08/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• In response to the strong Russian military convoy with a «humanitarian mission», ostensibly agreed with the Red Cross, approached border of Ukraine, Ministry of Foreign affairs of Ukraine stressed that any attempt to interfere into Ukrainian internal affairs under the pretext of «peacekeeping forces» to «defend the humanitarian mission» will be treated by Ukraine as aggression. The country is fully capable to manage any humanitarian issues with the assistance of western partners and the Red Cross. US representative stressed at the UN Security Council meeting that unilateral entry of Russian «peacekeepers» to Ukraine will be treated by the US as invasion with all forthcoming consequences. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UK called Russia to abstain from  «humanitarian intervention» to Ukraine.
• As reported by the Minister of Justice Petrenko, Ukraine is supposed to submit the legal suit on Russia to the International UN court in accusation for financing and support of terrorism in eastern Ukraine.
• President Poroshenko approved extension of the age limit for overall population of citizens subject to call-up for military services up to 60 years and for higher ranked officers up to 65 years.
• Ukrainian Government prepared the list for sectoral sanctions against Russia, including 65 enterprises and 172 citizens of Russia. Sanctions should be enacted by the law that Verkhovna Rada aims to adopt on August 12. Possible measures could include termination of the gas transit and no-fly zone for Russian aviation over the territory of Ukraine.

07/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

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Ukraine

• President Poroshenko signed the resignation of the National Security and Defense Council Secretary Parubiy.
• National Bank continued to devaluate Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH): 12.45 UAH/ 1$ (-10 cop), 16.63 UAH / 1€ (-9 cop), 3.45 UAH / 10 RUR. Quotes ranged during the day: 12,40-12,63 UAH / 1$ 16,59-16,85 UAH / 1€.
• National Bank of Ukraine instructed Ukrainian banks to suspend all kinds of financial transactions in territories, not controlled by Ukrainian authorities.
• Foreign currency reserves of the National Bank of Ukraine in July decreased by 6% to $ 16.07 billion. Decrease is related to servicing of the sovereign debt.

06/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• The Government of Ukraine has developed a package of tax laws, on the basis of which is the budget been drawn up in 2015, the year for which laws must be adopted by the Verkhovna Rada. Service, in particular, for reducing the number of taxes from 22 to 9, structure change of the excise tax, by the insertion of the luxury tax, environmental fee and the target bonus to the tariff for electricity, a substantial redistribution of tax revenues to local budgets (real estate tax, a flat tax and a large part of the tax on income of individuals), the creation of a single body of financial investigations instead of the tax police and other investigating authorities in the field of economics. Among the main innovations planned - the unification of accounting and taxation, and a sharp decline in tax and payroll companies with the introduction of a progressive income tax scale. Tax on land and property on it is planned to combine. Major agricultural associations must be translated into a common system of taxation. The government forecasts the adoption of the proposed law in September after consultation with representatives of the business.

05/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• Pechersky District Court of Kyiv, based on the evidence submitted by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, decided to arrest citizens of Russian Federation Zyuganov, Zhirinovsky, Shoigu, Tymchenko and Malofeeva for financing of terrorism and incitement to violate the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
• National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) continue sharp devaluation of the national currency: 12.29 UAH / 1$ (-11 cop), 16.50 UAH / € (-19 cop), 3.45 UAH / 10 RUB 10 (-4 cop).During the day quotes fluctuated within the following ranges: 12,25-12,52 UAH / 1$ 16,39-16,70 UAH / 1€. NBU went on a stock exchange, but this haven’t brought down excessive demand for foreign currencies. The regulator explains the spike by political instability of the last week and hopes to replenish currency reserves from coming sales of agricultural producers.Market traders worked out applications for foreign currency purchases from July 31.
• President Poroshenko appointed former secretary of the National Security & Defense Council, served during Kuchma times Vladimir Gorbulin, as director of the National Institute for Strategic Studies.
• The state has decided to increase the capital of "Naftogaz" by 63 billion UAH to 96.6 billion UAH, ie three times, through issue of additional shares and confirmed state ownership. Financing of the transactions will be done through the exchange of sovereign bonds with a yield no higher than 14.3% per annum.

04/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• Notification of resignation of the Secretary of the National Security & Defense Council shared by Ukrainian online media, have been refuted.
• President Poroshenko cancelled orders, issued by the former presidents during 1992-2010 years, on life-long social security and protection of former officials, as well as a number of benefits transferred to the generals in reserve and justice officials.
• After a marginal stabilization on Friday, National Bank of Ukraine sharply decreased the Fx rate of UAH vs major currencies: 12.18 UAH / 1$ (-22 cop), 16.31 UAH / 1€ (-31 cop) and 3.41 UAH / 10 RUR (-4 cop). During the market session, quotes ranged in 12,28-12,50 UAH / 1$ and 16,48-16,77 UAH / 1€.
• Security Service of Ukraine asked the Internet Association of Ukraine to block of Internet resources related to terrorism and advocating war, ethnic hatred and challenging the constitutional order of the country.

28.07-03.08.2014 Weekly Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• Russian army continues shelling Ukrainian Armed Forces from its territory, using multiple rocket launchers and artillery. Aircraft and helicopters of Russian Air Forces routinely violate Ukrainian airspace, but are not shot down so far. Columns of armored vehicles, artillery, multiple rocket launchers, ammunition trucks and mercenaries, penetrate from Russia to Ukraine through the part of land borders, controlled by terrorists of LPR.
• Terrorists are shelling residential areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Avdiivka, Shakhtarsk and Terez with multiple rocket launchers "Grad" and artillery, civilian casualties are reported.
• Mayor of Stakhanov, "information minister" of DPR Bloha and Mayor of Popasnaya have been arrested for collaboration with terrorists.
• Ukrainian troops with a rapid maneuver split the group of terrorists in Debalcevo, captured the strategic heights Saur-Mohyla, are fighting for Torez, Snizhne, Shakhtersk, Pervomais'k, Luhansk, Donetsk stripped from militants are Ilovajsk, Avdiyivka, Debalcevo.

01/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• President Poroshenko signed several important laws previously adopted by Verkhovna Rada. In particular, he signed the Law on Higher Education, that determines self-governance and integration of universities into the European space, based on the Bologna process, as well as Amendments to the State Budget and the Tax Code, providing additional funding to Kyiv, martial tax on personal income, reduction of state official salaries.
• President Poroshenko announced in TV interview creation of international Donbass recovery aid fund, involving US, UK, Japan and most European countries. Additionally, Ukrainian oligarchs money should be used for the region's recovery.
• President Poroshenko insists on change of electoral law and introduction of a fully proportional system and open party lists.

23/07/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• Prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation of Mariupol City Administration officials on accusations of aiding terrorists, who held a joint meeting with representatives of the "People's Republic of Donetsk" and signed a memorandum. Also, criminal case against the Secretary of Lysychansk City Council was launched under accusation for "separatism".
• SSU investigates facts of betrayal at the headquarters of the anti-terrorist operations, as well as among former heads of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security Service of Ukraine and Ministry of Defense, financing terrorism.
• "Naftogaz" head, Kobolev, said that cost of the gas transportation system of Ukraine is estimated at 25-35 billion dollars (including profit forecast of the volumes of transit). Estimate was made for the possibility of creating a transit company with 49% foreign stake.
• Official exchange rate of Ukrainian Hryvnya (UAH), as established by the NBU: USD 11.64 / 1 $ (-3 cop), 15.69 UAH / 1 € (-8 cop), 3.32 UAH /10 RUR.
• President Poroshenko ordered to prepare for the large-scale launch of 3G communication standard before August 15 and before 30th of October - to hold tenders for these frequencies. All Ukrainian mobile operators have already declared interest to participate to the tender. Previously Poroshenko urged the need for the early start of 3G and 4G networks implementation in Ukraine.

22/07/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• President Poroshenko, clarified at the meeting with Verkhovna Rada fractions and deputy groups leaders that Ukraine is not ready for the introduction of martial law, as in this case it would be impossible to get the support of international financial institutions, supply of arms and dual-use goods, as well as in the case of the declaration of martial law the opposite opposite side of the conflict will be protected by international law. Based on this context, anti-terrorist operation will continue and efforts should be focused on recognition of DPR and LPR as international terrorist organizations.
• Verkhovna Rada amended its governance principles, allowing the chairman to dissolve specific fraction should number of its deputies decrease  versus initial one during formation on the first session. This allows to eliminate parliamentary faction of the Communist Party, that have been abandoned by several deputies. The law was signed by President Poroshenko.