INSIDE: l The Kremlin’s deadly toxins – page 2 l Andrij Parekh wins Emmy for directing – page 9 l Plast holds virtual summer camps – page 15 The Ukrainian Weekly Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association

Vol. LXXXVIII No. 39 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 $2.00 Zelenskyy addresses 75th session Ukraine remembers Heorhiy Gongadze, of United Nations General Assembly opposition journalist killed 20 years ago Ukrinform Mr. Zelenskyy thanked Ukraine’s inter­ national partners for their help and sup­ UNITED NATIONS – The first steps port, and expressed hope for the further towards achieving peace in the Donbas unity of the international community should be the withdrawal of Russian forces regarding this matter. At the same time, he from the occupied territories and the return emphasized that “the U.N. plays an impor­ of permanent control to Ukraine within its tant role in restoring the sovereignty and internationally recognized borders, stated territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as President Volodymyr Zelens­kyy of Ukraine the authority of international law.” in a video address to the participants of the However, for this, he said, it is necessary 75th session of the United Nations General to improve existing mechanisms within the Assembly on September 23. international organization. “It is unaccept­ “A comprehensive ceasefire began on able when the sovereignty of an indepen­ July 27, which, despite attempts to break it, dent state is violated by one of the perma­ still gives hope for achieving a sustainable nent members of the U.N. Security Council,” truce,” the Ukrainian president stressed. Mr. Zelenskyy stated. He said the next steps on this path * * * should be the withdrawal of illegal armed Following is the full text of President of formations and weapons from the occupied Zelenskyy’s address at the general debate of territories, the return of control over the the 75th session of the U.N. General state border and, ultimately, the restoration Assembly, as posted by the Presidential Office National Union of Journalists of Ukraine of the territorial integrity of Ukraine within of Ukraine on September 23. At the unveiling in Kyiv of a memorial plaque to Heorhiy Gongadze. The plaque was installed on the building of the National Union of Journalists. its internationally recognized borders. Distinguished Mr. President! According to Mr. Zelenskyy, over the past Your Excellencies! Ladies and Gentlemen! Serhiy Tomilenko, the head of the year, Ukraine has proven through concrete On behalf of Ukraine, I have the honor to by Roman Tymotsko National Union of Journalists, noted that actions that it really wants peace. “We man­ congratulate you, Mr. [Volkan] Bozkir, on KYIV – Each year, on September 16, the vast majority of journalists currently aged to unblock the dialogue, we resumed your election as president of the 75th ses­ Ukrainians remember Heorhiy Gongadze, working in the media work “under the sign the meetings of the leaders of the Normand­ y sion of the U.N. General Assembly. Four countries, we made significant progress who was kidnapped and murdered on that of fate” of Heorhiy Gongadze. According to in the mutual release of detainees,” he said. (Continued on page 4) date in 2000. The Georgian-born Ukrainian him, Gongadze’s fate is a sign of how dan­ journalist founded one of the first online gerous a journalist’s profession is. “We note media outlets in the country, Ukrayinska with sadness that the number of physical Pravda. Twenty years after Gongadze’s aggression incidents is measured in dozens murder, Ukrainian journalists and human every year. Since the beginning of the year, Kuleba: Lukashenka’s ‘inauguration’ does not mean rights activists continue to demand securi­ we have identified 49 such cases. ty for journalists and that those who Journalists are harassed, beaten, cameras he is recognized as legitimate president of Belarus ordered the murders of Ukrainian journal­ are damaged,” Mr. Tomilenko said. He noted ists be brought to justice. that this week events are being held in all consider Mr. Lukashenka the legitimate On the occasion of the solemn anniver­ regions of Ukraine to honor murdered jour­ Ukraine joins growing list president of Belarus. sary, a memorial plaque to Gongadze was nalists, in particular, Igor Alexandrov, Borys “The minimum requirements for demo­ erected on the façade of the National Union Derevyanko, Pavlo Sheremet, Vasyl of countries not recognizing cratic elections were by no means met. of Journalists’ building in Kyiv. The unveil­ Serhiyenko and Vadym Komarov. the Lukashenka presidency They were neither fair nor free,” German ing of this commemorative plaque on On September 18, journalists and government spokesman Steffen Seibert September 16 marked the beginning of a human rights activists gathered on said after Mr. Lukashenka was sworn in. week in memory of Ukrainian journalists Independence Square in Kyiv to honor the KYIV – The inauguration of Alyaksandr “Even after today’s ceremony, Mr. Luka­ who have died in the line of duty. The pre­ memory of Gongadze. They also published Lukashenka does not mean he is recog­ shen k­ a cannot evoke the democratic legiti­ miere of the film “Gongadze’s Murder. 20 an appeal that was signed by several orga­ nized as the legitimate president of Belarus, macy that would have been the condition Years in Search of Truth” also took place on nizations: the Heorhiy Gongadze Prize, the said Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister for him to be recognized as a legitimate September 16 on the Ukrainian public Ukrainian branch of the International PEN Dmytro Kuleba. president.” channel. Club, ZMINA Human Rights Center, “Ukraine has never in any way interfered The Polish Foreign Affairs Ministry said “Heorhiy called the last project in his life Institute of Mass Media, Center for Civil in the internal affairs of Belarus and will in a statement that “a president elected in ‘Ukrainian Truth.’ He created an Internet Liberties, the NGOs Detector Media and always support the Belarusian people. an undemocratic election cannot be consid­ resource and believed in its success even Lviv Media Forum, and Internews-Ukraine. Considering the course of the election cam­ ered to be legally exercising power, wheth­ when only 1 percent of Ukrainians had “The brutal crime, as well as the so- paign in Belarus and subsequent events, er the oath was secret or official.” access to the Internet,” said the representa­ called ‘Melnychenko recordings’ that gave today’s ‘inauguration’ of Alexander Luka­ Slovakia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan tive of the Gongadze family, Valentyna rise to suspicions about the involvement of shenko does not mean his recognition as Korcok said Mr. Lukashenka “has no legiti­ Telychenko, at the unveiling of the memori­ then-President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma the legitimate head of the Belarusian state,” macy to lead his country.” al plaque on Kyiv’s main street, the in the assassination, upset the professional Mr. Kuleba wrote on Twitter on September Former Estonian President Toomas Khreshchatyk. “Heorhiy foresaw the future. community and society, and provoked mass 23. Ilves, a frequent critic of Mr. Lukashenka, Through his own efforts and life, he opened protests that later escalated into [the move­ A growing list of European countries responded to the swearing-in ceremony by new horizons for us. Heorhiy inspired, ment] ‘Ukraine without Kuchma.’ However, said they would not recognize Mr. tweeting that “inaugurating oneself as encouraged and motivated others to action. despite pressure from civil society and Lukashenka’s presidency. Denmark, Latvia, president is ‘literally’ autocracy.” And if not with his life, then with his death, international organizations, there is no end Lithuania, Germany, Slovakia, the Czech he changed Ukraine,” said Ms. Telychenko, a Republic and Estonia all said they did not (Continued on page 18) human rights activist. (Continued on page 19) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 No. 39

ANALYSIS

Zelenskyy on Russian blackmail in TCG cism of the process to select a new anti-cor­ Exotic toxins fell Kremlin foes ruption prosecutor, prompting a member Ukraine is not yielding to Russia’s black­ of the European Parliament’s Foreign Mr. Skripal was convicted in 2006 by a mail in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) by Ron Sinovitz Affairs Committee to say Ukraine’s visa- Russian court for “high treason in the form to resolve the conflict in the Donbas, but is RFE/RL free access to EU countries was under of espionage” on charges that he had given looking for a balance for TCG meetings in threat. Mr. Borrell said the EU had conclud­ The German government has announced the names of Russian agents in Europe to Minsk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr ed at its latest review in July that Ukraine that tests on blood samples taken from Britain’s MI6 intelligence agents during the Zelenskyy said on September 24 during an continued to meet the conditions for that Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny 1990s. official visit to Slovakia. “Ukraine does not program to remain in place. But he added showed the presence of a chemical nerve The attack on the Skripals in 2018 yield to blackmail. And everyone sees this that the problems associated with picking a agent from the Novichok group. expanded the list of cases in which Kremlin today: both Europe and, by the way, Russia. new anti-corruption prosecutor highlight­ The announcement conjured up memo­ opponents or critics have fallen ill from poi­ But we are really finding a balance today for ed the need for ensuring “the indepen­ ries of other Kremlin foes who have fallen soning over the years, sometimes fatally, in the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group dence, effectiveness and sustainability of victim to toxic attacks in the Vladimir Putin in Minsk. Balance in a prudent policy and in circumstances that have raised suspicions the anti-corruption institutional frame­ era and previously. dialogue in the TCG meeting mode, and in of KGB-style assassinations. work and avoid politicization of the work of Earlier, German doctors treating the dialogue with the Russian Federation, the While the Skripals were hospitalized, all law enforcement agencies.” (RFE/RL, Kremlin critic had been less precise, saying subject of the Minsk process, which, as I London police assistant commissioner based on reporting by Reuters and UNIAN) that the specific poison that felled Mr. Mark Roley told BBC that authorities “have said, it is true – it is fragile, unstable. But we Navalny remained unknown but that they to be alive to the fact of state threats as are doing everything to ensure that this dia­ New COVID-19 cases exceed 100,000 had determined poisoning by “cholinester­ illustrated by the [Aleksandr] Litvinenko logue goes on…” He added, “We all know the In Ukraine, there are once again more ase inhibitors” – toxic substances that can case.” result of these meetings of Minsk or than 3,000 new cases of coronavirus be found in several drugs and pesticides Litvinenko, a former Russian state secu­ Normandy: a difficult ceasefire, a difficult and, more ominously, in deadly nerve regime of silence, but it exists.” Mr. Zelens­ (COVID-19) disease per day. As of the morn­ rity service agent who defected to Britain ing of September 24, some 3,372 new cases agents such as Novichok, sarin and soman. and became a sharp critic of the Kremlin, kyy was speaking at a joint press conference The 44-year-old Mr. Navalny fell ill on with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova in of the virus were detected, while 1,788 peo­ fell seriously ill in November 2006 and died ple recovered and 52 people died, according August 20 as he traveled to the Russian three weeks later. He was found to have Bratislava. He said that, “if there were no targeted provocations, we would have saved to data published on the website of the capital from the Siberian city of Tomsk, been poisoned with radioactive polonium. where he was investigating corruption. He the lives of all people who died due to com­ National Security and Defense Council’s was initially rushed to a Russian hospital FENTANYL AND CARFENTANYL bat losses,” noting that on September 6 one (NSDC) Coronavirus Epidemic Monitoring person died and one was injured. System. On September 23, some 3,497 new for treatment, but following outcry from his Initial reports in British media said colleagues and allegations that he had been “Therefore, we will never be able to find the infections were detected; there were 2,884 authorities suspected Mr. Skripal and his new cases of the disease on September 22; deliberately poisoned, he was airlifted to way without dialogue, and we will not get daughter were exposed to fentanyl, a syn­ there were 2,675 new patients on Septem­ Germany. out of this difficult situation, from this cor­ thetic opiate painkiller that is at least 50 ber 21; on September 20, 2,966 new cases He was taken to an intensive-care unit at ner,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. (Interfax-Ukraine) times more powerful than morphine. were reported. A record number of 3,584 the Charite Hospital in Berlin, where he A related synthetic opioid, carfentanyl, is EU to Kyiv: Work ‘constructively’ with IMF people infected with COVID-19 was regis­ was kept in a medically induced coma. [He 100 times as potent as fentanyl and as tered on September 17. The number of came out of the coma on September 7.] The European Union’s top diplomat said much as 10,000 times as potent as mor­ on September 22 that Kyiv needs to work infected people since the beginning of the Mr. Navalny, a prominent anti-corrup­ phine. pandemic reached 188,106 people as of tion activist who led boycotts against “constructively” with the International In addition to medical uses, and abuse as September 24; 3,757 people have died and Russia’s 2018 presidential election after his Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure EU aid to street drugs that often have deadly conse­ 83,458 recovered. As of September 24, registration as a candidate was rejected by cope with the economic impact of the quences, the chemicals have been weapon­ 100,891 people in Ukraine are sick with authorities, is just the latest Kremlin critic COVID-19 pandemic. Threats to the inde­ ized as potentially lethal incapacitating COVID-19. The largest numbers of detected to fall ill from a toxic substance. And he is pendence of law enforcement bodies and agents. cases over the past day were recorded in the not the first to be poisoned specifically by the central bank have hobbled a $5 billion Weaponized forms include guns that Kyiv (330), Dnipropetrovsk (298), Kharkiv the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok. IMF deal since it was signed in June and shoot felt pads soaked in the substances, (285), Ternopil (265) and Lviv (205) Here’s a closer look at poisons thought raised red flags with Kyiv’s main Western paint-ball type projectiles and an aerosol regions. (Interfax-Ukraine) to have been used in prominent cases of backers about progress on reforms. “We spray. both international and domestic toxic also stand ready to provide 1.2 billion Hasidic pilgrims leave Belarus-Ukraine border The chemicals can be ingested through [euros] in macrofinancial assistance to help attacks involving Russians. skin contact or inhaled if they become air­ to limit the economic fallout that the coro­ Hundreds of followers of the Breslov Verzilov’s ‘highly plausible’ poisoning borne. navirus has created,” visiting EU foreign Hasidic movement, who were trying to policy chief Josep Borrell said. “And Ukraine reach the central Ukrainian city of Uman to Anti-Kremlin activist Pyotr Verzilov fell The U.S. Centers For Disease Control and needs to constructively engage also with celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New seriously ill in September 2018. Prevention (CDC) has warned that “first the International Monetary Fund and also Year, have begun leaving neutral territory Doctors in Berlin, where the Russian- responder” emergency workers in cases of the attached conditions about the rule of Canadian Verzilov was flown on September fentanyl and carfentanyl exposure can law of this help.” There has also been criti­ (Continued on page 12) 15, 2018, said it was “highly plausible” that ingest the chemicals by touching the vic­ he was poisoned. tim’s skin. A longtime opponent of Russian Two police officers who initially respond­ ed to Mr. Skripal’s case were treated and one President Putin as a member of the punk FOUNDED 1933 protest band Pussy Riot and dissident art remained hospitalized on March 6. The Ukrainian Weekly troupe Voina, Mr. Verzilov was treated by Moscow’s theater hostage crisis doctors in Germany who said on Septem­ An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., ber 18, 2018, that something disrupted the A report by British government scien­ a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. nerves that regulate his internal organs. tists who tested clothing and urine samples Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. from three survivors of the 2002 Moscow Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. The Skripals and Novichok theater hostage crisis found that Russian (ISSN — 0273-9348) special forces used carfentanyl to subdue The Verzilov case came just months after The Weekly: UNA: Chechen separatists who were holding 800 former Russian double-agent Sergei Skripal Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 and his daughter, Yulia, were found uncon­ people captive at the Dubrovka Theater. scious in a park in the English city of The raid succeeded, but more than 120 Postmaster, send address changes to: Salisbury. hostages died from the effects of the The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz A British public inquiry found that the chemical. 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas Skripals had been poisoned with the deadly The same report noted that a Russian P.O. Box 280 nerve agent Novichok and alleged that the general who directed a military chemical Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] attack was carried out by Russian state institute had said that fentanyls were capa­ agents, later identified as two men travel­ ble of delivering “a knock-out blow” to sub­ The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com ing under the names Aleksandr Petrov and jects within minutes. The Ukrainian Weekly, September 27, 2020, No. 39, Vol. LXXXVIII Ruslan Boshirov. GELSEMIUM – ‘HEARTBREAK GRASS’ Less than four months later, Britons Copyright © 2020 The Ukrainian Weekly Charlie Rowley and Dawn Sturgess were The most toxic source of Gelsemium poi­ taken to a hospital in Salisbury in critical son is Gelsemium elegans, or “heartbreak condition and found to have also been poi­ grass,” a rare variety of a plant that only ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA soned by Novichok. Sturgess died on July 8, grows in Asia. 2018. Lacing food with heartbreak grass is a Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 Mr. Skripal, a 67-year-old former known method of assassination used by e-mail: [email protected] Russian Army colonel, and his adult daugh­ Russian and Chinese contract killers. Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 ter eventually recovered after months of e-mail: [email protected] intensive hospital treatment. (Continued on page 9) No. 39 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Lukashenka holds his own with Putin in Sochi

by Vladimir Socor hours in Sochi. That meeting ended with no Moscow has charted a series of legal, ducted alternately on Russian territory and Eurasia Daily Monitor concluding press conference and no joint political, economic and possibly military Belarusian territory, in a stage-by-stage communique. Nevertheless, the two presi­ steps to bring Belarus under control via sequence, “practically every month.” The PART I dents’ introductory remarks for the media regime change over a transition period of troops “would return to their permanent one or two years. The process would start Russian President Vladimir Putin held a (RT, September 14) as well as Kremlin bases after each stage.” According to Mr. with a constitutional reform that would lengthy tête-à-tête with his Belarusian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov’s concluding Peskov, “Setting up a Russian military base enable Russia to manipulate the Belarusian counterpart, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, on readouts (TASS, Interfax, September 14) in Belarus was not considered. This matter state from within (see EDM, September September 14, in Sochi – their first meeting shed some light on their respective goals. is not on the agenda” (TASS, September 14). 10). Elaborating on Mr. Putin’s political mes­ since the outbreak of mass protests in Mr. Putin proposes, in essence, to help sages, Mr. Peskov declared, “Lukashenka is Belarus against the flawed August 9 presi­ Mr. Lukashenka stabilize the situation by PART II the legitimate president of Belarus and, as dential election. Having mismanaged the opening the country to Russian influence When the Russian president received his such, the counterpart to President Putin.” election, used excessive force against pro­ and control. The meeting evidenced Mr. Belarusian counterpart in Sochi, Mr. Putin This could not have been said more testers, and reverted to shrill anti-Western Putin’s assessment that Mr. Lukashenka has emphasized that he had congratulated Mr. emphatically. Along the same lines, “the messaging (see Eurasia Daily Monitor, become too weak to hold the line against Lukashenka instantly on his re-election by actions of Belarusian law enforcement September 8, 10), Mr. Lukashenka turned to Russia for any length of time, but still telephone and in writing and that he was authorities are not a topic for discussion in Russia for economic, political, advisory and retains some strength to negotiate the doing so again now in person. Mr. Putin the relations between Belarus and Russia,” security-sector support. He risks undoing terms of transitional arrangements. Mr. praised Mr. Lukashenka for proceeding Mr. Peskov said. Yet, the Kremlin is posi­ his own work of nearly two decades to safe­ Lukashenka’s presidential incumbency is certainly a trump card for him in any deal with constitutional changes: “an appropri­ tioning itself as an impartial, even an enti­ guard Belarus’s independence from Russia; ate and timely initiative, a breakthrough in with Mr. Putin. The Kremlin needs Mr. tled mediator among Belarusians, Mr. and he is forfeiting his more recent success­ the development of Belarus’s political sys­ Lukashenka to participate as president in Peskov explained: “All people in Belarus, es at rapprochement with the West. tem.” Mr. Putin counseled an internal dia­ the transfer of powers to a new Belarusian whether they agree or disagree with the Some Belarusian government officials logue on a new constitution among regime so as to ensure a formal constitu­ results of elections, are citizens of our fra­ are trying hard to keep the lines open to the Belarusians themselves, “without whis­ ternal Belarus. We value and love them all” tional continuity. This is Moscow’s foremost West. But the Kremlin is moving faster to pered advice from abroad [i.e., the West]” (TASS, September 14). reason at this time to emphasize that Mr. capitalize on Mr. Lukashenka’s self-inflicted (RT, September­ 14). Belarus, indeed, pre­ Mr. Lukashenka acted defensively vis-à- Lukashenka is a legitimately elected and vulnerability. Back-to-back visits by sented a preliminary constitutional draft to vis Mr. Putin during their introductory recognized president. Mr. Putin strongly Belarus’s Foreign Affairs Minister the Permanent Council of the Organization remarks for the media. He offered profuse Uladzimir Makei to Moscow, on September conveyed this message at the Sochi meeting. for Security and Cooperation in Europe thanks many times without specifying for 2 and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mr. Lukashenka’s other trump cards at (OSCE) on August 28, which was not made what exactly. But he reduced his anti-West­ Mishustin to Minsk on September 3 this juncture include the cohesion and dis­ public (RBC, September 8). ern geopolitical messaging to one perfunc­ revealed Russia’s intention to bring Belarus cipline of the governing and administrative The Russian-Belarusian tactical military tory question: to why North Atlantic Treaty under control (Interfax, BelTA, September class, the loyalty of the law enforcement exercise Slavic Brotherhood 2020 (which in Organization (NATO) troops were exercis­ 2-4). Russia would help “save” Mr. system, and his own convincing display of previous years had also involved Serbia) ing in Lithuania, near the Belarusian border Lukashenka’s presidency for a limited peri­ personal resolve and tenacity. All those fac­ started also on September 14, at the Brest (Russia Today, September 14). od of time and guarantee him an honorable tors have successfully passed the stress training range. This is a routine exercise, The most revealing parts in Mr. Luka­ exit, if Mr. Lukashenka facilitates a Russian- tests in the political crisis thus far. It seems, announced long in advance. Mr. Putin and shenka’s remarks, however, were his omis­ driven constitutional reform for regime however, only a matter of time until his press secretary, Mr. Peskov, however, sions. He made no reference to the consti­ change in Belarus. Moscow initiates a more systematic made vague references to a new annual tutional reform, the issue that held the top Messrs. Putin and Lukashenka con­ attempt at peeling off and coopting individ­ plan for Russian-Belarusian military “activ­ ferred, one-on-one, for more than four uals or groups. ities” (meropriatiya). These would be con­ (Continued on page 14)

Republican Senate report: Biden son’s work ‘problematic,’ but impact ‘unclear’

RFE/RL maker Andriy Derkach, described as “an policy. “The Treasury records acquired by the active Russian agent,” who has been help­ Mr. Trump has repeatedly drawn atten­ chairmen show potential criminal activity Two Senate Republican committees have ing Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy tion to Hunter Biden’s work in Ukraine, relating to transactions among and released a report claiming that work done Giuliani find compromising information on including an allegation that former Vice- between Hunter Biden, his family, and his by Democratic presidential candidate Joe the Bidens. President Biden pressured Ukraine to fire associates with Ukrainian, Russian, Kazakh Biden’s son in Ukraine created a “potential The chairmen have dismissed the its top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, in an and Chinese nationals,” the report states. conflict of interest” that undermined U.S. Democrats’ criticism, describing their attempt to block an investigation into “These foreign nationals have question­ policy. investigation as necessary government Burisma’s owner. able backgrounds that have been identified The controversial report comes just oversight. The Ukraine allegations were thought to as being consistent with a range of criminal weeks before November’s presidential elec­ The Republican senators acknowledge be among activities that Mr. Trump asked activities, including but not limited to orga­ tion and with the elder Biden leading in their 87-page report that it is “not clear” Ukraine’s president to have his attorney nized prostitution and/or human traffick­ incumbent Republican President Donald to what extent Hunter Biden’s position on general to investigate as part of a conversa­ ing, money laundering, fraud and embez­ Trump in most polls. Ukrainian gas company Burisma’s board tion that led to Mr. Trump’s impeachment zlement.” Released on September 23 by Senate affected the Obama administration’s policy trial earlier this year. Additionally, the report states these Homeland Security and Governmental on Ukraine. Mr. Trump became the third U.S. presi­ financial transactions pose “serious coun­ Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson However, the report said the millions of dent to be impeached after a whistle-blow­ terintelligence and extortion concerns.” and Senate Finance Committee Chairman dollars Hunter Biden received for his role er complaint and accusations that he had The report used financial records to find Chuck Grassley, the report also alleges that with Burisma “negatively impacted” U.S. improperly withheld congressionally allo­ that Hunter Biden and his business partner, Hunter Biden had dealings with Ukrainian, diplomatic efforts to battle corruption in cated spending and improperly pressured Devon Archer, received a wire transfer of Russian, Kazakh and Chinese nationals of Ukraine at a time when then-Vice President new Ukrainian President Volodymyr $3.5 million in 2014 from Russian busi­ “questionable backgrounds,” including the Biden was leading Ukraine policy. The sen­ Zelenskyy into trying to dig up dirt on the nesswoman Elena Baturina, the wife of late wife of a former Moscow mayor. ators described Burisma as having a “long- Bidens. Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov. But it also said it was “unclear” whether standing reputation for corruption.” The report does not expose new infor­ It also stated that Archer received the former vice president altered U.S. policy “Hunter Biden’s position on the board mation about Mr. Shokin’s sacking and pro­ $142,300 for a car from Kenges Rakishev, or took any other actions to assist his son. created an immediate potential conflict of vides no conclusion that Joe Biden pres­ the son-in-law of former Kazakh politician Democrats say that the Republican exer­ interest that would prove to be problematic sured Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor as a Imangali Tasmagambetov. The payment cise is a politically motivated attack on Joe for both U.S. and Ukrainian officials and way to protect his son. occurred around the time when former Biden to boost President Donald Trump’s would affect the implementation of Ukraine Democrats have pointed out there was Vice-President Joe Biden was visiting chances in the election and they warn it policy,” the report said. no active investigation into Burisma at the Ukraine in April 2014. could spread Russian misinformation. time of Mr. Shokin’s ouster in 2016, and Potential conflicts of interest In response to the release, Biden cam­ European governments also supported the With reporting by AP. paign spokesperson Andrew Bates slammed The report references the concerns of policy. Copyright 2020, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted Johnson for diverting his committee’s atten­ two officials – George Kent, the former act­ In addition to examining the Obama with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ tion away from the coronavirus “to subsi­ ing deputy chief of mission at the Kyiv administration’s Ukraine policy, the Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, dize a foreign attack against the sovereignty Embassy, and another State Department Republican report made stinging allega­ Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see of our elections with taxpayer dollars.” official, Amos Hochstein – about Hunter tions that Hunter Biden and his associates https://www.rferl.org/a/republican-senate- Those allegations stem in part from the Biden’s work and potential conflicts of received millions of dollars from foreign report-finds-biden-son-s-work-problematic- U.S. Treasury blacklisting of Ukrainian law­ interest that could undermine U.S. Ukraine nationals with “questionable backgrounds.” but-impact-unclear-/30854410.html). 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 No. 39

that there would be a war in central Europe in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and GDP. Whether the country is part of the G-7 Zelenskyy... 75 years later? That in Crimea human the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine,” which will or G-20. Whether Christianity, Islam, be submitted to the General Assembly by Judaism or other religions are professed in (Continued from page 1) rights are flagrantly violated. That Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars are being the end of this year. this country. It doesn’t matter to COVID. You happened to steer the Assembly in persecuted. That militarization of the pen­ Most importantly, the issues of Crimea COVID -19 has shown that the global hard times, when even traditional interna­ insula and sea areas around it is intensify­ and Donbas should not become customary world is not just a world without borders. tional instruments and formats may not ing, which breaches the security balance of elements of the international landscape, This is also a global responsibility, when not work. Therefore, I want to assure you that the Black Sea region. Would they change where only reports, conferences and proto­ seven, not 20, but at least 193 countries Ukraine has been, is and will be a reliable anything in the U.N. Charter and mecha­ col statements on the anniversary of the should be involved in counteracting com­ partner for you and the U.N., even though nisms had they known that in 75 years as a occupation will be considered a sufficient mon threats. today we are separated by thousands of result of the war in Donbas there would be form of international response. Today it is clear that the fight against kilometers. 14,000 dead and almost one and a half mil­ On the contrary, as long as the wound in COVID-19 will last more than one year. This A year ago in New York, we discussed lion people would lose their homes? central Europe is bleeding, the whole world is hardly the last pandemic we will have to threats to the international future, made Undoubtedly, over the last year we have will feel the pain. And the only recipe for go through. So we all need to get out of the plans and forecasts. But could anyone at proved that Ukraine really strives for peace. effective treatment is the de-occupation of current crisis stronger and better prepared. least imagine that 2020 would stage such a We managed to unblock the dialogue, we Crimea and Donbas. This is a test for all states. The pursuit of crash test for the planet? resumed meetings of the leaders of the I understand that since 2014 the U.N. access to limited resources will only exacer­ The countries lock down their borders, Normandy format countries, we made signifi­ has been hearing about all this every year. bate the problems. We need sincerity in dia­ the Summer Olympics postponed, and the cant progress in the mutual release of detain­ But this is the biggest problem. And this logue and effective solidarity, because this is U.N. General Assembly is taking place ees. And on July 27, a comprehensive cease­ applies not only to the Ukrainian issue, but where the value of multilateralism lies. online. A year ago, we would say that this is fire began, which, despite attempts to dis­ also to all global threats to the planet, Together we must overcome the most a script of an apocalyptic blockbuster, not rupt it, still gives hope for a stable “silence.” reports of which are getting longer and lon­ serious economic crisis of recent years. The the realities of 2020. And it is essential to keep moving ger every year. expected figures for the fall in GDP are At such a disturbing time for the world, towards peace. And the worst thing is that cataclysms sometimes ambiguous. These are not just it is appropriate to remember the senti­ The next steps in this direction should have become commonplace. The world got statistics, interesting only to a narrow circle ments of the leaders of the U.N. founding be: the withdrawal of illegal armed groups accustomed to terrible news. They are still of experts. It is reducing the quality of life of countries 75 years ago. Humanity has sur­ and weapons from the occupied territories, shocking, but are quickly forgotten when a billions of people, a looming threat of hun­ vived the most horrendous war. The world the return of control over the state border new information bomb explodes on the ger for millions. resembled a soldier moving through a and, finally, the restoration of Ukraine’s ter­ global agenda. Uniting efforts of all states is an absolute bloodstained field one minute after the ritorial integrity within internationally rec­ At the Assembly last year, I said: there is requirement of the time. Ukraine cannot explosions stopped. Exhausted, devastated, ognized borders. no longer a notion of someone else’s war. stay aside and is ready to make its contri­ at a loss, but alive. We are grateful to our international part­ Our planet is not so big anymore. bution to ensuring, in particular, food secu­ World War II was a planetary “earth­ ners for their assistance and support along This is proved by the case of MH17. This rity of mankind. quake” that claimed tens of millions of lives. the way. We hope for the further unity of is evidenced by climatic threats. Problems Mr. President! And humanity was able to recover. And on the international community on this mat­ with access to food and drinking water. Every year, the call for action instead of October 24, 1945, at a conference in San ter. I am convinced that the U.N. should play This is proved by information threats to the talks is getting louder in the General Francisco, the founding members of the an important role in restoring the sover­ world. When misinformation and fake Assembly. It testifies to the crisis in the United Nations, including Ukraine, rejected eignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, news can affect world markets, stock mar­ United Nations, the security architecture, all contradictions and united to build a bet­ as well as the authority of international law. kets and even the electoral process. humanity health, our economies and the ter world together. To do this, the existing mechanisms should Ukraine, as one of the states that has been world as a whole. Undoubtedly, in these 75 years, many be improved. It is unacceptable when the actively opposing propaganda and informa­ The 75th anniversary of the founding of achievements have been made in terms of sovereignty of an independent state is vio­ tion attacks since 2014, stands ready to initi­ the United Nations should be an incentive economic development, overcoming pover­ lated by one of the permanent members of ate the establishment in Kyiv of the head­ to transform the organization into a more ty, minimizing wars and cataclysms that the U.N. Security Council. This finally quarters of the International Office to dynamic and efficient body. could have happened without the U.N. proves that the mechanisms of the 1945 Counter Disinformation and Propaganda. At the beginning of my speech in 2021, I Mankind has conquered space and can model are not fully operational today. The fact that our planet is no longer so would very much like to state that the 75th even hold U.N. meetings remotely, using All this could lead to further deprecia­ big was finally proved by 2020. Fires in Assembly will go down in history as an modern technology. tion of the Security Council. Ukraine will Australia that shook everyone. Or the example of a return to effective multilater­ Speaking the language of the same tech­ take an active part in the process of its downing of a Boeing 737, when a Ukrainian alism and efficient international solidarity. nology, the U.N. has become “software” that reform. This body must become more rep­ plane carrying citizens of Ukraine, Canada, Which not only recalled the goals and prin­ saved the world from critical error. resentative, balanced, transparent and effi­ Iran, Afghanistan, Great Britain and Sweden ciples of the U.N. Charter, but also began to At the same time, we must recognize cient. It is in the U.N.’s interest to have an was shot down over Iran. constantly and strictly adhere to them. that the system is increasingly failing. It is effective tool if someone abuses the veto And, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, Which resumed the truth that was funda­ attacked by new “bugs” and “viruses.” And and the status of a permanent member. which spread at a lightning speed. Mankind mental when the U.N. was founded: We countering them is not always effective. In addition, I would like to take this did not even have time to search the words don’t have a reserve planet. We live here I speak of this as the head of state in opportunity to invite our friends to partici­ “COVID” and “Wuhan” in Google, as corona­ and just once. which the Russian Federation annexed the pate in the creation of an international virus has already been knocking on the This is the future we want, this is the Crimean peninsula in the 21st century. A Crimean platform for joint action to protect door of every house. U.N. we need. I sincerely wish to achieve state that has been deterring its military the rights of Crimean people and the de- Pay attention to another thing. Corona­ this to you, Mr. President, and all the stake­ aggression in Donbas for seven years. occupation of the peninsula. virus spares no one. holders. I am convinced that these are 193 What sentiments would the founders of I also call for support for the updated It is indifferent to the availability of nucle­ U.N. countries. the United Nations have had they known resolution “The situation of human rights ar weapons in the country and the level of its Thank you! No. 39 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 5

Canada home to over 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent

OTTAWA – To celebrate Ukrainian Canadian Heritage Day, which is observed annually in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta on September 7, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress released the informative image above, which notes the Ukrainian population of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories. The UCC also issued a statement on the occasion of the special day, which was published for the record in the September 13 issue of this newspaper. (It should be noted that the province of Manitoba cel- ebrates Ukrainian Canadian Heritage Day on the last Saturday of July.) The UCC has reported that it is working with Canada’s parliamentarians on the establishment of a nationwide Ukrainian Canadian Heritage Month. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 No. 39

WINDOW ON EURASIA The Ukrainian Weekly Justice for Gongadze Events in Belarus have historical importance Twenty years have gone by since the killing of investigative journalist Heorhiy Gongadze in 2000. His death is commemorated in Ukraine annually on September 16. as the first Internet revolution, says analyst The shock of his death, by torture and beheading, left a lasting legacy for by Paul Goble the “siloviki” by depriving them of their Ukrainian journalists and human rights activists, as described by Roman Tymotsko anonymity, as when NEXTA (a channel on on the front page of this issue of The Ukrainian Weekly, who “demand security for “It is no exaggeration” to say that what is the Telegram app) and others publish the journalists and that those who ordered the murders of Ukrainian journalists be occurring in Belarus now is of world-his­ names and addresses of police, thereby brought to justice.” torical importance and will be studied for a making it impossible for any officer to hide This year, a memorial plaque was installed at the National Union of Journalists long time to come as “an improbable phe­ behind his uniform and act as if he isn’t building in Kyiv. The newly released film, “Gongadze’s Murder: 20 Years in Search of nomenon,” Russian historian Andrey Zubov involved. His family and friends will make it the Truth,” aims to raise awareness and to stoke public demand for justice for says. It is “an example in pure form of a clear that he is. Gongadze and other journalists killed for doing their work to expose corruption, revolt of the masses of a cultured people That kind of moral pressure in a relative­ crimes and lies. Other journalists commemorated in Ukraine during this year’s cere­ against a harsh authoritarian dictatorship ly small and homogeneous society like monies included Igor Alexandrov, Borys Derevyanko, Vasyl Serhiyenko, Pavlo in the Internet era.” Belarus may not work overnight, but over Sheremet and Vadym Komarov. The last portion of this is key, the analyst time, it puts an unbearable burden on the However, justice remains elusive in Ukraine, as many perpetrators and organizers says. It is the Internet that “has allowed the “siloviki,” Mr. Zubov continues. Those high­ of attacks on journalists and civil society activists, having been identified as suspects, people to organize themselves without er up may hold out longer out of greed or escape prosecution due to a lack of independence in the judiciary, compromised charismatic leaders, without control of the expectations, but they too can be shamed in police investigations and corrupt prosecutors. Many buy their freedom. post and telegraphs, television center or ways no one could do earlier. Even former President Leonid Kuchma was suspected of ordering the assassina­ the typographies of newspapers” (newsru. “A revolution of this new type will not tion of Gongadze, with evidence presented through the recordings made by Mykola com/blog/21sep2020/bel_rev.html). occur in one or two days. Moral pressure Melnychenko, known as the “Melnychenko tapes.” Mr. Kuchma denied the recordings Earlier, those who wanted to make a rev­ increases gradually,” but with the Internet, and claimed that they were doctored, but an independent U.S.-based audio lab, Bek olution needed all of these things to mobi­ it will grow. And, while some opposed to Tek, confirmed that the audio recordings were not tampered with and were authen­ lize protest. But now, “the horizontal com­ the regime may grow tired of protests, the tic. Despite this, there has been no real attempt to prosecute Mr. Kuchma. munication of the Internet” replaces all of most committed will not; and the rest will Notably, a witness, Internal Affairs Minister Yuriy Kravchenko, was found dead them, notes Mr. Zubov. “NEXTA and friendly remain mobilized via the Internet as well. with two gunshot wounds to the head in 2005, just hours prior to when he was to chat rooms are making the revolution in Mr. Zubov extends his argument beyond provide testimony in the case. The death was officially ruled a suicide, but that ruling Belarus,” no one else, he points out. All that Belarus. He says that any regime like Mr. was called into question by media reports. is needed is a strong sense of dissatisfac­ Lukashenka’s – and in this category he Witnesses in the Gongadze case were, understandably, reluctant to come forward. tion with the authorities and an unwilling­ includes both Vladimir Putin’s and former That same intimidation of witnesses continues in Ukraine, although, more often, ness of the latter to leave. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s today the pressure comes from oligarchs attempting to protect their business inter­ “If a significant part of the people are – which relies “only on lies, force and cruel­ ests rather than from the government. satisfied with the powers that be,” Mr. ty” is doomed. And when one of these The lack of prosecutions of killers of journalists and civil society activists does not Zubov says, “a revolution of this new type regimes, like Mr. Putin’s, helps another, it discourage a new generation to take up the cause to defend human rights, to expose will not occur” because those in power will only “accelerates the fall of both.” corruption, to name bad actors and to simply tell the truth. The killings and assassi­ be able to “mobilize their supporters” By giving Mr. Lukashenka money, Mr. nation attempts continue, but the orders now are generally believed to be coming against it. That is why a regime based on Putin has become “a co-conspirator of the from Moscow, not Kyiv. professional, tribal or ethnic rule of one Belarusian tyrant who is dying politically.” We can see how Moscow operates on Ukrainian territory, including in Russia- annexed Crimea and the Russia-occupied Donbas, where dissenters are quickly group over another may prove especially This new reality will extend over the world, arrested, discredited and imprisoned, or abducted, tortured and killed. stable. but it is worth noting that it “is already Since the killing of Gongadze, Ukrainian journalism as a whole has undergone a “But where the powers that be aspire to beginning on the streets of Belarusian cit­ transformation from the days of “temnyky” (government directives on how to report represent the entire society, it is now ies,” the Moscow historian concludes. the news), to one of myriad investigative outlets working on exposing corruption in extremely vulnerable. An entire society can various spheres that impede Ukraine’s European integration. The newspaper easily organize itself against ‘its’ powers.” Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on Ukrayinska Pravda, which was co-founded by Gongadze and Olena Prytula in 2000, That is what has happened in Belarus. ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia continues its service in informing the public about the hot issues facing Ukraine. The Internet plays yet another role, also who has served in various capacities in the We hope that the killers who planned and executed Gongadze are brought to jus­ very much on view in that country. U.S. State Department, the Central tice, once and for all, and we pray that all others silenced for their work as journal­ Belarusians may or may not have travelled Intelligence Agency and the International ists also receive justice. This can only happen if we all remain vigilant in the face of to Poland, Lithuania or Latvia, but the Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice forces that attempt to destroy democracy and impede progress toward creating an Internet makes these countries familiar to of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio open and free society. them – and their successes relative to Liberty and the Carnegie Endowment for On the 20th anniversary of Heorhiy Gongadze’s killing, The Ukrainian Weekly Belarus’s help drive the anger Belarusians International Peace. The article above is sends its sincere condolences to the family. Vichnaya pamiat – may his memory be feel toward Alyaksandr Lukashenka. reprinted with permission from his blog eternal. And finally, the Internet plays another called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- role in such circumstances: it can shame woneurasia2.blogspot.com/).

Sept. Turning the pages back... Subscribe to Thirty-five years ago, on September 29, 1985, The Ukrainian 29 Weekly ran a series of statements and commentaries following the death on September 4, 1985, of 47-year-old Ukrainian poet The Ukrainian Weekly 1985 Vasyl Stus, who was imprisoned by the Soviets for his poetry and other writings, as well as for his activism as a member of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group. George Sajewycz, in a commentary published by The Washington Post, dated $90 per year September 14, 1985, noted that Stus was “one of Ukraine’s most promising young poets.” Having died while in custody at the Perm-36 Soviet special-regime labor camp in the Ural $80 for UNA member Mountains, Stus’s fight for survival and impending death were preserved in the pages of his “Gulag Notebook” that was smuggled abroad. Mr. Sajewycz compared Stus to other For an additional $5 get notable fighters for human and national rights, including Andrei Sakharov, Anatoly an online subscription as well Shcharansky and Bishop Desmond Tutu. Mr. Sajewycz was critical of The Post’s disproportionate coverage of human rights viola­ tions in South Africa as compared to that about Stus. “How is truth served by such selec­ tive journalism?” he asked. Notably, The Ukrainian Weekly published a paragraph that The Post chose not to run in its publication of the commentary, which highlighted The Post’s lack of reporting about Ukrainians and the plight of prominent prisoners, including Oleksiy Tykhy, Yuriy Lytvyn, Valeriy Marchenko and other members of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group. The Ukrainian Helsinki Group’s letter, signed by Nadia Svitlychna (a noted Ukrainian dissident who emigrated to the U.S.A.), stated: “[Stus’s] death has dealt a tragic blow Please contact Subscription Dept. to Ukrainian culture and to the Ukrainian nation. The tragedy of his death is further Tel.: 973-292-9800 ext. 3040 (Continued on page 12) No. 39 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 7

OPINION A vote for Biden is a vote for the extreme radical left by Andrew Fedynsky by Bohdan Shandor America to stand by Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Obama/Biden are equally culpa­ Joe Biden has a history of failed races for ble for the disgrace of the United States in Ukrainian American politics: Vote! president, having run in 1988 and gotten failing to live by its word and agreement. I “Wow! Very impressive!” is how Myron influence in America, which Russia contin­ two delegates and in 2008, when he certainly know of no other instance where Kuropas in his recent column here ues to this day – our intelligence services dropped out after a fifth-place finish in the the United States has willfully ignored an described the “Ukrainian-Americans for and the FBI warn that even now Vladimir Iowa Caucuses with less than 1 percent of agreement like the Budapest Memoran­ Biden” ad on these pages which nearly 350 Putin is working to undermine Joe Biden’s the vote. Yet, today Mr. Biden is the dum. After 2014, Obama/Biden refused to Democratic Party’s nominee after all other give or sell any defensive lethal weapons to signed, including Republicans. (And me.) candidacy and promote Donald Trump’s re- contenders incredibly withdrew just before Ukraine on the basis that to do so would For years, Dr. Kuropas was a top officer election. “Super Tuesday.” Did Mr. Biden make a only escalate the Russia-Ukraine War. How in the Ukrainian National Association Back to history: after Pearl Harbor, Faustian bargain with the extreme radical can you escalate a war when your enemy (UNA); he is a lifelong Republican activist. America set aside the Depression for a left of what once was the Democratic Party? has hundreds of tanks on your territory? Where he writes that President Gerald Ford national war effort against Japan and Nazi This is not conjecture – read the 110-page Ukraine will again get nothing under a appointed a Ukrainian as White House spe­ Germany. Ukrainian Americans were totally “Biden-Sanders Unity Task Force Recommen­­ Biden presidency because his new boss is cial assistant for ethnic affairs, he fails to engaged. In May 1944 – a week before dations,” a socialist manifesto that Mr. Biden Mr. Sanders, the honeymooner of Moscow. note that person was him. He also writes D-Day – a commemorative book from just a signed with Sen. Sanders, the successor to In 2017, the bill providing Ukraine with that Sen. Bob Dole had a Ukrainian on his single parish in Cleveland, Ss. Peter and another failed “Socialist Democrat” for presi­ Javelin missiles passed the House by 419-3. staff: that too was Dr. Kuropas. Paul, lists 500 members serving in the dent, Eugene V. Debs. The Biden-Sanders In the Senate, the vote was 97-2. Sen. Dr. Kuropas is a historian. His recent col­ armed forces, asks for prayers and urges manifesto is every bit as radical as Mr. Sanders voted “No.” umn describing Ukrainian American parishioners to buy War Bonds. There were Sanders wanted. In May, Mr. Biden vowed President Trump signed the bill and pro­ involvement in the U.S. political process hundreds of similar parishes. Most that he wants “not just to rebuild the econo­ vided 210 Javelin missiles and 37 launch­ going back more than a century was, as Ukrainians that year, no doubt voted for my, but to transform it.” (The Wall Street ers. This is but one of a long list of actions always, interesting and informative. FDR, a Democrat. Journal, “The Biden-Sanders Manifes­to,” July taken by President Trump in support of a Knowing the limitations of a single column, Ukrainians’ politics changed to 30). The world has seen what a “transformed free, independent and sovereign Ukraine as allow me to add. Republican after the 1945 Yalta Conference economy” looks like in Venezuela, Nicaragua, an ally of the United States. In 2018, Mr. Many of the first Ukrainian immigrants where President Roosevelt and British Cuba and the Soviet Union. Trump authorized an additional 150 to America were indeed socialists, bringing Prime Minister Churchill ceded Eastern The unity manifesto envisions an all- Javelin missiles and 10 launchers. He also their politics with them to an already exist­ and Central Europe to Stalin and the Soviet encompassing welfare state with every signed and authorized $250 million of mili­ ing movement here, issues resonating Union. Other ethnics with attachments to need guaranteed by taxpayer funding. tary assistance to Ukraine under the among industrial workers. No wonder. At their own heritage agreed – Poles, Balts, Thus, no one should pay more than 30 per­ National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) the Ukrainian Museum-Archives (UMA) we Romanians, etc. In 1959, the Ukrainian cent of their income for housing. Public col­ over and above the missiles. have half a dozen yellowed monthly reports Congress Committee of America (UCCA) leges should be “tuition free” for about 80 In 2019, he authorized the supply of from 1912 and 1913 from the Ruthenian led the campaign to establish Captive percent of the American people, including Harpoon missiles to Ukraine, along with an National Association (from 1914, the UNA) Nations Week and challenge the USSR those here illegally. Student loans all additional $300 million under the NDAA listing families who received insurance and along national divides, which media elites become null and void. But, what if you hap­ for military defense. That year, U.S. and noting the cause of death: “died in a mine,” mocked until, to the dismay of “experts” 30 pened to pay off your loans last year after NATO countries participated with Ukraine’s crushed to death on the job,” “killed by a years later, the Soviet Union collapsed 10 or 15 years of payments? Too bad, suck­ military in “Operation Rapid Trident.” train,” “scalded to death on the job…” Every along those very lines. The Captive Nations er. And, there’s “Medicare for All.” What President Trump has also publicly con­ month, there were four to six industrial initiative solidified ethnic identity with about those who worked to age 65, contrib­ demned Germany for its support for Nord fatalities along with other causes: “died in Republicans during the Cold War, even as uted to the system and finally receive Stream 2, a potential death knell for childbirth,” “shot to death,” “infection” both parties devoted vast military/cultur­ Medicare? Too bad, get in line for medical Ukraine’s energy sector. (work -related?), “tuberculosis” (could this al/political resources and cadres toward care if you can find it with those who con­ In 2020, President Trump announced the have been black lung?). Some received defeating communism and the Soviet tributed zero, including the millions of ille­ relocation of 8,000 U.S. troops from insurance after losing an eye or a limb (also Union. gals. Did our grandparents and parents flee Germany to Poland, which accomplished work-related?). The American workplace In 1976, many Ukrainians switched to from the shackles of Socialism and two strategic objectives: bringing U.S. troops during the Industrial Revolution was Democrat Jimmy Carter after Gerald Ford Communism only to have a repeat perfor­ and supplies physically closer to Ukraine and extremely hazardous, even fatal. announced on national television and then pressuring the NATO-delinquent Germans to mance in the United States? I know as cer­ Before the coronavirus, the UMA rou­ reiterated: “There is no Soviet domination tainly as there is God that this will not hap­ act like a responsible member of the alliance. tinely welcomed field trips from Cleveland- of Eastern Europe,” when it was obvious pen if the truth is known. Recently, the Department of Defense area schools researching immigration. there was. Candidate Carter pounced on The choice between President Donald announced that Ukraine will acquire three Displaying the insurance reports, we asked that absurdity and then as president Trump and Vice-President Biden could not batteries of RK-360MC Neptune coastal students: “Is it reasonable to assume that announced that America’s policy toward be clearer for all Americans, but especially defense systems with R-360 cruise missiles, only Ukrainian immigrants were dying in Moscow would no longer be based on fear for Ukrainian Americans who have the and the State Department recently cleared future of two countries at stake. Let’s look Ukraine to acquire 16 Mark VI patrol boats America’s factories and mines?” The and launched his pivotal human rights at what a Biden-Harris administration and gear worth $600 million. The U.S. is answer, of course, is no. So we point out: campaign. Advised by his brilliant aide, would mean for Ukraine. refurbishing Campia Turzii in Romania as a these are documents from America’s labor Zbigniew Brzezinski, President Carter in Mr. Biden was not just vice-president, he hub for U.S. Air Force operations. And, in a movement. 1979 orchestrated the release of dissident was the “point man” on two countries that big slap in the face to Vladimir Putin, the The Democratic message to workers in Valentyn Moroz from Soviet prison, affect U.S. national security: Ukraine and U.S. will be upgrading a former Soviet naval the 1920s? Don’t waste your vote on social­ rewarding the massive Ukrainian commu­ China. He failed miserably on both counts. base in Romania as a safe harbor for NATO ism. Get behind our party for labor rights, nity campaign and re-energizing the global The fact that Mr. Biden traveled to Ukraine vessels and Ukraine’s Navy in the Black Sea. safe working conditions and Social Security. anti-Communist movement. frequently, some might say too frequently, Since Romania is a NATO member and After the 1929 stock market crash and the In 1980, most Ukrainians returned to does not make him a supporter of Ukraine shares a border with Ukraine, the impor­ Great Depression, Democrats ran against the Republican fold, rallying to Ronald any more than it qualifies him to be an air­ tance to Ukraine’s Air Force and Navy can­ Herbert Hoover and Republicans for nearly Reagan’s aggressive anti-Soviet stance, line pilot. The question is what did he do or not be overstated. half a century, creating the Federal Deposit which he as president consistently articu­ fail to do with his portfolio for Ukraine? Mr. Trump has claimed, to ridicule, that Insurance Corporation, the Commodity lated, most famously in Berlin: “Mr. The answer is simple – he did nothing. To he has helped Ukraine more than any other Credit Corporation to support farmers, Gorbachev! Tear down this wall.” suggest that he was somehow muzzled by president. In fact, the record shows he has Medicare, EPA and other programs which And yet again, an ill-considered public President Barack Obama in what he could done more for the military defense of today we take for granted. Democrats also statement turned many Ukrainian do begs the question, for they both did Ukraine than all U.S. presidents since 1991 promised to repeal Prohibition. There’s a American voters away from Republicans, nothing in the face of the largest military combined. This compares to former Vice- wonderful photo at the UMA of hundreds at this time when President George H.W. Bush assault against a sovereign European President Biden who supporters say is a a Ukrainian Democratic Club picnic in in Kyiv in August 1991 exhorted Ukraine to nation since World War II. “friend of Ukraine” – yet, the Biden-Sanders Cleveland in 1933 with a bunch of guys in stay with Moscow, just three weeks before The invasion of Ukraine in 2014 violated manifesto does not mention the word the back holding up beer bottles. the Rada declared the country’s indepen­ every international treaty regarding “Ukraine” even once in 110 pages. As the And yet, in 1933 in the midst of the dence. To his credit, that December Europe that Russia had signed since 1948, saying goes, with friends like Joe Biden, Depression and at the height of the President Bush recognized Ukraine’s inde­ including, most notably, the Budapest who needs enemies? Holodomor in Ukraine, President Franklin pendence, following a historic White House Memorandum of 1995. The Obama/Biden D. Roosevelt recognized Stalin’s Soviet meeting, orchestrated by another UNA response was to direct U.S. forces in Europe Bohdan Shandor is an attorney, former Union. As Dr. Kuropas points out, that activist, Taras Szmagala Sr. President Bush to stand down, with NATO also following. President of the Ukrainian American Bar opened the door to Soviet espionage and lost to Bill Clinton in the subsequent 1992 Whether the Budapest Memorandum was Association and a Member of Ukrainian election with larger issues deciding, but to a treaty or not is irrelevant, because it was Americans for Trump. He may be reached at Andrew Fedynsky’s e-mail address is an agreement by the United States of [email protected]. [email protected]. (Continued on page 13) 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 No. 39

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

thanks to capitalism, they fared far better mation. I went on that website as well as on today’s Ukrainian American Democrats Re: pro-Trump ad than our relatives trapped in the “Workers’ several others for this organization, but and supporters of Joe Biden are socialists. Paradise.” could not find a single name listed. This makes no more sense than saying that and a ruined church Tato said: “People don’t believe the Now, I know that Ukrainian Americans Republicans who vote for Donald Trump streets in America are lined with gold, but for Trump do exist because there is one fer­ are fascists and white supremacists. Both Dear Editor: they are. But some are too lazy to bend vent supporter of Donald Trump in the accusations are equally ridiculous. I am writing in response to the full-page down and pick it up.” weekend tennis group of which I am a Never have we had a president so ad in support of Donald Trump’s re-elec­ Ms. Kowal, remember that your success member. So why would there be no names unable to put together a stable group of tion (September 20). The ad’s claims mir­ is based on the free-market purchase and associated with this ad, and none listed on Cabinet members and advisors or formu­ ror those repeated by the late Stephen F. sale of capital. their website? Just wondering. late a coherent foreign policy toward Ukraine or any of our allies. Never have we Cohen and other political “realists,” over­ Russ Chelak Leo M. Chalupa seen anything like the growing list of felony stating the role that America had in insti­ Morristown, N.J. Great Falls, Va. gating the war in the Donbas. They’re also convictions of presidential associates while often quoted by Russian propaganda, or prominent members of the president’s hard-line ideological allies of Vladimir own party publicly declare their vote for Putin, Bashar al-Assad, Nicolas Maduro, An egregious error ‘Joe Biden: Ukraine’s the opposing candidate. This is the party of and others. Trump now. Something about the ad was fishy, so I in advertisement outstanding friend.’ Really? Ask yourself which candidate will more decided to investigate, starting with the likely: Work to see that our government is image of the ruined church. It turns out Dear Editor: Dear Editor: serving all of our interests? Assemble the brightest minds to get a grip on COVID? that’s a Russian Orthodox monastery Several points in the advertisement Regarding the column by Orest Deycha­ Formulate a health-care plan? Bring destroyed by Ukrainian “Cyborgs” in 2014. placed by the Suburban Council of kiw­sky (issue dated August 30/September together a cohesive group of officials and Reverse image searches in Google and Ukrainian Voters (September 20) require 6), in the past there may have been good advisors to deliver more peace and less Yandex showed that the specific photo clarification. Despite President Petro reasons to support the Democratic Party, hunger to Americans and to the rest of the used by the Suburban Council of Ukrainian Poroshenko’s rhetorical flourish about but as I see it, not anymore. Sure, John F. world? Voters has only appeared on the site of the “blankets,” in fact, during the years of the Kennedy, a Democrat, put a man on the In my view, Mr. Trump has proven again Anti-Maidan and accompanying an article Obama-Biden administration, Ukraine moon, but Barack Obama put a man in a and again that he is not up to any of these titled “I blame my own country for the war” received $5.7 billion in aid that included female bathroom. JFK told Russians to go tasks. He has done far more to divide and on News Front. That site was recently training for Ukrainian special-ops and home when they came close to Cuba with belittle than to heal and lead. Mr. Biden banned by Facebook for its connections to other forces, the provision of essential their nuclear missiles, while Mr. Obama presents the best choice for an economy Russian intelligence, and it’s one of the tracking equipment, valuable intelligence canceled the nuclear bases in Europe that that benefits more of us, and a domestic greatest sources of anti-Ukrainian misin­ and security support, non-lethal weapons were intended to hold the Russian aggres­ and foreign policy that best promotes free­ formation, according to StopFake. and a small number of lethal weapons. sor at bay. dom and democracy. I also tried imagining myself as the ad’s Among the aid was $3 billion in loan guar­ Mr. Biden is trying to institute a third creator. I looked for images of destroyed antees to help sustain Ukraine’s economy. Obama term. To Mr. Biden, China is a Steve Lann churches in the Donbas, but could not turn The reverse tactic was applied against friend. Really? And, is Biden a friend of Washington up this specific one. Russia: strong sanctions were imposed, in Ukraine when there are reports of him My short investigation shows that, conjunction with America’s European interfering in the investigation of corrup­ despite their best efforts to support allies, that severely strained Russia’s econo­ tion in Ukraine? Ukraine, Ukrainian Americans for Trump my. Sanctions, not Javelins, most worried Democrats are globalists and are hell- Trump enabled Ukraine are nonetheless unwittingly consuming Vladimir Putin, sanctions that he tried bent on destroying America, aborting the to have lethal weapons and recycling propaganda designed to repeatedly to have reversed during the unborn and unleashing disasters like defend the Russian invasion and Moscow Trump administration. COVID-19 on the elderly. Mr. Biden is a Dear Editor: Patriarchate. Javelins are not the only weapons of war. puppet of the extreme leftists, hell-bent on To be clear, I am writing this not in sup­ And the SCUV’s clumsy attempt to blame ushering in Marxism and communism. My parents escaped communism. Under port of Mr. Trump’s opponent, but for the the U.S. for the war in Ukraine instead of The Democratic leadership, for months, communism, someone could get a knock sake of transparency. the aggressor, Russia, is shameful. could not even bring themselves to on the door at any time; someone could be taken away for questioning; opponents of Julian Hayda The ad depicts a church damaged by the acknowledge that America is on fire, let Communists might never return. Chicago heroic Ukrainian “Cyborgs” in the 2014 alone condemn these radical left-wing ter­ battle for Donetsk Airport. The image is rorists. The democrats do not consider I am a veteran. I believe there are many that of a Russian Orthodox church that first these demonstrations for what they are – a people in America who are brainwashed, appeared on the Russian propaganda web­ violent, rioting, liberal mob. And why and that there are Ukrainians in America In defense site News Front condemning Ukrainians. should they, when they inspire and pro­ who unwittingly have become communists News Front was banned by Facebook earli­ mote this anarchy? because of the mass media. of capitalism er this year for its connections to Russian Ukraine had the third largest nuclear intelligence. Stefan Semchyshyn M.D., M.B.A. arsenal in the world. I believe that the Dear Editor: Publications cannot be responsible for Jonesborough, Tenn. agreement Ukraine signed with the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia A recent letter (August 16) trashed the content of advertisements. And, while about the surrender of its nuclear arsenal “American capitalism” and lauded BLM. volunteer organizations usually do not was a sham. Sonia Kowal tolerates no criticism of BLM have experienced editors who know how It was during Barack Obama’s adminis­ and says detractors “betray their deep igno­ to check the accuracy of a source, this inex­ Biden presents tration that Russia invaded Ukraine (I won­ rance of American capitalism.” She then perience does not absolve them of making der if Russia got permission to invade). And takes the vast but predictable leap: the truly egregious errors, such as the one made by the best choice it was Donald Trump, not Mr. Obama, who enlightened know that capitalism is based SCUV. Dear Editor: made it possible for Ukraine to have lethal on “prejudice” and “structural racism.” Irene Jarosewich weapons. If Hillary Clinton had won the I write in response to Myron Kuropas’s What she espouses might be good for Passaic, N.J. presidency, Ukraine might still be fighting column (August 23) not because I question her company, but it betrays not a hint of with blankets. knowing what capitalism is or what the The letter-writer is communications coor- his knowledge of early 20th century leaders of BLM have admitted: that they dinator for the Steering Committee of Ukrainian American history but because he Vadim Kap are “trained Marxists.” Ukrainian Americans for Biden. seems to be stuck there, inferring that Covington, Ky. Capitalism is simply the self-control of an economy with market-based prices, pro­ duction and demand. It works remarkably GUIDELINES FOR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR well – the U.S. is the best proof of that. We Why no names are the oldest, most successful, most free The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor that react to articles pub- and the world’s leader in just about every­ on Trump ad? lished on its pages. Opinions expressed by letter writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of either The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, thing. Ukrainian Americans are the wealthi­ Dear Editor: est Ukrainians in the world as are other the Ukrainian National Association. immigrants. Japan, Korea and Eastern I was startled to find a full-page ad from Letters must be signed (anonymous letters are not published) and the city from Europe adopted capitalism and became “Ukrainian Americans for Trump” (August which they are sent will be published under the author’s name. However, the day- miracles of “strength and continued 30/September 6 issue) with a photo of the time phone number, e-mail address and complete mailing address of the letter- growth,” which is to what Ms. Kowal aspires. president with his trademark thumbs-up writer must be given for verification purposes. My grandfather and father fled Lemko­ salute. Unlike in the ad several issues back vyna from the invading socialists that start­ by “Ukrainian Americans for Biden,” which THE LENGTH OF LETTERS CANNOT EXCEED 250 WORDS. Letters may be edited ed World War II. The Nazis and Commies listed the names of well over 100 support­ or abridged. The Weekly reserves the right to edit for clarity, civility and accuracy. also promised “equality and justice.” My ers, this one listed no names whatsoever, Letters should be sent to [email protected] or to The Ukrainian Weekly, forefathers opted for the coal mines. But but it did provide a website for more infor­ 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. No. 39 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 9

Andrij Parekh wins Emmy Award for outstanding directing PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Andrij Parekh, a cinematographer and for this charmed gift. I want to thank HBO, and Jesse who don’t look like their classmates, and are defined as director of Ukrainian and Indian descent, was awarded an Armstrong, and Tony Roche, and Adam McKay, and the outsiders as hyphenated Americans and not simply just as Emmy Award for “Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series” entire ensemble and cast. The show has been a professional Americans. This is proof that you belong and this Emmy is on September 20 at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards for dream, starting as its cinematographer. And now this.” ours. Thank you, guys.” his directing work on the HBO series “Succession,” particu­ He added: “I want to thank my beautiful wife Sophia, my Mr. Parekh was among seven Emmy wins for the HBO larly his directing of the episode “Hunting.” courageous daughter Chloe, both put up with my artistic series “Succession,” which was nominated for 18 awards. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Parekh noted: “I am deeply pursuits, brother Marko, and mom and dad, for their sup­ This was Mr. Parekh’s first Emmy Award, and his first honored and not the least bit humbled by this award. This port always. I want to dedicate this Emmy to all the kids major award for directing. For additional information, distinction has been bestowed on my birthday, so thank you whose names, like mine, are difficult to pronounce, to those readers can visit www.andrijparekh.com.

Exotic toxins... Nikolai Khokhlov MICRO-ENGINEERED RICIN PELLETS Nikolai Khokhlov was a Soviet KGB agent who defected The Soviet Union possessed a weaponized version of (Continued from page 2) to the United States in 1953 and testified about KGB opera­ ricin poison during the Cold War, when the KGB was sus­ tions. Khokhlov was treated for thallium poisoning in pected in assassination attempts against at least three well- Aleksandr Perepilichny Frankfurt, Germany, in 1957 after a failed assassination known Warsaw Pact defectors. A Russian oligarch and Kremlin critic who sought refuge attempt by the KGB – possibly the first radiological attack Ricin is produced naturally within the seeds of the plant in Britain in 2009, Aleksandr Perepilichny had been help­ by KGB agents. Ricinus communis, which are crushed to produce castor ing a Swiss investigation into a Russian money-laundering Former KGB officers have claimed that Khokhlov was oil. scheme by providing evidence against allegedly corrupt poisoned by radioactive polonium, exactly as Litvinenko The pulp from eight crushed seeds is considered a dan­ officials in Moscow. He also provided evidence against was in 2004, rather than thallium. gerous dose for adults. But deaths from eating castor plant Russian officials linked to the 2009 death of anti-corrup­ Litvinenko’s poisoning by polonium-210 initially was seeds are rare because of the seed’s indigestible shell and tion lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in a Moscow jail. misdiagnosed as thallium poisoning. because the human body can digest the toxin. Shortly before he collapsed and died in November 2012 Ricin is most toxic when it is inhaled, injected or other­ Yury Shchekochikhin at the age of 44 while jogging outside his home in Surrey, wise ingested into the bloodstream. Perepilichny told his colleagues that he had received death A Russian investigative journalist and lawmaker, Yury In the form of purified powder, a dose the size of a few threats. Shchekochikhin campaigned against corruption and the grains of table salt is strong enough to kill an adult. Although he was the fourth person linked to the influence of organized crime in Russia. Georgi Markov Magnitsky case to die in strange circumstances, police in Shchekochikhin died in July 2003 – just days before he Surrey initially ruled that his death was not suspicious. planned to meet FBI investigators in the United States – The most infamous case is the so-called umbrella assas­ But on May 18, British authorities reopened an investi­ after suffering from a mysterious illness and displaying sination of Bulgarian dissident journalist Georgi Markov in gation into his 2012 death after new tests discovered trac­ symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. London in September 1978. Markov, who worked for the es in his stomach that could only come from the highly Russian authorities declared that he died from Lyell’s BBC and Radio Free Europe, died four days after a micro- toxic Gelsemium plant. syndrome, but his medical treatment and autopsy records engineered pellet containing the poison ricin was injected The Surrey coroner’s court was told the toxicology remain under the control of the FSB. into his leg. British investigators suspect the pellet was report raised “serious concerns” that Perepilichny may Some researchers say the symptoms of Shchekochi­ fired by an assassin who used a device hidden in the tip of have been assassinated for helping expose a powerful khin’s illness were similar to the radioactive poisoning an umbrella while Markov was catching a bus on London’s Russian fraud syndicate. symptoms of Khokhlov and Litvinenko. Waterloo Bridge. The court also heard there was “historical animosity” between Perepilichny and Dmitry Kovtun, one of two TETRACHLORODIBENZODIOXIN (TCDD) Vladimir Kostov Russians found in January 2016 by a British inquiry to have TCDD – commonly, though inaccurately, referred to as A similar assassination attempt had been made 10 days poisoned Litvinenko in London in 2006. dioxin – is a colorless, odorless solid compound at room tem­ earlier against another Bulgarian defector who worked for POLONIUM-210 perature. It is the main contaminant in Agent Orange, the Radio Free Europe, Vladimir Kostov. Mr. Kostov was shot in defoliation substance that was used by the U.S. military in the the back with the same type of ricin-laced pellet while walk­ Polonium is a rare and highly radioactive element that Vietnam War. TCDD has been classified as a carcinogen for ing in a Paris metro station in August 1978, but he ingested occurs in uranium ores. Polonium-210 is about 250,000 times humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. only a small portion of the ricin in his blood and survived. more toxic than hydrogen cyanide, which is itself an extremely poisonous liquid that can kill quickly in a concentrated dose. Viktor Yushchenko Boris Korczak Aleksandr Litvinenko A Ukrainian politician, Viktor Yushchenko was poisoned In August 1981, an exposed CIA double agent, Boris with hazardous amounts of TCDD in late 2004 while run­ Korczak, was struck in his kidney by a similar ricin pellet A former officer of Russia’s FSB security service, Litvi­ ning for president against Russian-favored candidate fired from an air gun while he was shopping for food in nen ­ko fled to London with his family in 2000 and was Viktor Yanukovych. Virginia. Mr. Korczak also survived the attack and was con­ granted political asylum. vinced the KGB was responsible. Litvinenko was poisoned in a London sushi bar in Tests at the time showed he had the second-highest con­ November 2006 and an autopsy revealed traces of poloni­ centration of TCDD ever measured in a human. UNIDENTIFIED POISONS As a result, his face was disfigured for many years by um-210 in his body. British experts said he probably was Hafizullah Amin the first person ever to die of the acute radiation effects of chloracne, but he has been slowly recovering. polonium-210. Mr. Yushchenko, who favored European integration and Hafizullah Amin was an Afghan politician during the A British inquiry in January 2016 concluded there was Ukrainian membership in NATO, said that his poisoning Cold War who served as president for three months in “strong circumstantial evidence of Russian state responsi­ “was not a private act” and accused Russian officials of hin­ 1979 after ordering the assassination of his pro-Soviet pre­ bility” and that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his dering an investigation into who was responsible for poi­ decessor, Nur Muhammad Taraki. spy chief at the time, Nikolai Patrushev, “probably soning him. Soviet officials alleged that Amin was an agent of the CIA. approved” Litvi­nen­ko’s poisoning. Official election results declaring Mr. Yanukovych as the A KGB agent who infiltrated the presidential palace and The inquiry, led by a retired British judge, Sir Robert winner of the vote led to the Orange Revolution protests. became the chef attempted to poison Amin on December Owen, also concluded that a former KGB agent and ex- The Supreme Court ruled that there had been widespread 13, 1979. But Amin suspected he was being poisoned and Kremlin bodyguard, Andrei Lugovoi, carried out the assas­ fraud in Mr. Yanukovych’s favor and ordered a new vote, switched his food and drink with his son-in-law – who sination along with Dmitry Kovtun by placing poloni­ which Mr. Yushchenko won. became ill and was sent to a hospital in Moscow. um-210 in a teapot that was served to Litvinenko at a SARIN AND OTHER NERVE AGENTS Two weeks later, Amin was assassinated by Soviet forces London restaurant. who stormed Kabul’s Tajbeg Palace. The Soviet Union then Before he died, Litvinenko wrote a letter accusing Mr. Sarin is a colorless, odorless liquid nerve agent that installed Babrak Karmal as Afghan president. Putin of ordering his death. He had earlier accused the FSB causes death by asphyxia because victims are unable to Anna Politkovskaya of staging apartment-building bombings and other false- control the muscles involved in breathing. It is most dan­ flag attacks in Russia in a bid to bring Mr. Putin into power gerous when it is inhaled. The liquid easily turns into a gas Russian investigative journalist, human rights activist – claims Russian authorities have denied. and vapor concentrations can also penetrate the skin. Sarin and Kremlin critic Politkovskaya fell violently ill in Litvinenko had also accused Mr. Putin of ordering the has been classified by the United Nations as a weapon of September 2004 after drinking tea on an Aeroflot flight killing of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovs­ mass destruction. The stockpiling of sarin is outlawed from Moscow to southern Russia during the Beslan school- kaya, a Kremlin critic who was fatally shot less than two under the Chemical Weapons Convention. hostage crisis. months before his own death. Ibn al-Khattab Politkovskaya believed she was poisoned by the FSB, and media reports said her attackers used an unknown toxin THALLIUM The FSB has said that its operatives killed Ibn al-Khat­ prepared at a former Soviet secret-police poison facility. Thallium is a chemical element that is found in potassi­ tab, a Saudi-born militant who fought alongside Chechen Politkovskaya survived, but she was shot dead two years um-based ores, but also is a byproduct from refining heavy militants in Russia’s North Caucasus during the 1990s and later in the elevator of her Moscow apartment building. metal sulfide ores. Small, nontoxic amounts of the radioiso­ early 2000s. He died in 2002. tope thallium-201 are used in nuclear medicine scans. Khattab’s relatives and other Chechen sources say he was Copyright 2020, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with the permis- Thallium salts are highly toxic and have been used in rat poisoned after handling a letter that had been laced with a sion of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut poisons and insecticides. Thallium poisoning results in hair fast-acting nerve agent, possibly sarin or a derivative. Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see https:// loss. Because of its use as a murder weapon, it is some­ Russian press reports say the letter was delivered by a www.rferl.org/a/russia-skripal-kremlin-foes-exotic-tox- times referred to as the “poisoner’s poison.” Daghestani double agent who was paid by the FSB. ins/29083216.html). 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 No. 39 No. 39 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 11

NOTES ON PEOPLE

Cultural Center in Winnipeg. The laureate numerous articles and a contributor of a Motyl publishes “Fragmentary Memoirs” of the 2019 Omelian and Tetiana monthly column to the Ukrainian magazine Antonovych Foundation Award, he is the Ukrainskyy Tyzhden. NEW YORK – Prof. Alexander Motyl of author of seven academic books and “Bits and Pieces” is available on Amazon. Rutgers University has recently published “Bits and Piece: Fragmentary Memoirs” as a Kindle e-book. As the author writes in the foreword, Czolij named among Canada’s best lawyers “I’ve never wanted to write a memoir, and, as ‘Bits and Pieces’ demonstrates, I haven’t. KYIV – Eugene Czolij, president of the These ‘fragmentary memoirs’ consist of a Kyiv-based NGO Ukraine-2050 and former handful or two of semi-biographical essays president of the Ukrainian World Congress, and interviews, interlaced with my draw­ was selected by his peers for inclusion in ings, poems and paintings, and with a the 15th edition (2021) of “The Best novella (which may have more to say about Lawyers in Canada” in his legal practice me than the non-fiction pieces) thrown in areas of corporate and commercial litiga­ for good measure. Some things are dis­ tion, as well as insolvency and financial cussed in great detail; others are passed restructuring law. over in silence: readers will have to decide For its 15th and largest edition to date, which. All memoirs are selective remem­ Best Lawyers gathered more than a mil­ brances full of inconsistencies, lacunae, and lion evaluations to compile its listing of contradictions; this one is no different.” the top 6 percent of legal talent in In particular, Prof. Motyl’s “fragmentary Canada. memoirs” focus on art, writing, identity Since 2012 Mr. Czolij, who is a partner in and Sovietology, in general and as experi­ the Montreal-based firm Lavery de Billy, enced by the author. Particular attention is LLP, has been annually selected for listing paid to the author’s relationship with New in “Best Lawyers,” one of the oldest and York’s Lower East Side, his love of cafés, his most respected publications in the legal The cover of the Kindle e-book edition of profession. Readers may see the listing at: obsession with Fall River, Mass. (where his Alexander Motyl’s “Bits and Piece: https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/ mother was born), his collaboration with Fragmentary Memoirs.” Eugene Czolij Andy Warhol’s Superstar Ultra Violet, and eugene-czolij/140469. his emotional and intellectual engagement Warhol,” “Flippancy,” “The Jew Who Was The non-governmental organization sustainable development of Ukraine as a with Ukraine, the Soviet Union and Ukrainian,” “My Orchidia,” “Sweet Snow,” Ukraine -2050 is a non-profit organization fully independent, territorially integral, Vladimir Putin at Columbia University’s “Fall River,” “Vovochka” and “Ardor,” and a established to help implement, within one democratic, reformed and economically Harriman Institute. collection of poetry, “Vanishing Points.” generation – by 2050 – strategies for the competitive European state. Prof. Motyl (born in 1953 in New York) Prof. Motyl’s artwork has been shown in is a writer, painter and professor. solo and group shows in New York City, “Notes on People” is a feature geared toward reporting on the achievements of mem- Nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2008 Philadelphia and Toronto and is part of the bers of the Ukrainian community. All submissions should be concise due to space and 2013, he is the author of nine novels, permanent collection of The Ukrainian limitations. Items will be published as soon as possible after their receipt. “Whiskey Priest,” “Who Killed Andrei Museum in New York and the Ukrainian 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 No. 39

this year. The number of pilgrims traveling to the oil and gas sector and restrictions on the impacts of COVID-19 and to ensure a NEWSBRIEFS to Uman for Rosh Hashanah has increased the access of certain operators in that sector sustainable and inclusive post-pandemic (Continued from page 2) dramatically since Ukraine gained indepen­ to the EU capital market. A number of economic recovery. The two leaders also dence after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Russian companies that are part of Rosneft discussed the current situation in Ukraine. along the Belarusian-Ukrainian border after Union. (RFE/RL’s Belarus Service, RFE/RL’s had brought the action before the General The prime minister reiterated Canada’s they were refused entry to Ukraine over Ukrainian Service) Court and asked for the annulment of the unwavering support for Ukraine’s sover­ measures banning foreigners from entering measures. The General Court dismissed that eignty and territorial integrity. They dis­ EU court upholds sanctions on Russian firms the country to slow the spread of the coro­ action in September 2018, prompting the cussed the importance of dialogue and dip­ navirus. The State Border Guard Service of The European Union’s top court has companies to appeal further to the Court of lomatic efforts focused on restoring peace Ukraine said on September 18 that, of about upheld restrictive measures adopted by the Justice. The September 17 ruling noted that and security in Ukraine’s Donbas region, 1,000 pilgrims who were waiting to cross 27-nation bloc against Russian oil and gas the court “dismisses the companies’ appeal and the ongoing challenge of Russia’s illegal into the country, only some 600 remain, the companies in connection with Moscow’s in its entirety.” The judges said the compa­ occupation of Crimea. They also discussed rest having left the area after Kyiv upheld actions in Ukraine. The Luxembourg-based nies in question “could not reasonably have the importance of Ukraine’s ongoing the ban on entering the country amid a Court of Justice announced on September been unaware of the reasons why the tar­ reforms, with the prime minister reaffirm­ spike in coronavirus cases. Tens of thou­ 17 that it had upheld a judgment by a lower geted restrictions at issue were imposed on ing Canada’s support for these efforts. sands of followers of the Breslov Hasidic EU court dismissing an action against the them” and that both the export prohibitions Messrs. Trudeau and Zelenskyy also spoke movement come to Uman every year to sanctions slapped on companies that are and the restrictions on access to the EU cap­ about the need for peaceful and democratic mark the Jewish New Year by praying at the part of state oil giant Rosneft, saying the ital market “clearly contribute” to achieving change in Belarus. (Ukrainian Canadian grave of the movement’s founder, Reb measures “have been duly justified and are the objective pursued by the European Congress Daily Briefing) Nachman, who died there in 1810. They suitable for putting pressure on Russia Council: increasing the costs of the Russian U.S. Embassy calls on Russia to end conflict began to gather on the Belarusian- because of its role” in the Ukraine crisis. actions against Ukraine’s sovereignty and Ukrainian border around September 14, Beginning in July 2014, the European promoting a peaceful settlement of the cri­ On the occasion of World Peace Day, the trying to get to Ukraine and go to Uman, in Council adopted restrictive measures on sis. The decision is also in line with two key U.S. Embassy called on Russia to end the the Cherkasy region, to celebrate the holi­ the Russian bank and energy sectors in international agreements: the 1994 conflict in the Donbas, which it has pro­ day that runs from September 18 to Russia in response to its annexation of the EU-Russian Partnership Agreement and the voked and supports, to withdraw from the September 20. Ukrainian Internal Affairs Crimean peninsula and its support for mili­ General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, Donbas and Crimea, and to release all ille­ Minister Arsen Avakov said last week that, tants fighting in eastern Ukraine. Those they said. The European Council welcomed gally imprisoned Ukrainians, said the char­ due to the coronavirus restrictions, only measures include prohibitions on the the ruling, saying it “demonstrated the legit­ gé d’affaires ad interim of the United States about 3,000 pilgrims will come to Uman export of certain products and technologies imacy, legal robustness and strength of the in Ukraine, Kristina Kvien. “On World Peace EU’s sanctions in place for Russia’s destabi­ Day we call on Russia to choose peace. lizing actions in Ukraine.” Spokesman Peter Ukrainians, like all people, want to live their Stano said, “The sanctions in place are a key lives in peace, and with full recognition of element of the EU’s efforts to bring a solu­ their human rights. Until Russia ends the tion to the crisis in Ukraine that respects its conflict it manufactured and sustains in TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 territorial integrity, sovereignty and inde­ Donbas, and fully withdraws from both or e-mail [email protected] pendence.” (RFE/RL) Donbas and Crimea, Ukrainians cannot Canada’s PM speaks with Ukraine’s president enjoy the peace they deserve,” Ms. Kvien said in a video address posted on Twitter SERVICES PROFESSIONALS Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on September 21. The chargé d’affaires also spoke on September 22 with the president stated: “Russia must also free all Ukrainians ОКСАНА СТАНЬКО of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According it has wrongfully imprisoned in retaliation Ліцензований продавець to a release from the Office of the Prime for peaceful dissent. The U.S. remains fully Страхування Життя Minister, Messrs. Trudeau and Zelenskyy committed to diplomatic efforts to end OKSANA STANKO spoke about ongoing efforts in Canada, Licensed Life Insurance Agent Ukraine and around the world, to address (Continued on page 13) Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. Tel.: 908-872-2192 email: [email protected] Nobel Prize. Turning... Stus wrote of his life in the labor (Continued from page 6) camps: “We cannot go on much longer this way. Such pressure can only lead to death. compounded by the fact that it was not the I do not know when death will come for result of natural causes, but the culmination others, but I myself feel it approaching. I of a slow and sadistic execution, stretched think I have done everything I could dur­ over a period of many torturous years.” ing my life.” Stus was arrested and imprisoned by the Voice of America underscored, “When Soviets in 1965, 1972 and 1980, often this brave man died on September 4, the charged with what the regime called “anti- cause of freedom suffered a dreadful loss.” Soviet agitation.” In his “Gulag Notebook,” More than 400 Ukrainian Canadians Stus wrote: “We have lost all rights to gathered on September 29 at Nathan belong to ourselves, let alone to possess Phillips Square in Toronto, near City Hall, to OPPORTUNITIES our own books, notebooks, notes. …I do not commemorate Stus. The event was orga­ know how long [the regime] will last, but I nized by the University of Toronto Ukrainian feel that I have been condemned to death.” Students’ Club and included readings of EARN EXTRA INCOME! During his imprisonment from 1980 to Stus’s works and a memorial service. The Ukrainian Weekly is looking 1985, Stus was denied visits from his fami­ “After we heard that he died, we read his for advertising sales agents. ly, and he wrote a letter of farewell to his poetry and it then hit us that the Ukrainian For additional information contact family and friends while the Soviet community had suffered a great loss,” said Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, Ukrainian Writers’ Union, Raduga, claimed Zenon Waschuk, 21, of the Ukrainian The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. that the poet was healthy. The Ukrainian Students’ Club. The event attracted partici­ Ukrainian lady looking for live- Helsinki Group letter also cited other pants from the organization Poets, Essayists in employment caring for an Ukrainian political prisoners killed by the and Novelists (PEN Internat­ ­ional), Amnesty elderly person. Has extensive Run your advertisement here, Soviets, including Tykhy, Lytvyn, Marchenko International and Toronto’s Ukrainian experiance in such work. in The Ukrainian Weekly’s and Valentin Sokolov. Other victims who Avant-Guard Theater Group. survived Soviet imprisonment included Tel. 908-937-7219 Natalia CLASSIFIEDS section. The death of Vasyl Stus served to further Sakharov, the blinded Yuriy Shukhevych and expose the brutality of Soviet methods in the crippled Ivan Svitlychny. maintaining stability and order in a closed Urging the international community to society, and today it should serve as a action, the Ukrainian Helsinki Group reminder that the Russian Federation con­ added: “The murder of Vasyl Stus and his tinues this policy against critics, journalists, 1152 Route 10 West, Suite N, Randolph, NJ 07869 fellow prisoners is not the internal affair of political opposition leaders and intellectu­ the Soviet Union. We call upon you to als who pose a threat to the Putin regime. 862-219-5344 demand that his killers be brought to jus­ tice before an international court.” Sources: “Reactions to death of Vasyl Stus: Voice of America’s editorial highlighted ‘A poet dies in Ukraine’ by George Sajewycz, that Stus’s persecution had come to an end ‘Helsinki Group’s representation: statement following his death. Stus was the fourth and appeal,’ (signed by Nadia Svitlychna, Ukrainian activist to die in a Soviet labor Ukrainian Helsinki Group), ‘VOA editorial: camp in 12 months. In 1985, a group in persecution of Stus ends at last’ by Voice of Western Europe had begun translating America,” “400 honor Vasyl Stus at Toronto works by Stus, the editorial noted, and the memorial service,” The Ukrainian Weekly, group worked to sponsor him for the September 29 and October 6, 1985. No. 39 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 13

institutions and governments are doing the ICIJ on September 20 show that a com­ Ukraine on countering disinformation NEWSBRIEFS enough to stop illicit money flows. The pany co-owned by Turkish gold smuggler President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says (Continued from page 12) report, published September 20 by the Reza Zarrab made $1.25 billion in suspi­ International Consortium of Investigative cious wire transactions involving Russian that Ukraine is ready to initiate the creation Journalists (ICIJ), is based on thousands of and offshore entities. The documents also in Kyiv of the headquarters of an interna­ Russia’s conflict in eastern Ukraine and its tional office to counter disinformation and occupation of Crimea. We stand with the leaked documents from the U.S. Treasury show that $11 billion in suspicious transac­ propaganda. “Ukraine, as one of the coun­ people of Ukraine and support Ukrainian Department’s arm that investigates money tions flowed to and from Russia over the tries that has been actively opposing propa­ sovereignty and territorial integrity.” laundering. The documents show how two-decade period, while $470 million ganda and information attacks since 2014, (Interfax-Ukraine) major Western banks, including JPMorgan flowed to and from Ukraine. The news orga­ and Deutsche Bank, helped criminal net­ nizations working on the FinCEN docu­ is ready to initiate the creation in Kyiv of U.S. building anti-Nord Stream coalition works around the world, including from the ments plan to publish more stories in the the headquarters of an international office former Soviet Union, move and hide money. coming days about who else was behind the to counter disinformation and propagan­ U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stat­ It is at least the fifth major leak over the suspicious financial flows. The FinCEN da,” he said in his video speech on Septem­ ed in an interview with Germany’s Bild-TV, past six years exposing the depth of global dump is the latest breach of secretive global ber 24 at the plenary session of the 75th “The United States believes that the Nord corruption. The 2,100 documents from the financial records since the 2017 leak of doc­ session of the United Nations General Stream 2 pipeline underwrites Russia, cre­ Financial Crimes Enforcement Network uments from Appleby and Estera, two off­ Assembly. Mr. Zelenskyy pointed to the ates risk for Europe by allowing it to become (FinCEN) were leaked to BuzzFeed and shore legal and corporate service providers. danger of information threats to the mod­ dependent upon gas that’s coming out of later shared them with more than 400 Known as the Paradise Papers, they ern world, when “disinformation and fake Russia and also threatens Ukraine, some­ reporters around the globe for further revealed the offshore financial dealings of news can affect world markets, stock thing I know many German people care investigation. The FinCEN documents con­ politicians, celebrities and business leaders. exchanges and even the electoral process.” deeply about. So we hope that the Nord sist of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARS) (RFE/RL) (Interfax-Ukraine) Stream 2 pipeline won’t be completed.” He dating from 1999 to 2017. Banks file SARS continued: “We’re working to make sure we with FinCEN when they have concerns build out a coalition that prevents that from about the legality of a transaction. In half of small margins in battleground states will happening. We hope the German govern­ the FinCEN reports received by BuzzFeed, ment will come to see it this way, whether the banks didn’t have information about Ukrainian American... decide the election. Ukraine policy is not it’s because of what took place to Mr. one or more entities behind the transac­ (Continued from page 7) only vital for the Ukrainian community but [Aleksei] Navalny or because of the real tions, according to the ICIJ, raising concerns also to our NATO allies and their approach security implications that come from becom­ about lax enforcement by financial institu­ his credit, President Clinton engaged to Mr. Putin’s Russia. As if that weren’t ing dependent on Russian gas.” (Ukrainian tions. The U.S. and Western governments Ukrainian Americans of diverse orienta­ enough, there’s managing the coronavirus Canadian Congress Daily Briefing) have passed legislation in recent years that tions in his pro-Ukrainian deliberations. I pandemic; a Depression-era level of unem­ was gratified to attend White House meet­ ployment; urban violence; climate change- Banks reported $2 T in suspicious transactions puts more pressure on banks to clamp down on illicit flows or face hefty fines. ings on this, including several with the generated floods, fires, droughts, heat Global banks moved over a nearly two- Banks globally filed more than 2 million president himself. waves, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. What decade period more than $2 trillion in pay­ SARS last year. FinCEN, which has 333 Now in 2020, the choice for Ukrainian now? Locusts? Frogs dropping from the ments they believed were suspicious, employees, is understaffed and underfund­ Americans is between the most anti- sky? America is in chaos. Can we endure according to a new investigative report that ed for the fight against corruption, analysts Ukraine candidate ever and a lifelong advo­ another four years of this? The solution? raises questions about whether financial say. The FinCEN documents published by cate for Ukraine. Votes are critical where Vote!

The Executive Committee of the Ukrainian National Association regrets to announce to the members У глибокому смутку ділимося болючою вісткою з рідними і знайомими, of the UNA General Assembly, що 15-го вересня 2020 року відійшла від нас у Божу вічність to members of UNA Branch 173 наша найдорожча і незабутня Мама і Бабуня and to the UNA membership at-large, that св. п. Peter Serba Наталія Возняк (June 10, 1924 – September 12, 2020) (з дому Чайковська) Secretary of the UNA Branch 173 in Wilmington, DE, народжена 1-го січня 1925 року у Підлиссю, Україна passed away on September 12, 2020. в родині о. Михайла і Анни Чайковських. Mr. Peter Serba was a proud Branch Secretary for 66 years. В Америці проживала в околицях Нюарку, Ню Джерзі. The Executive Committee and the entire UNA membership Активно підтримувала українську громаду, а особливо wish to express their deepest condolences to Українську Греко Католицьку Церкву. son Eugene Serba, (UNA 2nd Vice-President); granddaughter Dr. Diana Zetterstrom with husband Paul; ПОХОРОННА ВІДПРАВА відбудеться grandson Gregory Serba with wife Julie; в суботу, 26-го вересня 2020 року, о год. 9:00 ранку great-grandchildren: Zoe, Luke and Grace Zetterstrom. в церкві св. Івана Хрестителя в Нюарку, Ню Джерзі, Peter Serba was a very active and long-time supporter of the UNA. His а відтак поховання на цвинтарі св. Андрія Первозваного dedication to the Ukrainian National Association will not be forgotten. у Саут Баунд-Бруку. Вічна йому пам’ять! В глибокому смутку залишилися: донька - ХРИСТИНА ВОВК з мужем ВІКТОРОМ внуки - АНДРЕЙ і АДРІЯН, донька - МАРТА БІЯНЧЕТТО з мужем ПАOЛОМ, двоюрідна сестра - МАРІЯ ФІҐЛЮС з дітьми ІГОРЕМ і ОДАРКОЮ з родинами, двоюрідний брат - ОЛЕГ ЧАЙКОВСЬКИЙ із дружиною ДАРІЄЮ та синами ТИМІШЕМ, ОЛЕГОМ, ЛЕВОМ, і ЯРЕМОЮ з родинами, сваха - МАРІЯ ВОВК Nina Orel ближча і дальша родина в США, Канаді й Україні. April 20, 1935 ~ August 4, 2020 Вічна Їй пам’ять! Nina Orel, 85, of North Bergen, NJ, entered everlasting rest Бажаючих вшанувати пам’ять покійної Наталії, родина просить on Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 at her residence. She was born складати пожертви на Фундацію Інституту ім. Митрополита Андрея in Ukraine to her parents John Balura and Tatiana (Shapowal). Шептицького. She is predeceased by her cherished daughter Alexandra Maria Orel. Metr. Andrey Sheptytsky Institute Foundation Nina will always be remembered by her loving sons Andrew and Peter. University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto The funeral service was held on Monday, August 10, at St. Sophia 81 Saint Mary Street Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Bayonne, NJ. The interment took place at Toronto M56 1C4 St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox cemetery in South Bound Brook, NJ. Canada www.sheptytskyinstitute.ca Вічна Їй пам’ять! 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 No. 39

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Virtual memorial service in Illinois commemorates Genocide-Holodomor

by Maria Korkatsch-Groszko September 20, on the Facebook page of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral – BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – Taking into con­ Orthodox Church of Ukraine and on the St. sideration the regulations and recommen­ Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral– dations of local, state and federal agencies OCU YouTube channel, https://www.you­ regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the tube.com/channel/UClbtFOPAdd2sQ4Oz- Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation – Oylomg. USA Inc. invited the Ukrainian community Officiating clergy represented various of Illinois and beyond to participate in a vir­ eparchies of the Ukrainian Orthodox tual ecumenical memorial service in mem­ Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Church. ory of the more than 10 million victims of A memorial wreath was carried by young the genocidal Holodomor. Juliet and Michael Marcyniuk, and it was The service was livestreamed on Sunday, placed at the foot of the Genocide-Holodo­

Marie Slobidsky/UGFF-USA, Inc. Clergy and speakers gather outside St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church after the panakhyda (from left): the Rev. Mykhaylo Leschyshyn, Ukraine’s Consul General Serhiy Koledov, Maria Korkatsch-Groszko, the Rev. Serhiy Kasperuk, the Rev. Mykola Lypko, Jaroslav Sydorenko, the Very Rev. Victor Poliarny, Mykola Kocherha, Mykola Sidelnik, Matthew Marcyniuk, the Very Rev. Serhiy Kovalchuk, the Very Rev. Volodymyr Kushnir, the Rev. Vasyl Dumka, the Very Rev. Bohdan Nalysnyk and Deacon Marko Krutiak.

mor Memorial Monument by Ukraine’s that the intent of the Stalin regime was to consul general in Chicago, Serhiy Koledov. exterminate the Ukrainian nation, and that The memory of Holodomor victims was there is evidence that more than 10 million honored by the Very Rev. Victor Poliarny, victims were subjected to death by starva­ Consul General Koledov, Mykola Kocherha tion. (president of the Ukrainian Genocide In Illinois, through the efforts of mem­ Famine Foundation) and the Very Rev. bers of the Ukrainian Genocide Famine Serhiy Kovalchuk. Responses were sung by Foundation, the Illinois School Code was the St. Andrew Choir under the direction of amended with a mandatory statute (HB312 Taras Rudenko. and SB23) that requires the curriculum of The speakers’ remarks focused on the every public elementary and high school to need to continuously and relentlessly include a unit of instruction on the Famine- remind the world community about the Genocide in Ukraine. Members of the executive board of the Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation at Holodomor and to disseminate information the Holodomor Memorial Monument (from left): Lydia Tkaczuk, Maria Korkatsch- about the greatest horror inflicted on the Maria Korkatsch-Groszko, Ph.D., is mem- Groszko, Motria Melnyk, Mykola Kocherha (president) Tamara Kusyk-Storrie, Ukrainian people. It was pointed out that ber of the executive board of the Ukrainian Marie Slobidsky and Vera Eliashevsky. access to newly available archives confirms Genocide Famine Foundation – USA Inc.

ly the National Guard) assembled for that Belarusian Prime Minister Raman integration and closer military cooperation. Lukashenka... purpose near the border with Belarus Halauchanka to volunteer for vaccination The article above is reprinted from (Continued from page 3) would return to their permanent bases on the same day and actually to be vacci­ (Russia-1 TV, August 27; TASS, September nated on September 7. The Russian side Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from billing in Mr. Putin’s remarks preceding Mr. 14). considers the possibility of outsourcing its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, Lukashenka’s. Russian privatization of Belarusian state some phases of the vaccine production pro­ www.jamestown.org. Nor did Mr. Lukashenka mention the enterprises, mergers of Russian and cess to Belarus (Interfax, September 3, 7; “road maps” that Russia wants Belarus to Belarusian state corporations, or debt-for- TASS, September 14). sign in further development to the nominal assets schemes – which Moscow brings up Mr. Mishustin along with Russia’s Union State. In fact, Mr. Lukashenka only from time to time as irritants in the dia­ Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak had dis­ mentioned the Union State Treaty to recall logue – were deliberately left out this time. cussed the repayment of Belarus’s debt of that it was signed back in 1999, and that he “Too early,” Mr. Peskov said. These matters some $350 million for Russian natural gas had exchanged the instruments of ratifica­ will undoubtedly return to the agenda (see during their September 3 visit to Minsk. tion with a “young president Putin” in below). The current emphasis is on revers­ This and other perennial energy supply 2000. ing the decline in the bilateral trade turn­ topics did not come up in the public part of He could have been expected on this over. the Sochi meeting. occasion (of all occasions) to mention his The Russian side confirmed the immi­ Interviewed on the day of Mr. Luka­shen­ recent idea about diverting Belarusian nent disbursal of a $1.5 billion loan to ka’s Sochi visit, Rosatom General Director export-import flows from Lithuania’s Belarus, partly to refinance past debt and Aleksei Likhachev said that Belarus’s Klaipeda port toward Russia’s Ust-Luga. partly to cover current expenses. Astravets nuclear power plant began load­ But Mr. Lukashenka did not bring this up, Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanou­ ing the first reactor with nuclear fuel on which could be another sign of regaining skaya, currently in Lithuania, reacted: “I August 8, and is expected to connect the his composure. want to remind Vladimir Putin: whatever first power bloc to Belarus’s electricity grid Regarding the post-election protests, Mr. the two of you agree in the Sochi meeting before the end of the current year. Lukashenka gave reassurance in his open­ will not be legally valid. All agreements According to Mr. Likhachev, the Internatio­ ing remarks that “nobody has yet crossed signed with the illegitimate Lukashenka nal Atomic Energy Agency continuously those red lines.” This choice of words may will be reconsidered by the new authori­ monitors the plant. The project is financed allude to Mr. Putin’s August 27 warning ties. I very much regret that you decided to by a $10 billion Russian state loan, at 3.3 that Russian law enforcement personnel conduct a dialogue with the dictator, percent annual interest (Ekho Moskvy, could deploy to Belarus if the protests instead of the Belarusian people” (Interfax, September 14). “cross red lines.” Mr. Lukashenka’s state­ September 14). The Kremlin will, in the near term, pri­ ment amounts to certifying that they did Russia has designated Belarus as the oritize constitutional reform in Belarus and not. And following the presidents’ closed- first country to be supplied with the remaking its political system. A parliamen­ door session, Mr. Peskov announced that Russian-made COVID-19 vaccine. Russian tary republic – such as Russia seems to the units making up a reserve contingent of Prime Minister Mishustin announced this have in mind for Belarus – would be far less Russian law enforcement personnel (main­ in Minsk on September 3, inspiring resistant to Russian demands for economic No. 39 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 15

Plast scouts of all ages who were able to attend a socially distanced divine liturgy in A cub scout in uniform during Novyi Sokil’s online program. Hunter, N.Y., celebrated by the Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak. Plast camp goes virtual during summer of COVID-19 JENKINTOWN, Pa. – This year’s summer camps of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization were very different from prior years due to COVID-19 and the quarantine measures limiting and restricting the number of overnight campers. Under the direction of Plast U.S.A.’s head of camps, Roman Lewyckyj, leaders of all three Plast campsites organized a one-week virtual camp for their cub scouts (novatstvo) and scouts (yunatstvo). Over 350 participants, comprising campers and their counselors, took part in the organized online camps hosted by the individual campgrounds, which culminated in an online weekend bonfire that was open to anyone who wanted to participate. Nearly 20 percent of the campers attended more than one week of virtual Plast camp. The Plast campground Pysanyi Kamin in Middlefield, Ohio, hosted the first week of online camp (July 5-11); Vovcha Tropa in East Chatham, N.Y., hosted the second week (July 12-19); and A special guest of Novyi Sokil’s virtual camp: U.S. Navy Novyi Sokil in North Collins, N.Y., hosted the third Capt. Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, a former astronaut. week (July 19-25). Each camp had its own unique online program, and campers were able to obtain several merit badges by performing their projects from home and sharing photographs and videos. Many projects, Zoom campers participating in Vovcha Tropa’s virtual pro- including those in cooking and crafting, were show­ gram. cased on Plast’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Following completion of one or more weeks of online camp, each camper received a commemora­ tive T-shirt, as well as a badge designed by older scout Julianna Lyktey. In addition to the three-week camp for cub scouts and scouts, the Plast sorority Spartanky organized a one-week virtual camp for the youngest cub scouts, which was held August 3-7. This camp, normally held at Vovcha Tropa, is usually well- attended as it offers first-time campers a precursor to what lies ahead in a full three-week sleepaway camp. Source: Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization A cub scout (“novak”) who “attended” Pysanyi Kamin’s U.S.A. A view of indoor camping. online camp.

“Do try this at home, but carefully” was the instruction The leadership team for Novyi Sokil’s virtual camp for “novatstvo”” (cub scouts). for this activity. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 No. 39

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REPUBLICAN DEMOCRAT ACTIONS PLATITUDES

ARMED UKRAINE’S INFANTRY VETOED MILITARY SUPPORT Delivered lethal weapons to Ukraine - enough Javelin mis- Russia took over Crimea with Obama/Biden vetoing lethal siles to destroy 3/4 of Russian tanks in Donbas, and then weapons for Ukraine. The Administration then pressured approved using these anti-tank missiles at the front lines – Ukraine to “show restraint” while restricting US military pres- halting Russian advancement. ence to Western Ukraine.

ARMED UKRAINE’S NAVY REFUSED MEANINGFUL COMMITMENT Sold Ukraine enough advanced missile-equipped patrol boats to destroy or disable much of Russia’s Black Sea fleet. Ukraine’s former President pleaded that though welcome, US blankets and food rations could not win the war. Obama/Biden retorted that, Ukraine as a NATO non-member, may or may not FORTIFIED NATO be worth fighting for – such ambivalence mirroring the toothless Budapest Memorandum. • NATO Secretary General addressed US Congress to thank President Trump for persuading NATO members to accept their responsibilities. DISMISSED RUSSIA • Approved Patriot missiles for Poland to bolster East Europe’s AS A SERIOUS THREAT air defenses. Refused to strengthen NATO and abandoned the missile • The US military joined Europe’s air forces in “Clear Sky 2018” defense shield in Poland and Czech Republic, and instead to demonstrate resolve after 2014 Russian invasion. viewed Russia as a “regional power” justifiably extending influ- ence over her neighbors. HALTED RUSSIAN ENERGY EXTORTION OPENED UKRAINE Using sanctions, US halted construction on major Russian pipe- TO RUSSIAN COERCION line bypassing Ukraine to Western Europe – forestalling Putin’s Did not push back on Nord Stream gas pipeline construction economic extortion and saving Ukraine billions, while making intended to bypass and expose Ukraine to the loss of billions in Europeans seek alternative energy sources. transit fees and to Russian financial coercion.

COUNTERED SHOWED RELUCTANCE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION TO CONFRONT RUSSIA To strengthen NATO’s eastern flank, authorized the largest ever For fear of provoking Russia, administration avoided strengthen- US military deployment in the region – US units from Germany ing NATO’s eastern flank along Ukraine’s border nor deploying naval and air defense forces there. Instead, they slashed ear- to Poland and US Stryker brigade to a naval base near the marked military funding – redirecting it to ‘progressive’ social Black Sea. programs.

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Ukrainian American Veterans award 12 scholarships for 2020 by Nicholas Skirka YONKERS, N.Y. – The Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) 73rd annual National Convention will be a virtual one, to be held November 5-7. The recipients of the UAV Scholarship Awards are announced at the annual convention. The UAV National Scholarship Committee selects and awards scholarship money to matriculated under­ graduate college students. The purpose of the scholarship awards is to help students pay for tuition, books and/or school sup­ plies. Students are required to write an essay (400-500 words) about a current military or related topic. The topics for this year included: the war on terrorism, human rights, the negative effects of wars on American veterans, Russian aggression on sovereign countries, and Ukrainian Ameri­ can veterans’ contributions to America’s wars. Students chose one of these five top­ ics to write their essay. Other criteria considered for a scholar­ ship are academic achievement and extra­ curricular activities. This year, 12 students applied and received UAV scholarship awards. attends Seton Hall University, where she is majoring• Ariana in Mar biologyia Sh atynskipre-med. (New She J ersey)is the recipient of a $500 award given by NOVA UA Federal Credit Union, Clifton, N.J. nia) attends Wake Forest University, where he• is Cyrilmajoring Raymond in mathematical Sheptak (P ennsylva­business. He is the recipient of the $500 award donated by Roman Synychak from Florida. attends the University of Connecticut, where UAV scholarship recipients (beginning with top row, from left): Ariana Maria Shatynski, Cyril Raymond Sheptak, Jared Jeffrey he • is Jaredmajoring Jeffr iney mathematics Roderick (M assachusetts)and statistics. Roderick, Talia Szozda, Juliana R. Shatynski, Victoria Olena Swindle, Veronica J. Coffey, Bridget Magdalen Monks, Anna He is the recipient of a $400 award donated Oksana Swindle, Elizabeth Neave Kozachek, Patrick Thomas Monks and Alexander Ihor Kowinko. by UAV Post 40 from Florida. rights law. The scholarship award was attends Western Connecticut State Univers­ ate college students in a degree program. University of Connecticut, where she is donated by Ukrainian National Federal ity and is majoring in creative writing. Students attending accredited trade majoring• Talia in Szozda allied (Connecticut)health sciences. att Sheends is the Credit Union (NY). schools or institutions that have a degree recipient of a $400 award, donated in mem­ ticut)­ attends Sacred Heart University and is program are eligible as well. Students can ory of Michael Demchuk who started the attends Western Connecticut State majoring• Alexander in nursing. Ihor Kowinko (Connecticut) apply while in their senior year of high Scholarship Fund in 1992-1993. University• Bridget and Magdalen is majoring Monk in sgraphic (Connec design The UAV National Scholarship school; college attendance will be verified and minoring in philosophy. The scholarship Committee thanked all the people who before the awards are given in the fall attends the College of New Jersey, where award was donated by Christiana Bej in donated to make the UAV scholarship semester. Applications are accepted all- she• is Juliana majoring R. inShatyns specialki education. (New Jersey) She is memory of her grandfather Myroslaw awards a huge success. year around and the deadline is August 31. the recipient of a $300 award donated by Pryjma, a UAV executive board member who Students interested in applying for the Students can reapply for a scholarship the Ladies Auxiliary. served as welfare officer for many years. UAV Scholarship Award should fill out an award in subsequent years. Three students each received a $250 Four students each received a $200 application, send their college transcript Completed scholarship applications award: award: (unofficial copy), write an essay on the should be sent to the UAV national scholar­ year’s choice of topics and e-mail a high ship officer: Nicholas Skirka, 109 Windsor attends the University of Pittsburgh and is attends the Community College of Allegheny resolution digital photo of themselves. Terrace, Yonkers, NY 10701. For additional majoring• Victoria in information Olena Swindle science. (Pennsylvania) The schol­ County• Anna in OkPittsburghsana Swindle and (isPennsylvania) majoring in Applications are available on the UAV web­ information, e-mail [email protected] arship award was donated by SUMA mathematics. site: www.uavets.org. or call 914-965-3707. (Yonkers) Federal Credit Union. To be eligible for a UAV scholarship, The UAV National Scholarship setts) attends Salem State University and is applicants must be descendants of or relat­ Committee includes: John Galik, Peter Indiana University, Bloomington, and is majoring• Elizabeth in chemistry. Neave K ozachek (Massachu­ ed to a Ukrainian American veteran. Olijarczyk, Maksym Makarczuk and Russel majoring• Veronica in international J. Coffey (Ind studies/humaniana) attends Applicants should be full-time undergradu­ Olijarczyk.

• Patrick Thomas Monks (Connecticut) cized by members of the opposition in technologies that are aimed at destroying Belarusian ambassador to Poland, France, Kuleba... Belarus, who refused to accept the results independent states,” Mr. Lukashenka said UNESCO and Spain between 2002 and (Continued from page 1) of an August 9 vote they regard as falsified. during his inauguration speech, alluding to 2019 and was part of the opposition’s Following the inauguration ceremony, his previous claims that Western states Coordination Council set up to pave a tran­ The United States also weighed in. “The spontaneous demonstrations broke out in were fomenting a pro-democracy revolu­ sition to a new president – wrote on his elections August 9 were neither free nor Minsk, the heart of more than six weeks of tion against him. Telegram channel that the country was fair. The announced results were fraudulent nationwide opposition to a vote that Mr. “However, we turned out to be one of “witnessing an unprecedented situation.” and did not convey legitimacy,” a State Lukashenka claims to have won with more those few countries where a color revolu­ “The outgoing president, who claims to Department spokesperson told RFE/RL. than 80 percent support. tion failed, or perhaps, we were the only have won more than 80 percent of the vote “The United States cannot consider The official news agency BelTA reported such country. It was a choice made by the in the election, has carried out a special Alyaksandr Lukashenka the legitimately that ”several hundred” senior officials had Belarusian people who don’t want to lose operation to be sworn in,” Mr. Latushka elected leader of Belarus.” been invited to the inauguration ceremony, their country.” wrote. “Under the protection of riot police, The State Department called for a though it did not say who or how many By late afternoon, thousands had gath­ in an atmosphere of secrecy, in a narrow “national dialogue” culminating in “a free actually attended. BelTA said Mr. Lukashen­ ered near the Stela Minsk Hero City World circle of officials who were hastily brought and fair election under independent obser­ ka put his right hand on the constitution War II memorial in downtown Minsk in. Where are the jubilant citizens? Where vation.” The spokesperson added, “Release and took the oath of office, before signing it. before Internal Affairs Ministry troops is the diplomatic corps?” of those unjustly detained and an end of The chairman of the Central Election moved in. The black-and-green-clad riot “To be honest,” Mr. Latushka added, “it repression against peacefully protesting cit­ Commission then presented him with the troops descended on the crowd, followed looks more like a thieves’ meeting for the izens is a first step toward genuine national certificate of the president of the Republic by a truck with a water cannon, sending coronation of another thief-in-law.” dialogue.” of Belarus, it added. many Belarusians fleeing into nearby Mr. Lukashenka’s secretive inauguration “Our statehood had to face an unprece­ grassy areas and shops. Sources: Interfax-Ukraine, RFE/RL’s on September 23 was immediately criti­ dented challenge based on well-developed Paval Latushka – who served as Belarus Service No. 39 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 19

Tarashcha, Kyiv region. In 2009, the Ukraine remembers... remains of a skull were found in the Kyiv (Continued from page 1) region; according to the Prosecutor General’s Office, it belonged to Gongadze. in sight,” reads the statement. On March 15, 2008, the Kyiv Court of Appeals found Valery Kostenko, Mykola “Unfortunately, Gongadze’s death is not September 29 Webinar with Olga Kobryn, “The Art of Ukrainian the only violent crime against a journalist. Protasov, and Oleksandr Popovych guilty of Online Embroidery,” Ukrainian History and Education Center, According to monitoring and human rights killing Gongadze. They were officers of the www.ukrhec.org organizations, several dozen journalists Department of External Surveillance of the were killed during the years of indepen­ Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. The October 2-3 Webinar, “Stalin’s Cover-Up of the Ukrainian Holodomor dence in Ukraine. The final list has not yet court sentenced them to 12 to 13 years in Genocide of 1932-1933,” U.S. Committee for Ukrainian been drawn up, and the perpetrators of prison. In January 2013, a court sentenced Holodomor-Genocide Awareness, Texas Council of Social most crimes have not been identified,” stat­ Oleksiy Pukach, the former head of the Studies, www.txcss.net (registration required) ed the statement’s signatories. Internal Affairs Ministry’s external surveil­ On May 4, 2019, journalist Vadym lance department, to life in prison for the Komarov was brutally beaten in Cherkasy. journalist’s murder. October 3 UKtoberfest, Shrewd Fox Brewery, St. Volodymyr Ukrainian After 46 days in a coma, the man died. In 2011, the prosecutor’s office opened a Glen Spey, NY Catholic Church grounds, www.shrewdfoxbrewery.com or Komarov was uncomfortable for many case against ex-President Kuchma, but the 845-557-8255 influential people in Cherkasy, so he court closed it that same year. On January received regular threats. The crime 31, 2011, the court refused to recognize the October 2-4 Health and Wellness Retreat, Soyuzivka Heritage Center, remains unsolved, and the perpetrators are Gongadze murder as ordered. Kerhonkson, NY www.soyuzivka.com or 845-626-5641 unpunished. Among the most high-profile The investigation recognized former cases of recent times is the murder of jour­ Internal Affairs Minister Yuri Kravchenko, October 4 Pilgrimage to the Mother of God, Sisters of the Order of nalist Pavlo Sheremet on July 20, 2016, in who had long since died, as the person who Jenkintown, PA St. Basil the Great, Basilian Spirituality Center, Kyiv. The trial of those accused of his mur­ ordered the murder of Gongadze. www.stbasils.com or 215-379-3998 der continues, but the defendants deny According to the official version, in 2005, involvement in the crime and call the pros­ Kravchenko committed suicide with two October 8 Online artist talk with Gunjan Kumar, “Working with ecution politically motivated. shots to the head. Online Nature Inside Out,” Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, “These cases are only the clearest evi­ The body of the murdered journalist was www.uima-chicago.com dence of a large-scale and alarming trend. buried on March 22, 2016, in Kyiv. Because Ukraine is an independent democ­ Gongadze’s family believes that the real October 15 Online discussion, with Ambassador Volodymyr racy that values ​​freedom of speech and the perpetrators of the murder have not yet Online Yelchenko, Solomiia Bobrovska and Brian Bonner, safety of citizens, including those who fight been named. “Ukrainian Dialogue: Zelenskyy’s First Year Leading-Up to for the truth, journalists should not be “Recently, as the anniversary of his America’s Presidential Election,” Manor College, harassed, attacked or killed, and cases abduction and murder has drawn near, I www.ukrainiandialogue.com (registration required) against perpetrators and organizers [of have been thinking about my father’s lega­ crimes] should be investigated rather than cy,” writes Gongadze’s daughter Salome in a October 17 Golf outing, Ukrainian American Sports Center Tryzub, fabricated by law enforcement,” the jour­ commentary for the British publication Jamison, PA Bucks Club, https://thebucksclub.com nalists and human rights activists said in New Statesman. “It reminds me that it is their appeals. always harder to do what is right. Today, as Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events “We, the undersigned, urge the in his time, to fight for the right thing is to advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions Ukrainian authorities to ensure a transpar­ struggle. Gongadze was intimidated for his from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors ent investigation into these cases, to identi­ journalism. His work, politically sensitive and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. fy and name the perpetrators of the kill­ and upsetting to powerful interests, meant ings, and to prevent the release of the per­ that he was rarely given stable work and petrators whose involvement has been found it difficult to provide for his family. proven. We also call for the protection of The ultimate consequence of his struggle journalists and for systematic measures was a family turned into refugees and two needed to protect citizens’ right to informa­ children who never knew their father. My tion,” they underscored. father chose to struggle because he was The United States Embassy in Ukraine fundamentally idealistic about how things called for the investigation of all crimes could be. It is hard for those of us living in against journalists. The video statement in so-called advanced democracies, that Ukrainian by U.S. Embassy Counselor for sometimes seem to be entering some kind Public Affairs Walter Braunohler was post­ of twilight, to recognize the ideal he imag­ ed on Facebook on September 16. “Today ined. We feel foolish encouraging we commemorate Heorhiy Gongadze, a Ukrainians to reform their system when we brave journalist who was killed for seeking know how broken our own are.” the truth. No member of the press should “I will be 23 soon, and I’m starting to be threatened, attacked or arrested for look like my father,” Ms. Gongadze shared. doing his or her job. Crimes against jour­ “I have his square jaw and eyes that crinkle nalists should be thoroughly and promptly up when we grin for photographs. I suspect investigated so that those responsible are that if he were still around, he would say held accountable. Independent media are we were part of the same fight. He would an important part of successful democra­ be proud of the new generation of cies,” Mr. Braunohler said. Ukrainians, who live more freely thanks to Gongadze disappeared on September his efforts and carry them forward. And he 16, 2000. In November of the same year, his would remind us not to give up, because he headless body was found in a forest near never did.” 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 No. 39