PM examines progress of restoration work in Sloviansk

On Wednesday, July 16, Ukrainian PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk is on a working visit in Donetsk region, including a visit to Sloviansk liberated from terrorists on July 5.

The Prime Minister visited the secondary school No.16 and a 5-storey building damaged due to the actions of terrorists as well as the railway station, which has recently resumed work.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk also visited Mount Karachun where militants had destroyed a TV tower as well as the village Semenivka, which has been seriously affected by the actions of terrorists.

The Prime Minister informed that restoration work was begun in the liberated cities, in particular, "Ukrzaliznytsia" has resumed transport routes: "Yesterday, 800 people returned to Sloviansk, although a few days ago trains were empty."

Also, according to him, the electricity supply has been restored: "The Government at the expense of energy market helps in restoring power supply."

Arseniy Yatsenyuk noted that while there were problems with water supply, which were solving by bringing water: "Where it is possible to connect water, it is already connected."

The Prime Minister also assured that schools in Sloviansk would start their work from 1 September: "Every administration has been charged with one school in order to quickly restore them and give the children an opportunity to go to school from 1 September." 

Moreover, in Sloviansk has been restored broadcast of three channels - First National, Channel 5 and "1+1". "We have settled a technical issue –antenna was put on a water tower, and from today it includes three channels. Further it will be increased up to eight channels - now we are bringing equipment," said the Prime Minister.

"It is very important to calm people down, so that all return back to their cities, and together with the whole Ukraine rebuilt Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Donbas region," underlined Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

He noted that according to preliminary assessments, UAH 8 billion was required to restore cities in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "But as the armed conflict goes on, I think that UAH 8 billion will in the best case be enough only for a few months."

Arseniy Yatsenyuk said that the Government of Ukraine had prepared a draft law on amendments to the State budget that he would report on it at a Cabinet meeting on July 17: "The economic conditions are very difficult. We need to continue financing the army, as well as defense. These are the costs, which no one expected. We also have to finance the reconstruction and recovery of Donbas".

On behalf of the Prime Minister a Government delegation participated in a preparatory meeting of the donors and investors conference held in Brussels: "We expect a donor conference to be held in September. We hope for the support of our Western partners in reconstructing Donbas, restoring infrastructure, networks, as well as ensuring jobs. So, there is the central budget and Western donors that will help Ukraine restore the postwar Donbas".

He informed that Ukraine would host an EU mission to assess the situation: "Then we together agree on the amount of financial and technical assistance that we should get in September."

"Now the main issue is to obtain peace. And for peace we must fight," emphasized Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

Asked about social assistance to Sloviansk citizens, the PM said that many social workers had left the city and were now returning. Arseniy Yatsenyuk said that since the liberation the Government had directed of about UAH 400 million to pay salaries, pensions and social payments in Sloviansk and Kramatorsk: "All the money is allocated."

Arseniy Yatsenyuk held a meeting with the leadership of the region with participation of Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Regional development, Construction Housing and Utilities of Ukraine Volodymyr Hroisman, Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov and Minister of Infrastructure Maxim Burbak on the restoration of functioning of these regions.

The Prime Minister also visited the camp of the National Guard of Ukraine near Izium.