Parliament’s 2020 budget
The Verkhovna Rada passed the 2020 budget law in its second reading on Nov. 14, with significant spending increases for infrastructure, education and healthcare. This is the last year that Ukraine will release a one year budget – the next budget will cover at least three years.
Servant of the People lawmaker expelled for alleged bribery
Anna Skorokhod, a member of parliament who accused authorities who arrested her husband Aleksey Alyakin, a Russian-national on the Interpol list of wanted criminals for fraud, of doing so due to her vote against the party, was expelled from parliment on Nov. 14. David Arakhamia, the head of the party faction in parliament, said Skorokhod offered bribes to other lawmakers.
U.S. Impeachment inquiry: the overheard Trump-Scondland call
While much of the information in the first day of public impeachment hearings rehashed testimony made public earlier this month, acting Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor dropped somewhat of a bomb when he revealed that an aide had overheard a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, that indicated the American president was in fact pushing for Kyiv to launch investigations to perpetuate the discredited narrative about Biden and Ukrainian interference in the 2016 American elections.
Radical Party leader Lyashko faces charges for attacking lawmaker Gerus
Former lawmaker Oleh Lyashko, who made headlines on Nov. 6 when he attacked Andriy Gerus, a lawmaker with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s the Servant of the People party, now faces criminal charges and potential house arrest. Lyashko confronted Gerus for a law that opens Ukraine’s energy market to Russian imports.
Babchenko hitman released early
Citing health concerns, Borys Herman, who ordered a hit on the journalist and Kremlin critic in exile Arkady Babchenko and was subsequently caught in an SBU sting operation, was released after serving only a portion of a 4.5 year sentence.
Zelensky aide Yermak spotted with former Trump advisor in Kyiv
Andriy Yermak was spotted meeting with an American lobbyist and former communication director for U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign and transition team, Bryan Lanza, on Nov. 13. The photograph of the two men talking at a Kyiv restaurant was published on Ukrainska Pravda’s website the following day.
The women clearing landmines in the Donbas
Since the Russian-backed war in the Donbas started in 2014, Ukraine has become one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world. As demining begins in demilitarized zones in the Donbas, read about the women leading the dangerous, painstaking work near the frontline, and watch our video coverage here.
Other news you need to know
Associated Press: Why Ukraine matters, and not only to Trump and his rivals
UNIAN: Ukraine reports 17 enemy attacks in Donbas on Nov. 13
RFE/RL: Zelensky signs into force law on corruption whistle-blowers
New York Times: As talks with Putin loom, Ukraine looks in vain for US help
Interfax-Ukraine: Prystaiko: Kyiv not planning meeting between Putin and Zelensky
Reuters: Trump plans to release on Thursday transcript of April Ukraine call
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