Here is today's map of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, according to the National Security and Defense Council (CLICK TO ENLARGE):​

​Ukraine economy minister resigns citing stalled reforms

Kiev, Feb 3, 2016 (AFP) -- Ukraine's Lithuanian-born Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius abruptly submitted his resignation Wednesday citing his inability to push through vital restructuring measures needed to get growth in the cash-strapped country on track.

"Today, I made the decision to submit by resignation from the post of minister of Ukraine's economic development and trade," Abromavicius told reporters in Kiev.

"The reason is the sharp escalation in efforts to block systemic and important reforms."

Abromavicius and Ukraine's US-born Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko were both appointed in December 2014 as part of pro-Western President Petro Poroshenko's efforts to infuse fresh blood into the war-shattered country's attempts to return to growth.

Kiev's US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt tweeted moments after the shock announcement that Abromavicius was "one of the Ukrainian government's great champions of reform...and a believer in the future Ukraine's people deserve."

The resignation comes in the midst of growing parliamentary displeasure with Poroshenko's government and infighting between various political interests that are tied to powerful business tycoons.

Abromavicius said some political forces were "taking steps aimed at paralysing our reforms".

He further accused unidentified but influential people of "trying to establish control over financial resources -- first and foremost those of the Naftogaz (state oil and energy company) and the defence industry."

"I refuse to work in such a system," the 40-year-old former banker said.

"I and my team are not ready to provide cover for the restoration of old -- and the creation of new -- schemes (built) in the interests of particular political and business players."

The corruption-riven former Soviet nation has been one of Europe's worst economic preforms since winning its independence in 1991.

A report issued last month by Transparency International showed Ukraine occupying 130th out of 167 place on its Corruption Perceptions Index for 2015.

Initial government estimates show Ukraine's economy shrinking by 10.4 percent of gross domestic product last year.

Abromavicius's resignation must still be approved by parliament.

It was not immediately clear when a vote on his decision will be held.

Poroshenko: Greater Risk Of Open War With Russia Now

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says the risk of open war between Russia and Ukraine is greater now than it was a year ago.

In an interview with the German newspaper Bild published on February 3, Poroshenko said Russia had implemented "not one single point" of the Minsk accords, a cease-fire and peace plan aimed at resolving the war in eastern Ukraine.

"Instead, we can see 8,000 Russian soldiers with Russian commanders in our country, new military sites directly along the border, and constant military trainings," said Poroshenko, who met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on February 1. "Russia is investing a lot in these war preparations."

Berlin is growing increasingly suspicious that Russia is trying to cause trouble in Germany to try to weaken Merkel, who has taken a tough line on Moscow after it annexed Crimea in March 2014.

"Now Putin has opened an information war against Germany as well," Poroshenko said.

Based on reporting by Bild and Reuters

Ukraine Boasts European Gas Imports, But Most Of It Still Russian

Ukraine’s state-run Naftogaz is importing less natural gas from Russia, the company said on Tuesday. But guess where the gas is coming from that it is now importing from Eastern Europe?

Natural gas imports from eastern Europe primarily doubled from 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2014 to 10.3 bcm in 2015. Naftogaz now imports gas from more than 10 suppliers, diversifying away from Gazprom and Russian pipelines.

Russia’s direct imports to Ukraine decreased from 14.5 bcm in 2014 to 6.1 bcm last year, taking Russian market share from 34% in 2014 to 18%.

The past year also brought a significant increase in imports by private traders and gas consumers from the European market, as Naftogaz tests private energy markets for the first time. Naftogaz bought 1.1 bcm of gas from private companies compared to 0.14 bcm in 2014. The change comes on the heels of a new regulatory framework announced in October that is preparing the Ukrainian energy market for privatization.

Yet, even though 63% of Ukrainian-bound natural gas is coming from Europe, the three biggest single country suppliers are largely dependent on Russia. Meaning…Ukraine is still importing natural gas sourced from Russia.

Read more in Forbes here.

The War in Ukraine Is Back -- So Why Won’t Anyone Say So?

Violence in East Ukraine is spiking but Western pols are silent.

Russia’s dirty war in Ukraine is far from frozen, and despite the deteriorating situation, the West appears keen to turn a blind eye.

While the fighting in southeast Ukraine has rumbled on incessantly throughout the winter, inducing conflict fatigue and a drop in media coverage, the last weeks have seen a marked spike in the number of attacks.

Ukrainian officials are reporting up to 71 attacks a day, with most of the fighting concentrated around the separatist-held cities of Donetsk and Gorlovka, as well as the countryside east of the Azov port city of Mariupol.

Read more from The Daily Beast here.