Recognition of "rascism", reaction of security forces to combat pay supplement: highlights of the day

Decisions of Verkhovna Rada

At a meeting on May 2, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a number of important decisions. In particular, the parliament approved a resolution that defines the political regime in Russia as "rascism" and condemns the ideological foundations and social practices of the Russian regime, calling them totalitarian and hateful.

Other decisions of Verkhovna Rada

• Extension of martial law and mobilization for another 90 days;
• Adoption of laws that simplify the circulation of documents and treatment for the military, as well as increase the number of military medical commissions;
• adoption of the law on the establishment of the National Military Memorial Cemetery in Kyiv;
• termination of two agreements with Syria: on merchant shipping and on trade, economic and technical cooperation.

Other decisions of the authorities

The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that the Unified Register of Persons Missing in Special Circumstances was launched in Ukraine. Relatives of the missing persons can obtain an extract from the register. The document will be provided by representatives of the Department of Informatization of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko announced that in 2023, Ukraine plans to introduce a number of changes to the process of obtaining a driver's license to make it more transparent.

Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar said that wounded soldiers who cannot perform combat missions and are placed at the disposal of commanders will be appointed to other positions. A corresponding order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is being prepared, which should resolve the issue of those who are currently waiting for appointment.

Supplemental payments to military

The Verkhovna Rada received a letter from the heads of Ukraine's security forces opposing the return of UAH 30,000 ($818) in additional payments to military personnel, which are paid regardless of their task or place of service. The letter was signed by the heads of the Defense Ministry, the Security Service, the Interior Ministry, the State Border Guard Service, the National Guard, and Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

The letter also proposes to postpone consideration of draft resolution No. 8312-P on the abolition of the amendment on the return of military bonuses. Instead, the heads of the departments propose to assemble a working group of representatives of the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces and jointly develop a bill that will regulate the issue of soldiers' remuneration by the end of May.

European Commission imposes restrictions on imports from Ukraine

On May 2, the European Commission banned imports of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower from Ukraine to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. These agricultural products can be transported through their territory in transit. The restrictions will last until June 5, 2023, but the EC said it is ready to re-impose the measures "as long as the exceptional situation continues."

Other news

• The Polish Defense Ministry does not rule out that the missile found near Bydgoszcz could be Russian.
• Denmark sends Ukraine its largest military aid package: it will include equipment and ammunition for a counteroffensive.
• Ukraine still lacks enough COVID-19 vaccinations to form collective immunity, despite availability of vaccines, says Health Ministry.
• The Armed Forces of Ukraine denied the statement of the owner of the Wagner PMC about the murder of the head of the territorial defense Ihor Tantsyura: "He is alive and well".
• The Minister of Reintegration, Iryna Vereshchuk, denied the statement of Russian Ombudsperson Maria Lvova-Belova that Ukraine is not evacuating children.