Most Recent Posts
The symbolic signing of nothing special
There is much to be said for symbolism. It can be inspiring, it can be unifying, it can be a moment of hope or defiance that ignites the courage of others – in short, it can have impact. It can also be completely empty of meaning, condescending, devoid of rationale and ultimately, pointless in the [...]
Asylum, Schengen and proportional representation
Now here is an interesting little story – somewhat comical to a degree – which leads nicely into Ukrainian voting systems. Andriy Shkil, a former Batkivshchnya (BYuT) MP of the previous parliament, has been refused asylum by the Czech Republic, a nation well known for granting asylum via the historical legacy of Vaclav Havel who [...]
A mixed day for the Ukrainian Ministry of Health
A day of contrasts for the Ukrainian Ministry of Health on Wednesday – albeit one with symptoms that runs through the current government. Firstly and in a move lauded by Human Rights Watch, the decision to approve easier access and dispensing of pain killing drugs such as morphine to terminally ill people was approved. “This [...]
International News & Commentary
Tea – A Course in Culture: A Review of The Tea House Times
A man who wishes to make his way in life could do no better than go through the world with a boiling tea-kettle in his hand. – Syndey Smith Next to water, tea is the most common beverage in the world. Beer comes in third, coffee a distant fourth, with the top five rounded out [...]
The Rome Statute – Again
Not that long ago I wrote about the Rome Statute and the fact that Ukraine, whilst a signatory, was not a ratified signatory due to a 2001 Constitutional Court ruling. My entry is also here in Russian. In fact my ruminations made it to publication on the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) website also [...]
Human Rights – The US Magnitsky List
A very short post today because I am decorating the balcony – the weather is good enough and the good lady’s “lobbying” has eventually ground me down into compliance! It also has nothing to do with Ukraine (at least directly or currently). However, there has been a lot in the press in the build up [...]
More International Perspective:
EU & FSU News & Commentary
European Commission takes the next step in allowing for Ukrainian Association
Not at all surprisingly, on Wednesday 15th May, the European Commission took the necessary steps to draw up the documentation allowing for the Commission and Member States to sign the Association Agreement (and DCFTA) during the Vilnius Summit in November. Such things do indeed take time when 28 nations have to agree to every word, phrase [...]
Klitschko talks of time running out and personal sanctions
Only a few days ago, I mentioned a statement from Stefan Fule relating to no time extension for Ukraine to meet EU expectations in November. As I stated, despite the bullish tone, this has far more to do with the European political calendar preventing any extension, rather than Stefan Fule developing a rigid, rather than flexible, [...]
Ukrainian EU perceptions
Nicely timed for my return to the blog after a week off, Eurobarometer has just released some survey results relating to the extent to which Ukrainians would like further EU involvement in Ukrainian affairs. 76% would like greater EU involvement in economic development. 69% would like greater trade with the EU. 64% would like greater [...]
More Related to Europe & Russia
World War II Spotlights
The Axis Highwater Mark – El Alamein (AAR Turns 21 – 30)
Proceeding with Turns 21 – 30 for The Third Reich 42 – 45 North Africa. The screenshot doesn’t do justice for the whirlwind of fighting transpiring just west of El Alamein, Egypt. A mix of British armoured and infantry brigades continuously baited Rommel’s forces to advance toward Montgomery’s massive Eighth Army. Then, using one of [...]
Back to the Game – Turns 11 – 20
Continuing the play test of “Third Reich 1942 – 1945″ under The Operational Art of War, we already up to Turn 34 with no major game issues, only minor details to refine. Instead of going turn by turn, I’ll switch to covering larger blocks of turns. Finland/Karelian Front – Historically, Arctic Cicle Lend Lease Convoys [...]
More World War II Articles
Around Ukraine
Transparency in political fortune – Bill 2837
It is and has never been a secret that Ukrainian politicians have always, and still do, see politics as a way not only of insuring the retention of their personal interests against others who may like the look of them, but also to use their position within the most elite business club in Ukraine to [...]
A Tymoshenko case dropped?
Apparently, although I have yet to be able to confirm it via non-Batkivshchnya Party channels, the case against Yulia Tymoshenko relating to involvement in the murder of Yevhen Scherban that occurred in 1996, has been quietly dropped – effective 26th April. If true, a significant step forwards in the eyes of the EU one suspects, [...]
Democracy, tolerance and habit – The Ternopil Incident
We often read about democracy through the lenses freedom of speech/expression, rule of law, human rights, or free and fair elections, or political responsiveness to the public, accountability, transparency etc - and rightly so – they are all necessarily required for an effective democracy. But democracy is a very complex structure, and a list of [...]
More Ukraine News & Information
Odessa – Our Home Sweet Home…
$40 Billion annual road maintenance budget – Ukraine
The current budget for road maintenance in Ukraine sits at $16.9 billion – which sounds, and indeed is, a lot of money – and yet the state of Ukrainian roads resembles something like those of Berlin circa 1945 after the 363 air raids to which it was subjected by bomber command. As such, Vice Prime [...]
Tea – A Course in Culture: A Review of The Tea House Times
A man who wishes to make his way in life could do no better than go through the world with a boiling tea-kettle in his hand. – Syndey Smith Next to water, tea is the most common beverage in the world. Beer comes in third, coffee a distant fourth, with the top five rounded out [...]
Italy to open Consulate in Odessa soon
A very short and sweet entry today. Yet another diplomatic mission will soon open in Odessa – this time Italian - which will please the good woman if it has the ability to produce Visas, as Italy is a nation that particularly attracts her for reasons of history, architecture, food and of course fashion. Very good. [...]
Odessa Rocks! Here's More:
Hryvnia to pass devaluation peak in 2013 – World Bank
UKRAINE-EXCHANGE-WORLD-BANK-FORECAST The Hryvnia will devaluate in 2013 to UAH 8.70/$1 from UAH 8.00/$1 in 1012, the World Bank has predicted. The World Bank said in its latest Global Economic Prospects published late on Tuesday that in 2014 the hryvnia exchange rate will start strengthening: in 2014 it will reach UAH 8.60/$1 and in 2015 it [...]
Customs Union expansion with Vietnam – Will it make it more attractive to Ukraine than the EU?
I have written very often about the DCFTA (and attached AA) agreements that are now agreed between the EU and Ukraine, even if not signed and ratified for the foreseeable future. Far less frequently have I written about the Russian led Customs Union. This is because, thus far, despite the offer of a $9 billion [...]
$53.4 billion sent off shore
According to some media reports, the rather handsome sum of $53.397 billion has been sent off shore via Ukrainian banks in the past 2 years. The main facilitators of this exodus of cash have been Privat Bank which transfered $32.717 billion, Pumb Bank which transfered $3.249 billion and Nadra Bank which move $1.155 billion. In [...]