Ukrainian Law Blog: April 2017

Guidelines adopted unanimously. EU27 firm and fair political mandate for the #Brexit talks is ready. #EUCO
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) 29 апреля 2017 г.

Top 10 Tips for Social Media Use When Divorcing

Social media can become very problematic in a divorce case. Divorce lawyers, myself included, consider it a treasure trove of potentially useful information.

Европейская страна с восемью тысячами мечетей

По заявлениям российской пропаганды нам, европейцам, нужно бояться 3,8% наших мусульман, тогда как в России их уже сегодня 12-15%.

#Надоел - Акция движения «Открытая Россия». ОНЛАЙН

Poroshenko decides on new central bank governor – media

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has chosen a new central bank governor on the recommendation of the incumbent governor, Valeriya Gontareva, who proposed the candidacy of the head of a Ukrainian bank with Austrian capital, according to a Ukrainian news outlet.

UK was given details of alleged contacts between Trump campaign and Moscow

In December the UK government was given reports by former MI6 officer Christopher Steele on possible collusion between Trump camp and the Kremlin

Friday, April 28, 2017

Fitch Affirms Ukraine at 'B-'; Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings-London-28 April 2017: Fitch Ratings has affirmed Ukraine's Long-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'B-' with a Stable Outlook. The issue ratings on Ukraine's senior unsecured foreign- and local-currency bonds have also been affirmed at 'B-' and the sovereign's short-term senior unsecured local currency bonds at 'B'. The Country Ceiling has been affirmed at 'B-' and the Short-Term Foreign-Currency and Local-Currency IDRs at 'B'.

It’s time for France to face its past and debate crimes against humanity

As Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen continue their quest to secure the French presidency, it’s time to ask what they think about France’s troubled past.

Арестович о перспективах националистического проекта на Украине

The Fight in Hungary Is Over George Soros's Legacy

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has long avoided effective censure by the European Union, even though he has long since stopped adhering to the bloc's common values, denouncing liberalism and adopting an authoritarian style of government.

EU launches EUR 6 million project to support ‘model police stations’ in 20 Ukrainian districts and new model of public order policing based on Scandinavian approach

The EU launched a EUR 6 million project today with the name ‘Support to Police Reform in Ukraine’ (SPRU), which will strengthen community policing in 20 police districts in mid-sized towns in the Kyiv, Kharkiv and Lviv regions and support the reform of public order policing in Ukraine.

Does offshore banking confidentiality hold up in Canadian courts?

The April 2016 “Panama Papers” leak highlighted the attraction for transnational actors of the confidentiality available in certain offshore financial centres. Some of these jurisdictions have laws that make it a criminal offence for banks to disclose information about their clients, providing powerful protection for individuals and corporations who wish to keep their financial affairs private.

100 days in the court of King Donald

It was never going to be business as usual. But leaks, power struggles and policy reversals have dominated the first three months of President Trump’s administration

Smog becomes a political issue in South Korean election

SEOUL — A rare springtime election will send South Koreans to the polls early next month, but here in smog-bound Seoul they may be gasping all the way.

En Ukraine, les réformes en zigzag de Porochenko

L’Union européenne devrait saluer des « progrès substantiels » lors du sommet UE-Ukraine jeudi. Mais le président ukrainien déçoit dans sa lutte contre la corruption.

Turkey eyes new ties with US under Trump leadership: President Erdoğan

Turkey is eyeing new ties with the United States under the administration of President Donald Trump, demanding a strong stance on the Kurdish Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) and the extradition of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said.

Free Law Project to Download All Opinions from PACER and Make Them Available to Public

The Free Law Project, a non-profit dedicated to providing free, public access to primary legal materials, has announced plans to download all of the free opinions and order available on PACER, the federal courts’ system for electronic access to court records.

Europe could allow a united Ireland to join EU after Brexit

Leaders expected to discuss statement at weekend summit that if the island reunifies, the north will automatically regain EU membership

Secretary of State Tillerson urges U.N. to act 'before North Korea does'

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Friday the threat of an attack by Pyongyang against Japan and South Korea is real and urged the U.N. Security Council to act "before North Korea does."

U.S. transfers new radio communications equipment to Ukrainian State Border Service worth $21 mln

The U.S. Defense Ministry has transferred to Ukraine radio communications equipment worth $21 million, according to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

PM at the meeting with leadership of the American Chamber of Commerce:Ukraine demonstrates economic upturn which will lead to leverage of investment

On the outcomes of the activities of 2016 as well as of the first quarter of 2017 the country demonstrates a positive trend of gradual economic upturn, and this should be the basis and the key to leverage investment in the country and to ensure implementation of successful projects in the real sector. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman in the course of the meeting with the leadership of the American Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was also attended by Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the USA in Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch.

President on the return of funds stolen by former senior officials to the state budget: This is a restoration of justice

President Petro Poroshenko held a meeting with Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko and NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov and thanked them for a marvelous work on the return of funds stolen by former senior officials. “It is very important that we finally do not hype our intentions, but report on the results. And the result is 40 billion hryvnias transferred to the state budget,” the President emphasized.

House approves bill to avert government shutdown

The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday approved legislation to avert an imminent government shutdown by giving lawmakers until May 5 to come up with legislation funding federal agencies through the fiscal year that ends on Sept. 30.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

President Trump's 100 Days of Security and Safety

PUTTING AMERICA FIRST, PROTECTING NATIONAL SECURITY: President Donald J. Trump’s top priority is the security of the American people and the American homeland.

Ukrainian army ready for introduction of martial law – Defense Ministry

The Ukrainian army is ready for a possible declaration of martial law in case of an open armed aggression by the Russian Federation, Deputy Defense Minister Ihor Pavlovskiy said, according to LIGA.net.

Presidential Memorandum for the Secretary of Commerce

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

SUBJECT: Aluminum Imports and Threats to National Security

Trump team unveils sharp cuts in corporate and individual taxes

President Donald Trump’s top economic team unveiled what they called the biggest tax cut in US history, proposing a sharp reduction in corporate taxes and a simplification of individual rates they said would unleash economic growth.

Putin Warns North Korea Situation Has ‘Seriously Deteriorated’

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the crisis over North Korea’s nuclear program is deepening after the issue dominated talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Moscow.

The European Parliament confirms that Ukraine to get visa-free regine in June 11

The European Parliament confirms that a visa-free regime for travel of Ukrainian citizens to EU countries will be introduced on June 11.

Another Big Win for Russian Pipeline Politics in Europe?

A divisive Russian energy project dripping with geopolitical tension reached a major milestone this week. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would pump natural gas from Russia into Northern Europe, lined up financial backing from the western energy industry on Monday despite a barrage of protest from many European Union members fearful of Moscow’s hold on Europe’s energy supplies.

New Action Plan to help regions defend biodiversity and reap the economic benefits of nature protection

The Plan consists of 15 actions to be carried out by 2019 to rapidly improve the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives, which are the EU's flagship nature policies.

Ukraine remains priority on U.S. agenda – Assistant Secretary of State Kaidanow

Ukraine is still on the agenda of the U.S. administration, U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Tina Kaidanow has said.

Inequality index: where are the world's most unequal countries?

Inequality isn’t all about income. Here’s a guide to different ranking systems – from wealth distribution to the World Happiness Report – and which countries rate best and worst under each

Kyiv's court extends Nasirov's pre-trial measures for another two months

Kyiv's Solomyansky district court has ruled that pre-trial restrictions that are now applicable to suspended head of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine Roman Nasirov should be extended for another two months, according to an UNIAN correspondent.

President: Ukraine and Belarus to coordinate efforts on celebration of the 345th anniversary of Hetman Pylyp Orlyk – author of the first European Constitution

In the framework of the working visit to the Republic of Belarus, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko discussed with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko the issue of celebration of the 345th anniversary of Hetman Pylyp Orlyk who was born in the territory of modern Belarus.

Ukraine feels the heat over Trump’s links to Russia

There can be no thawing of relations between Washington and Kiev until the small matter of the Kremlin's possible involvement in the 2016 election has been resolved

Vietnam: New rules for resolving .VN disputes

Vietnam has seen a rapid surge in internet use, having one of the highest rates of increase of annual Internet users in the world. According to the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority, 52% of the population (over 47.3 million people) are Internet users.

Falling Angels and blood in the water – Ramifications for Odessa City Hall

A few weeks ago an entry appeared relating to Mayor Turkhanov that concluded “………. a somewhat unwelcome setback to a recent and on-going local media blitzkrieg that has been nothing short of a “Trukhangelical” campaign to whitewash his (criminal) history and project an image of papal infallibility when it comes to running City Hall.”

State of the Cyber Nation: UK Government Report on Cybersecurity Breaches

On 19 April 2017, the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published a report on cybersecurity breaches and how they affected UK companies in the last year. Headline statistics from the report include:

Limiting Statutory Damages in Internet Copyright Cases

One of the most significant legal concerns for Internet service providers is the risk of exposure to liability for the copyright infringements of their users. The concern is not unreasonable.

10 things to know about virtual assistants

There can be distinct advantages to hiring a virtual assistant, yet like everything, you'll get better bang for your buck if you have at least some idea of what you're getting yourself into.

#DisinfoReview: The show must go on

Despite statements from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on the incontrovertible laboratory results proving the use of sarin in the Khan Sheikhun area of southern Idlib in Syria, pro-Kremlin outlets kept to last week's practice of muddying the waters with disinformation about the issue.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Trump's plan to slash business taxes seen as 'guidepost' by congressional Republicans

President Donald Trump unveiled a one-page plan on Wednesday proposing deep U.S. tax cuts, many for businesses, that would make the federal deficit balloon if enacted, drawing a cautious welcome from fiscal conservatives and financial markets.

Technology Tools for the Art of Legal Marketing

Five legal marketing experts break down how technology has changed the face of the profession.

EU High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini met Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on April 24th. During their joint press conference she made the following remarks:

On my side also I found the exchanges we started this morning – and that we will continue after this press point – useful, constructive. It is always better to have a direct dialogue and, indeed, even if this is my first visit in my current capacity [as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission] to Moscow, Sergey and I had several occasions to meet during these last two-and-a-half years, to work together – as well as our teams – constantly coordinated on certain issues.

Eurovision-2017: Kyiv guide (PDF)

At 100 Days, Trump's No Russian Stooge or Fascist

Before Donald Trump won the election in November we were warned: He is a Russian stooge. He is a fascist. He will upend the protocols and traditions that make governing possible. This is not normal.

Turkey’s Turn toward Russia

As Erdogan turns his back on the West, the danger is not that Turkey could leave NATO but that it might not.

Кремлевские кошки-мышки

Статья опубликована 17 июля 1950 года

Что сулит миру Корейская война? Удержится ли свирепый «лесной пожар», бушующий в горах южнее 38-й параллели, в пределах Корейского полуострова? Или он охватит всю планету, испепеляя мировые столицы атомным пламенем? А может быть, 1950 год знаменует начало эпохи затяжных локальных войн, которые вынудят США и их союзников не выходить из боя целыми десятилетиями?

Turkey says detains 1,000 "secret imams" in police purge

Turkish authorities arrested more than 1,000 people on Wednesday they said had secretly infiltrated police forces across the country on behalf of a U.S.-based cleric blamed by the government for a failed coup attempt last July.

Second parchment manuscript copy of Declaration of Independence found — in England

Two Harvard University researchers announced Friday that they have found a second parchment manuscript copy of the Declaration of Independence in a tiny records office in southern England.

IN SCATHING LETTER, POLANSKI'S RAPE SURVIVOR ACCUSES L.A. PROSECUTORS OF FAILING HER

The rape survivor of film director Roman Polanski has accused the office of the L.A. District Attorney of failing to protect her and investigate misconduct in her case, saying staff used her case to advance their own careers.

Sick Leave Ordinances in Chicago and Cook County, Ill.

Beginning July 1, 2017, employers that maintain a place of business in the city of Chicago or other locations in Cook County, Ill., will need to comply with recently passed ordinances providing “covered employees” with up to 40 hours of paid sick leave every year.

EU ambassadors support visa waivers for Ukraine

On April 26, the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU member states (COREPER) supported the move to grant the Ukrainians a visa-free travel across the EU, the Council of the European Union told an UNIAN correspondent in Brussels.

Lukashenko voices position on Ukraine issue

Belarus will be working for peace in Ukraine, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he visited the Chornobyl nuclear power plant on April 26, BelTA has learned.

Canadian military policemen to train Ukrainian military law enforcement staff in Lviv

A new Military Law Enforcement training centre hosted an opening ceremony of training course. Col. Vasyl Maksymenko, Deputy Chief of Central Directorate of Military Law Enforcement, stressed that the Ukrainian army was undergoing development under active support of international partners and in compliance with NATO standards.

President: COREPER adopted a historic decision to grant visa-free regime for Ukraine

In the course of the events on the anniversary of Chornobyl accident, the Head of State was informed on the given decision of the EU ambassadors. “Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union has just approved a historic decision to grant visa-free regime and open the doors of Europe to Ukraine,” Petro Poroshenko noted and congratulated Ukrainians on this historic decision.

Ukrainian Art - Spring Sale of Paintings

The Spring

63Х53 - 350$

Ukrainian Law blog has the honor to present a talented Ukrainian woman artist - Sagaydak Julia. Julia's paintings are filled with love and feelings.

Julia is Ph.D in law, Senior lecturer of Law Institute of Kyiv national economic university named after V.Hetman. Besides, she is a colleague of mine)

Orange spots - Hamburg

350$

See all Julia's pictures HERE

You can buy Julia paintings in three simple steps:

1. Write to e-mail what the picture you want to buy: volodymyr.machuskyy@kneu.edu.ua

2. Transfer me a part of the cost of the picture.

3. I send the picture to your address. After receiving the picture, you transfer me the remainder of the money.

Hurry up to buy an Ukrainian art!

Volodymyr Machuskyy

CFTC Adds 71 Names to Its List of Foreign Entities that Illegally Solicit U.S. Residents to Trade Binary Options and Forex

Washington, DC — As part of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) ongoing efforts to help protect Americans from fraud, today the CFTC added 71 new names to the RED List. These 71 new additions bring the total number of foreign entities on the RED List to over 110.

The Benefits of Welcoming AI Into the Legal Department

An upcoming CLOC session will focus on the current uses of AI to drive positive operational improvements in spend analytics and outside counsel management.

Presidential Executive Order on Promoting Agriculture and Rural Prosperity in America

PROMOTING AGRICULTURE AND RURAL PROSPERITY IN AMERICA

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to ensure the informed exercise of regulatory authority that affects agriculture and rural communities, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Trump’s ‘sanctuary city’ order blocked by federal judge in San Francisco

A federal judge in San Francisco dealt the Trump administration another legal blow Tuesday, temporarily halting President Trump’s threat to withhold federal funding from cities and towns that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities.

Chernobyl disaster

The Chernobyl disaster, also referred to as the Chernobyl accident, was a catastrophic nuclear accident. It occurred on 26 April 1986 in the No.4 light water graphite moderated reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat, in what was then part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic of the Soviet Union (USSR).

Trump administration interested in strengthening U.S. business in Ukraine – Ukraine's finance minister

Ukraine is working on concrete proposals related to the possibility of strengthening the presence of U.S. business in the country to discuss these proposals at the highest level, Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk has said after a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

The Tenth Kyiv Security Forum—an important foreign affairs conference conducted annually by the Open Ukraine Foundation—occurred on April 6-7. Headed by Ukraine’s former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and his wife Terezia, the conference underscored an important message: the need for the West to stay engaged and maintain security in the borderlands between Russia and Central Europe, particularly in Ukraine, the most important country in Eastern Europe between the Baltic and Black seas.

Council of Europe body to vote on Turkey status April 25

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is scheduled to meet on April 25 to discuss whether to degrade Turkey’s status and reopen a monitoring process against the country, in what has been decried as a politically motivated move by Ankara.

У середу, 26 квітня, Президент України Петро Порошенко зустрінеться з Президентом Республіки Білорусь Олександром Лукашенком.

Глави двох держав візьмуть участь у заходах у зв’язку з черговою річницею аварії на Чорнобильській атомній електростанції - спільно вшанують пам’ять загиблих у чорнобильській катастрофі та відвідають низку об’єктів на ЧАЕС.

Петро Порошенко та Олександр Лукашенко також проведуть переговори на території Білорусі.

Monday, April 24, 2017

Мартин ван Кревельд Расцвет и упадок государства

Государство, бывшее с середины XVII в. самым значимым и характерным институтом в современном мире, переживает упадок. Повсеместно ― от Западной Европы до Африки ― многие существующие государства вольно или невольно либо объединяются в более крупные союзы, либо распадаются.

The European Union does not recognize the annexation in Crimea and hopes for the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said at a joint press conference in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Monday, according to an UNIAN correspondent in Russia.

Cooperation of Ukraine and Poland in the oil and gas industry will contribute to enhancement of the energy security

First Deputy Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine Halyna Karp met with the State Secretary at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Government plenipotentiary for strategic energy infrastructure Piotr Naimski.

Argument preview: Jurisdiction, precedent and the Federal Employers’ Liability Act

Three years ago, in Daimler AG v. Bauman, the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution’s due process clause barred a lawsuit in California against the German car company for the actions of its Argentinian subsidiary, which allegedly worked with security forces in Argentina during the country’s “Dirty War” to kidnap, torture and kill some of the subsidiary’s workers.

Spitzenpolitiker in Haft

In der Ukraine ist Mykola Martynenko verhaftet worden. Damit könnten auch Ermittlungen in der Schweiz wegen Bestechung und Geldwäscherei wieder in Fahrt kommen.

Statement by HRVP Federica Mogherini on the killing of an OSCE SMM monitor in a non-government controlled part of eastern Ukraine

Today’s news from Pryshyb - a part of the Luhansk region not currently controlled by the government of Ukraine - that a member of the OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission has been killed by a mine is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for progress on a peaceful resolution of the conflict, which has already taken many innocent lives.

Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron (French: [emanɥɛl makʁɔ̃]; born 21 December 1977) is a French politician, senior civil servant, and former investment banker. Born in Amiens, he studied Philosophy at Paris Nanterre University, completed a Master's of Public Affairs at Sciences Po, and graduated from the École nationale d'administration (ENA) in 2004. He worked as an Inspector of Finances in the Inspectorate General of Finances (IGF) and then became an investment banker at Rothschild & Cie Banque.

New French revolution as outsiders surge

Far-right Le Pen and independent Macron go head to head for presidency

Sunday, April 23, 2017

НЕ НАДО ЛГАТЬ СЕБЕ. Виктор Астафьев

Не надо лгать себе. Хотя бы себе! Трудно Вам согласиться со мной, но советская военщина - самая оголтелая, самая трусливая, самая подлая, самая тупая из всех, какие были до неё на свете. Это она "победила" 1:10! Это она бросала наш народ, как солому, в огонь - и России не стало, нет и русского народа. Мы войну выиграли завалив немцев горами трупов и залив их морем крови.

Ce dimanche 23 avril a lieu le premier tour de l'élection présidentielle française. Vous avez pu suivre cette journée décisive pour départager les onze candidats en lice sur notre site et ce sont Emmanuel Macron (23,7%) et Marine Le Pen (21,7%) qui sont les deux qualifiés pour le second tour qui aura lieu 7 mai prochain.

Member of security watchdog OSCE killed in Ukraine

One member of European security watchdog OSCE's monitoring mission in eastern Ukraine was killed and two others were injured after their vehicle drove over a mine near Luhansk.

Ukrainian interest. Poroshenko in London, precedent in The Hague, and Erdogan’s new powers

Petro Poroshenko during his London visit voiced his tough assessments of the situation in Donbas. For the first time in a few months, the Normandy Four leaders held phone talks. The presidential campaign in France ends with a massive finish of candidates. The International Court of Justice in The Hague has recognized its jurisdiction over Ukraine's lawsuits against Russia. Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to strengthen his personal powers in Turkey.

"В современном мире, где конкурируют не товары или услуги, а модели и эффективность управления, Украина имеет шанс стать конкурентоспособным государством только при условии построения эффективной, ответственной и прозрачной исполнительной власти."