Promote Ukraine
By Promote Ukraine
We promote Ukraine in political, business and non-governmental circles of European countries and we support the application of European values in Ukraine.
Promote UkraineMay 02, 2023
Unlock Ukraine with President of EECS Christa Schweng: Support Ukraine, Challenges, and Future Prospect
00:00 - Intro 00:24 - How did you make a decision about hosting Ukrainian civil society here, in the comittee? What was your opinion about helping Ukrainians from the start of the war? 02:58 - Do you see Ukraine as a member of the #EU? How is the EECS responding to this topic? 03:57 - Do you feel any intensifications of support of Ukrainian civil society? 04:38 - How do European Institutions help Ukrainian people in Brussels? What is the main idea of this help? 06:27 - What is the future of the resolutions in support of Ukraine that were adopted last year? Does it also involve blocked Russian assets? 07:40 - What were your expectations from your presidency? Was it distorted by what was constantly happening around? 09:16 - Has the approach of the European Committee towards citizens changed during the COVID period and what exactly has changed since then? 11:09 - Do the citizens of European Union have enough political power to put pressure on European Institutions for changing their decisions? 12:03 - Looking back at your past experience, would you like to make a difference in the past or even pursue a career other than becoming #EESC President? Is there anything you would do more if you had enough time? 14:12 - Are you traveling to meet other committee members? If not, what are the main reasons for your business trips? Are you doing this to see what the real situation is in other countries? 15:50 - What challenges did you face on your path to leadership? Were there any problems because you are a woman? 17:43 - Do you have any messages or wishes for Ukrainians? Would you like to inspire them for a future? 18:31 - What do you think about citizens involvement into making democracy package legitimate in terms of defending from foreign interference? Should the citizens being empowered for that? 21:23 - Do you plan to visit #Ukraine after the victory? 21:42 - What are your plans for the future as a member of committee?
Unlock Ukraine with 🇷🇴 MEP Vlad Gheorghe: Seizing Assets, Environmental Protection, Snake Island
0:12 - Vlad discusses his initiative to seize assets from Russian oligarchs to fund Ukraine's reconstruction. 3:32 - The European Union's criminalization of sanction circumvention is discussed. 4:12 - Vlad delves into the challenges of his initiative, including finding legal grounds to seize Russian assets. 5:49 - The conversation turns to what could be the legal trigger for seizing Russian assets. 6:51 - The need for legal and political consensus to seize Russian assets is emphasized. 8:19 - Vlad shares his opinion on the legal implications of Putin's ICC arrest warrant and the legitimacy of the Russian state. 12:00 - The European Green Prosecutor is discussed as a game-changer for environmental protection in the EU and beyond. 13:25 - Common environmental crimes in Europe and what Ukraine needs to know to join the EU are discussed. 15:40 - The importance of environmental responsibility for survival is emphasized. 16:20 - The question is raised if Ukraine is ready to meet the standards for EU membership. 17:14 - A Romanian MEP shares the benefits of EU membership for Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. 18:52 - The story of the United for Ukraine Facebook group, which supports Ukrainian refugees, is shared. 21:46 - Russia's role in environmental destruction and war crimes in Ukraine is discussed. 23:57 - Vlad's journey from activist to politician and his party's goals are discussed. 25:57 - The success story of Romania's anti-corruption measures and its lessons for Ukraine are discussed. 29:14 - A conversation with Vlad on his Eastern European experience, from his Communist childhood to democracy advocacy. 32:48 - Vlad's political ambitions and plans for future elections are discussed. 33:44 - The challenges of balancing work and family as a politician are discussed. 36:07 - Vlad shares his passion for Japanese culture and language. 37:23 - The case of Snake Island is used to explain the importance of international rule of law in resolving conflicts. 41:28 - Vlad shares words of support for Ukrainians.
Unlock Ukraine: Georges Dallemagne on Ukraine, Holodomor, Terrorism and Fighting for Justice
00:00 - Introduction of the guest Georges Dallemagne, Belgian politician, doctor and writer. 00:34 - Discussion of Georges’ connection with Ukraine and his role in leading the inter-parliamentary group on Ukraine and Belgium. 02:20 - Georges talks about his experience working with Doctors Without Borders and how it taught him to take authoritarian regimes seriously. He believes that people should grow up and learn from history. 03:42 - Georges recalls his trip to Ukraine in March 2022 and that he has been to Ukraine four times already. 04:15 - Georges talks about how the war in Ukraine is a 19th century style war, and how new technologies are being used in the war. 05:04 - Georges talks about Russia’s the war against Ukraine and how he thinks Belgium and Europe aren't doing enough to help. He believes that Europe needs to explain to its citizens why this war is everyone's war. 06:20 - Georges points out that although most MPs have accepted the truth about the war in Ukraine, concrete aid in the form of weapons and sanctions is not a high enough priority. He believes that the level of assistance is insufficient. 07:56 - Georges explains what a Ukrainian victory would look like and what a Russian defeat would mean. He also talks about the importance of justice as a guarantee of peace. 09:41 - Georges shares his experience of criticizing the Belgian government for not doing enough for Ukraine. He is saddened by the fact that Belgian prime minister was one of the last among EU governments to visit Ukraine, and explains it by the fear for the safety of high level officials. He believes that war is a living place and people need to be more present there to understand it. 12:49 - Georges talks about the importance of Belgium recognizing the Holodomor as genocide. He believes that it is important to call a spade a spade and that the Ukrainian Holodomor is a vivid example of genocide. 16:50 - Georges talks about the signs of genocide in Ukraine at the moment. 17:56 - Georges shares his experience as a doctor without borders who worked in Rwanda and saw signs of genocide even before it was recognized by the UN. He also talks about his goal to restore justice for the victims of the genocide. 20:25 - Georges talks about the turning point that led him to fight for justice in Srebrenica, where children were killed and the blue helmets did nothing. He draws an analogy between the events in Ukraine and the events in Srebrenica. 25:34 - Georges explains how this time the EU's response to the war in Ukraine was much faster due to the awareness of the threat to the EU itself. He talks about the lessons of history that need to be remembered. 27:05 - Georges discusses the reasons for fighting radical Islam. 28:37 - Georges shares the secret story of the terrorist attack on Brussels and the failure of the Belgian security system to detect the terrorist network. He believes that Belgium is naive in security matters, and Brussels is a city where Islamists feel comfortable. 31:57 - Georges talks about Belgium's last security threat from the Nazis that it experienced in the World War Two and how the country needs to learn from history. 33:55 - Georges discusses his book about the Brussels terror attack, where he got his information for it, and how he lived across the street from the mastermind behind the attack. He also tells how secret service officials confirmed the authenticity of the book, revealing the secret history of the terrorist attack and the disgrace of the Belgian security system. 37:00 - Georges talks about receiving the Order of King Leopold and what it means to him. 38:35 - Georges shares his life story and discusses the importance of saving lives, especially in his work as Doctors Without Borders. He talks about his childhood in Congo, his family history and why he decided to become a doctor. 44:10 - Georges emphasizes the importance of fighting against autocracy and uniting Europe.
Unlock Ukraine : Lithuanian MEP Petras Austrevicus on Russia state sponsor of terrorism
01:06 - 02:45 : Petras discusses Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. He suggest that Russia's involvement in various acts of terrorism around the world should be acknowledged and condemned by the international community. 03:20 - 04:04 : The importance of a fair process is emphasized. 04:04 - 05:28 : Petras calls for closer attention to Ukraine and for more contact with Ukrainian authorities. 05:28 - 08:11 : Petras suggests that higher restrictions and sanctions should be imposed on Russia, but with a focus on quality rather than quantity. He argue that targeted sanctions that hurt Russia's economy and power structures would be more effective than broad-based sanctions that harm the Russian people. 08:36 - 10:40 : Petras discusses the importance of understanding how to prevent aggression of third country against EU in world that changes. He cites the Hungary scenario as an example of how authoritarianism can spread and suggests that the EU parliament should be more proactive in defending democracy and human rights. 10:42 - 12:10 : Petras discusses the Wagner group as a terrorist tool in the hands of the Russian government. He argues that the Wagner group is used to carry out covert operations in other countries, including acts of terrorism. 12:12 - 14:28 : Petras emphasizes that the war in Ukraine is existential. He suggests that Ukraine needs financial and legal justice and a powerful EU mechanism to defend against aggression. He also suggests that Ukraine should identify and seize Russian assets as a form of punishment. 14:30 - 14:45 : Petras predicts that Putin in Hague will eventually have to apologize in Ukrainian language . 14:50 : Petras discusses plans for the future, including the creation of new instruments to defend against Russian aggression and the need to reformulate descriptions to better combat disinformation.
Unlock Ukraine: Dubravka Šuica Vice-President of the European Commission. Full Version
00:00 - We begin our discussion by acknowledging that democracy cannot be taken for granted and why it is essential to protect it. 03:00 - We will explore how civil society plays a vital role in defending democracy and the ways in which it can help safeguard our democratic institutions. 04:24 - We will examine the path of Dubravka Šuica, a prominent figure in Croatia and EU who has experienced war and how her experiences have shaped her perspective on democracy and civil society. 05:21- We will highlight the voices of Ukrainian civil society in Europe and how they are contributing to the ongoing struggle to defend democracy and human rights. 06:00 - We will discuss how each and every citizen has the power to draw European law and the importance of understanding and utilizing this power. 07:32 - We will explore why Ursula von der Leyen chose Dubravka Šuica and the significance of her appointment as a symbol of the EU's commitment to democracy and human rights. 08:56 - We will delve into the way of Dubravka Šuica and how her work can serve as an inspiration to others to defend democracy and human rights. 10:32 - We will examine the challenges faced by women, particularly in balancing work and life, and the importance of addressing these issues in the context of democracy and human rights. 12:50 - We will discuss the care needed for Ukrainian children and the importance of providing them with a safe and nurturing environment to grow and thrive. 14:33 - We will highlight the fact that temporary solutions for children are no longer sufficient and why it is crucial to address this problem strategically. 16:44 - We will pay attention to the alerts from civil society and why it is important to listen to their voices in the ongoing struggle to defend democracy and human rights. 17:50 - We will emphasize that the care for children is not only the responsibility of a few but a collective responsibility of society, and we must work together to provide them with a better future. 19:35 - We will examine the brain drain problem and the ways in which it poses a threat to the future of Ukraine and its democratic institutions. 21:10 - We will explore the difficulties faced by Ukrainian children in integrating into the EU school system and the importance of finding solutions to these challenges. 22:10 - We will discuss the one year of directive of temporary protection and its impact on the lives of those who have been affected by conflict and war. 24:08 - We will invite all Ukrainians to participate in public consultation and have their voices heard, and emphasize the need for transparency in the ongoing efforts to defend democracy and human rights.
The path of Dubravka Šuica, a prominent figure in Croatia and EU who has experienced war and now stands for democracy and civil society
Dubravka Šuica: You know that I was not born in a democracy, so I experienced the war in Croatia, and 32 years later I can compare what happened in Croatia at that time when we had that atrocious war, and it’s similar to the war that is unfortunately ravaging in Ukraine so I can understand the situation and I feel sympathy and empathy for the Ukrainian people and especially for Ukrainian women and children, because at the time of war I was a refugee myself and I was also hiding in shelters, the same as you are experiencing now in Ukraine.
Unlock Ukraine with the MEP Radoslaw Sikorski
In today's episode, we will talk about the role of the EU during the Euromaidan Revolution, about the attribution of the war only to Putin or to Russians in general, and about designating Russia as a terrorist state.
Unlock Ukraine: Marta Barandiy about new project
Welcome to Unlock Ukraine, a podcast where we explore the cultural, historical and political aspects of Europe. In each issue, we send you on a journey through various facts, stories, insiders, points of view of our guests. With us today, Marta Barandiy is the founder and head of the organization Promote Ukraine. Today's release: 00:00 Who is Marta Barandiy 02:50 Station Europe by EP 04:50 PU activities 08:09 Impact of PU 09:22 PU awards 11:14 What is unlock Ukraine podcast for 13:34 PU collaboration partners 14:44 PU as messenger 15:41 PU journal « Brussels Ukraina Review » 18:01 Start of Russian invasion 2013 So join us as we uncover the secrets of Ukraine and EU , episode by episode.
#3.4 Ukraine: Up to Date - Ukrainian Resistance Strategy
#3.4 Ukraine: Up to Date: the full-scale russian aggression
#3.3 Not Granting Ukraine Candidate Status Would Be a Terrible Mistake
#3.2 Ukraine: Up to date - Promote Ukraine's Advocacy working group explained by their intern
#3.1 Ukraine: Up to date - A Case for Ukraine's EU Candidacy
The reasons why the European Union made the right decision by granting Ukraine Candidacy status are numerous. Ukrainian people, throughout history, have times and times again shown their will to fight for Europe integration and for the values of the Union such as freedom and democracy. And this is true today more than ever, as they are fighting against Russia for these same values.
Not granting Ukraine candidate status would also have been a mistake even strictly from the EU point of view. Ukraine's victory means the triumph of democracy and collective security on the continent. The union's external and internal reputation was also at stake, compromising the strength of the EU.
#2.1 Ukraine: Up to date - What is going on at Ukraine's Eastern border?
Tensions are rising in Ukraine as the intelligence of various countries report that Russia is considering a scenario of a rapid, large-scale offensive operation against Ukraine in several directions.
Russia continues to put pressure on Ukraine and the West. The build-up of troops on the border with Ukraine has been hitting the headlines of the world media since last month. Read in the special BUR edition “Curb the attack!” what awaits Ukraine, if a full-scale war is possible, how to drive the Kremlin into a corner, and what price it has to pay for military action in Ukraine.
https://www.promoteukraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/brussels_ukraina_review-en-8.pdf
#20 Ukraine: Up to date
01:20 - Vicious Circle Must Be Broken
When Volodymyr Zelensky ran for the president of Ukraine, the commitment to resolve the conflict in Donbas and stop the war was one of his main campaign promises. A large part of Ukrainian society, not only Zelensky himself deemed that the war in eastern Ukraine continued not only because of the Kremlin’s interest, but because Kyiv was interested in that also: to use the conflict for justifying political and economic failures and, needless to say, to thrive on the war.
07:21 - Life in the Land of War Colours
Andiivka, Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Shyrokyne, Hnutove, Popasna, Shchastia, and Pisky are toponyms of Donbas that are often mentioned in news about the war in easter Ukraine. This is only a small part of the 155 settlements of Donbas located on the line of contact in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Individual human destinies and stories are hidden in the names of towns and villages. Terrible, piercing, life-affirming, and sometimes just ordinary ones.
Read BUR now! https://www.promoteukraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bur_6_en.pdf
#19 Ukraine: Up to date
01:02 - Registration for Vaccination of Citizens Living in Temporarily Occupied Territories Begins in Ukraine
The Ukrainian authorities have launched a process of vaccination against COVID-19 for those citizens of Ukraine who live in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and in Crimea and who belong to priority groups (people aged 65 and over). At the same time, citizens who have registered and received an ID should not undergo self-isolation or observation upon arrival in government-controlled territory, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reports on its Facebook page.
02:21 - Ukraine Ready to Impose Sanctions If Belarusian Planes Fly to Occupied CrimeaThe Ukrainian authorities will act immediately against any attempts to legitimize the occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. If at least one plane of the Belarusian airlines arrives in the territory of the occupied peninsula, sanctions with all the consequences will be inevitable.
04:50 - How Corruption in Russian Medicine Harms Other Countries“Export of Russian Corruption. 1st Report – Medicine” – this is the name of the report that describes the situation in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper was presented at the online event of Friends of European Russia, an informal platform of the European Parliament mentored by Lithuanian MEP Andrius Kubilius. The report is the first in a series of analyses of the export of Russian corruption abroad and especially to the EU.
10:50 - Provocations and Attempted Terrorist Attacks on Ukrainian Section of Gas Pipeline Possible due to Launch of Nord Stream 2Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are considering various scenarios and intensifying their response, in particular at critical and gas infrastructure facilities due to the launch of Nord Stream 2.
13:35 - Russia Bombarding VoronezhOn the night of 4 June, powerful explosions rocked the warehouses in the Sloboda plant in the Serbian town of Cacak which specialises in the production of artillery ammunition. Plant workers and the residents of surrounding areas were evacuated. You must admit that the idea of yet another operation by Russian special services suggests itself. Should the Serbian investigators check whether Sloboda supplied its products to Ukraine? There are well-known precedents. And the fact that Serbia is, perhaps, the most pro-Russian country in the European Union is not enough to protect it against Russian sabotage.
Brussels Ukraina Review: https://www.promoteukraine.org/journal/
#18 Ukraine: Up to date
01:06 – ‘This Fragment Puts Pressure on My Head. It’s Unbearable Pain’
Vladyslav, 27, was injured in January 2015 when he went to a store in his hometown of Horlivka. Fighting was ongoing in the town, and a shell dropped a hundred metres from him. Since then, Vladyslav has been living with two fragments in his body. However, he cannot count on the status of a person with a disability caused by war because of imperfect legislation. We analysed why this happened, and whether the situation can be changed.
10:35 - Uncovered Agents of Covert Wars
The Kremlin’s information wars occupy a special place in the Putin era among all the hacker attacks, contract poisonings, terrorism, digital asset-grabbing, financial support for left-wing radical movement, and political marginals. Behind Russia’s multibillion-dollar “promotion of Russia in the Western world” is nothing more than the creation of deceitful media outlets and NGOs that misinform, disseminate fakes, and propagate separatism.
19:27 - ‘Belarusisation’ of East and Mobilisation of West
The incident of the forced or deceptive landing of a Ryanair plane in Minsk in order to capture Belarusian oppositionist Raman Pratasevich continues hitting the headlines. One by one, airlines refuse to fly over Belarus and to Belarus, Belavia also cancels its flights, and the European Union prepares sanctions. Europe has reacted unusually quickly and unanimously to this episode of Alexander Lukashenka’s savage violation of international norms, and we could witness a turning point in the West’s relations with the Belarusian regime, behind which the Russian regime baldly stands.
#17 Ukraine: Up to date
01:08 - EU Proposes Avoiding Overflight of Belarus, Adopting New Sanctions
Belarusian opposition journalist Roman Protasevich, former editor of the main Belarusian opposition NEXTA Telegram channel and incumbent editor of the Belarus of the Brain Telegram channel, was detained in Minsk.
05:03 - How Is Ukraine Perceived in Japan, Turkey, and the United States?
The Ukrainian Institute presented the results of the research within the framework of a comprehensive project to study the perception of Ukraine abroad. The project for the first time explores the attitude and expectations of foreign audiences towards Ukraine, its culture and opportunities for cooperation, their awareness of modern culture and cultural heritage of Ukraine.
12:58 - President of Ukraine Signs Law on Land Decentralisation
During the Forum “Ukraine 30” on Monday, 24 May, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law allowing the transfer of land outside populated localities to communal ownership. This is one of the important documents needed to launch the land market. Another land law is pending signature.
14:34 - How to Come Closer to NATO Without Scaring Anyone
An interesting Euro-Atlantic expert and civil society initiative was born in Ukraine
19:24 - Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Appeals to United States with Regard to Nord Stream 2
At its meeting on Friday, 21 May, the Parliament of Ukraine approved an appeal to the United States of America with a request to impose sanctions on the participants in the Nord Stream 2 project.
#16 Ukraine: Up to date
00:46 - Treason Charges Brought Against MPs Medvedchuk and Kozak
Ukrainian MPs Viktor Medvedchuk and Taras Kozak were served with the notices of charges based on the case files of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
04:51 - EU Plans to Impose New Sanctions On Alexander Lukashenka’s RegimeThe European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions against the regime of Alexander Lukashenka, which is planned to be approved in the near future, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced.
06:21 - Ukraine’s Defence Ministry Finalising National Defence PlanIn the near future, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine will present the Plan of Defence of Ukraine, which is currently being finalised. In addition, the Strategic Defence Bulletin is almost drafted.
08:38 - Ukraine Completes Development of Cyber Security StrategyThe National Cyber Security Centre under the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) completed the development of the Cyber Security Strategy of Ukraine.
10:16 - Anka Feldhusen: Build-Up of Troops on Ukraine’s Border Gave Putin Opposite Effect than ExpectedHaving amassed troops on its western borders and in Crimea, the Russian Federation attracted the attention of many countries to Ukraine, and thus the Russian Federation suffered a positional defeat in this situation.
12:03 - Dmytro Kuleba Outlines Three Priorities of Cooperation Between Ukraine and Central Five CountriesMinister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba took part in the meeting of the chief diplomats of the Central Five at the invitation of Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Ivan Korčok.
14:41 - Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry Won’t Publish List of Crimean Platform Participants So FarA number of world countries and organisations have confirmed the participation of their representatives in the first summit of the Crimean Platform, but the list of participants will be closed to the public yet.
16:11 - Government Endorses Strategic Measures to Combat Money LaunderingThe Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine endorsed the main national vectors of financial monitoring development for the next three years. They provide for the improvement of national anti-money laundering system in accordance with international standards.
#15 Ukraine: Up to date
00:51 - President of Ukraine, G7 and EU Ambassadors Commemorate Victims of World War II
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky made a working visit to the Luhansk region together with the ambassadors of the G7 and the European Union.
03:40 - What Does Germany Owe Russia and Ukraine?
In early February, German Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier defended Berlin’s decision to pursue completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in part by arguing that fuel sales were one of the last bridges between Russia and Europe and cited Germany’s unique historic responsibility to atone for German crimes during WWII. He claimed Germany did not have a right to lose sight of this wider context. Yet this is a narrow view, indeed, of the wider context when one considers the magnitude of the human cost of WWII elsewhere in the former USSR, particularly in Ukraine.
09:28 - Russia Has Issued Almost 530,000 Passports in Occupied Territories of Donbas Over Two Years
Since April 2019, Russia has issued more than 527,000 passports to residents of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADLR) of Ukraine under a simplified procedure, the press centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation told TASS news agency.
10:11 - Stop List: Russia Imposes Sanctions on EU
The European Union found itself in the cross hairs of Russian sanctions following the United States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation explained the imposed restrictions by responding to the actions of the European Union which had previously imposed personal sanctions for persecuting Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
17:39 - President of Ukraine Signs Manifesto of Five States
During a working visit to Warsaw, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a joint declaration by the leaders of Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine, the press service of the Head of State informs.
19:59 - Ukrainian Enterprises Seek Over $4.5 B Damages from Russia
Ukrainian enterprises, which lost property and profits due to Russia’s aggression in Donbas and the illegal occupation of Crimea, filed lawsuits at more than 12 commercial arbitration courts. The total amount of claims is over $4.5 billion, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Yevheniy Yenin said.
22:02 - Dmytro Kuleba, Antony Blinken Discuss Development of US–Ukraine Strategic Partnership
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on a working visit to Ukraine.
#14 Ukraine: Up to date
00:40 – Ukraine offers EU member states action plan to deter Russian Federation
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba took part in an online meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council at the invitation of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and with the participation of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU Member States.
03:30 – Politico: No one in Brussels knows how the EU should respond to Russian aggression
The EU is not yet going to react to Russia’s deployment of tens of thousands of troops near the border with Ukraine. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has said that EU Foreign Ministers found the Russian military mobilisation “very concerning,” but they are not considering the possibility of imposing new sanctions against the Kremlin.
06:59 – How not to fall under sanctions: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine launches campaign for residents of EU countries
An information campaign called ‘Learn-Check-Act,’ launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, is aimed at counteracting Russia’s attempts to legitimise its presence in the occupied territories of Ukraine through business, education, culture, and people-to-people contacts.
education, culture, and people-to-people contacts.
09:04 – SBU officers expose ‘DPR’ militant: He gives important testimony about Russian armed aggression in Ukraine
Counterintelligence officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have exposed a member of the tank battalion of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) terrorist organisation in the Joint Forces Operation area.
10:36 – Ukraine to receive UAH 2.5B from IBRD to fight COVID-19
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will provide Ukraine with UAH 2.5 billion for the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine Svitlana Shatalova says.
13:11 – President Zelensky: Ukraine welcomes withdrawal of Russian troops but remains vigilant
Ukraine welcomes the withdrawal of Russian troops from its border and is grateful to international partners for their support, President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on his Twitter account, responding to an order of the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation.
15:12 – Own nuclear weapons. Is Ukraine able to move from words to deeds?
Although Kyiv finally renounced its nuclear status in the early 1990s, the topic of reviving (and actually creating from scratch) its own missile shield periodically pops up in the Ukrainian political space. The latest such statement was made by Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany Andriy Melnyk.
19:14 – Bundestag talks about providing Ukraine with lethal weapons, while influential European politicians condemn Russian aggression
Norbert Röttgen, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Presidium and chairman of the German Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has supported the idea of providing Ukraine with lethal weapons, Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany Andriy Melnyk posted on his Twitter page.
21:12 –Michael Emerson: To influence Russia, EU needs to support Ukraine’s European integration, provide vaccines and act on energy front
Against the background of Russia’s recent military buildup along Ukraine’s border, the European Union needs to use its strengths and avoid sanctions against Russia, which today do not yield the desired result or have a counterproductive effect.
#13 Ukraine:Up to date
01:00 - Magic Call
The direct interference of U.S. President averted the military-political crisis that the Kremlin was trying to create
07:06 - Clusters of Reconciliation or Formula of Surrender? Ukraine Concerned about Possible ‘Remix’ of Minsk AgreementsCivil society representatives of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions prepared a statement warning about a dangerous scenario for Ukraine
10:58 - Ukraine’s Ambassador to Austria: Kremlin’s Propaganda Outlets Speak About Collective Guilt of Ukrainian People Towards RussiaA group of Russian special forces soldiers led by Colonel Igor Girkin made 13 April a harbinger of war. Today, however, blood continues to be shed, and Putin and his entourage threaten to spill even more blood by deploying troops on the Ukrainian border, largest ever seen here since World War II.
13:54 - Dmytro Kuleba, Antony Blinken Discuss Steps to Restrain Russia’s Aggressive ActionsMinister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a working visit to Brussels on 13 April.
15:37 - Politico: European Commission President Criticised for Refusing to Visit UkraineEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been blamed for insufficient support for Ukraine after rejecting President Volodymyr Zelensky’sinvitation to visit Kyiv.
17:33 - Media Release New Evidence of Kremlin’s Involvement in Downing MH17Journalists of NOS Dutch TV channel published new recordings of telephone conversations between people accused of downing Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in the sky over Donbas in 2014.
VIDEO: https://www.promoteukraine.org/media-release-new-evidence-of-kremlins-involvement-in-downing-mh17-video/
21:25 - Volodymyr Zelensky Arrives in Paris to Hold Talks with President of France and Chancellor of GermanyOn Friday, 16 April, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in France on a working visit
23:30 - Russian Federation Restricts Freedom of Navigation in Black SeaRussia announced the closure of part of the Black Sea areas towards the Kerch Strait for warships and state vessels of other countries from next week to October 2021 under the pretext of military exercises.
25:33 - Ukrainian Consul Detained by FSB in RussiaOfficers of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) detained Ukrainian consul Oleksandr Sosoniuk in St. Petersburg. He is accused of “obtaining confidential information from the databases of law enforcement agencies and FSB.”
27:05 - Diplomatic War: Prague Expels 18 Russian Embassy StaffThe Czech Republic made a decision to expel 18 diplomats of the Russian Embassy in Prague, who were identified as Russian intelligence officers.
#12 Ukraine: Up to date
00:39 - President Zelensky Arrives in Donbas to Boost Soldiers’ Morale
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has left for Donbas to visit the advanced positions on the line of contact.
02:02 - President Zelensky Considers NATO Membership the Only Way to End War in DonbasA possibility of obtaining a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) is currently the most pressing issue for Ukraine, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said during a conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
03:51 - United States Calls on Russia to Respect Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity and SovereigntyThe United States called on Russia to reduce tensions in relations with Ukraine and to respect its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
05:11 - Dutch Foreign Minister: Ukraine Will Not Be Left Alone Amid Russia’s EscalationMinister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Stef Blok.
06:55 - Poland Works Towards Strengthening Sanctions against RussiaPoland is constantly working towards strengthening the EU sanctions regime against Russia over its aggressive policy in Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland informs.
08:35 - Belgian MEP Kanko: Russia’s Bombers on the North Sea Are Intimidation for the EUThe Russian Federation intimidates Europe by sending its combat aircraft to the borders of the European Union’s airspace, Belgian MEP Assita Kanko (European Conservatives and Reformists Group) posted on her Facebook page.
10:16- Centre for Countering Disinformation Starts Operating in UkraineOn 6 April, Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak presented a new government agency, the Centre for Countering Disinformation, to G7 Ambassadors, representatives of Israel, Finland and NATO in Kyiv.
13:06 - G7 Ambassadors Remind Ukraine’s PM About Conditions for IMF SBA and EU AssistanceG7 Ambassadors met with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal. The importance of meeting the conditions for the IMF stand-by arrangement and EU macro-financial assistance was raised during the conversation.
15:08 - Turkey to Join Crimean Platform, not to Recognise Crimea as Russian TerritoryPresident Volodymyr Zelensky made a working visit to Turkey where he held talks with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Following the meeting in Istanbul, the heads of state signed a joint declaration of the ninth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council between Ukraine and Turkey.
#11 Ukraine: Up to date
03:31 - France Does Not Support Germany’s Stance on Nord Stream 2
France and Germany have different stances on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, but discussions are ongoing between the countries to find a common vision for the project, Minister of State for European Affairs of France Clément Beaune said.
05:38 - West 2021 Exercises and Other Maneuvers. Why Russia Pulls Troops to Its Western Borders
Lately there has been a lot of talk about the active movement of large number of troops and equipment. Moscow’s formal explanation: scheduled final inspection of military units and preparations for the West 2021 strategic exercises. At the same time, former commander of the United States Army Europe Ben Hodges believes that such a show of muscle-flexing is a challenge for Joe Biden’s administration.
09:28- Merkel, Macron, Putin Discuss Situation in Donbas without President of Ukraine
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President of France Emmanuel Macron and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin discussed a number of issues, including the escalation in Donbas, during talks via video conference.
11:15 - Eighty World Countries Discuss Investing in Human Capital
Ukraine took part in the event entitled “Human Capital Project. Ministerial Conclave 2021” dedicated to discussion of investing in human capital for environmental, sustainable, and comprehensive recovery in the post-pandemic period. The event took place as part of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group in online format.
14:26 - Denunciation of Kharkiv Accords with Russia Will Be One of Steps Towards De-occupation of Crimea
Withdrawal from the Kharkiv Accords concluded with the Russian Federation will be a consistent political decision and one of steps in the process of de-occupation of Crimea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov believes.
#10 Ukraine: Up to date
00:54 – Under the “Roof” of Russian Diplomacy: From a Spy Consul to a Bicycle Thief
In 2018, the Consul General of Russia in Strasbourg was expelled from France for espionage. Recently, this story has gained wide resonance in the French, as well as Ukrainian and even Russian media and social networks. A technical employee of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Strasbourg was caught red-handed because of a police operation while selling a bicycle.
10:01 – Rally in Support of Serhiy Sternenko Held near President’s OfficeA large-scale event in support of activist and blogger Serhiy Sternenko, who is being held in an Odesa pre-trial detention center following conviction, was held near the Office of the President of Ukraine on Saturday night. Sternenko was found guilty of robbery and illegal possession of weapons, but Sternenko himself and his supporters consider the case a political crackdown.
12:19 – Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19 Worsening in UkraineOn Monday, 22 March, having analysed the transmission dynamics of coronavirus infection, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine designated the Sumy region as the strictest “red” quarantine zone.
14:35 – EU Introduces New Sanctions Regime. What Does It Mean?On 22 March, a new EU human rights sanctions regime took effect. China, Russia, Myanmar and Libya will be the first countries to face new sanctions. These will be personal blocking restrictions: ban on entry into the EU and asset freezing within the EU, if any.
16:20 – Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry Protests against Intentions of Russian Party to Open Its Office in Occupied Donetsk The opening of a Russian party representative office in the occupied areas of Donbas is more proof of the escalation on the part of the Russian Federation. 18:34 – EU Does Not Recognise Putin’s Decree Preventing Ukrainians from Owning Land in CrimeaThe European Union does not recognise the decree of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin which prevents foreigners, including Ukrainians, from owning land in the occupied Crimea.
20:33 – Russia Already Has Peace Plan for Implementation of Minsk AgreementsThe publication of main provisions of the peace plan for the settlement of the situation in Donbas“Key Clusters for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements,” finalised by Ukraine, Germany and France, in the Russian media confirms the Russian side already has the document. Although the Kremlin claims it has not seen a plan, calling it a “myth.”
22:29 – Consultations with Normandy Four Leaders Held Due to Escalation in DonbasPresident of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky holds consultations with the Normandy Four leaders due to the intensification of shelling in Donbas, as a result of which four members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were killed on Friday, 26 March.
#9 Ukraine: Up to date
1:42 – Biden’s Factor
The U.S. President holds off on calling Kyiv, but he is already actively present in Ukrainian politics.
5:35 – Iran Releases Official Report on Ukraine International Airlines Plane CrashIran’s Civil Aviation Organisation released the final report on the circumstances of crash of Ukraine International Airlines passenger plane (Flight PS752) in January 2020.
8:02 – Ukraine Plans to Allow Dual Citizenship with EU and Friendly CountriesThe Ukrainian authorities plan to allow second citizenship of the European Union and other friendly countries. The Russian Federation cannot be on the list of admitted countries.
9:14 – Foreign Ministry’s Statement: Russia Spreads False Narratives about Situation on Crimean Peninsula at UNOn 17 March, the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations held an event dedicated to the situation in the temporarily occupied Crimea. The event pursued a propagandist objective: to spread false narratives about the situation on the Crimean Peninsula.
11:16 – Medvedchuk Trying to Challenge NSDC’s Sanctions in Supreme CourtViktor Medvedchuk, an MP from the Opposition Platform – For Life party and father of Vladimir Putin’s godchild, appealed to the Supreme Court of Ukraine to challenge the presidential decree imposing sanctions on him.
13:18 – Russia Intimidating Crimean Platform ParticipantsThe threats of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and future members of the Crimean Platform are “political bullying” and yet another manifestation of the ongoing marginalisation of Russian foreign policy. The Kremlin continues to use concepts that distort perception of reality.
15:14 – Credit Rating Agency Standard & Poor’s Affirms Ukraine’s B Ratings with Stable OutlookGlobal credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s has affirmed Ukraine’s long-term and short-term sovereign credit ratings in foreign and national currencies at the level of “B” and Ukraine’s national scale ratings at the level of “uaA.” The long-term outlook is stable.
#8 Ukraine: Up to date
0:39 – Verkhovna Rada plans to set up temporary commission of inquiry into ‘Wagner Group fighters’ and ‘Medvedchuk-Surkov Tapes’
The Servant of the People party initiated the creation of a temporary commission of inquiry (TCI) in the Verkhovna Rada to investigate the possible involvement of senior Ukrainian officials in the leak of information about the “Wagner Group fighters” and their extradition from Belarus to Russia. In addition, the lawmakers will consider the issue of so-called “Surkov-Medvedchuk tapes”.
3:37 - President of Ukraine Ready to Meet with Each Leader of Normandy Format Separately
If it is not possible to organise a meeting of the leaders of the Normandy format countries (Ukraine, Germany, France, Russia) on the settlement of the situation in Donbas, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to meet with the leader of each country separately.
4:56 - Number of Cyberattacks on Industries Involved in Fight against COVID-19 Doubles
IBM Security has released the annual 2021 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index. It demonstrates how the nature of cyberattacks changed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when attackers sought to profit from an unprecedented socio-economic situation and political and business challenges.
9:27 – Cabinet of ministers of Ukraine approves borrowings for purchase of French patrol boats
The Government of Ukraine approved external borrowing of up to EUR 116 million within the framework agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the French Republic on the manufacture and technical support for a batch of patrol boats.
11:41 – Ukraine’s foreign minister urges Russia to allow international organizations to enter occupied Crimes
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba called on the Russian Federation to provide the representatives of international organisations with access to the territory of the occupied Crimea. In particular, the minister mentioned the UN representatives.
13:39 – Centre for countering disinformation being set up in Ukraine
The National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDC) has approved the establishment of the Centre for Countering Disinformation, which will begin its work on 16 March.
16:22 – Dozens of countries agree to participate in Crimean platform summit
Almost 40 states have already agreed to take part in the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform, which will take place on 24 August 2021, on the thirtieth anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.
#7 Ukraine: Up to date
We are back with a brand new podcast episode of “Ukraine: Up to date”. This time, we have a special episode in a new format for you, where we take an in-depth look into two topics:
00:40- Five moments of 2020
We are starting today’s episode off with a recap of 2020. Of course, the fight against COVID-19 is an issue but we are also talking about the constitutional crisis, the local elections, the state budget for 2021, and education.
15:34- Vaccination and its safety: Who is responsible?
Today, we find ourselves at the stage when ‘back to normal’ from the pandemic seems within reach. Governments and international organizations claim that return to normalcy hinges upon the scale and speed of vaccination. They call their citizens to show solidarity to ensure that herd immunity is achieved. However, a substantial number of citizens, even in developed countries, have vaccine hesitancy. On February 23, 2020, VoxUkraine, jointly with Promote Ukraine (Brussels), held an open discussion on vaccination and the responsibility for it. Today, we talk about the outcomes of that discussion.
#6 Ukraine: Up to date
1:36- SBU’s Counterintelligence Detains FSB Agents Collecting Classified Military Information
Counterintellegence officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) exposed two Ukrainian citizens who had been recruited by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) and were collecting classified information on combat readiness and equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.Crimea and
3:10- Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council Imposes Sanctions on Father of Putin’s GodchildThe National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDC) imposed sanctions on MP Viktor Medvedchuk, who is known for his pro-Russian views and is the father of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s godchild.
6:24- Dmytro Kuleba: Canada Declaration to Become Additional Tool of Pressure on Russia to Release Ukrainian Political PrisonersOn 15 February, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kulebatook part in a conference initiated by Canada, at which 52 states approved the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations.
8:48- Ukraine Deepens Cooperation with United Arab EmiratesA Ukrainian delegation led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyhas signed memoranda and contracts worth more than USD 3 billion in the United Arab Emirates.
10:51- Ukrainian Parliament Calls on World to Condemn Occupation of CrimeaThe Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a resolution appealing to the governments and parliaments of foreign states and international organisations to condemn the temporary occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, violations of human rights and freedoms in the temporarily occupied territories and to release Ukrainian political prisoners.
14:14- NATO Offers Ukraine New Opportunities under EOP ProgrammeIn 2021, Ukraine and NATO will develop additional measures and practical steps to improve the interoperability of armed forces under the Enhanced Opportunities Partnership (EOP) programme, Director of the NATO Information and Documentation Centre in Ukraine Vineta Kleine said during the panel discussion entitled “Sustainability and Security: What Can Ukraine Learn from NATO?”
15:33- Kyiv Convenes Meeting of UN General Assembly on Situation in Occupied TerritoriesUkraine initiated a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the situation in the territories occupied by the Russian Federation on 23 February.
#5 Ukraine: Up to date
After another eventful week, here are the week's hot topics about things happening in and around Ukraine:
00:39- Commissioner Borrell’s Insightful Trip
6:06- Latvia Bans Rossiya RTR TV Channel Due to Hate Speech Against Ukraine
7:43- Ukraine Formally Bans Russian Sputnik V Vaccine
10:32- Merkel’s Successor Supports Ukraine’s European Integration Aspirations
12:50- EU Believes Widespread Corruption Hampers Reforms in Ukraine
15:10- UN Security Council Accuses Russia of Reluctance to End War in Eastern Ukraine
19:27- Ukrainian Government Preparing to Make Tough Decisions to Eliminate Threats to National Security
#4 Ukraine: Up to date
In Promote Ukraine’s podcast series “Ukraine: Up to date” we present you the current hot topics so you can stay on top of things that are happening in and around Ukraine! On this week's menu:
1:24- Ukraine to receive coronavirus vaccine
3:55- Ukraine reacted to the opening of an honorary consulate of Nicaragua in Crimea
10:14- Ukraine blocks TV channels associated with Putin’s relative
14:17- Dmytro Kuleba, Josep Borrell Coordinate Positions Ahead of EU High Representative’s Visit to Russia
16:52- Stockholm Arbitration Court Refuses to Collect USD 6 Billion from Ukraine 19:03- War in Donbas: Ukraine at OSCE Shows Evidence of Use of Grad Rocket System by Pro-Russian Militants on 31 Jan
#3 Ukraine: Up to date
In Promote Ukraine's podcast series "Ukraine: Up to date" we present you the current hot topics so you can stay on top of things that are happening in and around Ukraine! In this week's episode we talk about:
00:38- Over 5,000 Russians Detained During Protests in Support of Navalny 03.17- EU Wants to Provide Ukraine with Financial Assistance, Coronavirus Vaccine05:12- Kremlin Continues to Play Double Game on Donbas Issue
07:24- Ukrainian President's Office comments on Biden-Putin conversation
09:38- Emine Dzheppar at UN Peacebuilding Fund Replenishment Conference: Russia Ignores Call for Peace11:31- G7 Ambassadors Present Roadmap for Judicial and Anti-Corruption Reforms in Ukraine
14:35- Powers of Russian Delegation to PACE Challenged
16:51- Russian Federation Finances Anti-Ukrainian Activities of Extensive Network of Online Agitators19:39- Moscow Turns Over Control of Donbas Economy to New Supervisor from Kyiv
#2 Ukraine: Up to date
In Promote Ukraine's podcast series "Ukraine: Up to date" we present you the current hot topics so you can stay on top of things that are happening in and around Ukraine! This week we are talking about the following topics:
00:39: Ukraine Honours Memory of Soldiers Killed Defending Donetsk Airport
#1 Ukraine: Up to date
The Promote Ukraine Podcast is back with a brand new format! In our new series “Ukraine: Up to date” we present you the current hot topics so you can stay on top of things that are happening in and around Ukraine.
This week we are talking about the first judgment of the European Court of Human Rights on the Ukraine v. Russia case, the implications of the termination of the US sanctions policy on Russia, and many other interesting topics.