Ban on pro-Russian parties and McDonald's leaving Russian market: Highlights on war in Ukraine as of May 14-16

Author

Yulia Ustymovych

The 82nd day of the war against the Russian invaders continues in Ukraine. On May 14-16, the warriors of the Kharkiv territorial defense units pushed back the Russian invaders in one of the sections of the front line and reached the state border of Ukraine, Latvia decided to stop the rail transportation of Belarusian military cargo through its territory, and McDonald's made the final decision to leave the market. has compiled business, political and economic news that will help you learn more about the situation in the country that has been fighting for its right to exist for more than two months.

Top news on war as of May 14-16:

The Warriors of the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) of Kharkiv pushed back the Russian invaders on one of the sections of the front line and reached the state border of Ukraine in the Kharkiv region. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Syniehubov also reported that the Ukrainian defenders had reached the state border section. He clarified that the TDF soldiers restored the frontier mark on this section of the border.
The war between Ukraine and the Russian Federation will reach a turning point by mid-August 2022 and will be over by the end of the year. The head of the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov said this in an exclusive interview with Sky News. "Most active hostilities will be finished before the end of this year. As a result, we will restore Ukrainian authorities in all of our territories that we have lost, including Donbas and Crimea," Major General Budanov said.
The flow to enter Ukraine through its western border after May 9 exceeded the flow to exit the country for the fifth day in a row. The total net inflow to Ukraine over these days amounted to 31,000 people — this is a record figure since the beginning of the war. According to the State Border Service on Facebook, more than 37,000 people left Ukraine on May 14. compared to 34,000 the day before, while the number of those who arrived in the country was almost 46,000 compared to 40,000 on Saturday.

Top news on politics as of May 14-16

Latvia has decided to stop the rail transportation of Belarusian military cargo through its territory to seaports on the Baltic Sea. It is reported by Delfi with reference to the Latvian Ministry of Transport. "From May 10, Latvia has suspended the agreement allowing direct rail transportation of military cargo from Belarus to third countries through Latvian ports," the report reads.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law banning pro-Russian political parties, head of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Policy Olga Sovgiria (Servant of the People faction) reported. "The law will come into force from the day following the day of its publication," she specified on her Telegram channel.
The Romanian Embassy in Ukraine has resumed work in Kyiv, Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu announced. "I am very glad to announce that starting today the Embassy of Romania in Kyiv has resumed its activity on the ground. Romania fully stands with its partner Ukraine in its bold fight for freedom!" Aurescu wrote on Twitter on Saturday. The Embassy of India in Ukraine also resumed its work.

Top news on economy as of May 14-16

Ukraine is becoming an important transport gas hub for the countries of Eastern and Southern Europe. This was announced by Sergiy Makogon, CEO of the Gas TSO of Ukraine. This is evidenced by a number of qualitative changes in the work of the country's GTS: a significant transit of gas from Poland to Hungary through the GTS of Ukraine is taking place now — more than 1 million cubic meters per day; already now Ukraine can import gas from LNG terminals of Greece, Croatia, Poland, and Lithuania.
Ukraine and Poland agreed to expedite checks at the Ukrainian-Polish border and simplify the export of Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU and third countries. This is stated in a joint statement signed on Monday in Warsaw by Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solsky and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland Henryk Kowalczyk.
Canada, at the request of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, will send 140 tons of buckwheat seeds, the ship with the cargo was sent by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (Canada), Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada Yulia Kovaliv wrote on Facebook on Monday. The seeding rate of buckwheat is 80-100 kg/ha, respectively, with seeds received from Canada, Ukraine can sow 1.12-1.4 thousand ha. By May 12, Ukraine sowed 12.2 thousand ha with buckwheat, which is 14.9% of the 81.6 thousand ha planned for this year. Thus, thanks to Canada’s help, Ukraine can sow 1.3-1.7% of the area planned for this crop.

Top news on business as of May 14-16

Swedish furniture giant IKEA continues to buy Russian timber, despite the promise to completely withdraw from the Russian market, according to Swedish outlets. The company announced its withdrawal from the Russian market in the second week after Russia had invaded Ukraine — on March 3. IKEA stressed that they are temporarily halting all exports and imports, as well as production in Russia.
American McDonald's Corp., the world's largest chain of fast food restaurants, will leave the Russian market after more than 30 years of operation in the country. The company launched the process of selling Russian business. This is stated in a press release on the company's website. McDonald's is expected to sell its entire portfolio of restaurants to a local buyer, the company said in a statement. These restaurants will no longer be able to use the McDonald's brand and menu. At the same time, the company intends to keep its trademarks in the Russian Federation.

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