Weekly news digest (November 26 – December 2) #infocenter_ukraine #intrel_faculty #Ukraine #ATO #war #world #results #information This weekly news digest highlights the situation in the eastern Ukraine and on the Crimean peninsula, the challenges Ukrainian war-torn economy is facing and the measures the international community has taken to help Ukraine overcome the tough crisis. The situation in the ATO area remains tense and complicated. This week, the ATO forces were shelled less frequently but more intensely. The rebels are involved in numerous provocative actions, for instance, using Western journalists as a human shield and shelling the OSCE observers on November 27. Petro Poroshenko underlines that all the international monitoring missions, including the OSCE one, confirm that the armed militants are constantly violating the peace deal, using the “small groups” tactics and shelling neighborhoods. Also, the hospital and the schools were shelled in the village of Azotnyi, Donetsk region along with the shop in the city of Stanytsya Luhanska, Luhansk region on November 27. The Human Rights Watch made a statement about Ukrainian army using cluster bombs which was not confirmed by the OSCE special monitoring mission. This is the reason why Ukraine is appealing again to the international organizations to be more objective in their statements and back up the allegations with concrete evidence. Russia continues to move towards the escalation of the conflict. According to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, up to 6 thousand Russian servicemen are situated in the eastern Ukraine. Kremlin continues to supply the rebels with heavy weaponry and military equipment. Russian air force was again involved in provocative actions; Ukrainian airspace was violated by 2 Russian jets on November 26. Also, according to the OSCE, the 8th “humanitarian convoy” that entered the country this week contained 18 fuel tanks. A bill was introduced to the State Duma about providing Russian volunteers, fighting in the eastern Ukraine, with a combatant status and government benefits. J. Stoltenberg, T. Jagland and F-W. Steinmeier agree that Ukrainian-Russian conflict might be on the verge of transforming into a new phase of the Cold War between Russia and the West. T. Jagland says that the “Cold war-like” conflict in Europe is a possible scenario, but it can be avoided if the Ukrainian question is resolved. F-W Steinmeier believes that this conflict may become a long-lasting one, dragging on for years or even decades. Despite the prognosis, J. Stoltenberg says there is no need to provide military assistance to Kyiv. And Russian rhetoric remains the same, Kremlin says that Ukrainian crisis occurred because of the “anti-constitutional overturn, elicited, financed and supported by the US and its allies”. The situation in the occupied territories worsens. Pro-Russian rebels refuse to fight on behalf of “the army of Novorossiya” and are actively engaged in civilians’ robbery. There is also an evidence of armed clashes between separatists groups and Russian Special Forces in the city of Antratsyt, Luhansk region. The humanitarian situation is deteriorating on a daily basis. There is a problem with water, electricity and gas supplies, heating, food and industrial sector functioning. The locals are running out of money which only fuels the protest movement in the occupied territories. The UN reported that 490,000 people are internally displaced and 546,000 had already emigrated. Also, more than 600 Ukrainians are held in captivity. The chances that the conflict will be resolved peacefully are fading. Pro-Russian rebels show no willingness to negotiate about the borders of the self-proclaimed republics; they also failed to fulfill the Minsk deal and to adopt the ceasefire regime. The President of Ukraine underlines that these violations have resulted in numerous casualties. He adds that the rebels shell peaceful neighborhoods and the OSCE observers and are the only obstacle on the way to peaceful life in Donbas. Despite this, Ukraine has so far fulfilled all the Minsk deal commitments. Kyiv supplies gas and electricity to the occupied territories. Overall, the spending has so far reached $700 million. To improve the situation, Ukraine sends humanitarian aid to the rebel-held territories. The OSCE special monitoring mission reports that LPR militants and Ukrainian servicemen on December 2 reached ceasefire agreement that would start from December 5 and negotiated about the removal of the heavy weaponry from December 6. But a new shelling of Donetsk Airport 3 hours after a deal was signed destroyed the hopes of a full ceasefire. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in his speech during the parliament session on November 27 said the constant military threat from Russia and the Europe’s, if not the world’s, security system crisis are the main challenges Ukraine is facing. He emphasized that because of the Russian aggression the democratic world stays united with Ukraine. Petro Poroshenko said he is confident that Ukraine has to refuse the neutral status and start implementing reforms in order to be able to apply for the EU membership in 5 years. Europe welcomed Kyiv’s decisive position towards reforms and the EU course. But at the same time, J.Hahn said he cannot confirm that Ukraine will become an EU member. However, D. Tusk made a defining statement in the EU-Ukraine relationship. In his speech, the President of the EU Council said that Russia is not EU strategic partner, it is rather a strategic problem. Kremlin continues to integrate the Crimea into its military defense complex. New aviation divisions and aerospace defense forces were formed and deployed to the eastern Ukraine. The economic situation is deteriorating – the prices went up by 38%, lack of resources, agricultural complex and tourism industry crisis reported. Also, several Ukrainian banks came to a standstill and people lost their savings. Human rights are constantly being violated on the Crimean peninsula. Muslims have their rights denied. The freedom of speech is extremely suppressed and the media industry is under constant pressure. Crimean Tatars are forced to flee their homes in order to avoid conscription to the Russian army. Also, this week the People’s Republic of China refuted the publication in Russian media about recognizing the Crimean annexation. In the meantime, Kyiv is not satisfied with the way the OSCE reacts to numerous challenges and threats that appeared after the Crimean occupation and hopes the organization will soon adopt a new, more efficient, strategy. Ukrainian economy is facing serious difficulties. Tremendous budget spending on armed forces, GDP decline, import and investments reduction, lack of coal and energy supplies are just a few factors that contribute to the economy’s decline. The National Bank of Ukraine was able to stabilize Ukrainian currency exchange rate. It has obliged national banks to stop carrying out all types of financial operations in the territories not controlled by Kyiv. As for now, the government is working out a new economic policy that is to be implemented in the occupied areas, also considering the possibility of establishing a free economic zone in the region. Despite the plunging oil prices, OPEC decided not to cut petroleum production. This policy will surely influence Russia’s economy and might result in falling energy prices for Ukraine. Still, Ukrainian question stays on international community’s agenda. Western countries along with Japan and Israel continue to help Kyiv in this tough crisis. Canada and the US provided military and technical support. Sweden has come up with a decision to increase the amount of humanitarian aid to €26 million. German Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued €500,000 to help Ukrainian IDPs. Slovakia continues to help in the energy sector and Lithuania urges the EU to provide military assistance to Kyiv. Poland and Baltic countries are involved in the EU alternative programs to oppose Russian propaganda. Czech government plans to provide the OSCE monitoring mission with more than €100,000. Ukraine also values Turkish people support. Last week, they were protesting against Putin’s visit. Traditionally, the EU provides the most support; €55 million were issued to have the decentralization problem solved by 2018. NATO helps with trust funds establishment. Different financial institutions like the EIB, the WB and the EBRD provide significant financial help. Russia’s and Kremlin-controlled DPR’s and LPR’s provocative actions illustrate great disrespect to the Minsk deal, Ukraine’s sovereignty and to the entire international community. In order for reason and the rule of law to prevail, the world leaders have to impose new sanctions and continue Russia’s international isolation. The materials used for the weekly news digest include the official websites of the President, the National Security and Defence Council, the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the government, Ukrainian Internet newspaper “Ukrainska Pravda” (“Ukrainian Truth”), Dmytro Tymchuk’s blog “Informatsiinyi sprotyv” (“Informational Resistance”), Ukrainian news agency UNIAN, Ukrainian news program TSN, weekly political magazine “Korespondent” ( “Journalist”), daily Internet newspaper “Novyny Krymu” (“The Crimean News”), weekly political, economical and the arts magazine “Ukrainskyi Tyzhden” (“Ukrainian week”), socio-political weekly Internet newspaper in Russian “Livyi bereh” (“The left bank”), Ukrainian analytical newspaper “Dzerkalo tyzhnia” (“Weekly Mirror”), Ukrainian weekly news magazine “Fokus” (“Focus”), Ukrainian news website “Liha. Novyny” (“League. News”), etc.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 21:36:39 +0000