October 23, 2015

10/22/2015 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - NBU announced the easing of restrictions on the foreign exchange market

NBU announced the easing of restrictions on the foreign exchange market
NBU announced the easing of restrictions on the foreign exchange market

10.22.2015 Daily Highlights by the Digests & Analytics Ukraine Agency

Topics from Media and Social Networks

  • NBU announced the easing of restrictions on the foreign exchange market.
  • The militants have renewed attacks in the Donbass.
  • New Odessa police cordoned off the building of the regional traffic police.
  • The "diamond prosecutor" was released on bail of 3 million hryvnia.

Key Events in Ukraine

  • President Poroshenko signed the law on social guarantees for conscript officers.
  • Poroshenko called for a fast and effective lustration of judges. To this end, he initiated amendments to the Constitution, which underwent public hearings and were sent for assessment to the Venice Commission.
  • The Constitutional Court began the hearing of the case on the validity of the lustration law, despite protests of activists and MPs demanding the dismissal of judges appointed by former President Yanukovych.
  • CEC head Okhendovsky said the second round of mayoral elections in major cities will be held on November 15. According to him, elections should be held in Mariupol, since th eelectoral process cannot be stopped.
  • According to civic activists’ analysis, the largest number of the Party of Regions representatives is included in the lists the Bloc Petro Poroshenko candidates, with slightly less presen tin the lists of Vidrodzhennya and Nash Krai parties.
  • The court withdraw the freezing injunction on Rivneazot company of Ostchem concern owned by oligarch Firtash after it reached an amicable settlement with Naftogaz on the repayment of gas debts. The company has resumed operations.
  • Ukrnafta property worth more than 9 billion UAH was distrained for tax debts.
  • Ukraine plans to resume imports of electricity from Russia in November.
  • The National Bank announced the lifting of some restrictions on the foreign exchange market. Foreign currency coming in the form of grants and to non-residents participating in privatization is no longer subject to compulsory sale. The limitations on hryvnia withdrawal through ATMs and cash desks for foreign exchange transactions with individuals were lifted, as well as the ban on the payment for international telecommunications services by Ukrainian companies without supporting documents.
  • NBU slightly increased the official rate of national currency: 22.28 ₴/$ (-0.33 UAH), 25.21 ₴/€ (-0.46 UAH), 3.55 ₴/10 ₽ (-0.06 UAH) .

Ukraine at War

  • The ceasefire in the war zone in Donbas was disrupted by militants who gunned Pisky, Opytne and Shyrokyne with small arms, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. Ukrainian troops did not return fire. Near the town of Zolote, a Ukrainian soldire was wounded as a result of a landmine explosion. The militants are actively conducting reconaissance in the occupied territories, with subversive groups planting mines in the countryside.
  • The OSCE Mission in the Luhansk region watched the transfer of the body of a Ukrainian soldier, whose death has not been reported by the Ukrainian authorities.
  • The Ukrainian army has withdrawn tanks from the entire confrontation line. Russian occupation forces in certain areas of Donetsk region have not withdrawn self-propelled guns and Grad installations and have disguised their equipment positioned near the front line.
  • Aidar battalion returns to Donbas, where it will be stationed on the second line of defense.
  • A network of offices recruiting mercenaries for Syria has been deployed in the occupied territories. Recruitment to the “Armed Forces of the DPR" on the contract basis is also underway.

Ukraine and the World


  • US President Obama vetoed a draft defense budget for 2016 passed by the Congress, which allocated, inter alia, $300 million for the purchase of weapons for Ukraine. Foreign Ministry assured that the veto has nothing to do with the help to Ukraine.
  • Russian President Putin spoke at “Valdai” discussion forum in Sochi, where he admitted that the conflict in Donbas could not be resolved without the US and Ukraine. He also accused Ukraine of violating the Minsk Agreements. Putin said that the US, by establishing new missile defense system near Russia's borders, represents a threat to its power system and nuclear potential. Talking about the situation in Syria, he said that if the conflict is inevitable, it is necessary to strike first.
  • US Ambassador to the UN Power criticized Putin's actions in Syria, saying that the bombing only strengthened the position of the terrorist Islamic State and allowed it to capture new territories. At least 100 civilians were killed as a result of air strikes, and 85,000 people became refugees. US Secretary of State Kerry said that President Assad prevents a peaceful settlement in Syria. Reuters analyzed the air strikes targets and determined that over 80% of them were directed at the territories controlled by the opposition to President Assad and not at the positions of the Islamic State. Senator McCain said that the agreement with Putin opened the skies over Syria to the Russian aviation.
    Over a hundred Russian ships arrived to Syria during the last week.
  • The bombing of Syria raised the rating of Putin in Russia to the record 90%.

No comments:

Post a Comment