Weekly newsletter
This is a newsletter of exclusive materials of "Ukrinform" for a week
Photo of the week:
Firefighters extinguish ignition sources during the liquidation of the consequences of a missile attack by the Russian military on Kharkiv, January 23, 2024.
Interviews and materials:
Politics
Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, is visiting Ukraine for the fourth time since the start of the full-scale invasion. In an interview with Ukrinform, he honestly admits his worries about the world's habituation to our war. He calls for solidarity between Ukrainians inside the country and those who fled it.
We also spoke about the UNHCR's assistance to displaced persons, the life of refugees in Europe, and obstacles from the Russian side.
Russian propaganda
British expert on Russian hybrid threats Jade McGlynn
Dr Jade McGlynn, a Research Fellow with the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, sat down with Ukrinform to discuss the latest trends in Russian propaganda efforts, their tailored influence on Western and Ukrainian audiences, lack of resolve among European politicians, the upcoming presidential election in the U.S., fragility of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture, and ways to promote the Ukrainian narrative to ensure continued support as the political landscape in the West is undergoing shifts.
War
Regular explosions in Russian rear: how does this affect course of war?
The number of attacks on the aggressor's territory has increased, and they have become more accurate and of higher quality. The initiative has passed into our hands. Experts' conclusions and forecasts are encouraging
But, how can we assess the results of these strikes, what specific effect or, as it is now fashionable to say, profit Ukraine is getting from them, and most importantly, how much does it really affect the course of the war?
Economy
Industrial visa-free regime with EU: benefits and challenges for Ukraine
According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, this year's key tasks for Ukraine's integration into the single European market include the continuation of transport and economic cooperation, as well as the early obtainment of an industrial visa-free regime with the EU. And while the preservation of the first two instruments of cooperation with the European Union depends to a greater extent on the political will of the European community (and at the level of European institutions, despite the resistance of some neighboring states, it exists), the ball is, as they say, in Ukraine's court as far as industrial visa-free travel is concerned. And the fact that the completion and formalization of this long-standing process has been repeatedly postponed is mostly our fault. This is due not only to the war, but also to slow internal reforms and adaptation of the domestic legal framework and standardization system to European requirements.
Let's recall what Ukraine and its partners have already done on this path, what remains to be done, and what difficulties will have to be overcome.
Social media
Russian "Enigma" of the XXI сentury: Telegram’s сonnection to the Kremlin
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Telegram has gained a significant impact on the Ukrainian audience. Nearly a million users downloaded the app in the month after February 24, 2022. Today, 88% of Ukrainians use this messenger. Nowadays, Telegram for us is the source of news, warnings about missiles flying close to one’s location, fundraising by volunteers, and access to uncensored information from the battlefield in each phone.
Top Videos:
Politics: The UN Court recognized Russia as a violator of international law for the first time - Korynevych
"This first decision recorded that the Russian Federation violated international law, in particular the obligations under the International Convention on the Prevention of Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Accordingly, for the first time in history, the Russian Federation was recognized by this Court - the highest court in the world - as a violator of international law," Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anton Korynevych said.
World: Taran asks: at the PACE session (in Strasbourg)
Debates with the participation of the First Lady Olena Zelenska and the Resolution on the Situation of Ukrainian Children: an appeal to the parliaments of Council of Europe countries to support their protection and the return of children deported by Russia.
New President of the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe)
Ukrainian exhibition "War Diaries" at the Palace of Europe
Whom did Ukrainians vote for in the election of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe?
Work of Ukrainian delegates in committees. Plans for the summer session.
Society: The 88th Grüne Woche exhibition is coming to an end in Berlin
One of the most renowned and largest industry exhibitions, Grüne Woche (Green Week), took place in Berlin from January 19 to 28, 2024. Over 1400 exhibitors from more than 40 countries showcased their products at the event. Despite Ukraine not having a national pavilion, Ukrainian presence at the exhibition is still notable, and the organizers express full solidarity with our country.
News that may affect events in the country:
International support: U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland is confident that the U.S. Congress will eventually approve continued assistance to Ukraine.
Recovery: FTA between Ukraine, Türkiye may become functional in coming months
During a meeting of Ukraine and Türkiye delegations led by the Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov and Minister of Trade of Türkiye Omer Bolat in Istanbul on January 31, a roadmap was laid down for the Free Trade Agreement to enter into force, which may take place in the coming months.
Politics: Scholz: Europe, US must send Putin signal that they not stop helping Ukraine
"We want peace. Ukrainians want peace most of all. For this to happen, one thing is needed above all - a clear message to the Russian president that he should not expect that our European, but also American support for Ukraine will decrease," Scholz said.
Economy: Ukraine Facility approval EU’s “extra effort” for Ukraine - Ambassador Mathernová
The decision by all 27 EU leaders to support the Ukraine Facility which lays down EUR 50 billion in financial assistance to Ukraine over the course of the four years was an extra effort in Ukraine’s favor.
See you next Friday!