U.S. and Russia differ on peacekeepers
After talks on the conflict in eastern Ukraine, U.S. and Russian envoys say their countries have “different concepts for how to make peace” but will continue to work to achieve that goal. “Both sides agreed to reflect on the discussions… and to think about further ways to address this challenge,” said a joint statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow after special envoy Kurt Volker and Kremlin aide Vladislav Surkov met on November 13. It said the meeting in Belgrade included a “thorough discussion of the current diplomatic state of play concerning efforts to end the war” between Kyiv’s forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Mr. Volker had indicated before the meeting that it would focus on the possibility of an international peacekeeping force being deployed in the parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts that are held by Russia-backed separatists. After the meeting, Mr. Surkov said that the U.S. side presented 29 paragraphs containing its proposals on a Russian plan for peacekeepers, Russian news agencies reported. “Our delegation came to the conclusion that three of them were acceptable,” Mr. Surkov said, adding that the parties decided to continue the work to bring their positions closer. Discussions about deploying a peacekeeping force have heated up since September, when Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed deploying U.N. peacekeepers along the line separating Ukrainian government forces and the Russia-backed separatists. The plan swiftly drew criticism from both Kyiv and the West, largely because of concerns that deployment only along the front line would cement Russian control over separatist-held territory and do nothing to stop Russia from sending fighters and weapons into Ukraine. Mr. Putin later said he was open to adjustments to his initial proposal, but no agreement has been reached. Fighting between Kyiv government forces and Russia-backed separatists who hold parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions has killed more than 10,000 people since April 2014. Several ceasefire deals announced as part of the Minsk accords – September 2014 and February 2015 pacts aimed to resolve the conflict – have reduced fighting but not stopped it. “There has always been a need for a combination of political and security measures to be taken under Minsk,” the statement by Messrs. Volker and Surkov said. “Both sides agreed to reflect on the discussions today and to think about further ways to address this challenge.” Ahead of the Belgrade talks, Ambassador Volker said he would meet Mr. Surkov for a “discussion of principles” to see if they can agree on what a peacekeeping force might look like. He said that Washington wants the mission to monitor the entire conflict area and make sure heavy weapons are pulled back. (RFE/RL, with reporting by TASS and Interfax)
European Parliament hails reforms
European Parliament lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a resolution praising reforms in Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova and said the three former Soviet republics could eventually be considered for membership in the European Union. The resolution on November 15 also vowed to maintain “collective pressure on Russia to resolve the conflicts in eastern Ukraine, the occupied territories” of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Transdniester. The move by Parliament members comes ahead of the 2017 Eastern Partnership summit scheduled for November 24 in Brussels. The partnership was created in 2009 to deepen EU ties with six Eastern European partners – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The recommendations had been approved on October 10 by the Parliament’s foreign affairs committee. The text is nonbinding, but EU lawmakers said they welcomed “significant progress” made since the previous Eastern Partnership summit held in Riga in 2015. The text called on member states to “agree to an ambitious declaration for the 2017 summit that sets relevant long-term goals” and highlights that the association agreements signed with the three countries “do not constitute the final goal in their relations with the EU.” The lawmakers said they were in favor of “clear benchmarks for future cooperation” and that the EU would make no further deals with any Eastern Partnership country that does not respect EU values or “intimidates human rights defenders and journalists.” Diplomats told RFE/RL that the final declaration of the upcoming summit will acknowledge the EU aspirations of the partners but will not make any specific commitments toward potential membership. The lawmakers did recommend providing aid to Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova in the form of trust funds to focus on private and public investments in social and economic infrastructure. One of the goals, they said, would be to support economic reforms “aimed at phasing out monopolies, limiting the role of oligarchs, and preventing money-laundering and tax evasion.” The lawmakers also vowed to “keep pressure on Russia to resolve conflicts in the EU eastern neighborhood,” without going into detail. The resolution also stated that the MEPs supported the deployment of an “armed” police mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in eastern Ukraine. (RFE/RL, with reporting by Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels)
World Bank president visits Ukraine
The World Bank reported on November 14 that, on a two-day visit to Ukraine, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim reiterated the institution’s support for the country’s ambitious reform agenda aimed at accelerating growth and improving people’s lives. Mr. Kim met with President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and members of his Cabinet. During his visit, Mr. Kim also met with leaders in Parliament, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, as well as key anti-corruption officials and representatives from civil society and the private sector. “We applaud the remarkable reforms Ukraine has implemented, which have helped the economy return to growth,” Mr. Kim said. “The people of Ukraine have been through some very difficult times, and the challenge now is to ensure that the country’s progress continues and is shared by all Ukrainians.” The World Bank also reported that Mr. Kim discussed the importance of unlocking Ukraine’s agriculture potential through land reforms that would benefit all landholders. Lifting restrictions on land sales and providing greater access to credit can help farmers grow their businesses, attract private investment, expand food exports and play an important role in global food security. Mr. Kim said he was encouraged by the progress of health care reform and offered the World Bank’s continued support for its implementation. He also commended the Ukrainian authorities and civil society organizations for taking steps to fight corruption, including the publication of asset declarations, and the investigation of cases by the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Kim called for the urgent establishment of an independent Anticorruption Court to bring corrupt officials to justice. The World Bank noted: “Kim acknowledged that completing reforms will be challenging, but necessary to reach Ukraine’s potential. The World Bank Group is committed to continuing its support, so the aspirations of all Ukrainians can be realized.” (Ukrainian Canadian Congress Daily Briefing)
NAZK launches probe into NABU
Ukrainian investigators have opened a criminal probe into suspected extortion by members of a sister anti-corruption body. The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (known by its Ukrainian acronym as NAZK) is a keystone of Western-backed reforms but has been subjected to criticism for dragging its feet in checking officials’ wealth declarations for evidence of illicit gains. The National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) – a sister agency investigating high-profile corruption cases – said on November 14 that it opened the case against NAZK officials on suspicion that they had received “undue benefits in especially large amounts, combined with the extortion of such benefits.” A NABU spokeswoman said that officials at other state agencies were also under investigation, but did not give further details. “Investigators are not ruling out that NAZK officials may have acted as part of an organized group,” the spokeswoman said, adding that the case was opened partly based on information from the former head of NAZK’s financial control department, Hanna Solomatyna. Earlier on November 10, Ms. Solomatyna said she had decided to resign and hand over evidence to NABU after realizing an online wealth-declaration tool managed by NAZK was compromised. “The electronic declaration system is being used to cover up for officials loyal to the authorities, for crackdowns on dissidents, and for the personal enrichment of the NAZK’s chief and members of the NAZK’s collective leadership,” she said. “The NAZK is not an independent agency. It is completely controlled by the government.” Critics of the NAZK say President Petro Poroshenko is using the anticorruption agency to attack his political opponents rather than investigate corruption. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by Reuters, Interfax and Kyiv Post)
Assistant secretary of state visits Ukraine
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State A. Wess Mitchell is on a visit to Ukraine. He met with Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko on November 15. The Presidential Administration reported: “The parties thoroughly discussed a complex of issues of Ukraine-U.S.A. bilateral relations and coordinated priorities within their enhancement in the best interests of the two parties and joint protection and promotion of freedom and democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The importance of new approaches and bold initiatives for the replenishment of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the U.S.A. was noted – from enhanced political, trade-economic and energy interaction to intensification of the defense and security partnership between the parties.” The Presidential Administration reported that Mr. Mitchell assured that the United States would further support Ukraine in its endeavors to develop and strengthen the country, as well as in the further coordination of efforts aimed to ensure a reliable and efficient international support for our state. He also confirmed U.S. willingness to keep supporting Ukraine’s efforts on the restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity and, if necessary, to increase the price of continuing aggression against the Ukrainian state for Moscow. (Ukrainian Canadian Congress Daily Briefing)
Weiss pays tribute to fallen in Kyiv
While visiting the memorial to the fallen soldiers in Kyiv on November 15, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs A. Wess Mitchell said: “I think the faces on this wall are a poignant reminder of the sacrifice Ukrainians have paid. And we have to remember that sacrifice. We also have to remember the cause that these men and women died for, and that was the cause of a free Ukraine. A free Ukraine that’s on the path to Europe.” He noted that on this, his first trip to Europe as assistant secretary of state, is meant “to underscore America’s continuing commitment to that same cause, not only in supporting Ukraine as it faces aggression in the east, but supporting our Ukrainian friends as they continue the battle for reform here at home.” He added: “That’s the message of my trip: the United States stands by Ukraine. We appreciate the friendship that we have with the Ukrainian people, and we’ll continue to nurture that. I’m honored to be in Ukraine, and I’m honored to stand here and remember those who have fallen.” He made similar comments at the memorial to the Heavenly Brigade. Referring to the events of almost four years ago on the Maidan, he said: “The people of Ukraine caught the attention of the world and certainly caught the attention of the United States. And more than a hundred people died on this street, and they died for a very clear purpose. And that was to ensure that Ukraine has the ability to determine its own future. A future of democratic institutions and prosperity and stability for its people. …I’m proud to be here and humbled to stand in front of this monument of the faces of the fallen.” (U.S. Department of State)
Chess master boycotts Saudi championships
Ukraine’s double women’s reigning world chess champion says she will not attend the $2 million world speed-chess championships after the game’s governing body awarded the tournament next month to Saudi Arabia. Several top players are joining the 27-year-old Ukrainian grandmaster, Anna Muzychuk, in boycotting the rapid and blitz championships, considered one of the most exciting competitions in chess, citing human and women’s rights concerns in the Middle Eastern country. “Despite the record prize money, I am not going to play in Riyadh [which] means losing two world champion titles,” Ms. Muzychuk, who is currently ranked second in the world in rapid chess and third in blitz, said in a Facebook posting on November 11. “To risk your life, to wear abaya all the time?? Everything has its limits and headscarves in Iran was more than enough,” she added in reference to the world championships that were held in Tehran earlier this year. All women, foreigners and locals alike, are required to wear the abaya, a body-covering garment, in Saudi Arabia. That requirement is strictly enforced by Saudi authorities, though the World Chess Federation (FIDE) has said it is still finalizing details of the championships – which run from December 26-30 in the Saudi capital – and whether players will have to adhere to such clothing rules. (Alan Crosby of RFE/RL)