Editor’s Note: The Kyiv Post will be tracking the progress made by Ukraine’s post-EuroMaidan Revolution leaders in making deep structural changes in the public interest. The Reform Watch project is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation. Content is independent of the financial donor.
1.Security & Defense
On Jan.27, parliament finally recognized Russia as an aggressor state and their proxies in Donetsk and Luhansk oblast as terrorist organizations. One aim is to get Russia branded as a state sponsor of terrorism and get it excluded from the United Nations Security Council, where its permanent veto has stopped a united international response to the Kremlin-backed war on Ukraine. Out of necessity, lawmakers excluded some army officers from the new lustation law.
The Cabinet of Ministers also will pay soldiers cash rewards for destroying enemy’s automobile – $750, tank – $3,000, rocket launch system – $3,750, military aircraft – $7,500.
2.Energy
On Jan. 28-29, 1,000 coal miners from all around Ukraine protested against wage arrears, the government’s plans to reduce subsidies for the money-losing industry.
3.Rule of law
There has been no action on a key test of reform: canceling the immunity from prosecution of lawmakers and judges. The government, however, reported progress in the lustration process. Some 375 senior officials who worked under former President Viktor Yanukovych are subject to to the lustration law and face dismissal, according to the Justice Ministry. The Interior Ministry fired 102 state traffic police officers who made false charges against participants of the EuroMaidan Revolution. The Constitution needs to be changed before the lustration law can be applied to judges. Civic activists say officials who are targets of the lustration law are trying to avoid punishment by illegally obtaining the status of participant in Ukraine’s war in the east or appealing to court.
4.Public administration
On Jan.28 the Cabinet of Ministers adopted resolution simplifying the procedures for getting business permits in many sectors – food, agriculture, oil and gas, and information technology. It is expected to boost the economy up to $940 million by 2020, according to estimates. Amendments to the 2015 budget of $34 billion are due by mid-February after many criticized unrealistic figures in a hurried-up draft. While the nation’s Anti-Corruption Bureau will get money, many sectors don’t have expenses budgeted for carrying out reforms, according to Viktor Kryvenko, deputy head of the parliament’s budget committee.
5.Land/Agriculture
The Agriculture Ministry wants to establish the procedure for long-term land leases – from seven years up to 50 years.
