Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing
9 January 2015, 9 PM Kyiv time
1. Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) reported at 12:30 PM Kyiv time that Kremlin-backed terrorists continued to fire on Ukrainian positions with small arms, mortars, artillery and Grads (truck-mounted multiple rocket launchers). In the last 24 hours, 4 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 8 were wounded. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated at 10:50 AM Kyiv time that the situation in the anti-terrorism operation (ATO) zone has deteriorated – in the last 24 hours, Kremlin-backed terrorists fired on Ukrainian positions 50 times; at 8:30 PM Kyiv time the Ministry of Defense stated that Kremlin-backed terrorists fired on Ukrainian positions 24 times throughout the day today.
2. German Chancellor: Sanctions against Russia can only be lifted if Minsk Agreement fully implemented
As reported by Reuters, German Chancellor A. Merkel, at a news conference with Ukrainian PM A. Yatsenyuk on 8 January in Berlin, stated that sanctions against Russia could only be lifted if there is full implementation of the Minsk agreement. Merkel stated that she did not expect that sanctions tied to Russia’s annexation of Crimea could be lifted, as this would require a reversal of the annexation. Reuters reported that Merkel stated, “I have little hope on that front. Fulfilling the entire Minsk agreement is the way to bring about a reversal (of sanctions) here. The entire Minsk agreement must be implemented before we can say these sanctions can be lifted.”
3. US State Department calls on Russia to immediately release Nadia Savchenko
US State Department spokesperson J. Psaki stated, “We are deeply concerned about reports that Russia has moved Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko to solitary confinement. We understand that Ms. Savchenko has been on a hunger strike for nearly a month to protest the terms of her detention and is suffering additional health problems. We call for her immediate release, as well as other Ukrainian hostages held by Russia.”
4. Ukrainian, German, French, Russian foreign ministers to meet in Berlin for talks
The German Foreign Office stated that German Foreign Minister F. Steinmeier invited his Ukrainian, French, and Russian counterparts to Berlin for talks. Ukrainian Foreign Minister P. Klimkin stated that the talks would take place on 12 January.
5. Ukrainian Minister of Finance: Ukraine needs loans, not gifts
Ukrainian Minister of Finance N. Jaresko stated, “We are living through a difficult financial crisis. The country is in difficult financial conditions. But Ukraine is not bankrupt. We absolutely need new financial assistance from our partners. We need loans, not gifts.” According to the Ministry’s statement Ukraine needs $15 billion in loans this year. Jaresko stated that negotiations with the International Monetary Fund are ongoing.
6. Canadian volunteers travel to Odesa to meet shipment of Canadian non-lethal military assistance
UCC Ukraine Advisory Council members travelled to Odesa to meet a shipment arriving at the port of Odesa of non-lethal military assistance – including military winter kit, night and thermal vision equipment, provided by Canada to Ukraine’s armed forces. The arriving shipment is the second installment of $11 million of Canadian aid announced on 26 November; the first shipment arrived in Ukraine on 28 November.
