09/03/2015 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - National Bank introduced a new 100-hryvnia banknote

03/09/2015 Daily Highlights by the "Digests & Analytics - Ukraine" News Agency

Topics of the day

President Poroshenko believes that the Crimea could be returned by demonstrating the advantages of living in the mainland Ukraine. Militants in the Donbass does not comply with the conditions of the ceasefire. National Bank introduced a new 100-hryvnia banknote.

Key Events of Ukraine

• In an interview on UT-1 President Poroshenko announced that reforms could not be fast because of the war as Ukraine has lost nearly a quarter of the industrial potential. Strategy to return the Crimea, in his opinion, should be based on the demonstration of a better life in the mainland Ukraine.
• President Poroshenko considers cultural policy as effective weapon to fight against the external enemy and a tool to perform reforms.
• National Bank released a new 100 hryvnia banknote.

Ukraine at War

• Despite the declared truce, militants continue to build up strength and carry out active hostilities in the conflict zone in the Donbass. Ukrainian army repeled the attack in Shirokine, Donetsk outskirts Pisky and Avdiivka as well as positions on the "Bahmutka" highway and in the Troitske are under artillery and mortar attacks.
• Ukrainian commanders and military experts state a sharp increase in combat capability of militants units as a result of the training by Russian instructors. Intensive reinforcement of Russian units and the illegal armed formations by heavy equipment, ammunition and mercenaries from Russia continues.

Ukraine and the World

• US Ambassador to the UN Power said that peacekeeping forces will not be an actual solution to prevent the escalation of Russia's aggression, Minsk agreement should be the basis of the settlement.
• President Obama and President of the European Council Tusk said that the US and the EU will not remove sanctions against Russia, if it will continue aggression the sanctions will be strengthened.
• United States began the transfer of the military forces and heavy equipment to Baltic States in the framework of the "Atlantic willingness" to prevent the threat from Russia.
• Deputy Chairman of the European Commission Georgieva said that Ukraine will soon need more financial assistance than expected. Term of providing the aid can be extended to 2020 and beyond.
• US demand that Russian-backed militants provide free access for OSCE observers to control arms withdrawal from the conflict zone in the Donbass.
• Russian state arms program increased by 1.5 times. The Deputy Minister of Defence Shevtsova said that these costs are a priority and can not be sequestering.