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integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO.
In a blunt resolution approved in the first week of February by 526 European Parliament members – three quarters of the total – the Euro Parliament criticizes Ukraine for weak progress ​on cleaning up the courts, for putting political pressure on the Central bank, for slow progress on bringing power plants up to EU standards, for profiteering attempts during the coronavirus attempts and for making “no visible” progress “in the de-oligarchisation of the country.” On reports of “attempts to purchase medical equipment at a disproportionately high price in the midst of a pandemic,” the parliamentarians “urge Ukraine to combat the pervasive nepotism and corruption that persist in its health sector, and especially in the Ministry of Health.”
German and Biden Administration officials are discussing a package of measures that would allow the Russia-German gas line to open, ​but protect Ukraine’s security concerns, according to a Financial Times story headlined: “Germany aims for new deal with Washington on Nord Stream 2.” One proposal would empower Germany – or a German-American commission -- to shut down the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia stopped sending minimum gas flows across Ukraine, increasing risk of an all-out Russian military attack. The results of the talks are expected to be announced in March.
Kolomoyskiy and Boholyubov, who are both under investigation by the FBI for money laundering, are suing the US Government ​for attempting to seize their Texas commercial building worth $23mn, RFE/RL reported in a 1,000 word article from Washington. They say the US government’s actions violate the sovereignty of Ukraine. Last week, Optima Ventures, a US real-estate holding company controlled by the pair, informed a Florida court that it will file for arbitration against the United States in the World Bank’s International centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
Russia sanctioned eight more Ukrainian companies in February, raising the total to 84​. The new decrees includes: vessel maker Craneship, towage firm Donmar, cargo operator Transship and metal producer Maxima Metal. Last year, Russia added former President Petro Poroshenko and rock singer politician Svyatoslav Vakarchuk to its list of sanctioned Ukrainians, raising the total to 35.
The US Department of Defense announced on March 1 a new $125mn package for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) that ​includes training, equipment, and advisory efforts, the Department said in a press release. The package will help Ukraine’s forces preserve the country’s territorial integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO. “This action reaffirms the US commitment to providing defensive lethal weapons to enable Ukraine to more effectively defend itself against Russian aggression,” the press release stressed. The USAI package includes two additional armed Mark VI patrol boats to enhance Ukraine’s capacity to patrol and defend its territorial waters. To date, the US has committed a total of eight Mark VI patrol boats. The package also includes additional counter-artillery radars and tactical equipment; continued support for a satellite imagery and analysis capability; and equipment to support military medical treatment and combat evacuation procedures. “The remaining $150mn in fiscal year 2021 USAI funds appropriated by Congress will be provided when the Defense Department, in coordination with the Department of State, certifies that Ukraine
14​ UKRAINE Country Report​ March 2021 ​ ​www.intellinews.com