Weekly newsletter
This is a newsletter of exclusive materials of Ukrinform for a week
Photo of the week:
The Palace of Students of the Odesa Law Academy, where a fire broke out as a result of a Russian missile attack, Odesa, April 29, 2024/Photo: Nina Liashonok
Мaterials and Interviews:
Support of Ukraine
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola
On Europe’s Day, May 9, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, arrived on an unannounced visit to Kyiv. In a blitz interview with Ukrinform, the head of the EU’s legislative body told about her expectations of the upcoming EU elections, as well as thoughts of the Peace Summit in Switzerland and answered a question as regards Vladimir Putin’s legitimacy following the so-called “elections” in Russia.
Ukraine Recovery Conference
Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation & Development of Germany
Both Ukrainian and German governments have been intensively preparing for the Third Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) which will take place on June 11-12. This spring saw several preparatory events, including conferences on "Creating opportunities, building the moment: Ukraine’s transformative urban reconstruction", "Diaspora and the global Ukrainian community - strong partners in the recovery and restoration of Ukraine", and "Towards a skilled workforce for recovery of Ukraine's human capital” among other bilateral gatherings.
On top of that, at the suggestion of Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Svenja Schulze, preparations have been launched for international initiative "Highly-skilled personnel for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine" and a document was adopted containing among its key previsions the mobilization of the private sector’s capabilities to facilitate the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
The latter initiative was the first question Ukrinform asked Mrs. Schulze in an interview.
Combat Pay Reform
Natalia Kalmykova, Deputy Ukrainian Minister of Defense
The Government decision on supplemental payments to military service members performing combat missions in the immediate warzone has recently made headlines in the mass media. What’s important about this decision regarding bonuses and other accrued payments; how payments entitled to members of military personnel fighting on the second and third lines of defense will differ, how much money will be received by wounded or injured defenders during treatment or vacation: Natalia Kalmykova, Deputy Ukrainian Minister of Defense elaborates on this and other things in a blitz interview to Ukrinform.
Fact Check
Fake video with DW logo presented as 'sensational' investigation about Ukraine
Russian media outlets, pro-war Telegram channels, and pro-Russian bots on the social media site X and YouTube are distributing videos with the logo and style of the German media outlet Deutsche Welle. In the video, it is claimed that Polish journalist Agata Grzybowska published an "investigation" on the website Rzeczpospolita. This "material" states that European media outlets seem to have deliberately edited their news stories from Ukraine so that there were no Nazi symbols in the video. This was especially true of videos with military personnel. Because of this "investigation," Agata Grzybowska was allegedly fired from the news outlet.
Strategic visit
China’s Leader Going to Europe to Talk over Trade and Ukraine
Beijing will have to pay a price for failure to stop supplying Russia’s defense industry
The President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping on Sunday, May 5, left for an official visit to Europe, the first such visit in five years.
President Xi’s European tour will include visits to France, Serbia, and Hungary, focused primarily on issues of economy, trade and investment.
Ukraine will be another highlight of Xi's talks with the leaders of European countries, primarily in the context of China's close ties with Russia.
Changes in the Law
New restrictions on online gambling
At the end of March, a serviceman of the 59th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Pavlo Petrychenko, posted a petition on the president's website demanding restrictions on online gambling and a ban on access to online casinos for Ukrainian soldiers by martial law. Unfortunately, Petrychenko died on the front line on April 15. But he has launched important changes in this area. His petition collected more than 26,000 signatures within hours of it being launched. And President Zelensky responded by instructing the relevant authorities to "gather analytics and propose solutions."
On April 20, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDCU) published its decision on “Counteracting the negative consequences of gambling on the Internet", which was immediately put into effect by the Head of State.
The decision introduces new restrictions on online gambling and bans it for military personnel during martial law regime. But will it work or be effective?
Top Videos:
Commemoration
The ambassador of Ukraine to Germany and the mayor of Berlin honored the victims of the Second World War
Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany Oleksii Makeiev, together with the ruling mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thomas Bugger, laid flowers at the Neue Wache memorial to the victims of the war.
In this way, they honoured the memory of millions of Ukrainians who died during the Second World War.
Culture
Europe Day 2024 began to be celebrated in Brussels
In Brussels, the celebrations for Europe Day, observed annually on May 9th, have begun, symbolizing peace and unity across the European continent. Today, all EU institutions held an "Open Day" for the general public, openly demonstrating to people where, what, and how European officials are engaged, whose work is funded by taxpayers' money.
Despite strong winds and rainy weather, long lines of thousands of people formed outside the EU institutions, particularly near the Berlaymont building, the main office of the European Commission, indicating a genuine interest in how the European Union operates, from whose decisions and policies the well-being of every European, as well as the economic development and stability of all Europe, depends.
During the open events, the cultural traditions of various European nations and countries were extensively showcased. Among these events, the presentation of Ukraine was highly noticeable and vibrant.
In the training grounds
"Liut" and robots: smart machines perform assigned tasks
At one of the training grounds, fighters from the "Liut" Assault Brigade are training alongside their proteges—robots. These robots are capable of carrying out the most complex and dangerous tasks: eliminating enemies, evacuating the wounded, and laying mines in territories.
News that may affect events in the country:
Defense
Government acquires more than 10,000 drones worth UAH 1B via Prozorro Market
Since the full-scale war started, a total of 10.5 thousand drones have been acquired by the state via the Prozorro Market electronic catalog to meet the needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces
Volunteering
In Netherlands, Ukrainian soldiers undergoing rehabilitation and volunteers assemble drones for AFU
Volunteers are looking for funding and ordering parts, while the military assemble drones. Professional instructors help beginners. The finished device is thoroughly tested before being sent to Ukraine.
Politics
Following elections, European Parliament may not be as pro-Ukrainian - expert
Ivanna Volochii, an ethnic Ukrainian currently running for the European Parliament as part of Latvia’s liberal party, who has extensive experience of working in the EU bodies, believes that the European Parliament of the new convocation may be less pro-Ukrainian, which politicians should already take into account.
Human Rights
Rights violation by Russia in Crimea: Ukraine expects decision from the ECHR
Ukraine is awaiting a decision from the European Court of Human Rights in the lawsuit regarding Russia's violation of human rights after it occupied the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in 2014.
International support
Defense agencies of Ukraine, Poland begin to actively cooperate with businesses – expert
The defense ministries of Ukraine and Poland, as well as other government agencies related to the security and defense sector, are starting to actively cooperate with businesses.
See you next Friday!