- Sunday, June 28 was Ukraine’s Constitution Day, but the holiday is celebrated on Monday, June 29. This marks the day in 1996 when Ukraine adopted its post-Soviet constitution. President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation.
- On July 1, at 9 a.m. Washington, D.C., time/4 p.m. Kyiv time, a webinar as part of the “Rebuilding the Donbas” series will take place. Go to the Atlantic Council website for more information and to register.
- With the traditional Fourth of July picnic canceled because of the coronavirus restrictions, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine is holding an online raffle at 11 a.m. on July 3.
Coronavirus news
- Kyivans adapt to ‘adaptive quarantine’ (PHOTOS)
Top news
- World Bank approves $350 million loan for Ukraine to support economic recovery
- The Holodomor and ‘Mr. Jones’
- US to give $100,000 to fight severe flooding in western Ukraine
Photos
What do we want?
Legalized medical marijuana
When do we want it?
Now
A man dressed as a cannabis leaf attends a rally outside the President’s Office in Kyiv on June 27, 2020, to demand the legalization of medical marijuana.
Business Update
- Ukraine’s Great Road Construction Program will be for nothing unless authorities start controlling the overloaded trucks that can quickly damage a new or repaired highway. President Volodymyr Zelensky took note of the enforcement program, and problems, on his recent visit to Kherson Oblast on June 26. It’s important to stop the problem. Infrastructure Minister Vladislav Krykliy: “In 2020, we plan to repair almost 180 kilometers of roads in the Kherson region. This is more than were built in the region over the past 11 years. These are roads of international and national importance, regional and territorial road.”
- Zelensky’s trip to Kherson also witnessed the signing of the first concession involving operation of the Kherson Sea Port — a hopeful sign of things to come.Vladyslav Krykliy, the infrastructure minister is seeking such public-private partnerships in road construction, airports, and railway stations. Under the agreement, the Georgian-Swiss company Risoil-Kherson will operate the port in exchange for $11 million to develop the port and another $675,000 invested in local infrastructure.”Thanks to the modernization of the port of Kherson, we will create favorable conditions for economic growth,” said Krykliy.
A similar agreement with Olbia port is next, to be followed but he Black Sea Commercial Sea Port, Krykliy said. Under the agreement, Risoil-Kherson has exclusive rights for 30 years, under the following conditions, besides investment:
- rent of $500,000 annually plus 7% of net income;
- transshipment of cargo at the port in 2030 of at least 1.36 million tons;
- up to 80% increase in shipment by rail and inland waterway;
- no layoffs of employees for 10 years;
- no reduction of salaries during the first 3 years.
Opinions
Olena Rotari: Illegal development threatens to destroy Odesa’s beaches
Dr. Richard Styles: Be cautious as coronavirus restrictions are lifted
Lotta Sylwander: Congratulations to the class of 2020!
Oleksiy Goncharenko: Zelensky keeps falling in the same trap
Alexei Bayer: General Lee and Grandpa Lenin
EUvsDisinfo: Throwing darts to see what sticks
Andrew Todos: Eventful week in the world of Ukrainian football
Paul Goble: Georgia and Ukraine show the way for non-Russians
Philip Bednarczyk, Corina Rebegea: High stakes
Anna Nemtsova: A trial in Moscow exposes Russia’s war on artists
Brian Whitmore: Russia’s forever ruler
Kurt Volker: Seasick no longer
Paul Goble: It’s Ukraine and Belarus that gave Russia territory
Michael Bociurkiw: Wealthy Ukraine oligarchs skirt COVID-19 rules
Howard Amos: How Putin and the KGB took control of Russia
Uilleam Blacker: What can the UK learn from ‘decommunization’ in Ukraine?
David Kirichenko: During bleak times Ukrainian football may shine a light
Emil Avdaliani: As US-China competition unfolds, Russia watches closely
