Ukraine
Ukraine's international reserves rose to $28.8bn in July
In July 2020, Ukraine's international reserves increased by 1.0% to $28.802bn (in equivalent), the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) announced on August 7.
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Ukraine GDP dropped 6.5% y/y in 1H20, ministry estimates
Ukraine’s real GDP dropped 6.5% y/y in 1H20, deepening from estimated 5.9% y/y decline in 5M20, according to an estimate published on Aug. 6 in the report of the Ministry of Economic Development. In 2Q20, GDP collapsed 11.0% y/y
Zelenskiy loses more ground in the polls as his Servant of the People approval falls to 26%
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s political party Servant of the People (SOTP) approval ratings in the polls slipped again to 26%, according to a survey by the Ratings Group released on August 6.
FPRI BMB Ukraine: Russia’s “passportization” of the Donbas
Since the spring of 2014, Russia has handed out nearly 200,000 Russian passports to Ukrainians living in the Donbas and Luhansk “People’s Republics.”
FPRI BMB Ukraine: A shaky ceasefire is holding in Donbas for the moment
A “comprehensive ceasefire” in Eastern Ukraine that was agreed to last week in Minsk officially started on August 2. There were immediately violations but the number of attacks by separatists has fallen significantly
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Ukraine’s banking sector starts to lose money in July
The Ukrainian banking sector lost UAH5,174mn ($186mn) in June as the full impact of the economic slowdown hit home.
Ukraine’s IMF deal drifting off track
After making Herculean efforts to pass the so-called anti-Kolomoisky banking law on May 18, clearing the way to restart a new $5bn International Monetary Fund standby agreement this summer, the renewed deal already seems to have gone off track.
FPRI BMB UKRAINE: Ukraine is successfully implementing the Association Agreement with the EU
According to a monitoring report from the Ukrainian Center for European Policy, Ukraine has fulfilled 41.6% of the requirements outlined in its Association Agreement with the EU.
Fat cats: new study shows corruption can be measured in kilos
A new study finds that the more overweight the politicians in a government from the former Soviet Union are, the more likely that government is to be corrupt.
Ukraine's parliament approves investment nanny bill
Ukraine’s parliament has approved the “investment nanny” bill, which offers state assistance and oversight to large investment projects, including a 15-year state guarantee on foreign investments.
Ukraine places 2033 eurobonds for $2bn at 7.253%
Ukraine returns to the international market after pulling a Eurobond issue at the beginning of this month following the resignation of central bank governor Yakiv Smolii.
Ukraine bus hostages freed after president’s intervention
Day-long standoff on bus in Lutsk ends after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy posts video telling people to watch 2005 documentary Earthlings.
NBU approves strategy for fintech development
Ukrainian central bank aims to promote innovation, progress towards a cashless economy and better financial literacy among consumers and businesses.
Ex-Ukrgazbank CEO Shevchenko elected NBU governor
MPs vote to install Kyrylo Shevchenko as head of the National Bank of Ukraine, but question of whether he will maintain the central bank’s independence remains open.
COMMENT: The “Soft Coup” and the Euromaidan Reformers — what went wrong?
Given their strong commitment to Ukraine’s identity, the rule of law and the support of free enterprise, why were the Euromaidan Reformers essentially absent during the “Soft Coup” that began in March?
IMF head urges Ukraine to preserve NBU independence
IMF issues warning as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy prepares to appoint a new central bank governor. Zelenskiy promised an “independent technocrat” but analysts are sceptical.
Spotify to enter Russia, other emerging Europe markets in new expansion drive
In Russia, the move by Spotify will put pressure on local internet majors Yandex and Mail.ru Group that also offer music streaming services.
Iran blames misalignment and poor communications for UIA PS752 downing
The flight was shot down outside Tehran on January 8, killing all 176 people on board.
Reforms stall as Zelenskiy actively undermines NBU independence
Confidence in the Z-Dream of rapid, deep and far-reaching reforms by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that will transform Ukraine almost totally evaporated this week.