Ukraine News in brief. Wednesday 30 August. [Ukrainian sources]

WEDNESDAY

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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
Russia's total losses from Western sanctions amounted to 9.5 trillion rubles.  NATO Says Sending Three Monitors To Russian War Games.  Merkel, Macron Urge Russia, Ukraine To Step Up Peace Efforts.  Ukrainian intelligence reported the desertion of Russian troops from the Donbas.  "The first channel" of Russia announced the abduction of its correspondent in Kiev.  "Ukraine is shocked by the presentation of the Debrecen award to Putin," - Ukrainian Ambassador to Hungary. The only territory where Russian-speaking residents suffer is one that is under the control of Russian force. On the instructions of the leadership of the Communist Party, the Communists of "L / DNR" create a propaganda center for EU citizens. The Daily Vertical: Don't Fear The Zapad.

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Russia's total losses from Western sanctions before the introduction of the new package of restrictions by the US amounted to 9.5 trillion rubles.

This is reported by Censor.NET with reference to the statement of the Russian Yabloko party.

"Sanctions once again showed Russia's technological dependence in various sectors and the vulnerability of the Russian economy, which was clearly confirmed by the scandal with the illegal supply of Siemens gas turbines to the Crimea." The head of the Yabloko political committee, Doctor of Economics Grigory Yavlinsky estimates the total losses from sanctions at 9.5 Trillion rubles - and this is before the introduction of the US a new package of restrictions, which further complicates access to loans to Russian banks and companies in a number of industries, including in the oil and gas sector. So now sanctions will be imposed on American investors who will invest money in the construction of Russian export pipelines, all of which do not bode well for Russia's energy projects in Europe, in particular Nord Stream-2. Evident damage is also caused by Russia's retaliatory food embargo, which provoked a sharp rise in food prices. Even according to official data, the first two years of sanctions led to an increase in prices by 30%, "the report said.

"It is obvious that the new sanctions will affect not so much the Russian elite, business and persons from the sanctions lists as much as the economy as a whole - and, consequently, ordinary citizens." Further isolation of Russia can slow down the country's development for tens of years, as it was with Iran Moreover, Western countries still have an impressive set of levers of pressure: a ban on the sale of raw materials to the European Union and the United States, the disconnection from the SWIFT bank data exchange system, the freezing of accounts in Western banks, in which case Russia will be finally cut off from investment , All major raw materials projects will be hampered, the scale of hydrocarbon exports will be reduced - and this is a verdict for the raw Russian economy, "the Russian Yabloko party stressed.

. Russian liberals also reminded that Western sanctions were imposed in connection with the occupation of the Crimea, military aggression in the Donbass, the destruction of the Malaysian MN-17 flight. To resolve the situation, the Yabloko party proposes to "regulate the legal status of the Crimea, initiating an international conference on this issue," to stop support for the separatist forces in the Donbass, transfer control over the border to Ukraine, agree to the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces in the region to prevent revenge and reprisal Over the population ", as well as" to declare a plan for ending Russia's military participation in the civil war in Syria."

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / Українською мовою

NATO says it will send three observers to Belarus and Russia to monitor the upcoming Zapad-2017 military exercises, but is repeating its calls on the two countries to allow broader monitoring of the drills.

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said on August 30 that the Western military alliance will send an expert to "visitors' days" connected to the drill in Russia, and confirmed that two other representatives will be dispatched to Belarus.

Lungescu said that while the Western alliance welcomed the invitations, international rules require Moscow and Minsk to allow wider access to monitors.

Under Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) rules known as the Vienna Document, states conducting maneuvers involving more than 13,000 troops must notify other countries in advance and be open to observers.

Russia and Belarus say the Zapad (West) exercises, which are set to be held in Belarus and parts of western Russia on September 14-20, will involve about 12,700 troops.

But Western military officials and experts say that the true numbers could be far higher, with as many as 100,000 military personnel involved.

And there has been speculation that Russia could use the exercises as a cover for an occupation of Belarus or an offensive against NATO states or Ukraine -- something Moscow has adamantly denied.

The NATO official said that the Vienna Document permits monitors to have "briefings on the exercise scenario and progress, opportunities to talk to individual soldiers about the exercise, and overflights of the exercise."

"Russia and Belarus are instead choosing a selective approach that falls short," she added. "Such avoidance of mandatory transparency only raises questions about the nature and purpose of the exercise."

Russia charges that that Western concerns about Zapad-2017 are unfounded, saying the war games will be "purely defensive" and pose no threat to Russia's neighbors, NATO, or the West.

Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin asserted on August 29 that Western politicians and media outlets have been "spreading myths about a Russian threat" in connection with the exercises, but that "none of these paradoxical theories has anything in common with reality."

Russia holds the Zapad exercises every four years, rotating them with drills in three other parts of the country.

Belarus has invited observers from seven countries to the drills.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged Russia on August 24 not to "use loopholes" to pump up the numbers while keeping observers out......................

Access complete text of the editorial:   rferl.org In English

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron have called for Russia and Ukraine to step up their efforts to implement a fragile cease-fire agreement in eastern Ukraine.

The conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists has claimed more than 10,000 lives since it erupted in 2014.

A cease-fire agreement signed in February 2015 in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, has failed to end the violence, which has recently flared up.

Germany and France have tried to convince both sides to implement the Minsk deal, but with little success so far.

Merkel and Macron said on August 28 that they were concerned the security situation in eastern Ukraine had not significantly improved since they held a four-way telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko on August 22.......................

Access complete text of the editorial:  rferl.org In English

During the inspection of the units of the third separate motorized infantry brigade in occupied Gorlovka, the command of the Russian Armed Forces revealed the disappearance of several soldiers.

This is reported by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on its Facebook page.

According to the intelligence officers, in order to avoid responsibility for failing work with the personnel and concealing the real number of deserters, the practice of dismissing servicemen who arbitrarily left units by the previous date is used by the command of the units.

At the same time, according to the GUR, Russian soldiers continue to arbitrarily leave their units and write reports on dismissal.

Such cases were recorded in 9 separate assault rifle regiments of the Marine Corps (Novoazovsk), 1 separate motorized rifle regiment (Donetsk), and 6 separate rifle regiments (Kadyivka).

apostrophe.ua , Original in Ukrainian / Українською мовою

Anna Kurbatov was brought to the base of the "Peacemaker."

The "first channel" of the Russian Federation announced the abduction of its correspondent Anna Kurbatova in Kiev, Tsenzor reports. There are no references to the Russian edition of RIA Novosti.

As transfers 112 , according to the Russian mass media, before it repeatedly received threats in connection with coverage of events in Ukraine. During her last trip to Kiev, Anna Kurbatova covered the celebration of the country's Independence Day, and also worked on a solemn parade with the participation of NATO servicemen.

The last story Kurbatova came on the channel on August 29. Three days earlier she was brought to the base "Peacemaker".


ua.censor.net.u , Original in Ukrainian / Українською мовою

The Ambassador of Ukraine in Hungary, Lyubov Nepop, believes that the University of Debrecen should withdraw the honorary sign of Civis Honoris Causa, given to Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his visit to the country on August 28.

According to Tsenzor.NET about this she wrote in the article "Ukraine shocked the award Debrecen awards Putin - an open letter" to the Hungarian edition of "hvg.hu", a translation of which housed the embassy on his page on Facebook .

"Civis Honoris Causa is an award given, according to media reports, to Russian President Vladimir Putin by a decision of 90% of Senate members at the University of Debrecen... A few years ago, most people would not have paid attention to this, but after 2014 the name of Vladimir Putin is synonymous with violation International law, including the Budapest Memorandum, the temporary annexation of the Crimea and the conduct of a hybrid war against a neighboring friendly state, Ukraine, which today has killed more than 10,000 of our compatriots... I believe that this itul will be withdrawn, and support for violations of international law to get a decent assessment", - wrote Nepop.

The diplomat also addressed the member of the University Senate, the chairman of the Committee of Doctoral and Student Composition Peter Kjoryoshparty, who stated that he agreed with the occupation of the Crimea and did not agree with the support of the Ukrainian government that they should go to Transcarpathia to see what the reality is. As Nepop noted, in his opinion, Putin is not recognized as a war criminal, and countries sometimes change their borders with the help of war, moreover, Russia did nothing but that it simply regained the territory that always belonged to it.

"I do not want to delve into the historical dispute as to when someone was Crimea or any other territory, because that's not the essence." It was a shock and a cause for regret that a member of the senate of such an outstanding institution in the 21st century agrees with the violation of the international Law and the revision of borders and the fact that one state can attack with impunity its neighbors, kill their citizens and annex their territories.I believe that neither the Committee nor other members of the Senate agree with this position, "noted the head of the Ukrainian And representations.

Nepop added that Kjoryoshparti "already tomorrow" can make a trip to Transcarpathia to honor memory on the graves of soldiers of Hungarian origin who gave their lives and for him, so that in Europe not the "green men" of Putin, but the law and democracy, dominate. Summing up, the ambassador Ukraine expressed hope that the democratic spirit of the University of Debrecen, which she remembers from her student days, and the desire for freedom, which was always inherent in the Hungarians, is "stronger than the temporary economic interest."

As reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Hungary on August 28. He arrived there only for a few hours, where he met with the Prime Minister Victor Orban in Budapest and visited the World Judo Championship. As Hungarian Foreign Minister Paeter Siyarto said, the agenda of the talks was expanded, the main topics of the plenary working meeting were energy cooperation And support for trade and economic ties between the two countries.

censor.net.ua, Original in Russian / На русском

Special Representative of the US State Department for Ukraine Kurt Volker believes that the Russian-speaking population of Ukraine suffers in the occupied territories.

As informs Censor . No, Volcker said this in an interview with DW.

"Russia expressed concern about the situation of the Russian-speaking population in the east of Ukraine, and to be honest, the only area where Russian-speaking residents suffer is an area controlled by the Russian forces, so if there is another way to ensure the safety of people without Russian forces there, It would be better for everyone, "Volcker said.

Recall, Volcker previously said that Russia's aggression made Ukraine more nationalistic, united and pro-Western.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / Українською мовою

On the instructions of the CPRF leadership, representatives of the "Communist Parties" L / DNR launched an information project in conjunction with the functionaries of the German Communist Party (DKP) and Italian "anti-fascists."

As informs Censor . No, this was on his page in Facebook, wrote the coordinator of the group "Information Resistance" (IP), People's Deputy from the "Popular Front" Dmitry Tymchuk.

As he said, it is a question of creation so-called. "An international communist information center" (information sites and Internet resources).

"Infographics" The primary objectives of this center are to increase the number of supporters of" LNR / DPR "activities among citizens of European countries, to take measures to recognize" L / EU countries, the formation of a negative image of Ukraine.

Financing these information activities will be the Communist Party, "- wrote Tymchuk.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / Українською мовою

Ex-chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder announced his intention to accept the proposal to occupy the position of one of the independent directors of the Russian company Rosneft.

As Censor.NET reports , DW reports .

According to him, criticism in the German press will not affect his decision.

"I will do this, it's about my life, and I will decide, not the German press," Schroeder said.

It is noted that this statement was made by the ex-chancellor of Germany on Wednesday, August 30, at an election campaign of the Social Democratic Party of Germany in North German Rotenburg.

According to Cenzor.NET, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has decided to nominate his candidacy to the board of directors of Rosneft , despite criticism in his address among a number of German politicians.

An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the company, which will be elected a new board of council, will be held on September 29, 2017.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / Українською мовою

The new Russian ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, said that Russia would not ask the United States to lift sanctions.

As Tsensor.NET reports , he stated in an interview with Kommersant that

"Russia has never requested and is not going to lift sanctions, although it is obvious that it is about unfriendly behavior towards our country," he said.

According to him, Russia and the United States will be able to build effective cooperation only when the "tools of pressure" cease to be used in dialogue, that there will be no blackmail and attempts to impose their will.

"The ball in this case is on the side of Washington," the ambassador emphasized.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / Українською мовою

The Russian Federation Council plans to initiate measures in response to the deportation from Ukraine of journalist Anna Kurbatova.

As Tsensor.NET reports , Russian Senator Alexei Pushkov wrote about it on Twitter .

"At the 1st meeting, the commission of the Federation Council on Information Policy will consider and offer specific measures in response to the kidnapping and expulsion of Kurbatova," he said.

As previously reported, the "First Channel" of the Russian Federation said that journalist Hanna Kurbatova was arrested in Kiev by the officers of the Security Service of Ukraine.

In the evening of August 30 Kurbatova was expelled from Ukraine with a ban on visiting our country for three years.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / Українською мовою

President of the World Congress of Ukrainians Eugene Czolij said that the Ukrainian diaspora will appeal to the relevant international institutions with a demand-call to disconnect Russia from the international system SWIFT.
According to Tsensor. NET , referring to Ukrinform , he said this during the Verkhovna Rada during the "round table" on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the activities and existence of the World Congress of Ukrainians.

"We will even turn to the relevant international institutions and the heads of state of residence of the Ukrainian diaspora in order to apply a powerful economic sanction in the economic sphere - Russia has been disconnected from the SWIFT system to be A political signal that the international community will not perceive such a shameful violation of international law, "said Czolij.

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, Inc.) is an international interbank payment and transfer system.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / Українською мовою