Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL SAYS RUSSIAN UNITS NOT WITHDRAWING, BUT REPOSITIONING

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that Russia is not withdrawing troops, as recently announced, but only moving them in an attempt to regroup and strengthen the offensive in Donbas region.
“We have heard the recent statements that Russia will scale down military operations around Kyiv and in northern Ukraine. But Russia has repeatedly lied about its intentions. So we can only judge Russia on its actions, not on its words. According to our intelligence, Russian units are not withdrawing, but repositioning. Russia is trying to regroup, resupply and reinforce its offensive in Donbas region,” he said a press conference in Brussels on Thursday.
Stoltenberg also said that at the same time, Russia continues to put pressure on Kyiv and other cities. “So we can expect additional offensive actions, bringing even more suffering, ” the Secretary General said.
In this regard, he again called on Russia “to end this senseless war.
Withdraw all its troops.
And engage in talks in good faith. ”

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WHO REDUCES NUMBER OF WORRYING COVID STRAINS

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reduced the number of coronavirus variants of concern to two. These currently include the Delta and Omicron strains of COVID-19.
“WHO has removed three strains from the list of coronavirus variants of concern – alpha, beta and gamma. Thus, two variants of COVID-19 remain on this list – delta and omicron,” the report says. posted Thursday on the organization’s website.
Also, WHO has excluded all variants of coronavirus from the list of strains of interest. Previously, this list included such strains of coronavirus as “epsilon”, “zeta”, “eta”, “theta”, “iota”, “kappa”, “lambda” and “mu”.

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EU-CHINA SUMMIT: FOCUS ON THE WAR IN UKRAINE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE WORLD

During the summit of the leaders of the European Union and China, which will be held on April 1, the main topic of discussion will be the war waged by Russia against Ukraine and its negative impact on the global security, economic and trade systems.
This was announced by the European Commission on the eve of the summit.
“Given the severity of recent developments, discussion during the summit is expected to focus on Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine and its negative impact on the rules-based system, global security and economy,” the press release said.
In addition, the EU and Chinese leaders will review a comprehensive bilateral agenda between Brussels and Beijing, including trade and investment relations, climate action, digital technology, human rights, post-pandemic economic recovery, and regional issues.
The summit will be held in the format of a videoconference. The EU will be represented by the Presidents of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the Presidents of the European Council Charles Michel, with the participation of High Representative Josep Borrell, China – Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

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PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE INVITED AUSTRALIA TO JOIN THE COUNTRY’S RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called on Australia to join the program for the restoration of the regions of Ukraine, in particular, the coast of the Black and Azov Seas.

We invite the leading states of the world, leading companies and the best specialists to join the project of restoring Ukraine. To take patronage over a region, city or industry in our country in need of restoration. Your state granted ours such a special status of a like-minded country. But we are not only related in our thoughts, we are also related in dreams. Therefore, I invite your country to take a closer look at our southern regions, at our coast of the Black and Azov Seas. The restoration of our ports, the development of cities like Kherson, the restoration of the Ukrainian maritime industry can be a special contribution to stability for you after this terrible war,” he said in a video message to the Australian Parliament on Thursday.

He also called on Australia to join in arms assistance to Ukraine. “You have excellent Bushmaster armored vehicles that can significantly help Ukraine. As well as other models of equipment and weapons that can strengthen our positions,” he said.

“And I hope that the Ukrainian community of Australia, our strong Ukrainian community, will join this work. It will support us now as strongly as in previous years,” Zelensky said.

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THE EU BEGINS NEGOTIATIONS ON UKRAINE’S ACCESSION TO A PROGRAM THAT WILL ALLOW THE RESTORATION OF THE ECOSYSTEM AFTER THE WAR

The European Commission begins negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the Life for Climate and Environment Program, which will allow receiving EU support in restoring the ecosystem after the war waged against it by Russia.
“Today, the European Commission begins negotiations with Ukraine to offer the country the opportunity to join the Life for Climate and Environment Program,” European Commission spokesman Adalbert Janz said at a briefing on Thursday.
According to him, by joining the Life Program, Ukraine will benefit from European support in rebuilding its environment after the destruction caused by the Russian attack. In particular, we are talking about heavy pollution and damage caused to the ecosystem. “This will be useful in order to secure the long-term well-being of the country and its sustainability,” he stressed.

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FERREXPO ACTIVATES THE PROVISION OF HUMANITARIAN AID IN UKRAINE

The British Ferrexpo plc, which controls in Ukraine, in particular, the Poltava and Yeristovo mining and processing plants (PGOK and EGOK), together with international partners, will intensify the provision of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine within the framework of the Group’s Humanitarian Fund.
According to a press release from the company on Tuesday, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is creating a serious humanitarian crisis within the country. The Group continues to provide assistance through the Fund, which includes the implementation of individual projects ranging from $10,000 to more than $1 million.
At the same time, it is specified that support is provided both to communities located directly next to the territory of the industrial activity of the group, and in other regions of Ukraine. So far, Ferrexpo has provided housing and assistance to more than 1,400 refugees displaced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Among the main projects implemented are the following: provision of temporary housing for internally displaced persons, namely, the provision of rollaway beds, blankets, installation of lighting and the purchase of batteries to charge phones, as well as computer equipment for local authorities coordinating refugee assistance. Also providing fire brigades with radios, satellite phones and protective equipment for search and rescue in communities directly affected by the invasion, the purchase of batteries for cars and batteries for remote charging of mobile phones for public organizations responsible for helping residents of communities.
In addition, medical supplies are supplied to local hospitals from international suppliers.
Ferrexpo notes that the company’s international business partners, including suppliers, customers and contractors, quickly responded and responded to the call to help Ukraine. A number of the group’s partners have already provided direct humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, in particular, food, medicine, baby food and other household goods. The companies also provide financial support to communities living near the territory of the industrial activity of the group.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jim North in his comment noted that the situation in Ukraine is very difficult and continues to deteriorate and Russia continues to invade Ukraine, which leads to a massive resettlement of people to the west of Ukraine, further from the conflict zones. The support of international organizations is indispensable, and every effort is made to provide direct assistance or to coordinate it where possible.
“We are proud and grateful for the response from our business partners who provided funding to meet the humanitarian needs of Ukraine, in particular, goods and services to the population of Ukraine, provided direct support to projects in the region where we operate. We thank our partners for they responded to Ukraine’s request for help, which is vital today for those affected by the Russian invasion,” North was quoted in a press release.
At the same time, he added that the safety of workers in Ukraine remains Ferrexpo’s number one priority: “I would like to thank our colleagues for their support during these times, as well as for helping to ensure the humanitarian needs of the country.”
Ferrexpo is an iron ore company with assets in Ukraine. Ferrexpo owns 100% of the shares of Poltava GOK, 100% of Eristovsky GOK and 99.9% of Belanovsky GOK.

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