Ukraine News. Friday 19 October. [Ukrainian sources]

FRIDAY HEADLINES:
Putin declares determination to negotiate, build relations with Ukraine’s "new authorities".  The chances of changing the Kremlin's position are now lower than a year ago.  Unacceptable for US allies in Central Europe to support such projects as North Stream-2.  Constantinople refused to break the relationship with the ROC. Approximately two-thirds of the population of Ukraine receive social assistance.  Germany plans to bring Ukraine, Belarus and 12 other countries to the list of safe states.  The Russian Orthodox Church urged parishioners not to dislike: Once Bartholomew dies, everything will return to normal.  Patriarch Kirill made a self-confident statement on autocephaly of Ukraine.

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President Vladimir Putin of Russia says he expects to be on the same page and build relations with the new Ukrainian leadership.

As reported by Censor.NET citing ZN.UA, the Russian leader said speaking at the Valdai Forum in Sochi on Oct. 18.

He said that Russia seeks revival of relations with Ukraine to the full extent.

"We have to wait until the end of domestic political cycles [in Ukraine] and I very much expect that we will succeed in building at least some kind of relationship and reaching at least some agreements with the new leadership of the country. We are ready for this, we want it," the Russian president said.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The US diplomatic efforts on the settlement of the Donbas had many real achievements that allowed the conflict to be properly interpreted, but there are fundamental things that could not be changed, such as the imperial approaches of Russia.

US Special Envoy on Negotiations on Ukraine Kurt Volker spoke on Thursday during a speech at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Cenzor.NET, referring to Ukrinform , reports .

"Speaking about changes, we first of all changed the language (wording, terms - ed.) About what is really happening," the American diplomat said.

As an example, he pointed out that the blurred term "uncontrolled territories (Ukrainian - ed.) By the government" was at least inaccurate.

In this regard, Volker emphasized that Russia should not be condemned because of the "territory controlled by Ukraine" and "the territory under the control of Russia". "In fact, one needs to be very clear in the wording," Volker stressed.

He also noted that "Russia 100% controls the command of the military forces that occupy the Donbas."

In addition, among his achievements Volker called the position of the United States and European partners in maintaining and increasing the pressure of sanctions on Russia because of its armed aggression. In this regard, he stressed that such a trend will continue to remain.

Another achievement that brought real results is the US decision to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, including anti-tank missiles, sniper systems. "But what we have not done - we did not influence the decision-making process by President Putin and Russia," he said.

In this context, the Special Representative of the United States expressed an assessment that the chances to change the Kremlin's position are now lower than even a year ago.

He explained that Russia is waiting for the results of the elections in Ukraine as new political opportunities for influence on the situation. "I think we must stay on the current path. I believe that the sanctions really affect, and we see evidence in Russia," Volker remarked.

He expressed confidence that consistent pressure would force Moscow to genuinely resolve the situation in eastern Ukraine.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Wess Mitchell said that support for the European countries of the North Stream-2 is unacceptable.

As Censor.NET informs with reference to the "Correspondent", he stated this on Thursday, speaking at a conference in the Atlantic Council in Washington.

"Western Europeans can not deepen energy dependence on the same Russia that the US protects, or to enrich themselves from Iran, which develops ballistic missiles that threaten Europe. It is unacceptable for the US Allies in Central Europe to support projects such as the North Stream 2" , - underlined the assistant of the secretary of state.

Earlier it was reported that Germany has no intention to give way to US pressure, which call for the refusal of the construction of the North Stream 2 gas pipeline.

It should be noted that permits for the laying of a new gas pipeline on the bottom of the Baltic Sea in their exclusive economic zone were issued by Germany, Sweden and Finland. To date, only Denmark has postponed the issue.

Recall that US President Donald Trump has said that North Stream 2 is unfavorable for German residents who pay billions of dollars for Russian energy.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The Patriarchate of Constantinople is still in communion with the Russian Orthodox Church, despite Moscow's decision to break the gap.

As Censor.NET informs with reference to "Interfax", this is stated in the appeal of the exarchate of Russian parishes in Western Europe, which is subject to Constantinople.

"The Ecumenical Patriarchate did not interrupt communication with the Moscow Patriarchate and continues to commemorate it in the manner established in the diptych," the statement reads.

On September 14, an official statement was passed to the extraordinary Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow , in which it was said that in the event of the continuation of the "anticononical activity of the Constantinople Patriarchate in the territory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church" will be compelled "to break the Eucharistic communion.

At the same time, the Synod of the ROC decided to suspend co-ordination with the hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and to stop its participation in the structures where its representatives presided. And do not mention more of the Patriarch of Constantinople during the liturgy.

On Monday, October 15, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church recognized that its further stay in the Eucharistic communion with the Constantinople Patriarchate was impossible.

On October 11, following a meeting of the Synod, a decision was announced stating that the Ecumenical Patriarchate continues the procedure for granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church. In addition, the letter of the synod was revoked from 1686, after which the Kievan Metropolitanate fell under the jurisdiction of Moscow, the canonical status of the head of the UOC of Kyiv Patriarchate Filaret was restored.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

In Ukraine, almost two thirds of the population receive various types of social assistance.

This was stated during a press conference in Ukrinform by the Director General of the Directorate of Family and Social Support of the Ministry of Social Policy Vitaliy Muzychenko, reports Censor.NET.

"If there is a general analysis, then about two-thirds of the population in Ukraine receive various forms of social assistance in one form or another," Muzychenko said.

He noted that now in Ukraine there are almost 7 million households receiving housing subsidies.

In addition, Muzichenko said, about 3 thousand families receive help for the poor, as well as almost 400 thousand women - to help single mothers.

"Generally speaking, if we describe the system of social benefits or social assistance, then the budget for 2018 will cover the corresponding expenditures of almost 130 billion hryvnias," Muzychenko said.

According to him, about half of this amount is the cost of providing privileges and housing subsidies.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Germany plans to add 14 more countries to the list of safe countries of origin.

According to Censor.NET and with reference to DW, on Friday, October 19, the agency dpa citing a copy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany to the official request of the Free Democratic Party (BDP) MP from the Linda Teuteberg.

Migrants from so-called safe countries of origin are more likely to be expelled from Germany in the event of refusal to grant asylum, their asylum applications are dealt with expeditiously.

The German government plans to expand the list of countries in this category. In July, it was decided to list Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Georgia. Now it is planned to be replenished by such countries as Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Cuba, Colombia, Vietnam, Tanzania, Pakistan, India, Kenya, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Central African Republic and Chad.

This is due to the fact that the share of positive decisions on asylum applications from citizens from these states is less than five percent this year. According to a coalition agreement, countries can be declared safe if the share of less than five percent is retained for several years.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Russian Orthodox believers and all sympathizers of the Russian Church should not despair, despite the fact that overcoming the church split, caused by the actions of Constantinople, is not possible in the immediate historical perspective.

As informs Censor.NET with reference to "New Day", with such an assertion was made by the rector of the temple of the martyr Tatiana at the Moscow State University archpriest Volodymyr Vygylyansky.

In the deep past, the archpriest reminded, the treacherous attempts of such a split have been repeatedly - for political or economic reasons, in particular, two shameful unions, which were endorsed by Constantinople: the Lyon Cathedral in the 13th century and the Florentine Cathedral in the 15th century.

"But then the split got worse, they repented and returned." During the life of Patriarch Bartholomew, I do not think there are such chances, but as soon as he dies, I think everything will be normal, this is connected with his personality and with the political The context is known: his relationship with America was known, and in Turkey for decades he was holding back with the support of the American presidents. All that is happening is connected with great geopolitics, "Vigiliansky judged.

Recall that in January, Bartholomew will be 79 years old.

On September 14, an official statement was passed to the extraordinary Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow, in which it was said that in the event of the continuation of the "anticononical activity of the Constantinople Patriarchate in the territory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church" will be compelled "to break the Eucharistic communion.

At the same time, the Synod of the ROC decided to suspend co-ordination with the hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and to stop its participation in the structures where its representatives presided. And do not mention more of the Patriarch of Constantinople during the liturgy.

On Monday, October 15, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church recognized that its further stay in the Eucharistic communion with the Constantinople Patriarchate was impossible.

On October 11, following a meeting of the Synod, a decision was announced stating that the Ecumenical Patriarchate continues the procedure for granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church. In addition, the letter of the synod was revoked from 1686, after which the Kievan Metropolitanate fell under the jurisdiction of Moscow, the canonical status of the head of the UOC of Kyiv Patriarchate Filaret was restored.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow believes that the majority of Russians support his decision to break the eucharistic communication with the Constantinople Patriarchate through the Autocephalous UOC.

It is reported by Interfax.

"In order for such decisions to be supported by all the people - and now I feel that an absolute majority of Orthodox people supports these decisions, it is necessary that the clergy also work," said Patriarch Kirill, answering the questions of the participants of the VIII All-Church Congress on Social a ministry that ends on Friday in Moscow.

Cyril also said that "work in Ukraine" should continue.

"I very much hope that this is the case, but pastoral work on explaining the situation in Ukraine is very important," added the head of the Church.

Recall that on October 11, at a meeting of the Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, it was decided to continue the procedure for granting Tomos the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

More about why Russia lost the war for the church and destroyed the concept of the Third Rome, read in the story of "Apostrophe": The Kremlin is in despair: Ukraine won the most important battle - Hara.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український