unian--2020-12-06--Week's balance: Cabinet stops weekend quarantine, Rada adopts water transport law and postpones new

Week's balance: Cabinet stops weekend quarantine, Rada adopts water transport law and postpones new cash register rule for businesses

The Cabinet of Ministers refused to extend the weekend quarantine , while the Verkhovna Rada passed a law on water transport , postponed for a year the introduction of cash registers mandate for all entrepreneurs , and adopted a package of presidential laws to aid businesses amid coronacrisis .
Ukrainians will remember the first week of winter for the lack of consensus between the president 's office and the cabinet on the introduction of a new tough lockdown amid new covid spikes Meanwhile , on Wednesday , Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced at a government meeting that the weekend quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be stated that we have seen a positive effect .
By the end of the weekend quarantine , November 30 , over the previous week , we received 6,000 fewer virus cases than it was predicted , '' he said .
According to Shmygal , the toughened quarantine measures over the weekends somewhat stabilized the morbidity rate among Ukrainians and a hospital load .
At the same time , the `` orange zone '' restrictions will prevail throughout the country , both on weekends and on weekdays .
This means that entertainment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night hours ( after 22.00 ) , catering establishments will be allowed to work if the number of seats does n't exceed 50 % capacity , while public transport will shall carry only seated passengers .
As for a tough lockdown with the heaviest restrictions , the Cabinet does not plan to introduce it before the New Year .
The Ministry of Health proposed to do this for the holiday period – starting from the first days of January , lasting three weeks .
`` We will offer the government a scheduled strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first days of January .
We believe that the duration of such a quarantine , in order to achieve the maximum effect , should be within three weeks , '' said Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov .
It is difficult to say whether the decision of the authorities regarding the date of the lockdown will change within a month .
But undoubtedly , strict quarantine will be introduced in Ukraine , because such measures are used by European countries , and we follow their example in this matter .
This week the Verkhovna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of which is on water transport .
According to the Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Kryklii , this gives a start to the reform of river transport and the revival of efficient river logistics .
`` There will be a reform of river transport .
Thanks to the implementation of this law , we will be able to revive the cheapest and most environmentally friendly way of delivering goods - river transportation and create efficient river logistics , '' the minister said .
One of the authors of the law , head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Verkhovna Rada Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Artem Kovalev believes that its adoption will be the first step towards an open and competitive market for freight and passenger transportation by water .
`` Adoption of the law marks the start of river transport reform .
This is the first step towards an open and competitive market for freight and passenger transportation by water .
And this means an increase in water transportation , reduction in logistics costs for businesses , the development of shipbuilding , new enterprises and new jobs , Ukrainian and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure , '' Kovalev wrote on Facebook .
He stressed that the active development of river transport in Ukraine will allow the government to receive economic benefits and save billions of hryvnias on road repairs .
The law regulates all spheres of water transport : issues of state regulation , river infrastructure , transportation of goods and passengers , and navigation .
The document is also intended to develop passenger transportation along the rivers flowing across Ukraine , including international ones .
To this end , a State Fund for the Development of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the national budget 's special fund .
The funds will be allocated for the maintenance of waterways , as well as construction , reconstruction , repair , and maintenance of the inland water transport infrastructure .
As for the modernization of the rest of the transport , in the outgoing week the economy ministry announced a large-scale plan to upgrade railway freight cars .
The fact is that more than 90 % of freight cars , produced in 1960s , have already exceeded their service life .
`` The goal of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freight cars fleet in the next 10 years , which will lead to government orders worth billions for Ukrainian manufacturers , hundreds of thousands of jobs , and additional GDP growth of +2.0 % per year , '' the ministry said .
Postponement of cash registers mandate and aid to businesses On Tuesday , December 1 , the Rada adopted a law postponing until January 1 , 2022 , the rule applied to the entrepreneurs from the simplified taxation group to use cash registers at all times .
In a nutshell , MPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another year .
After the transition period , the use of cash registers will be mandated .
Prior to that , for nearly a month , individual entrepreneurs had been holding rallies in Kyiv demanding that the new rule be abolished as such .
The mere delay in the inevitable has not left them satisfied , it appears .
On Friday , December 4 , activist entrepreneurs rallied outside the President 's Office and the Verkhovna Rada , protesting against fiscalization innovations .
At the same time , in the outgoing week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bills from the so-called Zelensky package on providing assistance to businesses in case tougher lockdown is introduced .
In particular , the law on material assistance to entrepreneurs for the period of quarantine restrictions provides for the payment of one-time financial assistance in the amount of UAH 8,000 to insured persons – employees and individual entrepreneurs who may lose part of their salaries or income if they are told to suspend operations due to a lockdown ...
It also provides for one-time financial assistance to businesses in order to preserve jobs , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribution payments for their employees .
Another adopted law introduces tax holidays for 200,000 entrepreneurs of the first taxation group – they will be exempt from paying the single tax and single social contribution from December 2020 to May 2021 .
In addition , tax debt has been written off if it did not exceed UAH 3,060 as of November 1 , 2020 .
Next week , the State Statistics Service will release fresh data on inflation , while the government may consider raising electricity tariffs for households , as announced by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the second week of winter will be almost snowless , while air temperature in most regions will drop by a few more degrees .
The time has come to actively strengthen the immune system and prepare for the New Year holidays , which in difficult times like these is better to spend at home , together with our loved ones .
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The Cabinet of Ministers refused to extend the weekend quarantine, while the Verkhovna Rada passed a law on water transport, postponed for a year the introduction of cash registers mandate for all entrepreneurs, and adopted a package of presidential laws to aid businesses amid coronacrisis.
Ukrainians will remember the first week of winter for the lack of consensus between the president's office and the cabinet on the introduction of a new tough lockdown amid new covid spikes
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced at a government meeting that the weekend quarantine would not be extended.
"It can be stated that we have seen a positive effect. By the end of the weekend quarantine, November 30, over the previous week, we received 6,000 fewer virus cases than it was predicted," he said.
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According to Shmygal, the toughened quarantine measures over the weekends somewhat stabilized the morbidity rate among Ukrainians and a hospital load.
At the same time, the "orange zone" restrictions will prevail throughout the country, both on weekends and on weekdays. This means that entertainment establishments and restaurants shall be closed at night hours (after 22.00), catering establishments will be allowed to work if the number of seats doesn't exceed 50% capacity, while public transport will shall carry only seated passengers.
As for a tough lockdown with the heaviest restrictions, the Cabinet does not plan to introduce it before the New Year. The Ministry of Health proposed to do this for the holiday period – starting from the first days of January, lasting three weeks.
"We will offer the government a scheduled strict quarantine with maximum restrictions starting from the first days of January. We believe that the duration of such a quarantine, in order to achieve the maximum effect, should be within three weeks," said Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov.
It is difficult to say whether the decision of the authorities regarding the date of the lockdown will change within a month. But undoubtedly, strict quarantine will be introduced in Ukraine, because such measures are used by European countries, and we follow their example in this matter.
Revival of river navigation
This week the Verkhovna Rada passed several important bills laws, one of which is on water transport.
According to the Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Kryklii, this gives a start to the reform of river transport and the revival of efficient river logistics.
"There will be a reform of river transport. Thanks to the implementation of this law, we will be able to revive the cheapest and most environmentally friendly way of delivering goods - river transportation and create efficient river logistics," the minister said.
One of the authors of the law, head of the subcommittee on river transport of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Artem Kovalev believes that its adoption will be the first step towards an open and competitive market for freight and passenger transportation by water.
"Adoption of the law marks the start of river transport reform. This is the first step towards an open and competitive market for freight and passenger transportation by water. And this means an increase in water transportation, reduction in logistics costs for businesses, the development of shipbuilding, new enterprises and new jobs, Ukrainian and foreign investment, and modernization of river infrastructure," Kovalev wrote on Facebook.
He stressed that the active development of river transport in Ukraine will allow the government to receive economic benefits and save billions of hryvnias on road repairs.
The law regulates all spheres of water transport: issues of state regulation, river infrastructure, transportation of goods and passengers, and navigation. The document is also intended to develop passenger transportation along the rivers flowing across Ukraine, including international ones.
To this end, a State Fund for the Development of Inland Waterways will be created as part of the national budget's special fund. The funds will be allocated for the maintenance of waterways, as well as construction, reconstruction, repair, and maintenance of the inland water transport infrastructure.
As for the modernization of the rest of the transport, in the outgoing week the economy ministry announced a large-scale plan to upgrade railway freight cars. The fact is that more than 90% of freight cars, produced in 1960s, have already exceeded their service life.
"The goal of the joint developments is a drastic renewal of freight cars fleet in the next 10 years, which will lead to government orders worth billions for Ukrainian manufacturers, hundreds of thousands of jobs, and additional GDP growth of +2.0% per year," the ministry said.
Postponement of cash registers mandate and aid to businesses
On Tuesday, December 1, the Rada adopted a law postponing until January 1, 2022, the rule applied to the entrepreneurs from the simplified taxation group to use cash registers at all times. In a nutshell, MPs have postponed fiscalization of small businesses for another year. After the transition period, the use of cash registers will be mandated.
Prior to that, for nearly a month, individual entrepreneurs had been holding rallies in Kyiv demanding that the new rule be abolished as such. The mere delay in the inevitable has not left them satisfied, it appears.
On Friday, December 4, activist entrepreneurs rallied outside the President's Office and the Verkhovna Rada, protesting against fiscalization innovations.
At the same time, in the outgoing week, the Verkhovna Rada passed a number of bills from the so-called Zelensky package on providing assistance to businesses in case tougher lockdown is introduced.
In particular, the law on material assistance to entrepreneurs for the period of quarantine restrictions provides for the payment of one-time financial assistance in the amount of UAH 8,000 to insured persons – employees and individual entrepreneurs who may lose part of their salaries or income if they are told to suspend operations due to a lockdown...
It also provides for one-time financial assistance to businesses in order to preserve jobs, and compensation for the costs of single social contribution payments for their employees.
Another adopted law introduces tax holidays for 200,000 entrepreneurs of the first taxation group – they will be exempt from paying the single tax and single social contribution from December 2020 to May 2021. In addition, tax debt has been written off if it did not exceed UAH 3,060 as of November 1, 2020.
Next week, the State Statistics Service will release fresh data on inflation, while the government may consider raising electricity tariffs for households, as announced by the energy minister.
According to meteorological forecasts, the second week of winter will be almost snowless, while air temperature in most regions will drop by a few more degrees. The time has come to actively strengthen the immune system and prepare for the New Year holidays, which in difficult times like these is better to spend at home, together with our loved ones.
Anna Nahorna


unian--2020-12-06--Ukraine gov't ordering construction of three An-178 transport aircraft

This is the first time in 29 years that such an order has been placed .
The Defense Ministry of Ukraine and the state-owned Antonov Design Bureau are set to sign a contract for the construction of three new An-178 transport aircraft .
That 's according to Vice Prime Minister , Minister for Strategic Industries Oleh Urusky , who spoke with RFE/RL 's Ukrainian bureau , the ministry 's press service reported .
`` For the first time in 29 years , we place a government order for the construction of new aircraft .
Never since the inception of independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the minister said .
He also noted that the government ordered repairs for a batch of armored vehicles and intended to purchase new artillery systems .
On November 11 , the Cabinet of Ministers approved the concept of the State Target Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of the Aviation Industry for 2021-2030 .
Ukraine is forming a joint venture company with Turkey to domestically produce as many as 48 Bayraktar TB2 combat drones , according to Ukrspecexport , a state-owned Ukrainian defense firm .
Read alsoSpat over Antonov between Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladyslav Kryklii says the aviation industry in the country may recover by 50 % by the end of next year , compared with the performance in 2019 .
Antonov 's most recognized projects are the An-32 , An-148 , An-158 , An-74 , An-124 Ruslan , An-70 , and An-225 Mriya .
An-178 is a Ukrainian medium-haul transport aircraft based on the An-158 , with a max payload of 18 tonnes and a range of up to 3,680 km .
It is able to carry up to 90 soldiers/84 paratroopers/78 wounded .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a replacement for the An-12 transport plane .

Ukraine gov't ordering construction of three An-178 transport aircraft
11:40, 06.12.20 12309
This is the first time in 29 years that such an order has been placed.
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unian--2020-12-06--COVID-19: Ukraine reports 11,500 new cases Dec 6

Over the past day , the largest number of confirmed cases was registered in the City of Kyiv .
A @ @ @ @ @ active COVID-19 cases were recorded in Ukraine as of the morning of Sunday , December @ @ @ @ @ day , 11,590 new cases were reported , Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov wrote on @ @ @ @ @ 1,127 patients were hospitalized over the past 24 hours , while 167 patients died from @ @ @ @ @ Read alsoAbout 20 mln Ukrainians to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at expense of budgetAlso , @ @ @ @ @ , including 33,308 PCR tests and 8,788 ELISA tests .
Since the onset of the @ @ @ @ @ officials have reported : Over the past day , the largest number of confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ of Kyiv ( 1,518 ) , as well as Odesa ( 1,002 ) , Zaporizhia @ @ @ @ @ ( 809 ) and Dnipropetrovsk ( 798 ) regions .

Over the past day, the largest number of confirmed cases was registered in the City of Kyiv.
A total of 813,306 active COVID-19 cases were recorded in Ukraine as of the morning of Sunday, December 6.
In the past day, 11,590 new cases were reported, Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook.
The minister says 1,127 patients were hospitalized over the past 24 hours, while 167 patients died from complications and 6,048 recovered.
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Read alsoAbout 20 mln Ukrainians to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at expense of budgetAlso, 42,096 tests were run, including 33,308 PCR tests and 8,788 ELISA tests.
Since the onset of the pandemic in Ukraine, health officials have reported:
Cases: 813,306;
Recoveries: 418,581;
Deaths: 13,588; and
PCR tests run: 4,780,080.
Over the past day, the largest number of confirmed cases was registered in the City of Kyiv (1,518), as well as Odesa (1,002), Zaporizhia (817), Kyiv (809) and Dnipropetrovsk (798) regions.


unian--2020-12-06--Space industry: Minister tells of funding expectations

The government intends to attract major foreign investment in the field .
The Ukrainian government could approve the concept of a national space program before year-end , hopes Vice Prime Minister , Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine Oleh Urusky .
`` We have submitted it recently , Urusky told RFE/RL 's Ukrainian service .
`` I think that this year , we will approve the concept .
And then we will immediately start approving the national program .
I hope , if we look realistically , early next year we will table it in the Verkhovna Rada because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be approved , '' said Urusky .
Besides the government sector of financing , the program envisages efforts to attract major foreign investment .
Read alsoUkraine strikes deal with NASA on Moon , Mars exploration '' We need to work to this end .
But the segment of remote sensing of the planet and the research segment should remain at the government level .
I stand for having them financed from the national budget .
Satellite communications , however , as well as navigation , launch vehicles of various types – I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be funded exclusively through commercial projects , '' Urusky added .
Law on the regulation of space activities On October 29 , 2019 , President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the latest amendments to legislation on the State Regulation of Space Activities ( No .
143-IX ) .

Space industry: Minister tells of funding expectations
22:20, 06.12.20 1618
The government intends to attract major foreign investment in the field.
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unian--2020-12-06--Gov't says 50% of population to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2021

The deputy minister has elaborated on risk groups that would first be provided with vaccines .
Half of Ukraine 's population will be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus in 2021 , says Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko .
The Ministry of Health intends to have 20.9 million Ukrainians belonging to various risk groups vaccinated , Liashko told journalists , according to RBC-Ukraine .
• Persons living care homes and staff of such institutions : 136,500 ; • Senior citizens 60 years of age and over : almost 9.8 million ; • Employees of law enforcement and state security agencies ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SBU and State Emergency Service ) : 570,700 ; • Persons from 18 to 59 years of age with comorbidities : 6.37 million ; and • Other professional groups and categories of the population : 1.72 million .
On November 8 , Deputy Minister of Health Viktor Liashko said that the COVAX facility has confirmed plans to provide a free coronavirus vaccine for about 4 million Ukrainian citizens who will be able to get vaccinated in the first half of 2021 .
On November 24 , President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of citizens to be vaccinated .

The deputy minister has elaborated on risk groups that would first be provided with vaccines.
Half of Ukraine's population will be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus in 2021, says Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko.
The Ministry of Health intends to have 20.9 million Ukrainians belonging to various risk groups vaccinated, Liashko told journalists, according to RBC-Ukraine.
These categories include:
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Healthcare workers, including those directly involved in COVID-19 response efforts: 402,200;
Military participating in the Joint Forces operation: 41,000;
Social workers: 156,900;
Persons living care homes and staff of such institutions: 136,500;
Senior citizens 60 years of age and over: almost 9.8 million;
Teachers and other education workers: 1.43 million;
Employees of law enforcement and state security agencies (military, police, National Guard, SBU and State Emergency Service): 570,700;
Persons held in penitentiary facilities, prison administrations: 65,800;
Persons from 18 to 59 years of age with comorbidities: 6.37 million; and
Other professional groups and categories of the population: 1.72 million.
Read alsoUkraine not to buy Russian vaccine, health minister saysCoronavirus vaccine: Latest
On November 8, Deputy Minister of Health Viktor Liashko said that the COVAX facility has confirmed plans to provide a free coronavirus vaccine for about 4 million Ukrainian citizens who will be able to get vaccinated in the first half of 2021.
On November 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the first stage of vaccination and named priority categories of citizens to be vaccinated.


unian--2020-12-06--Zelensky on Donbas truce achievements: Combat losses down 90% on year

In the same period a year ago , on average , one Ukrainian soldier was killed every 72 hours .
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky says the ongoing ceasefire in Donbas that 's been in place for 133 days already , has led to a drastic decrease in combat losses .
`` Today marks the 133rd day since ceasefire has been declared in Donbas .
The longest truce since the outbreak of war continues , the number of shellings has decreased by 80 % , combat losses among the military have decreased by 90 % , and there 's 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president said this during the celebrations on the occasion of Armed Forces Day , broadcast live on Zelensky 's Facebook page .
Zelensky recalled that over the same period last year , on average , one Ukrainian soldier was killed every 72 hours .
`` Now there are weeks , months without KIAs or WIAs .
Perhaps this might be a harsh and atypical phrase for statistical data : in our Ukraine , there 's almost 90 % fewer funerals , 90 % fewer tears shed by mothers , children , spouses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zelensky added .
Read alsoUkraine reports one soldier wounded by enemy sniper amid two ceasefire violations on Dec 4According to the head of state , the world sees how much Ukraine and its troops are doing for ending the war .
`` So that it 's loud in the east only on the day when peace returns to the entire territory of Donetsk and Luhansk , when we celebrate this with major fireworks , raising our eyes to the sky in belief that Ukraine will hear only this kind of shots in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 22 , the participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and OSCE ) on Donbas settlement agreed on a complete and comprehensive ceasefire on the contact line from July 27 .
• Ban on offensive and reconnaissance and subversive action , as well as on the use of any type of aircraft ; • Ban on deploying heavy weapons in settlements and the surrounding areas ; in particular , civilian infrastructure : schools , kindergartens , hospitals , and public settings ; • Effective application of disciplinary measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TCG coordinator , who shall forward information to all participants ; and • Creation and implementation of a coordination mechanism for responding to ceasefire violations with the assistance of the Joint Control Center in its current composition .

In the same period a year ago, on average, one Ukrainian soldier was killed every 72 hours.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky says the ongoing ceasefire in Donbas that's been in place for 133 days already, has led to a drastic decrease in combat losses.
"Today marks the 133rd day since ceasefire has been declared in Donbas. The longest truce since the outbreak of war continues, the number of shellings has decreased by 80%, combat losses among the military have decreased by 90%, and there's 90% fewer combat injuries," the president said this during the celebrations on the occasion of Armed Forces Day, broadcast live on Zelensky's Facebook page.
Zelensky recalled that over the same period last year, on average, one Ukrainian soldier was killed every 72 hours.
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"Now there are weeks, months without KIAs or WIAs. Perhaps this might be a harsh and atypical phrase for statistical data: in our Ukraine, there's almost 90% fewer funerals, 90% fewer tears shed by mothers, children, spouses, other relatives, and brothers-in-arms," Zelensky added.
Read alsoUkraine reports one soldier wounded by enemy sniper amid two ceasefire violations on Dec 4According to the head of state, the world sees how much Ukraine and its troops are doing for ending the war. "So that it's loud in the east only on the day when peace returns to the entire territory of Donetsk and Luhansk, when we celebrate this with major fireworks, raising our eyes to the sky in belief that Ukraine will hear only this kind of shots in the future," he said ...
Latest truce
On July 22, the participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and OSCE) on Donbas settlement agreed on a complete and comprehensive ceasefire on the contact line from July 27.
Ceasefire deal: Details


unian--2020-12-06--Gov't to put Ukraine on lockdown in January: PM

Thus , earlier reports claiming the lockdown will be introduced as early as December have not been confirmed .
The Cabinet in January 2021 will be introducing tough restricting measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 , says Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal .
The intended move is due to the growing incidence of COVID-19 , Shmyhal wrote on Facebook on December 6 .
Thus , earlier reports claiming the lockdown will be introduced as early as December have not been confirmed .
Thanks to the weekend quarantine , `` we managed to somewhat stabilize the epidemic situation and relieve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' added the prime minister .
Referring to the forecast of Health Minister Maksym Stepanov , Shmyhal expressed confidence that the health care system will cope with the current load throughout December .
Shmyhal said that he was now working with the local authorities on drafting a list of possible restrictions .
To this end , mayors and governors organized surveys in the respective settlements and regions .
Read alsoCOVID-19 : Ukraine reports 11,500 new cases Dec 6Popular support for certain bans is as follows : • Museums , cinemas and theaters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option : 95 % ; and According to the prime minister , mayors and governors have spoken in favor of partial restrictions on public transport ( allowing seating capacity only ) , catering establishments ( allowing delivery or take-away ) and hotels ( banning entertainment and catering zones ) .

Thus, earlier reports claiming the lockdown will be introduced as early as December have not been confirmed.
The Cabinet in January 2021 will be introducing tough restricting measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, says Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
The intended move is due to the growing incidence of COVID-19, Shmyhal wrote on Facebook on December 6.
Thus, earlier reports claiming the lockdown will be introduced as early as December have not been confirmed.
Видео дня
Thanks to the weekend quarantine, "we managed to somewhat stabilize the epidemic situation and relieve the burden on the health care system," added the prime minister.
Referring to the forecast of Health Minister Maksym Stepanov, Shmyhal expressed confidence that the health care system will cope with the current load throughout December.
"However, taking into account the dynamics of morbidity, we assume that more stringent quarantine measures will have to be introduced in January," he said.
Shmyhal said that he was now working with the local authorities on drafting a list of possible restrictions. To this end, mayors and governors organized surveys in the respective settlements and regions.
Read alsoCOVID-19: Ukraine reports 11,500 new cases Dec 6Popular support for certain bans is as follows:
Concerts, clubs, public events in indoor settings, hostels, shopping and entertainment centers: 100%;
Museums, cinemas and theaters, and catering establishments with the leisure services option: 95%; and
Holiday fairs, gyms, and fitness centers: 90%.
According to the prime minister, mayors and governors have spoken in favor of partial restrictions on public transport (allowing seating capacity only), catering establishments (allowing delivery or take-away) and hotels (banning entertainment and catering zones).


unian--2020-12-06--U.S. calls on EU, Germany to put halt on Nord Stream 2 construction

The acting U.S. ambassador to Berlin has called on the German government and the European Union to put a temporary halt to construction work on the pipeline to send a signal to Moscow .
Washington says the pipeline , which has become a flashpoint in relations between Russia and the West that have sunk to post-Cold War lows , compromises European energy security , writes Germany 's Handelsblatt daily , Reuters reported .
The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction and operation of two gas pipeline branches with a total throughput capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany .
It should connect Russia 's Ust-Lug and Germany 's Greifswald .
This new pipeline bypassing Ukraine is to be built next to the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline .
The construction of the pipeline was expected to be completed before the end of 2019 .
Read alsoNord Stream 2 `` dead '' – international energy expertThe pipeline will be 1,220 km long .
The project is being implemented by Russia 's Gazprom in alliance with European companies – ENGIE , OMV , Royal Dutch Shell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stands against the construction of Nord Stream 2 as it will most likely lose its status of a gas transit country , while its potential revenue losses are estimated at US $ 3 billion annually .
The project is also highly criticized by the U.S. , Poland , and the Baltic States .
On July 15 , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that the participants in the Nord Stream 2 project would fall under the Countering America 's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act , CAATSA .
On July 16 , the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project .
On July 23 , the U.S. Senate approved the draft National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 , which , among other things , contains additional sanctions against the companies involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2 .
Ukraine 's Foreign Ministry welcomed the United States ' readiness to impose sanctions on investment companies involved in the completion of the project .
Norway 's risk management and quality assurance firm DNV GL has suspended work on Nord Stream 2 on fears of @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The pipe is Russia's "political tool," Washington stresses.
The acting U.S. ambassador to Berlin has called on the German government and the European Union to put a temporary halt to construction work on the pipeline to send a signal to Moscow.
Washington says the pipeline, which has become a flashpoint in relations between Russia and the West that have sunk to post-Cold War lows, compromises European energy security, writes Germany's Handelsblatt daily, Reuters reported.
"This pipeline is not just an economic project, but the Kremlin's political tool to bypass Ukraine and divide Europe," Robin Quinville, acting U.S. Ambassador to Berlin, told Handelsblatt.
Nord Stream 2: Background
The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction and operation of two gas pipeline branches with a total throughput capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. It should connect Russia's Ust-Lug and Germany's Greifswald. This new pipeline bypassing Ukraine is to be built next to the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
The construction of the pipeline was expected to be completed before the end of 2019.
Read alsoNord Stream 2 "dead" – international energy expertThe pipeline will be 1,220 km long. The project is being implemented by Russia's Gazprom in alliance with European companies – ENGIE, OMV, Royal Dutch Shell, Uniper, and Wintershall. Ukraine stands against the construction of Nord Stream 2 as it will most likely lose its status of a gas transit country, while its potential revenue losses are estimated at US$3 billion annually. The project is also highly criticized by the U.S., Poland, and the Baltic States.
On July 15, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that the participants in the Nord Stream 2 project would fall under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, CAATSA.
On July 16, the U.S. recommended that investment companies reconsider their participation in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.
On July 23, the U.S. Senate approved the draft National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which, among other things, contains additional sanctions against the companies involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry welcomed the United States' readiness to impose sanctions on investment companies involved in the completion of the project.
Norway's risk management and quality assurance firm DNV GL has suspended work on Nord Stream 2 on fears of being sanctioned by the United States.


unian--2020-12-07--Szijjártó speaks of Hungarian minority in Ukraine at EU council, but no one reacts – journalist

The issue was raised following a number of security service raids in Ukraine 's Zakarpattia region .
Brussels-based RFE/RL journalist Rikard Jozwiak has said Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó raised the issue of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine at the EU Foreign Affairs Council , but no one else reacted to the point .
`` the Hungarian foreign minister raised the issue of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine at the EU foreign affair council today .
no one else reacted to the point , '' the journalist wrote on Twitter on December 7 , 2020 .
Read alsoUkraine not determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Hungary – MFALatest row between Ukraine and Hungary On November 30 , the SBU conducted a number of raids in Zakarpattia region , targeting , among others , the chair of the Party of Hungarians of Ukraine ( KMKSZ ) , Vasyl Brenzovych .
Detectives investigate allegedly bogus contracts concluded by Hungarian charitable foundations .
According to security officials , some of the investigated actions could have been to the detriment of Ukraine 's national security , including state sovereignty .
Earlier , observers from NGO Civil Network OPORA reported that Hungarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party ( the Party of Hungarians of Ukraine ) while visiting Zakarpattia region during local elections .
Subsequently , Ukraine put two Hungarian officials on the stoplist .
Commissioner of the Government of Hungary for Cooperation between Hungary 's Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg County and Zakarpattia region , Mr. Istvan Grezsa on November 24 was refused entry into Ukraine due to the existing ban .
Following SBU searches on November 30 , Hungarian authorities summoned the Ukrainian ambassador in Budapest , while Szijjártó referred to the raids as an `` incomprehensible political swing in relation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to block Ukraine 's advance toward stronger cooperation with NATO over the contested issues around the language clause of the law on education .

The issue was raised following a number of security service raids in Ukraine's Zakarpattia region.
Brussels-based RFE/RL journalist Rikard Jozwiak has said Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó raised the issue of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, but no one else reacted to the point.
"the Hungarian foreign minister raised the issue of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine at the EU foreign affair council today. no one else reacted to the point," the journalist wrote on Twitter on December 7, 2020.
Read alsoUkraine not determined to "get into political war" with Hungary – MFALatest row between Ukraine and Hungary
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On November 30, the SBU conducted a number of raids in Zakarpattia region, targeting, among others, the chair of the Party of Hungarians of Ukraine (KMKSZ), Vasyl Brenzovych.
Detectives investigate allegedly bogus contracts concluded by Hungarian charitable foundations. According to security officials, some of the investigated actions could have been to the detriment of Ukraine's national security, including state sovereignty.
Earlier, observers from NGO Civil Network OPORA reported that Hungarian officials had campaigned for KMKSZ Ukrajnai Magyar Party (the Party of Hungarians of Ukraine) while visiting Zakarpattia region during local elections.
Subsequently, Ukraine put two Hungarian officials on the stoplist.
Commissioner of the Government of Hungary for Cooperation between Hungary's Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg County and Zakarpattia region, Mr. Istvan Grezsa on November 24 was refused entry into Ukraine due to the existing ban.
Following SBU searches on November 30, Hungarian authorities summoned the Ukrainian ambassador in Budapest, while Szijjártó referred to the raids as an "incomprehensible political swing in relation to Hungarian parties."
Earlier, Hungary tried to block Ukraine's advance toward stronger cooperation with NATO over the contested issues around the language clause of the law on education.


unian--2020-12-07--Int'l reserves stand at US$26.1 mln as of Dec 1 – NBU

Overall , the dynamics of international reserves in November were determined , in particular , by public debt repayments .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) has said Ukraine 's international reserves stood at US $ 26.1 million as of December 1 , 2020 .
In November , the reserves decreased by 0.02 % , or US $ 4.7 million , as a result of redeeming external and domestic debt of the government and foreign exchange interventions conducted by the NBU to alleviate forex rate fluctuations in the currency market .
Overall , the dynamics of international reserves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by government transactions to repay public debt .
`` Foreign exchange earnings in favor of the government amounted to US $ 355.5 million , including US $ 345.5 million from the placement of domestic government bonds .
At the same time , the total volume of payments for servicing and repaying public debt in foreign currency amounted to US $ 319.6 million .
Of this amount , US $ 245.9 million was used to service and repay government bonds denominated in foreign currency , US $ 72.5 million to fulfill obligations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the funds was used to fulfill other government obligations in foreign currency , '' the NBU said .
The NBU 's interbank forex market transactions also influenced the dynamics of international reserves .
In early November , demand on foreign currency on the interbank forex market exceeded the supply to due recovery of business activity , including resumption of imports .
To smooth out exchange rate fluctuations that weakened the hryvnia , the NBU intervened several times by selling US $ 87 million .
At the same time , on certain days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of foreign currency , the National Bank bought US $ 41 million .
The last three weeks of November , the foreign exchange market was balanced , so the NBU did not come out with interventions .
Also , the revaluation of financial instruments due to changes in their market value and exchange rate fluctuations took place .
Last month , the value of these instruments increased by US $ 77.9 million .
`` International reserves now cover 4.3 months of future imports , which is sufficient for Ukraine to meet its commitments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBU to make their current transactions , '' the regulator added .

Int'l reserves stand at US$26.1 mln as of Dec 1 – NBU
16:05, 07.12.20 2147
Overall, the dynamics of international reserves in November were determined, in particular, by public debt repayments.
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unian--2020-12-07--Ukraine not determined to "get into political war" with Hungary – MFA

Kuleba stressed Kyiv and Budapest must respect each other 's legislation and national interests .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said Ukraine is not determined to escalate the political conflict with Hungary , seeking to maintain normal relations with the neighbor .
In an interview with the RBC Ukraine news agency , the minister said he is trying to resolve the problems with Budapest for three reasons .
`` Firstly , it is an important neighbor country in Central Europe , and we are also part of this space ... Secondly , it is a NATO Ally , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Hungary on the issue of Euro-Atlantic integration .
Thirdly , this is a European Union member state , whose position is also important to us , '' he said .
Kuleba stressed Kyiv and Budapest must respect each other 's legislation and national interests .
The official added the relations with Hungary should not be perceived exclusively through the prism of the activities of some Ukrainian citizens who sympathizes with Hungarian interests .
Kuleba believes Hungary and Ukraine have such a complicated relationship since both states are `` very traumatized by their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why they are very sensitive to any issues when history breaks into the present times , or even tries to dictate the future .
And these hidden traumas – they lead to a clash of interests .
In addition , Hungary has been very ambitious in recent years , not only in relationships with Ukraine , but also with a number of other countries , and with the European Union as a whole , '' the minister added .
On November 30 , the SBU conducted a number of raids in Zakarpattia region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair of the Party of Hungarians of Ukraine ( KMKSZ ) , Vasyl Brenzovych .
Detectives investigate allegedly bogus contracts concluded by Hungarian charitable foundations .
According to security officials , some of the investigated actions could have been to the detriment of Ukraine 's national security , including state sovereignty .
Earlier , observers from NGO Civil Network OPORA reported that Hungarian officials had campaigned for `` KMKS '' Ukrajnai Magyar Party ( the Party of Hungarians of Ukraine ) while visiting Zakarpattia region during local elections .
Subsequently , Ukraine put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner of the Government of Hungary for Cooperation between Hungary 's Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg County and Zakarpattia region , Mr. Istvan Grezsa on November 24 was refused entry into Ukraine due to the existing ban .
Following SBU searches on November 30 , Hungarian authorities summoned the Ukrainian ambassador in Budapest , while Szijjarto referred to the raids as an `` incomprehensible political swing in relation to Hungarian parties . ''
Earlier , Hungary tried to block Ukraine 's advance toward stronger cooperation with NATO over the contested issues around the language clause of the @ @ @ @

Kuleba stressed Kyiv and Budapest must respect each other's legislation and national interests.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said Ukraine is not determined to escalate the political conflict with Hungary, seeking to maintain normal relations with the neighbor.
In an interview with the RBC Ukraine news agency, the minister said he is trying to resolve the problems with Budapest for three reasons.
"Firstly, it is an important neighbor country in Central Europe, and we are also part of this space... Secondly, it is a NATO Ally, and we would like to pursue normal work with Hungary on the issue of Euro-Atlantic integration. Thirdly, this is a European Union member state, whose position is also important to us," he said.
Видео дня
Kuleba stressed Kyiv and Budapest must respect each other's legislation and national interests.
"Nobody is determined to get into a political war with Hungary. But Hungary must respect our national legislation and national interests," the minister said.
The official added the relations with Hungary should not be perceived exclusively through the prism of the activities of some Ukrainian citizens who sympathizes with Hungarian interests.
Kuleba believes Hungary and Ukraine have such a complicated relationship since both states are "very traumatized by their history."
"And that's why they are very sensitive to any issues when history breaks into the present times, or even tries to dictate the future. And these hidden traumas – they lead to a clash of interests. In addition, Hungary has been very ambitious in recent years, not only in relationships with Ukraine, but also with a number of other countries, and with the European Union as a whole," the minister added.
Row between Ukraine and Hungary
On November 30, the SBU conducted a number of raids in Zakarpattia region, targeting, among others, the chair of the Party of Hungarians of Ukraine (KMKSZ), Vasyl Brenzovych.
Detectives investigate allegedly bogus contracts concluded by Hungarian charitable foundations. According to security officials, some of the investigated actions could have been to the detriment of Ukraine's national security, including state sovereignty.
Earlier, observers from NGO Civil Network OPORA reported that Hungarian officials had campaigned for "KMKS" Ukrajnai Magyar Party (the Party of Hungarians of Ukraine) while visiting Zakarpattia region during local elections.
Subsequently, Ukraine put two Hungarian officials on the stoplist.
Commissioner of the Government of Hungary for Cooperation between Hungary's Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg County and Zakarpattia region, Mr. Istvan Grezsa on November 24 was refused entry into Ukraine due to the existing ban.
Following SBU searches on November 30, Hungarian authorities summoned the Ukrainian ambassador in Budapest, while Szijjarto referred to the raids as an "incomprehensible political swing in relation to Hungarian parties."
Earlier, Hungary tried to block Ukraine's advance toward stronger cooperation with NATO over the contested issues around the language clause of the law on education.


unian--2020-12-07--Chance for revival of Ukraine's river transport: New legislation brings new incentives

Ukraine is starting to revive inland water transportation .
The Verkhovna Rada has adopted a basic law for inland water transport , which should set the course of strategic development of the industry .
However , the depressing state of river navigation makes the revival of the national river economy a real challenge .
In early December , the Verkhovna Rada passed new legislation deemed crucial for the development of the national river shipping industry : Law on Inland Water Transport .
Over the years of Ukraine 's independence , the entire sector of the economy has had no basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all attempts to regulate the field have dragged on for decades without any significant success .
Obviously , such a situation could have no positive effect on river navigation development .
President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that the potential of river transportation in Ukraine had not been realized .
`` A huge industry has been drowning for years .
Only 1 % of [ freight ] transportation used to be carried out by river , '' the head of state declared .
The bill 's ideologist and co-author , head of the river transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and infrastructure , Artem Kovalev , in a comment to UNIAN also noted the deplorable condition of Ukrainian river infrastructure .
`` Today we see destroyed river infrastructure , locks in a state of emergency , reduction of annual freight traffic to 10 million tonnes , although the Soviet Union had 60 million tonnes , '' he said .
The co-author of the bill noted that river infrastructure in Ukraine today has been worn out by more than 75 % .
According to Kovalev , the situation remains abnormal as river transport is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world , which should make its development a priority of government infrastructure policy .
Businesses also voice negatively assessments of the current state of the industry .
In particular , a survey by the European Business Association showed that no business CEOs said anything positive about it .
None of the other modes of transport has received such a devastating assessment .
According to Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Kryklii , the law on water transport marks the start of river transport reform .
`` Thanks to the implementation of this law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cheapest and most environmentally friendly way of delivering goods – river transportation – and create efficient river logistics , '' he said .
Also , the minister noted that the law includes the implementation norms for five main European directives in the field , and is designed to harmonize Ukrainian legislation with that of the EU .
MP Artem Kovalev has told UNIAN that the law is designed to create a basis for further formation of the water transportation market in Ukraine .
`` In fact , with this bill we seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and take the first step toward an open market for freight and passenger transport , '' the legislator said .
According to him , such goals become achievable due to the fact that the law passed by Rada covers all areas of water transportation .
One of the most important and most discussed innovations in the document was the admission into Ukrainian rivers of vessels flying a foreign flag .
Kovalev explained that the move was needed given the low readiness of Ukrainian businesses to the rapid river traffic growth .
`` Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one hand , and on the other – to increase annual cargo transportation by river to 30 million tonnes , as we plan , we need to build 250-300 new vessels .
We understand that it is unrealistic to do this in a short time .
So , in fact , we have agreed to allow vessels flying a foreign flag to operate on our inland waterways , '' he said .
Kovalev stressed strict conditions for such vessels ' technical condition , envisaged in the new legislation .
Vladyslav Belakh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President of the Center for Agrarian Logistics and Infrastructure , agrees with the legislators ' logic , while noting the importance of developing domestic shipbuilding .
`` Investing in the construction of barges , for example , is a rather long process .
At the moment , if we say that we expect an increase in freight traffic on rivers , it would be really appropriate to allow the use of the fleet flying a foreign flag for some time , while needing to develop certain measures to stimulate the Ukrainian fleet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill 's co-author Artem Kovalev , between the first and second readings in the Rada , deputies submitted a number of amendments to the text , as a result of a compromise achieved with businesses .
`` If we talk about the amendments that we took into account between first and second readings , in fact , we have at many points compromised with businesses .
These amendments were mainly submitted by MPs either as an additional stimulus for businesses or as a simplification of the bureaucratic system that existed before , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have retained licensing only for passenger transport and hazardous goods transportation , worked out a wastewater discharge mechanism , and required foreign companies to register a Ukrainian business entity and pay taxes in Ukraine if such companies seek to operate on Ukrainian rivers .
Also , Kovalev noted that in the final version of the law adopted by the Rada , river ports are allowed to provide services to vessels whose landing exceeds 4.5 meters – something that was n't there at first reading .
`` These services can be provided by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled fees at the nearest seaport , '' he concluded .
With the adoption of the new law , the legislative work on inland water transport is n't completing .
In particular , Kovalev said that a bill has already been registered in the Rada , which provides for the creation of the State Fund of Inland Waterways .
`` We have already registered the bill .
These are changes to the Budget Code , to create a special fund for inland waterways development , with clear sources of income laid down .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we 'll be able to repair and modernize our river infrastructure , '' he said .
Among the Fund 's sources is 1 % of the excise tax on Ukraine-produced fuel , 3 % of customs duties paid for ships flying a foreign flag crossing into the national customs regime , and 45 % of rent payments received for special use of water for hydropower needs .
Belakh , an expert in the field of transport , noted that in the future , these funds could be allocated for the development of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modernizing river infrastructure take place , then , of course , this could be used as a Fund to promote shipbuilding and help carriers , or replace the old fleet with a new one , or create a new one , '' he told UNIAN .
Belakh stressed that the creation of a kind of river version of the `` Big Construction '' project could be a powerful stimulus for the general development of river transport .
`` A serious impetus for development is , first of all , about complex efforts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ motorways in the first place .
This is successful project , too , because we see its results .
There should be a similar project for rivers , '' the expert said .
He stressed that public-private partnership could become an effective form of cooperation in the implementation of such a project .
As for the economic effect of implementing legislative provisions , Artem Kovalev expects that it will bring the government billions of hryvnias in profits .
`` We see a national interest in making our rivers profitable for the economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , plus another UAH 15-17 billion in indirect effect for related industries , '' he said .
MP Yulia Klymenko , member of the parliamentary committee on transport and infrastructure , said the law could also stimulate the development of labor market .
`` We expect 10,000 more jobs to be created once the law goes into effect , '' she said .
Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Kryklii is convinced that by loading Ukrainian rivers , the government will significantly unload motorways .
`` The transfer of part of the cargo from motorways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roads and reduce the cost of their repair .
For example , 1 million tonnes of cargo transported by river and redirected from land transport reduces the cost of road repairs by UAH 1 billion over the course of four years , '' the minister said .
All these economic benefits became much more realistic after the Verkhovna Rada passed the basic law .
However , any law is always just about opportunities , while now the government and market players are facing the task of finally making Ukrainian rivers an important national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's picturesque pride .
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Ukraine is starting to revive inland water transportation. The Verkhovna Rada has adopted a basic law for inland water transport, which should set the course of strategic development of the industry. However, the depressing state of river navigation makes the revival of the national river economy a real challenge.
In early December, the Verkhovna Rada passed new legislation deemed crucial for the development of the national river shipping industry: Law on Inland Water Transport.
Over the years of Ukraine's independence, the entire sector of the economy has had no basic law to be governed with, while all attempts to regulate the field have dragged on for decades without any significant success.
Obviously, such a situation could have no positive effect on river navigation development. President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that the potential of river transportation in Ukraine had not been realized.
Видео дня
"A huge industry has been drowning for years. Only 1% of [freight] transportation used to be carried out by river," the head of state declared.
The bill's ideologist and co-author, head of the river transport subcommittee at the parliamentary committee on transport and infrastructure, Artem Kovalev, in a comment to UNIAN also noted the deplorable condition of Ukrainian river infrastructure.
"Today we see destroyed river infrastructure, locks in a state of emergency, reduction of annual freight traffic to 10 million tonnes, although the Soviet Union had 60 million tonnes," he said.
The co-author of the bill noted that river infrastructure in Ukraine today has been worn out by more than 75%.
According to Kovalev, the situation remains abnormal as river transport is the cheapest and most environmentally friendly mode in the world, which should make its development a priority of government infrastructure policy.
Businesses also voice negatively assessments of the current state of the industry. In particular, a survey by the European Business Association showed that no business CEOs said anything positive about it. None of the other modes of transport has received such a devastating assessment.
Legislative innovations
According to Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Kryklii, the law on water transport marks the start of river transport reform.
"Thanks to the implementation of this law, we will be able to revive the cheapest and most environmentally friendly way of delivering goods – river transportation – and create efficient river logistics," he said.
Also, the minister noted that the law includes the implementation norms for five main European directives in the field, and is designed to harmonize Ukrainian legislation with that of the EU.
MP Artem Kovalev has told UNIAN that the law is designed to create a basis for further formation of the water transportation market in Ukraine.
"In fact, with this bill we seek to start the reform of river transport and take the first step toward an open market for freight and passenger transport," the legislator said.
According to him, such goals become achievable due to the fact that the law passed by Rada covers all areas of water transportation.
One of the most important and most discussed innovations in the document was the admission into Ukrainian rivers of vessels flying a foreign flag. Kovalev explained that the move was needed given the low readiness of Ukrainian businesses to the rapid river traffic growth.
"Now in order to meet the demand on the one hand, and on the other – to increase annual cargo transportation by river to 30 million tonnes, as we plan, we need to build 250-300 new vessels. We understand that it is unrealistic to do this in a short time. So, in fact, we have agreed to allow vessels flying a foreign flag to operate on our inland waterways," he said.
Kovalev stressed strict conditions for such vessels' technical condition, envisaged in the new legislation.
Vladyslav Belakh, an expert on transport and infrastructure, President of the Center for Agrarian Logistics and Infrastructure, agrees with the legislators' logic, while noting the importance of developing domestic shipbuilding.
"Investing in the construction of barges, for example, is a rather long process. At the moment, if we say that we expect an increase in freight traffic on rivers, it would be really appropriate to allow the use of the fleet flying a foreign flag for some time, while needing to develop certain measures to stimulate the Ukrainian fleet," he said.
Compromise with businesses
According to the bill's co-author Artem Kovalev, between the first and second readings in the Rada, deputies submitted a number of amendments to the text, as a result of a compromise achieved with businesses.
"If we talk about the amendments that we took into account between first and second readings, in fact, we have at many points compromised with businesses. These amendments were mainly submitted by MPs either as an additional stimulus for businesses or as a simplification of the bureaucratic system that existed before," Kovalev said.
In particular, lawmakers have retained licensing only for passenger transport and hazardous goods transportation, worked out a wastewater discharge mechanism, and required foreign companies to register a Ukrainian business entity and pay taxes in Ukraine if such companies seek to operate on Ukrainian rivers.
Also, Kovalev noted that in the final version of the law adopted by the Rada, river ports are allowed to provide services to vessels whose landing exceeds 4.5 meters – something that wasn't there at first reading.
"These services can be provided by a port – if they have paid the scheduled fees at the nearest seaport," he concluded.
Industry development and additional income
With the adoption of the new law, the legislative work on inland water transport isn't completing. In particular, Kovalev said that a bill has already been registered in the Rada, which provides for the creation of the State Fund of Inland Waterways.
"We have already registered the bill. These are changes to the Budget Code, to create a special fund for inland waterways development, with clear sources of income laid down. If we set up the protected fund, we'll be able to repair and modernize our river infrastructure," he said.
Among the Fund's sources is 1% of the excise tax on Ukraine-produced fuel, 3% of customs duties paid for ships flying a foreign flag crossing into the national customs regime, and 45% of rent payments received for special use of water for hydropower needs.
Belakh, an expert in the field of transport, noted that in the future, these funds could be allocated for the development of domestic shipbuilding.
"If improvements in modernizing river infrastructure take place, then, of course, this could be used as a Fund to promote shipbuilding and help carriers, or replace the old fleet with a new one, or create a new one," he told UNIAN.
Belakh stressed that the creation of a kind of river version of the "Big Construction" project could be a powerful stimulus for the general development of river transport.
"A serious impetus for development is, first of all, about complex efforts. There is a Big Construction project covering motorways in the first place. This is successful project, too, because we see its results. There should be a similar project for rivers," the expert said.
He stressed that public-private partnership could become an effective form of cooperation in the implementation of such a project.
As for the economic effect of implementing legislative provisions, Artem Kovalev expects that it will bring the government billions of hryvnias in profits.
"We see a national interest in making our rivers profitable for the economy. The economic effect could reach UAH13-16 billion, plus another UAH 15-17 billion in indirect effect for related industries," he said.
MP Yulia Klymenko, member of the parliamentary committee on transport and infrastructure, said the law could also stimulate the development of labor market.
"We expect 10,000 more jobs to be created once the law goes into effect," she said.
Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Kryklii is convinced that by loading Ukrainian rivers, the government will significantly unload motorways.
"The transfer of part of the cargo from motorways to rivers will help significantly unload the roads and reduce the cost of their repair. For example, 1 million tonnes of cargo transported by river and redirected from land transport reduces the cost of road repairs by UAH 1 billion over the course of four years," the minister said.
All these economic benefits became much more realistic after the Verkhovna Rada passed the basic law. However, any law is always just about opportunities, while now the government and market players are facing the task of finally making Ukrainian rivers an important national economic asset, rather than only the country's picturesque pride.
Pavlo Stepanets


unian--2020-12-07--Foreign minister speaks on when EU may open borders for Ukrainians

The timing for the reopening of the Schengen Zone borders for Ukrainian citizens is not related to the issue of coronavirus vaccination .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says the number of people infected with coronavirus in Ukraine has reached 821,947 as of today , so and Ukrainians should forget about trips to the EU until the numbers drop .
In an interview with the RBC Ukraine news agency , the minister said the timing for the reopening of the Schengen Zone borders for Ukrainian citizens is not related to the issue of coronavirus vaccination .
It depends on general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This is not an issue of universal vaccination , while this will undoubtedly lead to a significant decrease in [ incidence ] numbers in Ukraine and the EU countries , '' Kuleba said .
At the same time , the official said Ukrainians have other travel destinations to choose from besides the EU .
The top diplomat recalled that 63 countries are open for Ukrainians despite the pandemic , including 10 in Europe .
• Deputy PM : No threat to visa-free travel with EU over `` constitutional crisis '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights amid possible lockdown in Ukraine

The timing for the reopening of the Schengen Zone borders for Ukrainian citizens is not related to the issue of coronavirus vaccination.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says the number of people infected with coronavirus in Ukraine has reached 821,947 as of today, so and Ukrainians should forget about trips to the EU until the numbers drop.
In an interview with the RBC Ukraine news agency, the minister said the timing for the reopening of the Schengen Zone borders for Ukrainian citizens is not related to the issue of coronavirus vaccination.
It depends on general coronavirus statistics, the minister has added.
Видео дня
"This is not an issue of universal vaccination, while this will undoubtedly lead to a significant decrease in [incidence] numbers in Ukraine and the EU countries," Kuleba said.
At the same time, the official said Ukrainians have other travel destinations to choose from besides the EU.
The top diplomat recalled that 63 countries are open for Ukrainians despite the pandemic, including 10 in Europe.
Travel: Other reports


unian--2020-12-07--Russia sentences Ukrainian ex-football player to 12 years for "espionage"

The trial was held behind closed doors .
A court in Moscow has issued a guilty verdict in the case @ @ @ @ @ Vasylenko , 53 , sentencing him to 12 years in prison on espionage charges .
@ @ @ @ @ of three judges was held behind closed doors , while case files have been declassified @ @ @ @ @ Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta with reference to the court 's press service .
Vasylenko was @ @ @ @ @ 2019 on suspicion of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 226.1 of the @ @ @ @ @ hazardous , poisonous , explosive , radioactive substances or ammunition ) .
In the spring @ @ @ @ @ was requalified as espionage in favor of Ukraine .
From 1992 to 2001 , Vasylenko @ @ @ @ @ teams , including Tavria , Torpedo , and Druzhba .

The trial was held behind closed doors.
A court in Moscow has issued a guilty verdict in the case of former Ukrainian footballer Vasyl Vasylenko, 53, sentencing him to 12 years in prison on espionage charges.
The trial by a panel of three judges was held behind closed doors, while case files have been declassified, as reported by the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta with reference to the court's press service.
Vasylenko case: Background
Видео дня
Vasylenko was arrested in Moscow in October 2019 on suspicion of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code (smuggling of hazardous, poisonous, explosive, radioactive substances or ammunition).
In the spring of 2020, the charge was requalified as espionage in favor of Ukraine.
From 1992 to 2001, Vasylenko was part of Ukrainian football teams, including Tavria, Torpedo, and Druzhba.


unian--2020-12-07--Gas stocks shrink by 2.5% to 25.95 bcm over week

USFs were filled by 84 % as of December 6 , 2020 .
Natural gas stocks in Ukraine 's underground storage facilities ( USFs ) shrank by 2.5 % , to 25.95 billion cubic meters ( bcm ) within a week , November 28-December 6 .
As of December 6 , 2020 , gas reserves in the country 's USFs increased by 28 % from 20.25 bcm as of December 6 , 2019 , the state-run gas transport system operator Ukrtransgaz said .
The USFs were filled by 84 % as of December 6 , 2020 .
Ukraine started pumping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 as the country 's reserves stood 15.808 bcm .
On October 28 , National Joint-Stock Company Naftogaz of Ukraine said it had stopped injecting gas into the underground storage facilities , having switching to pumping it out to cover the needs of the 2020-2021 heating season By the start of the 2019-2020 heating season , Ukraine had accumulated 21.76 bcm of gas , which was a record high over the past decade .
Natural gas stocks in the country 's USFs shrank by 1.8 % , to 27.15 bcm on November 14-21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26.63 26.63 bcm on November 22-28 .

Gas stocks shrink by 2.5% to 25.95 bcm over week
14:00, 07.12.20 2218
USFs were filled by 84% as of December 6, 2020.
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unian--2020-12-07--FM Kuleba tells of airports' operation prospects amid possible lockdown

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FM Kuleba tells of airports' operation prospects amid possible lockdown
13:35, 07.12.20 3825
Quarantine will not hinder foreign air travel for Ukrainians, minister assures.
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unian--2020-12-07--Interbank market: No forex interventions by NBU in past month

Interbank market: No forex interventions by NBU in past month
13:10, 07.12.20 1222
The regulator had bought US$4.55 billion since year-start.
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unian--2020-12-07--Foreign minster elaborates on COVID-19 vaccine supply talks

It is too early though to talk about specifics , top diplomat adds Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said the issue with COVID-19 vaccine supplies to Ukraine is now on priority agenda .
`` The issue of the vaccine is on the agenda and in the talking points for everyone – the president , myself , health minister , ambassadors in certain countries – we are all working on it , searching , agreeing , '' he told the RBC Ukraine news agency .
Kuleba recalled the Ukrainian Health Ministry had previously joined the European Health Committee , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a bilateral level with the governments of Germany and the United States .
Read alsoNSDC names possible dates for start of mass vaccination against COVID-19 in UkraineAt the same time , according to Kuleba , it is too early to talk about specifics : only a couple of weeks ago the reports came about the effectiveness of certain vaccines .
`` We wo n't lag behind as we plan to secure this thanks to two elements : active participation in COVAX , and friendly relations with the countries that will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the minister said .
On December 4 , the Verkhovna Rada allowed a fast-track procedure for the approval of clinical trials and state registration for vaccines or other immunobiological medications to be used to tackle the coronavirus .
The Cabinet has already announced that Ukraine will get accelerated access to the COVID-19 vaccine .
According to researchers , the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna has been shown to remain effective against the novel coronavirus for at least three months .
Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said about 20 million Ukrainians are to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of budget funds .

It is too early though to talk about specifics, top diplomat adds
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said the issue with COVID-19 vaccine supplies to Ukraine is now on priority agenda.
"The issue of the vaccine is on the agenda and in the talking points for everyone – the president, myself, health minister, ambassadors in certain countries – we are all working on it, searching, agreeing," he told the RBC Ukraine news agency.
Kuleba recalled the Ukrainian Health Ministry had previously joined the European Health Committee, and later COVAX. The work is underway at a bilateral level with the governments of Germany and the United States.
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Read alsoNSDC names possible dates for start of mass vaccination against COVID-19 in UkraineAt the same time, according to Kuleba, it is too early to talk about specifics: only a couple of weeks ago the reports came about the effectiveness of certain vaccines.
"We won't lag behind as we plan to secure this thanks to two elements: active participation in COVAX, and friendly relations with the countries that will be the first to gain access to the vaccine," the minister said.
Coronavirus vaccines
On December 4, the Verkhovna Rada allowed a fast-track procedure for the approval of clinical trials and state registration for vaccines or other immunobiological medications to be used to tackle the coronavirus.
The Cabinet has already announced that Ukraine will get accelerated access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to researchers, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna has been shown to remain effective against the novel coronavirus for at least three months.
Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said about 20 million Ukrainians are to be vaccinated against coronavirus at the expense of budget funds.


unian--2020-12-07--Direct flights launched between Ukraine, North Macedonia

Direct flights launched between Ukraine, North Macedonia
12:20, 07.12.20 1612
Windrose will fly on Thursdays and Sundays.
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unian--2020-12-07--Hryvnia slightly strengthens to U.S. dollar: fresh rates for Dec 7

Hryvnia slightly strengthens to U.S. dollar: fresh rates for Dec 7
11:55, 07.12.20 7069
The rate against the euro is fixed at UAH 34.39 per euro.
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unian--2020-12-07--Google dedicates new Doodle to Ukrainian artist

Google 's daily Doodle on December 7 celebrates the 120th birthday of Ukrainian painter Kateryna Bilokur , a self-taught virtuoso who earned international renown for her detailed and vivid paintings , especially those featuring her signature focus on flowers .
Kateryna Bilokur was born on this day in 1900 in Bohdanivka , a village in Ukraine 's Kyiv region .
Despite being denied a primary education and spending her days as a farm worker , she refused to let this stand in her way , Google wrote .
She crafted brushes out of raw materials and paints out of foods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artistic passion in her free time , with nature as her muse .
When she was nearly 40 , her life took a fortuitous turn when she sent some fan art to an acclaimed Ukrainian singer Oksana Petrusenko , whose songs she admired .
Petrusenko was so impressed that she helped pave the way for the first exhibitions of Bilokur 's work .
Read alsoWorld 's most famous exhibit on Holodomor on display in Kyiv ( Photo ) Eventually , she reached an international audience , notably earning huge praise from the Spanish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Paris .
For her lifetime achievements , Bilokur was named a People 's Artist of Ukraine , the highest arts award for Ukrainian citizens .
`` Happy birthday to an artist who proved it 's never too late to blossom into your potential , '' Google wrote .

It's Kateryna Bilokur's 120th Birthday today, December 7.
Google's daily Doodle on December 7 celebrates the 120th birthday of Ukrainian painter Kateryna Bilokur, a self-taught virtuoso who earned international renown for her detailed and vivid paintings, especially those featuring her signature focus on flowers.
Kateryna Bilokur was born on this day in 1900 in Bohdanivka, a village in Ukraine's Kyiv region. Despite being denied a primary education and spending her days as a farm worker, she refused to let this stand in her way, Google wrote.
She crafted brushes out of raw materials and paints out of foods like beets and elderberries to pursue her artistic passion in her free time, with nature as her muse.
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When she was nearly 40, her life took a fortuitous turn when she sent some fan art to an acclaimed Ukrainian singer Oksana Petrusenko, whose songs she admired.
Petrusenko was so impressed that she helped pave the way for the first exhibitions of Bilokur's work.
Read alsoWorld's most famous exhibit on Holodomor on display in Kyiv (Photo)Eventually, she reached an international audience, notably earning huge praise from the Spanish master Pablo Picasso at a 1954 exhibition in Paris.
For her lifetime achievements, Bilokur was named a People's Artist of Ukraine, the highest arts award for Ukrainian citizens.
"Happy birthday to an artist who proved it's never too late to blossom into your potential," Google wrote.


unian--2020-12-07--Digital currencies: Bill on virtual assets passes first reading

The new regime would help support digital currency businesses in Ukraine and would help attract companies to the country 's @ @

Digital currencies: Bill on virtual assets passes first reading
11:05, 07.12.20 108
The new regime would help support digital currency businesses in Ukraine and would help attract companies to the country's market.
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unian--2020-12-07--Mystery illness of U.S. diplomats in Cuba, China likely caused by microwave radiation

Washington initially alleged `` sonic attacks '' had been launched against its embassy in Havana .
A number of U.S. diplomats in Cuba have most likely suffered from directed microwave radiation , the National Academies of Sciences committee in the U.S. reports .
The study found that `` directed , pulsed radio-frequency energy appears to be the most plausible '' explanation for symptoms that included intense head pressure , dizziness and cognitive difficulties , as per Al Jazeera .
The study did not name a source for the energy and did not say it came as the result of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous research on this type of injury was done in the former Soviet Union .
The illnesses , branded as `` Havana syndrome , '' first affected people at the U.S. embassy in Havana in 2016-17 , the BBC wrote .
The U.S. initially alleged Cuba was carrying out `` sonic attacks , '' which the host country vehemently denied , while the incident led to increased tension .
A 2019 U.S. academic study found `` brain abnormalities '' in the diplomats who had fallen ill , but Cuba dismissed the report .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid COVID-19 quarantine ( Photo ) The health effects were experienced by about two dozen Americans affiliated with the U.S. Embassy in Cuba as well as Canadian diplomats and personnel at the US consulate in Guangzhou , China , in early 2017 .
The latest study was carried out by a team of medical and scientific experts who examined the symptoms of about 40 government employees , many of whom have suffered longstanding effects , the report said .
`` The committee felt that many of the distinctive and acute signs , symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees are consistent with the effects of directed , pulsed radio frequency ( RF ) energy , '' the report reads .
Some reported hearing high-pitched sounds similar to crickets while at home or staying in hotels , leading to an early theory of a sonic attack .

Washington initially alleged "sonic attacks" had been launched against its embassy in Havana.
A number of U.S. diplomats in Cuba have most likely suffered from directed microwave radiation, the National Academies of Sciences committee in the U.S. reports.
The study found that "directed, pulsed radio-frequency energy appears to be the most plausible" explanation for symptoms that included intense head pressure, dizziness and cognitive difficulties, as per Al Jazeera.
The study did not name a source for the energy and did not say it came as the result of an attack, though it did note that previous research on this type of injury was done in the former Soviet Union.
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The illnesses, branded as "Havana syndrome," first affected people at the U.S. embassy in Havana in 2016-17, the BBC wrote.
The U.S. initially alleged Cuba was carrying out "sonic attacks," which the host country vehemently denied, while the incident led to increased tension.
A 2019 U.S. academic study found "brain abnormalities" in the diplomats who had fallen ill, but Cuba dismissed the report.
Read alsoChornobyl zone shutting down for tourists amid COVID-19 quarantine (Photo)The health effects were experienced by about two dozen Americans affiliated with the U.S. Embassy in Cuba as well as Canadian diplomats and personnel at the US consulate in Guangzhou, China, in early 2017.
The latest study was carried out by a team of medical and scientific experts who examined the symptoms of about 40 government employees, many of whom have suffered longstanding effects, the report said.
"The committee felt that many of the distinctive and acute signs, symptoms and observations reported by (government) employees are consistent with the effects of directed, pulsed radio frequency (RF) energy," the report reads.
Some reported hearing high-pitched sounds similar to crickets while at home or staying in hotels, leading to an early theory of a sonic attack.


unian--2020-12-07--COVID-19: Over 8,600 new active cases reported as of Dec 4

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 821,947 .
Ukraine said 8,641 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 7 , 2020 , against 11,590 cases registered as of December 6 , 2020 .
For the first time , the figure was below 9,000 , over almost a month , from 8,687 cases reported as of November 9 , according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 821,947 as of December 7 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including 5,123 in the past day , have recovered .
The death toll has hit 13,733 with 145 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours .
Read alsoNSDC names possible dates for start of mass vaccination against COVID-19 in UkraineThe government reported 384,510 active cases as of December 7 .
In total , there have been 912,642 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
`` In the past day , 8,641 people tested positive for the coronavirus , including390 children and 284 healthcare workers .
Some 1,037 new patients were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Monday .
In total , 33,502 tests were conducted in the country in the past day .
In particular , there were 27,881 PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) tests run , as well as 5,621 ELISA ( enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ) tests .
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv ( 1,526 ) , Dnipropetrovsk region ( 960 ) , Odesa region ( 662 ) , Kyiv region ( 635 ) , and Sumy region ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 821,947.
Ukraine said 8,641 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 7, 2020, against 11,590 cases registered as of December 6, 2020.
For the first time, the figure was below 9,000, over almost a month, from 8,687 cases reported as of November 9, according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 821,947 as of December 7, 2020.
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As many as 423,704 patients, including 5,123 in the past day, have recovered.
The death toll has hit 13,733 with 145 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours.
Read alsoNSDC names possible dates for start of mass vaccination against COVID-19 in UkraineThe government reported 384,510 active cases as of December 7. In total, there have been 912,642 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
"In the past day, 8,641 people tested positive for the coronavirus, including390 children and 284 healthcare workers. Some 1,037 new patients were hospitalized," Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Monday.
In total, 33,502 tests were conducted in the country in the past day. In particular, there were 27,881 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests run, as well as 5,621 ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests.
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv (1,526), Dnipropetrovsk region (960), Odesa region (662), Kyiv region (635), and Sumy region (477).
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.


unian--2020-12-07--Ukraine, Turkey discuss possibility of joint production of space launch vehicles – Urusky

The official believes Ukraine must find its place in the international distribution in such high-tech industries as aviation , rocket @ @ @

Ukraine, Turkey discuss possibility of joint production of space launch vehicles – Urusky
09:50, 07.12.20 2351
The official believes Ukraine must find its place in the international distribution in such high-tech industries as aviation, rocket and space.
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unian--2020-12-07--Donbas truce: No ceasefire violations recorded in past 24 hours

No casualties have been reported .
Ukraine says the past day in the Joint Forces Operation zone saw no violations @ @ @ @ @ No casualties have been reported , the JFO Command said in a morning update on @ @ @ @ @ 7 .
The Ukrainian military continue adhering to ceasefire , and are ready to respond @ @ @ @ @ forces , the report says .
Read alsoZelensky on Donbas truce achievements : Combat losses @ @ @ @ @ full and comprehensive ceasefire has continued into Monday .
The situation is under full control @ @ @ @ @ Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and the OSCE ) @ @ @ @ @ Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line @ @ @ @ @ July 27 .
On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
Ukraine has reported more such @ @ @ @ @ .

No casualties have been reported.
Ukraine says the past day in the Joint Forces Operation zone saw no violations of the ceasefire agreements.
No casualties have been reported, the JFO Command said in a morning update on Facebook on Monday, December 7.
The Ukrainian military continue adhering to ceasefire, and are ready to respond to any attack by enemy forces, the report says.
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Read alsoZelensky on Donbas truce achievements: Combat losses down 90% on yearThe full and comprehensive ceasefire has continued into Monday.
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
Donbas ceasefire: Background
Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday, July 27.
On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has reported more such violations over the latest period.


unian--2020-12-07--NSDC names possible dates for start of mass vaccination against COVID-19 in Ukraine

The Council has stressed the need to prepare the required infrastructure .
Mass vaccination of Ukrainians against coronavirus may begin no earlier than mid-2021 , an official with the National Security and Defense Council reports .
`` The main thing is not so much about the vaccine , but the whole issue of vaccination .
That is , we need to prepare the infrastructure , logistics , in order to pursue the right way , '' chairman of the Biosafety and Biological Protection Commission at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine , Member of the National Academy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 TV .
Read alsoGov't says 50 % of population to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2021The vaccine will get to Ukraine as early as the beginning of the second quarter of 2021 .
`` Mass vaccination , however , I believe , will be carried out in the middle of next year if Ukraine does what needs to be done , '' Komisarenko predicts .
• Over half of Ukrainians ready to get free COVID-19 vaccine – poll • Ukraine not to buy Russian vaccine , health minister says • About 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at expense of budget

The Council has stressed the need to prepare the required infrastructure.
Mass vaccination of Ukrainians against coronavirus may begin no earlier than mid-2021, an official with the National Security and Defense Council reports.
"The main thing is not so much about the vaccine, but the whole issue of vaccination. That is, we need to prepare the infrastructure, logistics, in order to pursue the right way," chairman of the Biosafety and Biological Protection Commission at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Member of the National Academy of Sciences Serhiy Komisarenko, has told Ukraine 24 TV.
Read alsoGov't says 50% of population to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2021The vaccine will get to Ukraine as early as the beginning of the second quarter of 2021.
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"Mass vaccination, however, I believe, will be carried out in the middle of next year if Ukraine does what needs to be done," Komisarenko predicts.
COVID-19 vaccine: Related


unian--2020-12-07--Ukraine to additionally buy 1.2 mln PCR tests to diagnose COVID-19

The agreement was signed between Ukraine 's Health Ministry and UNICEF Ukraine .
Ukraine will additionally buy 1.2 million polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) tests to diagnose the coronavirus .
The respective agreement between Ukraine 's Health Ministry and UNICEF Ukraine was signed as part of the Additional Financing to Serving People , Improving Health project run by the International Bank for Reconstruction Development ( IBRD ) in Ukraine .
`` Together with a similar number ( 1.2 million ) of viral RNA extraction kits ( automatic extraction ) purchased under an agreement with the World Health Organization Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients with suspected COVID-19 in laboratory centers in all regions of Ukraine , '' Deputy Health Minister Svitlana Shatalova was quoted by the ministry 's press service as saying .
• Ukraine said 8,641 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 7 , 2020 .
• For the first time , the figure was below 9,000 , over almost a month , from 8,687 cases reported as of November 9 .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 821,947 .

The agreement was signed between Ukraine's Health Ministry and UNICEF Ukraine.
Ukraine will additionally buy 1.2 million polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to diagnose the novel coronavirus.
The respective agreement between Ukraine's Health Ministry and UNICEF Ukraine was signed as part of the Additional Financing to Serving People, Improving Health project run by the International Bank for Reconstruction Development (IBRD) in Ukraine.
Read alsoForeign minster elaborates on COVID-19 vaccine supply talks
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"Together with a similar number (1.2 million) of viral RNA extraction kits (automatic extraction) purchased under an agreement with the World Health Organization Ukraine, we are improving testing capabilities for patients with suspected COVID-19 in laboratory centers in all regions of Ukraine," Deputy Health Minister Svitlana Shatalova was quoted by the ministry's press service as saying.
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-07--Economy Ministry forecasts 5% decline in Ukraine's GDP in 2020

The figure is still very close to the projected indicators .
The Ministry for Development of Economy , Trade and Agriculture predicts a 5 % decline in Ukraine 's GDP by the end of 2020 , while its previous forecast was set at 4.8 % .
This was announced by Economy Minister Ihor Petrashko during an online conference .
Read alsoLockdown prospects : Expert tells of possible losses for economy '' In the 10 months of 2020 , GDP declined by 5.2 % .
In general , we are within the figures planned for this year ...
Most likely , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the year instead of the previously expected 4.8 % , '' he said .
The minister noted that despite this difference , the figure is still very close to the projected indicators .
`` We still expect the decline in GDP may be 4.8 % – it will depend on whether a lockdown is imposed , '' he said .
Petrashko also said that his ministry predicts GDP growth by 4.6 % in 2021 .
`` Many say the figure is quite high , that there has not been such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that these figures are achievable and possible .
The current dynamics of the third and fourth quarters , together with effective management , will help us achieve such targets in 2021 , '' the minister said .
• Ukraine saw a decline in GDP in the nine months of 2020 slow to 5.5 % after a 5.8 % decrease in January-August 2020 .
• The International Monetary Fund predicts that the Ukrainian economy will contract by 7.2 % in 2020 .

Economy Ministry forecasts 5% decline in Ukraine's GDP in 2020
22:59, 07.12.20 1084
The figure is still very close to the projected indicators.
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unian--2020-12-07--Ukraine to face France, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan at 2022 World Cup

Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup on November 21 through December 18 , 2022 .
Ukraine 's national football team have learnt who they will play during the 2022 World Cup in in Qatar .
As a result of the qualifying draw in Zurich on December 7 , Andriy Shevchenko 's team were included in Group D. They will face France , Finland , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Kazakhstan .
The calendar of matches of the Ukrainian national team will be made public later .
• Following the draw , 55 teams were divided into five groups of six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• The teams of Ukraine and Russia , Kosovo and Russia , Serbia and Kosovo , Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo , Spain and Gibraltar , as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan were kept apart during the draw .
• The qualifying group stage matches will take place from March 24 to November 16 , 2021 .
The teams will play against each other at home and away .
The play-offs are scheduled for March 2022 .
• In total , 13 teams from Europe will compete at the 2022 World Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined by the two best group winners of the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League overall ranking that have neither qualified directly for the final tournament as European Qualifiers group winners , nor entered the play-offs already as European Qualifiers group runners-up .
The 12 teams will be drawn into three play-off paths for one-off semi-finals and a final .
The three path winners qualify for the World Cup .
• Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup on November 21 through December 18 , 2022 .

Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup on November 21 through December 18, 2022.
Ukraine's national football team have learnt who they will play during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
As a result of the qualifying draw in Zurich on December 7, Andriy Shevchenko's team were included in Group D.
Read alsoUEFA appeals committee counts Ukraine's technical defeat for match against Switzerland
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They will face France, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan.
The calendar of matches of the Ukrainian national team will be made public later.
2022 World Cup qualification: Key facts