Ukraine News in brief. Thursday 25 January. [Ukrainian sources]

THURSDAY HEADLINES:
U.S. Envoy: Lack Of Political Will In Moscow Thwarting Ukraine Peace.  Ex-U.S. Army Commander Warns Of Russian Capabilities In Ukraine.  The law on reintegration does not contradict the Minsk agreements.  Poroshenko in Davos criticized the deputies of the Council through the law on an anti-corruption court.  You ask for Javelins, and you export tanks - US Secretary of State Hodges on Ukraine's policy in the defense sector. This should be a force that will not allow the current situation to freeze forever, as does Russia, - US Secretary of State Hodges on peacekeepers in the Donbas. United States decided to put Ukraine "Javelin" after Russia refused to take measures to stop the conflict in the Donbas. 1,692 out of 9,425 officials charged with corruption convicted last year, only 107 got prison terms. Dobkin helped Yanukovych to escape from Ukraine. ECHR is considering 3,800 complaints against Ukraine: half of them are due to Russian aggression. "At 4 am your cities will bombard alien aircraft" - Zhirinovsky - to Ukrainians. 15 thousand Ukrainians died in an accident in 4 years. The government decides how to reduce mortality. Russia is systematically recruiting former prisoners for the war on Donbas.

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The U.S. special envoy for Ukraine said the country's new law on reintegrating its conflict-torn regions has "regularized" the country's military operation against Russia-backed separatists, but doesn't change anything on the ground.

In an interview on January 24 with RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Volker also said the new law does not contradict the Minsk accords, a 2015 deal aimed at ending the fighting in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 10,300 people since 2014.

Volker, who was appointed in July as the U.S. special representative for negotiations to end the war, spoke two days ahead of a closely-anticipated meeting with Russia's lead envoy on the dispute, Vladislav Surkov.

In his meeting with Surkov, set for January 26 in the Persian Gulf city of Dubai, Volker said he was planning to reiterate the U.S. position on the Ukraine conflict: that Moscow withdraw its forces and its "proxy entities," allow for a UN peacekeeping force, help create security on the ground, and then help fulfil the Minsk accords.

"I think the Minsk agreements contain all the elements necessary for this to be resolved. What is lacking is not the content, what's lacking is political will," he said.

Key Legislation

Ukraine's parliament last week passed key legislation that President Poroshenko has said should help Kyiv restore control over eastern districts that are held by Russia-backed separatists

Among other things, the law labels Russia the aggressor in the nearly four-year-old conflict and labels the separatist-held parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces -- part of what is known as the Donbas -- as "temporarily occupied territories."

"I don't think it changes anything on the ground. The situation is the same as it was," Volker told RFE/RL. "It has been a Russian command and control of forces there. It's not incorrect to call that at least informally an occupation invasion…. I don't think that changes anything. It just is saying what we can see with our own eyes."

In an earlier media roundtable held in Brussels, Volker said that Moscow's military actions have "produced the opposite" of what he said was Russian President Vladimir Putin's objective: maintaining a "Russia-friendly Ukraine" that is "part of Russia's orbit."

Volker said he believes Putin ultimately wants "a Ukraine that is pro-Russian, part of Russia's broader family."

"That's the irony because they have created the opposite" by "invading and taking over...territory" in Ukraine, he said.

"It has produced a Ukraine that is more unified, more nationalist, more Western-oriented than ever before," Volker said, adding that the Kremlin does not "need to have this territory to pursue Russia's objective."

"This is an issue where people are still dying every week right on Europe's doorstep, and it is involving Russia conducting warfare, taking territory by force, which is something that really challenges the basis of European security as a whole," he said.

The United States and the European Union have imposed an array of sanctions on Russia over its March 2014 seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and its role in the war in eastern Ukraine.

Fresh Sanctions.....................

 rferl.org Click here for full access of entire article in English

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has called on Russia to fulfill its obligations under the Minsk Agreements and to ensure de-escalation of hostilities in eastern Ukraine.

Tsensor.NET informs about it with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.

As reported on the US Department of State website, Tillerson January 24 held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in which the sides discussed the situation in Ukraine, Syria and North Korea.

The parties touched upon the forthcoming meeting of US Special Envoy Kurt Volker with the assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladislav Surkov.

"As to Ukraine, the Secretary of State noted the forthcoming meeting of US Special Representative Volker with Russian representative Surkov and stressed the need to accelerate Russia's implementation of its commitments under the Minsk Agreements and return to the de-escalation of hostilities in eastern Ukraine," the State Department said.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The former top U.S. Army commander in Europe said Russian battlefield tactics in eastern Ukraine show sophisticated integration of drones, electronic warfare, and mortar and artillery, posing major challenges for Ukrainian forces.

Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges also said on January 24 that U.S. and European allies should do more to publicize Russia's capabilities on the ground in eastern Ukraine, including the region historically known as the Donbas.

Hodges, who retired as commander of the U.S. Army’s European forces last year, made the comments in Washington, at the Helsinki Commission, a U.S. government agency charged with monitoring human rights in Europe and elsewhere.

The United States and its NATO allies have helped train and supply the Ukrainian armed forces since the outbreak of fighting in eastern Ukraine in April 2014. About 250 U.S. soldiers are helping in the training, Hodges said, plus Canadians and other NATO allies.

'Diplomatic Solution'

In all, more than 10,000 people have been killed and more than 1 million displaced in the conflict pitting Ukrainian forces against Russia-backed separatists.

Russia has repeatedly denied its forces have been involved, or that it has supplied weaponry or equipment, assertions that independent observers and journalists have largely debunked.

Hodges said the recent U.S. decision to supply Ukraine with more sophisticated weaponry, including Javelin antitank weapons was important for persuading the Russians to negotiate an end to the conflict.

"There has to be a diplomatic solution to this," he said. "Russia has to at some point agree to stop supporting the separatists or pull out to allow the re-establishment" of Ukrainian control of its border with Russia.

Electronic Warfare Capability.......................

rferl.org Click here for full access of entire article in English

The law on ensuring the sovereignty of Ukraine in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donbas regulates the conduct of a military operation there and does not oppose the Minsk Agreements

This was stated by the United States Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker, according to Interfax-Ukraine.

He noted that the relevant bill is organizing a military operation in the Donbass, which until then was called anti-terrorist.

According to him, the document also formalizes the rights of Ukrainian citizens living in the occupied territories of the Donbas.

"The fact that there is no mention of" Minsk "does not mean that it opposes Minsk, Ukraine is a party to the Minsk Agreements, participates in the Trilateral Contact Group every few weeks. It adopted a law on special status, an amnesty law, is ready before local elections, when conditions are there for this, "Volker said.

He expressed a conviction that Ukraine adheres to the Minsk treaties and wished Russia to do the same.

-On January 18, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill "On the peculiarities of the state policy of ensuring the state sovereignty of Ukraine over temporarily occupied territories in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts".

-Recall, during a meeting with NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchinov, Volker stated that the United States values ​​cooperation with Ukraine and will help to resolve the situation in the Donbas.

-The Special Representative believes that one day without shelling confirms the effectiveness of the diplomatic settlement of the situation in the Donbas.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during a speech at the Ukrainian House in Davos criticized the Verkhovna Rada in the context of delaying the creation of an anti-corruption court in Ukraine.

Ukrainian journalist Valery Kalnish, who is at the World Economic Forum in Davos, told the Public.

Poroshenko said that he submitted the draft law on the creation of the Anticorruption Court to be finalized together with experts from the World Bank, the IMF. But at the same time, he "scolded" parliamentarians for not submitting their proposals.

"As far as I understand it, it is very outraged by those people's deputies, who are called Euro-optimists, they were present in the hall and somewhat did not understand why the president speaks because they themselves proposed the creation of an anti-corruption court and, in turn, urged the president to submit this bill and were ready. develop it. We understand that the law of the creation of a court is within the competence of the head of state. They did not demonstrate their criticism openly and, in general, remained in the sidelines, "he said.

In Davos, Poroshenko promised to accelerate the creation of an anti-corruption court . It should be noted that the creation of an anti-corruption court is one of the requirements of the International Monetary Fund. Among his planned functions, in particular, the work of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau on corruption in the higher levels of power should be.

The presidential bill  on an anticorruption court does not meet international requirements, namely the procedure for the selection of anti-corruption judges, the jurisdiction of the court, and is generally issued in such a way that it is impossible to create an anticorruption court or it takes indefinite period of time.

At the same time, the presidential version of the bill is basic and it  will not be combined with the parliamentary.

hromadske.ua    In Ukrainian/український

Despite the dissatisfaction with progress in combating corruption in Ukraine, European countries do not change their sanctions policy.

This, according to  Tsensor.NET , referring to the  Voice of America, said Ben Hodges, a retired Lieutenant-General who, by December 2017, commanded the United States land forces in Europe.

"If the European states did not complain about opacity or corruption in Ukraine, the fact is that no one believes that it is normal for Russia to use force to change the sovereign border of a European country," Hodges said.

Hodges noted the courage and high combat readiness of the Ukrainian military, but he was impressed by the lack of coordination in the defense sector in Ukraine.

The general described his visit to the Kharkiv tank factory:

"I am fascinated by the history and heard about the Kharkov Tank Factory, Kharkiv was a very important city during the Second World War, perhaps the most famous tank of the Second World was developed and produced there," Hodges said.

"I noticed on the other side of the plant a number of brilliant new tanks. I asked," What is this? - "This is for export" - "Export? You ask for" Javelins", and you export tanks yourself?" - Hodges was surprised.

Hodges linked insufficient coordination in the defense sector of Ukraine with a lack of transparency in this area. "They have the technical ability to produce really good things, but because their defense industry and their lack of transparency are built, they do not buy or can afford.

I'm not an expert, but they could do more, but we are returning to what their economic structure is and how parliamentary oversight works. "

Hodges noted the distinguished service of General Mugenka and emphasized the importance of advancing younger, more Western-oriented officers.

"These things are just as important as providing Javelin," Hodges said.

ua.censor.net.ua    In Ukrainian/український

Peacekeepers must have a mandate that will not allow the current situation to freeze forever - as Russia does.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Donbas will be truly effective only if it involves "serious, skilled forces that may in fact fully operate in accordance with the mandate." Such an opinion was expressed by retired Lieutenant-General Ben Hodges, who commanded the US land forces in Europe by December 2017, reports Tsensor.NET with reference to Voice of America .

"The peacekeeping mission (in Ukraine - Ed.) Is useful", he convinced.

Read on "Tsensor.NET": the Armed Forces have experience of war with the Russian Army, and we have something to learn from them - US General Hodges

"When NATO sent (in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Ed.) Its troops to implement the Dayton Peace Agreement, they had clear rules for the game, they were vigorously armed, always in combat readiness, and this was a message for Serbs and others - this a serious force, "Hodges said.

"When it comes to the UN peacekeeping mission (in Ukraine - Ed.), They should have a mandate that does not allow the current situation to freeze forever, as Russia does, with the goal of the mission being to be Minsk", Hodges said.

"It should be a professional force that would be respected by all parties," he emphasized.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

US Special Representative Kurt Volcker said that the United States has decided to supply Ukraine with anti-tank complexes "Javelin" as a result of Russia's refusal to help end the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

This is reported by Tsensor.NET with reference to the  German wave.

"These steps of the United States have been a consequence of Russia's refusal to take measures to put an end to the military conflict and support a resolution on peace." To be honest, this is a big disappointment, "said Volker

"In the absence of progress in the negotiations it is extremely important to realize that Ukraine needs to be a successful country. It has the right to defend itself, it is part of the international community and we will support it," he added.

The United States Special Representative noted that he had held two meetings with the assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladislav Surkov, in August and early October 2017, which were "positive and of an institutional nature." "Once again we met in November, and it was obvious that Russia had taken a backlash, and in December we adopted lifting restrictions on the provision of military assistance to Ukraine," said W. Walker.

As reported, on December 25, 2017, ABC News, referring to several sources at the US Department of State, announced the intention of US President Donald Trump to approve an anti-tank missile supply plan in Ukraine. According to sources, it is about supplying 210 anti-tank missiles and 35 launches for $ 47 million.

 ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

In 2017, Ukrainian courts convicted less than 1,700 out of 9,425 officials caught while receiving bribes whereas the overwhelming majority received suspended sentences.

Prosecutor General Yurii Lutsenko said in an interview with Segodnia newspaper made public on Thursday, Censor.NET reports citing Interfax-Ukraine.

"Last year we nabbed a record number of corrupt officials while receiving or extorting bribes. We caught 9,425 persons in the act! 1,692 of them were convicted! This is more than three times as much as in any other year. It is true that the majority of them received suspended sentences. 107 individuals have actually got prison terms," Lutsenko said.

He said that the judges had been authorized to impose prison terms below minimum penalties. However, the Verkhovna Rada in 2015 decided to ban sentences in corruption-related crimes that are milder than the minimum penalties. Consequently, the Prosecutor General's Office is now checking how many of the 1,692 persons committed crimes after 2015.

"If we find some, and I'm sure that at least half of them did, then it means that the judges made unlawful decisions. And I promise... that the prosecutor's office will initiate criminal proceedings against those judges who have made knowingly unlawful decisions,” Lutsenko stressed.

Read more: Crime ring led by local Opposition Bloc member Kopiika apprehended in Mykolaiv, - prosecutor general

The prosecutor general also said that "even a suspended sentence is a severe punishment for a civil servant as he will be blacklisted and can never occupy a public post again."

According to him, punishing corrupt officials is "not the only and not even the best way to eradicate corruption."

"We will not prevent new abuses by detaining a bribe taker. Therefore, it is critical to eliminate the very incentives for corruption," Lutsenko stressed.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

On February 22, 2014, the then Governor of Kharkiv Oblast Mikhail Dobkin provided Ukraine's whipped President Viktor Yanukovych with transport for further movement.

This was stated by the ex-guardian of Yanukovych during a questioning at the Obolonsky district court in Kiev, reports Gromadskoe.

He said that on the night of February 21 to 22, 2014, Yanukovych flew to Kharkiv on two helicopters with protection from Mezhyhirya, where they arrived in the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, where they met Dobkin, who provided them with transport for further travel.

In addition, according to the guard, Yanukovych met with the ex-secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Andriy Klyuyev, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Vitaliy Zakharchenko, SSU chief Oleksandr Yakymenko, and the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yurii Ilyin in the evening of February 23.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

More than half of the complaints against Ukraine queued for consideration by the European Court of Human Rights related to Russian aggression in the Crimea and the Ukrainian-Russian conflict in the Donbas

This was stated by the president of the European Court of Human Rights Guido Raymondi, according to "European truth".

According to him, a large number of cases against Ukraine (currently, our country is in fourth place on this indicator) "is largely due to these events."

"There are about 3,800 complaints against Ukraine related to this in the court register, and we are considering 5 interstate complaints against Ukraine against Ukraine," he explained.

The number of complaints filed by citizens and legal entities against Russia is much lower - 242 such complaints were registered in the court, according to the ECHR.

The number of cases that are awaiting consideration has grown insignificantly compared to the previous year, while in the court 3619 cases were heard where Ukraine is the defendant. Meanwhile, the number of complaints against the RF over the same period has increased by 50% - last year there were 160 such cases in the ECHR register.

It should be noted that a year ago, Ukraine occupied the first place in terms of the number of complaints: then at the Court they were over 18 thousand.

Such a serious decline is due to the unprecedented decision of "Burmich and Others v. Ukraine", according to which the ECHR has deleted from its register more than 12 thousand complaints to Ukraine about systematic non-enforcement of decisions of national courts, passing them to the Committee of Ministers.

Thus, if the group "Burmich and others" is not taken into consideration, the number of other cases in the ECtHR has only increased.

As of January 1, 2018, there were about 7,100 complaints at the ECHR hearing, which is the fourth indicator among the member states of the Council of Europe.

The first three are Turkey (7500), Russia (7750) and Romania (9900).

In September, the European Court of Human Rights took up the case of the kidnapping of Russian special services in the territory of Belarus by Ukrainians Paul Gryb.

Recall that at the end of July, Ukraine won the first case against the ECtHR related to the war on the Donbas.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

Russian presidential candidate Volodymyr Zhirinovsky threatened to suddenly attack Ukraine.

According to Tsensor.NET, in the course of the Russian telecoms Russian politician said that "foreign aircraft will fill all your bases." To clarify whether they will be Russian, Zhirinovsky refused to answer.

"There was also peace on June 20, 1941. The German soldiers were quietly swimming in the river Tisza, and in 2 days it began." The war begins suddenly, at 4 am your cities will bombard alien aircraft, and all your bases will pour out missiles, "Zhirinovsky said.



ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

In Ukraine, during the four years since the accident, 15,300 people died

The Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groisman announced this at a government meeting.

"For the 2014-2017 years, 15,300 human lives were lost on the roads - a catastrophe, we set the goal by means of systemic measures to reduce the death rate by 30%. It is our responsibility and we must implement these measures as soon as possible in order to save thousands of lives," he said.

Groisman said that there is currently no breakthrough in traffic safety.

"Yesterday, we convened a meeting on road safety, there is no breakthrough, unfortunately, there is no such thing. We do roads, but when we build roads, the speed on them increases, but security issues are not given enough attention," he wrote on his page. on Twitter.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

The SBU believes that the occupation administrations of Russia in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions systematically recruit mercenaries with a criminal past
This was stated by the head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Hrytsak, reports Interfax-Ukraine.

He said that on January 19, at the time of the clash in the Shirokine settlement, officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an attack on an intelligence and reconnaissance group of four people.

After the battle, the invaders left one of their squad on the battlefield, so Ukrainian troops captured him. He turned out to be a gunman Alexander Startsev.

"This man has a criminal past, he has spent 7 out of 8 years imprisonment for committing various kinds of crimes," - said Hrytsak.

According to him, SBU officers in Chuguev, Kharkiv region, detained a man who at one time served his sentence in one of the colonies in the occupied Luhansk region.

"When he was released from prison, he served in illegal armed groups and, after completing the contract, arrived at Chuguev, and our counterintelligence agents discovered him and detained him," Hrytsak said.

He added that these facts show that the occupying administrations of Russia on the Donbas are many people who have been convicted.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український