October 31, 2015

10/30/2015 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - Klitschko and Bereza MP will meet in the second round of Kyiv elections

Klitschko and Bereza MP will meet in the second round of elections
Klitschko and Bereza MP will meet in the second round of elections

10.30.2015 Daily Highlights by the Digests & Analytics Ukraine Agency

Topics from Media and Social Networks

  • Klitschko and Bereza MP will meet in the second round of elections.
  • US Ambassador Payette criticized the leadership of the Prosecutor General’s Office for blocking reforms.
  • Fire in Svatovo completely extinguished.

Key Events in Ukraine

  • Current mayor Klitschko will face Bereza MP in the second round of elections of the mayor of Kiev.
    CEC submitted appeal and demands the cancellation of the second round of elections in Pavlograd. CEC member Usenko-Chorna was admitted to the hospital and held a hunger strike to demands her release from the position due to the threats received. CEC head Ohendovsky said he is not going to leave his post until a successor will be appointed. The results of the elections to the Kiev city council are expected before November 4th. Final results of the election of mayors in the country are still not announced.
  • Arrest of People's Deputy Mosiychuk extended until 15 November.
  • Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced the recruitment of staff in another department - the Bureau of countering drug-related crime, which will replace the disbanded drug trafficking combat department.
  • The IMF representative Vacher criticized project of the tax reform proposed by the parliamentary committee, calling it a significant risk that Ukraine can not be subjected to at the moment. According to him, this way of reform would reduce tax revenues by 9-10% of GDP.
  • NBU slightly reduced the official rate of the hryvnia: 22,99 UAH / $ (+0,09 UAH), 25,33 UAH / € (+0,30 UAH ), 3,57 UAH / 10 RUB.

Ukraine at War

  • Militants continue to fire on positions of Ukrainian army in the area of Shirokino and Marinka. One soldier was killed and one - wounded during the battle in Peski, two were wounded due to explosion on the stretch near Stanitsa Luganska.
  • According to the headquarters of liquidation of the aftermath of the explosion of ammunition in Svatovo fires in a warehouse and in surrounding areas was extinguished. As a result of missiles flying around dozens of homes were damaged, two dead and six wounded civilians were officially reported. One soldier was killed and two others - injured. Sappers continue bomb searching and neutralising unexploded ordnance throughout the city and surrounding area. Defense Minister Poltorak called events in Svatovo as the diversion of the enemy.
  • The headquarters of the antiterrorist operation declares the withdrawal of artillery caliber up to 100 mm across the front line.
  • SBU and the military prosecutor's office detained the chief of the border commandant’s office in Volnovakha and one employee during receiving a bribe.

Ukraine and the World

  • At the negotiations in Vienna on the settlement of the situation in Syria, which was attended by diplomats from 17 countries, the UN and the EU it was decided to launch the political process in the country with the participation of the government and the opposition. The process should lead to the creation of the government of national trust and the adoption of a new constitution, after that elections will be held under UN supervision. US, Iran and Russia can not agree on the fate of the current President Assad. The next stage of talks will be held in two weeks.
  • White House Press Secretary Earnest said that United States will not coordinate their activities in Syria with Russia. A small number of US special forces will be sent to the northern part of Syria controlled by the Kurds to to fight militants of the Islamic state.
  • President Erdogan said that Turkey has destroyed two thousand Islamic militants in recent operations in the country and abroad. According to him, everything will be done to prevent the creation of the Kurds autonomy in Syria.
  • President Obama said that there is no risk of the resumption of the "cold war"  as Russia has ceased to be a superpower.
  • FIFA President Blatter admitted that the choice of Russia as the place of the World Cup in 2018 was the result of a secret deal between the top leaders of the organization.
  • Moscow court handed house arrest to the director of the library of Ukrainian literature.
  • US Ambassador to OSCE Baer said that sanctions against Russia will be canceled only after the full implementation of the agreements Minsk and return of Crimea to Ukraine.
  • NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe Breedlove said that the US will realign intelligence activities in accordance with the threats posed by the aggressive policy of Russia. According to him, Russia continues to supply weapons to the Donbas. He is concerned that because of the events in Syria attention to the actions of Russia in Ukraine falls.
  • Foreign Ministry reminds that Ukrainians on the territory of the Russian Federation staying for more than 90 days and not having permits will have to arrange them in the migration service or leave the country until November 30.
  • Russian Prime Minister Medvedev said that from enhanced measures of customs and tariff protection in respect to Ukraine will be introduced from 1st of January in response to the entry into force of the free trade zone between Ukraine and EU. He also announced  intention to impose economic sanctions in response to Ukraine joining the international sanctions against Russia.
  • US Ambassador to Ukraine Pyatt urged the Prosecutor General’s Office to stop undermining reforms and protecting corrupt prosecutors in their ranks and also to stop blocking investigations of bribery, collusion and political agreements. He promised full support to prosecutors Kasko and Sakvarelidze, who are fighting against corruption in the department.

The Trends


  • According to the President Poroshenko, local election completed the process of reloading of the power after the escape of former President Yanukovych. However, the return to power of former members of the Party of Regions, including within the ranks of the presidential bloc, suggests otherwise. Cleansing the judiciary has not happened, people who participated in the persecution of activists of the Maidan continue to work in the Prosecutor's Office and the Interior Ministry, there are more political prisoners than under Yanukovych.

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