July 17, 2014

16/07/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

  • President of Ukraine Mr. Poroshenko approved the law "On Amendments to Article 6 of the Law of Ukraine On the status of war veterans and their social security guarantees", defining combatants as soldiers and members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, National Guard, Security Service, Foreign Intelligence Service, State Border Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Guard Service, State Service of Specialized Communication and other military units, established legally in Ukraine, that defended independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, participated in the anti-terrorist operation, supported its implementation, as well as employees of enterprises, institutions and organizations involved to participate in the anti-terrorist operation. Government authorized to grant the military combatant status.
  • Exchange rate of Ukrianian Hryvnia (UAH) slightly evolved, as defined by the National Bank of Ukraine: 11.71 UAH / 1$ (+1 cop), 15.95 UAH / 1€, 3,40 UAH / 10 RUR (-1 cop).
  • National Bank of Ukraine raised interest rates to a record level of 12.5% ​​from 9.5%, enforced from April 2014. The rate had been 8% during last 3 years. The interest rate is a determinator of the borrowing cost for Ukrainian banks. Interest rate increase will increase cost of bank loans and lead to decline in lending, but will improve the accounts balance. Interest rate increase has a negative long term economic effect and could lead to stagnation.In Europe, struggling with the crisis, interest rate being set at 0.15%, aimed to boost business due to cheaper credit.
  • NSDC Information Center speaker, Mr Lysenko said t at the briefing hat despite the sharp escalation of the conflict with participation of Russian military personnel and equipment, the introduction of martial law in the Donbass is not yet on the agenda.
  • Minister Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Mr. Chaly confirmed that Ukraine doesn’t consider to break diplomatic relations with Russia due to the need to liberate hostages.

Kyiv

  • Kyiv residents brought flowers and lightened candles near Russian embassy in Kyiv, to express solidarity with those killed in the Moscow subway terrorists attack but this haven’t been reported by Russian media.

War in Ukraine

  • Heavy fights with terrorists and mercenaries from Russiaa, supported by artillery from the other side, are ongoing on the border with Russia, in proximity to the closed checkpoints in Marinivka, Izvarino and Amvrosievka.
  • Terrorists succeeded to smuggle five multiple rocket launchers "Grad" and anti-aircraft missile system "Strela-10". Terrorists are getting prepared for long fights and target residential areas with multiple rocket

International

  • US introduced stronger sanctions against Russia. Mr. Obama signed an executive order for the Ministry of Finance to impose restrictions to largest Russian companies and banks - Rosneft, Novatek, Vneshekonombank and Gazprombank, arms manufacturers, and also against officials and terrorists from Crimea and Donbas. EU as well broadened sanctions against Russia at the session of the Council of Europe. Full list of organizations and persons under sanctions will be published in the beginning of June. Moreover EBRC and European Bank of Reconstruction and Development programs are already on hold. According to our experts, this may lead to a sharp escalation of tensions in Donbass, where Putin will send saboteurs to destabilize Ukraine.
  • Ukrainian Consul in Rostov, Mr.  Breskalenko met with Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko, who has been kidnapped by terrorists in the Luhansk region, taken to the territory of Russia for unlawful detention being charged for murder of Russian journalists. During the meeting, Savchenko completely rejected the claim that she came to Russia as a refugee. Ukrainian Consul was admitted to meet her following the announcement of her hunger strike. The European Court of Human Rights took up her case under the accelerated procedure. Ukraine asks to release her without conditions.
  • Several times per week, Ukraine provides ECHR with evidence of illegal occupation of the Crimea and the Russian involvement in the financing of terrorists in Donbass under the context of action - «Ukraine against Russia." Minister of Justice Mr. Petrenko said that payment of compensation on the claim does not negate the need to release the illegally occupied territories.

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