Positions of key Ukrainian actors in resolving the conflict in Donbas

Posted on 08/02/2020 by Sergey Kischenko

Position of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi Throughout the 2019 election cycle, Volodymyr Zelenskyi has positioned himself as a politician who would come to an agreement with Vladimir Putin and bring peace to Donbas. The use of peacemaking rhetoric in political competition allowed Zelenskyi win the presidential election and form a mono majority of the “Servant of Read more about Positions of key Ukrainian actors in resolving the conflict in Donbas[…]

Conference “OSCE in Ukraine in 2019”

Posted on 31/01/202004/02/2020 by Sergey Kischenko

The conference was being organized within the project “Analytical support for the Slovak 2019 OSCE Chairmanship” which Democracy House implements with the support of the Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation. The OSCE appeared to be the only neutral player, which for over five years has been working on the mitigation of hostilities between all Read more about Conference “OSCE in Ukraine in 2019”[…]

Challenges for the Ukrainian economy in 2020.

Posted on 12/01/202004/02/2020 by Sergey Kischenko

The year 2019 has become a difficult one for the Ukrainian economy. However, it brought some pleasant surprises: – strengthening of the hryvnia against the dollar by 15%; – increase in GDP growth up to 4% – decrease in inflation to 5% Ukraine had the record grain harvest, the largest ever inflow of non-resident funds Read more about Challenges for the Ukrainian economy in 2020.[…]

2020 for President Zelenskyi: risks and possible scenarios

Posted on 20/12/201921/12/2019 by Sergey Kischenko

The next year will be extremely difficult for Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Zelenskyi personally bears all political responsibility for state decisions, economic and foreign policy. As a result, there is a systematic fall in his ratings. It is likely that, after the winter tariff crisis, key oligarchs will be actively involved in the competition against Zelenskyi, Read more about 2020 for President Zelenskyi: risks and possible scenarios[…]

Zelenskyi’s policy on peaceful settlement: strengths and weaknesses

Posted on 15/12/201921/12/2019 by Sergey Kischenko

Volodymyr Zelenskyi initially expected that he would be able to rapidly bring an end to a conflict in Donbas. However, he disregarded that he has either to accept Russia’s terms of peaceful settlement or to maintain a low-intensity conflict, just like Petro Poroshenko. The strengths of this policy include focus on the release Read more about Zelenskyi’s policy on peaceful settlement: strengths and weaknesses[…]

The gas sector in Ukraine: problems and prospects

Posted on 14/12/201921/12/2019 by Sergey Kischenko

The Ukrainian gas market has changed a lot in the last five years. First of all, due to the conflict with Gazprom and the fact that Naftogaz is developing gas purchase practices in the West. Consumption of industrial consumers has fallen sharply in recent years due to various reasons – the economic crisis and the Read more about The gas sector in Ukraine: problems and prospects[…]

“Normandy format” negotiations: analysis of key political developments

Posted on 11/12/201921/12/2019 by Sergey Kischenko

On December 6, the Presidential Office held a closed meeting of Presidential Assistant Andrii Yermak with key Ukrainian experts, where the main scenarios and options for the negotiation menu of Zelenskyi in Paris were elaborated. Subsequently, the expert developments became the basis for the NSDC decision dated December 7. In addition, Zelenskyi received very serious Read more about “Normandy format” negotiations: analysis of key political developments[…]

Democracy House conducted lessons in child protection in armed conflict at Kramatorsk Slavyansk, Druzhkivka, Konstantinovka schools

Posted on 03/12/201903/12/2019 by Sergey Kischenko

Democracy House conducted lessons in child protection in armed conflict at Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Druzhkivka, Konstantinovka schools. The lessons were conducted within the project “Protection of children’s rights in armed conflict in eastern Ukraine” which Democracy House implements with the support of the French Embassy in Ukraine. For five years, Ukraine has been suffering from armed Read more about Democracy House conducted lessons in child protection in armed conflict at Kramatorsk Slavyansk, Druzhkivka, Konstantinovka schools[…]

Peaceful settlement: major groups of influence and possible scenarios

Posted on 27/11/2019 by Sergey Kischenko

There are at least three groups of influence in the “Sluha Narodu” faction which shape Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s policy on conflict settlement in Donbas. Kolomoiskyi’s group, group “Kvartal” and Avakov’s group seek to use Zelenskyi’s peaceful intentions in serving own political and business interests. Depending on balance of power in the ruling party and influence of Read more about Peaceful settlement: major groups of influence and possible scenarios[…]

Political competition for Kyiv: analysis of 5 groups of influence in the “Sluha Narodu”

Posted on 27/11/2019 by Sergey Kischenko

The struggle for control over Kyiv exacerbates in Zelenskyi’s team. In 2019, the city had a record budget of over UAH 58 billion (the 2020 budget is planned to reach UAH 65 billion). Control over Kyiv utility companies (metropolitan, advertising, transport, parking, construction of houses, roads and bridges, landscaping, renovation of premises, purchases and permits, Read more about Political competition for Kyiv: analysis of 5 groups of influence in the “Sluha Narodu”[…]

Ukraine’s debt policy in 2019: risks and shortcomings

Posted on 27/11/2019 by Sergey Kischenko

In 2019, Ukraine pursues a rather active policy of attracting financial resources through the mechanism of government bonds. A significant portion of the bonds were bought by non-residents. For the first time in Ukraine, foreign investments in domestic government bonds (government bonds) exceeded UAH 100 billion (USD 4.06 billion). This policy made it possible to Read more about Ukraine’s debt policy in 2019: risks and shortcomings[…]

Democracy House presented a new issue of “U at Glance”

Posted on 20/11/201920/11/2019 by Sergey Kischenko

On November 19, 2019 Democracy House presented a new issue of U at Glance analytical paper. The presentation was held within the project “Analytical support for the Slovak 2019 OSCE Chairmanship” which is implemented by Democracy House with the support of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. During the presentation, the experts of Democracy House analyzed Read more about Democracy House presented a new issue of “U at Glance”[…]