Weekly newsletter
This is a newsletter of exclusive materials of Ukrinform for a week
Photo of the week:
Paintings by Cherkasy artist Tetiana Baida-Usenko (Sosulina), created on the wall or lid of ammunition boxes, during the Heroes' Day exhibition at the Cherkasy Regional Museum of Local Lore, Cherkasy, on May 22, 2024.
Мaterials and Interviews:
Ukrainian-Alliance Relations
Nataliya Halibarenko, Ukraine's Envoy to NATO
The aggravation of the situation on Ukrainian frontlines, along with the upcoming NATO 75th anniversary Washington summit, set for July, have increased attention by the Ukrainian people to Kyiv's relations with the Alliance. Ukraine's ability to continue resistance to Russian war of aggression, to troubleshoot and build a modernized army capable of preventing the threat of a future war of aggression like this, not only against Ukraine, but against all of Europe, depends on the dynamics of these relations. Ambassador Nataliya Halibarenko, Ukraine's Envoy to NATO spoke to Ukrinform to explain how NATO and Allies view the current situation in Ukraine, what motivates them to support our country, and what impact the decisions to be made at the Washington Summit can have for us.
Support for Ukraine
Jan Marian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czech Republic
From the very beginning of the war, the Czech Republic has been one of the most sincere and loyal partners of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Czechia looked through its stockpiles of weapons and delivered everything it could, and the plan of the government and the president of the republic to purchase ammunition for the Ukrainian Armed Forces is known throughout the world as the "Czech initiative." Prague actively defends Ukraine's right to be a member of Euro-Atlantic structures on all international platforms. Let's not forget about the huge number of refugees to whom the Czech Republic has granted asylum - almost 4% of the total number of its own population.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic plays a significant role in everything related to assistance to Ukraine. In an interview with Ukrinform, Deputy Foreign Minister Jan Marian spoke about numerous events that focus on support for Ukraine, as well as projects in which the ministry is directly involved. We started with the Peace Summit, participation in which was confirmed by President Petr Pavel.
Justice for Ukraine
Oleksandr Kachura, MP, member of presidential team on creating specialized tribunal on Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine
One of the key questions Ukrainians are asking themselves today is whether Russian men in power - Putin, Patrushev, Lavrov, Shoigu, Matvienko, Naryshkin and others - will be brought to justice and punished for their war in Ukraine. This issue is important globally, because the future international security architecture will depend on whether those individuals will be punished. If not, then whoever is stronger will rule. Whoever has a larger army will be able to easily capture the territory of a smaller neighbor. Everyone understands that this would open the gateway to chaos. To avoid future aggression, it is necessary to get punished the aggressors who unleased this war. It is for this purpose that there should be created a specialized international tribunal on Russia’s crime of aggression in Ukraine. Ukrinform talked to Oleksandr Kachura, Servant of the People MP, member of the presidential working group on the creation of a specialized international tribunal on Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine, about the prospects for and problems involved with the creation of such a tribunal.
Russian losses
Russia’s war toll has surged past half a million. What does such a high toll amount suggest?
Our allies are publishing similar data, so this figure is true and verified. The enemy has already surpassed the amount of its casualties in the Soviet “Winter War” with Finland
Lifting ban
U.S. ban on Ukraine’s use of its donated weapons against targets inside Russia. Does such a ban exist, actually?
For now, the White House’s stance remains unchanged. Can it change and when is a question that cannot but cause rage. After all, whereas a plane takes off from an Engels airfield loaded with missiles for a strike on Ukraine, why can't it be targeted and hit while still on ground at the airfield? The same applies to the bomber aircraft that drop glide bombs on targets in Kharkiv and Sumy Oblasts while still flying over Russia’s territory. Why can't they be taken out anywhere while over Russia?
Reputable experts have shared with Ukrinform their views on that matter. These views replicate each other in some aspects, differ in others, but are definitely surprising
Top Videos:
Culture
The Ukrainian stand is presented at the Warsaw Book Fair.
At the Ukrainian stand in Warsaw, 20 Ukrainian publishers are represented (Mamino, Vivat, Old Lion Publishing House, ASSA, Parasol, Free Wind, Time of Masters, Monuments of Ukraine, NIKA-Center, Anetta Antonenko Publishing House, Time of Change Information, Nora-Print, Summit-Book, Folio, Spirit and Letter, HERE, Vovkulaka, The Will Production) along with products from Kharkiv printing Ukrainian Puzzles. Visitors to the International Book Fair in Warsaw have the opportunity to see over 300 of the latest books from Ukrainian publishers.
Loss of life
In Odesa, 4-year-old Zlata, who died from a Russian missile, was held on her last journey
On April 29, during a missile strike, the girl was in the yard of her house when the family had not yet managed to leave. Zlata was injured by the explosion of a Russian cluster munition, and her parents immediately drove her to the hospital. On May 23, Zlata passed away in the hospital as her heart stopped beating. Hundreds of caring people came to bid her farewell.
The fight for the future
Crew of the Paladin self-propelled artillery unit: "We are fighting for life."
In Zaporizhzhia, the Russian army is destroying entire towns and villages, bombing literally every meter of Ukrainian land with aviation bombs. Our soldiers explain: they are not fighting for the names of populated areas or territory, but for the future of their children and the country as a whole.
Correspondents from Ukrinform witnessed the work of the artillery unit of the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade, whose fighters have been stationed on the Zaporizhzhia front for quite some time. The military say they have thoroughly studied the local cities inside and out.
News that may affect events in the country:
Human Rights
Ukraine pays up to EUR 200K per month in line with ECHR rulings - judge
At the expense of the state budget, Ukraine pays from 100 to 200 thousand euros per month according to the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. Over 2 million euros were paid out last year.
Energy
Public agencies acquire generators worth UAH 60M via Prozorro Market
About 500 public agencies have already acquired generators via the Prozorro Market electronic catalog. Their total value is around UAH 60 million.
The Prozorro Market catalog offers five different types of generators (gasoline, gas, diesel, welding and inverter generators) with a capacity ranging from 0.65 kilowatts to 200 kilowatts.
The average purchase duration via the Prozorro Market catalog is nine days, which is three times faster than through public auctions. As a result, public agencies receive equipment in the shortest time possible.
War
Senior commander: Ukrainian forces should get access to advanced technologies more quickly
The main task of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is to provide the Ukrainian Defense Forces with technologies so that Ukrainian defenders could surpass a more numerous enemy thanks to innovative solutions.
Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Andriy Lebedenko, noted that one of the priorities of the Ukrainian General Staff is to provide the Ukrainian Defense Forces with innovative technological solutions. These are unmanned, robotic systems and automated control systems. A separate emphasis should be placed on electronic warfare systems.
Agriculture
Cherkasy region receives about 90% of foreign currency revenues from agricultural exports
In 2023, the agricultural production index was 111.1%. The region received 88.0% of the total foreign currency revenues from the foreign trade turnover of food and agricultural products in 2023. The volume of exports exceeded $1.0 billion. In particular, more than a third of crop products, live animals and livestock products were exported to EU countries, as well as 11.0% of fats and oils of animal and/or vegetable origin.
Economy
Number of grants under ‘Own Business’ program increasing in Donetsk region – Oschadbank
The number of grants provided to set up private business is growing in the Donetsk region. A total of 37 grants were issued under the government program ‘Own Business’ in 2023. Over the past five months, the number of such grants has already reached 29.
See you next Friday!