Newly-elected Czech President Petr Pavel assured his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky of continued support for Ukraine and thanked him for his congratulations on the results of the recent presidential election.
“I thank President Vladimir Zelensky for his congratulations on the results of the presidential election and his invitation to visit Kiev,” Pavel wrote on his Twitter microblog.
He noted that “during our phone conversation today, I assured him that Ukraine can continue to count on the support of the Czech Republic.”
As reported, Zelensky congratulated Petr Pavel on his victory in the Czech presidential election and invited him to visit Ukraine.
Former chairman of the NATO Military Committee Petr Pavel on Saturday won the second round of presidential elections in the Czech Republic. After all ballots were counted, he received more than 58.3 percent of the vote. The inauguration is scheduled for March 9.
Ukraine intends to receive 24 fighter jets from international allies as part of the first batch, Yuriy Ignat, spokesman of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told the Spanish newspaper El País.
“The priority of the Air Force is to receive American F-16s, although Kiev is considering the option of French Rafale and Swedish Gripen,” the newspaper writes.
It is noted that the first package will include two battalions of 12 combat aircraft in each. “This is a new package of military assistance, which the Ukrainian army intends to receive from its international allies. The 24 fighter jets – ideally they should be American F-16s – would represent only the urgent first phase in a new chapter of arms supply to a country invaded by Russia: combat aviation,” the report said.
Company-trader “Ukrzaliznytsia” – “Energo Sales Trans” – in January for the first time bought natural gas for the needs of the production enterprises of UZ without intermediaries, which allowed to reduce the price to 18.6 thousand UAH per thousand cubic meters, the Ministry reported on Facebook page on Saturday.
“The cost of gas came out more than 25% lower compared to the prices at which the enterprises of the structure of JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” bought natural gas at the end of last year through private suppliers. The new price was 18.6 thousand UAH per thousand cubic meters”, – the words of Deputy Prime Minister – Head of the Ministry of recovery Oleksandr Kubrakov are given in the message.
According to him, the next step will be the direct purchase of natural gas from the producers directly to the needs of JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia”.
Kubrakov recalled that in 2021 “Ukrzaliznytsia” was allowed to buy electricity from “Enerhoatom” and other subjects of state generation for the period up to 3 years under a special simplified procedure. In addition, in 2022 the government allowed Ukrzaliznytsia to purchase oil products directly under foreign economic contracts.
The weighted average price of natural gas on the Ukrainian Energy Exchange on 28 January was 19,950,000 hryvnyas per 1,000 cu.m.
Ukrainian tank crews have arrived in Great Britain for training and preparation for further participation in the war with Russia, the press service of the British defence ministry has said.
“Ukrainian tankers have arrived in the UK to prepare for further combat with Russia,” the statement reads.
It specifies that the UK will provide Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks along with global partner countries, demonstrating the strength of Ukraine’s support internationally.
The municipal enterprise Odessmiskelectrotrans announced a tender for compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance on January 27, according to the Prozorro electronic public procurement system.
The expected cost of insurance services is UAH 214.5 thousand.
The deadline for submitting bids is February 4.
Ukraine has imposed sanctions against 182 Russian and Belarusian companies mainly involved in cargo transportation, vehicle leasing and chemical production, as well as three individual entrepreneurs.
The corresponding decree of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky No. 50 of January 28, which implements the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of the same date, adopted on the initiative of the Security Service of Ukraine, is published on the website of the head of state.
The list includes, in particular, Russian Uralkali, Kazan Organic Synthesis, Bashkir Soda Company, Siberian Coal Energy Company, Belarusian Belaruskali, Gomel Chemical Plant, Lakokraska and Kronospan OSB.
Moreover, VTB Leasing, Gazprombank Leasing, Raiffeisen Leasing and Belgazprombank are also included in the sanctions.
The list also includes Belarusian Railway and Belarusian EuroTransVagon, Russian Inter Cargo Company, Gazpromtrans, Russian Container Company, First Industrial Operator, Investment Wagon Company, Freight Company and Federal Freight Company.
The decree imposes 18 points of sanctions on each company, including blocking assets, restricting trade operations and halting transit.
The President instructed the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform the competent authorities of the EU, the US and other countries about the sanctions and raise the issue of introducing similar restrictive measures with them.
Earlier on Saturday, Zelensky said he had signed a decree on sanctions against companies associated with the transportation of Russian military equipment and soldiers.
“We are talking about 185 companies and individuals. Their assets in Ukraine are blocked, the available property will be used for our defense. And we will work to ensure that a similar blocking is applied by other countries,” he said.
