ECHR to start hear ‘Donbas case’ in September 2021
A hearing in the case "Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russian Federation" at the European Court of Human Rights is preliminarily scheduled for September 15, 2021.
Politics
Ukrainian prime minister meets with Turkish foreign, defense ministers
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Minister of National Defense of Turkey Hulusi Akar, the Ukrainian government's press service has reported.
Ukraine at OSCE urges to hold Russia liable for selling Masandra winery to Putin's friend
The sale of the Ukrainian Masandra winery by the Russian occupation administration in Crimea is void, and Russia must be held accountable for this.
Ukraine reacts at OSCE to Tolstoi's statement on 'Ukraine as a part of Russia'
A statement by Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Piotr Tolstoi that Ukraine is a part of Russia "reveals the essence of Russia's aggressive actions" against Ukraine, the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna has reported.
Ukraine, Turkey foreign and defense ministers to discuss political and security relations
During the first meeting in “quadriga” format on December 18, the ministers of foreign affairs and the ministers of defense of Ukraine and Turkey will comprehensively discuss the relations between the two countries and situation in the region in political and security context.
U.S. at OSCE: Russia responsible for lack of progress in Donbas peace process
Russia's refusal to fulfill its commitments under the Minsk agreements is the main reason for the lack of progress in resolving the conflict in Donbas in 2020.
Ukraine's First Lady participates in annual meeting of ambassadors
Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska has taken part in an annual meeting of ambassadors, the presidential press service has reported.
17 December 2020
Ukrainian delegation to attend PACE winter session
The Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has decided to travel to Strasbourg for PACE’s January session rather than to participate in it remotely.
Ukrainians see 'calm' in Donbas, road construction, Markiv's release as main achievements in 2020
The main achievements in Ukraine in 2020 are a ceasefire in Donbas (51%), road construction (43%) and the release of National Guard serviceman Vitaliy Markiv from imprisonment in Italy (21%), according to a survey conducted by the Rating sociological group on December 12-14.
EU, North America ready to join Crimean Platform – Zelensky
The European Union and North America are ready to join Ukraine’s initiative to launch an international Crimean Platform.
Putin says Russia will step up support for Donbas
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia will step up support for Donbas.
Parliament appoints Leshchenko as agricultural policy minister
The Verkhovna Rada has appointed Head of the State Service for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Roman Leshchenko as Ukraine's minister of agricultural policy and food.
Ukraine will continue its course for membership in EU, NATO - president
Ukraine has had an extremely successful year in the field of European and Euro-Atlantic integration and will continue its strategic course for full membership in the European Union and NATO, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
EU prolongs sanctions against Russia for another six months
The Council of the European Union decided to prolong the restrictive measures currently targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy until 31 July 2021.
Shkarlet appointed Ukraine's education minister
The Verkhovna Rada has appointed Serhiy Shkarlet as Ukraine's minister of education and science.
Zelensky: Ukraine's foreign policy priority is to restore territorial integrity
The main foreign policy priority of Ukraine is to establish peace and restore the country’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Emine Dzheppar, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine
Crimean Platform is open to all countries of the world that support de-occupation of peninsula
Parliament adopts presidential law on 'investment nannies'
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has adopted presidential law No. 3760 "On State Support for Investment Projects with Significant Investments."
UNGA’s updated resolution to promote implementation of Crimean Platform – Kuleba
The UN General Assembly’s updated resolution on human rights issues in the occupied Crimea and Sevastopol will contribute to the implementation of the initiative to create a Crimean Platform.
Ukraine ready to become key ally of U.S. in Black Sea – Stefanishyna
Ukraine is ready to deepen systemic interaction with the United States, as well as with NATO, becoming their key ally in the Black Sea region for a more effective response to security challenges posed by Russia.
Kharkiv mayor Kernes dies
The newly elected mayor of Kharkiv, Hennadiy Kernes, has died at the Charite clinic in Berlin, where he was undergoing treatment for COVID-19, the director of the information and public relations department at Kharkiv City Council, Yuriy Sydorenko, has told an Ukrinform correspondent.
UN General Assembly adopts updated resolution on human rights situation in occupied Crimea
The UN General Assembly adopted an updated Resolution "Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine."
U.S. will never accept Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea – embassy
The United States welcomed the UN General Assembly's adoption of a resolution on human rights in the temporarily occupied Crimea and called on the Russian Federation to fulfill its obligations as an occupying power in Crimea and immediately end its violations there.
16 December 2020
Ministers of Ukraine and Turkey to meet in Kyiv in ‘quadriga’ format
On Friday, December 18, a Ukraine-Turkey meeting in “quadriga” format will take place in Kyiv as the foreign ministers and defense ministers of the two countries will gather.
Kuleba outlines Foreign Ministry’s priorities for 2021
The priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2021 will be launching the Crimean Platform initiative as an element of countering Russian aggression, improving the effectiveness of cooperation with Ukrainians living abroad and engaging in diplomatic work in new geographical areas.
Rada ratifies UK-Ukraine political, free trade and strategic partnership agreement
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has adopted law No. 0083 ratifying the Political, Free Trade and Strategic Partnership Agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Germany and EU support initiative of Crimean Platform – ambassador
The creation of a Crimean Platform will help keep the issue of de-occupation of Crimea high on the international agenda.
Parliament votes to accept resignation of Minister for Veterans Affairs Bessarab
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has voted to accept the resignation of Serhiy Bessarab from the post of Minister for Veterans Affairs.
Canada’s FM doesn't believe human error was to blame for UIA plane crash
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne does not believe Iran's destruction of Ukrainian Flight PS752 can be blamed on human error.
FM Kuleba: Conference of Ukrainian ambassadors to be held on Dec.17
The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine will hold a conference with the heads of Ukrainian foreign diplomatic missions on December 17.
FM Kuleba invites new OSCE Secretary General to visit Ukraine
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has invited newly appointed OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid to pay an official visit to Ukraine.
Shmyhal thanks parliament for realistic budget
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has thanked the Verkhovna Rada for adopting a realistic and balanced state budget for 2021.
15 December 2020
Verkhovna Rada adopts state budget for 2021
The Verkhovna Rada has approved Ukraine's state budget for 2021, with revenues projected at UAH 1.092 trillion, expenditures at UAH 1.328 trillion, and the budget deficit at 5.5% of GDP.
Russia to be invited to Crimean Platform as it is responsible for occupation of peninsula – Dzheppar
Russia, which bears full responsibility for the occupation of Crimea and its consequences, should be invited to the Crimean Platform initiative.
Ukrainian parliament starts considering 2021 state budget
The Verkhovna Rada has begun to consider Ukraine's draft state budget for 2021 at second reading.
Rada passes law reinstating anti-corruption agency's powers
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has adopted law No. 4470 introducing amendments to the law of Ukraine "On Corruption Prevention" to reinstate the institutional mechanism for preventing corruption.
Parliament extends law on special status of Donbas for a year
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has extended Article 1 of the Law "On Special Order of Local Self-Government in Certain Areas of Donetsk and Luhansk Regions" until December 31, 2021.
Ukraine preparing new sanctions against Russia over sale of Massandra winery
Ukraine will initiate new national and international sanctions against Russia and lawsuits in international courts over the misappropriation and sale of the Ukrainian winery Massandra in Russian-occupied Crimea, the press service of the Ministry for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine has reported.
Foreign ministers of Ukraine and Finland discuss cooperation in countering hybrid threats
The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Finland, Dmytro Kuleba and Pekka Haavisto, discussed the priorities of cooperation between the two countries in 2021.
Zelensky appoints head of State Management of Affairs
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Ihor Lysyi as head of the State Management of Affairs.
14 December 2020
Ukraine, EU discuss consequences of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea
The European Union and Ukraine discussed the consequences of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol via videoconference.
Ukraine grateful to partners for consistent support of its territorial integrity – FM
Ukraine is grateful to its partners for their unwavering and consistent support of its territorial integrity and highly appreciates the international policy of non-recognition of Russia's attempted annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and their efforts to end the aggression in Donbas.
Masandra winery in occupied Crimea sold to ‘Putin's cashier’
The occupation authorities of Crimea have illegally sold Ukrainian Masandra winery to Russia’s LLC Yuzhny Proekt, 99.9% of shares in which belong to the Joint-Stock Bank Rossiya.
Razumkov: No supplements will be made to bill on special status of Donbas
Bill No.4467 provides for a one-year extension of the law on special order of local self-government in Donbas and no supplements will be made to it.
Razumkov calls on MPs to help children on St. Nicholas Day
Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov has called on parliamentarians to help children ahead of St. Nicholas Day.
Ukraine, Sweden discuss preparations for January visit of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to Kyiv
Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Vasyl Bodnar and Swedish Ambassador to Ukraine Tobias Tiberg discussed preparations for a visit of the Swedish Foreign Minister as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to Ukraine in January, according to the Foreign Ministry’s press service.
Zelensky outlines Ukraine's climate ambitions
Ukraine's long-term goal is to achieve carbon neutrality, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said at the international Climate Ambition Summit on December 12.
Foreign Ministry welcomes U.S. Senate's adoption of aid package to Ukraine and sanctions against Nord Stream 2
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the approval by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA 2021), which provides for assistance to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.
12 December 2020
Foreign Ministry comments on ICC’s decision to investigate war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine
The conclusion by a prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the possibility of a full investigation into war crimes committed in the occupied Crimea and Donbas is evidence of the international community's support for the inevitability of justice.
11 December 2020
Zelensky receives credentials from ambassadors of 11 countries
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has received credentials from the newly appointed ambassadors of Uzbekistan, Norway, Egypt, Australia, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Yemen, the Philippines, Jordan, Thailand and Mongolia, the head of state's press service reports.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Hungary Liubov Nepop chairs Danube Commission
Ambassador of Ukraine to Hungary Liubov Nepop has been elected Chair of the Danube Commission for 2021-2023.
Venice Commission’s opinion to be taken into account when preparing judicial reform – Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the Venice Commission and President of the Commission Gianni Buquicchio for the decision on the Constitutional Court of Ukraine and assured that the Commission's opinion will be taken into account when preparing the judicial reform.
Zelensky to take part in plenary session of Venice Commission today
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will take part in the 125th plenary session of the Venice Commission.
Venice Commission recommends reforming Ukraine’s Constitutional Court
The Constitutional Court of Ukraine should be reformed and depoliticized.
Foreign Ministry: Extension of EU sanctions against Russia signals support for Ukraine in Normandy and Minsk formats
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomed the political decision of the European Council to extend the economic and sectoral sanctions against Russia for the next six months.
Zelensky appoints Reznichenko as head of Dnipropetrovsk region
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Valentyn Reznichenko as chairman of Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration.
Annexation of Crimea, Russia's aggression in Donbas pose challenge to European security – EU
The annexation of Crimea and Russia's aggression in Donbas have dangerous consequences and pose a serious challenge to the European security order.
PM Shmyhal, representatives of Crimean Tatars discuss strategy for de-occupation
MPs of Ukraine Mustafa Dzhemilev and Rustem Umerov at a meeting with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzheppar discussed the development of a strategy for the de-occupation of temporarily occupied territories.
Tsymbaliuk: Active position of CoE could bring real difference to people in Crimea and Donbas
Ukraine hopes that the Council of Europe will take an active stance on support for the residents of the territories temporarily occupied by Russia, where massive human rights violations are recorded.