NGO assets declaration becomes law
KYIV – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed into law controversial amendments to the country’s anti-corruption legislation that require representatives of nongovernmental organizations to file assets declarations. Mr. Poroshenko on March 27 signed the amendments, which also relieve military officers of the obligation to file such declarations. The president said the measure acknowledges “the necessity of taking into account the interests of hundreds of thousands of servicemen who currently defend Ukraine from Russian aggression.” Earlier, British Ambassador to Ukraine Judith Gough described the reporting requirement for NGOs as “a serious step back” for Ukraine that could “limit NGOs’ capacity” and “expose them to pressure.” The reporting requirement for NGOs takes effect in 2018, and Mr. Poroshenko agreed to create a working group with NGO representatives to discuss its implementation. In a meeting with NGOs in Kyiv on March 27, Mr. Poroshenko expressed his support for their efforts to fight corruption and said any political pressure or restrictions on their activity was inadmissible. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by the Kyiv Post and UNIAN)
Russian court issues warrant for Yatsenyuk
KYIV – A municipal court in the southern Russian town of Yessentuki has issued an arrest warrant for former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. According to the court’s March 27 statement, an international warrant for Mr. Yatsenyuk’s arrest has been in effect since February 21. Russia wants to try him on charges of participating in an armed group in the Russian North Caucasus region of Chechnya in the mid-1990s and fighting against Russian troops. Mr. Yatsenyuk confirmed that the Ukrainian government told him of the warrant against him in a post on Facebook on March 27. He dismissed the allegation, saying that “hatred and total absurdity are the foundations of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s regime.” In September 2015, Russian Investigative Committee head Aleksandr Bastrykin accused Yatsenyuk of fighting in Chechnya and of torturing and executing Russian soldiers. At the time, Mr. Yatsenyuk’s spokeswoman said that Russian officials should have their heads examined. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by Izvestia, RBK, and Gazeta.ru)
Crimean Tatar leader to face trial soon
KYIV – A Crimean Tatar leader who has criticized Russia’s seizure of the Black Sea peninsula appears likely to face trial soon on what he says are spurious charges of separatism. Ilmi Umerov, deputy chairman of the Crimean Tatars’ self-governing body, the Mejlis, said he and his lawyer were informed on March 21 that the case against him had been sent to a court in Russia-controlled Crimea. He also said he had received the final written charges, a step that is often followed within days or weeks by a trial. Mr. Umerov, 59, was charged with separatism in May 2016 after he made public statements opposing Russia’s seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014. He denies the charges, saying he has the right to express his opinions freely. (RFE/RL)
Five dead after military copter crash
KYIV – Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said a military helicopter has crashed in the eastern Donbas region, killing five people aboard. The ministry said the crash happened March 26 near Kramatorsk, the headquarters of the military operation against Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. Two crew members and three passengers died when the Mi-2 copter crashed after apparently flying into some power lines, the ministry said. Ukrainian government forces have battled separatists in the east for nearly three years, in a war that has killed more than 9,900 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. (RFE/RL, with reporting by RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service)
Manafort agrees to testify in Russia probe
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort has volunteered to speak to a U.S. congressional committee that is investigating Russia’s alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, said on March 24 that Mr. Manafort’s lawyer contacted his committee the previous day and offered to make his client available to lawmakers. The committee is investigating alleged ties between Trump associates and Russia, as well as what U.S. intelligence officials have described as Kremlin-directed interference in the U.S. election. Rep. Nunes thanked Mr. Manafort “for volunteering,” saying congressional investigators “encourage others with knowledge of these issues to voluntarily interview with the committee.” Rep. Nunes said his panel would coordinate with Mr. Manafort’s lawyers on whether his testimony would be public. Mr. Manafort’s spokesman, Jason Maloni, confirmed he would testify in the congressional investigation. “Mr. Manafort instructed his representatives to reach out to committee staff and offer to provide information voluntarily regarding recent allegations about Russian interference in the election,” Mr. Maloni told The New York Times. “As Mr. Manafort has always maintained, he looks forward to meeting with those conducting serious investigations of these issues to discuss the facts,” Mr. Maloni said. News of Mr. Manafort’s proposed testimony came days after the Associated Press reported that Mr. Manafort previously worked for Kremlin-connected Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska and, as early as 2005, proposed a political strategy involving a public influence campaign to benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Manafort resigned as Trump’s campaign chief in August 2016 following reports of illicit payments related to his previous work for the political party of Ukraine’s pro-Russian former president, Viktor Yanukovych. White House spokesman Sean Spicer on March 22 insisted the work Mr. Manafort did for Mr. Deripaska had taken place a decade ago and was irrelevant to Mr. Manafort’s job with the Trump election campaign. (RFE/RL, with reporting by Reuters, AP, The Boston Globe, Politico and The New York Times)
Russia’s Sberbank to sell Ukrainian branches
MOSCOW – The largest Russian bank, Sberbank, is selling its Ukrainian branches amid increasing pressure from the Ukrainian government and protesters in Ukraine. State-controlled Sberbank said in a March 27 statement that a consortium led by Norvik Bank of Latvia and a private Belarusian firm would purchase the Russian bank’s assets in Ukraine. The sale comes less than two weeks after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree imposing sanctions on Sberbank and four other banks with Russian financing. The bank’s outlets in Ukraine have also been the focus of protests led by Ukrainian nationalists angered after Sberbank said it would comply with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s February 18 decree ordering Russian authorities to recognize identity documents issued by Russia-backed separatists who hold parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Sberbank later said that it would not recognize the documents in Ukraine. Sberbank said the sale of its Ukrainian assets is expected to be completed by July after gaining approval from antitrust regulators. Said Gutseriyev, head of the Belarusian company involved in the sale and the son of Russian billionaire Mikhail Gutseriyev, will become the largest shareholder in Sberbank’s Ukrainian holdings after the transaction. Sberbank said that it hopes the sale will allow for the “resumption of regular operations” and that its customers will no longer be hindered at its branches in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on March 28 that Russia was very concerned about the treatment of Russian businesses in Ukraine. “We’ve been following this and are extremely worried,” Mr. Peskov told journalists. He said Russia believes that the Ukrainian authorities should “protect the private property of foreign investors from attacks by ultranationalists and extremists.” (RFE/RL, with reporting by Reuters, Interfax, and AFP)
Tax breaks for sanctions-hit Russians?
MOSCOW – Russia’s lower house of Parliament has approved legislation to exempt Russians who are under Western sanctions from paying tax in Russia if they are registered as taxpayers in foreign countries. The bill, passed in its third and final reading in the State Duma on March 22, also exempts such individuals from declaring their incomes. It will become law if approved in the upper house and signed by President Vladimir Putin. The legislation, initiated by ruling United Russia party lawmaker Andrei Makarov, also grants Russians under sanctions the right to receive a refund on taxes paid to the Russian treasury since 2014 if they prove their status as a foreign tax resident. In 2014, Western countries imposed asset freezes and travel bans on dozens of Russians – some of them close to Mr. Putin – after Moscow seized the Crimean peninsula and backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. A 2013 law bans Russian officials and lawmakers from having bank accounts, valuable papers or companies abroad, but allows them to have property in foreign countries that are taxed by local authorities. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by meduza.io, TASS and Interfax)
Poroshenko meets with envoys of G-7, EU
KYIV – President Petro Poroshenko on March 27 held the first meeting with ambassadors of the G-7 and the European Union. The Ukrainian president expressed great appreciation for the solidarity and unity of the G-7 countries with Ukraine in ensuring support for the implementation of internal reforms and countering Russian aggression. Special attention was paid to the escalation of the situation in the Donbas, given recent destructive actions by Russia on the territory of certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In this context, the parties agreed to continue pressure on the Russian authorities to implement the Minsk agreements’ provisions through the preservation and, if necessary, enhancement of international sanctions. The meeting participants discussed the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine regarding temporary suspension of the transportation of goods between Ukraine and the uncontrolled territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The ambassadors said they understand the necessity of such steps, given the illegal expropriation of Ukrainian property and irresponsible actions of certain political forces to impose an unauthorized blockade of railways in the Donbas. The parties underlined the need to prevent the deterioration of the humanitarian situation on both sides of the delimitation line and agreed to take joint measures to minimize the negative impact on civilians from restrictions on the movement of goods. Mr. Poroshenko also informed Ukraine’s international partners about the progress and prospects of reform, particularly in the sphere of anti-corruption policy, judicial reform, decentralization, deregulation, energy, healthcare and creation of an attractive investment climate. The parties spoke of coordinating future steps to provide comprehensive assistance for the implementation of reforms to Ukraine by the G-7 and the European Union. (Presidential Administration of Ukraine)
Third anniversary of National Guard
KYIV – President Petro Poroshenko congratulated the servicemen of the National Guard of Ukraine on the third anniversary of its establishment. “Exactly three years ago, the National Guard became one of the first military formations to take responsibility for the protection of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of our state at an extremely critical moment. Exactly three years ago, in the spring of 2014, I had the high honor to be present at the ceremony of taking oath by the firsts battalions of the newly established National Guard formed by men from the Maidan Self-Defense who came here right from the Maidan to study and be off directly to the frontline,” Mr. Poroshenko said. He emphasized: “In the very first battles, you passed a severe exam for patriotism and loyalty to that oath.” He continued: “A high level of trust and the gratitude of the Ukrainian people are not the only assessments of your work. Our National Guard is the most frequently mentioned brand on Russian TV. It seems to be the most popular brand. It is totally absurd and unfair to scare children by you. But if you are so feared and hated by adult Russian men, this means that you serve the people of Ukraine honestly, qualitatively and selflessly,” the president emphasized. Mr. Poroshenko noted that both the people and the government highly appreciate the contributions of the National Guard to ensuring national security. A total of 1,175 National Guard servicepersons have received high state awards and 193 have been killed defending Ukraine. The deceased were honored with a moment of silence. “Defending the interests of the state and its citizens, you are guided only by the laws of Ukraine and the military oath,” the president underscored. He particularly thanked the National Guard members for their professionalism, steel nerves and moderation during the protection of rallies over the past few months: “When organizers and participants were provoking and literally making you use force, you kept cool and ensured order in various Ukrainian cities by all legal means.” (Presidential Administration of Ukraine)
Le Pen wants to remove sanctions
MOSCOW – French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 24 and said that, if elected, she will consider how to swiftly remove sanctions against Moscow. At the unannounced meeting in the Kremlin, Mr. Putin said that Russia was not seeking to sway the upcoming vote in France and defended his decision to meet with Le Pen. “We do not want to influence events in any way, but we reserve the right to talk to representatives of all the country’s political forces, just as our partners in Europe and the United States do,” he said. Ms. Le Pen said that Russia and France should exchange intelligence concerning the fight against terrorism, adding that “only together can we overcome this scourge.” Addressing reporters after the talks, Mr. Le Pen said that if elected, she would consider what she had to do to swiftly remove the sanctions Western governments have imposed on Moscow over its interference in Ukraine. The French National Front (FN) party leader has voiced admiration for Mr. Putin in the past and did so again after the meeting, which an aide to Le Pen said lasted about 90 minutes. “He represents a sovereign nation,” Ms. Le Pen told reporters. “I think he also represents a new vision.” She added, “A new world has emerged in the past years. This is Vladimir Putin’s world, Donald Trump’s world in the United States, Mr. [Narendra] Modi’s world in India,” referring to the U.S. president and the Indian prime minister. Ms. Le Pen met with Mr. Putin after a visit to the State Duma, during which she called for closer ties between the two countries and the removal of EU sanctions. “It is absolutely inconceivable that because of the sanctions, Russian and French lawmakers are not able even to meet to discuss issues that are of the great importance for protecting peace and lives of our citizens,” Ms. Le Pen told the Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee. She has repeatedly called for closer ties with Mr. Putin and said she does not consider Moscow’s annexation of Crimea illegal. Her one-day visit came a month before the April 23 first round of the French election, one of a series of votes in EU countries this year that are seen as a test of Russia’s influence in the West at a time when many officials and analysts believe Putin is seeking to sow disunity and undermine institutions in the EU and the United States. (RFE/RL, with reporting by AFP, AP, DPA, Reuters, TASS and Interfax)
NATO ministers to meet with Tillerson
BRUSSELS – NATO diplomats say a meeting of alliance foreign ministers originally scheduled for April 5-6 is now tentatively planned for March 31, when U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will be in Brussels. The U.S. State Department announced on March 24 that Mr. Tillerson would visit NATO headquarters in Brussels on March 31, the day after he meets in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. NATO diplomats on March 25 told RFE/RL that foreign ministers from other alliance countries were working to accommodate the secretary of state’s schedule after Washington announced he would not attend the April meeting because of a scheduling conflict. One NATO diplomat told RFE/RL that many foreign ministers already had previous commitments and would have to rearrange their schedules in order to attend a March 31 meeting. NATO sources told RFE/RL that the conflict in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russia-backed separatist fighters would be high on the agenda the next time NATO foreign ministers meet. (Rikard Jozwiak of RFE/RL, with reporting by AFP)
Jaresko to manage Puerto Rico’s crisis
WASHINGTON – A U.S. board overseeing the finances of the bankrupt territory of Puerto Rico announced that it is hiring Ukraine’s former finance minister to steer the Caribbean island out of crisis. Natalie Jaresko served at a critical time in Ukraine’s history from 2014 to 2016 as it faced a deep recession and insolvency. “Ukraine’s situation three years ago – like Puerto Rico’s today – was near catastrophic, but she worked with stakeholders to bring needed reforms that restored confidence, economic vitality, and reinvestment in the country and its citizens. That’s exactly what Puerto Rico needs today,” said board chairman Jose Carrion. Ms. Jaresko was born in Chicago to Ukrainian immigrants and previously worked for the U.S. State Department and the Horizon Capital fund. As Ukraine’s finance minister, she helped negotiate a deal to restructure the country’s $15 billion debt. Ms. Jaresko will be paid $625,000 a year, and will commute from Ukraine once a month until June, with all flights and hotel stays to be paid for by Puerto Rico. Mr. Carrion said Ms. Jaresko will be responsible for ensuring that Puerto Rico achieves a balanced budget within four years and is granted re-entry into the capital markets after credit rating agencies downgraded the island’s debt to junk status. (RFE/RL, with reporting by AP)
Russia criticizes decision barring singer
MOSCOW – The Kremlin has called for a review of what it said was Ukraine’s “unfair” decision to bar Russia’s contestant in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest from entering the country. “We consider this decision to be very wrong and… we expect that this decision will be reviewed and that the Russian participant will be able to take part in this contest,” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on March 23. The Ukrainian Security Service on March 22 said it had prohibited Yulia Samoilova from entering Ukrainian territory for three years because she had violated Ukrainian law, an apparent reference to a visit by the singer to Crimea in 2015 – the year after Russia seized control of the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine. Ukrainian law enables the government to ban people who have traveled to Crimea without obtaining prior permission from Kyiv. Ukraine last year blacklisted 140 Russian performing artists on those grounds. The Russian Foreign Ministry sharply criticized the ban on March 22, calling the Ukrainian government a “regime infected with Russophobic paranoia.” The move also drew criticism from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), co-producer of the event with the host country each year, which said it was “deeply disappointed” over the decision. The EBU has said it “will continue a dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities with the aim of ensuring that all artists can perform” in Kyiv. Ms. Samoilova, 27, was chosen as Russia’s contestant on March 12. The singer, who suffers from a rare muscular disorder that leaves her bound to a wheelchair, performed in the Crimean city of Kerch in mid-2015. (RFE/RL, with reporting by AP, Interfax and TASS)
Russia rejects Eurovision compromise
MOSCOW – Russia’s Channel One refused an offer by Eurovision Song Contest organizers to have singer Yulia Samoilova participate by satellite after Ukraine blocked her from entering the country to take part in the popular event. The Russian state broadcaster on March 23 said it found the offer to allow Ms. Samoilova to perform remotely to be “odd” because it goes “absolutely against the very essence of the event,” adding, “One of the [event’s] rules… reads that the song should be performed live on the stage.” Channel One said the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the event, should not have to “invent new rules” for the Russian performer. The Geneva-based EBU criticized Ukraine’s decision to bar Ms. Samoilova from entering the country, saying the satellite compromise was offered to ensure “all artists can participate.” (RFE/RL, based reporting by AFP, Interfax and TASS)
Body found in debris at munitions depot
KYIV – Ukrainian officials say a woman’s body was found under debris at the site of a massive fire at a munitions depot near the eastern city of Kharkiv. The chief of Ukraine’s Emergency Service, Mykola Chechotkin, said on March 24 that the body of a woman born in 1951 had been found in a damaged building late the previous evening. Explosions and fires that broke out at the munitions depot in Balakliya early on March 23 prompted the evacuation of some 20,000 people. The depot stores some 138,000 tons of ammunition and is used to supply Ukrainian forces fighting Russia-backed separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Ukrainian authorities blamed “sabotage” and President Petro Poroshenko pointed the finger at Russia. Authorities had said on March 23 that one woman was injured. Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said earlier that the fire had affected half of the 368-hectare depot and could continue for up to seven days. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by UNIAN and Interfax)