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Thursday, July 9

Ukraine’s foreign reserves hit $28.5 billion on July 1, the highest level in eight years, Ukraine’s foreign reserves hit $28.5 billion on July 1, the highest level in eight years, reports the National Bank of Ukraine. Boosting reserves 12% over the June 1 level, the IMF deposited its first...

“There likely won’t be any more [IMF] tranches distributed to Ukraine, unless the new NBU Governor is acceptable to the IMF and its conditions are met,” “There likely won’t be any more [IMF] tranches distributed to Ukraine, unless the new NBU Governor is acceptable to the IMF and its conditions are met,” Robert Homans writes in a bne IntelliNews artic...

Turkey hopes 100,000 Ukrainians will visit Antalya this month, Turkey hopes 100,000 Ukrainians will visit Antalya this month, down from 145,000 in July 2019, Interfax-Ukraine reports from Antalya Airport. Ukrainian groups go to Turkish hotels that follow Covid co...

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry is asking airlines and travel agencies to stop selling tickets to countries that don’t allow Ukrainian tourists to enter Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry is asking airlines and travel agencies to stop selling tickets to countries that don’t allow Ukrainian tourists to enter. With Ukraine’s Covid infection rate well above the ...

Five Balkan nations, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia — welcome Ukrainian tourists Five Balkan nations, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia — welcome Ukrainian tourists. Visitors planning to fly to Croatia should fill out this Croatian Tourism Ministry fo...

Betting that air travel will normalize next year, Betting that air travel will normalize next year, Ryanair next summer will add five new routes between Lviv and five Italian cities: Bari, Naples, Palermo, Turin and Treviso (Venice). On Monday, Ryana...

Ukraine’s beach resorts – on the Black Sea and Azov Sea – are booming this summer Ukraine’s beach resorts – on the Black Sea and Azov Sea – are booming this summer, Vodaphone Ukraine reports citing movements of 4G users. “Judging by the increase in Internet traffic and the number o...

Shut off from the EU after three years of visa-free access, Ukrainians will discover that Ukrainian hotels and amenities modernized while they were away, Shut off from the EU after three years of visa-free access, Ukrainians will discover that Ukrainian hotels and amenities modernized while they were away, Peter Dickinson writes in an Atlantic Council ...

To answer foreigners’ questions about entering Ukraine, the government launched this week To answer foreigners’ questions about entering Ukraine, the government launched this week Visit Ukraine Today, an internet site that provides information on entry and exit requirements for foreign tra...

Ecolines resumes bus service from Kyiv to Moscow today and from Kyiv to St. Petersburg on Saturday. Ecolines resumes bus service from Kyiv to Moscow today and from Kyiv to St. Petersburg on Saturday. Rail service was suspended in late March due to the coronavirus epidemic. There have been no commerc...

Fresh from purging the leadership of the central bank, President Zelenskiy told business leaders yesterday that Ukraine’s exchange rate should match the rate in the national budget – 30 hryvnia to the dollar. Fresh from purging the leadership of the central bank, President Zelenskiy told business leaders yesterday that Ukraine’s exchange rate should match the rate in the national budget – 30 hryvnia to the...

“Companies lost millions and closed because of this rate – this is true,” “Companies lost millions and closed because of this rate – this is true,” he told business leaders in Chernivtsi, reports Interfax-Ukraine. “We have been fighting this since the very beginning of my t...

Zelenskiy took aim at Valeria Gontareva, former head of central bank Zelenskiy took aim at Valeria Gontareva, former head of central bank. From self-exile in London, she urged the IMF to ask for their money back if Ukraine’s president dilutes the independence of the ce...

Wednesday, July 8

To keep on track with the IMF and Western lenders, Smoliy said the central bank remain independent from pressure from the President and the Rada. To keep on track with the IMF and Western lenders, Smoliy said the central bank remain independent from pressure from the President and the Rada. “Neither the IMF, nor the World Bank, nor any corporat...

Smoliy also complained of pressure from Ihor Kolomoisky who seeks to regain control of PrivatBank. Smoliy also complained of pressure from Ihor Kolomoisky who seeks to regain control of PrivatBank. There were noisy, paid rallies outside the central bank building and outside his residential compound...

Concorde Capital’s Alexander Paraschiy writes of Smoliy’s interview: Concorde Capital’s Alexander Paraschiy writes of Smoliy’s interview: “Given (1) recent statements from Western institutions concerned about the NBU’s independence, (2) the removal of Smoliy and ...

The IMF should suspend payments to Ukraine if the country’s government does not appoint an independent central bank governor, Valeria Gontareva, former governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, tells The IMF should suspend payments to Ukraine if the country’s government does not appoint an independent central bank governor, Valeria Gontareva, former governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, tells ...

If President Zelenskiy does not appoint a central bank governor willing to stand up to Ihor Kolomoisky, the IMF should ask for its money back, If President Zelenskiy does not appoint a central bank governor willing to stand up to Ihor Kolomoisky, the IMF should ask for its money back, she adds. “Those tranches were paid under the agreement t...

The Finance Ministry sold $11.7 million worth of hryvnia government bonds yesterday’s weekly auction, the lowest amount since late May. The Finance Ministry sold $11.7 million worth of hryvnia government bonds yesterday’s weekly auction, the lowest amount since late May. The main seller yesterday – $10.8 million worth — wa...

On Monday, Air France resumes regular flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Kyiv Boryspil On Monday, Air France resumes regular flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Kyiv Boryspil. The flights will be twice a week through Aug. 24. After that the frequency becomes three times a week.

In June Boryspil handled 48,398 passengers, down 97% yoy from the June 2019 volume — 1,532,580. In June Boryspil handled 48,398 passengers, down 97% yoy from the June 2019 volume — 1,532,580. Scheduled air service only re-started on June 15.

The 23 countries accepting tourists from Ukraine include The 23 countries accepting tourists from Ukraine include: Britain, US, South Korea, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Egypt, Turkey, Dubai, Iraq, Iran, Belarus and Ethiopia. Sever...

After 12 Ryanair passengers from Kyiv Boryspil were detained at Athens airport for three days After 12 Ryanair passengers from Kyiv Boryspil were detained at Athens airport for three days, Ryanair now asks that all passengers flying out of Ukraine confirm that they have read Ryanair’s Flight a...

The EU allows entry of Ukrainians for study, business, work, health care, diplomacy, transit, and trucking The EU allows entry of Ukrainians for study, business, work, health care, diplomacy, transit, and trucking, according to Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Documented proof of need to enter is ...

On Ukraine’s northern border, Ukraine has opened six border checkpoints with Belarus. On Ukraine’s northern border, Ukraine has opened six border checkpoints with Belarus. Two of these are open for cars as well as pedestrians and cars – Dolsk, Volyn Oblast and Polessy, Kyiv Oblast. To ...

Yakiv Smoliy’s resignation as head of Ukraine’s central bank last week came after nine months of pressure from President Zelenskiy to cut interest rates and to print more money. Yakiv Smoliy’s resignation as head of Ukraine’s central bank last week came after nine months of pressure from President Zelenskiy to cut interest rates and to print more money. “I realized I ha...

A summer travel survey of online users of Rozetka Travel finds: 45% plan to vacation in Ukraine, 24% plan a foreign vacation, and 17% plan to go to the dacha or visit relatives A summer travel survey of online users of Rozetka Travel finds: 45% plan to vacation in Ukraine, 24% plan a foreign vacation, and 17% plan to go to the dacha or visit relatives. Of the overseas group,...

Asked about timing – now or in the fall – Zelenskiy, responded ‘now,’ Asked about timing – now or in the fall – Zelenskiy, responded ‘now,’ Smoliy said Saturday in a 6,800-word interview conducted Saturday at the National Bank of Ukraine office he occupied for two years...

The timing ruined the Finance Ministry’s placement of $1.75 billion in Eurobonds The timing ruined the Finance Ministry’s placement of $1.75 billion in Eurobonds. Before the offering was yanked Thursday, the bonds were four times oversubscribed and yields had dropped 50 basis poin...

A theme running through the interview is that Zelenskiy wants his own appointee as central bank governor A theme running through the interview is that Zelenskiy wants his own appointee as central bank governor, an official who will respond favorably to telephone calls from the president’s office. “How ma...

Monday, December 30

Easing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, 200 prisoners were exchanged Sunday between Ukraine and the Russia-controlled sections of Donetsk and Luhansk. Easing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, 200 prisoners were exchanged Sunday between Ukraine and the Russia-controlled sections of Donetsk and Luhansk. Ukraine sent 124 people to the Russia-control...

Intervening aggressively to weaken the hryvnia, the central bank bought half a billion dollars net Saturday. Intervening aggressively to weaken the hryvnia, the central bank bought half a billion dollars net Saturday. Coupled with Thursday’s net purchase of $700 million, the National Bank of Ukraine’s net cu...

The official exchange rate set through Jan. 7 is 23.69 hryvnia to the dollar. The official exchange rate set through Jan. 7 is 23.69 hryvnia to the dollar. This is a 15.5% gain over the 28.03 rate of Jan. 10, 2019.

No economist forecast in January that the hryvnia would end 2019 as the fastest appreciating currency against the dollar in the world. But this does not stop the prognosticators from trying again. No economist forecast in January that the hryvnia would end 2019 as the fastest appreciating currency against the dollar in the world. But this does not stop the prognosticators from trying again.

Oleg Pendzin, a financial analyst, tells UNIAN Oleg Pendzin, a financial analyst, tells UNIAN: “Surely we will see a certain rollback of the dollar, a drop in the hryvnia. At least to the level of 27 hryvnias per dollar, since this figure is actua...

By contrast, experts interviewed by Interfax-Ukraine predict that the hryvnia will continue to strengthen in the New Year. By contrast, experts interviewed by Interfax-Ukraine predict that the hryvnia will continue to strengthen in the New Year. Oleg Kurinnoy, Credit Dnepr Bank’s Treasury Director, says: “With the continu...

Natalia Shishatskaya, Forward Bank’s Head of Treasury, agrees Natalia Shishatskaya, Forward Bank’s Head of Treasury, agrees, saying: “Given the budget deficit, the Ministry of Finance is likely to continue to place OVDPs [government bonds] at auctions next year,...

Ukraine is preparing 530 state companies for privatization, with auctions to take place on ProZorro in 2020 Ukraine is preparing 530 state companies for privatization, with auctions to take place on ProZorro in 2020, Prime Minister Honacharuk wrote Friday on his Telegram account. With the sales expected to ...

With Brexit expected to take place in 2020, a UK-Ukraine free trade deal is “75% ready,” With Brexit expected to take place in 2020, a UK-Ukraine free trade deal is “75% ready,” Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK, Natalia Galibarenko, tells Ukrinform. “This is a matter of several months,” she...

Ireland plans to open an embassy in Kyiv in 2020 Ireland plans to open an embassy in Kyiv in 2020, reports Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry. The timing and location was decided at a recent meeting between Simon Coveney, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs ...

With the Boryspil express train to Kyiv increasingly popular, Ukrzaliznytsia is doubling capacity during peak hours With the Boryspil express train to Kyiv increasingly popular, Ukrzaliznytsia is doubling capacity during peak hours, running a 3-car train with 170 seats between the capital and the nation’s busiest a...

With Russia-Ukraine gas transit talks stretching into today, Gazprom showed its seriousness Friday by paying Naftogaz $2.9 billion. With Russia-Ukraine gas transit talks stretching into today, Gazprom showed its seriousness Friday by paying Naftogaz $2.9 billion. The money was paid in full – principal plus 10-months interest ̵...

Lease tenders for restaurants, duty-free shops, and ATMs at Boryspil are to go through ProZorro, Lease tenders for restaurants, duty-free shops, and ATMs at Boryspil are to go through ProZorro, Infrastructure Minister Vladislav Krykliy, tells the Center for Transportation Strategies. “I definitel...

In tandem on Friday, Ukraine’s Cabinet approved an agreement with Gazprom to settle an unrelated antitrust dispute. In tandem on Friday, Ukraine’s Cabinet approved an agreement with Gazprom to settle an unrelated antitrust dispute. In that case, a Kyiv court in 2017 imposed a $7.2 billion fine on Russia’s state gas...

In Vienna, Russian and Ukrainian teams negotiated Saturday and Sunday the details of a 5-year, 225 billion cubic meter gas transit pact. In Vienna, Russian and Ukrainian teams negotiated Saturday and Sunday the details of a 5-year, 225 billion cubic meter gas transit pact. Late Saturday, Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolev reported progress, b...

Removing one hurdle, the EU has certified the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine, a Naftogaz spinoff company created this month Removing one hurdle, the EU has certified the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine, a Naftogaz spinoff company created this month. “The newly created operator of the gas transmission system of ...

Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak predicted Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will be launched by the end of 2020, Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak predicted Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will be launched by the end of 2020, Deutsche Welle reported Friday from Moscow. The work can be completed by a Russian pi...

Friday, December 27

With yields depressed and tenors short, investors bought the dollar equivalent of $228 million in Ukraine treasuries at Tuesday’s auction – slightly less than half the amount of one week earlier. With yields depressed and tenors short, investors bought the dollar equivalent of $228 million in Ukraine treasuries at Tuesday’s auction – slightly less than half the amount of one week earlier.

For 2-year dollar-denominated bonds, investors bought $100 million worth, accepting a 3.86% interest rate For 2-year dollar-denominated bonds, investors bought $100 million worth, accepting a 3.86% interest rate, 22 bps below three weeks earlier. For hryvnia denominated bonds, investors accepted a weighte...

Concorde Capital’s Evgeniya Akhtyrko writes Concorde Capital’s Evgeniya Akhtyrko writes: “Apparently, the last auction of 2019 occurred with minimal or no participation of non-resident investors, who have been the most active buyers of UAH-deno...