Published in Inform issue #95
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Last week, the subject of gas overshadowed Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s two-day visit to Sweden – a country set to play a pivotal role in bringing Ukraine closer to the European Union (EU).

On Thursday, a tough-talking Russian President Dmitry Medvedev demanded Ukraine repay a $2.4 billion debt for natural gas imports. The figure was promptly disputed by Naftohaz Ukrainy – Ukraine’s state-run gas company – which contends the amount owing is $1.267 billion. According to Naftohaz, the payment is owed to intermediary company RosUkrEnergo (which is half-owned by Gazprom).

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During the presidential campaign, Vice President-elect Joe Biden famously suggested that an Obama administration would be tested internationally within its first six months. (1)  The McCain/Palin campaign quickly listed Ukraine as one potential test, with Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin ominously warning of an imminent Russian invasion of Crimea.  More seasoned pundits, however, suggested that one particular “test” could come when President Obama is forced to decide whether to continue the US push in favor of NATO entry for Ukraine – and to a lesser extent, Georgia.

But, given the lack of support for NATO entry among Ukraine’s voters (between 20-30 percent in most polls), it seems unlikely that this will be the first serious decision President-Elect Obama will need to make regarding Ukraine.  Instead, he likely will be faced with a much lower profile issue, but nevertheless one that clearly will signal the direction of the Obama administration’s “Ukraine policy.”

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Published in UNIAN

The prime ministers of Sweden and Ukraine Friday discussed Ukraine`s efforts to form closer ties with the European Union. Sweden hoped to see an association agreement in place between the 27-nation bloc and Ukraine during Sweden`s six-month presidency of the EU next year, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said.

Speaking at a joint news conference, Ukrainian Premier Yulia Tymoshenko said she expected a pending "strategic agreement" with Russia would resolve and "normalize" issues like gas supplies, the day after it was reported that Russia wanted Ukraine to repay a 2.4-billion-dollar gas debt.

Touching on bilateral ties, both premiers noted that trade between Sweden and Ukraine had increased in recent years.

Published in Kyiv Post

Ukraine will start talks regarding its accession to the European energy community, Deputy Prime Minister Hryhoriy Nemyria said at a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday.

He said that the talks would start on November 25 this year and should bring Ukrainian laws in line with energy laws of the European Union.

"Ukraine will be the first country to participate in the European neighborhood policy and launch these talks," Nemyria said.

He said that the European Commission had already received a mandate from the Council of Europe to hold such talks with Ukraine.

Published in Inform issue #94
See the full issue here.

In a move that surprised even seasoned analysts, the parliament of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada, voted to sack its Chairman (speaker) Arseniy Yatseniuk. Last Tuesday, some 233 registered lawmakers, out of 350 registered, voted in favour of a resolution to dismiss the popular speaker. The sacking was condemned by Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko who believes that President Viktor Yushchenko sanctioned the scheme. She described it as an attempt “to hammer the last nail into the democratic team of the Verkhovna Rada, to dash every hope of a revival of the democratic coalition.”

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By The Press Service of the Government of Ukraine

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko is participating in a session of the Council of Heads of governments of the Commonwealth of Independent States which takes place in the city of Kishinev (the Republic of Moldova).

The visit schedules for holding several bilateral meetings of Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko with Heads of CIS governments, in particular, of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation.

By The Press Service of the Government of Ukraine

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko met with the World Bank delegation.

During the meeting Yulia Tymoshenko thanked the World Bank representatives for cooperation with Ukraine and support of the infrastructure projects.

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US Embassy Press Release

The U.S. Government and the Government of Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 10, 2008. The signing of this MOU lays the foundation for the return of the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to Ukraine. William Taylor, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and Ukraine's Minister of Economy Bohdan Danylyshyn acted as the signing parties of this agreement.

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Published in Inform issue #93
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Ukraine will receive an initial loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of $4.5 billion. This follows confirmation last week that the IMF approved an overall package of $16.5 billion over two-years, to be paid back at 4 percent interest. The initial payment will be made in a matter of days and will help restore financial and economic stability and confidence in Ukraine’s banking sector.

Ukraine is not alone in seeking assistance. Last week the IMF approved a 17-month $15.7 billion stand-by facility for Hungary, with $6.3 billion being made available as an initial payment.

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Published in ZIK
Bush-Yushchenko epoch over. Obama-Tymoshenko epoch in, says V. Polokhalo

B. Obama will not intensify the stand-off involving USA, Ukraine and Russia, and Ukraine will never be used as a red cloth to wave it in front of the Moscow bull, Volodymyr Polokhalo from BYUT told in an interview with RosBalt. Obama will pursue a more flexible policy towards the Kremlin, although the rivalry between the two superpowers will remain tense, Polokhalo’s Nov. 6 press service release says.

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Published in UNIAN

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko has congratulated Barack Obama on his victory in U.S. the presidential election, according to the government's press-office.

In her telegram to Barack Obama, Yulia Tymoshenko noted that "Your victory inspires us. Things that seemed impossible become feasible".

The Prime Minister of Ukraine is confident that the leadership and inspiration of the new President of the United States of America will change the world for better. "You assume this presidential office in hard times for the whole world but Your gift for leadership, I am sure, is that what is needed now," Yulia Tymoshenko's telegram reads.

Published in Inform issue #92
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Ukraine’s parliamentary lawmakers have passed vital legislation that secures a $16.5 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The bill, which passed its first reading on Wednesday, was pushed through on Friday with the backing of 243 lawmakers and none against.

"I consider it a great success for Ukraine, that at such an important moment we were able to do this,” said Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko whose eponymous bloc supported the president’s anti-crisis bill. “This provides added security for our banks and will enable us to address wider economic issues with confidence.”

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