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Thursday, November 12

Starting at midnight tomorrow night, Ukraine embarks on the first of three ‘weekend lockdowns’ – partial shutdowns where restaurants, shopping centers and fitness centers will be closed through Sunday nights. Starting at midnight tomorrow night, Ukraine embarks on the first of three ‘weekend lockdowns’ – partial shutdowns where restaurants, shopping centers and fitness centers will be closed through Sunday...

With 10 of Ukraine’s 24 regions reporting 70% or higher occupancy rates in their Covid wards With 10 of Ukraine’s 24 regions reporting 70% or higher occupancy rates in their Covid wards, Prime Minister Shmyhal warned yesterday at a televised government meeting: “Given the current situation, b...

Although the Health Ministry is increasing Ukraine’s Covid hospital beds by 50%, to 80,000, Although the Health Ministry is increasing Ukraine’s Covid hospital beds by 50%, to 80,000, the Prime Minister warned last week: “We have arrived at the point of no return and are close to catastrophe...

Denmark has donated 50 ventilators to Ukraine Denmark has donated 50 ventilators to Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry reported Tuesday. DTEK and the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation have donated 62 ventilators since the start of the pandemic.

Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said yesterday: “We would like to do a complete lockdown for three weeks, but our economy won’t survive.” Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said yesterday: “We would like to do a complete lockdown for three weeks, but our economy won’t survive.” To ease economic pain, Prime Minister Shmyhal promised to give...

“Our main message is: ‘Let people work,’ “Our main message is: ‘Let people work,’” Olena Obukhovska, spokesman for the Arricano shopping mall group, told Interfax-Ukraine. Drawing 300 people, the protest was supported by the Ukrainian Restau...

Andriy Piontkovksy, founder of the Cherry Berry chain of candies and natural drinks shops, wrote on Facebook that half of his turnover takes place in shopping centers on weekends. Andriy Piontkovksy, founder of the Cherry Berry chain of candies and natural drinks shops, wrote on Facebook that half of his turnover takes place in shopping centers on weekends. He asked: “How can w...

Alexander Savilov, co-owner of the Salateira restaurant chain, wrote on Facebook that many entrepreneurs say a short, hard lockdown would be more effective. Alexander Savilov, co-owner of the Salateira restaurant chain, wrote on Facebook that many entrepreneurs say a short, hard lockdown would be more effective. He said: “Many are in favor of a complete l...

Lviv, a city with a big tourism economy, is preparing a lawsuit against the weekend lockdown decision, Lviv, a city with a big tourism economy, is preparing a lawsuit against the weekend lockdown decision, Mayor Andriy Sadovyi wrote last night on Facebook. “Lockdown for the weekend is absurd,” said Sad...

The most recent political notables testing positive for coronavirus are: The most recent political notables testing positive for coronavirus are: Dmytro Razumkov, speaker of the Rada, and Oleksiy Reznikov, deputy Prime Minister and minister for Reintegration of Temporarily...

On President-elect Joe Biden, Serhiy Sydorenko On President-elect Joe Biden, Serhiy Sydorenko writes in an analysis in Evropeiska Pravda: “Implementation of reforms in Ukraine is going to be the main indicator on which the US would premise buildin...

With Joe Biden’s political emergence, perceived Ukraine risk has dropped and yields are down on Ukraine’s benchmark Eurobonds With Joe Biden’s political emergence, perceived Ukraine risk has dropped and yields are down on Ukraine’s benchmark Eurobonds. Since Oct. 12, yields on the bond maturing in 2025 have dropped 90 basis ...

Ukreximbank, the nation’s third largest bank, is repurchasing its Eurobonds maturing in 2022 and 2025 for a total of $300 million. Ukreximbank, the nation’s third largest bank, is repurchasing its Eurobonds maturing in 2022 and 2025 for a total of $300 million. The state-owned bank reports that the redemption price of bonds matur...

Timothy Ash writes from London: Timothy Ash writes from London: “With Ukrainian Eurobonds ignoring the local constitutional crisis and taking their lead from global beta, I would be amazed if the Ministry of Finance does not tap the...

Wednesday, November 11

To draw Chornobyl tourists for longer stays, Kyiv-based tour operators plan to offer next summer kayak tours on the Pripyat River and bicycle tours on a new, 45 km trail To draw Chornobyl tourists for longer stays, Kyiv-based tour operators plan to offer next summer kayak tours on the Pripyat River and bicycle tours on a new, 45 km trail. The trail follows a loop, pas...

Building on the internationally acclaimed “Chernobyl” HBO series, Ukraine’s Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko seeks UNESCO World Heritage Site status for the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Building on the internationally acclaimed “Chernobyl” HBO series, Ukraine’s Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko seeks UNESCO World Heritage Site status for the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, reports the N...

Ukrzaliznytsia plans to increase five-fold its investments next year in wagons, locomotives and track – to almost $1 billion Ukrzaliznytsia plans to increase five-fold its investments next year in wagons, locomotives and track – to almost $1 billion, Irakli Ezugbaya, the new cargo director for the state railroad, told the C...

International logistics companies will be able to manage UZ’s container terminals through long term concessions, International logistics companies will be able to manage UZ’s container terminals through long term concessions, Ezugbaya said in the same interview. “International logistics operators will be interes...

German logistics company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG, or HHLA, has set up a Ukraine unit to send containers by rail to major cities from Odesa’s German logistics company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG, or HHLA, has set up a Ukraine unit to send containers by rail to major cities from Odesa’s Container Terminal. Although container traffic was ...

Through October, Ukraine’s foreign trade was down 9% yoy, to $82.7 billion Through October, Ukraine’s foreign trade was down 9% yoy, to $82.7 billion, reported the State Customs Service. Imports were down 12%, to $43 billion. Exports were down 5%, to $39.6 billion. The trade...

Low oil prices have cut 37% off Ukraine’s oil import bill through October Low oil prices have cut 37% off Ukraine’s oil import bill through October, compared to the first 10 months of last year, reported the State Customs Service. Ukraine paid $2.8 billion for oil imports. ...

Food exports are down 1.7% through October yoy, to $17.6 billion Food exports are down 1.7% through October yoy, to $17.6 billion, reports the Ukrainian Club of Agrarian Business. Trends of major export commodities were: sunflower oil +21%; corn -12%; wheat +6%; so...

Ukraine’s seaports handled 132 million tons of cargo through October, 2% more than during the first 10 months of last year, Ukraine’s seaports handled 132 million tons of cargo through October, 2% more than during the first 10 months of last year, reports the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority. Exports were up 4%, to 101 millio...

China was the fastest growing buyer of Ukraine’s exports China was the fastest growing buyer of Ukraine’s exports, Prime Minister Shmyhal told the Rada Friday. In October, he said that Ukraine’s exports to China were up by 88%, or by $2.6 billion. To attrac...

Odesa region’s Pivdenniy (Yuzhny) handled 18% more cargo through October, growing at the expense of the three other big Black Sea Ports, Odesa region’s Pivdenniy (Yuzhny) handled 18% more cargo through October, growing at the expense of the three other big Black Sea Ports, according to new figures from the Sea Ports Authority. Almost 4...

In contrast, cargo handled by Mykolaiv was down by 8%, to 25 million tons. In contrast, cargo handled by Mykolaiv was down by 8%, to 25 million tons. Odesa region’s other two big ports saw similar drops: Odesa down by 6%, to 19.4 million tons and Chornomorsk down by 8%, to 1...

First time registrations of used imported cars were up 50% yoy in October, to 38,800 cars, First time registrations of used imported cars were up 50% yoy in October, to 38,800 cars, reports UkrAutoprom, the vehicle industry association. Registrations of new imported cars totaled 8,400 – or ...

The Digital Transformation ministry is launching an English-language version of Diya.Biznes, its online platform for entrepreneurs doing business in Ukraine The Digital Transformation ministry is launching an English-language version of Diya.Biznes, its online platform for entrepreneurs doing business in Ukraine. Currently in test mode, the platform featu...

Qatar Airways intends to resume flights Dec. 18 between Doha and Kyiv Boryspil Qatar Airways intends to resume flights Dec. 18 between Doha and Kyiv Boryspil. For the first two weeks, flights will be three times a week. Last spring, flights were suspended due to the coronavirus ...

Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, a major attraction for foreign tourists, received 31,720 tourists through October, down 71% yoy Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, a major attraction for foreign tourists, received 31,720 tourists through October, down 71% yoy. Due to the fires and the coronavirus lockdown, the area around the ruined nuc...

Tuesday, November 10

The new Oschadbank branch on the Ukrainian-controlled side of the new Shchastia checkpoint is capable of handling 2,000 customers a day The new Oschadbank branch on the Ukrainian-controlled side of the new Shchastia checkpoint is capable of handling 2,000 customers a day, Sergei Naumov, the new chairman of the savings bank, reports. U...

In time for the Christmas, UIA plans to fly three times a week to London Heathrow, starting Dec. 17. In time for the Christmas, UIA plans to fly three times a week to London Heathrow, starting Dec. 17. At the same time, Ukrainian International Airlines will continue to fly three times a week to Londo...

President Zelenskiy, his chief of staff, and his Finance Minister all tested positive yesterday for the coronavirus. President Zelenskiy, his chief of staff, and his Finance Minister all tested positive yesterday for the coronavirus. Zelenskiy reported on his Telegram channel that his temperature is 37.5C (99.5F). I...

To curb the virus, President Zelenskiy proposes weekend lockdowns where only food stores, pharmacies and gas stations would be open To curb the virus, President Zelenskiy proposes weekend lockdowns where only food stores, pharmacies and gas stations would be open from Friday midnight to Sunday midnight. He said: “A temporary lockd...

Scheduled surgeries and hospitalizations are now prohibited in Ukraine Scheduled surgeries and hospitalizations are now prohibited in Ukraine, deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko told reporters yesterday. Last week 9,234 people were hospitalized for Covid, 2,000 more t...

The national occupancy rate of hospitals dedicated to treating coronavirus-infected patients is 63.2%. The national occupancy rate of hospitals dedicated to treating coronavirus-infected patients is 63.2%. The worst regions are: Poltava – 94%; Zhytomyr – 81.3%; Rivne region – 79%. Kyi...

As 80% of Ukrainian Covid cases undergo treatment – or self-medicate – at home, the use of antibiotics has grown 3.5 times As 80% of Ukrainian Covid cases undergo treatment – or self-medicate – at home, the use of antibiotics has grown 3.5 times yoy, Health Minister Stepanov told the Rada Friday. At the same Rada session,...

President Zelenskiy is to sign into law this week a measure that would allow police to issue on the spot fines of $6-9 to adults found in enclosed public spaces without masks President Zelenskiy is to sign into law this week a measure that would allow police to issue on the spot fines of $6-9 to adults found in enclosed public spaces without masks. Mask wearing is not mand...

In a bill seemingly aimed at recruiting Ukrainian doctors and nurses In a bill seemingly aimed at recruiting Ukrainian doctors and nurses, Poland is drafting legislation to fast track the hiring of health workers from outside the EU, reports Radio Poland. Poland’s coro...

“Why a Biden presidency is very good news for Ukraine,” “Why a Biden presidency is very good news for Ukraine,” headlines an analysis by Anders Åslund, the Washington-based economist who has watched Ukraine closely over the last 30 years. “Few countries ar...

Ukraine’s pro-Western, anti-corruption reformers will have a strong advocate in Biden Ukraine’s pro-Western, anti-corruption reformers will have a strong advocate in Biden, Ukrainians tell Mark Raczkiewycz in a RFE/RL piece titled: “More Than Just An Onlooker, Ukraine Largely Relieved ...

“Lack of trust in the judiciary” is the top turn off for foreign investors – displacing “widespread corruption,” “Lack of trust in the judiciary” is the top turn off for foreign investors – displacing “widespread corruption,” according to a poll released yesterday of equity and strategic investors. Because of th...

“Ukrainian business shares the opinion of foreign investors,” “Ukrainian business shares the opinion of foreign investors,” said Anna Derevyanko, executive director of the European Business Association, one sponsor of the annual poll. “According to an EBA survey...

The best solution for the Constitutional Court crisis would be the resignation of justices who voted for abolition of anti-corruption legislation The best solution for the Constitutional Court crisis would be the resignation of justices who voted for abolition of anti-corruption legislation, Fedir Venyslavsky, President Zelenskiy’s representati...

Monday, November 9

The World Bank will loan $100 million to rebuild roads and to promote farming and small business investment in the government-controlled half of Luhansk region, the Bank Board voted Friday. The World Bank will loan $100 million to rebuild roads and to promote farming and small business investment in the government-controlled half of Luhansk region, the Bank Board voted Friday. “Thousands...

Vitali Klitschko has been re-elected for a third term as mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko has been re-elected for a third term as mayor of Kyiv, the local election commission announced. Friday. In the Oct. 25 election, Klitschko won 50.5%, or 365,161 votes, escaping a runo...

Tweeting from Luhansk region on Saturday, President Zelenskiy thanked the World Bank “for supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity.” Tweeting from Luhansk region on Saturday, President Zelenskiy thanked the World Bank “for supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity.” In Luhansk, Zelenskiy inspected a new checkpoint at Shchast...

Pro-EU parties won most of the votes in the Kyiv City Council election Pro-EU parties won most of the votes in the Kyiv City Council election. The ranking was: European Solidarity — 20.5%; Klitschko’s UDAR — 20%; Unity — 9%; Pro-Russia Opposition Platfo...

In the 103 days of ceasefire in the Donbas, “the number of attacks has decreased 5.5-fold [year over year] and the number of killed Ukrainian servicepersons has decreased 10-fold In the 103 days of ceasefire in the Donbas, “the number of attacks has decreased 5.5-fold [year over year] and the number of killed Ukrainian servicepersons has decreased 10-fold,” Zelenskiy told a gr...

With the number of Ukraine’s new coronavirus cases now averaging 10,000 a day, the Rada approved on Friday a law empowering police to issue fines of $6 to 9 to people who do not wear masks in enclosed public spaces With the number of Ukraine’s new coronavirus cases now averaging 10,000 a day, the Rada approved on Friday a law empowering police to issue fines of $6 to 9 to people who do not wear masks in enclosed...