Russia has no intention of halting gas transit through the territory of Ukraine following the launch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
However, this issue depends on the volumes of future European procurement and the competitiveness of alternative routes, Zakharova said.
“We are ready to continue gas transit through the territory of Ukraine, but this issue is purely a commercial one,” Zakharova told a press briefing in Moscow.
It “depends on many factors, including the volumes of future European procurement and the competitiveness of alternative routes,” she said.
Besides, speaking about attempts to link the start of the normal operation of Nord Stream 2 to “other subjects,” Zakharova said Moscow “continues to regard them as an example of absolutely illegitimate politicization of energy cooperation, which radically contradicts market principles.”
National bank of Ukraine’s official rates as of 09/09/21
Source: National Bank of Ukraine
Official rates of banking metals from national bank as of September 09
One troy ounce=31.10 grams
The main pipe enterprises of Ukraine in January-August this year increased production of pipes from ferrous metals, according to recent data, by 21.6% compared to the same period last year, up to 655,100 tonnes, in August – 90,800 tonnes.
The Ukrtruboprom association told Interfax-Ukraine the enterprises of the association during this period increased the production of pipes by 26%, to 442,500 tonnes. In particular, in August, the enterprises belonging to the Ukrtruboprom association increased production by 54.9% compared to the same period last year, to 70,000 tonnes, compared to July – by 11.3%.
According to Heorhiy Polsky, the director general of Ukrtruboprom, Interpipe Niko Tube and Trubostal have shown positive dynamics, which in the eight months increased their pipe production by 84.1% and 27.3%, respectively. At the same time, Centravis reduced the production of stainless steel pipes by 2.4%, Interpipe Novomoskovsk Pipe Plant – electric-welded pipes by 30.8%.
At the same time, Dnipropetrovsk Pipe Plant continues to be idle.
“The favorable situation on the foreign markets continues to have a positive impact on the Ukrainian pipe industry. Ukrtruboprom enterprises have been increasing the production of seamless pipes for the sixth month in a row,” the CEO said.
According to him, the demand for oil and gas products is at a high level due to the increase in world prices for hydrocarbons. At the same time, the consumption of line pipes is also stable. Another positive factor: an increase in shipments of premium pipe products, that is, the Ukrainian Truboprom is increasing the share of complex orders.
Polsky also pointed to an increase in the production of welded pipes: since the second half of the year, strip prices have stabilized, which allowed the plants to resume normal operation.
A bill on limiting the use of disposable plastic products may be registered at the Verkhovna Rada in October, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Roman Abramovsky has said.
According to him, the bill provides for a year after its adoption, a ban on production, import and sale of a number of disposable plastic goods in Ukraine, which are proposed to be replaced with similar ones made from alternative harmless materials, including corn starch.
“From such materials, practically without changing the technology, you can make the same products as from plastic. There will be no big problems for re-equipment of production. We are constantly in contact with business and manufacturers, and most confirm that significant transformations will not be needed […] We came to the conclusion that it is inexpensive, 10-15% of capital investments,” the minister said during a press breakfast in Kyiv on Wednesday.
The bill proposes to limit the use of plastic disposable tableware, cutlery, straws, food containers, lids for drinks containers, sanitary cotton swabs, plastic base-holders for balloons and other products made from polystyrene and oxo-biodegradable plastic.
In addition, special labeling is provided for goods that do not fall under the restrictions (wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, diapers, cigarettes with filters).
At the same time, manufacturers of such products are subject to extended liability, in particular, they will be required to recycle a certain share of the plastic produced.
“The discussion about liability is still ongoing, although the bill is already ready for registration. This is a difficult issue, since excessive liability is associated with corruption risks. Today, the following figures are proposed: the primary fine for the provision of prohibited products on the market is from UAH 18,000 to UAH 51,000, repeated violation within one year – from UAH 85,000 to UAH 175,000,” Abramovsky said.
At the same time, the minister noted the lack of statistical information on production of plastic products in Ukraine.
In January-June 2021, ARX Insurance Company (Kyiv) paid out UAH 603 million of insurance indemnities to clients, which is 30% more than in 2020, of which 80.7% is vehicle insurance.
As reported on the company’s website, in the KASKO segment, payments over the first half of the year amounted to about UAH 425 million, which is 46% more than in the same period in 2020, OSAGO – more than UAH 62 million (more by 37%).
It is also noted that payments on voluntary medical insurance for the indicated six months amounted to more than UAH 89 million of insurance claims, which is 12% more than in 2020.
The company also reports that a large-scale project with Visa was launched in February 2021. Holders of VISA Platinum, Signature and Infinite premium cards received a free bonus – telemedicine consultations from ARX.
The company pays out about UAH 4 million to its clients every day. On average, the company pays more than UAH 100 million per month, the main categories remain KASKO, OSAGO and healthcare.
As reported, ARX has been operating in the insurance market for 26 years and has been the leader in KASKO insurance for the 12th year in a row. It ranked first among Ukrainian insurers in terms of net insurance premiums and net insurance payments for 2019. It is part of the international insurance holding Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Canada).
