Ukraine marks 1000 days without Russian gas

Thursday, August 23, marks 1000 days since Ukraine imported the last batch of Russian gas, reports Ukrtransgaz, Ukrainian operator of the gas transit system.

In late November 2015, Ukraine refused to purchase natural gas from Gazprom, as the Ukrainian gas company, Naftogaz considered this price too inflated. Import of gas is now carried out via western border.

The rejection of Russian gas allowed Ukraine to begin reforming the gas market and reforming the corporate governance of Naftogaz. For …


European Court of Human Rights orders Russia to report on the health of 4 Ukrainian political prisoners

The government of the Russian Federation must inform the European Court of Human Rights on the health of the Ukrainian political prisoners Stanislav Klykh, Vladimir Balukh, Emir-Husein Kuku and Sergei Litvinov, as well as on the medical care provided to them, Pavel Petrenko, the Ukrainian Minister of Justice announced.

“The ECHR responded very quickly to the request of the Ukrainian government concerning the health of Ukrainian political prisoners. The decision of the ECHR is as follows: the …


Erdogan promises to support Ukraine’s sovereignty

Turkey continues to maintain and develop strategic relations with Ukraine, stated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his congratulations to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and to Ukrainians on the 27th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

“Our relationship with Ukraine as a strategic partner is strengthening in every industry and the long-standing friendship between our people is deepening every day. We are happy to see a mutual desire at bringing our cooperation to an even …


Trump congratulates Ukraine on Independence Day

President of the United States Donald Trump sent congratulations on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine to President Petro Poroshenko, said the press service of the head of the Ukrainian state on Thursday.

"On behalf of the American nation, I want to congratulate you and the people of Ukraine on the 27th anniversary of your independence to be celebrated on August 24," stated the message.

"The United States Government will continue to work with Ukraine and support efforts in …


Threat of new US sanctions sends Russian government bank shares tumbling

Russian government bank shares continue to plummet on the Moscow Exchange due to the threat of new US sanctions, which at first seemed unlikely, but are becoming more real every day.

After US Senator Chris Van Hollen said that the bipartisan sanctions bill will target the Russian banking sector, Sberbank and VTB Bank’s share prices began to drop at an accelerating rate.

At the end of trading on Thursday, Sberbank’s shares had lost 4.84%, closing at a price of 178.71 rubles, a low since August …