Remarks by Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk at a session of the Cabinet of Ministers November 12, 2014

Dear members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine!

Before considering the issues on the agenda I would like us to hear three pieces of information: first, report of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine concerning winter preparation process and the state of matters on the front; second, the information of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in terms of the security of certain objects in Ukraine; third, information from the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine how Ukraine is provided with coal.

I’d like to note a significant improvement in the activity of the Defense Ministry.

In particular, it concerns decision-making procedures, pace, appropriate and reasonable approaches in the Ministry of Defence.

I appeal to the Finance Ministry: we shall adopt a resolution, enabling the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine to make an advance payment throughout a period not exceeding 90 days to settle bills under any military contracts, to ensure the needs of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine.

We should ensure full payment on the contracts worth billions of hryvnyas, the Defense Ministry has struck over the past few days, so that by the end of the current year the maximum amount of military equipment, weapons and clothing could be delivered to the Armed Forces.

I am just asking to verify once again clothes. Hence, with this view, constant checks of the commission and direct communication with the soldiers in the area of anti-terrorist operation – whether they have been provided and to which extent. And taking clear and tough personnel decisions that you have started making within the Defense Ministry. Those who are lacking a desire to work for the country just must be kicked out.

Therefore, I emphasize once again the need to complete financing of the processes and I appeal to the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Defense to finish the current fiscal year and to fund fully all necessary finance, much needed for the Ministry of Defence.

 Today I also am asking the Government to adopt a resolution on the additional list of facilities subject to mandatory protection by the subunits of the National Guard of Ukraine. These are strategic targets, first of all, energy facilities. The appropriate list must be approved and specially trained subunits must be sent to protect these objects.

I ask you, Yurii Vasylovych, to immediately continue negotiations on coal supplies to Ukraine along with energy companies and to do everything possible to ensure the country with coal.

I also want to officially apply to the SBU. It is a matter of national security when due to various events in the so-called check Ukraine has now lost the opportunity to purchase coal in other countries, except Russia and the territories that are controlled by the so-called DNR and LNR.

I ask the Security Service to immediately investigate the situation and find out who is behind the redistribution of the coal market, as it is a matter of national security.

Also, Yurii Vasylovych, I ask you to follow the same path as you followed before -publicity and transparency. Make public every purchase, every material. Invite the press, as well as public organizations. Frankness and transparency is our strength. Weakness of those who are trying to meddle in the carbon market is that they are making this "under the table". Pull out everything on the table - why the country has now become dependent on commercial business interests of certain groups.

If you need the diplomatic support, I ask the Foreign Ministers of the countries where we need to get the coal to join us. This is a serious issue.

 Moreover, I would like us to approve several other decisions, dear colleagues. Primarily, it concerns the territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, being under overall control by Ukrainian authorities.  

 A large number of residents from the rebel-held areas are moving to the controlled by us territory, so we lack funds to rebuild the infrastructure, to renew schools and hospitals there and to help the people who were forced to leave the areas ruled by Russian-led terrorists for the territories being under overall control by Ukrainian authorities.

Hence, the Government allocates UAH 300 million for Donetsk and Luhansk regions, being under control by the Ukrainian authorities.

I am asking Volodymyr Borysovych [Groysman – ed.] to approve the relevant lists together with the Ministry of Economy and to start funding those areas of Donbas, which are fully controlled by Ukrainian authorities.

In addition, we have had a meeting today and were considering an issue of the UN Security Council’s meeting which is due today, with an emphasis on Ukraine.

The Minsk agreements are strictly followed by Ukraine, but aren’t followed by Russia and Russia-led rebel forces. On the eve of the meetings of the UN Security Council, G20 Summit, that of the OSCE and the Ministerial Council of the European Union, we wish to reaffirm: everything needed to de-escalate the situation under the Minsk accord is being made by Ukrainian government and Ukrainian authorities.

A "redline" notion is circulating in international politics. They always say, "if one crosses the redline, we will take additional decisions, we will consider imposing additional sanctions, step up pressure". I would like to call on the entire world: stop suffering from geopolitical color blindness. Not dozens but hundreds of redlines have been crossed. Russian military aggression has claimed thousands of lives.

Therefore, peace is vital for Ukraine. To attain peace the entire world must act as a single civilized democratic institution that is fighting for peace both in Ukraine and in the entire world. We are doing everything within our power. Only that our stamina has its limits. Especially, when its concerns confrontation with a nuclear state, which is armed to the teeth.

Hence, we expect and hopes for a common position and true assistance and support, including financial issues, macroeconomic policy. An IMF mission has arrived to Ukraine and I commission the Ministry of Finance and all central executive authorities to immediately hold a meeting with the IMF experts, and I believe that the IMF team will help the National Bank of Ukraine to carry out a balanced currency exchange policy.

Apart from that, I’d like to appeal to our western partners, in particular I address the OSCE and the Red Cross mission: with a request to help with deliveries of Ukrainian humanitarian aid to the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, "We have repeatedly tried to send humanitarian aid to the territory, controlled by Russian-led terrorists, but they just do not let the humanitarian aid through for the people who became hostages to the Russia-backed rebel forces.

We are just asking the international organizations to help to ensure access for Ukrainian humanitarian assistance to the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, to the people who have become hostages to Russian terrorists, to provide an opportunity for these people to survive. The Government has allocated funds, we possess each necessary resource to provide people with water, food and to cover just the minimum needs, as if we send money there, each copeck of it will be taken by Russia-backed terrorists the way they do it at checkpoints, when people are leaving these territories and they are robbed at gun point by “the defenders of the Russian world”.

Yesterday, many members of the Government attended the premiere of a Ukrainian feature film The Guide by a brilliant Ukrainian Director Oles Sanin, who was nominated for an Oscar. Both Oles and the cast members said publicly that this film is dedicated to Oleh Sentsov – a Ukrainian film director who for political reasons was detained by the Russian special services and the Russian regime.

The family of Oleh Sentsov don’t just live a life of hardship, but lack material support. They have two kids, and in fact nothing to live for. Therefore, the Government decided, not just as Government members, but as ordinary citizens, as human beings we have taken a decision to give our monthly salary to the family. It is first.

Second. The Government shall take a decision decides on a monthly cash assistance to the family by Oleh Sentsov.

I also ask the Ministry of Justice together with the Ministry of Social Policy to prepare draft decisions concerning Nadiya Savchenko and other prisoners who were detained by the Russian regime, to help families, to help the people.

I emphasize it is also a key hot issue in our foreign policy, they are our citizens who were arrested by the Russian Federation, without any reasons. Our citizens must be released – Sentsov, Savchenko and any other who on exceptionally political motivations, spurious and authoritative allegations are jailed in Russia.

Thank the media! Let’s proceed to the agenda.