‘Take funds away from the telethon’: Poroshenko responds to European Commission report

Source: European Solidarity

In his speech in Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday, former president Petro Poroshenko urged the government to take into the account the European Commission’s recommendations on media issues in Ukraine.

The European Commission hinted that Brussels has some concerns about the lack of media pluralism in Ukraine.

“Brussels advises gradually reinstating media diversity without waiting for the war to end. This includes giving opposition channels a voice. The EU also criticized the ‘Rada’ channel for lacking opposition views and halting parliamentary broadcasts since 2022,” said Poroshenko.

The European Commission also expressed concern over state funding for the national telethon

“We need to take funds away from the TV marathon, reform the Rada channel, and lift restrictions limiting international parliamentary activities,” Poroshenko argued.

The politician who is actively aiding the Ukrainian military also called for amendments to next year’s state budget.

“We need to redirect funds away from prosecutors, create a defense-focused budget with a special war fund, ensure frontline troops receive maximum pay, and adopt a series of proposals set forth by European Solidarity,” Poroshenko added.

Amendments to Ukraine’s enforcement proceedings legislation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, have entered into force. Among other measures, the reform provides for the automated lifting of attachments on bank accounts immediately after debts in enforcement proceedings have been fully settled. The main practical benefit for citizens is the complete elimination of the need to contact an enforcement officer in person and wait for paper decisions once the debt has been paid.

The 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade has received another batch of supplies as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. This time, the military received seven quad bikes and four mobile shower and bath units.

In my previous column, I wrote about social innovations in Ukraine. Those innovations are part of civic resilience and the democratization of security, which Europe is paying close attention to right now. The EU is trying to work out how to spread responsibility for its own security across society as a whole, rather than leaving it to institutions alone. It is looking for concrete ways to bring ordinary people into the work of defense and resistance.

Petro Poroshenko’s lawyers have appealed to the High Anti-Corruption Court demanding that NABU be obligated to register proceedings regarding the fact of exerting influence on the court and to recognize Petro Poroshenko as a victim in the case of the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, due to her pressure on Supreme Court judges who were considering a lawsuit to overturn sanctions.

Internationally recognized brands and financial institutions should direct capital to Ukraine now, not waiting for the hostilities to end. This was emphasized by Rinat Akhmetov, president of FC Shakhtar, during a working visit to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where he met with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.