More than 1,000 Russian government entities and 1,200 private companies are involved in the economy of occupied Mariupol, a major southeastern city occupied by Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022, according to a research paper published on May 14.
The measures target almost 200 ships of Russia's "shadow fleet," 30 companies involved in sanctions evasion, 75 sanctions on entities and individuals linked to the Russian military-industrial complex, and more.
The government has approved "reform roadmaps in the rule of law, public administration, and democratic institutions, as well as Ukraine’s negotiation position," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
The statement did not name the ex-official by name, but details of the case indicate it relates to Oleh Hladkovsky, a former deputy secretary of Ukraine's top security body who has been wanted since mid-April.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva claimed that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had appealed to his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, to ask Putin if he was willing to conclude a peace agreement.
"Trump needs to believe that Putin actually lies," Zelensky told journalists in Kyiv. "And we should do our part. Sensibly approach this issue, to show that it’s not us that is slowing down the process."
The EU plans to significantly increase tariffs on Ukrainian goods after the current duty-free deal lapses on June 6, the Financial Times reported on May 14, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources.
The blockade ended at 10:30 p.m. local time. Truck traffic in both directions is now moving as usual, according to Ukraine's State Border Guard's statement.
Russia seems to be preparing a significant offensive in Ukraine as it is moving troops toward key positions on the front, the Financial Times reported on May 13, citing undisclosed Ukrainian intelligence officials.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, but said both leaders are ready to fly to Istanbul if Russian President Vladimir Putin chooses to attend the talks there.
Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov amid foreign leaders at the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023. (Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Aug. 25 that he is ready to resign if the accusations of summer jackets procurement instead of winter ones are confirmed.
In a conversation with the journalists, he offered to make a bet. "I propose a bet. If it turns out that the Defense Ministry really did supply 180,000 summer jackets instead of winter jackets, then I, Defense Minister of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov, will write a letter of resignation," he said.
The minister also promised to provide "all documents, evidence, facts and materials" related to the case so that the winner of the dispute would be obvious.
On Aug. 10, the Ukrainian media published an investigation alleging that Ukraine's Defense Ministry had signed a contract with a Turkish company to supply winter clothing for the military in the fall of 2022. While the jackets were on their way to Ukraine, they tripled in price.
The documents show that 4,900 jackets and pants, which in one document are listed at a total cost of $142,000, are later listed at $421,000. The price for "camouflage" jackets increased from $29 per one to $86 for "winter air protection" jackets.
Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov denied information that the ministry had allegedly purchased summer uniforms for the Armed Forces and stated that "the jackets will be shown soon."
On Aug. 23, a committee meeting was held at which Deputy Minister Denys Sharapov attended on behalf of the Defense Ministry. He brought jackets with him, but they were from another batch.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
