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July 23, 2020

Government portal informed this yesterday

'In order to implement internal procedure necessary for coming into operation of the Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Cooperation in Defence Sphere, signed by parts on February 5, 2020, in Kyiv, the Ukrainian Government made a corresponding decision.

The entry into force of the Agreement will provide to create a necessary legal base in defence sphere between Ukraine and the Saudi Arabia, and will give an opportunity to achieve bilateral defence cooperation, including in such spheres as: defence industry; military education and manpower training; exchange intelligence information; medical treatment and health care; transferring military technologies, equipments, electronic warfare systems and radar intelligence; telecommunication and information technologies,' as it goes in government news.

Disclaimer

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine published this content on 23 July 2020 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 24 July 2020 13:20:18 UTC

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Defence Intelligence of Ukraine : Agreement Between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Cooperation...

With no end in sight to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv's desire to forge a new path to peace risks setting it back to square one. In late February, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it was actively working on a proposal to replace the 2014 Minsk Protocol. But while the chances of permanently ending the conflict under the current Minsk agreements remain slim at best, the chances that Ukraine can successfully negotiate an entirely new framework with Russia-backed separatists in Donbas are even slimmer. Instead, Kyiv's strategy is most likely to collapse existing diplomatic efforts and could potentially even lead to an escalation in fighting along the region's still-active front lines by highlighting the very constraints that have prevented progress over the past six years.

Out of Options

Kyiv's push for an alternative to the Minsk agreement indicates its intent to abandon the existing framework due to its failure to achieve permanent peace in eastern Ukraine. Convinced that certain aspects of the Minsk Protocol are impossible to implement as-is, the Ukrainian government has concluded its potential to secure peace in eastern Ukraine has now been exhausted. Kyiv's primary hangups with the current agreement include the organization of elections in Donbas, the special political status of the breakaway territories, and returning Ukraine's border with Russia back to Minsk's control. Ukraine has also argued that the timeline of these events, which currently requires the implementation of the special political status within Ukrainian law and the organization of elections before Ukraine can reassume control over its border, is particularly troubling. Ukraine's current government under President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has even said that it would have never agreed to an agreement under these terms in the first place.

This push, however, risks jeopardizing the Ukrainian government's apparent progress in normalizing ties with Russia over the past year. After Zelenskiy's electionin May 2019, he appeared on track toward reaching a permanent resolution with Moscow to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. By initially tackling the easier aspects of implementing the agreement, through prisoner exchanges and tactical withdrawals from the front line in eastern Ukraine, this perception was drawn out even though greater challenges still continued to cast a shadow over the potential for full implementation.

These efforts culminated ina Normandy Format summit in Parisin December, where the heads of state of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France the guarantors of the Minsk agreement met to negotiate the further implementation of the deal. But despite the optimism around the summit,it failed to provide any breakthroughs beyond the continuation of prisoner exchanges and tactical withdrawals. And since then, there's been little progress on even these elements, and Ukrainian voices calling for the abandonment of the Minsk agreement altogether have grown louder.

The Specterof War

Ukrainian officials have floated the idea of an entirely new Minsk agreement since the second iteration was signed in 2015, and its implementation was questioned. This, however, is the first time the government has officially committed to the "Plan B" concept, which brings with it a great degree of uncertainty. Despite the failure to fully implement the Minsk agreement, both the initial 2014 agreement and the 2015 final version (as well as the 2016 Steinmeier Formula) have so far effectively kept Kyiv and Moscow working within the diplomatic framework. An attempt at renegotiation risks unraveling the achievements to this point, primarily consisting of the delineation of the contact line in eastern Ukraine and efforts to impose a cease-fire. Without a valid diplomatic framework, the parties to the conflict could once again be seen reaching for military means to strengthen their position in negotiations.

If this were to be the case, neither side of the conflict would be in a position to overpower the other. Ukraine has not yet managed to rebuild its military strength following the loss of Crimea and eastern Ukraine, though it has worked steadily toward a potential NATO membership. Russia, on the other hand, continues to provide support to the Donetsk and Luhansk republics, which would allow these separatist forces to extend the conflict indefinitely. Kyiv likely wants to avoid such a return to military operations, as it would complicate its own efforts at economic stabilization, and could potentially even jeopardize its bid for NATO membership (which rules out enrolling new member states with active armed conflicts within their borders). But Ukraine's push to reshape the diplomatic process may very well lead there.

Russia Refuses a Redo

Russia has downright refused to entertain the idea of straying from the current Minsk agreement. In response to the Ukrainian request for a new Normandy summit, Russia's Foreign Minister SergeiLavrov clearly stated that Russia saw no need for a future summit before decisions made during the previous meeting (implementing elements of the Minsk agreement) had taken place. Even if this were the case, Russia has argued a draft agreement preceding such a summit would have to rule out any attempts at undermining the Minsk agreement. The next steps in this implementation mostly relate to providing the breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine with a permanent political status under Ukrainian law. Kyiv is hesitant to move forward with this step, as it would effectively lock it into the existing diplomatic roadmap that grants Moscow leverage over Ukrainian politics and presents a roadblock to Kyiv's NATO membership. But for that very reason, Russia prefers sticking with the current Minsk framework over exploring a new one.

Currently, this leaves Russia and Ukraine going head-to-head over the future direction of the peace process with no clear outcome. But the one thing that appears certain is the inability for the implementation of the Minsk agreement to progress. Overall, Ukraine's ability to force Russia (and, by proxy, the two breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine) to comply with its demands is weak, which was recently made clear intherenegotiation of a key gas transit agreementbetween the two countries.And unlike Kyiv, Moscow would be perfectly capable of accepting a long-term extension of the current reality in eastern Ukraine, or even an escalation of the conflict.

Kyiv will likely also draw on France, Germany and the United States to exert pressure on Russia to comply with its plans for renegotiation, though the appetite for this will be low. Kyiv's allies (and particularly those in Europe) are not looking to take on additional economic risks by re-escalating tensions with Russia. In the longer term, Ukraine with help of those Western allies could hope to rebuild its military strength to force Russia and the region's separatists into accepting Kyiv's conditions. But without any shifts to Kyiv's political or physical leverage, the fighting in eastern Ukraine will likely continue at the hands of separatist forces seeking to force a return to the principles outlined within the Minsk agreement.

Kyiv's Push to End Eastern Ukraine's Conflict Risks Prolonging It is republished with the permission of Stratfor Worldview, a geopolitical intelligence and advisory firm.

Image: Reuters.

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What If Ukraine's Attempt at Peace Ended up Making Things Worse? - The National Interest

An officer of the Department of the state guard checks the temperature of a woman as she enters the presidential office building, as a preventive measure against coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kiev, Ukraine March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraines government at a televised meeting on Friday decided to ban citizens registered in separatist-held territory in the eastern Donbass region from entering government-controlled areas.

The authorities in Kiev are also gearing up to close border checkpoints with countries bordering the European Union in the west, but have not yet specified how many would be closed or when the closures would happen.

The decisions need the final approval from the national security and defense council, which is chaired by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and will meet later on Friday.

Reporting by Natalia Zinets; writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Jon Boyle

Read the original here:
Ukraine to block entry to residents registered in separatist-held areas to stop coronavirus spread - Reuters

A travel warning of the highest security level 6 is thus available for connections between Austria and 10 countries: Great Britain, Russia, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France, Iran, parts of China.

The highest travel warning security level 6 applies to all 10 countries.

In view of the rapid spread of the coronavirus, travellers are urged to travel home immediately.

As of Monday, March 16, 2020, 24:00, air and train traffic to Switzerland, Spain and France will be suspended.

As of Tuesday, March 17, 2020, landing permission will no longer be granted for flights from Great Britain, the Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine, the Austrian Foreign Ministry announced today.

The updated travel information of the Foreign Ministry for the four new countries is as follows:

United Kingdom

Security level 6 (travel warning) applies throughout the United Kingdom.

A warning is issued for travel to the United Kingdom.

After March 17, 00.00 hours, landing permission is no longer granted for flights from the United Kingdom.

Austrian travellers are strongly advised to return home from this country via other European airports.

Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the British Government is currently carrying out increased surveillance of direct flights from the affected areas. Increased entry checks at airports to identify sick travellers can therefore be expected.

Ukraine

Security level 6 (travel warning) applies to the entire Ukraine.

A warning is issued against travel to the Ukraine.

After March 17, 00.00 hours landing permission for flights from Ukraine is no longer granted.

From Sunday, 16.3.2020 at 00:01 a.m. foreigners will no longer be allowed to enter the Ukraine.

Exceptions are foreigners with a valid residence permit in Ukraine as well as employees of international organisations and diplomatic staff.

The entry ban will be imposed for 2 weeks for the time being. From March 17, 2020 all regular flights to Ukraine will also be stopped.

Russia

Security level 6 (travel warning) applies to the entire Russian Federation.

A warning is issued for travel to the Russian Federation.

As of March 17, 00.00 hours, landing permission is no longer granted for flights from Russia. Austrian travellers are strongly recommended to return home from this country via other European airports.

To contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), health checks with temperature measurements for arriving passengers have been set up at airports.

If necessary, the Russian authorities may order a 14-day stay in a medical facility, quarantine or medically indicated house arrest. The latter measure is currently imposed in the city of Moscow, in particular on persons entering from one of the seven countries currently most affected by the corona virus (China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, France, Germany, Spain), even if they are not infected or ill.

The possibility of an additional extension or tightening of official measures can be expected at any time. It is therefore strongly recommended that before travelling to Russia, and especially Moscow, you enquire about the current situation at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vienna.

Netherlands

Security level 6 (travel warning) applies throughout the Netherlands.

A warning is issued against travelling to the Netherlands.

After March 17, 00.00 hours, landing permission is no longer granted.

The Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) - National Institute for Public Health and the Environment acts as an "umbrella organisation" to coordinate measures related to COVID-19. A hotline of the RIVM provides information on the latest news on the subject at 0031 (0) 800 1351.

The updated travel advice of the Foreign Ministry for the other 4 states is as follows:

Italy

Security level 6 (travel warning) applies throughout Italy.

A warning is issued against travel to Italy. This also applies to South Tyrol, Vatican (Holy See) and San Marino.

The Italian government has ordered a basic ban on entering and leaving the country and a restriction on freedom of movement. Exceptions apply exclusively in the case of compelling professional reasons, emergency situations or medical reasons.

It is possible to return to the place of residence. All persons currently staying in Italy are required to stay at home, unless it is to provide food or medicine.

The police and other law enforcement agencies check the existence of the reasons.

Travel to and from Italy for tourist reasons is not permitted. Travellers to and from Italy (incl. Schengen) must present a self-declaration with reasons (exclusively for professional reasons, emergency situation, health reasons and return to residence; the correctness of the self-declaration can be checked and sanctions can be imposed in case of false declarations). All direct train and flight connections between Austria and Italy have been suspended.

Austrian travellers are strongly advised to return to Austria by car.

Switzerland

Security level 6 (travel warning) applies throughout Switzerland. A warning is issued against travel to Switzerland.

It is urgently recommended to postpone trips that are not absolutely necessary or to make use of return travel options that still exist at present.

Due to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Swiss authorities under the leadership of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) have made extensive preparations at federal and cantonal level for the occurrence of the coronavirus in Switzerland.

The number of cases of COVID-19 is also increasing rapidly in Switzerland. The Swiss government classifies the situation as a special situation under the Epidemics Act.

On this basis, a ban on large events involving more than 1000 people has been decreed.

The cantonal authorities decide on events with less than 1000 participants. In Ticino, nine smaller border crossings into Italy were closed with immediate effect: Pedrinate, Ponte Faloppia, Novazzano Marcetto, San Pietro di Stabio, Ligornetto Cantinetta, Arzo, Ponte Cremenaga, Cassinone, Indemini.

In view of the rapid spread of COVID-19, the Canton of Ticino also decreed other far-reaching measures, including the closure of schools and training centres that go beyond compulsory education (i.e. schools from the 9th grade upwards).

Cinemas, clubs and ski resorts will also be closed until at least the end of March.

Restaurants may serve a maximum of 50 people. All sporting events are cancelled.

Spain

For the whole of Spain, security level 6 (travel warning) applies. A warning is issued against travel to Spain.

It is strongly advised to postpone trips that are not absolutely necessary or to make use of return travel options that are currently still available.

In Spain, infections with the coronavirus COVID-19 have been confirmed in all autonomous regions.

The most affected zones are Madrid (about 50% of the registered cases), La Rioja, Vitoria and Labastida (Basque Country).

The Spanish government is proceeding according to an emergency plan, which may lead to measures such as health checks with temperature measurements and "active health surveillance", which is linked to domestic quarantine, or to quarantine.

Health checks with temperature measurements for arriving passengers may be carried out at airports.

Direct flights from Italy to Spain are suspended until March 25, 2020. Direct flights between Spain and Italy are also suspended until March 25, 2020.

France

Security level 6 (travel warning) applies throughout France. A warning is issued against travel to France.

It is urgently recommended to postpone trips that are not absolutely necessary or to make use of return travel options that still exist at present.

Travellers to and from Southern France are strongly advised to avoid the route through Italy (currently travel warning, security level 6!).

Due to the continuing spread of the corona virus COVID-19, increased entry controls at airports - not only for passengers arriving from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea - must be expected to identify sick travellers and the occurrence of cases of illness.

Travellers are advised to avoid large crowds, to follow the instructions of local security authorities and to strictly adhere to hygienic precautions.

See more here:
Austria Suspends Travel also with Great Britain, Russia, the Netherlands and Ukraine - Vindobona

In the next few months, Ukraine will return all of its citizens who are being held in the occupied territories of Donbas.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said this at a briefing on Friday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

In the coming months, we will return all our citizens who are being held in the territory of the so-called ORDLO, Yermak said.

On March 11, a meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on the peaceful settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine was held in Minsk. It was attended by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kozak.

The Ukrainian Presidents Office reported that the parties at the meeting had agreed to submit to the TCG the agreed lists of prisoners to be exchanged.

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Ukraine in coming months to return all its citizens held in occupied Donbas Yermak - Ukrinform. Ukraine and world news