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Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Denmark to Ukraine Ole Egberg Mikkelsen has said that Denmark is ready to develop cooperation between the two countries in various areas, including in the shipbuilding sector.

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine Oleh Urusky wrote about this on his Facebook page following a meeting with the Danish Ambassador.

According to the ambassador, Ukraine and Denmark are close partners. Denmark has always supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The ambassador also noted that Denmark is ready to assist Ukraine in the process of industrial reform.

Urusky stressed that Ukraine is also interested in developing cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark.

"The country's experience in wind power generation, development of high-tech industries, in particular, radio detection and location, as well as shipbuilding and the creation of a powerful fleet is useful for Ukraine," said Urusky.

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Denmark ready to cooperate with Ukraine in shipbuilding sector ambassador - Ukrinform. Ukraine and world news

UK PM Johnson and Ukraine's President Zelenskyy on October 7 (Source: President.gov.ua)

On October 7, in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was paying an official visit to the United Kingdom, Ukraines Defense Minister Andriy Taran and the UKs Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace signed a memorandum on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the military and military-technical spheres (President.gov.ua, October 7; see EDM, October 29). An important aspect of this document was a funding pledge from the UKs export credit agency in the amount of 1.25 billion pounds ($1.68 billion) for the construction of missile boats and new naval infrastructure in Ukraine.

Missile boats and naval bases are critically important to Ukraines capacity to deter an enemy as well as respond in a crisis in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. These capabilities are crucial to Ukraine in this closed maritime theater considering Russias overwhelming superiority when it comes to anti-ship missiles. At least eight UK-designed missile boats equipped with NSM anti-ship missiles are on the agenda between London and Kyiv; some number of them will be built at a British shipyard and the rest in Ukraine. The acquisition of these modern missile boats represents a great opportunity for Ukraine to strengthen its mosquito fleet navy (Defence-ua.com, December 7, 2020; see EDM, March 9, 2017). The implementation of these projects will significantly enhance the capabilities and combat potential of the Ukrainian fleet [as well as] the compatibility of the domestic naval forces with the naval component of NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] member states, Ukraines minister of defense stressed after signing the bilateral defense cooperation memorandum. This enhanced military/military-technical relationship with the UK will additionally have a positive impact on the health and potential of Ukraines shipyards. We hope this will become a driver for the restoration of the shipbuilding industry in Ukraine and will bring modern technologies to our economy, Minister Taran added (UNIAN, October 8). Undoubtedly, access to the UKs advanced shipbuilding technologies, the possibility of Ukrainian industrial personnel learning from the knowhow of British engineers, as well the opportunity to modernize the shipyard facilities in Mykolaiv all look attractive to Kyiv as it seeks to renovate Ukraines indigenous shipbuilding industry, which fell into a deep slump following the collapse of the Soviet Union (Interfax, October 26).

It should be noted that earlier, on August 19, the UKs State Secretary Wallace announced, in Kyiv, that his country would lead a multinational Maritime Training Initiative for the Ukrainian Navy. Moreover, London promised to send Royal Navy ships to the region in order to boost Ukraines ability to combat threats in the Black Sea (Eurointegration.com.ua, August 19). A month after this visit, more than 450 British paratroopers, together with their Ukrainian counterparts, practiced an airdrop near Mykolaiv, the important port-industrial center in southern Ukraine. The drop was the largest exercise of this type carried out by the UK in more than 20 years. This show of force notably occurred as Russia was stepping up its large-scale strategic-operational military exercise Kavkaz 2020 near Ukraines boarders (UNIAN, September 19). In their joint operation in Ukraine, the UK troops effectively covered their hosts backs. So the symbolic advantage of such military collaboration between a NATO state and non-NATO partner was clearly on display.

It is instructive to view the joint UK-Ukrainian paratrooper operation near Mykolaiv as well as the broader defense partnership against the background of the lessons learned from the recent Karabakh war in the South Caucasus. Defense experts from around the world continue to study how and why Azerbaijan proved so successful in forcibly retaking Karabakh and surrounding territories from Armenia during the September 27November 9 conflict. But many conclude that the key to Azerbaijans battlefield victories was the political-military support received from its regional big brotherTurkey. Ankara stood steadfastly behind Baku tactically, operationally and strategically; it provided its ally with technologies, tactics and strategic advice (Radio Svoboda, November 18). The military alliance between two Turkic neighbors visibly paid off as Azerbaijani forces continually broke entrenched Armenian defenses and progressively retook ever larger slices of occupied Karabakh (see EDM, October 15).

Ukraine has also been looking closely at the lessons to be learned from the autumn 2020 war in the South Caucasus (see EDM, November 9). But if it is to emulate Azerbaijans successes, Ukraine will arguably need its own patron of sorts. Kyivs developing security relationship with London may be a seed for such a budding relationship down the line. Missile boat and naval infrastructure construction, the UK-led ORBITAL military training mission in Ukraine, Royal Navy warship visits to the Black Sea, and joint drills with the Ukrainian fleet are all important steps in that direction. And thanks to Ukraines status as a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner (acquired earlier this year), these can now be augmented with further cooperative projects, including joint operational plaining, staff personnel training at the operational and strategic levels, as well as deep cooperation between defense industries (Armyinform.com.ua, June 16). A tightening working partnership between Ukrainian and British troops can contribute to changing Ukraines military mindset in a more pro-NATO direction. And close UK-Ukrainian military ties of brotherhood may quicken the pace of pulling Ukraines Armed Forces up to North Atlantic Alliance standardsparticularly since NATO membership remains a distant prospect right now (Ukrinform.ua, December 11).

The United States has also for years actively supported and boosted Ukraines deterrence measures. This US backing has been strategically vital to Kyiv as it faces Moscows enormous military buildup and activity in the Black and Azov seas (Interfax, September 5; Ukrmilitary.com, June 17; Mil.in.ua, January 30). At the same time, however, Ukraine needs the UK as a powerful partner and possible patron at the regional level. According to Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian side wants closer cooperation with the UK military and is considering the possibility of hosting British paratroopers in the Mykolaiv region over the long term. If they [] are being landed [there] and will remain, we will not object either. From the first day of Russias aggression, Britain was nearby and provided practical support, and not only in military terms, Kuleba added (BBC NewsUkrainian service, UNIAN, October 6). The current momentum of this bilateral defense partnership looks strategically advantageous for Ukraineas well as for the security of the entire Black Sea region. It is in both countries interests to maintain this positive dynamic.

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Ukrainian-UK Defense Cooperation: Will London Have Kyiv's Back? - The Jamestown Foundation

The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Finland, Dmytro Kuleba and Pekka Haavisto, discussed the priorities of cooperation between the two countries in 2021.

The two ministers discussed this issue during a phone conversation on December 14, the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported.

I am convinced that next year, Ukraine and Finland will be able to fully realize their cooperation potential in fighting COVID-19, countering hybrid threats, boosting trade and investment volumes, and reforming education, Kuleba said.

The interlocutors agreed to hold a dialogue in hybrid threats counteraction. "Ukraine has invaluable practical experience in countering aggression of all dimensions, including not only military, but also information, economic, social and cultural ones. For its part, Finland is a leading European center for hybrid threat analysis. Exchange of experience and coordination in this sphere will strengthen national security of both Ukraine and Finland, as well as their partners, the minister emphasized.

The ministers also discussed the steps taken by Ukraine and Finland to fight the pandemic and agreed to cooperate in the supply of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Ukrainian minister informed his colleague about the creation of a Crimean Platform and its priorities, and also invited Finland to take part in the Platform's inaugural summit next year.

Kuleba commended Finlands contribution to the development of Ukrainian education in the framework of the "Finlands support for the Ukrainian School Reform" project. The minister thanked Finland for its constant support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, as well as for the support of European integration of Ukraine.

In March 2018, the governments of Ukraine and the Republic of Finland signed an agreement on the implementation of the "Finlands support for the Ukrainian School Reform" project. The project, designed for four years (2018-2022), provides for the attraction of EUR 6 million of technical assistance from the Finnish government to support the reform of general secondary education in Ukraine. Finland's best practices in education have already been implemented in Ukraine under the New Ukrainian School concept.

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Foreign ministers of Ukraine and Finland discuss cooperation in countering hybrid threats - Ukrinform. Ukraine and world news

Some 421 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation).

Photo from the president's website

The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 144 as of the morning of December 16.

"As of 10:00 Kyiv time on December 16, some 3,186 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In total, 9,145 people have recovered and 33 have died during the pandemic," the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on Wednesday. "Some 144 new COVID-19 cases were registered in the past 24 hours."

Read alsoUkraine may receive first batch of COVID-19 vaccines in Feb 2021 health ministerOf those newly-infected, 18 people have been hospitalized, while the rest are self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under doctors' supervision. Currently, their state of health is satisfactory.

Some 421 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation). The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 163 people.

Author: UNIAN

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Ukraine reports 144 new COVID-19 cases in armed forces as of Dec 16 - UNIAN

SUMMARY

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international Mission members, including the Chief Observer (CO) and one first responder[1]. The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna.

Update on COVID-19 measures

Activities have been impacted by COVID-19 and measures undertaken by the OM to ensure the safety and duty of care of its Mission members and compliance with measures set by the host country authorities. The Mission is continuing to keep the situation under review, in close contact with the OSCE Secretariat and the Chairmanship. Following the host country recommendations, the observers are adhering to social distancing. Due to the preventive measures taken by the central and regional authorities, the OM is faced with certain difficulties, but is still able to continue to fulfil its mandate without any limitations in its observation and reporting activities.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border

The profile of persons crossing the border can be categorized as follows:

The average number of entries/exits increased from 6,828 to 7,117 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[2].

During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to Ukraine, with an average net flow of 52 per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

Responding to the COVID-19 situation, the host country has closed its borders for the majority of foreigners starting from 18 March. Among the exceptions of persons allowed to cross the border (which entered into force on 19 March), are Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons holding passports or identification documents proving permanent residence in certain areas of Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine. In addition, reportedly, due to the threat of the spread of COVID-19, starting from 10 April, the organized passenger transport commuting between the non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region of Ukraine and the Russian Federation was temporarily suspended and restored from 25 June.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was 13, compared to 11 last week. Five persons crossed into the Russian Federation while another eight persons crossed into Ukraine. These individuals crossed the border on foot.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, three families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and eight families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when two families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and three families crossing into Ukraine.

Bus connections

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (315 compared to 233 observed during the previous week). There were 168 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 147 bound for Ukraine.

On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses, while some buses did not display their route at all. The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a significant increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (874 compared to 757 during the previous reporting week); 508 at the Gukovo BCP and 366 at the Donetsk BCP, 464 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 410 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, on a daily basis, the OTs also noted trucks registered in the Russian Federation, Belarus, Georgia, Lithuania and trucks with LPR plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting period, the OTs observed that the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs remained the same (52 compared to 52 during the previous reporting week). These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. The trucks had the words Propane and Flammable written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs, indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane. All trucks underwent systematic inspection by the Russian Federation officials, which could include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavourable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.

Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP significantly increased from 61 to 132. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 126 trucks (95 per cent) were bound for Ukraine, the remaining six trucks (5 per cent) crossed into the Russian Federation.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[3] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (161 compared to 122 observed during the previous week); 80 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 81 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 21 occasions; the OTs assessed that nine trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 12 trains were travelling to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections trends and figures at a glance below).

Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP.

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with LPR plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis. The OTs also observed vehicles with Georgian and Lithuanian licence plates.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 10 November to 15 December 2020, please see the attachment here.

[1] First responders are OSCE staff or Mission members deployed for a short period of time.

[2] Based on data received from the Regional Representation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

[3] Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles which correspond to driving licence C1).

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Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 15 December 2020 - Ukraine -...