Weekly news digest

(November 26 December 2)
This weekly news digest highlights the situation in the eastern Ukraine and on the Crimean
peninsula, the challenges Ukrainian war-torn economy is facing and the measures the international
community has taken to help Ukraine overcome the tough crisis.
The situation in the ATO area remains tense and complicated. This week, the ATO forces were
shelled less frequently but more intensely. The rebels are involved in numerous provocative actions,
for instance, using Western journalists as a human shield and shelling the OSCE observers on
November 27. Petro Poroshenko underlines that all the international monitoring missions, including
the OSCE one, confirm that the armed militants are constantly violating the peace deal, using the
small groups tactics and shelling neighborhoods. Also, the hospital and the schools were shelled in
the village of Azotnyi, Donetsk region along with the shop in the city of Stanytsya Luhanska, Luhansk
region on November 27. The Human Rights Watch made a statement about Ukrainian army using
cluster bombs which was not confirmed by the OSCE special monitoring mission. This is the reason
why Ukraine is appealing again to the international organizations to be more objective in their
statements and back up the allegations with concrete evidence.
Russia continues to move towards the escalation of the conflict. According to the Ministry of
Defense of Ukraine, up to 6 thousand Russian servicemen are situated in the eastern Ukraine. Kremlin
continues to supply the rebels with heavy weaponry and military equipment. Russian air force was
again involved in provocative actions; Ukrainian airspace was violated by 2 Russian jets on November
26. Also, according to the OSCE, the 8 th humanitarian convoy that entered the country this week
contained 18 fuel tanks. A bill was introduced to the State Duma about providing Russian volunteers,
fighting in the eastern Ukraine, with a combatant status and government benefits.
J. Stoltenberg, T. Jagland and F-W. Steinmeier agree that Ukrainian-Russian conflict might be
on the verge of transforming into a new phase of the Cold War between Russia and the West. T.
Jagland says that the Cold war-like conflict in Europe is a possible scenario, but it can be avoided if
the Ukrainian question is resolved. F-W Steinmeier believes that this conflict may become a longlasting one, dragging on for years or even decades. Despite the prognosis, J. Stolte nberg says there is
no need to provide military assistance to Kyiv. And Russian rhetoric remains the same, Kremlin says
that Ukrainian crisis occurred because of the anti-constitutional overturn, elicited, financed and
supported by the US and its allies.
The situation in the occupied territories worsens. Pro-Russian rebels refuse to fight on behalf of
the army of Novorossiya and are actively engaged in civilians robbery. There is also a n evidence of
armed clashes between separatists groups and Russian Special Forces in the city of Antratsyt, Luhansk
region. The humanitarian situation is deteriorating on a daily basis. There is a problem with water,
electricity and gas supplies, heating, food and industrial sector functioning. The locals are running out

of money which only fuels the protest movement in the occupied territor ies. The UN reported that
490,000 people are internally displaced and 546,000 had already emigrated. Also, more than 600
Ukrainians are held in captivity.
The chances that the conflict will be resolved peacefully are fading. Pro-Russian rebels show
no willingness to negotiate about the borders of the self-proclaimed republics; they also failed to fulfill
the Minsk deal and to adopt the ceasefire regime. The President of Ukraine underlines that these
violations have resulted in numerous casualties. He adds that the rebels shell peaceful neighborhoods
and the OSCE observers and are the only obstacle on the way to peaceful life in Donbas. Despite this,
Ukraine has so far fulfilled all the Minsk deal commitments. Kyiv supplies gas and electricity to the
occupied territories. Overall, the spending has so far reached $700 million. To improve the situation,
Ukraine sends humanitarian aid to the rebel- held territories. The OSCE special monitoring mission
reports that LPR militants and Ukrainian servicemen on December 2 reached ceasefire agreement that
would start from December 5 and negotiated about the remo val of the heavy weaponry from December
6. But a new shelling of Donetsk Airport 3 hours after a deal was signed destroyed the hopes of a full
ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in his speech during the parliament session on
November 27 said the constant military threat from Russia and the Europes, if not the worlds,
security system crisis are the main challenges Ukraine is facing. He emphasized that because of the
Russian aggression the democratic world stays united with Ukraine. Petro Poroshenko said he is
confident that Ukraine has to refuse the neutral status and start implementing reforms in order to be
able to apply for the EU membership in 5 years. Europe welcomed Kyivs decisive position towards
reforms and the EU course. But at the same time, J.Hahn said he cannot confirm that Ukraine will
become an EU member. However, D. Tusk made a defining statement in the EU-Ukraine relationship.
In his speech, the President of the EU Council said that Russia is not EU strategic partner, it is rather a
strategic problem.
Kremlin continues to integrate the Crimea into its military defense complex. New aviation
divisions and aerospace defense forces were formed and deployed to the eastern Ukraine. The
economic situation is deteriorating the prices went up by 38%, lack of resources, agricultural
complex and tourism industry crisis reported. Also, several Ukrainian banks came to a standstill and
people lost their savings. Human rights are constantly being violated on the Crimean peninsula.
Muslims have their rights denied. The freedom of speech is extremely suppressed and the media
industry is under constant pressure. Crimean Tatars are forced to flee their homes in order to avoid
conscription to the Russian army. Also, this week the Peoples Republic of China refuted the
publication in Russian media about recognizing the Crimean annexation. In the meantime, Kyiv is not
satisfied with the way the OSCE reacts to numerous challenges and threats that appeared after the
Crimean occupation and hopes the organization will soon adopt a new, more efficient, strategy.

Ukrainian economy is facing serious difficulties. Tremendous budget spending on armed

forces, GDP decline, import and investments reduction, lack of coal and energy supplies are just a few
factors that contribute to the economys decline. The National Bank of Ukraine was able to stabilize
Ukrainian currency exchange rate. It has obliged national banks to stop carrying out all types of
financial operations in the territories not controlled by Kyiv. As for now, the government is working
out a new economic policy that is to be implemented in the occupied areas, also considering the
possibility of establishing a free economic zone in the region. Despite the plunging oil prices, OPEC
decided not to cut petroleum production. This policy will surely influence Russias economy and
might result in falling energy prices for Ukraine.
Still, Ukrainian question stays on international communitys agenda. Western countries along
with Japan and Israel continue to help Kyiv in this tough crisis. Canada and the US provided military
and technical support. Sweden has come up with a decision to increase the amount of humanitarian aid
to 26 million. German Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued 500,000 to help Ukrainian IDPs.
Slovakia continues to help in the energy sector and Lithuania urges the EU to provide military
assistance to Kyiv. Poland and Baltic countries are involved in the EU alternative programs to oppose
Russian propaganda. Czech government plans to provide the OSCE monitoring mission with more
than 100,000. Ukraine also values Turkish people support. Last week, they were protesting against
Putins visit. Traditionally, the EU provides the most support; 55 million were issued to have the
decentralization problem solved by 2018. NATO helps with trust funds establishment. Different
financial institutions like the EIB, the WB and the EBRD provide significant financial help.
Russias and Kremlin-controlled DPRs and LPRs provocative actions illustrate great
disrespect to the Minsk deal, Ukraines sovereignty and to the entire international community. In order
for reason and the rule of law to prevail, the world leaders have to impose new sanctions and continue
Russias international isolation.
The materials used for the weekly news digest include the official websites of the President, the
National Security and Defence Council, the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the
government, Ukrainian Internet newspaper Ukrainska Pravda (Ukrainian Truth), Dmytro
Tymchuks blog Informatsiinyi sprotyv (Informational Resistance), Ukrainian news agency
UNIAN, Ukrainian news program TSN, weekly political magazine Korespondent ( Journalist),
daily Internet newspaper Novyny Krymu (The Crimean News), weekly political, economical and
the arts magazine Ukrainskyi Tyzhden (Ukrainian week), socio-political weekly Internet
newspaper in Russian Livyi bereh (The left bank), Ukrainian analytical newspaper Dzerkalo
tyzhnia (Weekly Mirror), Ukrainian weekly news magazine Fokus (Focus), Ukrainian news
website Liha. Novyny (League. News), etc.