Ukraine scored a major victory when the European Union extended sanctions against the disgraced former president Viktor Yanukovych and his 15 allies for another year on March 2. The decision is expected to be officially announced on March 5.
Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau announced on March 1 that it had arrested two heads of investigative departments of the police in the Ternopil region, a local prosecutor, and a lawyer. They are accused of extortion.
Stanislav Krasnov, an activist of the far-right 'Azov' group, claims he was severely beaten by security service officers last month, while the service asserts they had to use force during his arrest. He is accused of illegal possession of weapons, espionage, and terrorism.
Sergey Oliynyk, a police officer, is accused of killing a car passenger during a police chase and reportedly was also assaulted by other inmates in a detention center earlier this week.
The General Prosecutor's Office has opened criminal cases regarding the incidents.
Security and Protection
Police patrols appeared in Kremenchuk, Poltava region, on February 27, and in Cherkasy on March 1. They will replace the corrupt traffic police.
Testing of police personnel was completed in Kyiv and Kyiv region in January and is currently ongoing in Khmelnytskyi, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Volyn, and Rivne regions.
As a result of testing in Kyiv, 13 percent of all police officers, 70 percent of mid-ranking officers, and 80 percent of senior officials were dismissed. In the city of Odesa, 15 percent of police officers have already been fired.
However, the effectiveness of police reforms was called into question by critics last week: a scandal erupted when evidence emerged that Anton Shevtsov, the head of police in Vinnytsia region, showed pro-Russian sympathies.
As of March 1, the Ministry of Defense launched a new radio station aimed at providing entertainment and informational support for soldiers fighting in Donbas. The new station will feature pop and rock music as well as news programs. The radio is also available online - http://svoeradio.com
Public Administration
The government of Ukraine issued a new decree on ethical behavior rules for public servants, which came into effect on March 1. From now on, they are prohibited from swearing, fighting, and criticizing institutions for their work. The decree also requires them to 'make every effort to create a positive image of Ukraine.'
The Ministry of Education, meanwhile, proposed the establishment of consolidated secondary schools where children living in small villages could study from grades 5 to 9. Thus, local communities could save money for education and improve educational standards. However, prior to this, communities must create school infrastructure for students and teachers.
Economy and Finance
In a bid to better regulate social programs, which cost Ukraine three times more than defense expenditures, the government has launched a verification campaign.
According to Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukraine will spend 365 billion hryvnias on social payments in 2016.
The Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Social Policy, along with security services, began making changes to the lists of internally displaced persons receiving state assistance. The biggest problem is that many people receive aid illegally or are long deceased.
The Ministry of Finance has also gained access to the funds of subsidy recipients for low-income families. Overall, the government hopes to save at least 5 billion hryvnias (190 million dollars) just this year.
Additionally, the government stopped paying assistance to 180,000 forced migrants in February. According to Social Policy Minister Pavlo Rozenko, the number of 'fake' recipients may reach 30-40 percent of the 1.7 million registered displaced persons.
The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine also announced a competition for directors of six large state-owned companies.
The government is seeking leaders for the second-largest thermal power generator 'Tsentroenergo,' energy system operator 'Ukrenergo,' machine engineering manufacturer 'Electrovazhmas,' postal operator 'Ukrposhta,' alcohol producer 'Ukrspirt,' and the country's railway company 'Ukrzaliznytsia.'
Applicants must submit documents by March 15. The selection committee will consist of five ministries and five independent experts. The announcement follows recent accusations against Yatsenyuk's government ministers that political groups are using state-owned enterprises as cash cows.
The National Bank of Ukraine slightly relaxed its regulatory procedures regarding foreign currency on March 3. This increased the amount of foreign currency that can be withdrawn or purchased in Ukraine. At the same time, the regulator maintained the interest rate at 22 percent.