Ukrainian Law Blog: February 2024

Thursday, February 29, 2024

The need for unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

MEPs spoke in favor of a significant increase in military assistance to Ukraine and new measures to overcome the shortage of ammunition, DW reports.

All countries of the European Union and their NATO allies must annually allocate at least 0.25 percent of their GDP to military support for Ukraine, according to the European Parliament. This country must be given everything it needs to repel Russian aggression, lawmakers said. On Thursday, February 29, 451 European parliamentarians voted for the corresponding resolution in Strasbourg, 46 people were against it, and 49 abstained.

US leadership in Europe or the Dunning-Kruger effect.

Leadership does not tolerate a vacuum. Goodbye USA( Hello France?

Trump's alarmingly inadequate statements regarding the war in Ukraine and Speaker Johnson's vile behavior in the context of assistance to Ukraine are leading to the loss of American leadership in Europe.

Hiding behind US interests, Trump and Johnson are essentially acting against US interests. How conscious are Trump and Johnson acting? What is happening in this case? Close-mindedness, parochial thinking, lack of strategic vision? Or is this the Dunning-Kruger effect in international politics in its purest form?

G7 Leaders’ Statement, 24 February 2024

We the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) met today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine and salute once more the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people who have been fighting tirelessly for Ukraine’s freedom and democratic future.

They have resisted for two years Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked full-scale invasion which constitutes a blatant violation of the UN Charter. They have proven their will to defeat President Putin’s war machine, restore their nation’s territorial integrity, and defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.

At the endless fair of scientific vanity, someone claiming the high title of intellectual may imagine who knows what about himself. Looking down on other people, such a thinker is confident in his intellectual superiority over ordinary people. He seems to be the most intelligent, witty and endowed with a subtle sense of humor.

Everything is somewhat different in Ukraine. Here, any cashier at a supermarket checkout considers herself much smarter than the President of Ukraine. As for wit and humor, here’s a simple example.

Joint statement by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament

Today marks a tragic anniversary: that of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in manifest violation of international law and the UN Charter. Two years of violence, brutality, terror and destruction. We shall never forget the initial shock of the attack, the horror of the events in Borodianka, Bucha, Mariupol.

Yet, in spite of all the continuing atrocities and suffering inflicted upon it across the country, Ukraine is standing firm. The heroic Ukrainian people are demonstrating fortitude and determination in defending their homeland and fighting for their freedom and our shared European values.

The European Union will always support Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol 10 years ago marks the beginning of Russia’s sustained aggression against Ukraine.

Trump Wins Nevada Caucus | Trump Speech Live | Donald Trump Wins Nevada ...

God, please save the USA!

Maidan casualties

Altogether, 108 civilian protesters and 13 police officers were killed[1] in Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity (or the 'Maidan Revolution'), which was the culmination of the Euromaidan protest movement.

The deaths occurred in January and February 2014; most of them on 20 February, when police snipers fired on anti-government activists in Kyiv.

The slain activists are known in Ukraine as the Heavenly Hundred or Heavenly Company (Ukrainian: Небесна сотня, Nebesna sotnia).

By June 2016, 55 people had been charged in relation to the deaths of protesters, including 29 former members of the Berkut special police force, ten titushky or loyalists of the former government, and ten former government officials.

Russia: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the death of Alexei Navalny

The European Union is outraged by the death of the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, for which the ultimate responsibility lies with President Putin and the Russian authorities. Today at the Foreign Affairs Council we expressed our deepest condolences to his wife Yulia Navalnaya, their children, family, friends and all those who worked with him for the benefit of their country.

Russia must allow an independent and transparent international investigation into circumstances of his sudden death. The EU will spare no efforts to hold Russia’s political leadership and authorities to account, in close coordination with our partners; and impose further costs for their actions, including through sanctions.

Ukraine and Japan sign 56 documents at the Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo

A total of 56 documents were signed at the Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction held in Tokyo on 19 February with the participation of Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida.

“Japan has already taken a leading role in providing financial assistance to Ukraine. Now Japan should become one of the leaders of Ukraine’s recovery and investment in our economy,” said Denys Shmyhal.

The documents include intergovernmental agreements, memorandums, and arrangements between businesses and local authorities.

Restoring Ukraine is one of the priorities of the Government's Action Plan for 2024. It will include the modernisation of energy, critical, transport and social infrastructure. This was emphasised by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

"Yesterday, together with the World Bank, we presented the third report on recovery needs. The new figure is USD 486 billion. Ukraine needs USD 15 billion for the rapid recovery. We are working with our partners. We are expanding the work of the Multi-Agency Donor Cooridnation Platform," the Head of Government noted.

Today, February 19, 2024, the Minister of Finance of Ukraine, Serhiy Marchenko, signed the Convention between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Japan on the Elimination of Double Taxation Regarding Income Taxes and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance and the Protocol thereto. The document was signed in Tokyo, during the Japan-Ukraine conference on economic growth and reconstruction, where the Minister of Finance of Ukraine is part of the delegation of the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.

"The signing of this agreement opens up new opportunities for our countries, contributes to the creation of favorable conditions for investments and the strengthening of economic relations between Ukraine and Japan," - noted Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko.

Readout of President Biden’s Call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine

President Biden called President Zelenskyy today to underscore the United States’ commitment to continue supporting Ukraine ahead of the two year anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion. This morning, Ukraine’s military was forced to withdraw from Avdiivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russia’s first notable gains in months. President Biden emphasized the need for Congress to urgently pass the national security supplemental funding bill to resupply Ukrainian forces. President Biden reaffirmed the strong bipartisan support in the U.S. government and among the American people for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to imposing costs on the Russian government to hold it accountable for its actions.

CinC AF of Ukraine on Avdiivka

Based on the operational situation around Avdiivka, in order to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of servicemen, I decided to withdraw our units from the city and move to defense on more favorable lines.

Our soldiers performed their military duty with dignity, did everything possible to destroy the best russian military units, inflicted significant losses on the enemy in terms of manpower and equipment.

We are taking measures to stabilize the situation and maintain our positions.

The life of military personnel is the highest value.

We will still return Avdiivka.

GLORY TO UKRAINE!

Speech by President Volodymyr Zelensky at Munich Security Conference

February 24th could have marked the end of the world as we all know it. A world of rules. Rules that are meant to protect life.

Our resistance, with the support of our partners, has put on hold the destruction of this system – a rules-based world order.

2024 must become a time for a full restoration of a rules-based world order.

Ladies and gentlemen!

It is not the rules that define the world’s life that should remain in the past, but rather such Russia that doesn’t respect the rules should remain in the past. And we can ensure this. Not just by doing something. But by doing everything necessary.

The Conference today represents different parts of the world and many nations. Among us, there is no one for whom the ongoing war in Europe does not pose a threat. This war defines more than just the place of Ukraine or entire Europe in the world. This is Russia’s war against any rules at all.

During a working visit to France, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron.

In the course of the negotiations in Paris, the heads of state signed the Agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and France to further the G7 Vilnius Declaration adopted in July 2023.

Agreement on security cooperation and long-term support between the Federal Republic of Germany and Ukraine

The Federal Republic of Germany (“Germany”) and Ukraine, hereinafter “the Participants”, condemn in the strongest possible terms the unjustified, unprovoked, illegal and brutal war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine, by which Russia seriously violates international law, including the UN Charter.

Germany is unwavering in its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within borders, which have been internationally recognised since 1991, including the territorial sea and free economic (maritime) zone.

The Participants acknowledge the sustainable, decisive support provided by Germany as well as European, G7 and international partners to strengthen, equip and train Ukraine’s security and defence forces as well as the comprehensive non-military assistance provided to the people of Ukraine to mitigate the humanitarian, social, economic and fiscal consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Together they will continue to strive for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as well as for peace, security and stability on the European continent.

Farewell to Leadership or Theater of the Absurd on Capitol Hill

Leadership obliges. You cannot be a leader in a day or a month or a year. Leadership involves strategic thinking and the ability to look into the future.

Can the United States now be considered the leader of the free world and democracy in light of recent events in the Republican theater of the absurd on Capitol Hill? If denying Republican aid to embattled Ukraine in exchange for Trump's presidency constitutes leadership, then what is dishonor? Who is behind the scenes? Trump and Putin?

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First off, a big congratulations on getting your business officially registered! This is a major step towards realizing your entrepreneurial dreams. With a multitude of tasks ahead, one significant consideration is putting a lawyer on retainer. In this post, we'll delve into why it's a crucial move for your business and what to expect from this partnership.

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1. Legal Compliance: The world of business laws and regulations can be a labyrinth. They change frequently and can get pretty complex. Having a lawyer onboard ensures your business always stays on the right side of federal, state, and local laws, saving you from potential fines and legal hassles.

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At Taras Ramses Legal, we take immense pride in our unwavering dedication to expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and a tailored approach to each and every one of our clients. We are resolute in our stance against corruption and unwavering champions of transparency and integrity in every aspect of our work.

The recent decision by the EU Council to adopt a regulation clarifying the obligations of Central Securities Depositories (CSDs) holding assets and reserves of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) marks a significant step in responding to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This decision comes as part of the EU's ongoing efforts, in coordination with international partners, to impose restrictive measures on Russia and support Ukraine in its time of need.

Since the imposition of prohibitions on transactions related to the management of CBR assets and reserves, financial institutions in EU member states have found themselves holding immobilized Russian assets. Today's decision by the Council clarifies the legal status of these assets and sets out clear rules for their management.

Mike Against the World and Humanity

The struggle between conscience and duty is Mike's dilemma, as well as Hamlet's, by the way. Mike's search for the perfect way out of the situation leads him to inaction. Conscience tells Mike to take the side of peace and humanity, and duty tells Mike to follow Trump's orders.

Mike clearly sees that Trump is Putin's trump card. Putin seeks to turn the globe into slaughterhouse number 5 if Ukraine is not given to him. Trump is ready to give Ukraine and Europe to Putin in exchange for his American dictatorship.

Mike faces a simple and at the same time terrible choice: commit a moral crime for the sake of wealth and power or go over to the side of humanity and the whole world.

Friendly reminder to Mike: Every lie gets exposed sooner or later.

Farewell to Leadership or Theater of the Absurd on Capitol Hill

Roman Senate and US Senate: Gauls, Germans and Republicans

The reasons for the collapse of the Roman Empire are quite numerous and have been well described. For me there is not a shadow of a doubt that one of the main reasons for the degradation and collapse of this powerful state was a qualitative change in the composition of the Senate of the Roman Empire. The generations of those who stood at the foundation of the creation of Rome were cut short, and Gauls and Germans began to sit in the Senate. The mental basis of the empire has disappeared.

It may make sense to assume that Trump’s worldview, like any person, is a system of his views and ideas about the world, as well as his beliefs, ideals, principles of activity and value orientations determined by these views.

Whatever the position of Trump’s “self,” such is his perception of the world (forgive me J.P. Sartre).

As a politician, Trump, unlike other people, must have a political worldview, i.e. Trump's ability to rally the American people to achieve certain goals. Is Trump currently uniting the American people? Or he offers American society the discord and worldview of an entrepreneur: pay your bills or get out.