Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing – 20 April 2016, 7 PM Kyiv time

The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) reported that yesterday towards Donetsk, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions near Horlivka, Verkhnotoretske, Avdiyivka and the Donetsk airport with mortars. Towards Mariupol, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions at Maryinka and Shyrokyne with mortars. There was no combat on the Luhansk sector of the front. The RNBO reported that in the last 24 hours, three Ukrainian soldiers were killed and five were wounded in action.

Today, the European Commission proposed to the Council of the EU and European Parliament to lift visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens travelling to the Schengen area. D. Avramopolous, EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, stated, “Today we follow up on our commitment to propose short-stay visa-free travel to the EU for Ukrainian citizens with biometric passports – facilitating people-to-people contacts and strengthening business, social and cultural ties between the EU and Ukraine. This is the result of the success of the Ukrainian government in achieving far-reaching and difficult reforms in the Justice and Home Affairs area and beyond, impacting on areas such as the rule of law and justice reform. I am very satisfied with the progress achieved, it is an important achievement for the citizens of Ukraine, and I hope that the European Parliament and the Council will adopt our proposal very soon.” Once the European Parliament and the European Council adopt the proposal, Ukrainian citizens who have biometric passports will be able to travel to the Schengen area for up to 90 days without a visa.

Following a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, NATO Secretary General J. Stoltenberg stated, “Political dialogue among nations that share the same Euro-Atlantic area is both necessary and useful, especially in times of tensions as we experience now. However, this does not mean that we are back to business as usual. […] NATO Allies and Russia hold very different views.  But we have listened to what each of us have to say. Let me start with the situation in Ukraine.  Because Russia’s actions against Ukraine led to the current state of our relations. NATO Allies made clear that they stand firm in their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Allies do not recognise Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. We stressed that the increase in ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine in recent days is deeply disturbing. […] The respect for the right for every nation to choose their own security arrangements is a fundamental principle on which the NATO-Russia Council rests. This must be observed both in words and in deeds. […] NATO and Russia have profound and persistent disagreements. Today’s meeting did not change that. NATO Allies remain firm that there can be no return to practical cooperation until Russia returns to the respect of international law. But we will keep channels of communication open. […]During the meeting it was reconfirmed that we disagree both when it comes to the facts, the narratives, and the responsibilities for the crisis in and around Ukraine. And many Allies also conveyed a very strong message that we disagree when Russia try to portray this as a civil war. This is Russia destabilizing Eastern Ukraine, providing support for separatists, ammunition, funding, equipment and also command and control.”

On 19 April, the Dutch Parliament defeated a motion calling for the Netherlands to cancel the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. The motion was tabled by the Euroskeptic Socialist Party and defeated by a vote of 75-71 in the 150-seat lower house, RFE/RL reported.

5. G7 Ambassadors’ statement on appointment of new Ukrainian Prime Minister

The Ambassadors to Ukraine of the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and US) issued the following statement after the appointment of V. Groysman Prime Minister of Ukraine,”G7 Ambassadors congratulate Prime Minister Groysman on his appointment.  We know Prime Minister Groysman well and look forward to working with him. It is now of vital importance that the new Prime Minister leads a strong, united, accountable and reform-oriented Government. We also urge him to carry forward the previously agreed IMF programme and prioritise the fight against corruption. G7 Ambassadors stand ready to support the new Government of Ukraine in its endeavours to this end.”