Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing
13 November 2015, 8 PM Kyiv time
- Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) reported at 12:30 PM Kyiv time that yesterday towards Luhansk, Russian-terrorist forces attacked Ukrainian positions at Zaytseve (north of occupied Horlivka). An intense battle took place. In total, yesterday Russian-terrorist forces fired on Ukrainian positions approximately 20 times – near Horlivka, Yasynuvata, the Donetsk airport, and Krasnohorivka. There was no combat in the Luhansk or Mariupol sectors of the front. The RNBO reported that in the last 24 hours, one Ukrainian soldier was killed and three were wounded in action.
- US Treasury Secretary: Reform agenda critical to maintaining international support for Ukraine
US Treasury Secretary J. Lew held meetings with Ukraine’s President P. Poroshenko, PM A. Yatsenyuk, Finance Minister N. Jaresko and Members of Parliament today in Kyiv. Following his meeting with Yatsenyuk and Jaresko, Lew stated, “the United States, remain committed to working with the Government of Ukraine to build a more independent, secure, and prosperous country. And this opportunity to have conversations, particularly on the eve of my going to the G-20 meetings in a few days, is very timely. We’re working with our Congress in the United States […] on a third $1 billion dollar loan guarantee in the coming months. And one of the issues that we discussed in each of the meetings this morning was how critical the reform agenda is to maintaining international support in the IMF and the other international bodies, but also in terms of each of us who are making the case in our home countries to continue the effort. The progress made in the last two years is very real. It has lent credibility to the effort that makes the case for support very strong. But it’s important that progress continue to be made, and it’s important that the possibility of going in the other direction be strongly resisted. And we talked about that in terms of tax policy, in terms of energy policy, and in terms of the need to really continue the effort to fight corruption.”
- Ukraine’s PM: Russia will not get different deal than Ukraine’s other creditors
Ukraine’s PM A. Yatsenyuk stated that Russia will not obtain a different deal on the $3 billion of bonds (issued during the Yanukovych administration) due in December than Ukraine’s other creditors received. According to Yatsenyuk, “In the event that Russia does not agree to the appropriate restructuring, the Ukrainian government will impose a moratorium on the payment to Russia of the $3 billion debt. Everyone, except Russia, has agreed [to the restructuring]. We made the last proposal to Russia for negotiations on 29 October, but Russia refused.”
- Canada’s Ambassador Hosts Ukraine Launch of Professionals for Reform Multi-Donor Fund
Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Roman Waschuk, hosted the launch of the Professionals for Reform Multi-Donor Fund. The Fund was established by the Government of Canada in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). “The Professionals for Reform Multi-Donor Fund (PRF) provides human resource support to critical reform initiatives undertaken by national governmental agencies. The PRF is a mechanism that enables the Government of Ukraine to access high-quality local expertise necessary to move reforms forward.” The launch was attended by Ukrainian government officials, Western diplomats, and philanthropist George Soros. “Mr. Soros told the audience that he could not miss the chance to be present at the launch and endorse the PRF since the Fund is a valuable contribution on Ukraine’s path to reforms. He called on donors to join efforts to support the PRF which is Canada’s chosen mechanism to support key reforms in Ukraine and strengthen aid effectiveness by putting money into one fund which will respond to the critical reforms,” Expert Deployment for Economic Governance Project release stated.
- US on Russia’s ongoing violations in Ukraine
US Ambassador to the OSCE D. Baer, stated on 12 November, “Violations are not limited to small arms and light weapons. The SMM has reported the use of grenade launchers and mortars, as well as other heavy weaponry. This worrying increase in violence could cause the ceasefire to deteriorate altogether, and is unacceptable. […] We underscore Russia’s responsibility to release the Ukrainian hostages it holds, including Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, Oleksander Kolchenko and all others. […] As aggressors in this conflict, Russia and their proxies must prove they have given up their military ambitions in Ukraine and are truly committed to full Minsk implementation. Russia must also end its occupation of Crimea, which remains part of Ukraine and which Russia seized in violation of international law.”
- Counter-battery radars to arrive in Ukraine this week
US Ambassador to Ukraine G. Pyatt stated in an interview with Den’ newspaper that counter-battery radars provided by the US will arrive at the Yavoriv International training center this week.
