Ukraine-The Future

[Darth_Budda]

Maybe you can find an article that says, "Japanese demographic survey found big drop in unemployed people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945".

This made my day....     

I will have to use it in a argument one day...

[JayH]

Krimster, you do know that only positive things are happening in Ukraine now....just read what Jay and Akmike say!!!!!  While things are better ( barely?).....not all is rosy!!! What is that saying...as much as things change, they still stay the same:

http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-lawmaker-seizes-pm-yatseniuk-rowdy-parliament-scenes-120415338--business.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-22/this-time-it-s-not-putin-ukraine-flirts-with-political-suicide

 
Funnily enough--it is you that has raised the issue of "old""outdated"info being given out as if current.( fwiw-I do not disagree with that observation)-- but I go further-people whose "opinions" are stuck in an earlier point of time !!

Some who make comment as if they have current first hand exposure to any given situation can mislead eg  answering a question on a situation about somewhere they have not been in 8 years ! - and not qualifying the answer with a fairly important piece of information  ie--they had no recent experience themselves-- although to be fair- relatives still there would give some idea  of actual conditions etc etc etc

While others who are present in a location--presume they know more than others( & post in a derogatory way about it ) when they are ignorant of the given situation themselves ( sound familiar? You worked out where the Ukrainian Navy is yet?).

You can keep harping on the negatives-- but it only shows your own ignorance-- and inability to understand or recognise change  going on. Perhaps if you spend time reading some of the links posted-- you would see they often deal with parts of the details of the links you posted here- and much more-- and you can educate yourself.

For those on the ground and doing the suffering-change is hard to see-but as an outsider you have the ability to see a far wider amount of information-and look at bigger picture issues -- so no excuse for not availing yourself of that.

I think if you actually read my posts above--they do mention that not "all is rosy"-- and no attempt is made to hide negatives.After all-they are part of the equation.

[krimster2]

Jay,
   Let me be clear about my experience in Ukraine.  I lived there for 3 years, I bought and sold multiple properties there, commercial and residential, and I was the founder of the largest software development company in Crimea, I can speak (but not read/write Russian ‘horrosho)  My children are bi-lingual, until last year my children would spend part of the summer in Crimea.  I am on Skype every week with relatives in Crimea and Kyiv.  I read constantly, most of the hard data I post here, comes directly from Ukraine, and is “of Ukraine” and “by Ukrainians” and “for Ukrainians” and is even written in what language-ohhh Ukrainian! ‘horrosho?  none of what I posted here would have even a single character altered if I spent the last 10 years sitting in a “queterry” somewhere on the left bank of the Dnipro or up north in Chernigov on a dacha on the Desna. Nichy-Vo! 

This is in my opinion a failed attempt on your part to stifle a message you don’t want to hear by trying to shoot the messenger,  while at the same time acknowledging it, how contradictory.  That information I posted has about as much relevancy as to the date of my last visit to Crimea as it would to what color socks I have on.

Nothing substantial has changed in Ukraine, ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY UKRAINIANS LIVING IN UKRAINE.  Ohhh, I have gray socks on, so I guess you can discount that then!

Man, however long you've been in Ukraine, it's obviously been TOO LONG, you've sailed over the edge and into the abyss, I know what this is like, it happened to me to, and when I started to beat up old ladies who cut in fron of me in line, is when I decided to leave, you should think about this...

[AkMike]

Ten Reasons Why I’m Optimistic About Ukraine’s Economy in 2016

By Anders Åslund
 

The outlook for the Ukrainian economy in 2016 is positive. Many important reforms were carried out in 2015. The necessary exchange rate adjustment has occurred and most required bank closures have taken place. The parliament has adopted tax changes and a decent budget for 2016. The debt restructuring deal has postponed foreign debt service. The current account is in approximate balance. Now is the time to move forward with more structural reforms.

Click the link for his 10 reasons

http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/ten-reasons-why-i-m-optimistic-about-ukraine-s-economy-in-2016

[JayH]

Jay,
 
This is in my opinion a failed attempt on your part to stifle a message you don’t want to hear by trying to shoot the messenger,  while at the same time acknowledging it, how contradictory.  That information I posted has about as much relevancy as to the date of my last visit to Crimea as it would to what color socks I have on.

Nothing substantial has changed in Ukraine, ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY UKRAINIANS LIVING IN UKRAINE.

You have shown you a bitter about your time there and have posted nothing nice or positive about Ukraine and take every opportunity to denigrate-even above-you repeat what you believe( or want to believe) ie- nothing has changed.

Pretty dumb position to take I think.

The issue of giving advice based on outdated info is real enough-recently you advised a guy about not going to Crimea ( the right advice in the end) -but- you quoted your negative experience and issues -without qualifying them as being prior to 2008. In fact-your experiences back then only relate in a small way to the question the op posed about visiting in 2016.
The net effect is that your reply was in fact misleading- and you knew that full well when you wrote.

Above I refer to Laman comments made in other threads about outdated info-- eg   a poster whose experience was about 2008 commenting on a city while being in ignorance of a major development that would impact on a visitor-- and specifically relevant to the question posed.
In another thread-- a TR from some time ago-- the dates are listed by poster and of extreme relevance to his story.That is an appropriate way to post--ie qualify material facts that have potential to impact the comments being made that could lead to misunderstanding.

The fact of the matter is that a lot of the material I post links to does illustrate how much is changing.

[fathertime]

Jay,
   Let me be clear about my experience in Ukraine.  I lived there for 3 years, I bought and sold multiple properties there, commercial and residential, and I was the founder of the largest software development company in Crimea, I can speak (but not read/write Russian ‘horrosho)  My children are bi-lingual, until last year my children would spend part of the summer in Crimea.  I am on Skype every week with relatives in Crimea and Kyiv.  I read constantly, most of the hard data I post here, comes directly from Ukraine, and is “of Ukraine” and “by Ukrainians” and “for Ukrainians” and is even written in what language-ohhh Ukrainian! ‘horrosho?  none of what I posted here would have even a single character altered if I spent the last 10 years sitting in a “queterry” somewhere on the left bank of the Dnipro or up north in Chernigov on a dacha on the Desna. Nichy-Vo! 

This is in my opinion a failed attempt on your part to stifle a message you don’t want to hear by trying to shoot the messenger,  while at the same time acknowledging it, how contradictory.  That information I posted has about as much relevancy as to the date of my last visit to Crimea as it would to what color socks I have on.

Nothing substantial has changed in Ukraine, ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY UKRAINIANS LIVING IN UKRAINE.  Ohhh, I have gray socks on, so I guess you can discount that then!

Man, however long you've been in Ukraine, it's obviously been TOO LONG, you've sailed over the edge and into the abyss, I know what this is like, it happened to me to, and when I started to beat up old ladies who cut in fron of me in line, is when I decided to leave, you should think about this...

looks to me like your experience is a lot more broader and relevant (not to mention balanced) than some numb-skull cheerleader that unsuccessfully bored a few Ukrainian ladies, and now wants to pretend he is the 'oracle of all of Ukraine'! 


Fathertime!   

[krimster2]

Jay,
   Here in the USA my wife’s best friend is someone she met in school and who also happened to be from Ukraine.  She was a teacher at Ternopil State University and taught nursing there.  She also worked as an interpreter for the Ukrainian government.  In 2008, when she was about 35 years old she married an American and left Ukraine and moved to the USA and has not returned since.  If she has any questions about Ukraine I sure hope you will be able to answer them for her since your knowledge on the subject is so much greater than the few meager few scraps of information that she has, which of course would be totally obsolete and of no value by now. 

So Jay, how on Earth did you get to be so smart?  Was it nature or nurture?  I mean please tell me about your life in Ukraine.  Do you own a business there, do you own a house, what’s your day-to-day like there?

[krimster2]

Jay,
   knowledge and wisdom are not like fresh fish, they don’t go bad after 24 hours.  “Truth is beauty” Jay, and “a thing of beauty is a joy forever”

this is why true wisdom is timeless and there’s no expiration date stamped on the bottom.  If you don’t accept that, then you should tell every military academy in the world to stop studying “The Art of War” by Sun Wu, who wrote  his Chinese military treatise in the 5th century BC.  The 5th century BC Jay, that’s 2,500 years ago, it’s still being studied Jay, get it!!!

Ever hear of William Shakespeare, of course, his works are nearly 500 years old, are they obsolete and of no value Jay?

Has Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of Mona Lisa been discarded because it’s over 500 years old and therefor obsolete and of no value?  No Jay, it hasn’t, it’s the star exhibit of the Louvre.

You see Jay, real truth is timeless, I hope these meager words of mine will serve to illustrate that point to you.

But Jay, those who dwell upon the mountain grow concerned, when the Oracle has been asked to prophecy about the Oracle, the Oracle has grown silent, a dark sense of foreboding has descended like a thick fog, please may the Oracle prophesize about the Oracle, and tell us of the Oracles’s existence upon the sweet fields of far-off Delphi?

[LiveFromUkraine]

krimster, you're wasting your time with JayH.


Besides his tourettes problem, he holds on to the belief he is the only expert on Ukraine.  He even started a thread last year talking about all the changes that have taken place.  I read it and couldn't find anything that wasn't the same over 4 or 5 years ago. 


I think he is just a lonely old dude with nothing going on his life which is why he needs to feel like he matters.


Also, he won't disclose anything personal.  Sure, he will try and use any personal comments you make about your life against you, but he won't comment on himself.  Probably because he has been going to Ukraine for over 5 years and still hasn't been able to find someone to marry him.  If that is even why he goes.


I personally think he is a sex tourist which makes sense why he won't disclose anything personal. 


Just laugh at him like the rest of us do.  Feel pity for an old fool. 

[krimster2]

well, that's kinda sad, maybe we should just let him be THE EXPERT on Ukraine so he can hold his head up a little...  He's probably all there by himself with no one to talk to, a lonely solitary figure drinking voda over a half-eaten dish of salo staring at the monitor hoping someone will ask a question about Ukraine that he can answer, what kind of person would I be to rob him of this little joy...???

You go Jay!!!!

[JayH]

As I wrote above-- some keep attempting to denigrate Ukraine-despite all the evidence indicating change and progress is real-despite everything .
For the fools who want to attack me personally-- read the thread topic.


​World Bank: Ukraine may show economic growth in 2016, Russia will remain in recession


A new World Bank report published on Jan. 7 predicts the Ukrainian economy will grow by 1 percent in 2016, this is after a 12 percent reduction in 2015. It also forecasts an economic growth of 2 percent for 2017.

According to the Global and Economic Prospects report: “Growth in Ukraine may start rebounding, helped by easing tensions and the IMF supported stabilization program.”

http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/world-bank-ukraine-may-show-economic-growth-in-2016-russia-will-remain-in-recession-405526.html

[JayH]

The outlook for the Ukrainian economy in 2016 is positive. Many important reforms were carried out in 2015. The necessary exchange rate adjustment has occurred and most required bank closures have taken place. The parliament has adopted tax changes and a decent budget for 2016. The debt restructuring deal has postponed foreign debt service. The current account is in approximate balance. Now is the time to move forward with more structural reforms.



10 reasons why I'm optimistic about Ukraine's economy in 2016




http://www.kyivpost.com/article/opinion/op-ed/anders-aslund-10-reasons-why-im-optimistic-about-ukraines-economy-in-2016-405469.html

[JayH]

Beyond the headlines, there have been some positive developments from the European Union on the issue. An important trade deal between the European Union and Ukraine, which is essential for revitalizing the country's economy, will be effective next month. Hopefully, visa-free access for Ukrainians to EU countries will soon follow.


In 2015, Ukraine proved it wasn't a pushover. The country united in the face of Russian aggression and Russian President Vladimir Putin learned that if he wanted his Novorossiya project, it was going to cost him more than a few little green men.

What Will 2016 Mean for Ukraine?


But that's not all. Instead of launching a new military offensive on land, Putin is trying his luck at sea. On December 14, Russia hijacked two drilling rigs located in Ukrainian territorial waters in the Odeske natural gas field in the Black Sea, 100 kilometers east of the Ukrainian coastline. The Russian news agency TASS claimed that the deposits in the Black Sea shelf are now Russian, because of the takeover of Crimea. There may be a military logic here. As Euromaidan Press reported, Russian propaganda is already saying that Russian gas rigs in the Ukrainian maritime zone need protection from "terrorism." The distance between the gas field and the western Ukrainian Black Sea coast is well within the range of Russian naval weapons.

West of the gas field and close to the western Ukrainian Black Sea coast is the tiny Zmiinyi Island, a former Soviet base with a population of 100. If Russia seized the island, the port of Odesa could be cut off; that would deny Ukraine almost all access to the sea, since Russia already holds Crimea and the gas fields between there and Zmiinyi Island.

One could imagine a scenario sometime in 2016 where "Odessan freedom fighters," who are actually Russian naval troops without insignia, seize the island and declare it a part of the "Odessan People's Republic." Russia could then send "humanitarian convoys" or "civilian activists" from Crimea. Such convoys would obviously need "protection" from Russian naval vessels.


http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/what-will-2016-mean-for-ukraine

[fathertime]

As I wrote above-- some keep attempting to denigrate Ukraine-despite all the evidence indicating change and progress is real-despite everything .
For the fools who want to attack me personally-- read the thread topic.


​

You have been pegged for exactly what you are....in addition it twas you that once again began to 'personally attack' the latest poster who dare share a (more educated) opinion regarding Ukraine.   


Fathertime! 

[sleepycat]

....in addition it twas you that once again

Maybe it's time to invest in some spellchecker software for your PC?
 

[Darth_Budda]

I stopped posting political stuff here  because their is only one view allowed....


Truth is The People in the USA, Russia and Ukraine...
Have more than this one official RWD view... Which is reinforced by a few posters...

I will be going back to ukraine in a few weeks... To bring my Russian-Ukrainian princess back to NY...

But to be honest.
During my 2 week stay in central ukraine... I did not meet one Ukrainian who was not ethnically Russian or Belorussian.

So it is natural they might have a different view on things than the Ethnically Ukrainian population in the west of the country...


So from my point of view,,,, I can say.. I don't think the "Times of Trouble" are over...

 

[Faux Pas]

I stopped posting political stuff here  because their is only one view allowed....


Truth is The People in the USA, Russia and Ukraine...
Have more than this one official RWD view... Which is reinforced by a few posters...

I will be going back to ukraine in a few weeks... To bring my Russian-Ukrainian princess back to NY...

But to be honest.
During my 2 week stay in central ukraine... I did not meet one Ukrainian who was not ethnically Russian or Belorussian.

So it is natural they might have a different view on things than the Ethnically Ukrainian population in the west of the country...


So from my point of view,,,, I can say.. I don't think the "Times of Trouble" are over...

Regardless of your perception, there is no "one official view of RWD". I rarely agree with anybody and I have spewed my view on the forum as much as anybody

[JayH]

Disregarding some the foolish comments from a few above and the way they express it--and even more so for their reasons( loathe to use the word reasoning!

Often in any political sphere we hear people commenting on politicians--"they are all the same" or "nothing changes"--in particular -- people who are relatively knowledgeable historically and relatively well informed on the current situation  are still sceptical of how much political change can really take place.
Below is a story of what is a typical battle going on in Ukraine-- the "old guard" trying to maintain the status quo by shutting out potential reformers from the system.This is a battle taking place on many fronts.
Under former President Viktor Yanukovych, the prosecutor's office was seriously compromised. As a result, public faith in law enforcement remains critically low. Post-Maidan expectations of real reform received a setback when President Petro Poroshenko appointed Shokin, who is widely viewed as part of the old guard. That concern has proven justified.

How Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Sabotaged the Reform Process

Parliament adopted a new law that would radically reform the prosecutor's system on October 14, 2014. It should have come into force on April 25, 2015, but all of its provisions have been deferred until April 15, 2016, as the result of behind-the-scenes lobbying. The first stages of vital restructuring did, however, begin: local prosecutors were supposed to be hired through a competitive system that would bring in an influx of external candidates. Initially, sixty percent of those candidates were outsiders, but that number dropped to 22 percent after two phases of independent tests.

But the real problem was with the selection committee. Four members of the commission were Shokin's representatives and three were from parliament. After the selection commission had finished interviewing candidates, only 3 percent of the successful candidates were outsiders.

And then all outsiders disappeared, courtesy of the prosecutor general, who had the final say. According to Vitaly Kasko, perhaps the only remaining reform-minded deputy prosecutor general, 84 percent of the local prosecutors Shokin appointed were previously district prosecutors and most were employed in that capacity during the Yanukovych period. Although there is no evidence that any specific individual should not have been appointed, these statistics hardly inspire faith in the reform process. None of the local prosecutors were subject to checks under the law on cleaning up the authorities. Parliamentarian Yehor Sobolev is outraged, and says that the anticipated overhaul of the system has resulted in mere rotation, with the same prosecutors simply moved to different cities.

Frustration is widespread among civic activists who were effectively pushed out of the process.

http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/how-ukraine-s-prosecutor-general-sabotaged-the-reform-process?

[JayH]

Interesting video with a cross section of observers.
Of note--the trolls in action in comments section-- say anything positive about Ukraine--or even discuss it-- and the trolls are out in force to illustrate their ignorance and stupidity.


Will Ukraine Be Europe’s Next Success Story?

[JayH]

Go back a short time and the silliness of the pro-Rus apologists was busy telling us how the dependency on Russian gas would dictate the future. To repeat myself--the second Russia's anti social behaviour became apparent-- every country receiving gas placed funding alternatives in the extreme urgency file. It has proved another major miscalculation of Putin and his thugs-- even if they are able to keep selling-the price will be set by the market itself-- not by a monopoly supplier. Funny how the free market has a way to bite back!!

Not so long ago, Russia could bend Ukraine to its will by threatening to cut off natural gas supplies. Now, Russia is offering discounts, but Ukraine is not interested because it's getting plenty of gas in Europe. This change reflects developments in the European gas market that don't augur well for one of Russia's biggest sources of export revenue.

How Ukraine Weaned Itself Off Russian Gas


That, however, is not the most important reason for the decline in Ukrainian imports. The government is determined to end its dependence on Russia as the two countries are in a semi-official state of war. More than once, Russian threats to stop supplies or raise prices as winter approached forced Ukrainian governments to accept political concessions that slowed the country's drift toward the European Union. In response, Ukraine sought "reverse supplies" from Slovakia in 2014.


http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2016-01-12/how-ukraine-weaned-itself-off-russian-gas

[JayH]

Despite a tiny minority here on forums that resent Ukraine generally and reflect that anti Ukraine stance of Russians, the positives keep coming.

It was interesting to here Obama's State of the Union comments on Ukraine-- and if Ukraine can continue to resist the Russian invasion ( and maybe start to turn it back) then what Obama said would make sense as far as USA is concerned.

The determined effort to achieve democracy and self rule by Ukrainians is quite remarkable.Now it faces the biggest challenge-- ie--to keep going despite all the difficulties faced.

Of course--if Russia collapses that path will be made considerably easier-in every respect.

Two years ago, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians braved the freezing temperatures on Kyiv's Maidan to protest. Since then, Ukraine has gone through almost too many crises to count: upheaval with the ousting of former President Viktor Yanukovych; Russian occupation of Crimea; a war with Russian forces in the Donbas that continues to simmer; and a contracting economy that shrunk by 7 percent in 2014 and 12 percent in 2015. One of these crises could have caused state collapse, but Ukraine has persevered.

The Ukrainian government has steered the economy away from the brink of collapse. In fact, the World Bank predicts modest growth for 2016. The international community has provided much-needed financial support. In 2016, the IMF is expected to give $4.7 billion in conditional support to Ukraine. The final decision on the timing of the next tranche will likely come at the end of January. The United States has committed an additional $1 billion loan guarantee, which is expected to be released in the first quarter. And the European Union is expected to disburse at least 1.2 billion. Other bilateral contributions, such as Poland's 1 billion euro loan, will bring Ukraine's 2016 financial assistance to $9-10 billion. While the majority of this sum is in the form of loans, it is a sign of significant support.


2016 Will Be a Make It or Break It Year for Ukraine


With this support and improving economic outlook, it is up to the Ukrainian government and civil society to take advantage of "Ukraine's moment," as US Vice President Joe Biden urged Ukrainian parliamentarians to do in his address before the Rada in December 2015.

To take advantage of Ukraine's moment, the government must pass anti-corruption reforms, particularly of the judiciary, and investigate corruption allegations, starting with Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, who has become the poster child of entrenched political corruption. It also must stop the political squabbling that could lead to a collapse in the governing coalition. Ukraine needs a politically stable government to see through the reform process. While that government, and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk in particular, is losing popular support fast, there is still time to prove to the Ukrainian people that their elected officials have what it takes to do the right thing.

Civil society also has a role to play in ensuring that Ukraine makes progress in 2016. Anticorruption groups, such as the Anticorruption Action Center, track progress on asset recovery and procurement reform, and investigate the financial dealings of government officials. These civic groups should continue to work closely with government agencies, notably the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NAB), to put pressure on the government to pursue corruption allegations and increase transparency in the budgetary process. To prove its legitimacy, the NAB must start to investigate allegations, but it cannot prosecute cases; that's the job of the prosecutor general, which is more reason to replace Shokin with a real reformer. Corruption is a significant concern for Ukrainians. According to a 2015 poll, two-thirds of Ukrainians believe that the government is not doing enough to combat corruption. Leaders would be wise to remember that as much as the Euromaidan was about European integration, it was truly about Ukrainians being fed up with corrupt leaders. While another Maidan revolution seems unlikely in 2016, Ukrainians will not shy away from holding their leaders to the promises of the Euromaidan.



http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/2016-will-be-a-make-it-or-break-it-year-for-ukraine?utm_content=bufferfb8f3&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[JayH]

While the Kremlin still thinks it can control Ukraine ( and  some on forums believ it!!) the reality is moving further from Russia' orbit by the minute. I keep posting of progress being made in Ukraine--despite all the hurdles.
Delivering on the EU promise by Poroshenko is THE cornerstone of keeping control in current day Ukraine.For all the hardships being endured by Ukrainians currently they need to be able to believe it is for a purpose -- and the promise of a future is fundamental.

2016 expected to see advent of European Union free trade and visa-free travel marking start of new era in Ukraine’s EU integration

Ukraine’s EU dream comes true?

2016: Breakthrough year for European Ukraine

 2016 is the year in which this dream finally becomes a reality. January sees the full implementation of a free trade zone, and at some point in summer 2016 visa-free EU travel is expected to be introduced. These are not minor achievements. Free trade and freedom of movement are arguably the two greatest benefits the EU can offer. Indeed, millions of Euro skeptics within the EU will surely view Ukraine’s Brussels partnership with some envy, regarding it as a far better model for cooperation than their own much deeper involvement in the European experiment.

These developments have the potential to transform every aspect of Ukrainian society, but they are not a panacea for the country’s many deep-seated problems. In reality, Ukraine’s 2016 European breakthrough is merely the start of a new and challenging era in the country’s development. If Ukraine is to make the transition successfully, Euro standards must become the everyday norm rather than the exception, and Ukrainians must start seeing themselves as equal partners in the European community of nations. Integrating into Europe has long been a key goal for millions of Ukrainians – the objective now must be to integrate Europe into Ukraine.

http://bunews.com.ua/opinion/item/ukraines-eu-dream-comes-true

[JayH]

A little statistical data that verifies the Ukrainian economy is improving. Things can and do change!!!!


Signs that 2016 economy in Ukraine may be on rebound

For a nation that has seen mostly gloomy economic news in recent years, the storm clouds may start to lift in 2016. Too many explosive variables exist to make any kind of prediction: Russia’s war could heat up and commodity prices could continue sinking. Moreover, Ukraine’s political leaders still have done nothing to instill investor or public confidence in the nation’s rule of law -- including its judicial system, from prosecutors to judges and police investigators. Additionally, while the banking sector is being purged of its weakest and most corrupt elements, no one has been prosecuted or gone to jail for bank fraud. Lending, meanwhile, remains at a standstill. Borrowers are turned off by high interest rates. Lenders are turned off by a lack of creditor rights. Moreover, even under optimal circumstances, Ukraine’s official gross domestic product in 2016 is expected to be less than $100 billion, only a slight increase. And much of this economy will stay in the shadows.

http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/business/signs-that-2016-economy-in-ukraine-may-be-on-rebound-405934.html


Ukraine enters 2016 with lots of unfinished business

Much remains to be done to make government more accountable, open and graft-free. Required measures include stripping lawmakers and certain judges of prosecutorial immunity, changing the election system, and selling off more than 1,500 state-owned enterprises. Changes to the Constitution could also happen this year.
The following are highlights of the successes and failures:

http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/ukraine-enters-2016-with-lots-of-unfinished-business-405937.html

Poroshenko says Ukraine made considerable progress in removing oligarchs from power

http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/poroshenko-says-ukraine-made-considerable-progress-in-removing-oligarchs-from-power-405911.html

[Muzh]

Poroshenko says Ukraine made considerable progress in removing oligarchs from power

http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/poroshenko-says-ukraine-made-considerable-progress-in-removing-oligarchs-from-power-405911.html

BULLSHIT

[Gator]

Does anyone have an accounting of how the aid and loans from IMF, EU, et al were  spent?