Ukrainenews

Thursday, December 3

Ukrainians can look forward to a normal shopping this weekend and, probably through Friday December 25, Catholic Christmas. Ukrainians can look forward to a normal shopping this weekend and, probably through Friday December 25, Catholic Christmas. Prime Minister Shmygal said November’s weekend shopping bans had cut the spr...

Yesterday morning, 13,141 new cases were announced, down from a daily average of 16,500 late last week. Yesterday morning, 13,141 new cases were announced, down from a daily average of 16,500 late last week. However, in Kyiv Mayor Klitschko said yesterday that a record 1,735 new coronavirus cases had be...

With a big budget funding gap looming, Ukraine may tap the international Eurobond market for up $1 billion in short term financing With a big budget funding gap looming, Ukraine may tap the international Eurobond market for up $1 billion in short term financing, Prime Minister Shmygal told the Korrespondent news site. He asserts ...

Timothy Ash writes from London Timothy Ash writes from London: “Surprised it took them so long given the strength of global beta which has seen Ukraine’s borrowing costs in the Eurobond market crash 200bps lower over the past month...

Through October, Ukraine has attracted $221 million in new direct foreign investment — 5% of the $4.5 billion attracted during the first 10 months of last year Through October, Ukraine has attracted $221 million in new direct foreign investment — 5% of the $4.5 billion attracted during the first 10 months of last year, the National Bank of Ukraine reported y...

Corporate raiding — stealing companies through forgeries or force — is up slightly this year compared to last year Corporate raiding — stealing companies through forgeries or force — is up slightly this year compared to last year, reports Ukrinform, citing data from Opendatabot, an online registry. Through October...

Ukrzaliznytsia plans to spend almost $1 billion next year on repairing locomotives, cars, and track — almost three times the money spent this year. Ukrzaliznytsia plans to spend almost $1 billion next year on repairing locomotives, cars, and track — almost three times the money spent this year. As posted on the state railroad’s site, financing wo...

Despite the corona recession, cargo handled by Ukraine’s seaports is up by 1% yoy. Despite the corona recession, cargo handled by Ukraine’s seaports is up by 1% yoy. Through November, the ports handled 146 million tons. Confirming Ukraine’s reliance on exports of raw materials, grai...

Kyiv’s autumn (September-November) was the warmest since local record keeping started in 1881 Kyiv’s autumn (September-November) was the warmest since local record keeping started in 1881, reports Ukrinform. “The calendar autumn is over but the meteorological winter has not come yet,” reports ...

Monday, November 16

With Ukraine reporting a record 12,524 new Covid cases Saturday morning, police fanned out across the nation, fining and closing businesses found violating the ‘weekend quarantine. With Ukraine reporting a record 12,524 new Covid cases Saturday morning, police fanned out across the nation, fining and closing businesses found violating the ‘weekend quarantine.’ By noon yesterday,...

Retailers and regional politicians pushed back with at least eight regional capitals – or one third of the total — refusing to participate. Retailers and regional politicians pushed back with at least eight regional capitals – or one third of the total — refusing to participate. In Lviv, Mayor Andriy Sadoviy, who faces a tight runof...

“Lviv has always been and is a city of small and medium-sized businesses, “Lviv has always been and is a city of small and medium-sized businesses, and 50,000 Lviv residents and their families can suffer from this decision,” he said, echoing the complaints of other mayors a...

The pushback comes as architects of the limited quarantine now wage their own personal battles with coronavirus. The pushback comes as architects of the limited quarantine now wage their own personal battles with coronavirus. On Saturday, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov announced that he had tested positive for ...

In Kyiv, about 1,000 new infections are reported daily In Kyiv, about 1,000 new infections are reported daily by Mayor Klitschko.In the eight months since the first case was recorded in Ukraine, almost 1,000 people have died of coronavirus complications i...

At present, patients occupy about 60% of the 52,000 beds in the nation’s coronavirus wards. At present, patients occupy about 60% of the 52,000 beds in the nation’s coronavirus wards. Although more beds are being added, only 38% of the 52,000 beds are equipped with oxygen. On Friday, the day...

The EBRD is ready to loan Ukraine €200 million to conduct a nationwide inventory of mineral deposits and to prepare promising deposits for mining through transparent auctions of licenses The EBRD is ready to loan Ukraine €200 million to conduct a nationwide inventory of mineral deposits and to prepare promising deposits for mining through transparent auctions of licenses, Prime Minist...

As Europe’s largest nation, mineral-rich Ukraine could play a key role in ensuring EU security of supply. As Europe’s largest nation, mineral-rich Ukraine could play a key role in ensuring EU security of supply. Citing the possibility of building a battery plant in Ukraine for electric cars and buses, Shm...

Shmyhal told the Rada on Nov. 6 that proper development of mining could generate $400 billion in economic activity over the next decade Shmyhal told the Rada on Nov. 6 that proper development of mining could generate $400 billion in economic activity over the next decade. Ukraine has road and rail links with its four EU neighbors – Po...

Amber, gold, kaolin, and manganese are among the 11 mineral and groundwater deposits that go up for electronic auction Dec. 23 Amber, gold, kaolin, and manganese are among the 11 mineral and groundwater deposits that go up for electronic auction Dec. 23, reports the State Service of Geology and Subsoil. The next auction will ...

With imports falling faster than exports, Ukraine recorded a $531 million trade surplus for January-September With imports falling faster than exports, Ukraine recorded a $531 million trade surplus for January-September, compared to a $4.2 billion deficit during the same nine months last year.

For services, IT helped save the day as Ukraine’s balance of trade in this area showed a $4.4 billion surplus For services, IT helped save the day as Ukraine’s balance of trade in this area showed a $4.4 billion surplus, reports the State Statistics Service. Compared to the first three quarters of last year, ...

For goods, China saved the day For goods, China saved the day by increasing its purchases of Ukrainian goods by 86%, to $4.8 billion, and cutting its imports by 12%, to $5.8 billion. Overall, Ukraine’s deficit of foreign trade in g...

Alexander Lukashenko, the self-appointed president of Belarus threatened Friday to cut off trade with Ukraine Alexander Lukashenko, the self-appointed president of Belarus threatened Friday to cut off trade with Ukraine, reports BelTA, the state news agency. “You watch out because we could shut the border for...

In the five months since the Kyiv Metro reopened in late May, ridership is down by 38% yoy In the five months since the Kyiv Metro reopened in late May, ridership is down by 38% yoy, to 132.8 million passengers, the subway system reports. The busiest stations are on the Red Line – Vokzalna ...

Friday, November 13

Covid accomplishes what Zelenskiy cannot. Covid accomplishes what Zelenskiy cannot. Covid has paralyzed the Constitutional Court, with the majority of the 15-member court “either sick or awaiting test results because they have symptoms of cor...

Zelenskiy and his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, are being treated for Covid at Feofania Clinic, Zelenskiy and his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, are being treated for Covid at Feofania Clinic, the southern Kyiv hospital reserved for high level officials. Two ministers reported this week that the...

With the nationwide ‘weekend lockdown’ starting after midnight tonight, there is scattered resistance. With the nationwide ‘weekend lockdown’ starting after midnight tonight, there is scattered resistance. The leaders of Lviv, Rivne and Sloviansk say they will not follow the rules. Epicenter, one of th...

Upside of global warming Upside of global warming: the shipping season on the Dnipro will be extended by two weeks this year, to Dec. 1, reports the State Maritime and River Transport Service. The four northernmost locks R...

Ukraine will invest $70 million next year to revive regular production of aircraft at Antonov and to “master the full production of helicopters,” Ukraine will invest $70 million next year to revive regular production of aircraft at Antonov and to “master the full production of helicopters,” Prime Minister Shmyhal told the Cabinet Tuesday. The m...

Russia has decided to its close trade missions in two of its Western neighbors, Ukraine and Lithuania, and to open a mission in Syria. Russia has decided to its close trade missions in two of its Western neighbors, Ukraine and Lithuania, and to open a mission in Syria. Russia-Ukraine trade steadily dropped after 2014, the year Russia...

Russia’s last trade office in the Baltics was in Lithuania Russia’s last trade office in the Baltics was in Lithuania. Trade during the first half of this year dropped by almost one third, compared to the first half of 2019. An official note accompanying the ...

Wind and solar investments account for one quarter of the €49 billion of foreign direct investment in Ukraine since Independence in 1991. Wind and solar investments account for one quarter of the €49 billion of foreign direct investment in Ukraine since Independence in 1991. However, €660 million in unpaid electricity bills is forcing f...

Carl Sturen, the Swedish managing director of wind power developer Vindkraft, said: Carl Sturen, the Swedish managing director of wind power developer Vindkraft, said: “We are lagging behind on our payments and we definitely can’t wait.” Sergii Shakalov, CEO of Kness Group, a solar p...

The Government’s The Government’s Guaranteed Buyer says it has paid all for renewable energy generated in August and for 93% of power produced in September. The press service of the Ministry of Energy reports that the...

China’s Sinohydro Corporation Limited intends to file an international arbitration claim for Ukravtodor’s termination two weeks ago of its contract for construction of a bypass highway around Zhytomyr China’s Sinohydro Corporation Limited intends to file an international arbitration claim for Ukravtodor’s termination two weeks ago of its contract for construction of a bypass highway around Zhytomyr...

Coming as Ukraine seeks public-private partnerships with foreign road construction companies, Sinohydro says its treatment should serve as a warning. Coming as Ukraine seeks public-private partnerships with foreign road construction companies, Sinohydro says its treatment should serve as a warning. “It is difficult for the company to understand why...

The recent decision by Ukraine’s Constitutional Court to dismantle anti-corruption legislation is the biggest impediment to a restoration of IMF loans flows to Ukraine, The recent decision by Ukraine’s Constitutional Court to dismantle anti-corruption legislation is the biggest impediment to a restoration of IMF loans flows to Ukraine, Kyrylo Shevchenko, governor of ...

Concorde Capital’s Alexander Paraschiy reads between the lines of this “sobering statement” and concludes: Concorde Capital’s Alexander Paraschiy reads between the lines of this “sobering statement” and concludes: “No IMF tranche in 2020, meaning IMF-related financing of Ukraine’s 2020 budget deficit (from...

In London, Timothy Ash polled his Twitter followers about Ukraine’s IMF prospects. In London, Timothy Ash polled his Twitter followers about Ukraine’s IMF prospects. He posted on @tashecon this breakdown of the 260 replies: IMF money this year – 15%; IMF money in Q1 – 27%; IMF money...

Monday, September 7

The number of new filings for unemployment aid have dropped steadily: from 149,000 in April to 68,000 in July The number of new filings for unemployment aid have dropped steadily: from 149,000 in April to 68,000 in July, reports the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture. Since the government...

Real wages were up 5% in July yoy Real wages were up 5% in July yoy, reports the State Statistics Service. The biggest growth sectors, in nominal terms, were: medicine and social services – +18% yoy; and IT and telecom – +...

ICU writes: “ ICU writes: “The recovery of wages confirms a quite rapid exit of the labor market from the coronavirus-induced recession. The rebound of workers’ income is also evidenced by the high growth rat...

After a record week of coronavirus infections, Prime Minister Shmygal vowed that there will be no repeat of last spring’s lockdown. After a record week of coronavirus infections, Prime Minister Shmygal vowed that there will be no repeat of last spring’s lockdown. “We understand, both the government and the state leadership, there ...

Even with Sunday’s dip to 2,107 new cases, Ukraine’s ranks third in Europe for new cases, Even with Sunday’s dip to 2,107 new cases, Ukraine’s ranks third in Europe for new cases, behind only France at 7,071, and UK at 2,988, according to Worldometer’s Coronavirus tracker. Worldwide, Ukrai...

Starting today, two regional capitals, Ivano Frankivsk and Ternopil, are classified red. Starting today, two regional capitals, Ivano Frankivsk and Ternopil, are classified red. In advance, the mayors of both cities sued the Cabinet of Ministers in Kyiv District Administrative Court. The ...

One upside of Ukraine’s increasing infection rate: the Health Ministry has reduced its One upside of Ukraine’s increasing infection rate: the Health Ministry has reduced its list of ‘red’ zone countries to 35. Red zone countries – those with recent infection rates above Ukraine’s 80/100...

The new spread of the virus has hit home for many Ukrainians with the news of the hospitalizations in Kyiv of two well-known figures. The new spread of the virus has hit home for many Ukrainians with the news of the hospitalizations in Kyiv of two well-known figures. Filaret, the 91-year-old Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Churc...

Recruiting Belarus IT workers – Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Ministry has opened a Recruiting Belarus IT workers – Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Ministry has opened a special web portal for Belarusian IT specialists who want to move to Ukraine and has hired Denis Aleinikov,...

Aleinikov is to help the Rada draw up a low tax, liberal labor law IT park similar to the Hi-Tech Park he helped build near Minsk. The park now has 880 registered companies Aleinikov is to help the Rada draw up a low tax, liberal labor law IT park similar to the Hi-Tech Park he helped build near Minsk. The park now has 880 registered companies. Last week, President Zelen...

With this investment regime, Fedorov aims to create an additional 450,000 IT jobs in Ukraine by 2025, generating $12 billion in economic activity With this investment regime, Fedorov aims to create an additional 450,000 IT jobs in Ukraine by 2025, generating $12 billion in economic activity. Last year, Ukraine’s IT exports grew 30% yoy, to $4.2...