Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Monday 31 October. [Ukrainian sources]

MONDAY

Please scroll to view news items added during the day.

NEWS:
Everyone’s fed up with Putin playing madman – Slava Rabinovych.  One Ukrainian soldier killed, 8 injured in ATO zone over past day.  Hopes that Putin Will Turn Away from His Fascist Course Misplaced, Skobov Suggests.  What will Ukraine do without Uncle Joe?.  How Putin pulls the strings - Times.

WEATHER:
Kyiv, Ukraine
3c / 37f HI | RealFeel® -1c / 29c
Precipitation 75%
Cold with a couple of rain or snow showers

There is no danger Vladimir Putin will unleash a world war – he is not interested in doing so, Russian financier and blogger Slava Rabinovych said, speaking on Obozrevatel Oct. 31.

To start the WWIII, camps of warring sides including influential and strong countries need to exist. It is difficult to name a single country that will fight on Russia’s side. Second, Putin and his criminal gang stole billions of dollars and funneled them to the West not to have this wealth and themselves turned into radioactive ashes, Rabinovych said.   

Putin’s political declarations are no more than acting aimed at the Russians.

 “In his typical manner Putin shouts, “I am mad, you better hold me tight. If you do not meet my terms, I’ll blow up the world.” This is mere bluffing. There is no danger of a nuclear conflict and the WWIII.

There is a risk some fatal mistakes or a series of incidents like the Russian plane downed by Turkey might happen. Several such incidents may trigger off a military confrontation between NATO and Russia,” Rabinovych assumed.

zik.ua/en

Every time Vladimir Putin makes even the slightest suggestion that he is moderating his position, there is a chorus of people who argue that he is about to scrap most or even all of his recent policies and return to where he supposedly was at the beginning of his time as president.

But such hopes – and it is entirely likely that Putin himself is interested in promoting them to keep the West off balance and interested in making a deal with some new “new” Putin – are almost certainly misplaced. According to Aleksandr Skobov, there is little chance he will stop his drive toward fascism and allow Russia to become again a normal country.

In a commentary for the Kasparov.ru portal, the Moscow commentator says that he does not believe “even for a second” that Putin will return his regime “to some kind of ‘bourgeois normalcy.” Instead, he argues, “the objective course of events will push the regime further in the direction of fascism”.

Moreover, Skobov says, he does not believe in the possibility that “there will appear in the ruling elite some kind of health-thinking progressive forces.” That group of people is so thoroughly compromised that “there is no one in it with whom one can enter into a dialogue” about a better future.

But those just below that level, he suggests, are very different and may include those who are deeply disaffected with the ruling elite. “In this milieu, it is entirely possible that disappointment in Putinism will begin to appear and at first take the form of a striving to “cleanse from perversions Putinist legality.”

Up to the present, he continues, “all attempts to construct a certain moderate ‘Putinism with a human face’ have failed.” Those interested in doing so have been so attacked by the regime for even the most modest suggestions that they have moved away from it into positions of silence or of radical opposition.

ukrainebusiness.com.ua

One Ukrainian soldier has been killed and eight wounded in the antiterrorist operation zone (ATO) over the past day, spokesman for the Defense Ministry for ATO Andriy Lysenko has said.

"During the day, as a result of the hostilities one Ukrainian soldier was killed and eight were injured," Lysenko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Monday.

en.interfax.com.ua

No one in the U.S. government has wielded more influence over Ukraine than Vice President Joe Biden. As the Obama administration's point person on Ukraine policy, he has rallied support for Kiev in the face of Russian military intervention and cultivated a personal rapport with its leaders. But he has delivered tough love as well, delaying financial aid more than once over concerns about rampant corruption.

With Biden's tenure as vice president about to expire, the next U.S. president will have to decide who will take up his unique role as Kiev's go-to guy. The transition comes at a pivotal moment for the festering war in Ukraine, America's increasingly tense rivalry with Russia, and Europe's growing fatigue with Kiev's incessant corruption......

uatoday.tv

Russia has four state-funded media outlets in Britain, described by Ben Nimmo of the Royal United Services Institute think tank as part of a "co-ordinated but undeclared information campaign against the United Kingdom".

Analysis of its television station, RT, reveals a pattern of favourites. Nimmo found that Jeremy Corbyn featured in 89 per cent of all RT website headlines on the 2015 Labour leadership contest - compared with 43 per cent on the BBC website. Corbyn's picture was shown on RT six times more often than all his leadership rivals put together.

Who watches this - and do they believe it? RT reached 718,000 UK viewers in the week ending October 16, about a seventh of Sky News's reach. A controlled experiment by Monica Richter of Oxford University exposed 1,000 uncommitted western viewers to rival discussions on Ukraine by RT and the BBC. Those who watched the RT discussion were more likely afterwards to express an unfavourable view of the West.........

uatoday.tv

Applications for participation in the competition its participants submitted 43 countries

Russia is going to send his party song contest "Eurovision" to be held in 2017 in Kiev. It is reported by UNN citing Song Contest website Eurovision.tv.

As noted, in general applications for the competition of their members have submitted 43 countries.

Indicated that after a year's absence of an application filed Romania and Portugal. Also involved in the contest for the third time going to Australia. Bosnia and Herzegovina will not participate in "Eurovision" 2017.

List of countries to be represented at the "Eurovision-2017", as follows:

Albania
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Georgia
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Macedonia
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Serbia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom

Recall, September 9, it was announced that the city, which will take song contest "Eurovision-2017", was Kyiv . The opening ceremony of the competition will be held at St. Sophia .

Earlier, Ministry of Culture of Ukraine reminded that Russia should elect the song contest to be held in Kyiv artist not from the blacklist .

Eurovision Song Contest "Eurovision-2016" in Stockholm Jamal Ukrainian won with the song "1944". Following a vote of the national jury of countries - participants of "Eurovision" and SMS voting viewers Jamal scored 534 points. Ukraine won the right to organize the "Eurovision" next year as the country winner.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

The enemy suffered heavy losses

Over the past week in the Donbas recorded heavy losses in the ranks of the enemy. It is reported by Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

According to authorities, on October 26 in Donetsk morgue transported 20 bodies of militants. Most of the dead were members of the so-called "100 Brigade".

segodnya.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Putin’s bravado does not extend to modernisation of the economy

Speaking at an annual conference near Sochi last week, Russian president Vladimir Putin once again railed at the US for allegedly misusing its global hegemony of the past 25 years and shutting Russia out of creating the post-cold war world order.

There was also an implicit assumption in his speech: that as the US-dominated world order dissolves into what Mr Putin portrays as chaos, and Russia’s rejuvenated military challenges it in Ukraine and Syria, Moscow can address Washington on equal terms.

Yet the gap between the image Mr Putin portrayed at the 13th Valdai Discussion Club for invited foreign academics and journalists and the reality was exposed by a sobering assessment of Russia’s economy by another senior official who spoke there without attribution. It was further emphasised by a draft budget the government submitted to Russia’s parliament a day later — envisaging a 27 per cent cut in defence spending next year...............

Access complete text of the editorial: Financial Times    In English

Expected life-threatening strokes Russia 275 thousand. Civilians Aleppo

Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to attack Syria Aleppo during the presidential elections in the US. It is reported by The Times, citing sources in British intelligence.

According to the newspaper, Putin is trying to take advantage of political uncertainty in the US, while Western attention focuses on the US presidential election to be held on November 8, and strike at Aleppo.

It is noted that on the night of 30 on November 31 the Russian aircraft carrier pilots preparing for their first mission "live bombing" on Syria from the Mediterranean Sea. Prospective strikes that could begin this week on the orders of Putin, will be implemented with the participation of warships, submarines and attack missiles.

The Kremlin believes that controlling the eastern Aleppo will allow government troops to start leaving Syria as the government of Bashar Assad regime to control the situation without Russian support.

The publication says that Putin and Assad will have two months to establish control over Aleppo, as current President Barack Obama is unlikely to risk his legacy of seeking confrontation with Syria and the newly elected US president has come to office until January 2017 year.

The bombing that Russia is preparing to lead to "significant humanitarian consequences" for 275 thousand. Civilians in Aleppo.

Earlier it was reported that Russia sent to Syria warship Black Sea Fleet.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

49% of respondents believe that Russia should continue to participate in the Syrian conflict

More than half of Russians (52%) approve of the application of Air Forces of airstrikes in Syria. The results of the survey on the Syrian conflict, reports "Levada Center".

So the question "How do you feel about the application of Air Forces of airstrikes in Syria" 16% of Russians said they quite positive, another 36% reported a positive rather than negative.

At the same time 23% of respondents were undecided. About 20% of Russians believe that after the Russian bombing in the Syrian attitude to Russia in the international arena has improved, 26% said that the attitude has not changed, while 36% believe that the attitude of Russia deteriorated.

At the same time, almost half of respondents (49%) believe that Russia should continue to participate in the Syrian conflict, 28% believe that Russia should not interfere in what is happening in Syria, and 24% of Russians were undecided.

Also, 48% of respondents reported their concerns that the current strained relations with the West on Syria could turn into a third world war. The absence of such concerns observed in 42%.

The survey involved 1,600 people aged 18 and older in 137 settlements of 48 regions of Russia.

Recall, according to forecasts of US experts, Putin undermine Aleppo during the elections in the US.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine brought to Kyiv ambassador in Moldova through election, where Kremlin candidate wins

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine led to Kyiv for consultations Ambassador to Moldova John Hnatyshyn.

The press secretary of the President of Ukraine Svyatoslav Tseholko at Twitter.

"Important. Ambassador of Ukraine in Moldova was summoned to Kyiv for consultations", - wrote Tseholko.

He did not specify how associated with the call and the Ambassador discussed issues.

As reported, the presidential elections in Moldova's pro-Russian candidate Igor Dodon won the first round, gaining 48.3% of votes. The second round, which also came right opposition united spokeswoman Maia Sandu, on 13 November.

The leader of the Socialist Party before the elections Dodon said that the Crimea belongs to Russia. Later, he repeated the statement about "Russian Crimea" and explained his reasoning.

See also material "Hlavkoma": "walking bomb." Who kidnapped a businessman whose testimony afraid to Moldova and Ukraine".

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

The authors of the document is the speaker, chairman of the Budget Committee and the heads of all parliamentary factions and groups, in addition to the "Fatherland"

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine registered a draft resolution №5323 amending decree №5000-P "On the conclusions and proposals to the draft Law of Ukraine on State Budget of Ukraine for 2017", which is proposed to cancel the decision to increase from November 1, 2016 salary deputies. Relevant information is published on the website of the Parliament.

The authors of the project is the speaker of Paruby Andrew, chairman of the Budget Committee Andriy Pavelko and heads of deputy factions and groups, in addition to "the motherland ".

The document proposed to exclude from the decision №5000-P paragraphs 3 and 4, which was introduced in place of the rate of increase of salaries MPs.

Earlier, Speaker Andrew Paruby signed a draft resolution number 5000-P, according to which on November 1 are expected to increase the salary of MPs.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

One option for a stay of such persons lawmaker called places of detention.

"We must expel from office, preferably in prison, all public officials who can not explain their property. There are millionaires who were following the coming of the Parliament or other high positions. They are more or less clear. There must be tested they took the money, but I think that those who have done great business will be able to explain it. it is much more terrible situation with someone who was never a big businessman and declared income, as in the serious business. I think these people just have to be subject to scrutiny Nazca. According to written law, all senior declaration must be fully tested by the expert agency, "- said Yegor Sobolev.

As reported, today completed the first phase of filing electronic declarations for declaring entities who hold responsible and particularly responsible position. His declarations are submitted only 7 MPs.



ua.112.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

This happened during the filming of the air on October 31, devoted to the issue of peace in Donbas

Ukrainian political analyst Vyacheslav Kovtun beat in the dressing room during a break in the program "Time will tell "to the Kremlin " First Channel ".

This happened during the filming of the air on October 31, devoted to the issue of peace in the Donbass. Record broadcast posted online channel.

During the filming of hot debate ensued about how to stop the war in Donbas. Presenter Andrew transfer Sheynyn claimed that the Ukrainian government authorizes the destruction of its own population in the region. When one of the guests invited him to bring these facts to the prosecutor of Ukraine Sheynyn goes to the Ukrainian language and with undisguised opponent balamutstvom asked whether he seriously believes that the Ukrainian authorities on the facts known.

In the transition to the Ukrainian Sheynyna reacted smartly Kovtun, in response to driving emotionally exclaims: " Yes, my grandmother, ***, Ukrainian, and on that!".

The debate continued and, after a break for news, 55 minutes Sheynyn Kovtun brought apologies for being hit in that dressing room. According to the presenter, the situation was caused by "paranoid delusions, which prevails in Ukraine".



glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Despite the fact a majority in the Netherlands voted against the EU-Ukraine association agreement in a nonbinding referendum in April, the Dutch government has finally chosen to ratify the document, but only if a clarifying declaration is added.

As reported by Censor.NET citing Gazeta Wyborcza, this was stated by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in The Hague.

As noted, such a declaration must contain a condition that the association agreement will not be the first step on the path to Ukraine's membership in the European Union.

As reported by NRC Handelsblad, Rutte says that a legally binding declaration must also stipulate that the EU will not grant Ukraine military and additional financial assistance.

Moreover, the agreement must not provide for the right to free movement of labor force between Ukraine and the European Union.

Earlier, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said the Netherlands were not going to stop the ratification of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU and would continue consultations that were to end on Nov. 1.

Even before, the Dutch parliament ordered the government to decide on the ratification until November 2016.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the government was unlikely to ratify the document, given the results of the April referendum.

ua.censor.net.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові