INSIDE:  BOOK NOTES: Ukrainian poetry in translation – page 8  Celebrating Ukraine’s Independence Day – centerfold  USCAK Tennis Championships at Soyuzivka – page 15

Published by the Ukrainian National Association, Inc., celebrating its 125th anniversary

Vol. LXXXVII No. 37 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 $2.00 Oleh Sentsov speaks of his plans Ukraine welcomes home 35 political prisoners following release from Russian prison in long-awaited swap of detainees with Russia RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service A Russian court convicted him on multi- ple terrorism charges on August 25, 2015, KYIV – More than five years after his and sentenced him to 20 years in a maxi- arrest in Crimea, and just three days after mum-security prison. his release from Russian custody as part of Human rights activists and Western gov- a prisoner swap with Ukraine, filmmaker ernments repeatedly called on the Russian Oleh Sentsov says his plans are simple. “Do authorities to release the film director, say- the two most wonderful things on this ing his arrest and trial were politically planet: shoot films and live.” motivated. Speaking to a large number of journal- “As for Crimea, I will only go back there ists in the Ukrainian House in downtown in a tank... My words shouldn’t be taken lit- Kyiv on September 10, Mr. Sentsov and erally,” Mr. Sentsov said with a wry smile, another freed Ukrainian activist, Oleksandr adding that he was going to push to secure Kolchenko, expressed thanks to “all who the release of Ukrainians “illegally held in supported us and contributed to our libera- Russia and Donbas,” referring to the east- tion.” ern region where Russian-backed separat- The two were released from Russian ist are battling Ukrainian troops. custody in a prisoner swap between Kyiv Imprisoned in Russia’s northern Yamalo- and Moscow on September 7 that saw the Nenets region, Mr. Sentsov held a 145-day two countries exchange a total of 70 pris- hunger strike last year, demanding that oners in the first major prisoner swap Russia release 64 fellow Ukrainians he con- Presidential Office of Ukraine between them since 2017. sidered political prisoners. Russia took control of the Black Sea pen- Mr. Sentsov called Russian political pris- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greets Oleh Sentsov as he disembarks from the plane that brought him and 34 other political prisoners and hostages held by Russia back insula in 2014 and has backed the separat- oners in Russian prisons “our brothers,” home to Ukraine. ists in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which and thanked Ukrainian and foreign journal- has left more than 13,000 people dead over ists for what he called “doing their jobs so by Bohdan Nahaylo nationally renowned filmmaker from the last five years. that we could be free now.” Crimea, Oleh Sentsov, generated joy and Mr. Sentsov, a Crimean native who “Now we have to think about the libera- KYIV – Moscow freed 35 Ukrainian polit- hope, but also some controversy. opposed Russia’s 2014 takeover of the tion of our people who remain in custody in ical prisoners and hostages in an exchange There were moving scenes at Kyiv’s Ukrainian peninsula, was arrested by the Russia and Donbas. We must remember involving the same number of detainees Boryspil International Airport as the fami- Moscow-imposed Crimean authorities on that along with our people there in prisons held by Kyiv because of their hostile activi- lies and Ukraine’s president welcomed May 11, 2014, and charged with planning in Russia there are many Russians who are ties on behalf of Russia. home the exhausted, relieved and still the fire-bombing of pro-Russian organiza- The return to Ukraine on September 7 of tions in Crimea. (Continued on page 13) the Ukrainian captives, including the inter- (Continued on page 9)

Ukrainian World Congress convenes annual general meeting in Berlin UWC BERLIN – On September 6-8 at Berlin City Hall in Germany, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) held its annual general meeting (AGM), reviewing the organiza- tion’s work since November 2018 and developing an action plan for the year ahead. Participants of the AGM from over 20 countries gathered in Berlin to support the more than 100,000 strong Ukrainian com- munity in Germany, and to focus the atten- tion of German high-ranking officials and civil society on current Ukrainian issues, including the importance of consolidating action in the war with Russian hybrid aggression and the recent release of Ukrainian political prisoners, whose return to Ukraine on September 7 was welcomed by the delegates and guests of the AGM. During the official opening of the meet- ing, the UWC recognized German politician UWC Delegates and guests at the annual general meeting of the Ukrainian World Congress held in Berlin on September 6-8. (Continued on page 16) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 No. 37

ANALYSIS

Russian disinformation, psy-ops Trump on joining Normandy talks tion with Mr. Trump. The 74th session of the U.N. General Assembly is scheduled for U.S. President Donald Trump has said he September 17-30. (RFE/RL, based on isn’t averse to joining talks with Germany, target new Ukrainian government reporting by RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service) France, Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending by Yuri Lapaiev response to this year’s massive March of the Defenders in Kyiv, on August 24 the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Mr. Trump Rada OKs presidential impeachment bill Eurasia Daily Monitor told Voice of America on September 9 in (UNIAN, August 24). In that case, the goal Ukraine’s Parliament has adopted a bill Despite various hints and declarations of was likely to undermine the positive patri- Washington that he’d join the talks, known as the Normandy format, if the participants spelling out procedures for a presidential progress in Moscow’s dialogue with the otic effect of the march and to spoil the impeachment. The law was backed by 245 new Ukrainian government, Russia has image of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. needed him. “I believe the fact that the exchange of prisoners between Russia and lawmakers at a second reading on nonetheless maintained its aggressive However, another, more sophisticated September 10, immediately after the text behavior. The shelling of the Donbas per- operation occurred a few days later. Ukraine took place… is a very big step, and was passed a first time. Under the new leg- sists, and the Ukrainian General Staff Specifically, Russian authorities announced a very positive [one],” the president said. islation, the Verkhovna Rada initiates reports almost daily on new casualties – that a deal had been reached on an France, Germany and Ukraine have called impeachment proceedings, which must be wounded or killed. Simultaneously, the exchange of prisoners with Ukraine but for talks to take place by the end of this approved by the Constitutional Court and Kremlin’s information operations against was canceled just hours before the planes month. Russia has said it is ready to meet the Supreme Court, and then passed by Ukraine have not ceased. from Moscow arrived in Kyiv. Rumors that once “concrete steps” are taken before the On August 23, several media outlets from the exchanged prisoners might include meeting. The last round of Normandy talks three-quarters of lawmakers. Ruslan the occupied territories of Donetsk and famous Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov took place in 2016. Ukraine blames Stefanchuk, the president’s representative Luhansk published a fabricated news story and Ukrainian sailors captured last Moscow for stoking the conflict in eastern to Parliament, said the vote showed about Lt. Col. Robert Tracy, the United States November (see EDM, November 26, 28, Ukraine where Russia-backed militants President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is commit- Army commander of the Joint Multinational 2018) naturally attracted enormous public have fought government forces since April ted to keeping his election pledge to clean Training Group – Ukraine. The disinforma- and media interest. 2014. Russia denies involvement and has up Ukrainian politics and tackle corruption. tion claimed Lt. Col. Tracy complained This Russian psychological operation portrayed the war as an internal affair. However, opponents said the law was about the conditions at Ukraine’s Yavoriv (psy-op) campaign began on August 29, More than 13,000 have been killed in the rushed through without proper consulta- training center and purportedly accused with several Telegram channels writing conflict, according to the United Nations. tion and that the text itself was so convolut- Ukrainian military personnel of stealing about the looming prisoner swap; addition- (RFE/RL, based reporting by RFE/RL’s ed as to be meaningless. “In fact, it is only a equipment, widespread alcoholism, corrup- ally, former Russian deputy Ilya Ponomarev Ukrainian Service and Voice of America) facade of reform that does not change any- tion and lack of control. The story was posted the same information on Twitter thing,” said Roman Lozinskyy of the Holos Zelenskyy to visit U.S. later this month based on a post the commander supposedly (Twitter.com/iponomarev, August 29). (Voice) party. Mr. Zelenskyy, a 41-year-old made on his personal blog (which was also Later, former Ukrainian legislative assistant Ukrainian President Volodymyr comedian-turned-politician who has fake and soon deleted) and swiftly amplified Anna Ilamova wrote on her Facebook page Zelenskyy will visit the United States on pledged to “break the system” in Ukrainian by a number of top Russian information that the exchange was complete and that September 23 to attend the 74th session of politics, was elected in April. His Servant of outlets (Vzglyad, August 28). the Ukrainian prisoners were coming the U.N. General Assembly in New York. the People party then took a solid majority Notably, in this case, the concocted nar- home. Her post was, in turn, reposted by Speaking to journalists in Kyiv on of 254 parliamentary seats in the 450-seat rative also spread to Ukrainian media Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Ruslan September 9, Foreign Affairs Minister legislature following snap general elections (Strana.ua, August 27). Certainly, some of Riaboshapka, who was recently appointed Vadym Prystaiko said a specific date on in July. Last week, lawmakers voted to strip the outlets in question have a long history by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when Mr. Zelenskyy would meet U.S. members of the chamber of immunity from of publishing anti-Ukrainian views, so their (Facebook.com/rouslan.riaboshapka, President Donald Trump hasn’t been set prosecution. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, participation in the disinformation was to August 30). Most Ukrainian and even some yet. Mr. Prystaiko said the Ukrainian presi- with reporting by AP and Reuters) be expected. But the fictitious story Russian media duly reported on the prison- dent “had a good conversation with U.S. Dutch prosecutors question Tsemakh received additional stimulus after er exchange as a completed fact (Ekho Vice-President Mike Pence” in Warsaw unknown hackers inserted the news on the Moskvy, 5.ua, August 30). The secretary of recently, where a bilateral meeting between Dutch prosecutors questioned webpages of the well-known Ukrainian the National Security and Defense Council Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy was dis- Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) “per- outlets Depo.ua and Novoe Vremya. The of Ukraine, Oleksandr Danylyuk, even cussed. He said Mr. Zelenskyy has an invita- son of interest” Volodymyr Tsemakh before hacks were later confirmed by Sean reportedly drove to the airport to welcome tion to not “simply visit the United States Townsend, a member of the independent the liberated Ukrainians. But the Russian he left for Moscow as part of a Russian- [to attend the U.N. General Assembly], but Ukrainian prisoner exchange on September hacker collective Ukrainian Cyber Alliance planes arrived empty, seriously damaging to also visit Washington and meet with the (Facebook.com/ruheight, August 28); and the reputation of the new Ukrainian gov- 7, Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok told his president and government of the United country’s Parliament in a statement the the two news sites themselves rebuked the ernment. Mr. Zelenskyy had actively cam- States.” The minister said there are differ- paigned on the need to secure the release of same day. He said that, “up until” the pris- sham articles. Military officials also pub- ent dates being examined for a visit to the captured sailors and other political pris- oner exchange during which Kyiv and lished an official refutation of the story Washington. “We are working on it now,” he (Facebook.com/JMTGUkraine, August 28). oners, and he routinely criticized his oppo- Moscow each swapped 35 prisoners, Dutch added. In July, Ukraine’s presidential office Closer analysis of the content and timing nent, then-incumbent Petro Poroshenko, said Mr. Zelenskyy had a phone conversa- (Continued on page 12) of this disinformation operation strongly for his lack of progress in this matter. suggests its ultimate goal: to spoil Yet, the Zelenskyy administration seems U.S.-Ukrainian relations ahead of ongoing to have fallen into a Kremlin trap. Among security-related negotiations. First, Lt. Col. other conditions, the Russian side suddenly Tracy’s supposed “blog” was created only a demanded the release of Volodymyr TheThe Ukrainian Weekly FOUNDED 1933 month ago and was filled with random mili- Tsemakh, a former commander of anti-air- tary-related information – but mainly craft forces of the Moscow-backed An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., reposts from other websites. Like the major- “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DPR), who a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. ity of Russian disinformation targeting was arrested and moved to Kyiv a few Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. Ukraine, this fake contained numerous fac- months ago as a result of a long-term and Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. tual mistakes and broken English. Second, complicated special operation by the (ISSN — 0273-9348) the informational attack conspicuously Security Service of Ukraine (BBC News – The Weekly: UNA: Ukrainian service, July 4). Mr. Tsemakh overlapped with U.S. National Security Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 Advisor John Bolton’s official visit to Kyiv could be an important witness in the case (see Eurasia Daily Monitor, September 6). of the downed Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 Postmaster, send address changes to: At the same time, one should not dis- (MH17), so there was heavy pressure to The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz count the Kremlin’s propensity toward bring him before the international court in 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas symbolic gestures. For example, in 2014, the Netherlands. The Ukrainian govern- P.O. Box 280 Russia began its large-scale conventional ment found itself in a Catch-22: Without Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] invasion of Donbas on August 24 – Mr. Tsemakh, Moscow declined any possi- Ukrainian Independence Day. And perhaps ble exchange, thus undermining Mr. The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com the most famous and devastating cyberat- Zelenskyy and his team’s popular reputa- tack against Ukraine, the NotPetya virus, tion. However, transferring Mr. Tsemakh to The Ukrainian Weekly, September 15, 2019, No. 37, Vol. LXXXVII was launched on June 28 – Ukrainian Moscow threatened to roil Ukraine’s rela- Copyright © 2019 The Ukrainian Weekly Constitution Day. So the late-August disin- tions with its Western partners. The formation campaign involving Lt. Col. Tracy Russian demands regarding the Donbas could have been some kind of “congratula- “separatist” commander further exacerbat- ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA tions” on the anniversary of the encircle- ed previous Ukrainian irritation since, ment of Ukrainian forces at Illovaisk according to the ruling by the International Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 (August 24-26, 2014). On the other hand, Tribunal for the Law of the Sea last spring e-mail: [email protected] the apparent low level of preparation and (Itlos.org, May 25), the Ukrainian sailors Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 limited scale of the informational attack e-mail: [email protected] could be evidence that it was launched in (Continued on page 13) No. 37 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 3 After meeting Zelenskyy, U.S. senators “more optimistic” about Ukraine’s future

RFE/RL was discussed. Earlier this month, Poland, the United Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy States and Ukraine signed a trilateral mem- had a meeting with U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy orandum on the supply of American lique- (D-Conn.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) in Kyiv fied natural gas (LNG). on September 5, during which both law- President Zelenskyy also thanked the makers expressed support for the former U.S. lawmakers for their opposition to Soviet state’s continued progress. Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, “I want to thank our strategic partner – which will bypass Ukraine’s gas transit net- the United States – for the continued sup- work once it goes online next year. port for the sovereignty and territorial He also discussed some Ukrainian integrity of Ukraine,” Mr. Zelenskyy said in a reforms, especially plans to bring Ukraine’s statement on the presidential website. defense sector in line with NATO standards. Both senators are members of the Ukraine’s recent administrations have Congressional Ukraine Caucus whose mis- made eventual membership in the trans- sion is “to strengthen the political, military, Atlantic military alliance a priority. economic and cultural relationship The senators are part of a congressional between the United States and Ukraine.” delegation that also visited Kosovo and Sen. Murphy said on social media that he Serbia. Russia was part of the original itin- “left [Kyiv] more optimistic about Ukraine’s erary, but Sens. Johnson and Murphy were future than ever before” and praised its Presidential Office of Ukraine barred from entering that country. “new young reformers,” including President Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greets Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.). Zelenskyy, as “for real.” Copyright 2019, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with A week ago, President Donald Trump of sanctions against Russia,” the statement backed militants has killed some 14,000 the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio reportedly delayed the transfer of $250 on the presidential website noted. In partic- people since 2014. Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC million worth of U.S. military aid to Ukraine. ular, they discussed Russia’s moves to grant Cooperation in energy security, includ- 20036; www.rferl.org (see https://www.rferl. On September 5 in Kyiv, the parties dis- citizenship to residents of eastern Ukraine, ing the diversification of energy supplies org/a/u-s-senators-meet-ukraine-s-zelenskiy-more cussed the United States’ “consistent policy where an armed conflict with Russia- and their delivery from the United States, -optimistic-about-nation-s-future/30149394.html).

First female freshmen start class at prestigious Kyiv military school forces are women, about the same percentage as in NATO countries, the Defense Ministry says. Though highly motivated, Yulia Mykytenko, platoon commander and educational supervisor for the incoming female class, says the students are likely in for a rude awak- ening. “Do all 20 of them understand what they have gotten themselves into? Of course not,” she said. “There will be girls who will probably say, ‘Sorry, I wasn’t prepared for this.’ And no one will blame them because the army is something very hard. But at the same time, some of these girls have enrolled in the lyceum after dreaming their whole lives of becoming soldiers. They are motivated. They know what they want.” Apolinaria Ivanova, 15, drew her motivation from per- sonal experience and a camp she attended where war vet- erans spoke. Ms. Ivanova was forced to move from the city of Severodonetsk in the Luhansk region after fighting broke out in 2014 between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian soldiers. Her family was split by the conflict, as her mother Olha Omelianchuk, RFE/RL stayed to care for elderly relatives while Ms. Ivanova, her Some of the first-year students who are part of a separate class at the Ivan Bohun Military High School and will be sister, and her father moved to the safety of Kyiv. known as the First Platoon of the First Squadron. “I decided to become a soldier when I was 11. My par- ents supported me in this. They started to send me to RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service The school’s main building is in a tsarist-era structure patriotic camps. We learned combat tactics and how to dis- that was built in 1914-1916 and which first housed an assemble and reassemble a machine gun,” she said. Teenager Lina Nazipova has always dreamed of follow- engineering school. It currently has landmark status in the “This helped me to make a decision about my future ing in her parents’ footsteps. Now she is getting her chance. city. military specialization: I want to be a reconnaissance spe- Ms. Nazipova is one of 20 young women who started As of January, 8 percent of all soldiers who serve in the cialist. I will join the ground forces and plan to prove classes on September 2 at Kyiv’s prestigious Ivan Bohun Joint Forces Operation against Moscow-backed separatists through my own example that girls too can be combat Military High School, the first female freshmen in the in eastern Ukraine were women, the military has said. Four commanders,” she said. school’s history. percent of them were senior officers. “My dream is to be an army helicopter pilot like my About 10 percent of all service personnel in the armed With reporting by Hromadske. father and grandfather,” she told RFE/RL ahead of the first day of classes, adding that her mother was also an officer in the armed forces. The 20 first-year students have formed a new, separate FOR THE RECORD: U.S. comments class at the school, and will be known as the First Platoon of the First Squadron. on Ukraine-Russia prisoner swap But the differences with their classmates stop there. Maj. Gen. Ihor Hordiychuk, the institution’s principal, The following press statement was made by Morgan the announcement that they have returned home. says the admissions standards for the school’s 300 stu- Ortagus, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, on We call on Russia to immediately release all other dents were identical for both sexes and based solely on September 8. Ukrainians, including members of the Crimean Tatar their strength, agility, endurance, psychological readiness community, who remain unjustly imprisoned. We are and motivation. The United States welcomes the news of the release of encouraged to see signs of a more robust dialogue “For the first time in school history, girls will be trained 35 Ukrainians held by Russia, in exchange for 35 prison- between Russia and Ukraine. President Zelenskyy has here who, during their entrance examinations, won the ers held by Ukraine. We have consistently called for the made clear his commitment to achieving a diplomatic opportunity to wear the high rank of lyceum student of the release of the 24 Ukrainian crewmembers detained by solution to the Russia-instigated conflict in eastern Ivan Bohun Military Lyceum,” he says. Russia following the November 2018 attack on Ukrainian Ukraine. We support President Zelenskyy’s effort, and “If this ends up being a good year, then we can justify pro- vessels in the Black Sea near the Kerch Strait, as well as call on Russia to fulfill all of its commitments made posals to [the school’s] leadership and increase their num- Oleh Sentsov and other political prisoners. We welcome under the Minsk agreements. ber,” Hordiychuk told Hromadske, a Ukrainian news site. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 No. 37 No. 37 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 5

UNA CELEBRATES 125 YEARS: A snapshot from history, 1937

Seen in the photo are members of the Supreme Assembly of the Ukrainian National Association who were elected at the organization’s 19th Convention, which was held May 10-15, 1937, in Washington. Seated (from left) are: Supreme Financial Secretary/Treasurer Roman Slobodian, Supreme Vice-President Gregory Herman, Supreme President Nicholas Murashko, Supreme Vice-Presidentess Maria Malievych, Supreme Recording Secretary Dmytro Halychyn and member of the Supreme Auditing Committee Dmytro Kapitula. At the time of its 19th Convention, the UNA had 30,335 members and assets of $4,489,305.

A photo archive of UNA history has been launched on the UNA website. It is a work in progress that will be expanded and refined. To take a look, go to unainc.org/una/the-una- is-125-years-old/. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 No. 37

COMMENTARY TheThe Ukrainian Weekly A major prisoner swap How can Russia deny responsibility for MH17 Last weekend, Ukrainians around the globe were overjoyed to hear the news that 35 political prisoners and hostages being held by Russia were returned to Ukraine. when it gave up Sentsov, others to get Tsemakh? They were part of a major Ukrainian-Russian prisoner exchange involving 70 men, by Halya Coynash was included “under pressure from the 35 from each side. Among them were those whose names had become well-known Russian Federation” and states that “the around the world – the filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, the journalist Roman Sushchenko Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group government would recall once more that and 19-year-old Pavlo Hryb – and the 24 servicemen taken into custody with their Russia, too, is obliged to cooperate on the three naval vessels in November of last year. For many of us, any indignation that basis of U.N. Security Council Resolution Unfortunately, however, the list from the Russian side also contained the name of Ukraine had handed MH17 witness and 2166.” That resolution was adopted on July one Vladimir Tsemakh, who had commanded an air-defense unit of the Russian- potential suspect Volodymyr Tsemakh over 21, 2014, with even Russia endorsing supported militants fighting in the Donetsk region. Furthermore, as RFE/RL report- to Russia vanished as the plane carrying 35 “efforts to establish a full, thorough and ed, “he boasted to a separatist news agency in a 2015 video report about how he Ukrainian political prisoners and POWs independent international investigation helped hide the Russian Buk missile system” that shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight landed in Kyiv. Those still raging might take into the incident in accordance with inter- 17 (MH17), as a result of which all 298 people on board were killed. the advice of one political prisoner’s broth- national civil aviation guidelines.” His release from prison on his own recognizance on September 5 thanks to a rul- er and ask whether their mother or their Russia has been criticized by the Joint ing by the Kyiv Court of Appeals portended that he would become part of the major children “are worth being exchanged for Investigative Team (JIT) for failing to pro- prisoner swap being discussed by Russia and Ukraine. Political analyst Vitaly Tsemakh.” The situation is, however, not vide basic information, most recently dur- Portnikov had warned: “This will be Ukraine’s great gift to Putin… It’s obvious that necessarily straightforward for other rea- ing the press conference on June 19 when the Ukrainian authorities haven’t thought of the consequences. It’s also a fact that sons as well – not least the degree to which the JIT announced that three former or cur- Ukraine’s international reputation will be dragged through the mud, and this will Russia will now be openly obstructing the rent Russian GRU (military intelligence) facilitate the rapprochement of the West and Russia at our country’s expense.” international investigation, without even officers were to go on trial in absentia for The Dutch had asked Kyiv not to include Mr. Tsemakh in the prisoner exchange. the excuse that it is simply protecting its their believed part in the crime. While none However, it appears that Mr. Zelenskyy had no choice if he wanted to bring home the own citizens. is accused of having fired the missile, the Ukrainians illegally held by Russia; he said the whole deal would have fallen through As reported, Mr. Tsemakh had been cap- chain of command to Russia provided by if Mr. Tsemakh was not on the list. The Ukrainian president apparently did succeed tured by the Security Service of Ukraine the four men is believed to have played a in delaying the swap so that Dutch investigators had a chance to interrogate this per- (SBU) on June 27. Although the charges direct role in getting the Buk missile launch- son of interest. Both the Dutch and Australian authorities cited pressure from the against him in Ukraine pertained to his role er to Ukraine and subsequent events. Russia Russian Federation as the reason for Mr. Tsemakh’s release and said it would be dif- has, for example, consistently failed to ficult to ensure that Mr. Tsemakh – now clearly labelled a suspect – faces justice. It as a militant commander of a unit that had downed several Ukrainian military trans- inform the JIT whether one of the men, has since been reported that Mr. Tsemakh has returned to Russian-held territory in Sergei Dubinsky, is currently a GRU officer. the Donbas, out of reach of the Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team (JIT). port planes, his arrest was internationally reported in connection with the downing The Dutch Public Prosecutor had Meanwhile, the prisoner exchange has been hailed by the U.S., France and announced eight days before Mr. Tsemakh Germany as a positive step in the resumption of dialogue between Ukraine and by a Russian Buk missile of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) on July 17, 2014. was captured that this trial would begin on Russia. And there is hope that more prisoner exchanges will be forthcoming – after March 9, 2020, and the above-mentioned all, this group of 35 was but a portion of those prisoners illegally held by Russia as While a militant leader, Denis Pushilin, immediately tried to claim that Ukraine letter stresses that Mr. Tsemakh’s move- part of its continuing war against Ukraine. Many of the newly freed Ukrainian activ- ments “will have no repercussions” for this ists have pledged to continue the fight for their freedom. was “falsifying” material, and the Russian state media, using quotation marks, casts trial. And, lest anyone think the war is over, there’s news from the frontline that on Although a live witness or suspect is, in September 11 two Ukrainian marines, Mykola Obukhovsky and Oleksander doubt on Mr. Tsemakh’s witness status, in fact, this is not in question. It could hardly principle, very important, it was not at all Linchevsky, were killed in action. Here it’s worth quoting the words of Mr. Sentsov at clear how much could be achieved. his first press conference after his release: “The swap does not mean that Russia is be in doubt when there is a video in which Ukraine’s then Prosecutor General Yuriy ready to let Ukraine go, to return Crimea and the Donbas, to say ‘live as you wish.’ Mr. Tsemakh certainly appears to be admit- Lutsenko has reported that Mr. Tsemakh No, this will not happen. Do not expect it.” ting to a role in the attempt to conceal the Buk missile launcher after it became clear was interrogated, but that he had refused that a passenger airliner had been downed. any deal with the investigators. Ukraine’s We know from a Dutch Foreign Ministry Constitution would not allow for a letter that the Netherlands was informed Ukrainian citizen to be extradited to the Turning the pages back... Mr. Tsemakh might be part of an exchange Netherlands. Sept. back in the middle of August and that the This, obviously, does not change the fact Dutch Public Prosecutor was given an that access to Mr. Tsemakh would have Last year, on September 15, 2018, Metropolitan Ilarion, chair- opportunity to question him again, with been much easier had he remained in 15 man of the Russian Orthodox Church’s External Relations this opportunity being taken. Although the Ukraine. Yet that, and much more about Department, in an interview with RT television said: “If the Dutch certainly asked Ukraine not to this exchange, highlights a position that 2018 [Moscow Patriarchate] recognizes the Church as an aggressor, if include Mr. Tsemakh in the list of prisoners Russia would have no need to take if it had it is deprived of legal rights, then we can expect everything: that to be exchanged, the letter notes that he the schismatics will take control of the great monasteries such as (Continued on page 7) the Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra, the Pochayiv Lavra. Then, of course, the Orthodox believers will protect these holy places and bloodshed could follow.” This came after Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew announced on September 7, 2018, IN THE PRESS that he would be sending two envoy bishops (Archbishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. and Bishop Andrij of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada) to Ukraine in a move that the Russian Orthodox Church criticized as a step Conversations about Ukraine toward Constantinople declaring ecclesiastical independence for an Orthodox Church of Ukraine. A third bishop, Metropolitan Emannuel of France of the Greek Orthodox Church, was later added as a third exarch by Patriarch Bartholomew. between French and Russian leaders In response, the ROC’s Holy Synod, which opened its meeting on September 14, 2018, “Macron is ‘renewing trust,’ ” by Vitaly Moscow. “This is a breakthrough and we announced that it would no longer take part in structures chaired by the Ecumenical Portnikov, espreso.tv (translation by want this tendency to continue. For this, Patriarchate of Constantinople and the ROC’s primate, Patriarch Kirill, criticized Patriarch Ukrainian Canadian Congress Daily Russia should get rid of heavy weapons in Bartholomew’s decision. ROC representatives continued to express concern that an inde- Briefing), September 9 (https://espreso.tv/ the region, and Ukraine – implement insti- pendent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, in a break from Russia’s orbit, could lead to vio- article/2019/09/09/vitaliy_portnykov_mak- tutional reforms envisaged in the Minsk lence. ron_quotvidnovlyuye_doviruquot): agreements.” Some ROC officials said the breakdown in relations was the equivalent of a diplomatic …Presidents [Emmanuel] Macron and To put it simply: constitutional autono- spat in the severing of relations. [Vladimir] Putin spoke on the phone and my for the Donbas and the end of the pros- The Kremlin said it was following the situation closely and reiterated its opposition to allowed that a summit of the leaders of the pects of European and Euro-Atlantic inte- any split in Orthodoxy. “Of course, for Moscow and indeed for the entire Orthodox world Normandy Format [Ukraine, Germany, gration for Ukraine, in exchange for a cessa- the single preferable scenario is the preservation of unity of this Orthodox world,” Kremlin France and Russia] may take place in the tion of shelling of the territory under Kyiv’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. coming weeks. And this is in the context of control. This is what will be viewed by Analysts saw the move by Patriarch Bartholomew as a clear rejection of Moscow’s Putin’s recent remarks that such a meeting Paris as the next “breakthrough”; this is claims to Ukraine as its “canonical territory” and it remained unclear how Moscow would could only take place if it produces a “con- what will help renew trust between Paris respond. crete result.” and Moscow, and remove sanctions from Thus far, the ROC’s response has been restrained helplessness as there is nothing that This “result” will be demanded from Russia. The tactics are obvious, and Macron will change the course the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ecumenical Patriarchate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by both and Putin must only force Zelenskyy to have chosen and finalized in the Tomos of autocephaly presented on January 6, 2019, that Paris and Moscow. The key moment here submit to this de-facto capitulation of his recognized the newly created OCU. becomes the word “concessions” from Kyiv. country, under the applause of Ukrainian Source: “Russia Church warns of violence as it ‘cuts ties’ with Bartholomew,” RFE/RL, The French Minister of Foreign Affairs of France public – to whom it will be explained that Ukrainian Weekly, September 23, 2018. Jean-Yves Le Drian said this before going to now Russia will surely stop shooting. ... No. 37 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 7

FOR THE RECORD FROM FAR Diaspora reactions to prisoner swap AND WIDE by Marco Levytsky After the swap of prisoners between the plight of the many remaining Ukrainian Ukraine and Russia on September 7, umbrel- political prisoners who continue to be ille- la organizations of the diaspora released gally incarcerated in Russian jails,” said statements reacting to the breaking news. Alexandra Chyczij, national president of the Russia cannot be allowed into a new G-8 Following are the texts e-mailed to The Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Ukrainian Weekly. “Ukraine paid a high price for the freedom Once again U.S. President Donald Trump everyone, creates quality jobs and ensures of its citizens – many of those turned over to found himself at odds with other members opportunities for all. Ukrainian World Congress Russia today are perpetrators in Russia’s war of the G-7. And once again the root of the “Democracy and the rules-based inter- problem is his continued insistence on national order are increasingly being chal- against Ukraine, including, apparently, Earlier today, 35 Ukrainian political pris- bringing Russia back to the fold in a recon- lenged by authoritarianism and the defi- Volodymyr Tsemakh, a key suspect in the oners illegally jailed by Russia returned stituted G-8. ance of international norms. In particular, downing of Flight MH-17, which was shot home to Ukraine. For their freedom, Just as he was rebuffed when he first foreign actors seek to undermine our dem- down by the Russian military in 2014.” Ukraine turned over to Russia 35 persons made the proposal prior to last year’s G-7 ocratic societies and institutions, our elec- Despite today’s exchange, Russia contin- detained in Ukraine. conference in Charlevoix, Canada, so he toral processes, our sovereignty and our ues to wage a war of aggression against “We welcome the release of the illegally was again just prior to this year’s confer- security. These malicious, multi-faceted and Ukraine. UCC calls on Canada and its allies jailed Ukrainian citizens and sailors,” stated ence in Biarritz, France. ever-evolving tactics constitute a serious to demand the Russian government imme- Paul Grod, UWC president. “We congratu- Germany, France, the United Kingdom strategic threat which we commit to con- diately release all remaining Ukrainian late President Zelenskyy for his successful and Canada all pointed out that Russia was front together, working with other govern- political prisoners illegally jailed in efforts in securing the release and for his expelled from the G-8 in 2014 because of its ments that share our democratic values. Russian prisons. commitment to free the many remaining illegal annexation of Crimea and initiation of Defending democracy will require us to A significant increase in pressure on Ukrainian political prisoners who remain the separatist rebellion in the Donbas. adopt a strategic approach that is consis- Russia from the international community, illegally incarcerated in Russian jails.” Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister tent with universal human rights and fun- “Ukraine had to pay a high price for the including Canada, is needed to secure the Chrystia Freeland put it very succinctly. damental freedoms, our international com- freedom of its citizens – many of those freedom of all Ukrainian political prisoners “Russia’s violation of international law in mitments to peace and security, and that turned over to Russia today are perpetra- illegally jailed by Russia. invading Crimea and annexing it, in con- promotes equality.” tinuing to support the war in the Donbas, is Not only can the Russian Federation tors in Russia’s war against Ukraine and The 24 Ukrainian sailors included in something we cannot allow to stand,” Ms. never be considered to “share common are responsible for war crimes and crimes today’s exchange have been subjected to Freeland said, adding that if Moscow wants democratic values” with the West, the ref- against humanity. We call on the interna- illegal and extrajudicial proceedings, and to rejoin the international delegation, it erence to “foreign actors (who) seek to tional community to bring these criminals three months ago were ordered to be freed by the United Nations Tribunal for the Law must end the war in the Donbas and leave undermine our democratic societies and to justice.” Crimea. institutions, our electoral processes, our Today’s action once again shows that of the Sea. The UCC expresses its deep solidarity If those conditions are met, “I think all of sovereignty and our security (with) mali- Russia continues to wage a war of aggres- us would be delighted to welcome a Russia cious, multi-faceted and ever-evolving tac- sion against Ukraine. and profound admiration for the courage of Oleh Sentsov, Volodymyr Balukh and all which sought again to be a member in good tics,” appears to be aimed directly at the UWC calls on the international commu- standing of our like-minded group of coun- Russians. nity to: other Ukrainian political prisoners, victims of a repressive, brutal Russian regime that tries,” she said. Unfortunately, not only has Mr. Trump Actually, Ms. Freeland is being quite gen- indicated that he will definitely bring the routinely and systematically flouts interna- immediately release all remaining erous to the Kremlin in this instance question of Russia’s re-entry into the G-8 at tional law, universal human rights, and Ukrainian• demand political the prisoners Russian illegally government jailed because, even if by some miracle Russia next year’s summit, which he hosts under wages wars of aggression against its neigh- in Russian prisons; and decided to leave Crimea and stop the war in the terms of the rotating presidency, but he bors. the Donbas, that country’s readmission to even wants to invite Russian President against Russian officials responsible for Ukrainian Congress the G-7 would remain problematic. Vladimir Putin to the summit, which he these• immediately deplorable violations implement of inalienable sanctions Committee of America For one thing, the G-7 was created as a hopes to hold at his own resort, the Trump human rights. forum of the world’s seven most advanced National Doral Miami – at taxpayers’ The 24 Ukrainian sailors included in The Ukrainian Congress Committee of economies as defined by the International expense, naturally. today’s exchange have been subject to ille- America (UCCA), representing over 25 Monetary Fund (IMF). The Russian No matter what the reason for Mr. gal and extrajudicial proceedings, and regional and national associations of Federation does not qualify today and did Trump’s subservience to Vladimir Putin, three months ago ordered to be freed by Ukrainian Americans, and the interests of not qualify in 1998, when the G-7 was the fact remains that containment of the United Nations Tribunal for the Law of nearly 2 million Americans of Ukrainian expanded to the G-8 in order to include Russian imperial expansion has been the the Sea. descent, welcomes the return of 35 Russia. But the rules were bent a bit cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy since the UWC expresses its deep solidarity and Ukrainian citizens, which had been illegally because the G-7 wanted to give the Russian end of World War II. And the president who profound admiration for the courage of imprisoned by the Russian Federation. Federation a carrot in order to continue was the most uncompromising when it Oleh Sentsov, Volodymyr Balukh and all We applaud the efforts of the president with Boris Yeltsin’s attempted economic came to containing Russian aggression was other Ukrainian political prisoners, victims of Ukraine and all who worked tirelessly in and democratic reforms. that icon of modern American conserva- What’s more, the G-7 has now advanced tism, Ronald Reagan. All of which makes of a repressive, brutal Russian regime that this endeavor. from a mostly economic forum, to one one wonder how people who consider routinely and systematically flouts interna- The UCCA continues to call for the which now espouses strict adherence to themselves principled conservatives can tional law, universal human rights, and immediate release of all Ukrainian prison- democratic values. continue to support Mr. Trump. wages wars of aggression against its neigh- ers illegally held in Russian captivity. This bors. This was clear in the statement adopted The fortunate thing is that the re-admis- return of 24 Ukrainian sailors came nearly by last year’s summit in Canada: sion of Russia to a re-constituted G-8 Ukrainian Canadian three months after the United Nations “We, the Leaders of the G-7, share com- requires the consensus of the current G-7 Tribunal for the Law of the Sea had ordered Congress mon democratic values that are central to and Mr. Trump is unlikely to get it next year. their release. the development of free, open, well-gov- Canadian policy, for one, will remain Earlier today 35 Ukrainian political pris- Only through continued, coordinated erned, pluralistic and prosperous societies unchanged regardless of who wins next oners illegally jailed by Russia returned international pressure, including increas- and recognize that equality is a core com- month’s election. And well it should. As home to Ukraine. For their freedom, ing EU and United States sanctions, will the ponent of democracy. These democratic long as Russia continues to commit aggres- Ukraine exchanged 35 persons detained in Russian Federation be held accountable for values are essential for generating broad- sion against its neighbors, seeks to under- Ukraine. violating international law and remove based economic growth that benefits mine the democratic process of the G-7 “We are pleased to see the release of the itself from Ukraine’s sovereign territory. states and trample on the human rights of illegally jailed Ukrainian citizens and sail- #FreeUkrainianPOWs #LetMyPeopleGo Marco Levytsky may be contacted at its own citizens, there is no way it can be ors. However we remain concerned about #StopRussianAggression. [email protected]. allowed to join the G-7.

gators’ reach. Russia has reportedly already manipulative formulations, they cannot hand over prisoners like Oleh Sentsov and How can Russia... received a request from the Netherlands for totally omit the fact of Mr. Tsemakh’s con- Roman Sushchenko. Mr. Tsemakh’s extradition. Since even nection with MH17. If the Kremlin was hop- For all the noise that Russia made about (Continued from page 6) Moscow cannot justify handing him ing to get him out of Ukraine fairly quietly, Ukraine’s arrest of RIA Novosti Ukraine nothing to hide. Russian citizenship on the spot or explain then it was outmaneuvered. By the time the director Kirill Vyshynsky, he was in deten- The near collapse of the negotiations on away his sudden death from natural causes, exchange took place, it was known that the tion for a year with no attempt to organize the exchange around August 30 and the there is absolutely no good reason for it to entire exchange hinged on the release of an exchange. It seems likely that Mr. immediate moves towards completion of it reject such an application, although it this one MH17 witness, with that further Tsemakh is believed to have knowledge after Mr. Tsemakh’s release from custody doubtless will. intensifying the suspicion that Mr. Tsemakh that can do more damage to the Kremlin made it blazingly clear how badly Russia While the Russian propaganda media was, in fact, the only reason why Russian than showing its hand so clearly by whisk- wanted Mr. Tsemakh out of the JIT investi- are lavish with quotation marks and President Vladimir Putin was willing to ing Mr. Tsemakh off to Moscow. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 No. 37

The complete Pavlo Tychyna Lyric poetry of Maksym Rylsky

“Pavlo Tychyna; The Complete Poetry “The Selected Lyric Poety of Maksym Collections,” by Pavlo Tychyna, translated Rylsky,” by Maksym Rylsky, translated by by Michael M. Naydan. London: Glagoslav Michael M. Naydan. London: Glagoslav Publications, 2017. 204 pp. ISBN: 978-1- Publications, 2017. 168 pp. ISBN: 978-1- 91141-420-9 (paperback), $22.65. 911414-41-4 (paperback), $21.45. “The Selected Lyric Poetry of Maksym Pavlo Tychyna, with his innovative poet- Rylsky” includes poetry from virtually all of ry, deep spirituality and creative wordplay, Rylsky’s early collections of poetry with is one of the great Ukrainian poets of the selections primarily based on esthetic prin- 20th century. His early collections ciples. Also included are the powerful poem “Clarinets of the Sun,” “The Plow,” “Instead “Thirst,” penned during Ukraine’s darkest of Sonnets and Octaves” and “The Wind days of World War II, and other poems from Ukraine,” and his poetic cycle “In the from various periods of his life. Orchestra of the Cosmos” mark the pinna- Rylsky (1895-1964) was one of the most cle of his creativity and poetically docu- outstanding Ukrainian poets of the 20th cen- ment the emotional and spiritual toll of the tury. He was a master of the modern sonnet revolution of 1917 as well as the civil war and the long narrative poem and was closely and its aftermath in Ukraine. associated with the Neoclassicist group of “Pavlo Tychyna; The Complete Early Ukrainian poets. His poetry employed tradi- Poetry Collections” includes all of his tional poetic forms with rhyme and meter, major early works as well as his master- clear and accessible contemporary idiom pieces “Mother was Peeling Potatoes,” and often references Ancient Greek and “Funeral of My Friend” and his highly Roman mythology as well as numerous patriotic “In Memory of the Thirty.” authors from world literature. Rylsky was a Tychyna (1891-1967) was born in the prolific translator from English, French, The translator, Michael M. Naydan, is a German and Polish as well as a folklore and Chernihiv region of Ukraine. He first began and became entrenched in the Soviet Woskob Family Professor of Slavic literary scholar. He worked as a teacher of Languages and Literature at Pennsylvania to publish his poetry in Ukrainian literary bureaucracy. The free and independent philology for most of his early life. State University. journals in 1912 and, while studying in poetry of Tychyna in his early period Kyiv, worked for various newspapers. After starkly contrasts with his poetry written in moving to Kharkiv in 1923, Tychyna service to the Soviet regime from the became involved with the literary groups 1930s to his death in Kyiv in 1967. Contemporary poets in translation Hart and Vaplite, groups filled with the The translator, Michael M. Naydan, is a leading Ukrainian literati of the time. Woskob Family Professor of Slavic “The Frontier: 28 Contemporary However, after severe pressure to con- Languages and Literature at Pennsylvania Ukrainian Poets. An Anthology,” translat- form to the Soviet regime, he acquiesced State University. ed by Anatoly Kudryavitsky. London: Glagoslav Publications, 2017. 412 pp. ISBN: 978-1-911414-48-3 (paperback), $36. Selected poetry of Oles Ilchenko “The Frontier: 28 Contemporary Ukrainian Poets. An Anthology” reflects a “Conversations Before Silence, The search of the Ukrainian nation for its identity, Selected Poetry of Oles Ilchenko,” by Oles the roots of which lie deep inside Ukrainian Ilchenko, translated by Michael M. Naydan. poetry. Some of the included poets are well known locally and internationally; among London: Glagoslav Publications, 2017. 102 them are Serhiy Zhadan, Halyna Krup, Ostap pp. ISBN: 978-1-911414-60-5 (paperback), Slyvynsky, Marianna Kijanowska, Oleh $19.75. Kotsarev, Anna Bagriana and, the living leg- end of Ukrainian poetry, Vasyl Holoborodko. Oles Ilchenko is a fascinating poet The next Ukrainian poetic generation, the whose unique manner of expression trans- poets Ukrainians like to read today, is also lates seamlessly into the poetics of con- featured prominently in the collection. The temporary English. An avid reader of group includes poets Les Beley, Olena English-language poets such as William Herasymyuk, Myroslav Laiuk, Hanna Carlos Williams and Stanley Kunitz, Mr. Ilchenko writes poetry that is associative, (Continued on page 18) flitting and fragmentary. The language of his poetry has a tendency to collapse into itself, forcing the reader to reevaluate a word or a line or to reread a previous word An examination of Antonych’s poetry to find the poet’s inner logic. This fragmen- tary incompleteness mimics the way “The Grand Harmony,” by Bohdan Ihor human consciousness works without the Antonych, translated by Michael M. Naydan. filter of the written laws of sentences and London: Glagoslav Publications, 2017. 74 pp. grammatical structure. ISBN: 978-1-911414-35-3 (paperback), $21.30. Mr. Ilchenko was born in Kyiv on Octorber 4, 1957. He lived in Kyiv most of Wintry Garden,” “Constellation AS,” “A A collection of poems on religious his life, traveled extensively and now Different Landscape,” “Pages,” “Cities and themes written in 1932 and 1933, “The resides in Switzerland with his wife. He Islands,” “Conversations Before Silence” Grand Harmony” is an examination of received degrees from the Drahomaniv and “Certain Dreams, or A Kyiv Which Is Bohdan Antonych’s intimately personal Kyiv Pedagogical University and the Maxim Not.” He also writes film scripts and is the journey to faith, a journey filled with self- Gorky Literary Institute in Moscow. He is author of numerous articles on cultural questioning and doubt. The collection the author of 22 children’s books, the nov- issues. marks the beginning of Antonych’s devel- els “City with Chimeras” and “My Beloved opment into one of the great poets of his Kyara” and a book of memoirs, “Collectors The translator, Michael M. Naydan, is a time. During Soviet times, it was banned for its religious content. of the Mists: Subjective Notes from a Life in Woskob Family Professor of Slavic Antonych (1909-1937) was born in the Kyiv.” Languages and Literature at Pennsylvania Lemko region of Poland and began to write His seven books of poetry include: “A State University. poetry in Ukrainian as a student at the University of Lviv. He published only three collections of poetry during his life; three Visit our archive online: www.ukrweekly.com additional collections were published post- (Continued on page 18) No. 37 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 9

Ukraine welcomes... (Continued from page 1) somewhat bewildered representatives of Ukraine’s current battle for its freedom. Many who were there, or were watching on TV, had tears in their eyes. Barely a week earlier, reports of an imminent exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine had dominated the media and journalists had spent hours waiting for it to happen. It did not, and so on this occasion the news that the swap was actually about to happen was initially treated by many with a healthy dose of skepticism. When it was confirmed that planes from both sides were airborne to pick up their respective political “cargoes,” Ukrainians eagerly began to watch and listen to what Presidential Office of Ukraine was happening. Relatives and others gathered at Boryspil International Airport to welcome home the 35 political prisoners and hostages released The deal on the prisoner swap was final- on September 7 in a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia. ly effected as a result of direct telephone Speaking at the airport, President by Russia in the Black Sea in November the exchange of prisoners has been gener- conversations between the new Ukrainian Zelenskyy gave assurances that there was 2017. At Ukraine’s request, their detention ally well received. It has raised hopes that president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and his no cause for concern. He stressed that Mr. by Russian forces was considered by the the ice has been broken and that it will Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. The Tsemakh, a person of interest in the MH17 International Tribunal for the Law of the serve as a catalyst for finding a way for- Ukrainian leader confirmed that he had investigation, had been properly ques- Sea. On May 25, the tribunal called for the ward. spoken by telephone with Mr. Putin and tioned and that Dutch investigators had immediate release of the Ukrainian service- Certainly, in the weeks ahead, it should reached an agreement “on the first stage to been given access to him. Indeed, the presi- men and the return of their vessels. prove useful. A meeting of the leaders in unblock our dialogue and on the first step dent intimated that the exchange had been Ukraine’s authorities, both under the Normandy format is expected when Mr. to stop the war.” held up because of this. President Petro Poroshenko and now Zelenskyy, as he puts it, will finally look Mr. The Moscow Times dubbed it “a careful- Eleven of the Ukrainians freed had been under his successor, as well as various Putin in the eyes. The leaders of Germany ly negotiated swap that could signal a thaw political prisoners jailed on trumped-up Ukrainian civil rights organizations, have and France have welcomed the prisoner in relations.” Because it included “high-pro- political charges. Some had been impris- vigorously sought the release of these and exchange. President Trump is apparently file figures like filmmaker Oleh Sentsov and oned since President Putin launched his other Ukrainian captives held by Moscow. toying with the idea of becoming involved potential MH17 witness Vladimir aggressive actions in Crimea and the The campaign in defense of Mr. Sentsov at Ukraine’s invitation in the Normandy Tsemakh”, [it] was seen as “a key step Donbas in the spring of 2014. These includ- was the most visible aspect of this effort, process and may be looking for an oppor- toward resolving the conflict in eastern ed Mr. Sentsov and Oleksandr Kolchenko, and it managed to attract considerable tune moment. Ukraine that has claimed more than 13,000 who were sentenced to prison terms of 20 international support. Later this month, the Ukrainian presi- lives since it broke out in 2014.” and 10 years, respectively, for allegedly Until recently, however, these efforts, as dent has important trips to the U.S. lined The exchange drew considerable reac- plotting terroristic acts in Crimea, and in well as repeated attempts to agree on an up, to Washington as well as to New York, tion from various foreign leaders. U.S. reality for opposing the Russian occupation exchange of prisoners of war and hostages where he is going to address the United President Donald Trump congratulated of Crimea. Mykola Karpiuk and Stanislav within the Minsk process established in Nations General Assembly. both countries, tweeting that the move was Klykh were accused of having fought on the 2014 for peace-building purposes as Meanwhile, the freed Ukrainian captives “perhaps a first giant step to peace.” The side of Chechen rebels against the Kremlin regards the war in the Donbas, seemed to have been undergoing medical examina- leaders of Germany, France and the in the 1990s, tortured and given sentences no avail. Mr. Putin remained intransigent tions and have begun meeting with the European Union also welcomed it. of more than 20 years each. and seemingly set on extracting the highest press. Mr. Sentsov and his colleagues have Nevertheless, in Ukraine, numerous com- Others had subsequently been detained price for any “concession” in this regard. remained unbroken and defiant, and have mentators wondered what the real price of while visiting Moscow, as was the case with Commentators and analysts, and not expressed gratitude to all for the efforts to the deal had been and what it portends. journalist Roman Sushchenko in 2016, or only in Ukraine, have been busy trying to secure their release. They also emphasize They, like some of those dismayed in the even abducted after being lured by a “virtu- explain how this unexpected prisoner that there should be no easing up of Netherlands and Australia, including at the al” girlfriend on the Internet, as happened exchange came about. Some suggest that Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself, retrieve official levels, expressed surprise and disap- in August 2017 with 19-year-old Pavlo the emergence of a new political leadership occupied territories and, in the meantime, pointment that Kyiv has let Mr. Tsemakh Hryb while he was visiting Belarus. in Kyiv, albeit standing firm in defense of free other prisoners. return to Russia as part of the arrangement. Volodymyr Balukh was arrested in Ukraine’s independence and territorial Mr. Sentsov has expressed appreciation Mr. Tsemakh had commanded an air- December 2016 in Crimea and given a five- integrity, has permitted Mr. Putin to begin for President Zelenskyy’s efforts, saying: “I defense unit of the Russia-backed forces year prison term for not accepting Russia’s sounding a more conciliatory note. see that he sincerely wants to resolve this fighting in the Donbas at the time of the policies. And Crimean Tatar activist Edem Others mention the pressure on both conflict for the good of the country, giving downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 Bekirov was detained in December 2018 Moscow and Kyiv from the G-7 countries in up no interests and that’s the right thing.” (MH17) in July 2017 and boasted about his while returning to Crimea from mainland particular, to renew some sort of dialogue But he also warned against naiveté. “As to role in shooting down the civilian airliner, Ukraine to visit his elderly mother. and move from confrontation to prelimi- the statement that Russia wants peace,” he killing all 298 people on board. Others released were Oleksiy nary cautious contacts. Mr. Putin wants to elaborated, “even the wolf wearing sheep’s He was captured by Ukrainian security Syzonovych, a 62-year-old pensioner, resume his place alongside the G-7, for clothing keeps his teeth sharp… Don’t forces in June of this year in a covert opera- Yevhen Panov and Artur Panov, all of whom sanctions to be eased or lifted, for Nord believe it. I don’t.” tion behind enemy lines. Mr. Tsemakh’s were accused of plotting terroristic acts. Stream 2 and other vital projects to go Both the Ukrainian president and the appearance before an international court Twenty-four of the Ukrainians freed ahead, and to ensure that President Trump, newly released captives have been empha- would have been a major embarrassment were sailors in the Ukrainian Navy who French President Emmanuel Macron and sizing that the challenges remain formida- for President Putin. were seized along with their three vessels German Chancellor Angela Merkel are not ble. They, together with Ukrainian averse to this. Meanwhile, Ukraine relies on Ombudswoman Ludmilla Denisova, who continuing Euro-Atlantic support – politi- was very active in securing the release of cal, economic and military. the Ukrainian captives, have stressed that There is also the failure of Mr. Putin’s de around 100 more Ukrainians remain in facto proxy in Ukraine, Viktor Medvedchuk, Russian jails for political purposes and that and his associates in the pro-Russia their release will remain a priority concern. Opposition Bloc – For Life, to make more In the meantime, Ms. Denisova said, the substantial headway in the recent parlia- Ukrainian authorities intend to address the mentary elections in Ukraine. Moreover, immediate material, social and medical despite his much-publicized visits to needs of those released and to provide per- Moscow as a self-styled go-between, Mr. manent accommodation to Messrs. Sentsov Medvedchuk has not managed to cast him- and Kolchenko as they cannot return home self in the role of a potential broker of a to occupied Crimea. She also announced prisoner exchange, and even potential oil that the Cabinet of Ministers had approved deals between Moscow and Kyiv. President financial aid to each of the 35 returnees in Zelenskyy has emphasized that he has no the amount of 100,000 hrv (just over need for Mr. Medvedchuk’s “services” and $4,000 U.S.). has distanced himself from this politically According to Mr. Zelenskyy and Ms. toxic fixer. Denisova, the long hoped for, but unexpect- But analysts appear to agree that the ed, breakthrough with the prisoner decisive factor that influenced Mr. Putin exchange has encouraged cautious opti- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greets one of the 24 seamen who had been held by Russia upon his arrival in Kyiv. The president is seem removing a bracelet bearing was probably the Tsemakh issue. mism. Both have suggested that there could the name of the sailor, Yuriy Budzylo. Despite the misgivings in some quarters, be more prisoner exchanges by year’s end. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 No. 37

Greater Boston marks Ukraine’s anniversary of independence with four major events

by Peter T. Woloschuk BOSTON – The local Ukrainian American community celebrated the 28th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence with a noontime flag raising on Boston City Hall Plaza fol- lowed by a reception in City Council Chambers; a three-hour sunset cruise of Boston Harbor; commemorative liturgies for Ukraine in all of the local parishes and a picnic on the campus of Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church in Jamaica Plain. With the exception of the various Sunday liturgies, all the events were orga- nized and coordinated under the auspices of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Boston Branch, led by President Vsevolod Petriv and Secretary/Treasurer Maria Fedynyshyn Saxe. On Friday, August 23, Ukrainian Flag Day, some 300 Ukrainian Americans gath- Myroslav Vintoniv ered on Boston City Hall Plaza for the tradi- Some those attending the 28th anniversary celebration of Ukrainian independence on Boston City Hall Plaza. tional noontime flag raising. Many of them oratura soprano from Kyiv and founder of tion from the Mayor of Boston for his work message to the people of Ukraine. Secondly were wearing Ukrainian embroidered an opera company and theater in Newton, and then continued by saying it was always it energizes you to bring the message of shirts or blouses (“vyshyvanky”) and quite Mass., sang the Ukrainian national anthem. a personal pleasure to visit Boston to inter- Ukraine and the valiant battle that it is a few carried small Ukrainian flags. More Yusufi S. Vali, director of the Mayor’s act with the dynamic local Ukrainian fighting for all of us to your neighbors and than half of those gathered were young Office of Immigrant Advancement, repre- American community. to your elected officials. Too often other people in their 20s and early 30s who had sented the mayor and began by welcoming He then went on to read a message from news pushes what is happening in Ukraine taken time off from work to be present. everyone in Ukrainian with “Vitayemo!” He Oleksii Holubov, Ukraine’s consul general for into the background and people need to be Assembled on the dais by the city’s main then acknowledged everyone on the dais the region, who is based in New York City. continually reminded that there is an ongo- flagpoles were: retired U.S. Ambassador to and then said that practically everyone gath- “The love of freedom, patriotism and the ing war with more than 13,000 dead and the Vatican and former Mayor of Boston ered on the Plaza, and including himself, desire for independence have always been two and a half million refugees.” Raymond L. Flynn; Ukraine’s Consul from whose family is from India, and the mayor, the have always been the defining principles The Rev. James Morris, an Irish New York Denys Semenovych; and City whose mother and father are from Ireland, of the Ukrainian character,” he wrote. American who became interested in the Councilors Annissa Essaibi George, Michael came to America “for democracy, for free- “Freedom and independence has never Ukrainian Catholic Church and was Flaherty, Edward Flynn, Althea Garrison and dom and opportunity, often fleeing difficult come easy for Ukraine,” the consul stressed, ordained in Ivano-Frankivsk in 1993, said Timothy O’Malley (a number of whom also conditions in our countries of origin.” “and today in the face of ongoing Russian he has been able to watch the evolution of wore vyshyvanky). Representing the state’s “In this process of migration,” he contin- aggression our country is paying an the annual flag-raising from a small, sparse- local clergy were the Very Rev. Dr. Archpriest ued, “both America and home country of extremely high price defending its own ly attended event unmarked by local offi- Yaroslav Nalysnyk, pastor of Christ the King origin eventually became enriched eco- freedom and territorial integrity, as well as cialdom to one that draws considerable Ukrainian Catholic Church, Jamaica Plain; nomically, culturally and civically.” He protecting fundamental Ukrainian ideals, community interest and is noted by the the Very Rev. Archpriest Roman Tarnavsky, noted: “The Ukrainian community has cer- values and principles that are also held by city’s and state’s politicians. pastor of St. Andrew the First-Called, Forest tainly enriched Boston from its contribu- the entire democratic world.” Wearing a Ukrainian shirt, Councilor Hills; the Rev. James Morris, pastor of St. tions to the Harvard Ukrainian Research Consul Holubov also offered “sincere Matthew O’Malley noted that many John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Institute, to its churches and organizations thanks to the Ukrainian community of the Ukrainians live in his district and contrib- Salem; and Rev. Jerzy Zembrowski, pastor of and businesses. You have indeed made a United States for its major contribution in ute greatly to its ongoing growth and devel- Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Catholic significant contribution to the city’s educa- strengthening the unity of the Ukrainian opment. Church, South Boston. Nicholas Zozula, pres- tional, civic, business, and faith life.” nation as well as for its ongoing support He was followed by Councilor Annissa ident of the Ukrainian American Youth Mr. Vali then read a proclamation from and efforts of strengthening the partner- Essaibi George, who extended congratula- Association’s Boston branch served as mas- the mayor outlining the role of Ukrainian ship solidarity with the United States in tions on the occasion of the 28th anniversary ter of ceremonies. Americans in Boston and proclaiming particular and with all other civilized coun- of Ukraine’s independence and went on to Mr. Zozula began the annual commemo- Friday, August 23, as Ukrainian tries of the world which is so important to explain that her own mother had spent sev- ration by calling everyone to attention and Independence Day in the City. Finally, he our country right now.” eral years in a displaced persons camp in asking for a few moments of silence dedi- presented Consul Denys Semenovych with Ambassador Flynn began by saying, “It is Germany after World War II. Thus, she said, cated to the heroes of the struggle for a citation of thanks for all of the hard work a deep honor for me and my family to be “I can relate to the contemporary Ukrainian Ukrainian sovereignty. Father Nalysnyk fol- the consul has done on behalf of Ukrainians here today.” experience on the ongoing struggle that lowed with a short Invocation in Ukrainian. living in the city. “When I was at the State Department I Ukraine is facing with the Russian invasion, Tenor Michael Hotz, a member of St. Consul Semenovych spoke next in spent a considerable amount of time in the ongoing depredations of the oligarchs, Andrew’s choir, then sang the American Ukrainian, saying that it was an unexpected Central and Eastern Europe and I was at and the ever pressing need for reform.” national anthem, while Olha Lisovska, col- surprise and a great honor to receive a cita- our Embassy in Kyiv for an extended period Councilor Althea Garrison came to the of time. I got to meet with members of the podium next and she read a resolution Ukrainian government and I also got to go passed in the City Council honoring Friday, out into the countryside into the towns and August 23, as Ukrainian Independence Day villages and I saw how people lived and I in Boston. talked with many of them.” Councilor Michael Flaherty, who has “Although Ukraine is a democracy,” been attending the flag -raising ceremony Ambassador Flynn continued, “it was my for the past 10 years, was the last to speak. impression that they were not well served He also read a separate proclamation that by their elected officials. Many people told was passed in the City Council and honored me of the corruption of their local politi- the Ukrainian community of Boston. cians and that they had to pay bribes in Father Tarnavsky of St. Andrew’s order to get anything done. They spoke dis- Ukrainian Orthodox Church concluded the paragingly of the central government as celebration by offering the benediction and well and said that it wasn’t doing anything leading the community in singing to help them or to improve living conditions “Dostoyno Yest.” or help develop the country economically or A reception was held immediately fol- even help to end the war in the east.” lowing the ceremony in City Council cham- “What you do here today is so impor- bers and afforded all the chance to meet tant,” Ambassador Flynn stressed. “First of with the participants on the dais and to all, it strengthens your resolve to see enjoy some Ukrainian delicacies. Former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican and former Mayor of Boston Raymond L. Ukraine as a proud free and democratic Flynn speaks at Boston’s flag raising ceremony on Ukrainian Flag Day, August 23. nation and, hopefully, you will transmit that (Continued on page 13) No. 37 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 11

Parade celebrates Ukraine’s independence, 10th anniversary of Parma’s Ukrainian Village

by Marta Liscynesky-Kelleher PARMA, Ohio – The City of Parma, together with the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Ukrainian Village section of the city and the 28th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence with a parade. It was back on October 8, 2008, that the city had passed a resolution designating a two-mile stretch on State Road as “Ukrainian Village”; the major thoroughfare is located in a commerce-friendly neighbor- hood where over 15,000 Ukrainian Americans live. The annual parade kicked-off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, from Cleveland Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, the entry way to Ukrainian Village, home to many

Yevhen Hulenko The parade is led by the City of Cleveland Police Color Guard and Ukrainian American Veterans. Ukrainian American businesses, proceed- organizations were surrounded by the music ing past St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox of two Parma high school marching bands: Cathedral to the main stage on the grounds Normandy and Parma High. of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral The grand marshal and initiator of the directly across from the Ukrainian Heritage Ukrainian Village, Father John Nakonachny Park, dedicated by the City of Parma 10 of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox years ago. Cathedral, greeted the crowds lining the The 10th anniversary of the Ukrainian street. The grand marshal was sponsored Village welcomed the participation of by the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union – Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Valeriy Osnova branch. Chaly, with his wife, Ludmila, and children, Officiating during the program were Jaroslav and Olya. United Ukrainian Organizations Ukrainian Over 40 organizations marched in this Village Committee Chair Roman Fedkiw year’s parade led by the City of Cleveland and the umbrella organization’s president, Police Color Guard, Ukrainian American Marta Liscynesky-Kelleher. Opening Alexander Fedorchuk Veterans Post 24, the Polish Legion of prayers were led by Bishop Bohdan Danylo The parade’s Grand Marshal Father John Nakonachny and other parade marshals, American Veterans FD Roosevelt Post 58 and of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Bishop Bohdan Danylo and clergy, leaders of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Joseph J. Jacubic American Legion Post 572. Ohio and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Valeriy Chaly with his family. Participating local businesses and Ukrainian (Continued on page 16)

Cli on City Hall scene of  ag-raising ceremony and celebration

by Tom Hawrylko CLIFTON, N.J. – To mark the 28th year of Ukraine’s independence from Russia, the country’s blue-and-yellow national flag was raised on the lawn at City Hall in Clifton, N.J., on the evening of August 23. Attended by long established residents of Ukrainian descent, many Fourth-Wavers as well as clergy from St. Nicholas Ukrainian

Tom Hawrylko Participants of the flag-raising ceremony at City Hall in Clifton, N.J. Catholic Church in Passaic and the Ukrainian and the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. the international community yet President Orthodox Holy Ascension Cathedral in “The entire world is again seeing Donald Trump has spoken of inviting Russia Clifton, the event also attracts many social Vladimir Putin’s hostility to democratic back into the Group of Seven. and political leaders from Clifton as well as order,” said Rep. Pascrell, who often attends “That’s crazy,” said Rep. Pascrell. the northern New Jersey region. events in the Clifton-Passaic Ukrainian “America and our president need to stand Among the speakers was Congressman community. “Ukraine is our ally and our strong again Russia’s acts of aggression, not Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), who noted that friend and we must stand beside it. coddle him.” Russia’s war on Ukraine continues. With Vladimir Putin is an autocratic bully presid- The congressman has long been a vocal Rep. Bill Pascrell with flag-bearers dur- more than 13,000 killed, 30,000 injured ing over a sprawling kakistocracy.” opponent of Mr. Putin’s violations of peace ing the Ukrainian Independence Day cel- and 1.5 millions displaced, the invasion Rep. Pascrell and other speakers said that ebration. began in 2014 in the Crimean peninsula Russia’s aggression has been condemned by (Continued on page 18) 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 No. 37

against its citizens “absolutely unfounded” Three charged in Crimean Tatar’s fatal kidnapping President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told an NEWSBRIEFS and said the investigators had based their RFE/RL correspondent on September 7 findings on “dubious sources of informa- Ukrainian authorities say they have that the Ukrainians remaining in Russian (Continued from page 2) tion,” accusing them of rejecting evidence identified the suspected kidnappers of a custody would be liberated during what he prosecutors “had done everything possible that the Kremlin had provided. Moscow has Crimean Tatar activist who was abducted called “the second stage of the prisoners’ through judicial channels to keep Tsemakh also aired its own theories on the shoot- in broad daylight more than five years ago swap.” He added, “We are not talking about available for the [MH17 Joint Investigative down but never provided solid evidence. as he protested Moscow’s seizure of Crimea a year, two, or three years. We want to do it Team] investigation,” Mr. Blok told the Mr. Tsemakh, a Ukrainian citizen, is not one – and who turned up dead weeks later. as soon as possible.” Refat Chubarov, the Dutch parliament. In response, Kyiv had of the four indicted. In an exclusive inter- Ukrainian prosecutors alleged on chairman of the Crimean Tatars’ self-gov- promised to postpone the exchange for view with Interfax on September 7, the September 10 that two members of a pro- erning body, the Mejlis, alleged that Russia some time in order to give Dutch prosecu- chief of the Security Service of Ukraine Russian militia were acting on orders from is trying to exclude Crimean Tatars from tors an opportunity to question Mr. (SBU), Ivan Bakanov, said the exclusion of a Russian military veteran when they any prisoner swap in order to “cut off Tsemakh, and “this has happened,” Mr. Blok Mr. Tsemakh on the prisoner exchange list abducted Reshat Ametov, 39, on a central everything linked to the annexation of said. He didn’t say for how long or what would have led to “the cessation of negotia- square in the Crimean capital of Crimea.” Russia took control of Crimea information, if any, was divulged during the tions with Russia.” The degree to which Symferopol in March 2014 as he staged a from Ukraine in March 2014 after sending interrogation of Mr. Tsemakh, who report- Moscow was allegedly adamant on getting one-man protest against Russia’s military in troops and staging a referendum dis- edly oversaw an air-defense unit among Mr. Tsemakh was “yet another confirma- incursion. Two weeks later, Mr. Ametov’s missed as illegal by at least 100 countries. Russia-backed separatists in a town near tion of Russia’s involvement in the shoot- body was discovered in a forest 60 kilome- The Russian-imposed authorities in the where MH17 was shot down with what down of MH17,” Mr. Bakanov said. The ters east of Symferopol, and he is widely Black Sea peninsula have since prosecuted Dutch-led investigators have concluded Russian Embassy in the Netherlands said seen in Ukraine and among Crimean Tatars dozens of Crimean Tatars on various charg- was a Russian-made Buk missile system in its diplomatic mission hadn’t received any as an early martyr to the cause of opposing es. Rights groups and Western govern- July 2014. Ukrainian President Volodymyr extradition requests from Dutch authori- Russia’s takeover. “Thanks to the coopera- ments have denounced what they describe Zelenskyy told reporters at Kyiv’s Boryspil ties, according to a social media statement tion of the prosecutor’s office, the police as a campaign of repression targeting Airport the same news after greeting the on September 7. The SBU apprehended Mr. and human rights organizations, the crime members of the Turkic-speaking Crimean 35 freed Ukrainian prisoners, according to Tsemakh on June 27 in the Donetsk region was solved today,” Hunduz Mamedov, Kyiv’s Tatar community and others who have the Interfax news agency. Mr. Zelenskyy in the city of Snizhne, which is held by top prosecutor for Crimea, said in a state- come out against Moscow’s takeover of the said he did everything possible to ensure Moscow-backed separatists and is 20 kilo- ment. Kyiv’s police directorate responsible region. (Crimea Desk, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Mr. Tsemakh would be questioned by the meters from the Russian border. According for Crimea identified the two suspected Service, with reporting by 1+1 TV) Dutch and that the process “was complicat- to the Dutch-led investigation, the Buk mis- kidnappers as Oleksander Bahlyuk, 44, and NBU chief mulls seeking political asylum ed… I was scared that the [prisoner] sile was fired six kilometers south of Oleksander Rudenko, 33. They are accused exchange would fall apart because of that.” Snizhne. TV footage obtained by Current of carrying out the abduction under the Ukraine’s former central bank chief, All 298 people on board MH17 were killed Time, the Russian-language network led by direction of Yevgeny Skripnik, 53, Valeria Gontareva, says she is not ruling out flying over territory held by Russia-backed RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA, showed described by Ukraine as a retired Russian the possibility of applying for political asy- separatists en route from Amsterdam to Mr. Tsemakh claiming that he was in charge serviceman who later took part in Russia- lum in Britain where she currently resides Kuala Lumpur. Three Russians and a of an anti-aircraft unit and that he helped backed military operations against Kyiv’s after experiencing an alleged hit-and-run Ukrainian were indicted over the downing hide the missile system in July 2014. He forces in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has attack and her daughter-in-law’s car being of MH17, and court proceedings in the also shows the interviewer where the civil- issued international warrants for the arrest set on fire. “If our country is going to treat Netherlands are scheduled for March. But ian airliner fell. (RFE/RL, with reporting by of the three men, Ukrainian prosecutors its own reformer like dirt, to politically and the four suspects are most likely to be tried Interfax, Censor.net, Dutch News, and Nos. said. They have been charged with aggra- physically persecute, then I’ll have no in absentia. Russia called the charges nl) vated kidnapping, punishable by up to 10 choice but to ask for political asylum,” Ms. years in prison. Ukrainian authorities con- Gontareva told the Ukrainian news site Liga ducted the investigation remotely, as they on September 9. On September 5, her do not have access to Crimean territory, daughter-in-law’s car was set on fire in which Russia seized in March 2014 after Kyiv. On August 26, a car ran over Ms. sending in troops and staging a referendum Gontareva’s foot in London, sending her to deemed illegitimate by 100 members of the the hospital with broken bones. She called TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 United Nations. Video of Ametov’s abduc- or e-mail [email protected] the two incidents “part of the same link in a tion was published online weeks after the chain” of events and attributed them to her incident. It shows him being frog-marched tenure as chairwoman of the National Bank SERVICES PROFESSIONALS into a car just meters in front of a man of Ukraine (NBU) in 2014-2018. In less wearing a red armband typical of so-called than four years, Ms. Gontareva shuttered “self-defense” units that coordinated with 80 banks whose owners were essentially Russian forces in Crimea at the time. It was using them as their personal piggy banks the last time Mr. Ametov was known to by engaging in pervasive third-party lend- have been seen alive. In a statement in ing, including Privatbank, then the coun- March, the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring try’s biggest private lender. International Mission to Ukraine said it had “received auditors had found a $5.5 billion hole in information that indicates Crimean self- Privatbank’s balance sheet so the NBU defense’s involvement in Ametov’s disap- nationalized it with taxpayers’ money. It pearance and killing.” The mission told was co-owned by billionaire oligarch Ihor RFE/RL at the time that its information Kolomoisky whom Ms. Gontareva accuses was based on interviews with “a number of of threatening her and of being behind the people,” including Mr. Ametov’s relatives incidents in London and Kyiv. In previous OPPORTUNITIES МАРІЯ ДРИЧ and activists at pro-Ukrainian rallies at the Ліцензований Продавець interviews, Mr. Kolomoisky – a former busi- Страхування Життя time of his disappearance, as well as an ness associate of President Volodymyr analysis of the video of his abduction. In МАRІA DRICH Zelenskyy – has said he did nothing wrong Earn extra income! Licensed Life Insurance Agent 2017, then-President Petro Poroshenko at Privatbank and that there is no evidence The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. posthumously awarded Mr. Ametov the tying him to the events involving Ms. for advertising sales agents. nation’s highest title – Hero of Ukraine. 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Gontareva and her family. Ms. Gontareva For additional information contact (Crimea Desk, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service) Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, Tel.: 973-292-9800 ext. 3035 said she started receiving veiled threats The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. e-mail: [email protected] Ombudswoman on release of more prisoners from Mr. Kolomoisky three years ago and public threats in her direction a year ago. Ukrainian and Russian officials are dis- Specifically, she accused the oligarch of cussing the possible “liberation” of 113 threatening her in an interview she gave to Ukrainian nationals jailed in Russia, accord- BBC in June. “I want this to be clear to ing to Ukrainian ombudswoman Lyudmyla everyone. If something happens to me, I Denisova. In a televised interview aired on want it so that everyone knows why,” Ms. September 10, Ms. Denisova said that she Gontareva said. Authorities are investigat- was not sure when exactly the 113 ing Ms. Gontareva in two criminal probes. Ukrainian citizens – including 89 Crimean In one of the cases she is a witness; in the Tatars – would be released and returned to other she is a suspect under investigation Ukraine, but she expressed hope it would for abuse of office as a central bank official. happen by the end of the year. Russia and She hasn’t appeared for questioning in Ukraine exchanged a total of 70 prisoners Ukraine, calling the cases “fabricated” and on September 7 in a move praised by the aimed at applying pressure on her for her West as an opportunity to improve tense role in nationalizing Privatbank. On August relations between Kyiv and Moscow. The 27, a Kyiv court granted authorities permis- 35 Ukrainian citizens returned to Ukraine sion to “forcibly” bring her in for question- included only one Crimean Tatar activist, ing, although she has lived in Britain for a Run your advertisement here, Edem Bekirov. His lawyer, Nikolai Polozov, year as a research fellow at the London in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. told RFE/RL that his client was released due to his extremely poor health. Ukrainian (Continued on page 13) No. 37 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 13

and gas industries. Russia cut off gas to lost its legal status because it didn’t register rate raiding in Ukraine is seen as a huge NEWSBRIEFS Ukraine in the winters of 2006 and 2009 with the Russian authorities. Other impediment to foreign investment. Earlier, amid price disputes. Russia for years had Churches like the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic the company registry was updated weekly, (Continued from page 12) sold gas to Ukraine at discounted prices to Church faced obstacles to register. allowing for ownership or management School of Economics and Political Science. ensure loyalty to the Kremlin, but that Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses lost changes to be made with the use of the “We were carrying out reforms and are changed as Kyiv pursued a policy of closer their right to operate in 2017. Charges have country’s corrupt judicial system and other now suffering because of that,” Ms. relations with the West. Ukraine imports been pressed selectively on people in “ways means like barring shareholders from Gontareva said last week. “There’s no other about one-third of its gas needs. The coun- that undermine freedom of expression in attending meetings. Mr. Dubilet noted that country in the world where reformists are try has struggled to increase its own Crimea,” the report said. Individuals who’ve a week’s time was enough for the corporate being persecuted in such a way. I under- domestic gas production though it sits atop expressed dissenting views toward the raider to shift a company’s assets beyond stand when it’s political persecution – that large reserves. Ukraine is not expected to authorities in any form of media, including the reach of the true owner or quickly sell happens everywhere. But this is about produce enough gas to meet its own needs online social media, have been deemed them to a third party. He said the database exploding cars,” she said last week. (RFE/ until the end of the next decade. (RFE/RL) “extremist.” Members of the lesbian, gay, is freely accessible on five websites, includ- RL, with reporting by Liga.net) bisexual and transgender communities ing the state-owned Privatbank that was U.N. secretary-general to report on Crimea have been denied permits to publicly nationalized when auditors found a $6 bil- U.S. to help Ukraine prep for energy shortage United Nations Secretary-General assemble. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service) lion hole on its balance sheet. Ukrainian oli- Antonio Guterres will deliver his first garch Ihor Kolomoisky was a former co- The U.S. Department of Energy is send- Tool to help prevent company ‘raiding’ ing a delegation to Ukraine to help the report on the human rights situation in shareholder of the bank and is where Mr. country address a possible energy shortage Russian-annexed Crimea at the internation- Ukraine’s newly installed government Dubilet was previously the chief technical this winter as Russia seeks to end gas tran- al body’s next general assembly, which has tweaked the state-run registry of legal officer in charge of information technology. sit. The U.S. energy specialists will work opens on September 17. The report, pub- entities to publish information on a daily Notices of company takeovers can be made with Ukrainian counterparts to study the lished on August 2, says it is “limited to basis, a change that the chief coordinator of electronically to the government’s anti- country’s energy generation, transmission, information collected through remote mon- the Cabinet of Ministers says will help pre- raiding commission through the iGov por- and distribution and develop a “winter itoring” because Russia would not give vent the theft of businesses known as “raid- tal of government services, Mr. Dubilet action plan,” the Department of Energy said workers from the Office of the U.N. High ing.” In a September 2 Facebook post, noted. “Earlier, to file a complaint, you had in a statement on September 6. The Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Dmytro to first hire a lawyer who would gather a announcement follows a meeting between access to the occupied Ukrainian peninsula. Dubilet emphasized the measure because pile of documents… Moreover, while the U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry and mem- Russia rejects the U.N.’s resolutions that call “raiding occurs when company ownership commission was processing these docu- bers of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Russia an occupying force. Conditions on or directors quickly change when the true ments through the chain of offices, two Zelenskyy’s administration on August 31 in the peninsula allow for “abductions and owners aren’t aware of it.” Due to weak weeks could elapse,” he said. (RFE/RL’s Warsaw to discuss energy security. The del- unacknowledged detention” as well as property rights and crooked judges, corpo- Ukrainian Service) egation was requested by the Ukrainians, “enforced disappearance,” a violation of the statement said. Russia is seeking to rights to life, liberty and security, the report launch two new pipelines next year to stated. OHCHR identified 42 victims – 38 carry gas to Europe via Germany and men and four women – of enforced disap- Oleh Sentsov... Turkey. The pipelines would eliminate pearance in Crimea since March 2014. Russia’s need to ship gas through Ukraine “Torture and ill-treatment of individuals” in (Continued from page 1) to meet European needs, potentially leav- law enforcement detention centers was fighting for themselves, for a free Russia ing the country short of energy in the win- reported. Most victims were men charged and for our Ukraine. They are our brothers ter. “This team will help ensure that the with extremism, affiliation with groups and we must not divide them from us,” Mr. Zelenskyy administration and government banned in Russia, sabotage, or “anti-Rus- Sentsov said. of Ukraine is best equipped to ensure sian” activities. Torture was used to obtain “The situation we have now after Russia Ukraine is never again vulnerable to threats confessions in nearly all accounts OHCHR attacked Ukraine is an information conflict. of supply disruption from Russia,” the received. In terms of rights to maintain And [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s statement said. Natural gas accounts for one’s identity, the OHCHR “documented a aggression against Ukraine is supported by about a quarter of Ukraine’s annual energy narrowing space for manifestations of many in Russia, due to the work of the consumption, according to a 2018 report Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar identities and Russian propaganda. I would like to by PwC. Coal and nuclear account for more enjoyment of the respective cultures in applaud journalists here who are doing a than half. Mr. Perry was accompanied on Crimea.” On freedom of religion, the U.N. great job,” he said. his trip to Warsaw with executives from agency noted that the former Ukrainian Mr. Sentsov also said that the prisoner U.S. companies involved in the nuclear, coal, Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate swap “was not unexpected,” as there were many years of negotiations on the issue Serhii Nuzhnenko/RadioSoboda.org because “the Russian system never accepts Oleh Sentsov speaks to journalists in Kyiv on September 10. moment of silence, an invocation by Father its mistakes,” or never changes its position Greater Boston... Nalysnyk, the singing of the national regarding arrests. their evacuation and the evacuation of their anthems, and a number of brief presenta- Still, the swap provides some momentum family members. I organized protest (Continued from page 10) tions, all of which were in Ukrainian, the to bringing the conflict to an end, he said. actions, such as car caravans with Ukrainian At 6:30 p.m. some 80 people embarked picnic got under way. “President [Volodymyr Zelenskyy] said flags, events near [Ukrainian writer and on the Provincetown II for a three -hour All of the traditional Ukrainian dishes, that there is a second stage of the prisoner poet] Taras Shevchenko’s monument in cruise of Boston Harbor to continue the cel- including “kulish,” were available. Music, swap and I hope that the more than 100 guys Symferopol to demonstrate that there are ebration of Ukrainian Independence Day. both traditional and contemporary, was who remain in Russian custody will be people in Crimea who are against the On Sunday, August 25, all of the local provided by DJ Ivan Kril, who worked in released soon. I hope that Zelenskyy knows annexation. I did everything I could,” Mr. Ukrainian churches in Boston, Salem and television in Lviv and now is in charge of IT what he is doing, and he will do everything Sentsov related, adding that he also refused Fall River, Mass., Manchester, N.H,. and at the Leahy Clinic, and many danced to the that is good for our country,” Mr. Sentsov said. to officially obtain a Russian passport after Woonsocket, R.I., offered liturgies for the tunes. There were numerous booths scat- “With the new government [in Ukraine], Moscow said all Crimea residents would Ukrainian nation. Afterwards, some 1,000 tered around the grounds offering Russia has a chance to reset its relations become Russian citizens. people gathered on the eight-acre campus Ukrainian paintings and fine arts, embroi- with Ukraine. President Zelenskyy has Mr. Sentsov also said that he brought to of Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic parish dery and wood carving. Members of the made it clear that he wants to finish this Ukraine 15 notebooks with novels, scripts for the tradition Independence Day Picnic. Ukrainian American Youth Association put war,” Mr. Sentsov added, though he and scenarios he wrote while in Russian Following a brief opening ceremony together and manned an extensive dessert expressed doubts that Moscow is eager to custody. with the presentation of the colors, a station in the kitchen of the Parish Center. finish the conflict. “I was allowed to write there. I wrote in “No matter how much a wolf tries to dis- the night to avoid noise... On the third day guise as a sheep, it still has its fangs. of my hunger strike [in 2018] I felt that I However, Russia still wants to preserve its wanted to write about my feelings. There November 2018) liberated and transferred presence in the European community and was a risk that they could take all my to Kyiv. Russia received 35 prisoners as Russian... the recent change of the government in scripts away, but they did not, as my hand- well, which included Mr. Tsemakh. The (Continued from page 2) Ukraine is a chance for Moscow to improve writing was so bad that they were unable European Union had earlier implored Kyiv its ties with Europe. But it is not possible to to understand what I wrote,” he noted. should have been liberated without any not to include the Donbas militant in any say that Russia wants to stop the war, to “I wrote a 145-day diary while on hun- conditions or exchange, together with their prisoner exchange. Thus, his recent release return Crimea to Ukraine and get out of ger strike. They did not take that from me,” ships. to Moscow’s custody may end up damaging Donbas,” he said. Mr. Sentsov said, adding that with his hun- On September 5, the Ukrainian side Ukraine’s relations with EU members, According to Mr. Sentsov, he realized ger strike he had “managed to attract the finally bowed to Russian pressure. Namely, notably the Netherlands, which saw scores while in Russian custody that the majority world’s attention to all Ukrainian prisoners the Kyiv Court of Appeal released Mr. of its nationals killed when MH17 was shot of Russians are indifferent to the political in Russia.” Tsemakh on personal recognizance – a out of the sky by Russia-backed separatists situation in their country. development that many activists in Ukraine five years ago (Pravda.com.ua, September Talking about his arrest and imprison- Copyright 2019, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted saw as a betrayal of national interests by 4; Interfax, September 7). ment in Russia, he said that the terrorism with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ President Zelenskyy. Two days later, on charges against him were fabricated as he Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, September 7, the prisoner exchange finally The article above is reprinted from openly protested Crimea’s annexation by Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see took place, with 35 Ukrainian prisoners Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Russia. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-sentsov- (including film director Mr. Sentsov and the its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, “I supported Ukrainian military units in kolchenko-presser-elease-russian-custo- 24 sailors in Russian custody since www.jamestown.org. Crimea [during annexation] in terms of dy-/30156501.html). 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 No. 37 No. 37 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 15

Petrusia Sawchak George Walchuk Top men’s players (from left) Ivan Durbak (men’s 65 champion), Walter Dziwak (men’s Women’s champion Maryna Zhytska (fifth from left, holding trophy) with (from 55 feed-in winner), Kase Schinnerer (men’s champion), George Petrykevych (men’s 65 left) Petrusia Sawchak, Lesia Bilak Schinnerer (women’s semi-finalist), UNA finalist and winner of the Mary Dushnyck Sportsmanship Trophy), Nick Nalywayko Sr. CFO/Treasurer Roma Lisovich, USCAK Tennis Director Yurko Sawchak, Kira (men’s finalist and men’s 35 champion), Bohdan Kucyna (men’s 35 finalist), Steve Sosiak Zhytska Richardson (women’s finalist), Svetlana Goletz (women’s semi-finalist) (men’s 55 champion), Nick Nalywayko Jr. (men’s feed-in winner) and Yurko Sawchak and Ivan Durbak, USCAK Tennis Committee member. (USCAK tennis director). USCAK holds 64th Labor Day National Tennis Championships at Soyuzivka

by Petrusia Sawchak the participants of the tournament. Ms. Lisovich officially opened the tournaments. KERHONKSON, N.Y. – As Hurricane The last groups of players – men ages Dorian threatened Florida and the 35, 55, and 65 and over are those referred Southeast coast during the Labor Day to as the “perennial contenders,” because weekend, August 31 to September 2, most of them have been coming to the Soyuzivka Heritage Center was blessed tournament every year since the 1970s. with beautiful weather and calm winds, They are committed and devoted to the perfect for tennis. USCAK Tennis Championships played at This year’s winner in the finals of the Soyuzivka. men’s division was 13-year-old Kase In the men’s 35 Nick Nalywayko beat Schinnerer (Pennsylvania), last year’s Bohdan (Bo) Kucyna 6-4, 6-3. boys’ winner, who defeated Nick There was no play in the men’s 45. Nalywayko Sr. (New Jersey), longtime con- Some men play in more than one group tender, 6-1, 6-1. Absent from this year’s because they enjoy the competition. competition was last year’s champion In the first round of the men’s 55, Oleksandr Zavorotnyi, newcomer from Bohdan Kucyna (New Jersey) bested Peter Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, and present resi- Goletz (Connecticut), while Steve Sosiak dent of New Jersey. (New Jersey) overcame Walter Dziwak One of the most thrilling matches this (New Jersey). In the semifinals, Kucyna year was in the men’s semis when defeated perennial champion Yaroslav Schinnerer defeated Mykola Stroynick, Sydorak (California) 7-5, 6-0, and Sosiak three-time men’s champion, in an intense advanced when George Walchuk (New match that lasted four hours and seven Jersey) retired due to injury. In the finals, minutes. The score was 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 tie- Sosiak beat Kucyna 3-6, 6-3, (10-2) tie- break. Another compelling semifinal was break in lieu of a third set. The feed-in was between Nalywayko and Steve Sosiak Petrusia Sawchak won by Dziwak over Goletz 6-3, 6-0. (New Jersey) with Nalywayko winning 2-6, During the opening ceremonies, CFO/Treasurer Roma Lisovich of the Ukrainian In the second round of the men’s 65, 6-1, 6-2. In the men’s feed-in, Nick National Association officially welcomes the players and guests to the 64th USCAK Walchuk beat Dziwak 6-1, 7-5, and Tennis and Swimming Championships. Standing (from left) are Roman Hirniak, Nalywayko Jr. (Colorado) overcame Sosiak USCAK President Myron Bytz and USCAK Tennis Director Yurko Sawchak. Sydorak advanced when John Szwanyk in a pro set 8-1. withdrew. In the semifinals, Ivan Durbak In the women’s final, repeating last Winner-Ukraine with many companies in Tennis Committee member. (New Jersey) won over Walchuk 3-2, year’s win was Maryna Zhytska, a new- the U.S. and Ukraine, which generously Mr. Bytz commended all the athletes retired. In the semifinals, George comer from Odesa, Ukraine, now living in provides handsome stipends to the men’s, and guests for their participation and Petrykevych (Connecticut) defeated New York City, who beat her sister Kira women’s and junior groups. These sti- enthusiasm for attending this event. He Sydorak in a very competitive match 7-6, Zhytska Richardson 6-3, 6-3. In the semis, pends are what help attract top-notch said the mission of USCAK is to coordinate 3-6, 6-2. In the finals Durbak overcame Zhytska defeated Svetlana Goletz players to compete in the tournament. and facilitate sports activities within Petrykevych 6-3, 6-3. (Connecticut) 6-0, 6-1, while Richardson Soyuzivka Heritage Center is also a proud Ukrainian communities. He also invited A contender for more than 40 years, overcame Lesia Bilak Schinnerer (Kase’s sponsor of the tournament, providing the everyone to the fourth induction banquet Petrykevych was awarded the Mary mother), 6-1, 6-0. In the first round, Goletz use of the tennis courts and other ameni- of the Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame to be Dushnyck Sportsmanship Trophy as deter- bested Krystyn Monos (New York) and in a ties. held on Saturday, September 14, at the mined by the USCAK Tennis Committee. feed-in Schinnerer won when Monos The opening ceremonies for both the Tryzub Ukrainian American Sports Center The late Mrs. Dushnyck was the supreme retired due to injury after the first set. tennis and swimming championships were in Horsham, Pa. This year, the UNA is being vice-presidentess of the UNA and a devot- Since 1956, USCAK (the Ukrainian- held on Saturday, August 31, on the deck of inducted into the Hall of Fame “Legacy” ed participant of this annual tennis tourna- based acronym for the Ukrainian Sports the swimming pool. After the American, category which honors supporters of ment from 1956 until she could no longer Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada) has Ukrainian and Canadian anthems were sports throughout the past decades. play. been conducting this tournament at played, Yurko Sawchak, director of USCAK Mr. Bytz also announced that USCAK, as Presenting the trophies and stipends to Soyuzivka. It is sponsored by the Ukrainian Tennis Committee, welcomed all the tennis a committee member of the National the winners and finalists were USCAK National Association (UNA), a fraternal players, swimmers and guests to this spe- Olympic Committee of Ukraine (NOC), will Tennis Director Mr. Sawchak, USCAK organization that has been serving the cial event. He introduced USCAK President be inviting athletes next year to compete Tennis Committee member Mr. Durbak, Ukrainian community unyieldingly for 125 Myron Bytz, who presented UNA CFO/ with Olympic contenders in Ukraine. More and the UNA’s CFO/treasurer, Ms. Lisovich. years with endowments, life insurance and Treasurer Roma Lisovich; Roman Hirniak, information about this will be advertised Mr. Sawchak gave closing remarks, thank- annuities, which funds the trophies for the former mayor of Randolph, N.J.; Taissa later. ing everyone for their participation and tournament; and John Hynansky, owner of Bokalo, director of the USCAK swimming A colorful and beautiful USCAK banner/ the sponsors for their support. Ms. Winner Automotive Group (DE) and championships; and Ivan Durbak, USCAK beach mat was displayed and offered to all Lisovich officially ended the tournament. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 No. 37

strengthening relations with Ukraine”; “The unifying role with leaders of the Association of Ukrainian Organizations UWC convenes... of Ukrainian Churches and the importance of their recogni- in Germany and Central Union of Ukrainians in Germany to discuss effective means of cooperation and strengthening (Continued from page 1) tion in ecumenical structures”; and “UWC strategy for international recognition of the Holodomor as genocide of community unity and influence on German governing and former Member of European Parliament Rebecca the Ukrainian people.” structures on issues of common interest. Harms for her support of Ukraine. She was awarded the Delegates resolutely condemned the Russian Federation Ukrainian Day in Berlin UWC’s highest honor, the St. Volodymyr the Great Medal. for its hybrid war against Ukraine and its illegal imprison- The UWC also expressed gratitude with certificates of ment of Ukrainian political prisoners, and called upon the On September 9, the UWC leadership held its first acknowledgement presented to representatives of German international community to continue supporting the terri- Ukrainian Day in Berlin during which a series of meetings civil society and members of the Ukrainian community in torial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, significantly took place with members of the German Bundestag and Germany, including Ludmila Mlosch, president of the strengthen sanctions against the Russian Federation for government officials to discuss continued support for Central Union of Ukrainians in Germany, and Rostyslav violating the international order, and increase lethal weap- Ukraine in the struggle against Russian aggression. Sukennyk, president of the Association of Ukrainian ons and military support to Ukraine. Prior to the meetings, a briefing was held at the Organizations in Germany, for assisting with the organiza- The UWC AGM welcomed Ukraine’s strategic course Embassy of Ukraine in Germany during which Ukraine’s tion of the AGM in Germany. toward European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and called Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk, UWC President Over three days, participants of the AGM had the oppor- upon the European Union and NATO to expedite Ukraine’s Grod, and Members of the Verkhovna Rada Ivanna tunity to hear reports from UWC President Paul Grod and full membership. Klympush-Tsintsadze and Ivan Krulko presented their per- the UWC leadership, and to discuss issues of concern for “The UWC AGM strongly condemned the decision of the spective on continued support for Ukraine. Ukrainians in the diaspora during six roundtables: Russian Federation to declare the UWC an unwanted orga- In particular, they underscored that Germany is a key “Development, coordination and structuring of Ukrainian nization and resolved to take the issue to relevant interna- partner for Ukraine in the defense of its territorial integrity communities in the world”; “Means of cooperation tional courts,” stated President Grod. and aspiration to become an integral part of the European between Ukraine and the diaspora under new circum- He also stated: “UWC AGM participants call upon the and Euro-Atlantic communities. Following the briefing, stances. Defending the interests of Ukraine globally – on president, government and Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to working groups of delegates discussed practical ways to the path to the EU and NATO”; “Shaping the self-identifica- protect and develop the Ukrainian language, traditions, cul- present current Ukrainian issues both to governments in tion of Ukrainian youth in the diaspora”; “Substantial ture and history as the foundation for uniting and developing the countries of their residence and internationally. extension of the rights of Ukrainians living outside Ukraine the Ukrainian state and the global Ukrainian community.” Throughout the day Mr. Grod, Stefan Romaniw and – creating favorable conditions for their return and In the framework of the AGM, the UWC leadership met Andriy Futey of the UWC, as well as Ambassador Melnyk, Ms. Klympush-Tsintsadze and Mr. Krulko from Ukraine, met with Member of the Bundestag and Coordinator for Intersocietal Cooperation with Russia, Central Asia and the Eastern Partnership Countries Dirk Wiese; Deputy Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the Bundestag Johannes Schraps; Member of the Bundestag Marieluise Beck; Director for Eastern Europe, Russia, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany Michael Siebert; Foreign Policy Adviser to the German Chancellor Matthias Lüttenberg; Chairman of the German-Ukrainian Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Bundestag, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Omid Nouripour; AfD (Alternative for Germany party) spokesman on the Petitions Committee Johannes Huber; and Bertelsmann Foundation Senior Expert for Eastern Europe Miriam Kosmehl. The president of the Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Germany, Mr. Sukennyk, also participated in individual meetings. The meetings focused on priority issues, including defense of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the de-occupa- tion of Crimea and the Donbas; strengthening of sanctions against Russia for its military aggression against Ukraine; stopping the Russian Nord Stream 2 project; release of Ukrainian political prisoners and hostages being detained by Russia; and support for Ukraine’s European integration, Euro-Atlantic course and fundamental reforms. Also discussed was the need to raise awareness of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 among Bundestag members as another step toward achieving recognition of this crime as genocide committed against the Ukrainian people. “During the UWC’s advocacy day in Berlin, we better understood the significance of Germany’s influence within the European Union and commitment to Ukraine,” Mr. Grod commented. “The UWC intends to organize similar advocacy days in most major capitals around the world with the expectation that new communities will learn and continue these efforts for months and years to come.”

Parade celebrates... (Continued from page 11) Josaphat. The commemoration began with the raising of the flags by the City of Cleveland Police Color Guard and Ukrainian American Veterans, followed by the singing of both national anthems by Julie Hulenko and Ihor Bohdan. The keynote address by Ambassador Chaly highlighted the bitter-sweet anniversary celebration taking place dur- ing the sixth year of unprecedented difficult conditions in Ukraine. Participating in the festivities were Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter, Ohio Rep. Jeff Crossman, along with Parma Councilmembers Mark Casselberry, Allan Divis, Kristin Saban, Roy Jech and Deborah Lim, who greeted the com- munity and Ukraine on the occasion of Independence Day. Students from the Ukrainian Academy performed joy- ous songs followed by Grand Marshall Father Nakonachny’s address and benediction. At the conclusion of the program, children released blue and yellow balloons in honor of the fallen of Ukraine. Following the parade, St. Josaphat hosted its annual festi- val, offering authentic Ukrainian food and drink, live music, activities for kids, and various cultural performances. No. 37 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 17 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 No. 37 Winner of “The Voice. Kids. Ukraine” to perform in U.S. by Olga Lisovska Ukrainian songs that he learned especially for his Ukrainian friends and fans at “The NEWTON, Mass. – The wildly popular TV Voice.” Following his victory on “The Voice,” program “The Voice. Kids. Ukraine” has Alexandre became one of the finalists to crowned a Georgian boy, 12-year-old represent Ukraine in Eurovision Junior Alexandre Zazarashvili, as the winner. The 2019. people of Ukraine, awed by the boy’s Representing Alexandre in the U.S. are extraordinary vocal gift and moved by his critically acclaimed singers David generous heart and beautiful personality, Gvinianidze, baritone (president and voted for his victory. founder of Talents of the World), and According to the judges, they have never Olga Lisovska, soprano (director of had a talent of such magnitude on their Talents of the World). They are both win- programs before. One of the judges called ners of many vocal competitions, have him the “world’s eighth wonder,” and performed at Carnegie Hall, and are solo- Alexandre’s videos from “The Voice” have ists with opera houses throughout the over 3 million views on YouTube. world. In addition to the first prize on “The Talents of the World, an international Voice. Kids. Ukraine” Alexandre concert organization, has also founded an Zazarashvili has also won a number of International Voice Competition in the other competitions, including the Talents of U.S.A., which provides opportunities to the World “The Road to Carnegie Hall” Alexey Anhimov young professional singers to perform at Competition in Georgia, a competition for Alexandre Zazarashvili the best venues in the world as well as to youths under age 18. be heard by a panel of judges comprising Alexandre is traveling to the United formance, Alexandre will be touring the of Ukraine and Georgia.” For the full list of top professionals in the field – conductors, States for the first time in his life, to make U.S., singing at Newton City Hall in performances, readers may visit www. agents and producers. his Carnegie Hall debut with Talents of the Massachusetts on September 15 in a pro- TalentsOfTheWorld.org. All proceeds from the U.S. concerts go World on September 20 in a program titled gram titled “The Road to Carnegie Hall” and Alexandre performs everything from toward covering the travel expenses of the “David Gvinianidze and Friends.” at the Ukrainian National Home in classical, to pop, to Neapolitan songs, to his young performers and for future competi- Before and after the Carnegie Hall per- Hartford, Conn., on September 29 in “Voices native Georgian tunes and, of course, some tion prizes.

ing writing techniques and language itself. Putin and Russia harks back to the Cold Contemporary... Anatoly Kudryavitsky, the translator, was Clifton City Hall... War years. Yet the world stands by and born in Moscow in 1954. His father was essentially endorses this and allows this (Continued from page 8) from Dnipro, Ukraine, and his mother was (Continued from page 11) violation to happen.” Malihon, Taras Malkovych, Julia Musakovska, of Irish descent. He has been living in and stability in Ukraine. After Russian After the speeches and blessings, as well Julia Stakhivska and Lyuba Yakimchuk, Dublin since 1999 and, between 2006 and troops first violated Ukraine’s sovereignty as the singing of the national anthems of among others. The works collected in this 2009, worked as a creative writing tutor for in March 2014, Rep. Pascrell called for Ukraine and America, Ukrainian singers anthology document poetry in Ukraine the Irish Writers’ Center. He has published Russia’s removal as a member of the G-8 and musicians performed for the crowd. responding to the challenges of the times by four collections of his poetry as well as and demanded immediate withdrawal of The celebration of Ukraine’s indepen- forging a radical new poetic and reconsider- three novels written in Russian. all Russian forces. He has also taken several dence is always commemorated in Clifton, steps to ensure U.S. support for Ukrainian with over 100 attending, celebrating all allies in the face of Russian aggression. things Ukrainian and American. The Another speaker, Clifton Councilman Ukrainian flag will fly next to the American Peter Eagler, said the “war mongering by flag on the grounds of City Hall for 30 days.

especially in the tumultuous times of the An examination... 1960s and 1980s. As opposed to the patriotic (Continued from page 8) tendencies of a number of western Ukrainian poets in his time, Antonych’s approach was humously. In the brief span of his life, an art for art’s sake one with high-minded Antonych proved to be an exceptionally aesthetic principles. He died at the age of 28 innovative poet and an accomplished due to complications from pneumonia. essayist. He has been described as an imag- The translator, Michael M. Naydan, is a ist, a mystic, a symbolist and a pantheist. Woskob Family Professor of Slavic His small body of published works were Languages and Literature at Pennsylvania highly influential to later Ukrainian poets, State University.

KLK ANNUAL FALL WEEKEND October 5-6, 2019 SOYUZIVKA HERITAGE CENTER

KLK cordially invites all our members, family and friends to our Annual Fall Weekend. You can choose to play some friendly tennis, or just relax and mingle with friends. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: TENNIS DOUBLES – Registration at 11:00 AM. Pre- registration desirable. AFTERNOON SOCIAL – Begins at 2:30 PM. Enjoy some good food, drink and good company. COCKTAIL HOUR, DINNER and DANCE – begin at 6:30 PM KLK ANNUAL MEETING – Sunday morning. Please plan to attend. To register, RSVP or for more information please contact: Vira Popel at [email protected] or call 732-991-1095. Please RSVP if you are planning to attend. It is important that we get a headcount so that we can make this weekend a success and enjoyable for you. For room reservations please call SOYUZIVKA at 845 626-5641 and mention KLK. No. 37 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 19

Through Exhibit, “Ryshnyky: Ritual Cloths from the Cossack Lands September 27-29 National Convention, Plast Ukrainian Scouting October 30 of Ukraine, Ukrainian History and Education Center, Kerhonkson, NY Organization, Soyuzikva Heritage Center, Somerset, NJ www.ukrhec.org www.plastusa.org

September 17 Fall Reception, Harvard Ukrainian Research September 28 Uktoberfest, Shrewd Fox Brewery, Cambridge, MA Institute, 617-495-4053 or [email protected] Glen Spey, NY www.shrewdfoxbrewery.com September 21 Potato Bake, Ukrainian Homestead, Lehighton, PA www.ukrhomestead.com or 610-377-4621 September 28 Oktoberfest, Ukrainian American Sports Center Horsham, PA Tryzub, www.tryzub.org or 267-664-3857 September 21 Ukrainian Festival, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Whippany, NJ Catholic Church, Ukrainian American Cultural Center of September 28 Pig Roast, Ukrainian National Home, New Jersey, www.uaccnj.org or 908-759-1771 Syracuse, NY [email protected] or 315-478-9272

September 21 Forum, “Ukrainian Historical Encounters Series: September 28 Meet the artists with Anthony Adcock and Cleveland New York Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Organized Chicago Dean, “Blue Collar” exhibit, Ukrainian Institute of Ukrainian American Community,” Princeton Club of New Modern Art, www.uima-chicago.org or York (Dickinson Room), 212-228-6840 or [email protected] [email protected] September 21 Presentation by Ievgeniia Sakal, “Troubles with Books: New York Missing and Non-existent Books in the Theological September 28 Film screening, “Julia Blue” by Roxy Toprowych, Debates of the 17th Century Ukraine and Russia,” San Francisco Iranian Film Festival and the San Francisco Art Shevchenko Scientific Society, 212-254-5130 Institute, www.iranainfilmfestival.org

September 21 Centennial concert, Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, Saint September 29 Concert with Olena Karpenko (Solomia), The Minneapolis Constantine Ukrainian Catholic Church, www.bandura.org Alexandria, VA Washington Group Cultural Fund, The Lyceum, www.twgcf.org or [email protected] September 25 Panel discussion by Drs. Luke Tomycz and Igor Kurilets, Princeton, NJ “International Medical Cooperation: The case of Ukraine,” Princeton University, contact eventbrite.com September 29 Film screening and discussion, “Baba Babee Skazala” by Somerset, NJ Matej Silecky, Ukrainian History and Education Center, September 25 Film screening, “The Turtledove’s Nest” by Taras 732-356-0132 or [email protected] New York Tkachenko, Columbia University, 212-854-6525 or www.columbia.edu/cu/ufc September 29 Performance, “Voices of Ukraine and Georgia” featuring Hartford, CT Alexandre Zazarashvili, Ukrainian National Home, September 27 Music at the Institute concert, “Poems and Dumky” www.talentsoftheworld.org New York Ukrainian Institute of America, www.ukrainianinstitute.org

September 27 Presentation by Kate Brown, “Lionizing Male Heroes Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events Cambridge, MA and Marginalizing Women: The Chernobyl Drama as it advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions Played Out in Kitchens and Clinics,” Harvard University, from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors www.huri.harvard.edu or 617-495-4053 and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 No. 37

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Saturday, September 21 torn from their homes in the crush between the Nazi and Soviet fronts in World War II. NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific Spending their childhood as refugees in Society invites all to a lecture, “Troubles Europe, these inspiring individuals later with Books: Missing and Non-existent immigrated to the United States, creating Books in the Theological Debates of the 17th Century Ukraine and Russia,” by new homes and communities through their Ievgeniia Sakal, a Ph.D. candidate at Yale grit, faith and deep belief in the importance University who focuses on the religious his- of preserving culture. The screening will tory of early modern Ukraine, Russia and take place at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Her 135 Davidson Ave. Somerset, NJ 08873. research investigates the circulation and There will be a Q & A with the filmmaker availability of religious books, the use of after the film. Coffee and bagels will be patristic writings, and the culture of learned served before the film beginning at noon. correspondence and doctrinal debates. A Suggested donation: $15. For information 16th century Western theologian once said call 732-356-0132 or e-mail info@ukrhec. that the Reformation was carried out by org. books, not swords. The statement turned out to be correct for Eastern Europe as well. ALEXANDRIA, Va.: The Washington Group In the 17th century, a search for true Cultural Fund will open its 2019-2020 Orthodoxy, initiated in Kyiv, spread north to Sunday Music Series with a recital by singer, Moscow as Ukrainian learned monks occu- composer, writer and social activist Olena pied positions at the tsarist court. There is Karpenko (stage name Solomia). Having little doubt that doctrinal debates required studied voice at the National Academy of books. The lecture will take place at the Music in Ukraine, she writes and performs society’s building, 63 Fourth Ave. (between music in various styles, such as jazz, blues, Ninth and 10th streets), at 5 p.m. For addi- rock, pop, classics and world in Ukraine and tional information call 212-254-5130. abroad. Ms. Karpenko is a winner and laure- ate of a number of national and internation- Saturday, September 28 al vocal, literary and composition contests. A HORSHAM, Pa.: UASC Tryzub’s Oktoberfest reception to meet the artist will be held will take place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Listen to immediately following the performance. live music by the ever-popular Torn Boots The concert will be held at 3 p.m. at The Band and accordionist Don Bitterlich, as Fran Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria, McLaughlin, sous chef and general manager VA 22314. Suggested donation: $20; free for of Parx Casino, prepares brat-, bock- and students; unreserved seating. For more knackwurst platters and sandwiches. information visit http://www.twgcf.org or Varenyky will be available as a platter or as e-mail [email protected]. your “pasta side-dish.” Various craft brews – Through October 30 Korombacher, Trogs, Victory, etc. – will be in the Biergarten, along with other domestic and SOMERSET, N.J.: “Rushnyky: Ritual Cloths of imported beers, wines and spirits. Win a con- the Cossack Lands of Ukraine,” an exhibit test and some door prizes. It all takes place at dedicated to the memory of the Heavenly Ukrainian American Sport Center Tryzub, Hundred and the thousands of young men Lower State and County Line roads, Horsham, and women lost to the war in eastern PA 19454. For information go to www.tryzub. Ukraine, has been extended through org, e-mail [email protected], or call 267-664- October 30. Featured are 100 exquisite 3857. Admission: $10 per person ($5 for rushnyky never before seen in the U.S.A. The Tryzub members presenting their member- exhibit is on view at the Ukrainian History ship cards). and Education Center Library Gallery, 135 Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ 08873. Hours: 9 Sunday, September 29 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday- Friday; noon to 4 SOMERSET, N.J.: At 1 p.m. the Ukrainian p.m. on the first Saturday of every month. History and Education Center is screening Groups are welcome by appointment. the award-winning film “Baba Babee Suggested donation: $10. For additional Skazala” by Matej Silecky. The film tells the information call 732-356-0132 or e-mail little-known story of Ukrainian children [email protected].

PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES Preview of Events is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. Items should be no more than 100 words long. Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of publication. Please include payment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in which the item is to be published. Information should be sent to: [email protected].

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