Articles :

A number of Ukraine’s political forces saw a half-criminal, half-medical drama around the detention of chief taxman Roman Nasirov as an opportunity to show off. Logistical blockade in Donbas became bilateral, also being aggravated by the establishment of the "external management" over 43 Ukrainian companies located in the militant-occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. MP Nadiia Savchenko achieved no success in liberating Ukrainian prisoners held captive by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. 

Donbas blockade saw an unexpected development on the other side of the contact line, further escalating the absurdity effect. Ukraine and the rest of the world remembered the annexation of Crimea. European institutions granted visa-free travel to Georgian citizens and set a date of a similar privilege to be granted to Ukrainians. Donald Trump told U.S. Congress, how actually he was going to make America great again. Heads of three European foreign ministries paid visits to Kyiv.

The events dedicated to the Heavenly Hundred heroes this year were both filled with political overtones and stretched in time. Dmytro Firtash is unlikely to return to Ukraine anytime soon and neither is he in a hurry to be sent to the United States or Spain. The demand for the strategy of the return of uncontrolled territories to Ukraine is becoming increasingly apparent. MPs last week made great efforts in individual performances and team work.

Death of the Russian permanent representative to the UN was cynically used by Russian MFA in its attempts to manipulate the UNSC. Moscow has once again let Ukraine’s disgraced president Viktor Yanukovych speak up in media. Ukrainian tycoon Dmytro Firtash has become a game in big hunt of the U.S. and Spanish law enforcers. Lower House of the Dutch Parliament has supported the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement.

The latest public row between Volodymyr Groysman and Yulia Tymoshenko predict an exciting political spring. The blockade of coal supplies in Donbas somehow took a stretch toward the corner of Instytutska and Bankova streets near the presidential administration headquarters downtown Kyiv. Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has showered his subordinates with criticism and vowed problems to people’s servants.

Petro Poroshenko at the Munich security conference quoted Neville Chamberlain and emphasized that it would be useless to hold talks about Ukraine without Ukraine. Donald Trump is rapidly disappointing Russian leadership. Prime Minister of Moldova was welcomed at the highest level in Kyiv.

The resumption of the Verkhovna Rada’s plenary sessions did not add ranking points to most legislators. The death of Givi (“DPR” terrorist Mikhail Tolstykh) will not become a turning point in the Donbas conflict but it may adjust some positions. The new head of the National Police took office.

The latest interview of German Ambassador to Ernst Reichel provoked a lively reaction of the Ukrainian establishment. Volodymyr Groysman during his Brussels visit heard many encouraging words about Ukraine. Federica Mogherini flew across the Atlantic in search of balance in relations with Trump administration.

Former Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe and now the country’s envoy to the EU, Ambassador Mykola Tochytskyi has spoken with UNIAN about the prospects of an Open Sky agreement for Ukraine, the issue of EU integration of Ukrainian electricity market, and the steps Ukraine can take in opposing Russian influence in the EU.

Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze sat down with UNIAN to speak about the issue of Ukraine’s visa liberalization and the country’s  intention to facilitate the process of granting own visas to foreign nationals. She also explained why Ukraine needs a referendum on joining NATO and what lessons Britain could learn from the Ukrainian experience.

The escalation in Avdiyivka has become a serious challenge, not only for the military, but also for the Kyiv authorities and the general Ukrainian public. Petro Poroshenko sparked a lively discussion by mentioning an idea of holding a referendum on the country's accession to NATO. Leaders of Ukraine’s presidential ratings have sought to see favors from Donald Trump. Governor of the National Bank Valeria Gontareva significantly increased her media presence against the background of hryvnia stabilization.

The escalation in Avdiyivka sparked a wave of outrage around the world, which was different from what Russia had expected as it applied its massive media pressure. Petro Poroshenko during his Berlin visit held talks with Angela Merkel. Top officials in Poland have failed to find a better time to express concern about the influence of the historical contradictions on the current state of Polish-Ukrainian relations.

Acting Head of Ukraine’s Mission to NATO Yehor Bozhok has told UNIAN about some details of Russia’s “prank attack” against NATO, how the Bloc’s governing bodies respond to the latest escalation in Avdiyivka and whether they expect the situation to worsen, as what is the Alliance’s attitude to the call by President Poroshenko to hold a referendum on NATO accession.

Situation revolving around Ukrzaliznytsia may provoke a government crisis. Samopomich Party through its talking heads is trying to tackle the “waste blockade” of Lviv and tries to contribute to the blockade of railway connection with the areas in Donbas beyond government control.

While in Finland and Estonia, Petro Poroshenko raised some Ukraine-related issues, significant for the country. At a January session of PACE, the friends of Russia were really close to getting a long-awaited revenge. Acts of vandalism against the Polish graves in Ukraine have a rather logical explanation.

Ukraine marked its Unity Day with no excessive glitz. Rada Speaker Andriy Parubiy’s positive assessment of parliament’s work looks dubious as the Ukrainian Parliament shamefully closed its session on Friday failing to reach a quorum. The Ukrainian Cabinet is increasingly resembling a terrarium with those dwelling there facing a range of external challenges.

The Economic Forum in Davos has become a platform for Petro Poroshenko’s intensive negotiations. Donald J. Trump’s inauguration was among the factors that destabilized the legislative process in Ukrainian Parliament. Ukraine has lodged a lawsuit against Russia with the International Court of Justice. Igor Dodon does not intend to recognize Crimea Russian territory.

The Ukrainian government has decided to make the most of the effect of the earlier raise of the minimum wage, but so far it has not succeeded much. Nadiia Savchenko seems to have outsmarted herself with the publication of Donbas POW lists. The incident with MP Serhiy Pashinsky using his firearm gave new impetus to public focus on the practice of Interior Minister Arsen Avakov awarding weapons to certain individuals.

New Year’s festivities were no obstacle for senior officials of Ukraine and the EU to exchange opinions on prospects of development of bilateral relations. Ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, his opponents have been highly active in the media, which affects the actions of the future president and his team.

During these New Year’s holidays, the Ukrainian society was vigorously tested for its readiness to restore relations with Russia. The Ukrainian President, Prime Minister and Parliament Speaker have each made it clear in their public addresses that the country had already passed the worst stage of the crisis.