20/03/2015 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - Turkish President Erdoğan arrived to Kiev for an official visit

03/20/2015 Daily Highlights  by the "Digests & Analytics - Ukraine" News Agency

Topics of the Day

Turkish President Erdoğan arrived to Kiev for an official visit. Conflict on Ukrtransnafta navigated. Ukraine, Russia and the EU tentatively agreed on natural gas supplies for 2015.

Key Events of Ukraine

• Turkish President Erdoğan arrived to Ukraine for an official visit. During the visit President Erdoğan and President Poroshenko agreed on broadening of cooperation, and protection of the rights of Crimean Tatars. Turkey supports the establishment of a free trade zone with Ukraine. President Poroshenko thanked Erdoğan for a $ 50 million loan for Ukraine to cover its budget deficit and $ 10 million in humanitarian assistance.
• President Poroshenko said that the appointment of a new manager for Ukrtransnafta company remains in force. Dnipropetrovsk region Governor Kolomoisky reprimanded for misconduct against journalists.
• Verkhovna Rada deputies did not support the decision to deprive of Ukrainian citizenship a deputy, oligarch Novinskiy, who illegally got it during Yanukovych’s administration.
• Acting Head of Ukrzaliznytsia Blank dismissed a South-Western Railway top management. The corporate team is protesting against the dismissal, citing the court's decision on the recognition of the powers and authority of the incumbent chief.
• The TBi television channel suspends broadcasting from March 23 because of financial difficulties, but a license is not cancelled.
• National Bank has strengthened the hryvnia slightly against the dollar: 23.19 UAH/USD (-0.20 UAH), 24.76 UAH/EUR (-0,02 UAH), 3.88 UAH/10 RUR (+0.07 UAH).

Ukraine at War

• Despite reports of ATO staff on the gradual fading-out of the conflict, militants continue to fire at the Ukrainian Army positions and civil localities. During the shelling of Avdeevka a woman was killed. Luhansk region Governor Moskal declares dramatic increase of attacks. The OSCE has recorded heavy equipment in the immediate vicinity of the battle line on the territory controlled by the rebels. The OSCE observers complain about the danger to their lives that occurs during the inspection visits.
• Russia continues to deliver large amounts of military weaponry and ammunition to the Donbas, Russian instructors provide the training of militants and mercenaries to strengthen the combat capability of “the army of New Russia".
• The State Security Service of Ukraine has introduced a new system of digital access badge into the zone of the antiterrorist operation.

Ukraine and the World

• In Brussels, held talks on gas between Russia, Ukraine and the EU, during which has been issued a joint statement. The sides noted that the previous "winter package" had been accomplished and believed that the preparation for the next winter is needed to be started now. Russia is ready to consider the possibility of a quarterly discount on the price of natural gas in the amount of export duty. Ukraine agrees to provide a reliable transit of natural gas to the EU, for which reason it will consider the issue of the procurement of technological volume of natural gas sufficient for filling storages. The EU can provide financial support to Ukraine for such purchase. The parties are ready to finalize and sign the final document at the next tripartite meeting.
• Verkhovna Rada deputy Savchenko continues her hunger strike in a Moscow prison where she has been illegally held by the Russian authorities for the murder of journalists. Her health deteriorated sharply, a hospitalization is possible.
• Chairman of the Council of Europe Tusk said that it is increasingly difficult to the EU to maintain a common stance toward sanctions against Russia, which were decided on March 19’ summit in Brussels to be extended till the end of 2015.
• European Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Mogerini stated that the question of Ukraine's accession to the EU is not on the agenda because of problems within the country. However, agreement on the EU does not exclude the right of European states to join the Union.
• Forum held in Brussels, organized by Marshall Fund. NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said that Moscow's annexation of Crimea and aggression in the Donbas destroyed cooperation with the West, but the question of the "cold war" does not actual. According to the former adviser to the US President for National Security Brzezinski Russia will not be able to build a new empire because of economic problems. The West must persuade Russia that its actions will be too costly.

The Trends

• Verkhovna Rada decisions adopted in accordance with the Minsk Agreement impose additional conditions on the process of federalization of the Donbas and may provoke Russia for the next aggressive steps under the guise of “DPR” and “LPR”
• Despite the increased foreign policy relations with Ukraine, Turkey will not allow liquefied natural gas tankers to pass through the Bosporus. This makes impossible to build in Ukraine a sea LNG-terminal. According to experts this step could be initiated by Russia that prevents Ukraine from obtaining natural gas from alternative sources.
• According to analysts, the appointment of a new director of Ukrtransnafta will strengthen the position of President Poroshenko’s business partner, Russian oligarch Hryhoryshyn, in the Ukrainian energy sector.