ukrainetoday

Thursday, July 9

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...

The State Security Service, or SBU, took a more censorial tack The State Security Service, or SBU, took a more censorial tack, posting on Facebook that it “considers it inadmissible to declare statements that could harm the national security of the state, in part...

Tim Ash writes from London: “ Tim Ash writes from London: “SBU in effect telling Gontareva, Smoliy and Churiy to shut up as Zelensky and crew take over the NBU… Clear Zelensky wants a team at the NBU who will do his bidding,...

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...

Wednesday, July 8

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...

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 ...

Tuesday, March 10

Chickens represent Ukraine’s animal husbandry bright spot, increasing by 2% y-o-y, to 211.5 million head on Feb. 1 Chickens represent Ukraine’s animal husbandry bright spot, increasing by 2% y-o-y, to 211.5 million head on Feb. 1, reports the State Statistical Service. By contrast, the national cattle herd – milk ...

With demand for new office space strong in Kyiv, a record 255,000 square meters are to go on the market this year, more than double last year’s amount With demand for new office space strong in Kyiv, a record 255,000 square meters are to go on the market this year, more than double last year’s amount, according to a new Kyiv office research report b...

IT accounted for 44% of the new office space take up in Kyiv last year IT accounted for 44% of the new office space take up in Kyiv last year. This was followed by industry and energy with 25% and by co-working and temporary offices at 12%. With IT growing at 20% a year ...

Residential housing increased by 27% last year y-o-y, to 11 million square meters Residential housing increased by 27% last year y-o-y, to 11 million square meters. Newly commissioned housing was almost evenly split between single family houses – 53% — and apartments – 47%. O...

The schedule for ‘big privatization’ tenders – over $10 million – is The schedule for ‘big privatization’ tenders – over $10 million – is: Dnipro Hotel and United Mining and Chemical – May; Odesa Port-Side Chemical Plant – August; President Hotel – October; Electrotyaz...

One million additional cars may hit Ukraine’s roads this year, if current registration figures hold up. One million additional cars may hit Ukraine’s roads this year, if current registration figures hold up. In January and February, 61,000 used imports and 14,000 new imports were registered, reports Ukr...

Ukraine’s first concrete highway – a 160 km road used by Poltava grain trucks going to Dnipro – must be completed by the end of this year Ukraine’s first concrete highway – a 160 km road used by Poltava grain trucks going to Dnipro – must be completed by the end of this year, President Zelenskiy vowed Thursday on a site visit. The north...

Short term, Monday’s oil price crash will help Ukraine, a net energy importer. Short term, Monday’s oil price crash will help Ukraine, a net energy importer. Oil and gas, Ukraine’s top import category, account for one quarter of Ukraine’s imports. In 2018, this import bill was $...

4G mobile service could be in all 52 stations of the Kyiv Metro by this time next year — if the Kyiv City Council sets tariffs as a meeting on Thursday 4G mobile service could be in all 52 stations of the Kyiv Metro by this time next year — if the Kyiv City Council sets tariffs as a meeting on Thursday, Alexander Komarov, Kyivstar CEO, said at ...

Long term, a world recession could drag down prices for Ukraine’s main commodity exports – food and metals. Long term, a world recession could drag down prices for Ukraine’s main commodity exports – food and metals. A recession could come about from an economy battered by spreading coronavirus restrictions ...

Global investors’ flight to safety is returning Ukrainian securities to the levels of last summer. Global investors’ flight to safety is returning Ukrainian securities to the levels of last summer. On Monday, the yield on Ukraine’s dollar bond due 2028 hit 8.31%, the highest since June and an incre...

This financial hurricane catches Ukraine without an Economy Minister or an Energy Minister. This financial hurricane catches Ukraine without an Economy Minister or an Energy Minister. After last week’s Cabinet purge President Zelenskiy has yet to find replacements. Timothy Ash writes from Lo...

The collapse in oil prices will weaken Russia, Ukraine’s geopolitical adversary. The collapse in oil prices will weaken Russia, Ukraine’s geopolitical adversary. When Moscow trading starts today after the March 9 holiday, the ruble is expected to weaken beyond Monday’s 4% fall. In...

Viktor Avdiyenko writes in Viktor Avdiyenko writes in Apostrophe: “Monday can be called ‘black’ with full confidence. But Russia is most likely waiting for ‘Black Tuesday, when stock markets open there. Russian and foreign anal...

Meanwhile back in Ukraine’s bricks and mortar economy: Meanwhile back in Ukraine’s bricks and mortar economy:

Ukraine resumes poultry exports to the EU this week Ukraine resumes poultry exports to the EU this week, ending a 6-week suspension due to the discovery of an avian flu case in Vinnytsia Region in mid-January. After imposing a blanket ban on poultry im...

Last year, Ukraine increased its poultry meat exports by 26%, to a record, 414,000 tons Last year, Ukraine increased its poultry meat exports by 26%, to a record, 414,000 tons, for $579 million, reports Ukraine’s Institute of Agricultural Economics. About one third of exports – 134,262 t...

Monday, February 24

Supermarket chain Novus plans to open 10 new stores in Kyiv Supermarket chain Novus plans to open 10 new stores in Kyiv by the end of 2021, Ihor Landa, CEO of BT Invest Ukraine, the company that runs Novus, tells Interfax-Ukraine. He says the chain plans to ex...

For the first time, Ukrainian regional real estate projects will have their own stand at MIPIM For the first time, Ukrainian regional real estate projects will have their own stand at MIPIM, the leading European investment exhibition for the international real estate market. On show will be Iva...

Ukraine should aim to triple IT workers, to 650,000, and nearly triple IT export revenue, to $13 billion a year Ukraine should aim to triple IT workers, to 650,000, and nearly triple IT export revenue, to $13 billion a year, Kira Rudik, a leader of the Rada’s Digital Transformation Committee, said in Zaporizhia...

With talks over the green tariffs adrift for the last six months With talks over the green tariffs adrift for the last six months, Prime Minister Alexei Goncharuk said Friday: “We anticipate serious problems for our energy sector to serve such high obligations̷...

Ukraine’s import price of gas may drop in half this summer – to $80 per 1,000 cubic meters Ukraine’s import price of gas may drop in half this summer – to $80 per 1,000 cubic meters – predicts Oleksiy Orzhel, Energy and Environmental Protection Minister. In January, Ukraine’s average price ...

The government plans to close most of Ukraine’s coal mines during this decade The government plans to close most of Ukraine’s coal mines during this decade, Minister Orzhel said Friday at a presentation of a revised draft Concept for a Green Energy Transition To 2050. The cutof...

Russian health officials took a Chinese woman with symptoms of a respiratory illness off a Kyiv-Moscow train in Bryansk Russian health officials took a Chinese woman with symptoms of a respiratory illness off a Kyiv-Moscow train in Bryansk, Russia. The woman was hospitalized in quarantine. She and five Ukrainian passen...