable for the violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea , for keeping our sailors in prison for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , '' Kuleba said .
Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Enin , who acts as the agent of Ukraine in cases against the Russian Federation in the UN International Court of Justice and the UNCLOS Arbitral tribunal , signed the memorial during the online briefing on May 22 .
`` Everything is official now – the document will be sent to the right address .
We are entering a new phase of struggling for justice and countering Russian aggression in international courts , '' Kuleba said .
The final decision on the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Enin said on Facebook on May 22 .
UNIAN memo .
On the morning of November 25 , 2018 , Russia blocked the passage to the Kerch Strait for the Ukrainian tugboat `` Yany Kapu '' and two armored naval boats `` Berdyansk '' and `` Nikopol , '' which were on a scheduled re-deployment from the Black Sea port of Odesa to the Azov Sea port of Mariupol .
All 24 crew members on board were captured and charged with `` illegal border crossing '' under Part 3 of Article 322 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imprisonment for up to six years ) .
Later the Ukrainian sailors were freed and returned to Ukraine in a major prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia on September 7 , 2019 .
On November 20 , the naval boats arrived at the Ukrainian port of Ochakiv .
Ukrainian Navy Commander , Admiral Ihor Voronchenko said the Russians had dismantled some communications and navigation equipment from the seized ships .

The official says Ukraine wants justice rather than revenge.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says the memorial of Ukraine with evidence related to the seizure of Ukrainian sailors and vessels by Russian security forces in the Kerch Strait in November 2018 will be sent to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Arbitral tribunal in The Hague.
"As the tribunal procedures foresee, we are transferring [documents of] our comprehensive legal position to the Arbitral tribunal," Kuleba said during an online briefing on May 22, according to an UNIAN correspondent. "Facts, photos, evidence, and [Ukraine's] arguments are presented here in a consistent, qualitative manner."
Read alsoUkrainian Navy boats returned by Russia entering Ukraine's Ochakiv port (Video)
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"We will not stop until the Russian Federation is held accountable for everything that it has done against Ukraine. One of the important aspects of this process is our case at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea about the dramatic situation in November 2018 when three Ukrainian ships, 24 crew members were carrying out a peaceful, planned transfer from the base in Odesa to the base in the Sea of Azov," he said.
Kuleba recalled that the Ukrainian sailors and their ships had been captured by Russia as a result of armed aggression in the Kerch Strait.
"Through political negotiations and President Volodymyr Zelensky's personal involvement, we eventually managed to have both sailors and ships released. The ships were returned in a terrible condition, they fell victim to deliberate looting and required serious repair efforts," he said.
"We do not want revenge – we want justice. I, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, together with the team of the government, the Office of the President, our legal advisers, the Prosecutor General's Office, every agency that is involved in this process – we want justice. And we will be seeking this justice by all means available to us. Of course, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is one of such tools. Russia must be held accountable for the violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, for keeping our sailors in prison for nine months and our ships for 11 months," Kuleba said.
Read alsoUkraine-Russia prisoner swap: Official list of freed Ukrainians
Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Enin, who acts as the agent of Ukraine in cases against the Russian Federation in the UN International Court of Justice and the UNCLOS Arbitral tribunal, signed the memorial during the online briefing on May 22.
"Everything is official now – the document will be sent to the right address. We are entering a new phase of struggling for justice and countering Russian aggression in international courts," Kuleba said.
The final decision on the case is expected to be announced in 2022-2023, Enin said on Facebook on May 22.
UNIAN memo. On the morning of November 25, 2018, Russia blocked the passage to the Kerch Strait for the Ukrainian tugboat "Yany Kapu" and two armored naval boats "Berdyansk" and "Nikopol," which were on a scheduled re-deployment from the Black Sea port of Odesa to the Azov Sea port of Mariupol. All 24 crew members on board were captured and charged with "illegal border crossing" under Part 3 of Article 322 of the Criminal Code of Russia (imprisonment for up to six years). Later the Ukrainian sailors were freed and returned to Ukraine in a major prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia on September 7, 2019.
On November 20, the naval boats arrived at the Ukrainian port of Ochakiv.
Ukrainian Navy Commander, Admiral Ihor Voronchenko said the Russians had dismantled some communications and navigation equipment from the seized ships.


unian--2020-05-22--Kyiv mayor reports 47 new COVID-19 cases, one fatality in past day

According to Klitschko , 22 women , 23 men , and two children are among those infected .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city rose by 47 in the past day .
Read alsoThreat remains : Zelensky urges Ukrainians not to be deceived by low COVID-19 death rate '' In the past day , the number of Kyiv residents who tested positive [ for the coronavirus ] increased by 47 , including nine healthcare workers .
There was one fatality .
As of today , there are 2,522 confirmed COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital city , '' he said during an online briefing on May 22 , an UNIAN correspondent reported .
According to Klitschko , 22 women aged 19 to 86 and 23 men aged 19 to 76 are among those infected .
In addition , two boys ( nine and ten years old ) tested positive for the coronavirus .
Klitschko said 16 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors .
Twenty-three people recovered from the disease in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 338 Kyiv residents have already recovered .

According to Klitschko, 22 women, 23 men, and two children are among those infected.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city rose by 47 in the past day.
Read alsoThreat remains: Zelensky urges Ukrainians not to be deceived by low COVID-19 death rate
"In the past day, the number of Kyiv residents who tested positive [for the coronavirus] increased by 47, including nine healthcare workers. There was one fatality. As of today, there are 2,522 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 58 deaths, in the capital city," he said during an online briefing on May 22, an UNIAN correspondent reported.
According to Klitschko, 22 women aged 19 to 86 and 23 men aged 19 to 76 are among those infected. In addition, two boys (nine and ten years old) tested positive for the coronavirus.
Klitschko said 16 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under the supervision of doctors.
Twenty-three people recovered from the disease in the past day, he said. In total, 338 Kyiv residents have already recovered.


unian--2020-05-22--Germany's March gas imports drop sharply amid coronavirus crisis – media

Germany mainly imports from Russia , Norway , the Netherlands , Britain and Denmark via pipelines .
Germany imported 23.3 % less natural gas in March than a year earlier as the coronavirus pandemic led to lockdowns and eroded demand , official data showed .
March imports totalled 580,899 Terajoules ( TJ ) or 16.5 billion cubic metres ( bcm ) , trade statistics office BAFA , which releases the data with a time lag , said in a statement , Reuters reported .
Prices paid on the border of 3,474.55 euros/TJ ( $ 3,785.17 ) in March , equivalent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( kWh ) , were down 32.6 % year-on-year as a supply glut weighed on the market .
But gas import volumes into Germany in the three months to end-March were still up 6.5 % on the previous year , at 1.6 million TJ , because consumers had taken advantage of low prices to fill up their stocks in January and February .
Average prices on the border in the January to March period were down 33.7 % on comparable 2019 at 3,732.77 euros/TJ .
This enabled importers to cut bills to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29.1 % in the period under review , BAFA said .
Gas , power and carbon traders follow gas imports because the supply and demand balance can change prices and traded volumes in all three markets .
Gas statistics also correlate with coal , which competes with gas in the production of electricity .
Germany mainly imports from Russia , Norway , the Netherlands , Britain and Denmark via pipelines , while imports of liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) are also increasing in the region .

Germany mainly imports from Russia, Norway, the Netherlands, Britain and Denmark via pipelines.
Germany imported 23.3% less natural gas in March than a year earlier as the coronavirus pandemic led to lockdowns and eroded demand, official data showed.
March imports totalled 580,899 Terajoules (TJ) or 16.5 billion cubic metres (bcm), trade statistics office BAFA, which releases the data with a time lag, said in a statement, Reuters reported.
Read alsoEU Court dismisses Nord Stream 2 claims against European gas directive
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Prices paid on the border of 3,474.55 euros/TJ ($3,785.17) in March, equivalent to 1.25 euro cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), were down 32.6% year-on-year as a supply glut weighed on the market.
But gas import volumes into Germany in the three months to end-March were still up 6.5% on the previous year, at 1.6 million TJ, because consumers had taken advantage of low prices to fill up their stocks in January and February.
Average prices on the border in the January to March period were down 33.7% on comparable 2019 at 3,732.77 euros/TJ.
This enabled importers to cut bills to a total 6.1 billion euros, down by 29.1% in the period under review, BAFA said.
Gas, power and carbon traders follow gas imports because the supply and demand balance can change prices and traded volumes in all three markets.
Gas statistics also correlate with coal, which competes with gas in the production of electricity.
Germany mainly imports from Russia, Norway, the Netherlands, Britain and Denmark via pipelines, while imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are also increasing in the region.


unian--2020-05-22--Ukraine sees increase in use of payment cards

The share of cashless transactions with the use of payment cards is 85.4 % , or UAH 1.18 billion ( US $ 44 million ) .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) says the number of transactions with payment cards issued by Ukrainian banks increased by 24.5 % in January-March 2020 year-over-year ( y-o-y ) , to 1.385 billion , while the volume of these transactions grew by 15.6 % , to UAH 920.5 billion ( US $ 34.3 billion ) .
The share of cashless transactions with the use of payment cards was 85.4 % , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million ) , the regulator said on its website on May 21 .
Cashless transactions amounted to UAH 503 billion ( US $ 18.8 billion ) , or 54.6 % of card transactions , while this figure was 49.7 % y-o-y .
Read alsoRetail trade in Ukraine almost 15 % down in April Cashless payments conducted via retail outlets account for 50.3 % , the largest share in terms of the number of transactions .
Card-to-card transfers dominate in terms of volume of transactions with a 41.3 % share .
The average check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( US $ 56.22 ) .
The number of payment cards in Ukraine was 68.6 million as of April 1 .
Moreover , cashless transactions using contactless and tokenized cards account for more than a third of the total number and volume of cashless transactions via POS terminals .
The dynamics of the expansion of cashless payment infrastructure remain stable .
Currently , nine POS terminals out of 10 provide cashless payments ( 90.2 % of all POS terminals ) , while as of April 1 , 2019 , only eight POS terminals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The number of POS terminals grew by 14.5 % in January-March 2020 , to 331,400 , the NBU said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the number of transactions with payment cards grew by 29 % in 2019 y-o-y , to 5 billion , while the volume of these transactions grew by 24 % , to UAH 3.6 trillion ( US $ 134.4 billion ) .

Ukraine sees increase in use of payment cards
13:40, 22.05.20 515
The share of cashless transactions with the use of payment cards is 85.4%, or UAH 1.18 billion (US$44 million).
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unian--2020-05-22--Zelensky asks government to fine-tune taxation rules in Ukraine

He wants clear and transparent taxation procedures for foreign companies that pay taxes in Ukraine .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sent to the Cabinet of Ministers , Ukraine 's government , a number of proposals regarding Law No .
466-IX that amends the Tax Code of Ukraine by improving tax administration and removing technical and logical inconsistencies in tax legislation .
It is about introducing clear and transparent rules of taxation for foreign companies that pay taxes in Ukraine , according to the presidential press service .
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jointly with representatives of business associations and experts , and submitted to the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , to introduce transparent and detailed mechanisms for implementing the provisions on restrictions introduced to prevent tax dodging .
He also asks to give taxpayers enough time to collect data and information necessary for the declaration of taxable assets amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
According to the president , the amount of fines for certain minor tax offenses should also be reduced .
In addition , the government should ensure the protection of data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities in reports on Ukrainian residents ' income , including earnings abroad , and in statements issued by the respective authorities of foreign states in accordance with the law .
What is more , the issue of criminalizing the illicit disclosure of such data and information should be considered .
Zelensky also asked the Cabinet to develop a capital amnesty bill and submit it to parliament .
These legislative changes should be prepared within three months in cooperation with experts , businesses and the Verkhovna Rada 's Committee on Finance , Taxation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business representatives , experts , and lawmakers , the government should also prepare proposals for consistent improvements and simplification of the administration of taxes and fees , ensuring the clarity of the taxation rules and streamlining terminology .
The relevant bill should be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada by late 2020 .
The press service recalled that the Verkhovna Rada on January 16 passed bill No .
1210 to amend the Tax Code of Ukraine to improve tax administration and remove technical and logical inconsistencies in tax legislation .
The bill proposes changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration system and brining it in line with international standards .
The bill is designed to introduce international tax control standards for all participants in international trade and implement the provisions of the Action Plan on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting ( BEPS Action Plan ) .
In addition , the amendments stipulated by the document provide the necessary conditions for reforming the State Fiscal Service and open up the possibility of transforming its structure in accordance with the concept of a single legal entity .
The document also improves the tax administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services for taxpayers .
From now on , a taxpayer who submits reports online or has been registered in the electronic office can apply for documents from the tax authorities in electronic form .

Zelensky asks government to fine-tune taxation rules in Ukraine
13:20, 22.05.20 4556
He wants clear and transparent taxation procedures for foreign companies that pay taxes in Ukraine.
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unian--2020-05-22--RFE/RL: UNICEF calls for ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, says children 'urgently need peace'

There have been 10 conflict-related child casualties since the beginning of this year .
The UN children 's agency is calling for all parties to the deadly conflict in eastern Ukraine to commit to a ceasefire and end more than six years of fighting , as an increase in shelling has resulted in numerous child casualties and damaged schools since the beginning of the year .
In a press release on May 21 , UNICEF said the surge in attacks combined with restrictions of movement imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus is `` making life even more unbearable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed armed formations , Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty ( RFE/RL ) said .
Read alsoRussia sends `` almost children '' to die in Donbas – journalist '' It is unconscionable that children and families in eastern Ukraine are not only having to cope with the strict lockdown measures all families are struggling with across Europe , but also the constant threat that their homes could come under attack , '' said Afshan Khan , UNICEF 's regional director for Europe and Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , where the conflict has killed more than 13,000 people since April 2014 , `` urgently need peace , '' she added .
There have been 10 conflict-related child casualties since the beginning of this year – double the number of child casualties compared to the same time period last year , UNICEF said .
During the first week of May , six children were wounded at home after their villages came under shelling .
Three young girls , two of them sisters , aged 7 and 10 , and the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were severely injured in one incident .
The UN agency also mentioned nine attacks on schools , including five in April .
In one of them , a 17-year-old girl was wounded by shrapnel while in her schoolyard .

There have been 10 conflict-related child casualties since the beginning of this year.
The UN children's agency is calling for all parties to the deadly conflict in eastern Ukraine to commit to a ceasefire and end more than six years of fighting, as an increase in shelling has resulted in numerous child casualties and damaged schools since the beginning of the year.
In a press release on May 21, UNICEF said the surge in attacks combined with restrictions of movement imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus is "making life even more unbearable" for the approximately 430,000 children caught up in the fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed armed formations, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said.
Read alsoRussia sends "almost children" to die in Donbas – journalist
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"It is unconscionable that children and families in eastern Ukraine are not only having to cope with the strict lockdown measures all families are struggling with across Europe, but also the constant threat that their homes could come under attack," said Afshan Khan, UNICEF's regional director for Europe and Central Asia.
Children and families in eastern Ukraine, where the conflict has killed more than 13,000 people since April 2014, "urgently need peace," she added.
There have been 10 conflict-related child casualties since the beginning of this year – double the number of child casualties compared to the same time period last year, UNICEF said.
During the first week of May, six children were wounded at home after their villages came under shelling. Three young girls, two of them sisters, aged 7 and 10, and the other a friend, also aged 7, were severely injured in one incident.
The UN agency also mentioned nine attacks on schools, including five in April. In one of them, a 17-year-old girl was wounded by shrapnel while in her schoolyard.


unian--2020-05-22--Retail trade in Ukraine almost 15% down in April

A 23 % decline in retail trade was registered in April 2020 against March 2020 .
Retail trade in Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ April 2020 year-over-year ( y-o-y ) .
A 23 % decline in retail trade was @ @ @ @ @ March 2020 , according to the Ukrainian State Statistics Service 's website .
Read alsoUkraine @ @ @ @ @ staples in Q1 The data does not include information from the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic @ @ @ @ @ of Sevastopol and occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions .
As UNIAN reported earlier @ @ @ @ @ in comparable prices in January-March 2020 grew by 10.6 % y-o-y .

Retail trade in Ukraine almost 15% down in April
12:30, 22.05.20 529
A 23% decline in retail trade was registered in April 2020 against March 2020.
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unian--2020-05-22--Some 3,907 healthcare workers, 1,434 children contract COVID-19 in Ukraine

In total , 20,148 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ukraine .
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has @ @ @ @ @ 1,434 children have contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus in Ukraine .
Read alsoU.S .
to provide @ @ @ @ @ mln in additional aid to counter coronavirus '' In total , 20,148 people , including @ @ @ @ @ as 3,907 healthcare workers , have contracted the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ an online briefing on Friday , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
In terms of @ @ @ @ @ of confirmed cases over the past day was registered in Lviv region – 65 , @ @ @ @ @ and the city of Kyiv – 47 , the minister said .
As UNIAN reported @ @ @ @ @ laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May 22 .
@ @ @ @ @ deaths have already been recorded in the country .
Some 6,585 patients have recovered .

In total, 20,148 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has said 3,907 healthcare workers and 1,434 children have contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus in Ukraine.
Read alsoU.S. to provide Ukraine with US$1 mln in additional aid to counter coronavirus
"In total, 20,148 people, including 1,434 children, as well as 3,907 healthcare workers, have contracted the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic," he said during an online briefing on Friday, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
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In terms of regions, the largest number of confirmed cases over the past day was registered in Lviv region – 65, Chernivtsi region – 63, and the city of Kyiv – 47, the minister said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 20,148 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on May 22.
A total of 588 COVID-19 deaths have already been recorded in the country. Some 6,585 patients have recovered.


unian--2020-05-22--Russia's armed aggression destroying ecological balance in Donbas

Some 5 million people live in the affected area .
As a result of Russia 's armed aggression launched against Ukraine , since April 2014 , the ecological balance has been damaged in eastern Ukraine 's Donbas , Ukrainian prosecutors have stated .
This led to threatening environmental changes in the area that is home to nearly 5 million people , the press service for the Donetsk regional prosecutor 's office reports , adding that a criminal proceeding has been registered on charges of violations of the laws and customs of war in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Code ) .
Read alsoEcologist warns of radioactive contamination threat over Russia-led forces ' actions in Donbas '' In the course of hostilities , a large number of infrastructure facilities were destroyed and damaged .
This could adversely affect operations of water treatment facilities , protection of toxic and radioactive waste storage sites , threatening deterioration in the quality of drinking water and disruptions in the operation of household and drinking water supply systems .
Indeed , the further flooding of mines in the occupied territory contributes to toxic mine water surfacing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sea of Azov , '' the report says .
Such actions by the occupying power are in violation of the provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of Dec 8 , 1949 , and Art .
Art .
35 , 54 , and 55 of the Additional Protocol of Aug 8 , 1977 ( Protocol I ) .
The pretrial investigation is being carried out by SBU security service detectives in Donetsk and Luhansk regions .

Some 5 million people live in the affected area.
As a result of Russia's armed aggression launched against Ukraine, since April 2014, the ecological balance has been damaged in eastern Ukraine's Donbas, Ukrainian prosecutors have stated.
This led to threatening environmental changes in the area that is home to nearly 5 million people, the press service for the Donetsk regional prosecutor's office reports, adding that a criminal proceeding has been registered on charges of violations of the laws and customs of war in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas (Part 1 Art 438 of the Criminal Code).
Read alsoEcologist warns of radioactive contamination threat over Russia-led forces' actions in Donbas
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"In the course of hostilities, a large number of infrastructure facilities were destroyed and damaged. This could adversely affect operations of water treatment facilities, protection of toxic and radioactive waste storage sites, threatening deterioration in the quality of drinking water and disruptions in the operation of household and drinking water supply systems. Indeed, the further flooding of mines in the occupied territory contributes to toxic mine water surfacing and getting into the Siversky Donets River and the Sea of Azov," the report says.
Such actions by the occupying power are in violation of the provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of Dec 8, 1949, and Art. Art. 35, 54, and 55 of the Additional Protocol of Aug 8, 1977 (Protocol I).
The pretrial investigation is being carried out by SBU security service detectives in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.


unian--2020-05-22--Donbas warzone update: One Ukrainian soldier killed, seven injured amid seven attacks in past day

According to Ukrainian intelligence reports , four members of the enemy forces were wounded .
One Ukrainian soldier was killed , while seven were injured as Russia-led forces mounted seven attacks in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , on Thursday , May 21 .
`` The Russian Federation 's armed formations violated the ceasefire seven times in the past day .
Unfortunately , as a result of enemy shelling , one Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action , another two were wounded in action , and another five sustained combat-related injuries , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on May 22 .
The enemy opened fire from proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars , grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and small arms .
Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka , and the villages of Shyrokyne , Pavlopil , Starohnativka , Bohdanivka , Krymske , and Triokhizbenka .
The Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy shelling .
According to Ukrainian intelligence reports , four members of the enemy forces were wounded on May 21 .
`` Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian positions near Bohdanivka and Verkhniotoretske in the Skhid ( East ) sector , using heavy machine guns , grenade launchers of various types , and small arms , '' the update said .
No Ukrainian army casualties have been reported since then .

According to Ukrainian intelligence reports, four members of the enemy forces were wounded.
One Ukrainian soldier was killed, while seven were injured as Russia-led forces mounted seven attacks in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on Thursday, May 21.
Read alsoRussia reportedly massing weapons 60 km from Ukraine border (Photo)
"The Russian Federation's armed formations violated the ceasefire seven times in the past day. Unfortunately, as a result of enemy shelling, one Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action, another two were wounded in action, and another five sustained combat-related injuries," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on May 22.
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The enemy opened fire from proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms.
Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Shyrokyne, Pavlopil, Starohnativka, Bohdanivka, Krymske, and Triokhizbenka.
The Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy shelling.
According to Ukrainian intelligence reports, four members of the enemy forces were wounded on May 21.
"Since Friday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near Bohdanivka and Verkhniotoretske in the Skhid (East) sector, using heavy machine guns, grenade launchers of various types, and small arms," the update said.
No Ukrainian army casualties have been reported since then.


unian--2020-05-22--Zelensky signs controversial "tax terror law"

The provisions of the law , which has been enacted under No .
466-IX , expand regulatory authorities ' rights , tighten the taxation rules , as well as introducing unprecedented control mechanisms for foreign companies .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed bill No .
1210 into law to amend the Tax Code of Ukraine by improving tax administration and removing technical and logical inconsistencies in tax legislation .
The provisions of the law , which has been enacted under No .
466-IX , expand regulatory authorities ' rights , tighten the taxation rules , as well as introducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the presidential press service .
Experts said bill No .
1210 had been drafted and voted before the economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic , which significantly affected the number of changes it proposed , so the implementation of the controversial provisions is at variance with the economic realities that have developed recently .
Simultaneously with the signing of the law , the president submitted to the parliament a package of proposals regarding amendments to its wording .
These changes should be prepared jointly with experts and businesses within three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , experts , and lawmakers , the government should also prepare proposals for consistent improvements and simplification of the administration of taxes and fees , ensuring the clarity of the taxation rules and streamlining terminology .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , on January 16 passed bill No .
1210 that amends the Tax Code of Ukraine to improve tax administration and remove technical and logical inconsistencies in tax legislation .
Almost all major business associations and those of Ukraine 's foreign investors , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Commerce , the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs , the Federation of Employers of Ukraine , and many others largely criticized the bill back in November 2019 .

Zelensky signs controversial "tax terror law"
11:15, 22.05.20 6886
The provisions of the law, which has been enacted under No. 466-IX, expand regulatory authorities' rights, tighten the taxation rules, as well as introducing unprecedented control mechanisms for foreign companies.
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