• Ukraine reduced its gas imports by one third

    In 2016 Ukraine reduced the amount of imported gas by 32.7% (approximately 5.4 billion cubic meters) as compared to 2015, to 11.8 cubic meters, according to data published by PJSC Ukrtransgaz.

    In December 2016, gas imports totaled 1.7 billion cubic meters of gas – 3.7 times more than in December 2015 (444 million cubic meters).  1.3 billion cubic meters was imported from Slovakia, 227 million cubic meters from Hungary, and 129.7 million cubic meters from Poland.  

    As was reported, Ukraine has …

  • McClaren doping report may affect Russian figure skaters

    The Italian media is reporting that McLaren’s doping report may affect Russian figure skaters after the proceedings against Russian biathlon athletes and skiers are over. It is also reported that Adelina Sotnikova may be stripped of her Olympic Gold medal from Sochi in 2014.

    In addition, there are concerns that Tatiana Volosozhar and Ksenia Stolbova also resorted to manipulating their doping samples. Therefore, it can affect the results of the Russian national figure skating team, who also won …

  • Gazprom allocated 310 million Euros for Turkish Stream pipeline

    The Board of Directors of Gazprom decided to provide a company called South Stream Transport B.V. with about 310 million Euros for the construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, RIA Novosti reported, citing Gazprom documents.

    Details of the agreement were not disclosed, but it was specified that money would be spent for purchasing pipes and equipment, paying construction activities, purchasing necessary goods and administrative spending.

    Earlier, it was reported that South Stream …

  • Ukraine increased export of Christmas toys

    During 2016, Ukraine increased its export of New Year’s toys and decorations, opened a number of new markets, and also reduced trade levels of these goods with Russia, as was stated by a Sales Representative of Ukraine, Nataliya Mykolska, in her column published in Yevropeyska Pravda.

    "Our toys are available in 25 countries and their exports are growing. For the last 10 months of this year, we have exported goods worth $4.5 million, while exports during the same period last year grew at only 16 …

  • Ukrainian Ambassador to the US criticizes oligarch Pinchuk's article in The Wall Street Journal

    The Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Valeriy Chaly, criticized the oligarch Victor Pinchuk for his position in a The Wall Street Journal article.

    The diplomat wrote on his Facebook page, that big businesses should focus on supporting Ukraine, rather than "helping the enemy."

    "People ask me: what is your opinion on Victor Pinchuk’s article in the WSJ. I honestly do not see the need to respond. An attempt to take advantage of the situation and business as usual," Chaly said.

    He …

  • Turkish Media: Assad's regime continues to violate the ceasefire in Syria

    Despite the ceasefire in Syria, Bashar al-Assad's regime continues to attack the opposition forces, as reported by the Anadolu news agency.

    According to the agency, Assad's army and pro-Iranian groups have been attacking the opposition's strongholds from the ground and air using heavy weapons.

    As a result of the strikes, two children were killed at the Kafr Dael settlement west of Aleppo.

    The opposition forces responded with artillery at the towns of Kefraya and Al-Fu'ah which are controlled …

  • U.S. Senators will ask Congress to impose severe sanctions against Russia

    After a visit to Ukraine, Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar went to Georgia, where they announced that they would seek from Congress the imposition of more severe sanctions against Russia and its President, Vladimir Putin. The Senators made their statement on January 1, Krym.Realii reported.

    “We hope to make 2017 a year of responsibility for crimes. It is time to restrain Putin. The time has come for new sanctions that will badly affect him …

  • Poroshenko: US-Ukrainian radar system was installed in Mariupol

    Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced that in Mariupol, a new system of early detection was established to control the border.

    "A good example of how we are moving forward is an updated technical observation post in Mariupol. It is equipped with the newest system of early detection, prevention and identification of targets. We can detect any air or water target. We can even detect a swimmer. This AEROS system, a joint Ukrainian and the United States project, has been manufactured by …

  • Naftogaz signs loan agreement with Citi and Deutsche Banks

    The National Joint Stock Company, Naftogaz Ukraine, signed a loan agreement with Citi and Deutsche Banks for a euro-denominated line of credit for the purchase of gas, equivalent to $500 million. The funds must be used solely for the purchase of gas, as reported by the company on Saturday, December 31st. The agreement itself was signed the day before.

    According to Naftogaz’s press service, the credit line is secured by the World Bank, which in turn, is guaranteed by the Ukrainian Government …

  • Poroshenko said separatists attempted to attack Shyrokyne two weeks before he and US Senators visited the area

    Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko stated ,when visiting Mariupol on December 31, that before his coming to Shyrokyne, separatists attacked the village and attempted to assault the positions held by Ukrainian armed forces, UNIAN reports.

    "Two weeks ago, Russian-terrorist units tried to seize strongholds in the area of Luhansk, in the locality of the Svitlodarsk salient,” Poroshenko said.

    "Ukrainian servicemen not only repelled the enemy’s attacks but also counter attacked, inflicting …