Ukraine News in brief. Wednesday 24 January. [Ukrainian sources]

WEDNESDAY HEADLINES:
US intelligence tells how Putin jeopardized the financial future of Russians.  Biden concerned about backsliding in Kyiv’s fight against corruption.  Russia intends to destabilize and influence, and not occupy the territory of Ukraine.  Volker revealed details of the forthcoming negotiations with Surkin on the Donbas.  Poroshenko and Volker called on Russia to agree to the deployment of UN peacekeepers.  The United States Special Representative for Ukraine discussed a law on reintegration with the NSDC secretary.  Cease-fire consolidation, Russian occupation troops' withdrawal from Ukraine, - Poroshenko, US Envoy Volker agree on key priorities.  Bodies of seven Ukrainians killed in terrorist attack in Kabul handed over to diplomats.  In Moscow, a foreign car flew into a crowd of people at a stop.  

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The Kremlin's use of the National Well-being Fund to solve budget problems can jeopardize the financial future of Russians.

This is stated in the material of the private American intelligence-analytical company Stratfor, which is at the disposal of the "Apostrophe".

According to American analysts, the upcoming presidential election and mayor of Moscow will be held against the background of financial problems of the country. Since the Kremlin plans to increase spending on social affairs and spend on information campaigns in order to achieve results in the elections and combat the rapid increase in poverty in the country.

In their report, the intelligence officers point out that it was financial and economic problems that were the main reason for the growth of protest attitudes of Russians in the past year. Of the more than 1,000 protests registered throughout the country, more than two thirds have focused on such issues as failure to pay or lower salaries, unemployment or loss of savings.

It is expected that after the Reserve Fund is exhausted, the Russians' attention will be drawn to the Kremlin's use of the National Welfare Fund to address the country's problems. Now the authorities have the opportunity to use the funds to block the holes in the budget. According to analysts, this could endanger the maintenance of the pension system.

"If this fund turns out to be exhausted, then Putin and his government essentially reject their promise to secure the financial future of Russians," the report said.

At the same time, analysts say that the possible rise in oil prices for some time will give the Kremlin a break.

"The state budget was adopted taking into account that the price of oil will remain at the level of about $ 40 per barrel, so any income above this price may turn into currency reserves and go to the National Well-being Fund. This can lead to the fact that in the hands The Kremlin will receive a fairly large amount of money, "- explained in Stratfor.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden believes that corruption remains Ukraine’ greatest problem and recommends the Trump Administration to carefully record what the Ukrainian representatives say and check how they fulfill their promises.
As reported by Censor.NET citing the Voice of America, he told journalists as he spoke at the Council on Foreign Relations about U.S. policy and Russia.

"I am desperately concerned about the backsliding on the part of Kyiv in terms of corruption. I’ll give you one concrete example: That was an assignment I got. I got all the good ones. So, I got Ukraine. I remember going over convincing our team that we should be providing for loan guarantees. Now on over, I guess, 12th – 13th time to Kyiv, I was supposed to announce that there is another billion dollar loan guarantee. And I got a commitment from Poroshenko and Yatseniuk that they will take action against the state prosecutor, but they didn’t," Biden said.

"So they walk out on a press conference and I said: “We are not going to give you a billion dollars.” They said: “You do not have the authority, you are not the president. The president said it.” I said: “Call him!” I said: “I’m telling you - you are not getting a billion dollars.” I said “I'm leaving in six hours, and if the prosecutor is not got fired you are not getting the money.” Well, son of a beotch! He got fired and they put in place someone who was solid," he said.

The former U.S. vice president also mentioned the the anti-corruption court in his speech.

"So they’ve made some genuine, substantial changes institutionally and with people. But one of the three institutions – there is now some backsliding," Biden said meaning the anti-corruption court. “And they have made their commitment that they wouldn't do that," Biden said.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The United States Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker believes that Russia does not intend to occupy the entire territory of Ukraine, pursues its political goals of destabilizing, influencing Kyiv's policy, trying to "kill a wedge between Ukraine and the West."

He told about this in an interview with DW.

Volker noted that the Minsk agreements, which are intended to resolve the conflict in the Donbass, are very important. In his opinion, the deal is an instrument that Russia "confirms its commitment to restoring Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

At the same time, Volker argues that Ukraine considers the Minsk treaties to fail because they did not lead to the end of the conflict.

"Russia hoped to bring a more friendly government in Kyiv to power in order to keep Ukraine in the sphere of its influence. I believe that everything has ended up as a tragedy, because so many people were affected by this conflict. More than 10,000 people were killed and more than a million people were forced migrants, but Russia did not achieve its goals in Ukraine, "Volker said.



In addition, Volker stated that Russia does not receive anything from aggression in Ukraine and suffers from high costs.

hromadske.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The Special Representative of the US State Department for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, intends to hold a regular round of talks with Russian President's assistant, Vladislav Surkov, to discuss the withdrawal of Russia-controlled forces in the Donbas and the release of prisoners.

This is reported by Radio Liberty.

"First of all, regarding the meeting with Mr Surkov, I hope to put forward a vision of the United States on what we can do to accelerate the end of the conflict, which will require Russia to decide on the withdrawal of its forces, and the control forces that are there, in the end, must be dispersed ", said Kurt Volker.

Volker also intends to raise the issue of the release of prisoners in the occupied territories of the Donbas.

"Many people are still detained in the occupied territories, and as you have said, right in Russia," said Volker.

As reported by the "Apostrophe", the talks of Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy and special envoy of the President of the United States to Ukraine Kurt Volker, scheduled for January 24, may relate to the recently adopted law on the reintegration of the Donbas.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

President Petro Poroshenko meets with Kurt Volcker, US Special Envoy for Ukraine.

This is reported on the website of the president.

The interlocutors expressed concern over the lack of progress in Russia's implementation of the security provisions of the Minsk Agreements.

"Moscow must finally demonstrate the political will for a peaceful settlement and agree to host a UN peacekeeping mission in the occupied Donbass, including an uncontrolled section of the Ukrainian-Russian state border," the statement said.

Petro Poroshenko and Kurt Volker also noted the adoption of the law on reintegration as "an element of a joint strategy to restore Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Recall that on January 23, the Special Representative of the US Department of State for Affairs of Ukraine Kurt Volker arrived in Kyiv. In Ukraine, he plans to hold a series of meetings.

It was also reported that Volker may meet with Putin Surkov's assistant on January 26th.

hromadske.ua  In Ukrainian/український

US Special Envoy for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, discussed with Oleksandr Turchinov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, the law on the reintegration of the Donbas.

Volker informed Twitter.

"I met with the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov to discuss the bill on reintegration and the need to protect the rights and well-being of Ukrainian citizens living in the Donbass, plus the need for peaceful resolution of the conflict," Volker wrote.

The press service of the National Security and Defense Council informed that Turchinov and Volcker also discussed the situation in the Donbas, the issue of prolonging sanctions against Russia and reforming the defense industry of Ukraine.

Turchynov also informed about personnel changes in the supervisory board of the State Concern "Ukroboronprom".

"We value cooperation with you and welcome the processes of reforming the security and defense sector of Ukraine," Volker emphasized.

Speaking about sanctions against Russia, the special representative of the US State Department said: "The United States constantly emphasizes that Russia is responsible for what is happening in the Donbass."

Volcker assured the US would do everything in their power "to help resolve the situation in eastern Ukraine."

Also, the US special envoy discussed the situation in the Donbass with President Petro Poroshenko.

 hromadske.ua  In Ukrainian/український

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and the U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Kurt Volker discussed the intensification of the international efforts on the restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

As reported by Censor.NET citing presidential press office, Poroshenko held a meeting with Volker on Jan. 23.

The parties expressed serious concern over the absence of progress in the fulfillment of the security provisions of the Minsk agreements by Russia.

Absolute priorities are consolidation of the sustainable and comprehensive cease-fire along with Russian occupation troops' withdrawal from Ukraine.

The interlocutors emphasized that Moscow must finally demonstrate political will for a peaceful settlement and agree to deploy the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the occupied Donbas, including the uncontrolled part of the Ukraine-Russia state border.

Poroshenko and Volker welcomed the liberation of the Ukrainian hostages late last year and the importance of this process completion.

They drew attention to the adoption of the Law of Ukraine on reintegration of the occupied territories as an element of the common strategy on the restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The parties stressed the priority of peaceful, political and diplomatic settlement of the situation in the Donbas.

As reported, U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Kurt Volker arrived in Ukraine on Jan. 23. Volker plans to meet with Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov in Dubai on Friday, Jan. 26. The parties are going to discuss the conflict in Ukraine's east, the prospects for the peacekeeping mission deployment and its possible format.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The bodies of seven Ukrainian nationals who were killed in the terrorist attack on Kabul-based Intercontinental Hotel were handed over to Ukraine’s diplomats.

As reported by Censor.NET citing Channel 5, the mourning ceremony attended by Ukrainian and Afghan diplomats was held at Kabul airport.



The bodies were handed over to the Consul of Ukraine in Tajikistan and Afghanistan Viktor Molotok. Seven coffins covered with Ukrainian flags were brought to the airfield. The pictures of the deceased were also put over them. The bodies will be taken from Afghanistan capital city to Kyiv by air.

"Unfortunately, it was an act of terrorism. It was masterminded by the terrorists and their accomplices. It claimed lives of several our fellow countrymen. However, there were foreigners among the victims as well. We extend our profound condolences to the families of the deceased and their countries," said Mirwaiz Samadi, director general of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

The bodies will be taken to Kyiv by a special flight today.

As reported, a group of terrorists attacked Intercontinental hotel in Kabul on Jan. 20 inflicting multiple casualties among the guests including foreigners. Ukraine's ambassador confirmed seven Ukrainian nationals killed in the attack with the total death toll of 43.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

In Moscow, on the Avenue of Peace near the house number 68, the Ford vehicle flew outside the roadway and hit a crowd of people at a public transport stop, leaving one person dead and three more injured.

This is reported on the Telegram Channel Mash page.



It is noted that the passenger was a car. The driver was seriously injured.

Three other people who were standing at a bus waiting for a stop are in a difficult condition.

According to preliminary information, the driver was drunk and had no rights to drive.

On the published photo it is noticeable that during the accident, the car also touched the illuminating pillar.




As reported by the "Apostrophe", in Lviv on Shevchenko Street near the gas station, a drunk driver driving the car "Mercedes" has provoked an accident, which resulted in a busy passenger with overturned.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український