Ukrainian Parliament to Vote on State of Emergency on Thursday

After announcing an end to the ceasefire in the East of the country, Ukraine’s government asked the parliament to support a draft law that would declare a state of emergency in the energy sector. This would immediately translate into more powers and controls in the hands of the Government and President Petro Poroshenko. 

"I hope that the coalition (in parliament) ... will support the draft laws which are on the agenda," Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said, referring to the draft law that will go to parliament on Thursday.

According to Yatseniuk, the parliament will also vote on the gas transportation system.

‘Admission to the modernization and operation of the Ukrainian gas transportation system for the EU member states and the USA - it is also an essential law that should be adopted tomorrow,’ reads the note released by the Ukrainian government on Wednesday.  

Meanwhile, Kiev said to be available to further negotiations. Foreign ministers from Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France met in Berlin on Wednesday. It is the third consecutive day of talks between the four countries.  

RESHUFFLE IN GAZPROM

On Tuesday, Elena Burmistrova was appointed Director General of Gazprom Export, taking the place of Alexander Medvedev who will remain deputy CEO.

‘This decision was made due to a considerable increase in the day-to-day business and its geographical expansion, as well as product diversification within the Company’s international activities and, particularly, in Gazprom Export,’ the company said in a communiqué.