Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Wednesday 21 June. [Ukrainian sources]

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HEADLINES:
Poroshenko, Tillerson discussed defensive weapon delivery for Ukraine. US sanctions bill dashes investor hopes for rapid Russian recovery.  We assume that the future will provide Ukraine lethal defensive weapons - Pentagon. Trump could help bring peace to Ukraine - Poroshenko.  US sanctions bill dashes investor hopes for rapid Russian recovery.  "We must reject the claims of imperial Russia to Ukraine". Putin: Russia on rallies "freer and easier" than in the West. Journalist said the West could cause a devastating blow to the Putin regime. US and France have put forward strict requirements Kremlin about Donbas. Strengthening US sanctions against Russia: in Congress made a surprise announcement. Trump published a transcript of a meeting with Poroshenko.

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Funds flow out as US-Russia relations fail to thaw

Last year, the Russian stock exchange was among the best performers in the world. Oil prices were rising and the economy was starting to emerge from recession. Despite two years of western sanctions over Moscow’s military intervention in Ukraine, the market seemed to be coming back to life. There were even some initial public offerings.

But halfway through 2017, the Russian market is one of the year’s worst performers. The fall in the price of Brent crude, the international benchmark, from $57 a barrel in January to about $46 now is undoubtedly a factor. A bigger one is the sharp reversal of hopes for an improvement in US-Russian relations following Donald Trump’s election.

The same is not true in debt markets, where appetite for corporate paper and a recent sovereign issue has been robust — helped by high yields. But as Renaissance Capital noted at a Moscow investment conference this week, some $2.5bn flowed into Russian equity funds between Mr Trump’s November 8 election and February 13, when the Russia-friendly Michael Flynn resigned as national security adviser. Since then, $1.5bn has flowed out again.

Just how severely hopes have been dashed was driven home last week when the US Senate passed a surprisingly hawkish bill that would tighten existing sanctions and threatens to broaden the restrictions from energy and banking to metals, mining, railways and shipping.

There are caveats: the House of Representatives still needs to pass the bill; the White House is keen to weaken it. The move produced the first serious rift over sanctions policy between Europe and the US since the Ukraine crisis. Senior German politicians were angry that the Senate bill targets the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline — and European companies such as Engie, Uniper, OMV, Shell and BASF that are helping to finance it.

Yet even if the Senate bill is weakened — for example, by removing Nord Stream 2 to placate Berlin — some version of it may well pass and Mr Trump is seen as unlikely to take the political risk of vetoing it. That is bad news for investment in Russia for several reasons.

First, by codifying existing sanctions into law, the bill could make them much stickier, or harder to lift. It would hand Congress, rather than just the president, control over when to ease them. They could become something akin to the Jackson-Vanik amendment in 1974, which denied normal trade relations with the US to the Soviet Union because of its refusal to allow Jews to emigrate. It officially remained in force until 2012, even though Congress approved annual waivers in latter years...................

Access complete text of the editorial:  ft.com

President Petro Poroshenko had a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during his working visit to the United States.

Censor.NET reports citing the Presidential Administration.

On the eve of the G20 meeting that will take place in Germany, the parties coordinated positions as regards termination of Russian aggression in the Donbas and return of Crimea. Ukraine's president put forward proposals of more active involvement of the U.S. in the peace process in the Donbas. The parties agreed to continue consultations with a view to elaborate joint measures.



The parties discussed the liberation of the Ukrainian hostages and agreed that the given issue must be resolved as soon as possible.

Rex Tillerson confirmed willingness of the U.S. to facilitate the peace settlement in the Donbas. The U.S. Secretary of State also confirmed preservation of sanctions against Russia until full restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Besides, the parties touched upon the issue of providing defensive weapons to Ukraine.

The president and the U.S. Secretary of State discussed the enhancement of trade-economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.

The parties also discussed ways of institutionalizing bilateral cooperation in the security sphere.

Petro Poroshenko invited Rex Tillerson to make a visit to Ukraine.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українському  

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said that in Ukraine is over 40 thousand Russian fighters.

It informs Tsenzor.NET with reference to Interfax-Ukraine , announced this in an interview with Fox News Channel during a working visit to Washington.

"Today we have more than three thousand regular Russian troops on Ukrainian territory, plus Russian fighters together - more than 40 thousand", - said Poroshenko.

He added that today an increasing number of tanks, artillery and other weapons in the occupied territory.

Recall, June 20 Poroshenko and Trump in Washington discussed sanctions against Russia.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українському

US does not deny that in the future will lethal defensive weapons Ukraine.

It informs Tsenzor.NET with reference to the channel " 112 Ukraine ," it said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Davis, reports the Star Tribune .

In the US defense department said that plans to provide lethal weapons assessed in each case.

"In the past we did not give Ukraine lethal defensive weapons, but we do not exclude the possibility to do so in the future", - said the representative of the Pentagon.

Note that the US federal budget draft for fiscal year 2018 provides assistance to Ukraine in different programs totaling $ 350 million., Including the possibility of Ukraine lethal weapons defense.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українському

European politicians must deal with the imperial claims of the Russian authorities towards Ukraine.

As Tsenzor.NET referring to Ukrinform , the Bundestag stated Marie-Louise Beck.

"We must reject the claims of imperial Russia to Ukraine", - she said.

The politician urged not to allow the public to western overlooked violation Moscow international law, the latter explanation satisfied that the Square was the venue for the "nationalist Bandera and anti-Semites."

"As we have come to this in Germany? How can we now look at Ukraine and say that former collaborators plotting something again?" - said Beck. She considers it an attempt to relieve the burden of its own historical past.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українському

Freedom of assembly in Russia provide a much better than in Western countries.

As Tsenzor.NET with reference to Interfax , told Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to him, the system counter actions of civil protest in the West is well built. "There pobavyshsya too. There rages, but only what is allowed", - he said. According to Putin, Russia 'freer and easier. "

"If this political activity aimed at real attempt to improve the situation, the actual disclosure of any problems, do not be afraid. For a big country. That of these surgeries there is not yet seen what is happening. If local people see it, and declare this, that shy? I think it does not need to be afraid, "- said Russian President.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українському

President of the United States Donald Trump "is not similar" to the one who is backstage relationships with Russian officials and politicians.

It informs Tsenzor.NET with reference to the League, of the impression after talks at the White House, responding to questions journalists channel Fox News, said the President of Petro Poroshenko.

According to the President, Trump "definitely not like a man who has some special relationship" with Russia.

Recall, June 20, 2017 Poroshenko met in Washington with US President Donald Trump, the Pentagon chief James Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and other top officials.

Today, June 21, Poroshenko and the Ukrainian delegation will hold a series of meetings with officials, congressmen and US senators, and then fly to Brussels, where a summit of the European People's Party.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українському

The event continues the action of anti-Russian sanctions were imposed on the Crimea and Donbas, but really strong effect on them is not - Russia adapted and bypasses these limitations.

This "apostrophe" said prominent journalist Aider Muzhdabayev.

He said, "In the West there is no political will in opposition to Putin to go through." The journalist believes that Western leaders have an understanding of the impossibility of an agreement with the Kremlin, with no decision as to cause strong pressure and drop Putin's regime in Russia: "Once this decision is taken, the events in Crimea and Donbas will develop quite differently."

Muzhdabayev noted that Western Europe, in fact, is the sponsor of the Kremlin regime. The journalist said that the Russian army is funded by money that the EU pay Russia for raw materials.

"All the missiles that hit the Syrian, and the shells and bullets that fly in the direction of Ukraine outfit" green men "- all bought in taxpayer money in Western Europe, which it pays for gas", - said Muzhdabayev, Noting that in the absence of the money Russia will not impose its own conditions and Western Ukraine.

apostrophe.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українському

White House spokesman Sean Spicer, commenting on the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions demanded Russia withdraw its troops from Donbass.

It is reported by Ukrainian news agency UNIAN .

"I mean that one of the reasons why the sanctions imposed, is that as long as they do not leave the Eastern Ukraine, we are going to keep sanctions on Russia," - said Spicer.

White House officials also said that the US intends to stick to this position in the future.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that the failure of the Minsk agreements with Russia will lead to a deterioration of relations between Russia and the EU.

"Because the longer we delay and not act, the fewer lines of contact and the more removed the prospect of settling this crisis. So deteriorate and relations between the European Union and Russia" - quoted by Le Driana "Radio Freedom".

apostrophe.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українському

In the US House of Representatives (lower house of Congress) said that the bill on new sanctions against Russia and Iran, which was adopted in the Senate , violates the United States Constitution.

It is reported by Reuters .

"The final version of the bill violates the establishment of a Constitution" - said the head of the Committee for their homes and means of the House of Representatives 'Republican' Kevin Brady, adding that he personally supports sanctions against Russia and Iran.

He added that the leaders of the House of Representatives are working with the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives for the development to proceed, but the Senate could solve this problem by quickly restoring the bill and send it back to the House.

Representatives of the Democratic Party believe that in this way "the Republicans' attempt to slow down the bill because of loyalty to Donald Trump, whose administration criticized the document.

"It is not nothing but a delay tactic, and the public should not be deceived by parliamentary procedure, which can seem daunting," - said "Democrat" Eliot Engel.

apostrophe.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українському

There was a transcript of US President Donald Trump President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko .

Transcript published on the website of the White House.

President Trump : Thank you very much. It is a great honor to meet with President Poroshenko of Ukraine - a country which case we all deeply involved. And you have seen and read all about it.

And we have been a very, very good negotiations. They will continue throughout the day. And I think it will be significant progress. And it is an honor to accept you, Mr. President. Thanks. Thank you very much.

You want to say anything?

President Poroshenko : It is a great honor and a great pleasure to be with you, Mr. President - one of the most reliable supporters and partners - strategic partners of Ukraine.

We really are fighting for freedom and democracy through your very strong support in the fields of defense and security - support our defense, support 45 millionth my people, whose country is the largest in Europe. And I'm absolutely confident that Ukraine - a success story. And I am proud that you, Mr. President, and the United States are co-authors of this success story.

We really admire your leadership, your steps are very effective, because today two historical dates - five months of your presidency and - when we launched the first peace plan - a peace plan for Ukraine. I am quite sure that our effective coordination will bring peace to our people, our land and be able to support our territorial integrity and sovereignty.

President Trump : Well, thank you. It is a great honor. Thank you very much. Thanks.

The question of the journalist : How do you respond to death Vombyera Otto (Otto Warmbier) (American student who died in the US after 17 months in prison in North Korea - Ed.)

President Trump : What happened to Otto, is a shame. It is a total shame what happened to Otto. We can not let this happen again. And frankly, if he returned home earlier, I think the result would be quite different.

But what happened to Otto - is a shame. I talked to his family. His family is incredible, because they had to go. But he had to return home long ago.

Thank you all very much. I appreciate this.

apostrophe.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українському

Parliament of Ukraine addressed the European Parliament with a call to impose additional trade preferences for Ukrainian goods.

According to a decree №6517, though not on the first try, but voted 230 deputies.



It is noted that the EU provide additional trade preferences in Ukrainian business would give additional benefits under the FTA.

Earlier Yesrokomisiya set quotas for honey - 2.5 thousand tons. Processed tomatoes - 3 ths. Tons of wheat - 65 ths. Tons, corn - 625 ths. Tons, barley - 325 ths. Tons.

The final decision on the introduction of quotas for Ukraine should be approved by the European Parliament in plenary session in July.

hromadske.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українському  

Moscow is considering a range of retaliatory measures in response to a planned new round of U.S. sanctions to be imposed on Moscow over its role in Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

"It goes without saying that the main principle of reacting to sanctions is reciprocity," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call with reporters.

"At our experts' level, naturally, different variants (of Russian) sanctions are now being formulated and proposed."

Peskov also said the Kremlin was not ruling out a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of a G-20 summit in Germany next month but "nothing concrete has so far been agreed".

businessinsider.com

In the near future Ukraine and the United States will sign a number of agreements in the field of defense.

It informs Tsenzor.NET with reference to UNIAN , it was declared by the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko at a press conference in Washington.

"It was agreed that in the near future Ukraine will visit several key members of the new administration of US President and will be signed very important agreements, including agreements on defense cooperation, including an agreement on defense procurement and the agreement on military-technical cooperation", - said he.

Earlier, Parliament Speaker Andrew Paruby said that the agreement on security, which may be signed between Ukraine and the United States involves placing American military reserves in Ukraine.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українському

Before deciding to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine, US authorities must assess risks.

It informs Tsenzor.NET with reference to UNIAN , about it said a spokesman for the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov.

"We have heard statements from the US to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine. Discussion of these issues - completely internal affair of the two countries - Ukraine and the USA. The only thing we hope that Washington will not forget that Ukraine - a country which continues civil war, "- he said.

When asked how Peskov evaluates a statement Press Secretary of the White House Sean Spicer that sanctions against Russia will be stored until it withdraws its troops and fighters from the Donbas, he replied: "We do not agree with this formulation. Many times we talked about that Russia is not in the territory of Donbass ". "Such statements consider inappropriate and wrong" - added the spokesman.

Earlier, spokesman Sean Spicer White House said that sanctions against the Russian Federation will be stored until it withdraws its troops and fighters from the Donbas.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українському

At the international aerospace salon in Le Bourget, Paris, unknown attacked the head of the Russian delegation Rosoboronexport Sergei Kornev.

This was reported by "RIA Novosti" referring to the representative of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation of Russia.

"The evening of June 20, 2017 in Paris in the San Denis Sergei Kornev, head of Rosoboronexport delegation at the air show in Le Bourget robbery was committed for robbery" - said in a statement.

It is noted that the delegate was attacked when he returned from a service car exhibition.

In Kornev allegedly attacked by robbers, breaking the glass car, and demanded money, threatening physical violence.

During the attack the Russian delegate received minor injuries, hospitalization it was not required.

Earlier it was reported that during the raid on the Champs Elysees in Paris, police detained a man who drove into a police car. By assumption, the police, the man did it deliberately.

hromadske.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українському