Ukraine President Tells Poles He Wants EU, NATO Membership

[Hindustani78]

MinAgro, EBRD, international banks will support Ukrainian agro exporters in accessing EU markets

Kyiv, January 30, 2015

On February 12-13, 2015 in the Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv under the patronage of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine will be hosted the "Agri & Food Export Forum" to bring together the key players of the market to discuss practical solutions regarding accessing the EU markets.

"The Forum aims to become a refreshing of effective cooperation between all professionals on the market as well as between the market and the state, to establish and develop business connection in such a valuable economic sector. We are confident that this event will suggest many professionals of the best ways to obtain financing of their business by international banks”, remarked the Deputy Minister on European Integration at the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Vladyslava Rutytska.

Among the speakers are Oleksiy Pavlenko, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Vladyslava Rutytska, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine on European Integration, Sevki Acuner, EBRD, Dominique Menu, BNP Paribas, Jean-Jacques Herve, Credit Agricole Bank Ukraine, Olena Voloshyna, IFC, Oleksiy Parkhomchuk, Danish International Investment Funds, Sergey Lyamets, Economic Pravda and many others.

The main topics of discussion will involve international experience of other countries, financing of Ukrainian exporters by the IFI and commercial banks, development of export strategy, practical toolkit for successfully accessing the highly competitive markets, etc.

It is important to mention that on the second day of the Forum the workshop session will take place with a prominent expert on export matters Maximilian Foedinger. This workshop will provide the top-managers and specialists of the Ukrainian agricultural exporters with a helicopter view on export strategy and individual consultations regarding the best practices of accessing the EU markets.

Thanks to the support of international partners participation in the Forum for the top-management of Ukrainian real sector companies is free of charge.

The event is conducted under the patronage of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine. Organizer is A7 CONFERENCES. Institutional partner is EBRD. Economic Pravda is the General Media Partner, Interfax-Ukraine is the General Informational Partner, Latifundist.com is the Internet Partner.

Among other media partners are KyivPost, Apostrophe, FinMaidan, UJBL, AgroNews, Centre for Transport Strategies, Financial Director, MinFin, Platfor.ma, ProRetail.info. Informational Partner is European Business Association in Ukraine. The Forum is supported by the UCAB, UAC, Edinburgh Business School Eastern Europe, Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, MIM-KYIV, Kyiv School of Economics and the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.

 

[Hindustani78]

Lithuanian and Ukrainian flags paraded through Kyiv - watch on - uatoday.tv

Feb. 15, 2015

Several hundred people carried the two flags to the tune of a police marching band



Two giant flags – one of Ukraine and the other of Lithuania - have been paraded through central Kyiv.

Several hundred people braved the freezing cold conditions to carry the 200 meter long flags along Khreshchatyk, the main thoroughfare in the city. The procession was led by a police marching band past Independence Square, the epicenter of Ukraine mass anti-government protests that culminated with a revolution almost one year ago.

The parade culminated with participants combining the Ukrainian and Lithuanian flags to make one single heart.

The initiative for the march was led by the Embassy of Lithuania.

Pavlo Horinov, Organizer: "Last year we held the same event in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. When the Crimea peninsula was occupied, Lithuanians went to the streets with the Ukrainian national flag. Lithuania claimed that it's against the occupation and that it stands for Ukrainian sovereignty."

Activists who turned out for the event stressed the importance of ties between Ukraine and the Baltic state.

Participant: "I think it's very important to have friendly relations with Lithuania. It supports Ukraine on its way to the EU. It provides aid to our country."

It's hoped that similar events with both flags will soon be held in the heart of the European Union - Brussels.

 

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Ivan Rusnak meets with foreign advisors at Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and General Staff of Ukraine | Міністерство оборони України

Wednesday, February 26. KYIV — Ivan Rusnak, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, led the Meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee on activities of foreign advisors at the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of Ukraine.

The participants discussed the current situation in Ukraine, the comprehensive review of state security and defense sector, considered issues on the latest achievements within the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the framework of reforms as well as provision of assistance to defense ministry under NATO Trust Funds.

First Deputy Minister of Defense remarked the consultative assistance from foreign advisors is very important for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the previous meeting of the committee was in 2013 and Ivan Rusnak proposed: “Thus, I propose to consider this meeting as a reloading of activities of the Joint Coordination Committee”.

The participants made proposal to implement the practice of regular joint reports on realization of tasks and estimation of efficiency, problems and short-term tasks.

“We’ll consider these reports during our following meetings of the Joint Coordination Committee to ensure transparency and practical efficiency”, Ivan Rusnak stressed.

First Deputy Minister of Defense thanked foreign advisors for comprehensive support and assistance provided to Ukraine.

The foreign advisors provide consultations during realization of defense reform in Ukraine and development of practical cooperation with international, European, Euroatlantic and regional security organizations, as well as nations which appointed

 

[Hindustani78]

Canada's Defense Minister won't rule out sending military advisers to Ukraine - newspaper
25.02.2015

Canadian Defense Minister Jason Kenney has said that his country may send military advisers to Ukraine, according to the Toronto Star newspaper.

"The U.S. and Britain are sending military advisers there to help Ukraine's embattled central government fight Moscow-backed secessionists. The Defense Minister Jason Kenney says Canada might do the same," reads the article.

However, the minister said that any Canadian soldiers in Ukraine would stay far away from the conflict zone.

 

[Hindustani78]

3.03.2015
Nine countries provide Ukraine with humanitarian aid worth $120 mln - government

The Ukrainian Armed Forces as of March 12 received humanitarian aid worth $120 million from nine countries, according to a government report.

The government report states, inter alia, that on March 11 Petro Poroshenko in a phone call with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden "thanked him for the U.S. additional non-lethal assistance to Ukraine in the field of security, in particular drones, communications systems, radars that detect mortar fire, night vision devices and other means worth a total $75 million, as well as 230 military vehicles."

The United States provided Ukraine with procurement technical assistance worth $13 million.

The U.S. humanitarian assistance delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine included dry food rations totaling about $2.5 million.

Canada sent humanitarian aid worth over $20 million.

Poland's humanitarian aid amounted to $5.5 million.

Australia sent winter uniforms worth more than $2.3 million.

The total amount of humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian army from Britain was about $1.8 million.

The Slovak Republic sent electricity generators, lighting kits, plastic utensils, sleeping bags, clothing and a wide range of medical equipment and assets totaling more than $632,000 to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Norway sent dry food rations worth about $630,000.

France supplied body armor and medicines worth about $600,000.

The Netherlands sent generators and winter clothing worth $500,000.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Ukrainian Armed Forces has received a shipment of military aid from Canada, the press officer of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksiy Mazepa, said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday, according to an UNIAN correspondent.


"[The aid comprises] 60 night vision devices. The total value of the goods is $226,890," Mazepa said.

The Ukrainian government, which in April of last year began the military operation in the Donbas to counteract a Russian-backed insurgency, has appealed many times to the United States and other countries with requests to supply weapons.

However, most European politicians have so far come out against supplying of arms to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, there is evidence that Russia is continuing to send shipments of arms, as well as troops, to support the militants in the east of the country, despite earlier agreeing to halt such actions as part of the Minsk peace agreements, the Ukrainian authorities and NATO say.

The militants also broke the ceasefire agreed after the latest round of Minsk talks within an hour of it coming into effect, attacking and capturing the town of Debatlseve. The militants said after signing the Minsk deal that it did not apply to Debaltseve.

Debaltseve, a major rail hub, is now being used as a distribution point for weapons and ammunition around the militant held areas of the Donbas, the Ukrainian authorities claim.

Ukraine also says the large convoys of trucks that Russia regularly sends into Ukraine without Kyiv’s permission are also being used to send supplies to the militants.

Russia denies this, but refuses to allow the Ukrainian authorities or the International Committee of the Red Cross to inspect the convoys, which Russia claims are carrying humanitarian aid to Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Ukraine.

The truck convoys enter Ukraine through border points that are not under Kyiv’s control, and only visit the parts of Ukraine where armed militants have seized control from the Ukrainian local authorities.
Ukrainian army receives night vision devices worth $226,000 from Canada : UNIAN news

 

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President and German Minister of Defense agreed on the assistance in the treatment of Ukrainian militaries | Міністерство оборони України

Monday, March 16. GERMANY — President Petro Poroshenko has visited the Military Hospital of Bundeswehr and met with German Federal Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen. The President has visited the reception department of emergency medical care and examined the treatment history of the Ukrainian militaries — ATO participants.

The Head of State has expressed gratitude to Germany and its Defense Ministry for the assistance to the wounded Ukrainian servicemen and Maidan activists. “We have agreed with Mrs. Minister on regular trips of German doctors who will define wounded Ukrainian servicemen who need qualitative medical aid abroad. Our cooperation on transfer of medical equipment to Ukrainian hospitals will also be efficiently continued,” the President noted.

The first hospital to be assisted by Germany will be the military hospital in Zaporizhzhya. “We have agreed that the process of transferring the equipment will also be distributed to other clinics where professional Ukrainian doctors will have an opportunity to help Ukrainian soldiers more qualitatively and efficiently,” the Head of State informed.

In her turn, the Minister of Defense noted: “We will intensify this cooperation, convey the equipment and sanitary materials to the hospitals in Ukraine”.

According to her, German doctors arrived to Ukraine on March 15 to choose wounded Ukrainian militaries that will be sent to Germany for treatment. The Minister of Defense has noted that it was planned to send the equipment to the hospital in Zaporizhzhya. “We are doing everything to pay tribute to the struggle of Ukraine for its independence and freedom,” she said.

Germany also assists in the treatment of heavily wounded Ukrainian servicemen.

Overall, 44 Ukrainian citizens wounded on Maidan or in the ATO area were undergoing treatment in Germany. Transportation in both directions as well as treatment and rehabilitation were held at the cost of German party.

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Klimkin: EU slow on visa-free regime with Ukraine because of war in Donbas : UNIAN news
17.03.2015

The European Union is in no hurry to introduce a visa-free regime with Ukraine, because they are afraid that Russian-backed militants will be able to take advantage of it, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said in an interview with Ukrainian online newspaper Focus on Tuesday.

According to Klimkin, Ukraine is moving "very well" along its schedule of reforms.

"We started to issue biometric passports, and we have all the necessary systems and databases,” said Klimkin.

“But what bothers European capitals? Some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions are controlled by the Russian-backed militants. The EU is afraid that they will also be able to enjoy the visa-free regime. So the question is not how successful we are implementing reforms."

Klimkin also said that the EU had concerns about security.

"And that's one of the Russian scenarios. The European capitals say: how can we give Ukraine a visa-free regime if there is no control over the border?" Klimkin said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that the decision on visa-free regime between Ukraine and the EU would be taken in May and it would be possible to introduce visa-free regime with the European countries by the end of 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ukrainian Parliament approves bill to let foreign militaries in Ukraine | Міністерство оборони України
Tuesday, March 17. KYIV – The Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) approved a bill allowing foreign troops into the country to participate in a number of joint military exercises in Ukraine in 2015. 305 members of Parliament voted for it.

Ukraine is planning to hold three joint exercises with US troops – Fearless Guardian 2015 in Lviv oblast, Sea Breeze 2015 – Black Sea, and Saber Guardian/Rapid Trident 2015 – Lviv oblast, and two joint drills with Poland – Secure Skies 2015 at Ukrainian airfields, and Law and Order 2015 – Lviv oblast.

The document states: “The participation of Ukrainian units and other military formations in multinational military exercises meets national interests, legislation and international liabilities of Ukraine”.

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Romania vows to lobby prospect of Ukraine s integration in EU - Poroshenko| Ukrinform
KYIV, March 17 /Ukrinform/. Romania will defend the prospect of Ukraine's membership in the European Union at all possible levels.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced this during a meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"Today I thank the Romanian President for his clearly saying that Romania will defend granting Ukraine prospect of membership in the EU at all levels," Poroshenko said.

In this regard, Poroshenko said that Romania was the first country to ratify the EU-Ukraine Association agreement.

Poroshenko also noted that Romania would support a decision to introduce a visa-free regime between Ukraine and the EU.

"We have agreed that Romania would support the position on introducing visa-free regime during the summit on the Eastern Partnership to be held in Riga," he said.

He also did not rule out the resumption of direct flights between Kyiv and Bucharest.

Poroshenko also said about the plans of Ukraine and Romania to create joint border checkpoints.

"We have taken some practical steps that will simplify the lives of our citizens. We have agreed on the significant progress in local border traffic. In order to simplify border crossing through the mechanism of local border traffic regime, we agreed on the establishment of joint border checkpoints," he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Humanitarian aid from Canadian Government for Ukrainian army | Міністерство оборони України
2 hours ago

Wednesday, March 18. KYIV — Today, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has received 60 night vision devices from the Canadian Government.

“I would like to thank the Canadian Government for serious support of the Ukrainian army. We urgently need these night vision sights for our units in east of Ukraine. We’ll send them to them any day now. I believe in our future cooperation with the Canadian Government”, Colonel General Stepan Poltorak, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, stressed.

According to minister, volunteers and Canadian representatives control the process of inventory of all the humanitarian assets.

“These devices as the whole aid are a part of the coordinated program implemented by our Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs. They know and understand the ongoing situation in Ukraine”, Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Vashchuk said and added: “These sights will enable Ukrainian soldiers to see at night. We try to support the defense effectiveness of Ukraine and contribute to its peaceful life. We’ll cooperate in the future. I wish you good luck”.

Totally, under the program of humanitarian aid from the Canadian Government the Ukrainian army has received 248 thermal sights (CAD$1 mln).

 

[flamer84]

Ukrainian Parliament approves bill to let foreign militaries in Ukraine | Міністерство оборони України
Tuesday, March 17. KYIV – The Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) approved a bill allowing foreign troops into the country to participate in a number of joint military exercises in Ukraine in 2015. 305 members of Parliament voted for it.

Ukraine is planning to hold three joint exercises with US troops – Fearless Guardian 2015 in Lviv oblast, Sea Breeze 2015 – Black Sea, and Saber Guardian/Rapid Trident 2015 – Lviv oblast, and two joint drills with Poland – Secure Skies 2015 at Ukrainian airfields, and Law and Order 2015 – Lviv oblast.

The document states: “The participation of Ukrainian units and other military formations in multinational military exercises meets national interests, legislation and international liabilities of Ukraine”.

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Romania vows to lobby prospect of Ukraine s integration in EU - Poroshenko| Ukrinform
KYIV, March 17 /Ukrinform/. Romania will defend the prospect of Ukraine's membership in the European Union at all possible levels.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced this during a meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"Today I thank the Romanian President for his clearly saying that Romania will defend granting Ukraine prospect of membership in the EU at all levels," Poroshenko said.

In this regard, Poroshenko said that Romania was the first country to ratify the EU-Ukraine Association agreement.

Poroshenko also noted that Romania would support a decision to introduce a visa-free regime between Ukraine and the EU.

"We have agreed that Romania would support the position on introducing visa-free regime during the summit on the Eastern Partnership to be held in Riga," he said.

He also did not rule out the resumption of direct flights between Kyiv and Bucharest.

Poroshenko also said about the plans of Ukraine and Romania to create joint border checkpoints.

"We have taken some practical steps that will simplify the lives of our citizens. We have agreed on the significant progress in local border traffic. In order to simplify border crossing through the mechanism of local border traffic regime, we agreed on the establishment of joint border checkpoints," he said.

They should give back Northern Bukovina and the Bugeac as a friendly gesture.

I kid,i kid,ofcourse.

 

[Hindustani78]

US-British training mission for Ukraine′s soldiers | News | DW.DE | 19.03.2015
The United States has announced that it will train 780 Kyiv troops, with UK confirming that its servicemen had begun working with Ukraine's army. Russia has warned that the move could risk the peace process.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko announced on Thursday that US servicemen would begin training 780 Ukrainian soldiers. According to a statement released by Poroshenko's office, US Vice President Joe Biden spoke to the Kyiv leader and confirmed that the training would happen "in the nearest time."

Britain's Ministry of Defence also announced on Thursday that 35 of its trainers had begun working with Ukraine's army in the southern city of Mykolaiv as part of a two-month mission. "The first elements of the training package began in March," news agency AFP reported a ministry spokeswoman as saying.

Aiding Kyiv with "non-lethal equipment is designed to prevent further Ukrainian fatalities and casualties and to help improve situational awareness on the ground," she added.

 

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March 20, briefing “NATO-Ukraine: true story about military cooperation” | Міністерство оборони України
8 hours ago | ID: 8576 | Views: 37

Today, at 01:30 p.m. the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center will host the briefing: “NATO-Ukraine: true story about military cooperation”.

Participants: Mr. Marcin Koziel, Head of NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine and Col. Andriy Ordynovych, Acting Chief of Central Directorate for Military Cooperation and Peacekeeping Operations of the Ukrainian GS.

Address: Ukrainian House: 2 Kreschatyk St., Kyiv (‘Kreschatyk’, ‘Maidan Nezalezhnosti’ Metro Stations).

Polish parliament ratifies agreement on military brigade with Ukraine, Lithuania| Ukrinform

KYIV, March 20 /Ukrinform/. The Polish parliament on Friday has voted to ratify the agreement to establish a joint Ukrainian-Polish-Lithuanian international military brigade, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

408 MPs voted for establishment of the international military unit in the lower house of the Polish parliament, five members voted against and four abstained.

The agreement should be approved now by the Senate of Poland, and then it will be signed by the president.

Stoltenberg: Ukraine's bid for NATO membership, if submitted, to be processed in standard way : UNIAN news
20.03.2015 | 22:26

NATO is ready to consider Ukraine's bid for organization membership if it decides to submit, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the Brussels Forum on Friday.

REUTERS
According to him, it's up to Ukraine to decide on NATO membership. If Ukraine submits its application, it will be processed the way any other country's bid is handled, Russian Federal Information and Analytical Agency Rosbalt reported with reference to Stoltenberg.

Responding to questions from Forum attendees, Stoltenberg said he saw no contradiction between the "strengthening of collective defense" of NATO member countries and their "desire to restore constructive and predictable relations with Russia."

 

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Units and servicemen of Armed Forces of Ukraine to participate in 237 events of individual NATO partnership programs | Міністерство оборони України

Units and servicemen of Armed Forces of Ukraine to participate in 237 events of individual NATO partnership programs

Friday, March 20. KYIV — “Cooperation of MoD of Ukraine with NATO undergoes. Development of military operations capabilities Currently, the most important is to increase the capabilities of our army to fight the agression in east of Ukraine”, representative of Main Division of Military Cooperation and Peacekeeping Operations of the General Staff of Ukraine Major General Borys Kremenetsky, stated at briefing.

NATO nation sent 8 advisors to Ukraine .

Mr. Marcin Koziel, Director of NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine, stressed the NATO nations had sent experts to Ukraine to assist the Government of Ukraine, Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and other structures to reform the defense sector of Ukraine on the euroatlantic standards. Major General Borys Kremenetsky said Ukrainian servicemen would participate in 237 events of individual program of the NATO partnership: development of communications system, Special Forces, Logistics and military medicine, information war and cyber security.

In 2015 the Ukrainian will participate in 12 international exercises.

According to Wales summit there were founded 5 trust funds to contribute to development of the Ukrainian army.

 

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Sunday, March 22. KYIV — On March 20, Member of Parliament Olga Bohomolets, Advisor to the President of Ukraine, Head of Health Care Committee took part in the event of sending 17 Ukrainian soldiers to Germany for treatment. She said: “Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers have already treated in Germany; three soldiers are still in German hospitals. I thank German Government, German Embassy, Boryspil Airport, servicemen and civil doctors, volunteers who have participated in preparation of this event”.

Under the agreements between President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and German Federal Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen the Federal Government of Germany will supply surgical and medical equipment to military hospital in Zaporizhzhya.

Olga Bohomolets stressed that other NATO countries were ready to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Press Service of the President of Ukraine

 

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Ministry of Defense deepens cooperation with Alliance | Міністерство оборони України

7 hours ago | ID: 8674 | Views: 12

Tuesday, March 24. KYIV — Ivan Rusnak, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, chiefs of structural divisions of the Ukraine’s MoD and GS held talks with foreign advisors at MoD and GS and representatives of U.S.-Ukrainian Committee for Military Cooperation and Defense Reform.

Ivan Rusnak stressed the necessity to deepen cooperation with Alliance and thanked for NATO nations efforts to support Ukraine.

The Ukrainian party spoke about steps to support the intentions to enhance this cooperation.

Particularly, the Joint Coordination Committee on activities of foreign advisors at MoD and GS renewed its activities. As required by the NATO representatives, senior military officials provided premises within the main MoD building for the mentioned advisors.

On March 24, 2015, the Ukrainian delegation led by Major General Schypansky P.V. Director of Department of Military Policy and Strategic Planning, took part in the Meeting of the Joint Working Group at NATO HQ.