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| OSCE Representative Saydik |
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| President Putin and Chancellor Merkel |
Four-side “Normandy format” negotiations to settle the Donbass crisis may be held in Minsk on February 11. A powerful explosion has shaken Donetsk. Yet another convoy from Russia crossed into Ukraine.
President Putin took a timeout after negotiations with the leaders of France and Germany to settle the crisis in Donbass. The hryvnia on the interbank market is falling quickly. Mobilization in Ukraine is in full swing.
A big diplomacy day in Ukraine - the US Secretary of State, the German Chancellor and the French President visit Kiev. The National Bank’s interest rate rose to a record 19.5% value, the hryvnia (UAH) was released into free float.
In emergency session Verkhovna Rada pushed through a number of laws needed for shaping a budget and approved the state budget for 2015. The powers of the presidential National Security Council significantly expanded. Ukraine cancelled its non-aligned international status. The economic situation remains permanently difficult in the absence of new loans from IMF. Transport links between Ukraine and Crimea are cut off. "Silent mode" and the exchange of prisoners are major developments in Donbass region.
Negotiations in Minsk between representatives from Ukraine, Russia, OSCE and militants have not resumed today. 146 Ukrainian military men have been released from militants’ captivity. Railway and bus connection between Ukraine and Crimea froze. Russian banks operating in Crimea were disconnected from the Visa and MasterCard international payment systems.
The Parliament approved the law expanding the powers of the National Security Council and a adopted in first reading most of the legislative package necessary for the implementation of the state budget. The Government grants access to the Registrу of Property Rights. Ukrainian society raises the question about the legal status of the Minsk Agreement.
Kazakhstan will supply coal to Ukraine. Budget 2015 will be adopted on Thursday. The National Reform Council is established. The government failed to cut off all social benefits. Volleys of cannonade is thundering again in Donets’k.
Negotiations in the "Minsk format" once again thwarted by the leaders of the Donetsk "republic." Presidents of Belarus and Kazakhstan are planning to visit Kyiv this Sunday and Monday. Following the EU, United States and Canada have mposed sanctions against the Crimea.
