Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing
8 January 2015, 4 PM Kyiv time
1. Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) reported at 12:30 PM Kyiv time that Kremlin-backed terrorists continued to fire on Ukrainian position positions. In addition to small arms fire, Kremlin-backed terrorists shelled Ukrainian positions with Grads (truck-mounted multiple rocket launchers) and 9P140 "Hurricane" multiple launch rocket systems. Near Krymske, Kremlin-backed terrorists attacked a Ukrainian National Guard checkpoint. The attack was repelled. The Ministry of Defense reported at 9:00 AM Kyiv time that throughout last night Kremlin-backed terrorists fired on Ukrainian positions 8 times. The RNBO reported that according to operational information, the deployment of Russian army troops and Russian military equipment to Ukraine continued. The RNBO reported that in the last 24 hours, no Ukrainian soldiers were killed. 2 Ukrainian soldiers were wounded. On 7 January, the RNBO reported that 3 Ukrainian soldiers were killed.
2. RNBO: 11th so-called "humanitarian" convoy illegally enters Ukraine from Russia
The RNBO reported that another so-called "humanitarian" convoy illegally entered Ukrainian territory from Russia this morning. 124 trucks were in the convoy. The RNBO stated that Ukrainian border guards were able only to "visually observe" the crossing of the convoy and could not carry out controlling functions.
3. European Commission proposes further 1.8 billion Euros in financial assistance to Ukraine
The European Commission proposed a further macro-financial assistance (MFA) to Ukraine of up to 1.8 billion Euros in medium-term loans. The new MFA, which has to be approved by European Parliament and the Council of Ministers of the EU, "is intended to assist Ukraine economically and financially with the critical challenges the country is facing, such as a weak balance of payments and fiscal situation. The intention is also to help the new reform-orientated government strengthen the country and deal with economic and political challenges. The macro-financial assistance proposed today will be linked to certain reform actions." European Commission President J.C. Juncker stated, Ukraine is not alone. Europe stands united behind Ukraine and the reform agenda of the new government.[...]This is European solidarity in action. As always, solidarity goes hand in hand with commitment to reform, which is urgently needed in Ukraine. We want to help the Ukrainian government to put its reform agenda into practice and trigger real change for the country and its people."
4. Germany, Ukraine sign 500 million Euro loan agreement
On 7 January, Germany and Ukraine have reached agreement on credits worth 500 million Euro loan. Among the priorities for the funds will be the rebuilding of infrastructure in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian PM A. Yatsenyuk and a delegation including Ukraine's Ministers of Finance, Economic Development and Trade, Foreign Affairs, and the Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz Ukrainy conclude a two-day official visit to Germany today. Yatsenyuk is meeting with German Chancellor A. Merkel today.
5. George Soros: A New Policy to Rescue Ukraine
George Soros, in an article in the New York Review of Books, calls for a substantial new financial assistance package for Ukraine. Soros stated, "By enabling Ukraine to defend itself, Europe would be indirectly also defending itself. Moreover, an injection of financial assistance to Ukraine would help stabilize its economy and indirectly also provide a much-needed stimulus to the European economy by encouraging exports and investment in Ukraine. Hopefully Russia’s troubles and Ukraine’s progress would persuade President Vladimir Putin to give up as a lost cause his attempts to destabilize Ukraine." The full article is available at http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2015/feb/05/new-policy-rescue-ukraine/?insrc=hpss
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