Section: News & Summaries
OSCE: Donetsk Airport, Avdiyivka, Yasynuvata triangle of most ceasefire violations
Approximately 50% of all ceasefire violations are reported in the triangle formed by Donetsk Airport, Avdiyivka and Yasynuvata, Alexander Hug, Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has told a press conference in the occupied Donetsk Wednesday, Dec 14. ”The OSCE is aware that the situation at the contact...
Ukraine`s largest bank hits back at nationalization reports – Reuters
Ukraine`s largest lender, PrivatBank, said on Wednesday that reports it will be nationalized were attempts to create panic and destabilize the political situation in the country, according to Reuters. Local media has speculated that PrivatBank, which is part-owned by billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky, could be privatized if it does not meet a year-end...
European Parliament backs visa suspension mechanism
New rules passed by European Parliament on Thursday say that visa requirements for non-EU nationals will be reintroduced faster when EU countries face irregular migration surges or security risks. EP rapporteur for the proposal, Agustin Diaz de Mera (EPP, ES), said: ”We have succeeded in creating a more flexible and operational tool, while...
Hryvnia strengthens to UAH 26.30 to dollar on interbank market
Hryvnia quotations against the dollar on the interbank currency market on Thursday strengthened to UAH 26.26/26.30 to the dollar by the middle of trade, a broker at a commercial bank has told an UaPosition correspondent. Hryvnia quotes against the euro have settled at UAH 27.5756/27.6150, while those against the Russian ruble have settled at UAH...
EU to extend Russian sanctions, ready for deal-oriented relations with U.S. – Mogherini
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini says the EU is prepared for a ”more deal-oriented relationship” with the United States after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office, but EU sanctions against Russia will be linked to peace implementation in eastern Ukraine, according to...
President of the European Council vows to do his best to ensure ratification of EU deal with Ukraine
President of the European Council Donald Tusk has assured Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that he will do his best to ensure the ratification of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement and facilitate prompt completion of the visa-free waiver procedure for Ukraine, according to Poroshenko`s press service. The parties have had a phone...
Hopes rise for Aleppo evacuation – BBC
Hopes have risen that a planned evacuation of rebel-held parts of the Syrian city of Aleppo will now begin soon, after an earlier deal collapsed, according to the BBC. Rebel sources said a new truce had been in effect from 03:00 GMT and evacuations would take place early on Thursday, the BBC wrote. Sources from the Syrian military, the...
Ukraine sees 2.9% rise in farm produce output in January-November
Ukraine saw a 2.9% rise in farm produce output in January-November 2016 compared to the same period of 2015, according to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Agri-businesses alone boosted output by 4%, while households increased farm produce output by 1.6% in the 11 months, year-over-year. Crop production over the period under review rose by...
U.S. may target Russian weapons seized by Islamic State in Palmyra
The head of U.S. forces fighting Islamic State said on Wednesday the United States may target weapons seized by the group when it captured the Syrian city of Palmyra, adding the equipment posed a danger to the U.S.-led coalition in the region, according to Reuters. Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend told a Pentagon video briefing that the...
U.S. Federal Reserve raises key interest rate, citing strengthening economy
Citing the steady growth of the American economy, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it would increase its benchmark interest rate for just the second time since the 2008 financial crisis, according to The New York Times. The widely expected decision moves the Fed`s benchmark rate to a range between 0.5% and 0.75%, still a very low level by...