$35 billion for Ukraine says George Osborne

Given my recent letter to MEPs about the 'Marshall Plan' for Ukraine and it's cost of 1.5 billion dollars over 5 years, it was staggering to hear George Osborne this week suggest that $35 billion would be required to save Ukraine;s economy over the next two years.   

A 'Marshall Plan' strategy has more recently been called for by Ukraine's interim Prime Minister and the leaders of civil rights organisation Maidan. It has also been called for by a group of international academics.

It all makes sense when one learns who's asking for it. The article below from Ukrainian Pravda tells all. He's meeting our FCO today.

He's well known for his generosity to Cambridge University and libel tourism.

When asked 6 years ago about their funding in Ukraine, I was told that aside from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy their funding program had closed but that they “can at least assure you that the Ukraine desk at the FCO, and our Embassy in Kyiv, are now aware about the activities of your organisation.”

Speaking from New York Foreign Secretary William Hague points to the need to to tackle the pervasive culture of corruption.

Is giving money to oligarchs a good way to start?

It might be worth reading How Harvard Lost Russia, as a primer for top down investment.

Original article from Ukrainiam Pravda

 

The head of the Employers Federation Dmitry Firtash is in London, where he met with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Britain on the support of Ukraine.

This was reported by the press service of the FEU.

Firtash met with senior British Foreign Office, February 24 in London.

"During the meeting they discussed the latest developments in Ukraine, as well as the issue of Britain's political and economic support for Ukraine after the formation of the new Ukrainian government," - said in a statement.

Firtash called the meeting "very useful and constructive."

"Britain has expressed willingness in principle to support the Ukrainian business, and to promote the stability and growth of the Ukrainian industry", - he said.

As you know, Firtash was one of the oligarchs closest to the Yanukovych regime..

In particular, it was included in the gas circuit mode between Putin and Yanukovych.

At the head of Yanukovych's Administration Serhiy Liovochkin Firtash was co-owner of TV channel "Inter" journalists who last week announced censorship and pressure from the administration.

Ukrainian Pravda