March 18, 2011

Ukrtelecom Sold to an Austrian Investment Company

Ukrainian National Telecommunications Operator Ukrtelecom Sold to an Austrian Investment Company -- KYIV, Ukraine, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/

 Ukrtelecom Sold to an Austrian Investment Company


KYIV, Ukraine, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ukraine's State Property fund (SPF) has signed an agreement to sell the largest state-owned telecommunications operator Ukrtelecom to ESU LLC, a Ukrainian subsidiary of Austrian EPIC Concern. 92.79 percent of the telecommunications giant was sold for approximately USD 1.3 billion.

Ukrtelecom message: Closed to investment?


Ukrtelecom message: Closed to investment?

Today at 00:54 | Vlad Lavrov Critics say Ukrtelecom was sold for far less than its worth.
President Viktor Yanukovych’s commitment to holding transparent privatizations is being challenged anew after government sold one of its remaining gems – the nation’s fixed-line telephone monopoly – in a deal derided as uncompetitive
“We sold the last state asset that could have potentially attracted a major strategic investor in a blatantly non-transparent way,” said Oleksandr Bondar, a lawmaker and former head of Ukraine’s state privatization agency, of the government’s sale of Ukrtelecom this month.

Viktor Yanukovych: A man of the oligarchs

Kyiv Post. Independence. Community. Trust - Opinion - OP-ED - Viktor Yanukovych: A man of the oligarchs
Yesterday at 23:34 | Olga Shumylo-Tapiola
Olga Shumylo-Tapiola writes: Some are advocating a "wait-and-see" approach, for fear of alienating Ukraine and pushing it closer to Russia.
When he took office on Feb. 25, 2010, President Viktor Yanukovych declared that Ukraine’s high standing in international ratings of democracy and political freedoms would be carefully nurtured. Moreover, he promised to deliver the stability and reforms that many in Ukraine and the West had long awaited.

US, EU need to work together to promote West’s interests in nation

Kyiv Post. Independence. Community. Trust - Opinion - OP-ED - US, EU need to work together to promote West’s interests in nation

US, EU need to work together to promote West’s interests in nation

Yesterday at 23:04 | Alyona Getmanchuk
Alyona Getmanchuk writes: The West has more clout with Yanukovych than it thinks; it just needs to use its leverage.
These days, I often hear the opinion that the European Union should take Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine under its patronage since the United States has its hands full all over the world. This opinion is even expressed informally by U.S. government representatives.
But the European Union and the U.S. will have much more effective ways to influence Ukraine, if they act not separately as Europe and the USA, but together, representing the West as a whole. Both Washington and Brussels have opportunities.

Region: Putin vs. Ukraine

The Prague Post - News - Region: Putin vs. Ukraine

Region: Putin vs. Ukraine

Latest WikiLeaks cables show Russian prime minister thinks little of neighbor's leaders

Posted: March 16, 2011
Region: Putin vs. Ukraine
ISIFA Photo
According to leaked U.S. Embassy communiques, Putin, right, has a low opinion of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, as well as disdain for his predecessor.
By Peter Byrne
For the Kyiv Post
Online whistleblower WikiLeaks released another U.S. diplomatic cable that shows what little respect Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has for Ukraine and its leaders.