The disappearance of a symbol of the revolution comes as President Poroshenko's approval rating crumbles
When revolutionaries stormed the mansion of Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych one year ago, a few of them ran up the winding staircase to the master bathroom, expecting to find the golden toilet that was rumored to be in the house. Instead, as they rifled through the gaudy rooms that day, they found something better, or at least more bizarre: a golden loaf of bread, weighing about two kilograms, that a prominent businessman had given the President as a gift in an elaborate wooden box.
Of all the pieces of cartoonish opulence found on the palace grounds – including a stuffed lion, a golf course, a private zoo and a floating restaurant in the shape of a pirate ship – the golden loaf became the most famous token of the corruption that fueled the rebellion. In the months that followed, key chains and refrigerator magnets of the loaf were sold on Kiev’s Independent Square as mementoes of the revolution and its promise to make politicians stop stealing from the people. But on Tuesday, March 17, its symbolism came full circle when Ukraine’s new government announced that the loaf had itself been stolen.
“It turns out that the location of the famous golden loaf is unknown,” said Dmitri Dobrodomov, chairman of the committee in charge of combating corruption in Ukraine’s post-revolutionary parliament. “In essence, it was stolen. The question is: by whom?” said the lawmaker, an ally of Ukraine’s new President Petro Poroshenko.
It was another embarrassing setback for Poroshenko’s government, which has struggled to keep the pledges of the revolution over the past year as Ukraine fights a war with Russia’s proxy militias in its eastern regions. “With one hand we’re firing back at the aggressor, with the other we’re speeding up reforms,” Poroshenko said in a speech last month, on the one-year anniversary of the uprising that brought him to power. “Once we stop the war,” Poroshenko assured the nation, “it’ll just take a few years before everyone notices how Ukraine is changing.”
But Ukrainians are getting impatient. At the start of February, Poroshenko’s approval ratings dropped below 50% for the first time since he took office in June, according to a nationwide poll conducted by the Research & Branding Group, a leading Ukrainian pollster. More alarming for his government, nearly half of respondents in the survey (46%) said the revolution had failed to meet its goals of uprooting corruption. One in five said they were prepared to take part in another uprising to finish the work of the last one. “This is an incredibly huge number,” says Evgeny Kopatko, the director of the polling agency. “It shows that the protest potential is still extremely high. People just don’t see the changes that they were expecting.”
Complete story at - Theft of Ukraine’s ‘Golden Loaf’ Reflects the Revolution’s Failings | TIME
Showing posts with label Corruption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Corruption. Show all posts
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
‘For Me It’s Cheaper To Bury Them Than To Stop Production At The Pit’.” | Ukraine solidarity campaign солідарність України кампанія
Notes: So this is what Ukraine got from it's "Revolution of Dignity." Not very dignified if you ask me... - A. Talka
Yefim Zvyagilsky, the Ukrainian parliamentarian and owner of the Zasiadko mine in Donetsk where an unknown number of miners have been killed in an explosion.
According to M.Volynets leader of Confederation of Independent Unions of Ukraine, there are currently identified only 21 of the 33 people killed.
The mine management adopts a practice – common in former Soviet countries, and reported e.g. in the case of a big explosion in a Siberian pit in 2011 – of sabotaging gas detectors, since each build-up of gas detected requires work to stop. It is reported thats: “Every miner at Zasiadko knows Zvyagilsky’s phrase, ‘for me it’s cheaper to bury them than to stop production at the pit’.”
Complete story at - ‘for me it’s cheaper to bury them than to stop production at the pit’.” | Ukraine solidarity campaign солідарність України кампанія
Yefim Zvyagilsky, the Ukrainian parliamentarian and owner of the Zasiadko mine in Donetsk where an unknown number of miners have been killed in an explosion.
According to M.Volynets leader of Confederation of Independent Unions of Ukraine, there are currently identified only 21 of the 33 people killed.
The mine management adopts a practice – common in former Soviet countries, and reported e.g. in the case of a big explosion in a Siberian pit in 2011 – of sabotaging gas detectors, since each build-up of gas detected requires work to stop. It is reported thats: “Every miner at Zasiadko knows Zvyagilsky’s phrase, ‘for me it’s cheaper to bury them than to stop production at the pit’.”
Complete story at - ‘for me it’s cheaper to bury them than to stop production at the pit’.” | Ukraine solidarity campaign солідарність України кампанія
Thursday, March 12, 2015
‘New IMF loan to Ukraine will go down the drain’ — RT Op-Edge
President Poroshenko’s government is far more corrupt and less efficient than the previous one, according to Martin Sieff, columnist for the Baltimore Post-Examiner. It’s like a black hole, the more money you pour in the less you will have, he added.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is to decide Wednesday whether to give a $17.5 billion bailout package to Ukraine. The Ukrainian parliament has already passed a series of austerity reforms to cut pensions and increase taxes in order to meet the creditors’ conditions, but more changes are going to be needed to gain this financial aid.
RT: About $4.6 billion in credit was extended to Ukraine in 2014, but its economic performance has scarcely improved. Does that mean the aid had no effect?
Martin Sieff: Pretty much yes, it does. It had the effect on keeping Ukraine afloat in the short-term. But this is an unconstitutional government in Ukraine which was really established by a violent coup in Kiev last year which has waged an aggressive war of repression against two secessionist provinces of its own country, which doesn’t have any real social contract with its own people. Its efforts to conscript large numbers of forces for the regular army have been met with peaceful but very clear resistance. This is a very weak disorganized government, it’s a black hole. The more money you pour in, the less effect you will have. You can keep it stable for a year or two but no longer than that.
RT: The IMF has agreed on a new $17.5 billion lifeline to Ukraine. Do you think that will be enough to stabilize the country's economy even if fully implemented?
MS: The aid went at least in theory to what it was supposed to, but no doubt there was a great deal of corruption. It’s ironic that the government of President Yanukovich was accused of corruption and incompetence. This government is far more corrupt than the previous government was and it’s infinitely more incompetent. So simply money leaches away, but the real problem is the lack of credibility of governance. This government is even purging its civil service of anyone remotely accused or suspected of being efficient and loyal to President Yanukovich and his predecessors. You cannot have an efficient and credible government under these circumstances.
Complete story at - ‘New IMF loan to Ukraine will go down the drain’ — RT Op-Edge
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is to decide Wednesday whether to give a $17.5 billion bailout package to Ukraine. The Ukrainian parliament has already passed a series of austerity reforms to cut pensions and increase taxes in order to meet the creditors’ conditions, but more changes are going to be needed to gain this financial aid.
RT: About $4.6 billion in credit was extended to Ukraine in 2014, but its economic performance has scarcely improved. Does that mean the aid had no effect?
Martin Sieff: Pretty much yes, it does. It had the effect on keeping Ukraine afloat in the short-term. But this is an unconstitutional government in Ukraine which was really established by a violent coup in Kiev last year which has waged an aggressive war of repression against two secessionist provinces of its own country, which doesn’t have any real social contract with its own people. Its efforts to conscript large numbers of forces for the regular army have been met with peaceful but very clear resistance. This is a very weak disorganized government, it’s a black hole. The more money you pour in, the less effect you will have. You can keep it stable for a year or two but no longer than that.
RT: The IMF has agreed on a new $17.5 billion lifeline to Ukraine. Do you think that will be enough to stabilize the country's economy even if fully implemented?
MS: The aid went at least in theory to what it was supposed to, but no doubt there was a great deal of corruption. It’s ironic that the government of President Yanukovich was accused of corruption and incompetence. This government is far more corrupt than the previous government was and it’s infinitely more incompetent. So simply money leaches away, but the real problem is the lack of credibility of governance. This government is even purging its civil service of anyone remotely accused or suspected of being efficient and loyal to President Yanukovich and his predecessors. You cannot have an efficient and credible government under these circumstances.
Complete story at - ‘New IMF loan to Ukraine will go down the drain’ — RT Op-Edge
Friday, March 6, 2015
Ukraine's President Poroshenko set to purchase 90 armored cars from his close business partner Oleg Gladkovskiy - Red Pill Times
Farcical and tragic, all rolled into one…this is America’s Ukraine adventure.
Now that US and EU taxpayers are on the hook to send some $40 billion to the oligarch, neo-nazi insane asylum that governs whatever is left of Ukraine, news is starting to filter out as to how the billions of dollars will be spent.
In what should come as no surprise to anyone with half a brain, Ukraine’s corrupt oligarchs are set to cash in big time from the billions of dollars in Western aid.
Western main stream media remains silent, as always…lest any American or European citizen suddenly realise that their hard earned tax dollars will be lining, the already full pockets, of Porky, Yats and Yarosh (to name just a few).
The Fort Russ blog reports…
The National Guard plans to buy 90 Bogdan Bars armored cars in the near future, according to the NG press service.
The Bars armored car will also enter the UAF competition for a light armored multi-purpose vehicle. The “Bogdan Motors” company which manufactures the Bars belongs to Oleg Gladkovskiy (earlier known as Oleg Svinarchuk), who is a business partner of Petro Poroshenko.
Moreover, one of the entities owning shares in Bogdan Motors is the Praim Essets Kepital which belongs to Petro Poroshenko.
Complete story at - War really is good business. Ukraine's President Poroshenko set to purchase 90 armored cars from his close business partner Oleg Gladkovskiy - Red Pill Times
Now that US and EU taxpayers are on the hook to send some $40 billion to the oligarch, neo-nazi insane asylum that governs whatever is left of Ukraine, news is starting to filter out as to how the billions of dollars will be spent.
In what should come as no surprise to anyone with half a brain, Ukraine’s corrupt oligarchs are set to cash in big time from the billions of dollars in Western aid.
Western main stream media remains silent, as always…lest any American or European citizen suddenly realise that their hard earned tax dollars will be lining, the already full pockets, of Porky, Yats and Yarosh (to name just a few).
The Fort Russ blog reports…
The National Guard plans to buy 90 Bogdan Bars armored cars in the near future, according to the NG press service.
The Bars armored car will also enter the UAF competition for a light armored multi-purpose vehicle. The “Bogdan Motors” company which manufactures the Bars belongs to Oleg Gladkovskiy (earlier known as Oleg Svinarchuk), who is a business partner of Petro Poroshenko.
Moreover, one of the entities owning shares in Bogdan Motors is the Praim Essets Kepital which belongs to Petro Poroshenko.
Complete story at - War really is good business. Ukraine's President Poroshenko set to purchase 90 armored cars from his close business partner Oleg Gladkovskiy - Red Pill Times
Friday, February 27, 2015
"We are losing"--Maidan die-hard toys with the idea of military dictatorship - Fort Russ
By Yuriy Kasyanov
Translated from Russian by J.Hawk
Let’s speak openly. We are losing the war. The string of battlefield defeats, punctuated by the so-called “peace agreements” demonstrates the political powerlessness of the government and the total inadequacy of the military high command. Let’s count. The agreement to let Girkin [a.k.a. Strelkov] from Slavyansk, the destruction of our forces in the border sector D, Ilovaysk, the retreat from Lugansk airport, the loss of Novoazovsk, 32nd and 32st checkpoints, the defeat at Donetsk Airport, Debaltsevo…It’s a far from complete list of our failures. The list of victorious lies is even longer: we tend to call our defeats victories, and to blame the Kremlin for all the failures. If the retreat cannot be prevented then it has to be renamed, by calling it a “planned withdrawal” with subsequent military decorations and commemorative photos. The treacherous Putin can serve as an alibi personal cowardice and incompetence. Our losses are under-reported by a wide margin. We are short of equipment, artillery ammunition is nearly all gone; we can’t expect military aid from the glorious Western democracies. We can see the specter of total military catastrophe, the loss of even greater territories, an economic collapse, and the break-up of the state system of governance.
We are losing. We are losing because we are fighting an enemy which we do not want to defeat. The enemy is not the homegrown separatists, not Russian occupiers, and not even the entire “Russian world” of Putin. We are our own enemy number one: our cowardly short-sighted leaders and clumsy commanders; our new/old Rada, incapable of accepting the responsibility for the country; the mindless corruption which had become a part of our lives; our serf worldview which expects favors from a good master.
We do have enlightened minds, clean hands, and burning hearts. Nearly all of them are at the front. In general brains work better at war; life becomes more understandable and people show their true nature. Here you are valued by your deeds and not by your words; no rank, expensive equipment, or fashionable assault rifle are worth anything if the person is a craven coward. Here they fight well enough, to the extent that our GenStaff does not interfere; they consider each peace agreement the prelude to an even bigger war, and they know what needs to be done for that victory.
It’s different behind the front. Some are praying for the president, others curse him. While cursing, they find themselves a new icon on the blue screen, and pray to it. Behind the front, people put their hopes in the West, sanctions, and military aid. They consider all volunteers heroes, and the prominent battalion commanders Napoleons. Behind the front they don’t want to fight and don’t like bad news. In the battle between the truth about the war and the TV, the latter wins. When the reality of war penetrates mass consciousness, the citizens fall into cognitive dissonance with the propaganda inculcated earlier. It may end with a blind rebellion—an assault on the presidential administration, a siege of the GenStaff, the burning of the Rada, or the destruction of other foundations of the state which would only make our northern neighbor happy.
Complete story at - "We are losing"--Maidan die-hard toys with the idea of military dictatorship - Fort Russ
Translated from Russian by J.Hawk
Let’s speak openly. We are losing the war. The string of battlefield defeats, punctuated by the so-called “peace agreements” demonstrates the political powerlessness of the government and the total inadequacy of the military high command. Let’s count. The agreement to let Girkin [a.k.a. Strelkov] from Slavyansk, the destruction of our forces in the border sector D, Ilovaysk, the retreat from Lugansk airport, the loss of Novoazovsk, 32nd and 32st checkpoints, the defeat at Donetsk Airport, Debaltsevo…It’s a far from complete list of our failures. The list of victorious lies is even longer: we tend to call our defeats victories, and to blame the Kremlin for all the failures. If the retreat cannot be prevented then it has to be renamed, by calling it a “planned withdrawal” with subsequent military decorations and commemorative photos. The treacherous Putin can serve as an alibi personal cowardice and incompetence. Our losses are under-reported by a wide margin. We are short of equipment, artillery ammunition is nearly all gone; we can’t expect military aid from the glorious Western democracies. We can see the specter of total military catastrophe, the loss of even greater territories, an economic collapse, and the break-up of the state system of governance.
We are losing. We are losing because we are fighting an enemy which we do not want to defeat. The enemy is not the homegrown separatists, not Russian occupiers, and not even the entire “Russian world” of Putin. We are our own enemy number one: our cowardly short-sighted leaders and clumsy commanders; our new/old Rada, incapable of accepting the responsibility for the country; the mindless corruption which had become a part of our lives; our serf worldview which expects favors from a good master.
We do have enlightened minds, clean hands, and burning hearts. Nearly all of them are at the front. In general brains work better at war; life becomes more understandable and people show their true nature. Here you are valued by your deeds and not by your words; no rank, expensive equipment, or fashionable assault rifle are worth anything if the person is a craven coward. Here they fight well enough, to the extent that our GenStaff does not interfere; they consider each peace agreement the prelude to an even bigger war, and they know what needs to be done for that victory.
It’s different behind the front. Some are praying for the president, others curse him. While cursing, they find themselves a new icon on the blue screen, and pray to it. Behind the front, people put their hopes in the West, sanctions, and military aid. They consider all volunteers heroes, and the prominent battalion commanders Napoleons. Behind the front they don’t want to fight and don’t like bad news. In the battle between the truth about the war and the TV, the latter wins. When the reality of war penetrates mass consciousness, the citizens fall into cognitive dissonance with the propaganda inculcated earlier. It may end with a blind rebellion—an assault on the presidential administration, a siege of the GenStaff, the burning of the Rada, or the destruction of other foundations of the state which would only make our northern neighbor happy.
Complete story at - "We are losing"--Maidan die-hard toys with the idea of military dictatorship - Fort Russ
Monday, February 23, 2015
Poroshenko’s decision not to sell his Ukrainian confectionary corporation comes back to bite him
Amid a war going badly and a flailing economy, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will have more bad news to deal with next week when he finds his confectionary empire challenged in the courts by a British architecture firm. Despite an election campaign pledge made almost a year ago to sell Roshen, the billionaire president has hung on to the company.
Poroshenko has spent much of the last dear ducking that promise by claiming it's difficult to sell Roshen, but the company managed to multiply its profits nine times in 2014, reaping in $34.8 million, even as Ukraine's economy crumbles. Poroshenko himself was estimated by Forbes to be worth $1.3 billion in 2014.
However, those financial gains could come at a political price.
Now British architect Philip Hudson and his firm D'Estate, also known as Jones East 8, are suing Roshen to the tune of $140,000 plus costs. The company's hitherto untarnished reputation is about to come under the microscope, dragging the man that built it along for the ride.
D'Estate accuse Roshen of refusing to pay for 40 percent of their designs, later used by the chocolate manufacturer to build a milk-processing plant in the city of Vinnytsya. And in doing so, Hudson says that the Roshen president and nine percent owner Vyacheslav Moskalevskiy told him the company believes in “mafia management."
“We did a good job for them, and they just decided not to pay us, because they feel they're bigger and stronger than us," said an exasperated Hudson. “It was a case of might and not right."
The architects are now demanding not only the outstanding payment for their drawings plus interest, but also a payment for violating their authorship rights by building their design and changing it.
Complete story at - Poroshenko’s decision not to sell his Ukrainian confectionary corporation comes back to bite him
Poroshenko has spent much of the last dear ducking that promise by claiming it's difficult to sell Roshen, but the company managed to multiply its profits nine times in 2014, reaping in $34.8 million, even as Ukraine's economy crumbles. Poroshenko himself was estimated by Forbes to be worth $1.3 billion in 2014.
However, those financial gains could come at a political price.
Now British architect Philip Hudson and his firm D'Estate, also known as Jones East 8, are suing Roshen to the tune of $140,000 plus costs. The company's hitherto untarnished reputation is about to come under the microscope, dragging the man that built it along for the ride.
D'Estate accuse Roshen of refusing to pay for 40 percent of their designs, later used by the chocolate manufacturer to build a milk-processing plant in the city of Vinnytsya. And in doing so, Hudson says that the Roshen president and nine percent owner Vyacheslav Moskalevskiy told him the company believes in “mafia management."
“We did a good job for them, and they just decided not to pay us, because they feel they're bigger and stronger than us," said an exasperated Hudson. “It was a case of might and not right."
The architects are now demanding not only the outstanding payment for their drawings plus interest, but also a payment for violating their authorship rights by building their design and changing it.
Complete story at - Poroshenko’s decision not to sell his Ukrainian confectionary corporation comes back to bite him
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Ukraine Sells Off British Armored Vehicles It Just Received - Fort Russ
By Alex Leshy
Translated from Russian by J.Hawk
The proof is for all here to see. As soon as Kiev received the British AT105 Saxon armored personnel carriers, it promptly put them on sale. I don’t know what business is located at the Borispol Street 9 in Kiev, Ukraine, that’s indicated on the web site. But if it is to be believed, it offers for sale something remarkable, namely a Saxon AT105 tactical police vehicle. If need be, the firm is willing to repaint the vehicle according to the wishes of the purchaser.
No, Ukraine will never be a great power. Granted, the Saxon is a piece of junk. But at a time when a boarded-up truck is considered an armored vehicle at the front, even these wheeled coffins might be of some use. Of how much use, that is another question. But when you on the one hand plead for military assistance all around the world, and on the other you put it up for sale as soon as you receive some is, undeniably, the stuff of which empires are made of. Yes.
J.Hawk’s Comment: Lenin famously said that the “capitalists will sell us the rope to hang them with,” and judging by the goings-on in the Ukraine, capitalism seems to be alive and well there! The Saxons were, interestingly enough, purchased by the Yanukovych government from a private British arms dealer, not the UK government. Still, they are in working order, and they do have certain usefulness, even though their combat qualities are negligible. But yes, this is a prime example of the epic, almost supernatural, Ukrainian corruption which will bring the current “Ukraine project” to a very tragic end. Western governments no doubt have few illusions as to what would happen to whatever assistance, lethal or non-lethal, they sent to Kiev.
Complete story at - Ukraine Sells Off British Armored Vehicles It Just Received - Fort Russ
Translated from Russian by J.Hawk
The proof is for all here to see. As soon as Kiev received the British AT105 Saxon armored personnel carriers, it promptly put them on sale. I don’t know what business is located at the Borispol Street 9 in Kiev, Ukraine, that’s indicated on the web site. But if it is to be believed, it offers for sale something remarkable, namely a Saxon AT105 tactical police vehicle. If need be, the firm is willing to repaint the vehicle according to the wishes of the purchaser.
No, Ukraine will never be a great power. Granted, the Saxon is a piece of junk. But at a time when a boarded-up truck is considered an armored vehicle at the front, even these wheeled coffins might be of some use. Of how much use, that is another question. But when you on the one hand plead for military assistance all around the world, and on the other you put it up for sale as soon as you receive some is, undeniably, the stuff of which empires are made of. Yes.
J.Hawk’s Comment: Lenin famously said that the “capitalists will sell us the rope to hang them with,” and judging by the goings-on in the Ukraine, capitalism seems to be alive and well there! The Saxons were, interestingly enough, purchased by the Yanukovych government from a private British arms dealer, not the UK government. Still, they are in working order, and they do have certain usefulness, even though their combat qualities are negligible. But yes, this is a prime example of the epic, almost supernatural, Ukrainian corruption which will bring the current “Ukraine project” to a very tragic end. Western governments no doubt have few illusions as to what would happen to whatever assistance, lethal or non-lethal, they sent to Kiev.
Complete story at - Ukraine Sells Off British Armored Vehicles It Just Received - Fort Russ
Friday, February 6, 2015
Healthcare Reflects Ukraine's Ranking As Most Corrupt European Country / Sputnik International
Transparency International published an annual Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking Ukraine at the bottom-five among Eastern European and Central Asian states, and lowest in Europe.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — In a series of interviews with healthcare system employees, the Guardian revealed Wednesday the all-encompassing extent of graft in Ukraine, ranked by Transparency International as last year's most corrupt nation in Europe.
"We have total corruption — it couldn't be more total. Cleaners don't clean if you don't give them money; ministers won't govern if you don't give them money," Andrei Semivolos, a National Cancer Institute surgeon, was quoted as saying.
On December 2, Transparency International published an annual Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking Ukraine at the bottom-five among Eastern European and Central Asian states, and lowest in Europe. The global index ranks countries based on opinion surveys and the perception of corruption levels by experts.
Foreign funding, including loans from the United States and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has highlighted Ukraine's frustrated attempts to resuscitate its economy, continually on the verge of default from internal military and political crises.
A poll conducted on behalf of Sputnik found in December 2014 that over half of EU citizens did not support providing additional financial assistance to the current government in Kiev, citing excessive levels of corruption.
"It's right that the west doesn't want to give us money, that they say we're not fighting against corruption. There isn't a fight against corruption," the publication quoted Ukraine's former Health Minister, Oleg Musy, as saying.
Complete story at - Healthcare Reflects Ukraine's Ranking As Most Corrupt European Country / Sputnik International
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — In a series of interviews with healthcare system employees, the Guardian revealed Wednesday the all-encompassing extent of graft in Ukraine, ranked by Transparency International as last year's most corrupt nation in Europe.
"We have total corruption — it couldn't be more total. Cleaners don't clean if you don't give them money; ministers won't govern if you don't give them money," Andrei Semivolos, a National Cancer Institute surgeon, was quoted as saying.
On December 2, Transparency International published an annual Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking Ukraine at the bottom-five among Eastern European and Central Asian states, and lowest in Europe. The global index ranks countries based on opinion surveys and the perception of corruption levels by experts.
Foreign funding, including loans from the United States and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has highlighted Ukraine's frustrated attempts to resuscitate its economy, continually on the verge of default from internal military and political crises.
A poll conducted on behalf of Sputnik found in December 2014 that over half of EU citizens did not support providing additional financial assistance to the current government in Kiev, citing excessive levels of corruption.
"It's right that the west doesn't want to give us money, that they say we're not fighting against corruption. There isn't a fight against corruption," the publication quoted Ukraine's former Health Minister, Oleg Musy, as saying.
Complete story at - Healthcare Reflects Ukraine's Ranking As Most Corrupt European Country / Sputnik International
Friday, January 16, 2015
Verkhovna Rada declares war on Kolomoyskiy | Ukraina.ru
The Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada has passed a bill stripping notorious business oligarch Ihor Kolomoyskiy of control over Ukrnafta, a leading national oil and gas company
Although the Ukrainian state had a majority stake (50 percent plus one vote) in the company, old legislation stipulated a 60 percent quorum for decision-making purposes. Kolomoyskiy who had a 42 percent stake in Ukrnafta was able to block any decision of the shareholders’ board.
Mustafa Nayem, a member of the ruling Petro Poroshenko bloc, called this decision revolutionary.
"A small revolution has taken place, with the parliament passing a law on reducing the quorum at general shareholders’ meeting from 60 percent plus one vote to 50 percent plus one vote. This drastically alters relations between the state and private capital at state-owned companies and ends the scheming of minority shareholders," Nayem wrote on his Facebook account.
He noted that shareholding companies with state capital would have to comply with the law immediately after it is signed, and that private companies would have to do the same starting with January 1, 2016.
The bill was initiated by MP Oleh Lyashko, who has been fighting Kolomoyskiy for about six months. Surprisingly, Lyashko was supported by the Petro Poroshenko bloc and some members of Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s parliamentary party.
Complete story at - Verkhovna Rada declares war on Kolomoyskiy | Ukraina.ru
Although the Ukrainian state had a majority stake (50 percent plus one vote) in the company, old legislation stipulated a 60 percent quorum for decision-making purposes. Kolomoyskiy who had a 42 percent stake in Ukrnafta was able to block any decision of the shareholders’ board.
Mustafa Nayem, a member of the ruling Petro Poroshenko bloc, called this decision revolutionary.
"A small revolution has taken place, with the parliament passing a law on reducing the quorum at general shareholders’ meeting from 60 percent plus one vote to 50 percent plus one vote. This drastically alters relations between the state and private capital at state-owned companies and ends the scheming of minority shareholders," Nayem wrote on his Facebook account.
He noted that shareholding companies with state capital would have to comply with the law immediately after it is signed, and that private companies would have to do the same starting with January 1, 2016.
The bill was initiated by MP Oleh Lyashko, who has been fighting Kolomoyskiy for about six months. Surprisingly, Lyashko was supported by the Petro Poroshenko bloc and some members of Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s parliamentary party.
Complete story at - Verkhovna Rada declares war on Kolomoyskiy | Ukraina.ru
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Tymoshenko calls published Ukrainian budget a falsification | Ukraina.ru
Yulia Tymoshenko is trying to divide the ruling parliamentary coalition
On December 29, the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada passed the 2015 state budget, but the complete text was published two weeks later, on January 12, 2015. That same day, two members of the ruling coalition called it a falsification.
"The published version of the budget and tax laws are different from those voted by members of parliament," Yulia Tymoshenko said at a meeting of the coordination board.
She claims the clause about raising minimal salaries and pensions from July 1 and on transferring medication purchase funding to local budgets have been omitted from the text. Verkhovna Rada Speaker Volodymyr Groysman said the published text fully reflects all the transcripts and adopted decisions. However, MP Oleh Lyashko has refuted this statement.
"We have reached in-house agreements on indexing pensions, salaries and social benefits twice a year, that is, on July 1 and December 1. The published law says nothing about indexation starting with July 1 and is a blatant falsification," Lyashko said.
Complete story at - Tymoshenko calls published Ukrainian budget a falsification | Ukraina.ru
On December 29, the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada passed the 2015 state budget, but the complete text was published two weeks later, on January 12, 2015. That same day, two members of the ruling coalition called it a falsification.
"The published version of the budget and tax laws are different from those voted by members of parliament," Yulia Tymoshenko said at a meeting of the coordination board.
She claims the clause about raising minimal salaries and pensions from July 1 and on transferring medication purchase funding to local budgets have been omitted from the text. Verkhovna Rada Speaker Volodymyr Groysman said the published text fully reflects all the transcripts and adopted decisions. However, MP Oleh Lyashko has refuted this statement.
"We have reached in-house agreements on indexing pensions, salaries and social benefits twice a year, that is, on July 1 and December 1. The published law says nothing about indexation starting with July 1 and is a blatant falsification," Lyashko said.
Complete story at - Tymoshenko calls published Ukrainian budget a falsification | Ukraina.ru
Parliament member recommends that Yatsenyuk ride a donkey | Ukraina.ru
Serhiy Kaplin, a member of the Petro Poroshenko bloc in the Verkhovna Rada, has recommended that Aresniy Yatsenyuk change his ride
The deputy was enraged by the fact that the Ukrainian prime minister changed the tires on his service Mercedes with government money at an obviously inflated rate. Meanwhile, the wealth of most Ukrainian citizens is vanishing every day. In some regions, people are even starving.
"You should ride a donkey while the country is going through such a crisis," the parliament member told Yatsenyuk.
The state paid over $10,400 for the snow tires. Kaplin claims Yatsenyuk is no better in his spending habits than the unpopular ex-prime minister Mykola Azarov.
"Just recently, Yatsenyuk bought winter tires for his Mercedes that used to belong to Azarov. One tire cost $2,655. It is a cold shot for the entire country where regular people can’t even afford to change their tires and have to use summer tires. And he did that on government money," Kaplin said on Ukrainian TV.
The deputy believes all government officials must reduce their expenses during such difficult times, including government members, judges, prosecutors and their assistants. Also, the government should be more careful with its ministerial expenses.
Complete story at - Parliament member recommends that Yatsenyuk ride a donkey | Ukraina.ru
The deputy was enraged by the fact that the Ukrainian prime minister changed the tires on his service Mercedes with government money at an obviously inflated rate. Meanwhile, the wealth of most Ukrainian citizens is vanishing every day. In some regions, people are even starving.
"You should ride a donkey while the country is going through such a crisis," the parliament member told Yatsenyuk.
The state paid over $10,400 for the snow tires. Kaplin claims Yatsenyuk is no better in his spending habits than the unpopular ex-prime minister Mykola Azarov.
"Just recently, Yatsenyuk bought winter tires for his Mercedes that used to belong to Azarov. One tire cost $2,655. It is a cold shot for the entire country where regular people can’t even afford to change their tires and have to use summer tires. And he did that on government money," Kaplin said on Ukrainian TV.
The deputy believes all government officials must reduce their expenses during such difficult times, including government members, judges, prosecutors and their assistants. Also, the government should be more careful with its ministerial expenses.
Complete story at - Parliament member recommends that Yatsenyuk ride a donkey | Ukraina.ru
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Yatsenyuk proposes renting Cabinet building to Hilton Hotels | Ukraina.ru
Talk notes: This is the next logical step it seems. Unlike the USA, where only the Senators and Representative are all for sale, Ukraine wants to sell off government buildings as well. And then move to more suitable surroundings. Like an "upscale hotel."
Yatsenyuk proposes renting Cabinet building to Hilton Hotels
One of the top priorities of the Yatsenyuk-led government should be relocating to another building.
The initiative belongs to the Kiev-based Novoye Vremya weekly. According to the newspaper, none of the people who have joined the new government likes working in the present Soviet-era Cabinet building.
"All who have been inside the buildings of the Cabinet and the presidential administration acknowledge that it looks incredibly Soviet. The portraits of Soviet leaders in gilded frames on the walls, long empty corridors with roll-carpeted floors like in a train compartment, enormous studies and desks with many telephones that do not have dials on them," the newspaper writes, adding that it all was too archaic.
It advises the government to relocate from its present headquarters on Hrushevskoho Street to an upscale hotel.
"Government officials should leave their pagan pre-Christian studies with portraits of deities and chairs in Louis XIV style and move to a business center with convenient working places and carpet flooring. As for the old building in Stalin Empire style, it could be offered to Hilton or Marriott," the newspaper suggests.
Earlier, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk warned that Ukraine’s 2015 budget would be tough and complicated with across-the-board spending cuts (including salaries, social welfare, pensions, etc.). "In 2015, our goal is to survive," Yatsenyuk said.
Complete story at - Yatsenyuk proposes renting Cabinet building to Hilton Hotels | Ukraina.ru
Yatsenyuk proposes renting Cabinet building to Hilton Hotels
One of the top priorities of the Yatsenyuk-led government should be relocating to another building.
The initiative belongs to the Kiev-based Novoye Vremya weekly. According to the newspaper, none of the people who have joined the new government likes working in the present Soviet-era Cabinet building.
"All who have been inside the buildings of the Cabinet and the presidential administration acknowledge that it looks incredibly Soviet. The portraits of Soviet leaders in gilded frames on the walls, long empty corridors with roll-carpeted floors like in a train compartment, enormous studies and desks with many telephones that do not have dials on them," the newspaper writes, adding that it all was too archaic.
It advises the government to relocate from its present headquarters on Hrushevskoho Street to an upscale hotel.
"Government officials should leave their pagan pre-Christian studies with portraits of deities and chairs in Louis XIV style and move to a business center with convenient working places and carpet flooring. As for the old building in Stalin Empire style, it could be offered to Hilton or Marriott," the newspaper suggests.
Earlier, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk warned that Ukraine’s 2015 budget would be tough and complicated with across-the-board spending cuts (including salaries, social welfare, pensions, etc.). "In 2015, our goal is to survive," Yatsenyuk said.
Complete story at - Yatsenyuk proposes renting Cabinet building to Hilton Hotels | Ukraina.ru
Friday, January 9, 2015
Ukraine Says $450 Million Was Stolen from Its Military in 2014 - Washington's Blog
President’s Aide Says Far Right Refuses to Obey the President
Eric Zuesse
Yury Biryukov, an aide to Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko, said on January 6th that during the year 2014, up to $450 million was stolen from Ukraine’s military. This amount happens to be precisely the same maximum amount of money that the U.S. Government, in legislation that was supported by more than 98% of U.S. Senators and Representatives and that was signed into law by U.S. President Barack Obama on December 18th, will donate to Ukraine’s military for this year, 2015. Biryukov, who spoke on Ukraine’s Channel 5 TV (which had formerly been owned by Poroshenko), said that the amount stolen in 2014 constituted “about 20 to 25 percent” of Ukraine’s military budget for 2014, which was a total of $1.8 billion. During 2015, that budget is scheduled to be $3.2 billion (in constant dollars), or a 78% increase, in order for the Government to prosecute its war against the Donbass region, where the residents had voted 90% for President Viktor Yanukovych, whom the Obama Administration overthrew in February 2014 in a coup that was disguised as being the result of popular demonstrations for democracy but were actually anti-corruption demonstrations — and corruption now is even higher than it was under President Yanukovych. Indeed, Biryakov admitted that in the Ministry of Defense there is now “total corruption.”
However, this phrase might also be applied to the entire Government; for example, recently ‘gold’ bars in a Ukrainian Central Bank vault in Odessa were found to be actually lead bars covered with gold-colored paint. Prior to the discovery that these gold bars were fakes, the Ukrainian Central Bank had said on November 14th that it cannot account for why Ukraine’s gold reserves were only $123.6 million, when what was alleged to be there was supposedly instead $988.7 million. Now that some of those bars are known to be fakes, even the $123.6 million must have been an overestimate. At the time of the overthrow on February 22nd, there was $1.8 billion of gold in Ukraine’s Central Bank main vault, in Kiev. On March 7th at 2 a.m., $1.8 billion of gold was observed being loaded onto a plane at Borosipol Airport near Kiev and was allegedly being sent to the U.S. Federal Reserve basement at Wall Street (33 Liberty Street), but the Ukrainian Central Bank has never confirmed this, and the U.S. Federal Reserve also hasn’t. All that’s known is that Ukraine’s Central Bank now cannot demonstrate that it has any gold, though until the coup last February, it had $1.8 billion in gold.
Clearly, the “total corruption” goes beyond merely Ukraine’s military.
Biryukov also said that Ukraine’s Right Sector, which is a nazi organization that has contributed enormously to the Government’s war-effort and provided troops against the residents in the Donbass region, is refusing to obey President Poroshenko, and Biryukov charged that they insist upon their independence from his Government. Biryukov went on: “The armed forces mean first of all discipline, order and the subordination and command system. And when a patriotic union wants to be sort of a legal, but at the same time autonomous, unit, which subordinates to nobody, this is pure fiction.” However, he could not deny that this same “fiction” has been terrifically effective at slaughtering the people who live in Donbass, nor that its fighters had overthrown the former President, Yanukovych, in February, in a coup that Poroshenko acknowledged at the time to have been a coup.
So, President Poroshenko is heavily indebted to Right Sector, and dependent upon it, as the Right Sector’s chief has constantly stated in public.
Complete story at - Ukraine Says $450 Million Was Stolen from Its Military in 2014 Washington's Blog
Eric Zuesse
Yury Biryukov, an aide to Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko, said on January 6th that during the year 2014, up to $450 million was stolen from Ukraine’s military. This amount happens to be precisely the same maximum amount of money that the U.S. Government, in legislation that was supported by more than 98% of U.S. Senators and Representatives and that was signed into law by U.S. President Barack Obama on December 18th, will donate to Ukraine’s military for this year, 2015. Biryukov, who spoke on Ukraine’s Channel 5 TV (which had formerly been owned by Poroshenko), said that the amount stolen in 2014 constituted “about 20 to 25 percent” of Ukraine’s military budget for 2014, which was a total of $1.8 billion. During 2015, that budget is scheduled to be $3.2 billion (in constant dollars), or a 78% increase, in order for the Government to prosecute its war against the Donbass region, where the residents had voted 90% for President Viktor Yanukovych, whom the Obama Administration overthrew in February 2014 in a coup that was disguised as being the result of popular demonstrations for democracy but were actually anti-corruption demonstrations — and corruption now is even higher than it was under President Yanukovych. Indeed, Biryakov admitted that in the Ministry of Defense there is now “total corruption.”
However, this phrase might also be applied to the entire Government; for example, recently ‘gold’ bars in a Ukrainian Central Bank vault in Odessa were found to be actually lead bars covered with gold-colored paint. Prior to the discovery that these gold bars were fakes, the Ukrainian Central Bank had said on November 14th that it cannot account for why Ukraine’s gold reserves were only $123.6 million, when what was alleged to be there was supposedly instead $988.7 million. Now that some of those bars are known to be fakes, even the $123.6 million must have been an overestimate. At the time of the overthrow on February 22nd, there was $1.8 billion of gold in Ukraine’s Central Bank main vault, in Kiev. On March 7th at 2 a.m., $1.8 billion of gold was observed being loaded onto a plane at Borosipol Airport near Kiev and was allegedly being sent to the U.S. Federal Reserve basement at Wall Street (33 Liberty Street), but the Ukrainian Central Bank has never confirmed this, and the U.S. Federal Reserve also hasn’t. All that’s known is that Ukraine’s Central Bank now cannot demonstrate that it has any gold, though until the coup last February, it had $1.8 billion in gold.
Clearly, the “total corruption” goes beyond merely Ukraine’s military.
Biryukov also said that Ukraine’s Right Sector, which is a nazi organization that has contributed enormously to the Government’s war-effort and provided troops against the residents in the Donbass region, is refusing to obey President Poroshenko, and Biryukov charged that they insist upon their independence from his Government. Biryukov went on: “The armed forces mean first of all discipline, order and the subordination and command system. And when a patriotic union wants to be sort of a legal, but at the same time autonomous, unit, which subordinates to nobody, this is pure fiction.” However, he could not deny that this same “fiction” has been terrifically effective at slaughtering the people who live in Donbass, nor that its fighters had overthrown the former President, Yanukovych, in February, in a coup that Poroshenko acknowledged at the time to have been a coup.
So, President Poroshenko is heavily indebted to Right Sector, and dependent upon it, as the Right Sector’s chief has constantly stated in public.
Complete story at - Ukraine Says $450 Million Was Stolen from Its Military in 2014 Washington's Blog
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Avakov gives a preview of road police reform
Talka says: The word on the street here is that the salary will be about 3500 hriven, equivalent to $220. A month. And as the value of the hriven continues to decrease, so will the equivalent dollar value decrease. I note here that the Kiev Post conveniently fails to mention anything about a salary, as if maybe just the honor of holding the position would be enough.
Ukraine's capital will get a new road patrol service sometime next spring, which will replace the post-Soviet road inspections, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced on his Facebook page on Dec. 24.
“We will have a new police patrol service. With new approaches, rules and new people. And hopefully, with your renewed trust,” the minister wrote.
He said that the Interior Ministry will start to recruit people to train to be new patrol officers for Kyiv on Jan. 20. He said selection will be competitive, and will be followed up with “three months of rigorous training and studies.” He said the final tests after the training program are expected to select 50 percent of applicants.
“So, in the spring we will get a new patrol police service in Kyiv. A service that – i think – will serve you, and you will respect,” he said.
The pilot project will then be extended to other cities and towns, he says.
Road police remains one of the most corrupt public services in Ukraine. Some 34 percent of drivers said they came across attempts to solicit bribes in four months starting in March this year, according to a recent poll conducted by Auro.ria, a specialized website for drivers.
Avakov said that the new road patrollers will be paid well to ensure that they are not tempted, and urged Ukrainians to consider applying.
“The road is open for all – the military and the police included - as well as students and specialists with diplomas,” he wrote. “So, accept new rules and change of priorities+ Smile! + Accept a new high salary, along with responsibility = you will be a new police patroller!”
Complete story at - Avakov gives a preview of road police reform
Ukraine's capital will get a new road patrol service sometime next spring, which will replace the post-Soviet road inspections, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced on his Facebook page on Dec. 24.
“We will have a new police patrol service. With new approaches, rules and new people. And hopefully, with your renewed trust,” the minister wrote.
He said that the Interior Ministry will start to recruit people to train to be new patrol officers for Kyiv on Jan. 20. He said selection will be competitive, and will be followed up with “three months of rigorous training and studies.” He said the final tests after the training program are expected to select 50 percent of applicants.
“So, in the spring we will get a new patrol police service in Kyiv. A service that – i think – will serve you, and you will respect,” he said.
The pilot project will then be extended to other cities and towns, he says.
Road police remains one of the most corrupt public services in Ukraine. Some 34 percent of drivers said they came across attempts to solicit bribes in four months starting in March this year, according to a recent poll conducted by Auro.ria, a specialized website for drivers.
Avakov said that the new road patrollers will be paid well to ensure that they are not tempted, and urged Ukrainians to consider applying.
“The road is open for all – the military and the police included - as well as students and specialists with diplomas,” he wrote. “So, accept new rules and change of priorities+ Smile! + Accept a new high salary, along with responsibility = you will be a new police patroller!”
Complete story at - Avakov gives a preview of road police reform
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
U.S. Taxpayers Now Alone in Financing Ukraine's Ethnic Cleansing Campaign - Washington's Blog
Eric Zuesse
The IMF has concluded that it was too optimistic when loaning Ukraine $17 billion at the end of April, and that the Ukrainian Government’s economic condition is far worse than the IMF expected, and also that the Government’s anti-corruption program is too weak to justify the planned loan-installments or “tranches” going to Ukraine. Therefore, “even providing the program of the next two tranches is open to question.”
However, this only confirms an earlier assessment, made public on October 28, about which Reuters headlined at the time, “Ukraine unlikely to receive IMF loan tranche this year: finance minister.” And this was already “after warning in September that if Ukraine’s conflict with the separatists runs into next year, the country may need as much as $19 billion in extra aid.” Ukraine has made clear that it will continue the war, and so the additional $19 billion will also need to be paid to Ukraine in order for its war against the “separatists” to continue.
This rejection comes as a severe disappointment to the Ukrainian Government, whose central bank chief said on November 16th, “I am still optimistic about us being able to do it [to receive the third tranche] this year.” Clearly, that expectation won’t be able to be met.
So, since Ukraine is nonetheless now gearing up, with American taxpayers’ money, to replace its weapons-supply that was used-up or destroyed in the war to-date, and also to build an immense new military graveyard for a planned 250,000 corpses of Ukrainian soldiers in the next and future rounds of invasions against the rebelling region in Ukraine’s (former) southeast, the IMF is basically quitting continued financing of that ethnic-cleansing campaign against the residents in that region. The EU has already quit funding it, other than a token half-billion-euro donation delivered on December 10th. Only the U.S. remains committed to funding it, by donating whatever weapons and military guidance are deemed necessary in order to conquer, and/or to expel, the pro-Russian residents in Ukraine’s former southeast. 98% of the U.S. House voted for it, and so did 100% of the U.S. Senate. At least 67% of the U.S. public are against it.
Complete story at - U.S. Taxpayers Now Alone in Financing Ukraine's Ethnic Cleansing Campaign Washington's Blog
The IMF has concluded that it was too optimistic when loaning Ukraine $17 billion at the end of April, and that the Ukrainian Government’s economic condition is far worse than the IMF expected, and also that the Government’s anti-corruption program is too weak to justify the planned loan-installments or “tranches” going to Ukraine. Therefore, “even providing the program of the next two tranches is open to question.”
However, this only confirms an earlier assessment, made public on October 28, about which Reuters headlined at the time, “Ukraine unlikely to receive IMF loan tranche this year: finance minister.” And this was already “after warning in September that if Ukraine’s conflict with the separatists runs into next year, the country may need as much as $19 billion in extra aid.” Ukraine has made clear that it will continue the war, and so the additional $19 billion will also need to be paid to Ukraine in order for its war against the “separatists” to continue.
This rejection comes as a severe disappointment to the Ukrainian Government, whose central bank chief said on November 16th, “I am still optimistic about us being able to do it [to receive the third tranche] this year.” Clearly, that expectation won’t be able to be met.
So, since Ukraine is nonetheless now gearing up, with American taxpayers’ money, to replace its weapons-supply that was used-up or destroyed in the war to-date, and also to build an immense new military graveyard for a planned 250,000 corpses of Ukrainian soldiers in the next and future rounds of invasions against the rebelling region in Ukraine’s (former) southeast, the IMF is basically quitting continued financing of that ethnic-cleansing campaign against the residents in that region. The EU has already quit funding it, other than a token half-billion-euro donation delivered on December 10th. Only the U.S. remains committed to funding it, by donating whatever weapons and military guidance are deemed necessary in order to conquer, and/or to expel, the pro-Russian residents in Ukraine’s former southeast. 98% of the U.S. House voted for it, and so did 100% of the U.S. Senate. At least 67% of the U.S. public are against it.
Complete story at - U.S. Taxpayers Now Alone in Financing Ukraine's Ethnic Cleansing Campaign Washington's Blog
Friday, December 12, 2014
Ukrainian MPs are surrounded with luxury | Ukraina.ru
Verkhovna Rada deputies throw money around, flinging away millions in public funds, while most Ukrainians are forced to tighten their belts and save
About 90 members of the Ukrainian parliament, including most commanders and members of the punishing battalions, do not have their own housing in Kiev. They stay at the government’s expense at the four-star Kiev Hotel in the center of the capital. The rooms at the hotel cost the Ukrainian budget 1,500 hryvnia (about $90) daily.
Andriy Teteruk, a deputy from the People’s Front party and commander of the Peacemaker battalion, said his neighbor at the hotel is Semyon Semenchenko. Another battalion commander, Yuri Bereza, is staying on the same floor. Teteruk said that he would not mind if lunch was also covered.
"The prices are extremely high, we are looking together for a place to eat which would correspond to our social status. It’s very expensive,” the newly elected deputy said.
Despite the budget deficit, the Ukrainian treasury will have to spend 1 million hryvnia monthly for the accommodation of deputies without housing in Kiev.
Complete story at - Ukrainian MPs are surrounded with luxury | Ukraina.ru
About 90 members of the Ukrainian parliament, including most commanders and members of the punishing battalions, do not have their own housing in Kiev. They stay at the government’s expense at the four-star Kiev Hotel in the center of the capital. The rooms at the hotel cost the Ukrainian budget 1,500 hryvnia (about $90) daily.
Andriy Teteruk, a deputy from the People’s Front party and commander of the Peacemaker battalion, said his neighbor at the hotel is Semyon Semenchenko. Another battalion commander, Yuri Bereza, is staying on the same floor. Teteruk said that he would not mind if lunch was also covered.
"The prices are extremely high, we are looking together for a place to eat which would correspond to our social status. It’s very expensive,” the newly elected deputy said.
Despite the budget deficit, the Ukrainian treasury will have to spend 1 million hryvnia monthly for the accommodation of deputies without housing in Kiev.
Complete story at - Ukrainian MPs are surrounded with luxury | Ukraina.ru
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Ukraine remains Europe's most corrupt country | Business New Europe
Ukraine remains Europe's most corrupt country, and one of the most corrupt countries in the world, according to the 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index compiled by international NGO Transparency International.
The rating shows almost no improvement with the situation before a revolution promising a crackdown on corruption was victorious in February 2014. Ukraine now takes 142th place out of 175 in the world, one up from 2013. "Despite the façade of change, Ukraine continues to tread water," said Oleksii Khmara, Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine.
According to Khmara, there has been "hardly noticeable progress in destruction of corruption schemes that remained after all the previous ruling regimes since Ukraine became independent," despite the ousting of former president Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014, who the opposition accused of corruption. Khmara noted that the post-Yanukovych government had adopted certain laws and declared reforms, but this was "not enough".
Following fresh elections on October 26, Ukraine's parliament voted in a new government on December 2 with an explicitly anti-corruption mandate. Three foreign experts were given ministerial posts in the new cabinet, in the hope that this will reduce corruption.
New health minister Aleksandr Kvitashvili, the former health minister of Georgia who took Ukrainian citizenship on December 2, promised "an entirely new system of state procurement for the government health service”, in comments to press following his appointment. New Lithuanian economy minister Aivaras Abromavicius said he would sack most of his ministry officials and that the government would proceed transparently in a European fashion.
But even on such a hopeful day, the spectre of corruption loomed over the government. A prominent Western journalist blogged that "over the period of the last 12 hours three people independent of each other have written to me to complain of corruption linked to [prime minister Arseny] Yatsenyuk, two of them were foreign investors, with considerable experience of the country."
Complete story at - Ukraine remains Europe's most corrupt country | Business New Europe
The rating shows almost no improvement with the situation before a revolution promising a crackdown on corruption was victorious in February 2014. Ukraine now takes 142th place out of 175 in the world, one up from 2013. "Despite the façade of change, Ukraine continues to tread water," said Oleksii Khmara, Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine.
According to Khmara, there has been "hardly noticeable progress in destruction of corruption schemes that remained after all the previous ruling regimes since Ukraine became independent," despite the ousting of former president Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014, who the opposition accused of corruption. Khmara noted that the post-Yanukovych government had adopted certain laws and declared reforms, but this was "not enough".
Following fresh elections on October 26, Ukraine's parliament voted in a new government on December 2 with an explicitly anti-corruption mandate. Three foreign experts were given ministerial posts in the new cabinet, in the hope that this will reduce corruption.
New health minister Aleksandr Kvitashvili, the former health minister of Georgia who took Ukrainian citizenship on December 2, promised "an entirely new system of state procurement for the government health service”, in comments to press following his appointment. New Lithuanian economy minister Aivaras Abromavicius said he would sack most of his ministry officials and that the government would proceed transparently in a European fashion.
But even on such a hopeful day, the spectre of corruption loomed over the government. A prominent Western journalist blogged that "over the period of the last 12 hours three people independent of each other have written to me to complain of corruption linked to [prime minister Arseny] Yatsenyuk, two of them were foreign investors, with considerable experience of the country."
Complete story at - Ukraine remains Europe's most corrupt country | Business New Europe
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Ukraine’s Next Energy Minister Will Be Bought and Paid For, As Usual
A month after Ukrainian general elections, there is still no new government, and elite power circles are playing a very dangerous game with the country’s most important ministry—energy.
It’s a game from which Ukraine will not recover for decades in the best-case scenario.
The past week has seen a flurry of media activity attempting to prepare Ukrainians for foreigners to take over key ministries, including the all-important Energy Ministry, but in this case it’s not going to happen—there is too much private interest at stake to allow a clean minister to take over.
International financial institutions (IFIs) would surely like to see someone in the Energy Ministry who is not—and cannot be—bought and controlled by any of the key ‘business elite’ who have put private interests above the country’s potential energy independence. The general sentiment is that this cannot be a Ukrainian. Even a Ukrainian figure who is not already beholden to one of a handful of business elite would never be able (even if willing) to withstand the pressure and would be bought and sold before closing day.
Complete story at - Ukraine’s Next Energy Minister Will Be Bought and Paid For, As Usual
It’s a game from which Ukraine will not recover for decades in the best-case scenario.
The past week has seen a flurry of media activity attempting to prepare Ukrainians for foreigners to take over key ministries, including the all-important Energy Ministry, but in this case it’s not going to happen—there is too much private interest at stake to allow a clean minister to take over.
International financial institutions (IFIs) would surely like to see someone in the Energy Ministry who is not—and cannot be—bought and controlled by any of the key ‘business elite’ who have put private interests above the country’s potential energy independence. The general sentiment is that this cannot be a Ukrainian. Even a Ukrainian figure who is not already beholden to one of a handful of business elite would never be able (even if willing) to withstand the pressure and would be bought and sold before closing day.
Complete story at - Ukraine’s Next Energy Minister Will Be Bought and Paid For, As Usual
Monday, December 8, 2014
Sorry, Europe, Kolomoisky gets a monopoly over Ukrainian skies - Fort Russ
The Ministry of Transport of Ukraine has developed a new set of regulations for airlines obtaining the rights to fly over Ukraine. The document was registered at the Ministry of Justice on November 18.
The essence of the new rules is the following. First, 50% of airlines conducting international flights, must be owned by citizens of Ukraine. Secondly, in order to obtain the right to operate international flights, the airline must first conduct domestic flights within Ukraine for a year.
But that's not it. Besides these conditions, an airline must first win a tender conducted by the Ministry of Transport. It will take into account such criteria as a number of flights performed during the last three years, the fleet size and the amount of taxes paid.
The Ministry of Transport argued that the new rules came from the best of intentions: to protect the interests of domestic airlines and develop internal air routes.
Technically the officials seem to be telling the truth - though not all. It's really about a protection of domestic business, but more precisely - very specific businessmen.
For example, in 2013, the share of domestic airlines in Ukraine accounted for 63.5%. Of that 49,8% belonged to "International Airlines of Ukraine," owned by the oligarch Igor Kolomoisky. Another 5,6% belonged to the airline "Roza Vetrov", which is also associated with Kolomoisky. He is also the owner of the airline "Dnepravia".
In other words, out of 63.5 percent of the market owned by domestic airlines, at least 55,4% is owned by Kolomoisky. And this therefore means that the protection of the interests of 'national carriers' is 80% protection of Kolomoisky's interest.
In addition, since 2014, the Ministry of Transport is headed by Denis Antonyuk, who previously worked for 11 years ... at "International Airlines of Ukraine" owned by Igor Kolomoisky. What an amazing coincidence!
Complete story at - Sorry, Europe, Kolomoisky gets a monopoly over Ukrainian skies - Fort Russ
The essence of the new rules is the following. First, 50% of airlines conducting international flights, must be owned by citizens of Ukraine. Secondly, in order to obtain the right to operate international flights, the airline must first conduct domestic flights within Ukraine for a year.
But that's not it. Besides these conditions, an airline must first win a tender conducted by the Ministry of Transport. It will take into account such criteria as a number of flights performed during the last three years, the fleet size and the amount of taxes paid.
The Ministry of Transport argued that the new rules came from the best of intentions: to protect the interests of domestic airlines and develop internal air routes.
Technically the officials seem to be telling the truth - though not all. It's really about a protection of domestic business, but more precisely - very specific businessmen.
For example, in 2013, the share of domestic airlines in Ukraine accounted for 63.5%. Of that 49,8% belonged to "International Airlines of Ukraine," owned by the oligarch Igor Kolomoisky. Another 5,6% belonged to the airline "Roza Vetrov", which is also associated with Kolomoisky. He is also the owner of the airline "Dnepravia".
In other words, out of 63.5 percent of the market owned by domestic airlines, at least 55,4% is owned by Kolomoisky. And this therefore means that the protection of the interests of 'national carriers' is 80% protection of Kolomoisky's interest.
In addition, since 2014, the Ministry of Transport is headed by Denis Antonyuk, who previously worked for 11 years ... at "International Airlines of Ukraine" owned by Igor Kolomoisky. What an amazing coincidence!
Complete story at - Sorry, Europe, Kolomoisky gets a monopoly over Ukrainian skies - Fort Russ
Friday, December 5, 2014
New parliament, old ways in Ukraine | Business New Europe
It should have been a great day in Ukraine's effort to transform itself into a modern liberal democracy in the EU mould. The freshly elected Ukrainian parliament held its first session on November 27, completing the process of political transition from the kleptocratic autocracy of Viktor Yanukovych to a transparent and democratically elected parliament filled with deputies chosen by the people. The session kicked off with a minute’s silence for those who died in the protests that ousted Yanukovych, followed by a rousing rendition of the national anthem and cries of "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!" – the slogans of the Euromaidan protests.
The trouble is that the transformation seems to be incomplete. The opening session was marred by a crowd of demonstrators in Kyiv's Independence Square, or Maidan, that reassembled for the day to protest against the 64 deputies taking their places in the chamber that were also part of the corrupt Yanukovych administration.
Ukraine passed a lustration law that legally precludes anyone that served in the Yanukovych government from holding public office – and then promptly ignored it in several dozen cases, as the normal business of political horse trading and compromising principles took over as soon as the new leadership felt their power was secure.
“[The 64 deputies] voted for dictatorship laws on January 16,” one of the protesters told TASS, referring to a set of repressive laws introduced by Yankovych's proxy Party of Regions in January that restricted freedom of speech and the right to assemble that were drawn up as a pretext to forcefully clear the Maidan of its thousands of pro-EU protestors. If anything, the dictatorship laws, as they are known now, only inflamed the conflict and stiffened the resolve of the protestors to see their campaign through. The protestors have set up a “wall of shame” next to the Rada for anyone to leave messages to these deputies.
And this was no token protest. The new government felt sufficiently concerned that it ordered in nine armoured trucks and had 20 buses of police standing by – just in case, reported TASS.
So what is the problem? The West hailed the May election of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and subsequent parliamentary elections on October 26 as the end of the country's transformation process. But for Ukrainians these two elections represented just the beginning.
Complete story at - New parliament, old ways in Ukraine | Business New Europe
The trouble is that the transformation seems to be incomplete. The opening session was marred by a crowd of demonstrators in Kyiv's Independence Square, or Maidan, that reassembled for the day to protest against the 64 deputies taking their places in the chamber that were also part of the corrupt Yanukovych administration.
Ukraine passed a lustration law that legally precludes anyone that served in the Yanukovych government from holding public office – and then promptly ignored it in several dozen cases, as the normal business of political horse trading and compromising principles took over as soon as the new leadership felt their power was secure.
“[The 64 deputies] voted for dictatorship laws on January 16,” one of the protesters told TASS, referring to a set of repressive laws introduced by Yankovych's proxy Party of Regions in January that restricted freedom of speech and the right to assemble that were drawn up as a pretext to forcefully clear the Maidan of its thousands of pro-EU protestors. If anything, the dictatorship laws, as they are known now, only inflamed the conflict and stiffened the resolve of the protestors to see their campaign through. The protestors have set up a “wall of shame” next to the Rada for anyone to leave messages to these deputies.
And this was no token protest. The new government felt sufficiently concerned that it ordered in nine armoured trucks and had 20 buses of police standing by – just in case, reported TASS.
So what is the problem? The West hailed the May election of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and subsequent parliamentary elections on October 26 as the end of the country's transformation process. But for Ukrainians these two elections represented just the beginning.
Complete story at - New parliament, old ways in Ukraine | Business New Europe
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