INSIDE: l Partnership Memorandum signed for National Holodomor-Genocide Museum – page 4 l Ukrainian Youth Association marks 75th anniversary in diaspora – page 9 l Rep. Boyle meets with Ukrainian Human Rights Committee – page 12 The Ukrainian Weekly Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association

Vol. LXXXIX No. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 $2.00 Blinken says U.S. considering Ukrainian government tags Kremlin-friendly politicians ‘additional’ military assistance to Ukraine Medvedchuk and Kozak with suspicion of high treason SBU conducts search of Medvedchuk’s Kyiv home

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s government. Ukrainian Service “Such actions by the authorities are an open and cynical political reprisal against KYIV – The Security Service of Ukraine the opposition politician,” the pro-Russian (SBU) has searched the Kyiv home of Opposition Platform – For Life party added Kremlin-friendly tycoon and politician in a statement on its website. Viktor Medvedchuk, who along with anoth- Mr. Medvedchuk is the head of the politi- er pro-Russian Ukrainian lawmaker, Taras cal council of Opposition Platform – For Kozak, is under suspicion of treason. Life, which is the largest opposition group SBU officials told RFE/RL that the search in Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna was conducted on May 11, adding that Rada. He is one of the party’s 44 deputies in detailed information on the case will be the 450-seat legislature. made public later. In February, Ukraine’s National Security Serhii Nuzhnenko/Radio Svoboda.org, RFE/RL Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Iryna Council announced sanctions against Mr. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service in Venedyktova said the same day that she Medvedchuk, his wife Oksana Marchenko Kyiv on May 6. had signed notices of suspicion to be hand- and several other individuals and entities. ed to two lawmakers, whom she identified The sanctions froze the couple’s assets Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Kyiv has requested U.S. air defense sys- as M. and K., as suspects for alleged high for three years and prevented them from Ukrainian Service tems and anti-sniper technology, along treason and the illegal exploitation of natu- doing business in the country. with a possible deployment of Patriot mis- ral resources in Ukraine’s Russian-annexed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelens­ KYIV – Secretary of State Antony Blinken siles in Ukraine. Crimea. kyy’s government in February also sanc- says the United States is considering Mr. Blinken told RFE/RL on May 6 in an Local media identified M. as Mr. Medved­ tioned three television stations believed to Ukraine’s request for “additional” military interview in the Ukrainian capital, where chuk and K. as the other pro-Russian law- be owned by Mr. Medvedchuk. The move assistance to help deter Kremlin aggression he met with the country’s top leaders, maker, Mr. Kozak. came shortly after talks between U.S. Secre­ following a massive buildup of Russian including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mr. Medvedchuk’s political party said tary of State Antony Blinken and Ukrainian forces near their shared border and in the treason investigation and house search annexed Crimea. (Continued on page 7) were acts of “revenge and reprisals” by the (Continued on page 7)

In Ukraine, annual World War II commemorations shift from Soviet to Western tributes of the war’s end

by Roman Tymotsko Mr. Zelenskyy also visited the Bell of Remembrance at the memorial. The KYIV – In an attempt to combat Russian memorial currently houses the first of four propaganda over “the Red Army’s glorious bells that will be located throughout victory” during World War II, the Ukrainian Ukraine, the installment of which was initi- government has in recent years largely ated by the president a year ago. shifted toward adopting Western traditions Four bells will symbolize the memory of that commemorate the end of the war. the dead and reconciliation between coun- Every year, an ever-larger number of tries who fought during World War II: a Bell Ukrainians have taken to marking the occa- of Remembrance in the Luhansk region, a sion on May 8, a day of remembrance and Bell of Victory in the Zakarpattia region, a reconciliation. The day is also designated by Bell of Peace in Donetsk, and a Bell of Unity a resolution of the United Nations General in Simferopol, which will be installed after Assembly as the Time of Remembrance and the temporarily occupied territories are Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their returned to Ukrainian control. Lives. Previously, Ukrainians traditionally Public opinion polls in Ukraine show commemorated Victory Day on May 9, a that Ukrainians are largely split about com- Soviet-era holiday that marked the surren- Serhii Nuzhnenko/RadioSvoboda.org, RFE/RL memorations of WWII, with 41 percent der of Nazi Germany in 1945. Children in Ukraine play on a Soviet-era tank in a museum dedicated to World War saying they believe that two dates should However, during a period of continued II artefacts. be celebrated in Ukraine: Remembrance Russian armed aggression against Ukraine, and Reconciliation Day on May 8 and the government in Kyiv has sought to dis- Ukraine, where 2,814 soldiers were buried For the second year in a row, Mr. Victory Day on May 9. Meanwhile, 31 per- tance itself from Russian ideological sym- in a mass grave. Milove became one of the Zelenskyy visited Ukraine’s easternmost cent say the commemoration should take bols as part of its effort to fight what offi- first Ukrainian towns occupied by the Red region on the Day of Remembrance and place on May 9, according to a survey con- cials here call a hybrid information war. Army, replacing the occupation by Nazi Reconciliation and the eve of Victory Day. ducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic On May 8 Ukrainian President Volody­ Germany. Traditionally, the Ukrainian head of state Initiatives Foundation and the Razumkov myr Zelenskyy visited the “Ukraine for Ambassadors from the G-7 countries laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and hon- Center’s sociological service. Liberators” memorial complex in the town and the EU accompanied Mr. Zelenskyy on ored those killed during World War II bat- of Milove in the Luhansk region in eastern his trip to Milove. tles defending the homeland. (Continued on page 9) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 No. 20

ANALYSIS

Blinken’s debut in Ukraine: World Bank approves $90 million loan in the MAP “does not prejudge any decision by the Alliance on future membership,” it The World Bank has approved a $90 mil- adds. Mr. Kuleba’s comments come after a case for managing expectations lion project to help Ukraine’s health sector Russia earlier this year deployed more than respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 100,000 troops near the border with by Vladimir Socor are set to promote Ukraine’s aspirations at international financial institution Ukraine and in occupied Crimea – the big- Eurasia Daily Monitor the summit in Ukraine’s absence. Mean­ while, Kyiv has left the post of Ukraine’s announced the loan on May 11, saying the gest mobilization since Moscow seized the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his ambassador to NATO vacant since August project will help Ukraine buy COVID-19 Ukrainian peninsula in March 2014 and closest entourage sometimes raise public 2019. For their part, NATO officials suggest vaccines and improve infrastructure for war broke out in eastern Ukraine. The expectations of what the United States can that Ukraine should make best use of its vaccine storage and logistics. “This new buildup prompted alarm in Western capi- deliver to Ukraine to unrealistically high recently (since June 2020) gained status as loan will help Ukraine with purchasing and tals over Moscow’s intentions amid an levels. Furthermore, they tend to discount an Enhanced Opportunities Partner (EOP). deployment of vaccines, including through, uptick in fighting between Ukrainian gov- the close relationship between what the This is no substitute for a MAP, however; but not limited to, the COVAX global initia- ernment forces and Kremlin-backed sepa- U.S. is actually delivering to Ukraine and the neither has EOP’s relevance to Ukraine tive,” said Arup Banerji, World Bank region- ratists in the country’s east. The conflict latter’s own performance on economic and been fully tested in practice. Ukraine’s main al country director for Eastern Europe. The has killed more than 13,000 people since governance reforms. These twin tendencies source of military equipment, assistance World Bank has already provided $57 mil- April 2014. Russia says its troops have of Mr. Zelenskyy’s team can generate public and training is not NATO as such, but the lion in lending to support Ukraine’s COVID- returned to their permanent bases after disappointment after undue expectations, United States on a bilateral basis as well as 19 response. Earlier on May 11, Health participating in massive drills, but confronting the U.S. with a problem of a coalition-of-the-willing comprising the Minister Maksym Stepanov said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expectation management in Ukraine (see U.S., the United Kingdom and Canada. These Ukraine had contracted to purchase 42 mil- said on May 11 that Russia had not with- Part One in Eurasia Daily Monitor, June 6). arrangements outside NATO’s official lion doses of COVID-19 vaccines from sev- drawn military hardware. Mr. Zelenskyy Mr. Zelenskyy has decided that Ukraine framework (thus, not requiring its collec- eral producers to be received by the end of told Ukraine 24 he believed Russia won’t would ask the North Atlantic Treaty tive political approval) look set to continue this year. He said that with previous batch- resort to a “powerful escalation” because it and potentially expand. Organization (NATO) to initiate the process es of vaccine doses, the new shots would be could lead to “a world war.” During a visit to According to Mr. Blinken in Kyiv, the of adopting a Membership Action Plan enough to inoculate a majority of adults in Kyiv last week, U.S. Secretary of State (MAP) for Ukraine at the Alliance’s upcom- United States is prepared to expand securi- the country of 44 million people by the end Antony Blinken “strongly” reaffirmed ing summit (June 14). Mr. Zelenskyy­ public- ty cooperation and defense assistance to of 2021. Last month, Ukraine recorded the Washington’s “commitment to Ukraine’s ly asked the visiting U.S. Secretary of State ensure that Ukraine has the means to highest number of new infections as a sec- sovereignty, territorial integrity and inde- Antony Blinken for Washington to support defend itself against Russian aggression ond wave smashed the country, but new pendence,” and called on Russia to cease its Ukraine’s move at this summit. Mr. (RFE/RL, May 6). Ukrainian officials sub- cases have dropped significantly in the past “reckless and aggressive actions” against its Zelenskyy’s closest adviser, Andriy Yermak, mitted specific requests, including for air two weeks. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service) announced after the talks, “We have defense systems, during this visit. Mr. neighbor. (RFE/RL, with reporting by received again today [May 6] the confirma- Yermak had earlier ventured to raise the NATO members worry of provoking Russia Reuters, UNIAN and RFE/RL’s Ukrainian tion of full U.S. support for Ukraine to level of expectations, publicly calling on the Service) Kyiv says it does not expect that next receive a MAP” (Ukrinform, May 6). This U.S. to deploy or deliver Patriot missiles to month’s NATO summit will produce a Medvedchuk not detained after hearing charges goal, however, remains unrealistic due to Ukraine, apparently without prior coordi- entrenched opposition in much of Western nation with Washington (Censor.net, April Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Viktor Medvedchuk, the Kremlin’s most Europe, which U.S. support, no matter how 13). Ukraine because some members of the mil- prominent ally in Ukraine, left the office of persistent, is unlikely to overcome any time The Ukrainian parliamentary leader of itary alliance worry that such a move the Prosecutor General on May 12 after soon. Taking this fact into account, Mr. the pro-presidential Servant of the People would provoke Russia. “Regarding the reading the charges against him without Blinken as well as the State Department’s party, David Arakhamia, brought up the obstacles, unfortunately, there are still sev- being detained, Interfax news agency briefings on his visit used the general term possibility of a U.S.-Ukraine bilateral agree- eral countries among the allies who are reported. Ukrainian authorities on May 11 “Euro-Atlantic aspirations” (State.gov, May ment on strategic-military cooperation guided by the logic of not provoking Russia put Mr. Medvedchuk under formal suspi- 5-7) rather than referring specifically to a during Mr. Blinken’s visit (Ukrinform, May and believe that sitting and doing nothing cion for high treason as part of a crack- Membership Action Plan. Unduly raising 6). This may have lifted a curtain’s corner is the best way to keep Russia calm,” down on his circle that has fueled tensions public hopes in a MAP year after year can on Mr. Zelenskyy’s cryptic remark at the Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba between Kyiv and Moscow. Prosecutors only result in another disappointment and, concluding joint briefing: “We discussed told the Ukraine 24 TV channel on May 11. have said they are seeking to detain the ultimately, NATO-skepticism in Ukraine, the possibility of a very serious bilateral Ukraine joining the alliance, which Moscow opposition party leader and businessman playing into Russia’s hands. agreement. But this is a matter for the has fiercely opposed, “is historically inevi- on suspicion of treason and the attempted Fortuitously, on May 6 (the day of Mr. future; it is too early to discuss details” table,” Mr. Kuleba said. “It will happen. I am plundering of national resources in Crimea, Blinken’s Kyiv visit), the North Atlantic (State.gov, May 6). The option for Ukraine absolutely convinced of that.” The MAP is a the territory that was annexed by Russia in to seek the status of Major Non-NATO Ally Council at the ambassadorial level decided program of “advice, assistance and practi- 2014. “I read (the suspicion) and took a of the United States has also come up for that NATO’s June 14 summit in Brussels will cal support tailored to the individual needs copy,” Interfax quoted Mr. Medvedchuk as be held without the attendance of partner discussion in Kyiv. Such proposals may gain of countries wishing to join” NATO, accord- countries such as Ukraine (Ukrinform, May ing to the alliance’s website. Participation (Continued on page 10) 8). The U.S. and a few member countries (Continued on page 9)

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NEWS ANALYSIS Is Ukraine getting closer to NATO membership? A high-level update on Ukraine’s NATO track

by Adrian Karmazyn expected by our nation but also by many nations across the Atlantic, but also in WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State Europe,” Mr. Stefanishyna said. “Our coop- Antony Blinken visited Kyiv on May 6 to eration with the alliance is also a very reaffirm Washington’s political, economic effective response to the challenges faced and security support for Ukraine. That both by our country and NATO, given the same day Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s ongoing critical changes in the global secu- deputy prime minister for European and rity landscape… We are standing ready to Euro-Atlantic Integration, spoke to an be a contributor to Euro-Atlantic security – international audience online about in particular Ukraine sees that it can be a Ukraine’s NATO ambitions. strategic partner of NATO in the Black The event’s moderator, Bruno Lete, a Sea… [And] we see that Black Sea security senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund and a strategy for Black Sea security as a (GMF) in Brussels, noted that the NATO- separate priority… We are also ready to Ukraine “relationship has gone quite a way intensify cooperation with NATO in this since both parties engaged diplomatically endeavor. And we call upon allies to really in the early 1990s. From just being a coun- prioritize this agenda in their bilateral, but try bordering NATO’s Article 5 territory, also, in transatlantic strategy.” Participants during an online meeting discussing Ukraine’s NATO ambitions (clock - Ms. Stefanishyna stressed that “we real- Ukraine evolved into being a partner to the wise from top left): James Appathurai, deputy assistant secretary general for political alliance,” Mr. Lete said. “Ukraine has affairs and security policy at NATO; Bruno Lete, senior fellow at the German ly believe that cooperation should not be a shown its political and military will and Marshall Fund; Jonathan Katz, senior fellow and director of Democracy Initiatives at substitute for integration” and that moving ability to grow closer toward NATO, but the German Marshall Fund; and Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s deputy prime minis- forward on membership for Ukraine would challenges remain.” ter for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. deter Russia’s destabilizing activities and At a 2008 summit in Bucharest, NATO bring stability to the region. Ukraine sees recognized Ukraine’s aspirations to join the “The argument that Russia will attack transatlantic unity is there and, basically, MAP as a plan of irreversible reforms that alliance and stated that the country would Ukraine if NATO would… step up in closer Russia has no vote in NATO on the issues should be implemented, she said. one day become a member, but declined to integration with Ukraine, including a deci- related to strategic development and mate- The deputy prime minister acknowl- grant Ukraine a Membership Action Plan sion on MAP, just ignores the reality,” Ms. rialization of the open-door policy.” edged that a successful reform agenda will (MAP), considered to be the next step on Stefanishyna said. Ms. Stefanishyna said that Ukraine is help make Ukraine a “stronger and more the way to joining the alliance. It was the Russia has in fact been waging a war already a significant contributor to reliable” partner and pave the wave for same case for Georgia. At the time, some against Ukraine since 2014 and has European and transatlantic security integration with NATO and the European said that not granting Kyiv and Tbilisi an engaged in military aggression against through its participation in numerous Union. She said that Ukraine is moving for- action plan would help placate Russia. Georgia as well. NATO military operations and she urged ward on a number of reforms in the securi- During her presentation, Ms. Stefani­ Avoiding a MAP for Ukraine and Georgia the alliance to think about the strategic ty and defense spheres that will help bring shyna asserted that now, 13 years later, a has “not made our region safer and stable,” importance of Ukraine: Ukraine in line with NATO standards, MAP remains long overdue and that delay- Ms. Stefanishyna said. It is, instead, “send- “When it comes to Ukraine it’s also very including such areas as the security ser- ing the program for Ukraine, as well as ing basically not a very good signal to the important to say that Ukraine is part of a vice, intelligence services, classified infor- Georgia, hasn’t deterred Russian aggres- Kremlin. And starting this [MAP] process very big geopolitical agenda and very big sion. would, vice versa, give a signal that the geopolitical transformations, which are (Continued on page 11)

Russia’s armed forces test combat readiness close to Ukraine’s border

by Roger McDermott bined-arms armies (CAA) as well as the turing” an airfield of the hypothetical numbers are unclear, it is certain that the Eurasia Daily Monitor 7th, 76th and 98th Airborne Troops enemy and establishing a bridgehead for exercises tested combat readiness for (Vozdushno Desantnye Voyska – VDV) divi- the insertion of the main forces. This exer- large-scale warfare. Many have questioned Since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in sions. Mr. Gerasimov claimed that military cise was joined by artillery units and Moscow’s drawing down of forces close to February-March 2014 and its subsequent personnel had returned to their bases, with focused on the Opuk military training Ukraine’s borders – among them, Nikolai involvement in destabilizing southeastern the planned transportation of heavy equip- ground in eastern Crimea. Sungurovsky, the director of military pro- Ukraine, Russia’s Armed Forces frequently ment scheduled to finish by May 12 “In accordance with the concept of the grams at the Razumkov Kyiv Analytical conduct force generation close to the border. (Deutsche Welle – Russian service, May 7). exercise, the reinforced paratrooper battal- Center. He described the April events as In March, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu According to the Commander of the ion of the Guards Airborne Assault “not ordinary exercises, but an operation to ordered a snap inspection of combat readi- Southern Military District, Army General Caucasian Cossack Regiment, having flown raise readiness,” linking this with the situa- ness across Russia’s system of Joint Strategic Aleksandr Dvornikov, the exercises that fol- with seven Il-76MD aircraft, landed on the tion inside Russia, as well as with the Commands (Obyedinennyye Strategi­ches­ lowed the snap inspection were large scale Okhchi-Oba landing site in Crimea with the aggravation of relations between the koye Komandovanie – OSK)/Military and involved the Aerospace Forces task of seizing an airfield held by illegal Russian Federation and the West. Mr. Districts (MD), with the movement of troops (Vozdushno Kosmicheskikh Sil – VKS), armed groups, thus, ensuring the landing Sungurovsky expressed confidence that and heavy equipment especially close to Ground Forces, the Black Sea Fleet and the of aircraft with the main forces of the regi- Moscow will leave forces near the border Ukraine’s border. By late April, Mr. Shoigu Caspian Flotilla. These exercises included ment,” noted the commander of the Guards with Ukraine in order to “keep Kyiv and the ordered units back to their permanent battalion tactical groups coordinating their Airborne Assault Caucasian Cossack West in suspense” (Deutsche Welle – bases. However, it quickly became clear that actions with ship crews and squadrons of Regiment, Lt. Col. Konstantin Zizevsky Russian service, May 7). most of those Russian units have not stood operational-tactical, naval and army avia- (Interfax, March 18). In military terms, the senior leadership down (see Eurasia Daily Monitor, April 22, tion. Naval infantry rehearsed repelling The exercises also involved reinforcing of the Russian Armed Forces justified the 27 [1][2][3]). Based on the released details amphibious and airborne assault forces. the Black Sea Fleet with three large landing exercises as a combat-readiness test, exam- of the buildup, the forces that moved in However, Mr. Dvornikov also highlighted ships from the Baltic Fleet, the Minsk, ining issues such as strategic mobility, com- proximity to the border with Ukraine argu- these exercises as a response to what Kaliningrad and Korolev, as well as the mand and control over large formations, ably lack some of the features of prepara- Moscow characterized as an increase in the Boykiy corvette. These were reported to and inter-service operations. Equally, the tions – such as strategic-level electronic North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s have passed through the Danish Straits on snap inspections have been linked to prep- warfare (EW) assets or sufficient logistics – (NATO) naval activity close to Georgia and April 21 – monitored closely by the United arations for the annual strategic military that would have been required to com- Ukraine (Interfax, March 21). Kingdom’s Royal Air Force P-8A Poseidon exercise in September – this year, Zapad mence true combat operations. However, In southeastern Ukraine, the 1st and anti-submarine aircraft, scrambled from 2021, in the western strategic direction. new measures could be undertaken if 2nd corps of the Russia-led separatists Lossiemouth airbase in Scotland – and Politically, of course, these movements of Moscow authorizes the use of force in sup- headquartered in Donetsk and Luhansk, later sailing the English Channel (Interfax, personnel and heavy equipment were cast port of the Russia-led separatists in Donbas respectively, are subordinated to Russia’s March 21). as a “response” to NATO exercises close to (Deutsche Welle – Russian service, May 7). 8th Combined-Arms Army in the Southern Throughout the period of the snap Russia’s borders. Strong indications also On April 30, Army General Valery Military District. The 8th CAA is spearhead- inspections to test combat readiness within exist that the exercises and force buildup Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian General ed by the 150th Motorized Rifle Division, Russia’s Armed Forces, estimates of the were intended to coerce the government in Staff, said the exercises involved over which acts as a reserve for the Russian-led numbers of Russian military personnel Kyiv, either to make it more malleable to 300,000 service members throughout separatist forces in Donbas (see EDM, who were moved close to the border with Moscow’s diplomatic efforts or to warn Russia. He provided no detail on the num- March 11). During tactical exercises involv- Ukraine varied between 70,000 and 90,000 against any action to target the Russia-led bers close to Ukraine but stressed the ing VDV units in Crimea (see EDM, May 3), (Deutsche Welle – Russian service, April involvement of the 58th and 41st com- more than 350 personnel rehearsed “cap- 19; Interfax, March 21). While the precise (Continued on page 4) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 No. 20

Holy Fire from Jerusalem Ukrainian prosecutors seek $10 million bail arrives in Ukraine for Kremlin-friendly tycoon charged with treason Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty The Ukrainian Prosecutor-General’s Office has asked a Kyiv court to set bail at more than 300 million hryvnyas ($10.8 million) for Kremlin-friendly tycoon and politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who along with another pro-Russian lawmaker is under suspicion of treason. The office made the request on May 13, hours before a session of the Pechera district court, where the judge is expected to decide on any pretrial restrictions for Mr. Medvedchuk. Mr. Medvedchuk, who has a close personal relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was officially noti- fied earlier this week of a treason investigation including him after the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) searched Serhii Nuzhnenko/RadioSvoboda.org, RFE/RL his home and office in Kyiv. Viktor Medvedchuk appeared in a Kyiv court on May Mr. Medvedchuk and his pro-Russian Opposition 13. Platform – For Life party have both made statements Mr. Medvedchuk was hit with sanctions by the United rejecting the charge and calling it politically motivated. States in 2014 for undermining democracy in Ukraine. In February, Ukraine’s National Security Council The sanctions were tied to an investigation into exports pomisna.info announced sanctions against Mr. Medvedchuk, his wife, of coal to Russia from a separatist-held region in eastern Archbishop Agapit of Vyshhorod, abbot of St. Oksana Marchenko, and several other individuals and Ukraine. Michael Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, deliv - entities. Fighting between Ukrainian government forces and the ers the Holy Fire from Jerusalem. The sanctions froze the couple’s assets for three years Kremlin-backed separatists who control parts of Ukraine’s and prevented them from doing business in the country. Donetsk and Luhansk regions has killed more than 13,000 KYIV – The Holy Fire from the annual miracle at the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s govern- people since April 2014. Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem that marks ment in February also placed sanctions on three television Russia occupied Crimea in March 2014 and instigated Christ’s Resurrection was brought to Ukraine on May stations believed to be owned by Mr. Medvedchuk. The separatist clashes in Ukraine’s east after anti-government 1 by Archbishop Agapit of Vyshhorod. The miracle in move came shortly after talks between U.S. Secretary of protests toppled the Russian-friendly former president, Jerusalem appears annually during the Holy Saturday State Antony Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Viktor Yanukovych, in February 2014. (With reporting by services, which are led by the Patriarchate of Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Ukrayinska pravda and UNIAN) Jerusalem, headed by Patriarch Theophilos III. Mr. Medvedchuk is the head of the political council of The fire was brought to St. Michael the Golden- Opposition Platform – For Life, which is the largest opposi- Copyright 2021, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with the permis- Domed Monastery Cathedral in Kyiv on May 2, in cele- tion group in parliament. He is one of the party’s 44 depu- sion of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut bration of Easter according to the Julian calendar. ties in the 450-seat legislature. Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see https:// Following his arrival with the Holy Fire at the His relationship with Mr. Putin runs so deep that the www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-medvedchuk-10-million-bail-trea- cathedral in Kyiv, Archbishop Agapit, abbot of St. Russian leader is godfather to Mr. Medvedchuk’s daughter. son/31253216.html). Michael Golden-Domed Monastery, stated: “The Holy Fire is for each of us a symbol of Divine Light, Which is our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. With faith, we receive this fire as the Light, which serves to enlighten our souls, in the journey of each Christian, who advances toward Memorandum of Partnership signed to create and develop salvation and to the Heavenly Kingdom. I express thanks today to two women, faithful of the Orthodox phase two of the National Holodomor-Genocide Museum Church of Ukraine, for assisting to bring the Holy Fire in its voyage by airplane and its delivery to Kyiv, and it Ukrainian World Congress fered from the inhuman repressions in the USSR. History is currently can be found at St. Michael Golden-Domed not forgotten.” Cathedral. I also want to announce that the Holy Fire KYIV – The Ministry of Culture and Informational Policy The National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide is should not detract from the feast of the Lord’s of Ukraine, the National Holodomor-Genocide Museum, responsible for the content of the main exposition, which Resurrection, but should be for us a sign of God’s the Ukrainian World Congress and the International will be created in the building currently being constructed. grace, which is given to us on the eve of this feast. Charitable Foundation of the Holodomor Museum signed a A scientific concept is already created within the Museum. Ukraine is among 11 countries that sent planes to Memorandum of Partnership on April 22 to create and The Museum also provides the work of the Content Group, receive the Holy Fire from Jerusalem, including develop phase two of The National Holodomor-Genocide which includes Museum staff, as well as museologists, his- Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Kazakh­ Museum with the intention of fully opening the museum tory experts and specialists in other related disciplines. An stan, Poland, Moldova, Romania and Russia. for visitors in November 2023, on the occasion of the 90th international Expert and Science Council has been estab- anniversary of the Holodomor. Sources: Pomisna.info, Basilica.ro, OrthodoxTimes.com. lished at the Museum. By the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, the According to the Memorandum, the Ukrainian World government of Ukraine aims to complete the reconstruction Congress is responsible for developing and coordinating of the first stage of the National Holodomor-Genocide international support for the project. Russia’s... Museum, continue the construction of the second stage, and “The Ukrainian World Congress is actively engaged in begin work on the creation of the main exposition. The creating and developing the Holodomor Museum,” said (Continued from page 3) Memorandum represents one of many steps in a number of Pavlo Grod, president of the Ukrainian World Congress. separatist forces in Donbas (Deutsche Welle – Russian ser- initiatives of the president of Ukraine and the Ukrainian “For decades, we have been sharing the truth about the vice, April 19; Interfax, March 21). government in recognition of this important anniversary. horrific crimes of Stalin’s regime with the world to ensure The vast majority of the formations involved in the com- The signing of the Memorandum enables the effective international recognition of the Holodomor as an act of bat-readiness test appeared to be combat or maneuver implementation of a public-private partnership aimed at genocide against the Ukrainian people. Attracting interna- units. Some of what was missing is equally revealing. consolidating the efforts of the state and civil society. Its tional support will contribute to the creation of a world- Combat-support elements critical to conducting combat aim is to restore and preserve national memory and gener- class museum and make it well known not only within operations, including strategic-level EW assets were nota- ate public support of the modern Holodomor Museum Ukraine but also globally.” bly not mentioned in official reports. Moreover, transporta- Memorial Complex – not only for its creation, but also for The participation of civil society, a wide network of tion was provided by combat service support, Materialno- its future, sustainable development. donors in Ukraine and abroad in the creation and develop- Tekhnicheskogo Obespechenie (Material-Technical According to the Memorandum, the Ministry of Culture ment of the Holodomor Museum is provided by the Support – MTO); conspicuously, there was no reported and Informational Policy of Ukraine represents the public International Charitable Foundation of the Holodomor movement of the vital Railway Troops. Unless it is attacked, part of the partnership and provides for the government’s Museum. According to the Memorandum, the Holodomor Russia does not conduct military operations without first support in the project implementation. Museum Foundation is tasked with providing financial carefully preparing the battlefield – which would undoubt- “The Holodomor is a tragic page in our history,” said support for creation and implementation of the project’s edly involve the forward deployment of the MTO railway Oleksandr Tkachenko, the minister for culture and infor- main exposition, arrangement of the internal museum troops. Moreover, there appears to have been no intensifi- mational policy of Ukraine. “It’s important that the world space and support for the further development of the cation of spring combat training for the separatist forces in knows the truth about who’s guilty. For years the Soviet museum complex. The foundation will also represent the Donbas or the arrival of increased numbers of Russian offi- regime had been hiding this horrible reality, in which hun- interests of philanthropists. cers acting as military advisors. While the immediate war dreds of thousands of people lived. Intentional genocide The first part of the National Museum of Holodomor- scare has passed, tensions in the border areas are set to was enacted against the Ukrainian people and was hidden. Genocide was opened on the occasion of the 75th anniver- continue, with all the potential risks of conflict escalation. The Museum complex will allow access to the true infor- sary of the Holodomor in 2008. The opening of the entire mation about what was indeed happening at that time, complex and its main exposition is planned for the 90th The article above is reprinted from Eurasia Daily Monitor without diminutions and pseudo-facts. Its construction is anniversary of the Holodomor in 2023. with permission from its publisher, the Jamestown an extremely important step towards perpetuating the Foundation, www.jamestown.org. memory of all Ukrainians, as well as those who also suf- (Continued on page 7) No. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 5 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 No. 20

WINDOW ON EURASIA The Ukrainian Weekly Charges of high treason Noted economist says Russia a corporation not a state On May 11 the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted a search of the Kyiv and its regime can’t be destroyed, only outlasted home of Viktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian oligarch, politician and millionaire who is widely regarded to be sympathetic to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr. by Paul Goble when faced with a ‘partner’ that does not Putin is, after all, godfather to Mr. Medvedchuk’s daughter and Mr. Medvedchuk want to hear about the law and legislation, has long been known to harbor sympathy for the Kremlin even before Ukraine’s The Putin system is in certain respects that denies the difference between the ongoing war against pro-Russian and Russian-backed separatists began in the east “not a state in the traditional sense,” truth and lies, that in principle makes it of the country. The SBU did not disclose details of the search, though they assured according to noted Russian economist and clear that it can buy anything, even when reporters that more information regarding the case against Mr. Medvedchuk would political commentator Vladislav Inozem­ this is not justified by the logic of conven- be made public. tsev. Instead, it is a corporation that acts to tional political expediency,” Mr. Inozemtsev That same day, Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Iryna Venedyktova said her office enrich a circle of people around the ruler said. had signed notices of suspicion for two Ukrainian lawmakers, tagging the suspects however much that leads to the impover- Mr. Putin and his team appreciate just for alleged high treason and for illegally exploiting natural resources in Crimea, ishment of the people. But because it is a how valuable the outside world’s misper- which Russia annexed in 2014. The Ukrainian press later identified the two sus- corporation rather than a state, it can’t be ception of it is to them and that is why pects – whom Ms. Venedyktova identified only as M. and K. – as Mr. Medvedchuk and easily destroyed but must be outlasted. “their favorite word is ‘sovereignty.’” In pro-Russian lawmaker Taras Kozak. Mr. Inozemtsev pointed out that Russian such a situation, Mr. Inozemtsev said, “a Two days later, on May 13, Ms. Venedyktova’s office asked a Kyiv court to set Mr. President Vladimir Putin’s system lacks world which values the rights of citizens Medvedchuk’s bail at $10.8 million. He was also hit with sanctions by the United many of the things that define statehood: a over those of the state has no effective way States in 2014 and this past February the National Security Council in Ukraine also clear ideology, clearly defined borders and of responding.” sanctioned Mr. Medvedchuk’s wife, Oksana Marchenko. Those sanctions prevented the absence of a distinction between public But the weakness of this “commercial the couple from doing business in Ukraine and froze their assets for three years. and private spheres. Moreover, “it is openly state” lies in its “extreme internal ineffi- While Mr. Medvedchuk is still believed to have a significant amount of wealth, it is hostile to legal culture as such” because it ciency,” the economist said. To ensure that not clear how much money he has and whether that money is liquid and can be used wants to be free to repress its own people their own wealth increases, Mr. Putin and to pay his bail. (ridl.io/ru/rassvet-i-zakat-kommerchesk- the people around him have to hide what The latest round of news regarding the charges against Messrs. Medvedchuk and ogo-gosudarstva/). they are doing and the transaction costs of Kozak come soon after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Kyiv on May 6 Its main goal is “the personal enrich- doing so are thus extremely high. with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro ment” of those near the center of power. Mr. “As a result, the main problem of the Kuleba. Putin didn’t invent it, Mr. Inozemtsev said. ‘commercial state’ is not that a lot of money Following his meetings with Ukrainian officials, Mr. Blinken made it clear that Something similar has been functioning in is embezzled (precisely its goal), but the Ukraine can count on additional U.S. support, but he also noted that it was impera- other post-Soviet states, but he did extend much greater amounts of money that are tive for Ukraine to tackle corruption and carry out a series of reforms needed in it and applied the principles it requires far wasted on window dressing. This boosts many sectors of Ukrainian society. more broadly than any of them have so far. operational costs, which do not translate “Ukraine is facing two challenges,” Mr. Blinken said during a joint press confer- As he described this system, “the strate- into higher efficiency,” Mr. Inozemtsev said. ence in Kyiv with Mr. Zelenskyy. There is “aggression from outside, coming from gy of personal enrichment requires the Fighting corruption in this case thus Russia, and in effect aggression from within, coming from corruption, oligarchs and complete commercialization of power and becomes counterproductive as well. others who are putting their interests ahead of those of the Ukrainian people.” public offices, which are treated as an asset Mr. Inozemtsev said that “the emergence Pro-Kremlin politicians such as Messrs. Medvedchuk and Kozak have long put with a set price. The feeling of ‘gratitude’ of a completely new type of state (or quasi- their interests ahead of those of the Ukrainian people. While we are under no illu- for promotions forms a fundamental ‘bond’ state, to be more precise) is in itself one of sions that the situation regarding corruption and graft will change anytime soon in between the cogs in the profit-making the most original innovations in interna- Ukraine, this latest round of news is a small sign that perhaps Ukrainian officials mechanism of power.” tional politics in the 21st century. It shows have heard the message and will get serious about reforms and holding corrupt poli- For this kind of operation, “the crucial that a commercial company is able to priva- ticians accountable. On the other hand, this is most likely yet another example in point is that the legality of this profit should tize state institutions and eviscerate them which Ukraine’s leadership takes a few steps forward before taking many more not be undermined. Its beneficiaries extract so almost no statesman-like approach can backwards. Only time will tell. it not by violating any codified norms” but be traced in the actions of the leaders.” rather by observing the real rules that exist. “The pursuit of maximum enrichment is And those rules mean that “no matter how an effective means of consolidating the much budget revenues increase, the regime’s group of beneficiaries, expanding income goes primarily to them and not to it and making membership in it attractive. May Turning the pages back... the people,” Mr. Inozemtsev said. This group ensures the loyalty of the ‘cogs’ Such “a commercial state” is not the and the high degree of controllability of the Forty-five years ago, on May 14-16, 1976, some 10,000 to same thing as “a captured state.” The latter whole system,” Mr. Inozemtsev said. And it 16 15,000 people from as far as Canada and California attended the involves the capture of state institutions by makes such a country a threat to all others. inaugural Ukrainian Street Fair that was held on Seventh Street oligarchs or mobsters “without any formal As the economist pointed out, “this lack 1976 in Manhattan, between Second and Third Avenues in the neigh- political power.” In Russia, however, Mr. of any checks and balances, whether moral borhood known as Little Ukraine. Inozemtsev said, “the country is ruled by or financial, makes the commercial state a Ukrainian music, folk dancing (by numerous groups who per- those who have been elected or appointed wolf in sheep’s clothing invading a peaceful formed on a stage set up on Seventh Street near Taras Shevchenko Place, then called Hall according to legally defined procedures.” flock: the sheep are practically incapable of Place), pysanky, embroideries, Ukrainian foods and blue-and-gold flags filled the area, As a result, while “the commercial state resisting the wolf, since they have no while windowsills and fire escapes were decorated with “The Old Glory” and Tryzubs. The has the formal attributes of a state, in reali- understanding of how their partner’s event was not only a celebration of Ukrainian identity, but a salute to the bicentennial cele- ty, it is a business structure imitating a claims and techniques may change as the brations for the United States of America. Banners that lined the street wished America a state,” an arrangement that gives it both game progresses.” Happy Birthday, while celebrating the different facets of Ukrainian culture. specific strengths and specific weaknesses. “The commercial state cannot be dis- Among the 20 tables that showcased Ukrainian artists and crafts were wood-carver Its strength is that its formal attributes rupted from the inside or from the outside. Mychajlo Czeresniowskyj, artifacts from the Boyko region of Ukraine, as well as botany give Mr. Putin’s corporation powers that It shapes its domestic policy and makes projects by students from St. George Academy. “no corporation or mafia structure has.” It sure there is enough money and resources Closer to Third Avenue, the landmark Ukrainian gift shop Surma (which closed in 2016 can do everything a state can; and it is per- to fight the opposition; it creates incentives after 98 years in business), attracted visitors for its many books and Ukrainian items, as ceived by others as a state which limits for driving dissenters out of the country well as the honey collected from its founder’s, Myron Surmach’s, apiary. Outside the shop, how others can respond to it. But because and replacing them with loyalists from there was a display of honey, honeycombs and bees, which were allowed to roam about it isn’t a state, it lacks the taboos other neighboring countries; and it builds an freely. Yaroslava Surmach-Mills demonstrated glass painting at the Surma shop. states have, making any dialogue with it information infrastructure of surveillance Other organizations manned tables at the street fair, including members of the extremely hard. and terror. Ukrainian Bandura School, the Women’s Association for the Defense of Four Freedoms for “Civilized countries are dumbstruck “At the same time, it is sufficiently adven- Ukraine, St. George’s Grammar School and PTA, the Ukrainian National Association and its turous and aggressive in its foreign policy publications (the table was organized by the New York District Committee, headed by Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on to elicit forceful confrontation from Nicholas Chomanczuk), Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization’s New York Branch, as well Western countries,” Mr. Inozemtsev said. as local Ukrainian boutiques. Food booths were organized by the Ukrainian National ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia who has served in various capacities in the And as a result, “it is much more likely that Women’s League of America (Branches 21 and 72). at some stage an agreement on the ‘red- Addressing the crowds were Rep. Mario Biaggi (D-N.Y.), Steve Juhan from the Mayor’s U.S. State Department, the Central Intelligence Agency and the International lines’ will come and the commercial state Office of Neighborhood Services represented Mayor Abraham Beame, as well as represen- will get a free hand within these lines.” tatives of the City Council members. Other New York politicians who attended the festival Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio But any such victory will necessarily be included Rep. Edward Koch (D-N.Y.), City Councilman William F. Passannante, John D. limited in time. “The commercial state is Lodge, former Ambassador to Spain and Argentina, and former Governor of Connecticut. Liberty and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The article above is untenable in the longer run: it can absorb Ukrainian community representatives included Bishop Joseph Shmondiuk of the Ukrainian any amount of resources with no positive Catholic Eparchy of Stamford, UNA Supreme President Joseph Lesawyer (chairman of the reprinted with permission from his blog called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- (Continued on page 7) woneurasia2.blogspot.com/). (Continued on page 7) No. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 7

with Russia. Blinken says... However, he said the United States does COMMENTARY not accept the concept of “spheres of influ- (Continued from page 1) ence” and will respond to any Kremlin that the Pentagon is “looking at what addi- aggression that threatens Washington’s tional assistance – beyond the very signifi- interests or those of its partners. cant assistance that we’ve already provid- “If we allow those principles [of no An inconvenient reality ed, including equipment – would be helpful spheres of influence] to be violated with by Askold S. Lozynskyj and German Chancellor Angela Merkel by to Ukraine right now. That’s a very active impunity, then that is going to send a mes- video link. Rumor has it that Ms. Merkel consideration.” sage, not just to Russia. It’s going to send a I recently observed a semi-academic declined a personal meeting in Berlin. The United States has provided nearly message in other parts of the world as well, conference regarding Ukraine’s security The conference in question consisted of $5 billion in financial, humanitarian and that those rules don’t matter, that countries and the EU and NATO. The conference was bit politicians/bureaucrats from Germany, military aid – including lethal anti-tank can behave any way they want,” he said. academic in that it was hosted by an insti- Lithuania, Poland and the United States. weapons – to Ukraine since 2014, when Mr. Blinken said it was “a recipe for an tution of higher learning, but only semi The German representative was from the Russia forcibly annexed Crimea and backed international system that falls apart.” since none of the speakers or moderator Green Party, a member of the European separatists in two of its eastern provinces, Last month, the United States and the were academics. This is a trend today to Parliament and perhaps a power broker sparking a war that has killed more than European Union sought to send a global make academia seem more relevant. This after the September election in Germany. I 13,000 people. message about its stance on human rights proclivity has many manifestations includ- submitted a question on whether the Mr. Blinken’s first trip to Kyiv since being and democracy when it announced coordi- ing academic writing in readable or similar Greens would support Ukraine’s NATO tapped by President Joe Biden earlier this nated sanctions against Russian officials to fictional format, sometime even liberat- MAP. She spoke about renewable energy year to lead the State Department comes over the incarceration of Kremlin critic ing themselves from onerous facts. for Ukraine. just weeks after Russia deployed more than Alexei Navalny. Unfortunately, often the result is that the The moderator, as in most such inane 100,000 troops near the border with Those sanctions came on the heels of work is neither scholarly nor literary, but exercises ostensibly on Ukraine’s security, Ukraine and in annexed Crimea in what the punishments imposed on a series of some hybrid resulting in the reader’s con- went off topic and discussed reforms in United States called an act of intimidation. Russian individuals and companies in con- fusion instead of satisfaction. Ukraine. The U.S. representative acknowl- Russia has withdrawn some of the nection with the Kremlin’s alleged poison- The conference in question was prob- edged that Ukraine has been largely demo- troops and equipment, but much still ing of Mr. Navalny, an opposition politician, lematic since it shed no new light, was lim- cratic but its rule of law program requires remains, posing a serious and immediate with a nerve agent and the hacking of U.S. ited to bureaucratic phraseology and, as attention and reform. I posed a question as threat to Ukraine, Mr. Blinken said. government agencies. with most conferences on Ukraine, missed to exactly where is Ukraine’s deficiency on “Russia has the capacity on pretty short Those alleged actions have increased the the relevant contemporary focus. This was the rule of law and how is it different than notice to take further aggressive action, so already severe strains in ties between largely the fault of the moderator who was in more allegedly civilized democracies. I we’re being very vigilant about that...and Russia and the West, long seen by both as all over the place and failed to focus on the recalled in my mind U.S. support for the also making sure that we’re helping Ukraine being close to, at, or below Cold War lows title of the conference. Naturally I was dis- Saudis regardless of whether our adminis- have the means to defend itself,” Mr. Blinken since the start of aggression against appointed by the presentations, but more tration was Democratic or Republican. The said during the interview with RFE/RL. Ukraine in 2014. so because such conferences have a ten- Saudis had for the longest time a law that Ukraine has called on the United States Russia has continued to pressure Mr. dency of concluding with no conclusions. forbade women driving and they followed to threaten to exclude Russian banks from Navalny and his supporters even after his Over its 30 years of independence, that rule of law to a degree that was also a the SWIFT messaging system as a way to imprisonment, seeking to shut down his Ukraine has been an inconvenient reality. violation of human rights. deter Kremlin aggression. network, which has published journalistic Major global players would like Ukraine to Most conferences on Ukraine’s security Some analysts say exclusion from SWIFT, investigations into alleged corruption simply go away, but then they would be conclude with silence on NATO member- which facilitates secure and fast communi- among the nation’s top officials. seen as violating basic international princi- ship and then turn to the need for cations between financial institutions, To that end, in the May 6 interview, Mr. ples and their own role as world leaders. To Ukrainian reform. Give me a break! I said would be a significant blow to Russia’s Blinken condemned Russia’s mounting their chagrin Ukraine’s current security several hours later when I watched the economy. pressure on independent media, including issue amid Russian aggression is the ulti- joint press conference of Mr. Zelenskyy and Mr. Blinken said the United States “will RFE/RL, saying it was a sign of Kremlin mate issue presented in contemporary U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Mr. consider every reasonable option” to deter weakness. political European circles. Zelenskyy seemed glad to be there in his Kremlin aggression against Ukraine, but “I think that countries that deny free- Russia cannot be appeased simply with- own conference room. Mr. Blinken said declined to comment directly on the possi- dom of the press are countries that don’t out sacrificing Ukraine. At the height of the very little, but he said it graciously. U.S. sup- bility of using SWIFT. have a lot of confidence in themselves or in recent crisis when Russian threats against port for Ukraine was there, he insisted. In a The top U.S. diplomat reiterated the their systems. What is there to be afraid of Ukraine were manifested by moving more later interview he stated that the U.S. was Biden administration’s message that the in informing the people and in holding than 100,000 soldiers to Ukraine’s borders, considering additional military aid for United States is not seeking an escalation leaders accountable?” he asked. conducting warlike naval operations in the Ukraine. But there was no NATO MAP [on shared Azov and Black seas and even the table]. Maybe it’s me, but the press con- launching missiles, Ukraine was preparing ference seemed like a waste of time much militarily, the West was providing Ukraine like the earlier semi-academic conference. who control parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and with defensive weaponry and conducting Still, these were two apparently notable Ukrainian government... Luhansk regions has killed more than NATO exercises. Ukrainian President exercises. Unfortunately, both concluded 13,000 people since April 2014. (Continued from page 1) Volodymyr Zelenskyy was traveling from with no conclusions. Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014 one NATO country to another seeking sup- Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba. and instigated separatist clashes in port for Ukraine’s NATO Membership Askold S. Lozynskyj is an attorney at law Mr. Medvedchuk has a deep personal Ukraine’s east after anti-government pro- Action Plan (MAP). He met with Turkish based in New York City who served as presi- relationship with Russian President tests toppled Ukraine’s Russian-friendly President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French dent of the Ukrainian World Congress in Vladimir Putin, who is the godfather of Mr. former president, Viktor Yanukovych, in President Emmanuel Macron personally 1998-2008. Medvedchuk’s daughter. February 2014. He was sanctioned by the United States in 2014 for undermining democracy in Copyright 2021, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted Ukraine. with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ International. In 2017, at the draft stage, The sanctions were tied to an investiga- Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Memorandum... the project received a positive assessment from the advisory body of the UNESCO tion into exports of coal to Russia from a Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see (Continued from page 4) separatist-held region in eastern Ukraine. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-secret- World Heritage Center. An international Fighting between Ukrainian government services-search-medvedchuk/31249748. The architectural design of the Museum design consortium consisting of Nizio forces and the Russia-backed separatists html). building in the second phase of construc- Design International (Poland) and Haley tion of the Holodomor Memorial Complex Sharpe Design (Great Britain) is working in Ukraine was developed by the Ukrainian with Ukrainian scientists and specialists to pared by Bohdanna Wolansky, which fea- firm “Project Systems Ltd.” in co-authorship create a design project for the main exposi- Turning... tured the vocal ensemble Promin and the with the Polish studio Nizio Design tion of the Holodomor Museum. Vodohray band. News coverage of the event (Continued from page 6) was carried by NBC TV, The New York Ukrainian Bicentennial Committee of Times, The Daily News, New York Post, the country’s capabilities. Then the time for America), John O. Flis, (chairman of the Long Island Press, and many neighborhood Noted economist... change will come,” Mr. Inozemtsev said. As a result, he continued, “the fate of the Ukrainian Bicentennial Commit­tee of New weekly newspapers. Greetings were (Continued from page 6) York), Dr. Wolodymyr Sawchak (president of received from President Gerald Ford, Vice- Russian commercial state is in the balance. the Ukrainian Congress Committee of President Nelson Rockefeller, Gov. Hugh L. impact on society; by definition, it does not It will be decided not in the trenches of the America, New York Branch), and Miss Carey and Mayor Beame. care about modernization or development Donbas, the offices of Washington and Soyuzivka 1975 Ulita Olshaniwsky. The event has grown into an annual tra- … and has shut the door to such a revolu- Brussels, or even the streets of Russian cit- In the local area, art exhibits, fashion dition, but due to restrictions related to tionary transition,” the economist said. ies. It will come from successful de-carbon- shows and concerts were held that cele- COVID-19 the festival has been postponed “It is now left with only natural resourc- ization, new possibilities of global finance, brated Ukrainian artists, fashion designs for the foreseeable future. es dwindling away (and enjoying ever less and a world offering better opportunities and music (including performances by stu- demand globally) and a population that is for talented Russians.” dents of the Ukrainian Music Institute). Source: “Thousands visit New York’s first becoming ever more impoverished. With And that means, Mr. Inozemtsev con- The street fair concluded with a pro- Ukrainian Street Fair,” by Ihor Dlaboha, The time, the expectations of the ruling elite cluded, “the regime in Russia cannot be gram of Ukrainian song and dance pre- Ukrainian Weekly, May 22, 1976. will enter into irreconcilable conflict with destroyed – it can only be outlasted.” 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 No. 20 No. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 9

“Every year, together with the whole civ- In Ukraine... ilized world, we say ‘never again,’” Mr. Zelenskyy stressed. “If we imagine the (Continued from page 1) Ukrainian Youth Association marks impossible for a moment and assume that Another 9 percent support the idea of ​​ humanity has been allowed to change its 75th anniversary in diaspora with flag world tour celebrating only Remembrance and history once, I am sure that all people on Reconciliation Day on May 8, while 10 per- Earth would choose the only option: to cent don’t care which day is commemorat- avoid and prevent World War II.” ed. In the western regions of Ukraine, 22 Mr. Zelenskyy added that it is important percent of survey respondents said com- to remember and commemorate the past in memorations should take place on May 8, order to avoid repeating the horrors of while in the southern and eastern regions World War II. of the country, 48 and 42 percent, respec- “Unfortunately, we cannot avoid war in tively, say the country should celebrate the the past. But we can and must do every- anniversary on May 9. thing we can to prevent a new war in the The survey also found that 48 percent of future,” Mr. Zelenskyy said, adding that respondents agree that World War II began world leaders must demonstrate that due to a conspiracy between Hitler and humanity has learned from the events of Stalin to divide spheres of influence in 1939-1945. Europe via the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, The Ukrainian president also urged while 29 percent did not believe that to be world leaders to not be silent about the case and 23 percent did not provide an Russian aggression and support Ukrainian answer to the question. territorial integrity. Additionally, the survey found that 46 “Isn’t it time to put an end to this issue? percent of Ukrainians believe that the Isn’t it time to prove the devotion to the slo- Soviet Union would not have won the war gan ‘never again’ in practical terms?” Mr. without the help of the Allied powers, while Zelenskyy asked, drawing a connection to 35 percent did not believe the Soviet Union current events in Ukraine and Russian CYM.org/world-executive needed the help of the Allied powers to aggression in the region. Nazi Germany and 19 percent said the “Today, our courageous men and women The CYM 75th anniversary in the diaspora flag. question was difficult to answer. Young defend the Ukrainian state, our sovereignty Ukrainian Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of people aged 18 to 29 were more likely to and territorial integrity. For the sake of peace Ukrainian Youth Association World Germany and Scandinavia (Bishop Bohdan agree (51 percent) than older people and prosperity of independent Ukraine,” Mr. Executive succeeded Bishop Petro as exarch) at the (among people over age 60, 43 percent Zelenskyy said, “may the memory of all MUNICH, Germany – The Ukrainian agreed and 39 percent disagreed). those who died during the Second and, I Cathedral of the Intercession of the Youth Association (known by its Ukrainian The survey also asked respondents believe, the last World War, live forever.” Mother of God and of St. Andrew the First- whether they were pleased with Ukraine’s The traditional annual public appear- acronym CYM) is celebrating 75 years Called in Munich. The flag departed on its decision to recognize soldiers of the ances of pro-Russian politicians did not go since the re-establishment of the organi- world tour for its first stop in Belgium. Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) as fighters unnoticed. Former leader of the banned zation in the diaspora. As one of the many The flag is scheduled to visit all 12 coun- for Ukrainian independence. Forty-six per- Communist Party Petro Symonenko led a projects aimed to increase awareness and tries where CYM branches are active cent said they were, while 29 percent said group of about 100 people, many carrying celebrate the anniversary, a world tour of today: Belgium and France in May; Spain they were not. The UPA has its largest base red flags, to the Eternal Flame. The small the CYM commemorative flag was and Portugal in June; Great Britain in July; of support in the western and central group chanted “glory to Stalin,” sang Soviet launched in Munich, Germany, on April 25 Australia and Argentina in August; the oblasts of the country. songs, laid flowers and left. – exactly 75 years since the organization’s United States of America in September; In his address on May 8, Mr. Zelenskyy Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry founding in the diaspora in 1946. The Canada in October; and Estonia and noted that commemoration of World War II released a statement saying, “For many organization was originally founded in Ukraine in November. Each country will affects people throughout the world. decades, we hoped that war would never Ukraine in 1925. hold official ceremonies, to the extent pos- “We live in a world where there are come to Ukrainian soil again. But in 2014, The flag was blessed by Bishop Bohdan more than 7,000 different languages,” Mr. Russia launched a military aggression Dzyurakh and Bishop Petro Kryk of the (Continued on page 11) Zelenskyy said. “But there is a special one against Ukraine and occupied part of our that unites many nations of the world every territory. Today, Ukraine is defending not year on May 8, the Day of Remembrance only itself but the whole of democratic and Reconciliation, when we cry in one lan- Europe. That Europe, which arose on the guage. When we are silent in one language, ruins of World War II, is united by a central CYM unveils memorial plaque it is a language of boundless honor and idea – Never Again.” respect for the memory of the millions of “We believe that one day peace will people who died in World War II.” return to Ukraine,” said Ukraine’s Minister commemorating 75 years in the diaspora Mr. Zelenskyy underlined that more than of Defense Andriy Taran. “Peace as an MUNICH, Germany – The opportunity to choose your path of civiliza- eight million Ukrainians died during World official unveiling of a bronze tion. Peace – but by no means surrender to War II, more than the population of Kyiv, memorial plaque commemo- the enemy.” Odesa, Kharkiv, Lviv and Dnipro combined. rating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Ukrainian Youth Association (known by its ber, if the weather is favorable (TASS citing Ukrainian acronym CYM) in the Blinken’s... Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, May 8). diaspora was held on April 25 in Completion of Nord Stream 2 would heavi- (Continued from page 2) Munich. Featuring a bas relief ly hit Ukraine financially and more broadly of the Archangel Michael, the added relevance for Ukraine in the after- strategically. The state company Naftogaz patron saint of CYM, the plaque math of NATO’s upcoming summit and will stands to lose several billion dollars in inscription reads: “In honor of deserve serious exploration at the profes- annual revenue in that case. CYM’s founders in the dias- sional level outside the political arena. Yet the Zelenskyy administration has hit pora,” dated Munich, April 25, It is a worrisome sign for Ukraine (and its own interests and reputation in the run- 1946, the date of the first orga- not only for it) that the U.S. side has up to Mr. Blinken’s visit (and without nizational meeting to re-estab- stopped short of reaffirming its strong regard for it) by purging Naftogaz CEO lish CYM in the diaspora. The opposition to Gazprom’s Nord Stream 2 Andriy Kobolev and the Supervisory Board plaque was designed by Ihor natural gas pipeline project during Mr. for obscure reasons, in violation of corpo- Semak from Kalush, Ukraine, Blinken’s visit (see Part One in EDM, May rate governance norms. The president (or and also features the CYM mot- 6). Such restraint is another instance of his entourage), furthermore, has appointed tos, “God and Ukraine” and expectations management. The Joseph Herman Halushchenko as energy minister, “Honor for Ukraine, Prepared Biden administration seems to be procras- notwithstanding his ties with Andriy to Defend It.” It was installed at tinating on applying the available sanctions Derkach, who is viewed in Ukraine and the the entrance of the Ukrainian capable of blocking Nord Stream 2. Instead, U.S. as an agent of Russian influence and Catholic Cathedral of the the administration seems to be deferring to has therefore been sanctioned by the Intercession of the Mother of German interests in Gazprom’s­ project, and United States (Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, May 7). God and of St. Andrew the possibly also to Russia’s own interests in This move has undermined the Zelenskyy First-Called. April 25 is recog- the run-up to the Mr. Biden-requested administration’s own arguments (other- nized as CYM’s Global Day meeting with Russian President Vladimir wise undoubtedly valid) for the U.S. to of Prayer, and a video of the Putin. Inflicting a coup de grace on Nord block the Nord Stream 2 project. Stream 2 by U.S. sanctions might also kill unveiling can be found on the summit planned for June. According to The article above is reprinted from Facebook (www.facebook.com/ Russia’s ambassador in Berlin, Sergei Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from groups/ugkc.muenchen). Nechayev, construction work on Nord its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, – Ukrainian Youth Association Stream 2 could be completed by Septem­ www.jamestown.org. World Executive 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 No. 20

against him are erroneous and criminal.” NEWSBRIEFS Tuesday’s move was part of a widening crackdown against Mr. Medvedchuk that (Continued from page 2) began in February when he and associates saying after leaving the prosecutors’ office. were put under sanctions by Ukraine’s TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 “The accusations are unfounded, unsub- president and three television channels or e-mail [email protected] stantiated and, in general, they can be owned by an ally were forced off air. It called political,” he added. Mr. comes after months of tensions between SERVICES PROFESSIONALS Medvedchuk’s party has said the treason Kyiv and Moscow over a build-up of investigation and raids on his home were Russian troops on Ukraine’s eastern border revenge for the politician’s exposure of the and rising clashes in eastern Ukraine. The МАРІЯ ДРИЧ government’s failings. In a separate state- Kremlin has sharply criticized the crack- Ліцензований Продавець Страхування Життя ment, Mr. Medvedchuk said the treason down on Mr. Medvedchuk. Kremlin spokes- case was “fabricated.” Mr. Medvedchuk’s man Dmitry Peskov said on May 12 that МАRІA DRICH Licensed Life Insurance Agent party co-chair, Vadym Rabinovich, said in a Moscow would not interfere in Mr. Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. statement that “today Mr. Medvedchuk is Medvedchuk’s case, but that it is “watching the most annoying element for the authori- 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 ties. The accusations that were brought (Continued on page 11) Tel.: 973-292-9800 ext. 3035 e-mail: [email protected] Job opportunity: МИХАЙЛО КОЗЮПА Ліцензований Продавець Страхування Життя Fund Development Manager MICHAEL KOZIUPA Are you a natural relationship-builder with expertise in Licensed Life Insurance Agent fundraising or marketing & communications? Are you Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. excited about leading the Annual Giving, Major Gifts and Stewardship 973-723-4387 Programs at a unique global non-pro t organization? Do you enjoy [email protected] cultivating connections, building partnerships and making a di erence in your community? We are looking for a passionate, strategic and innovative Fund SERVICES Development Manager to strengthen community engagement and donor relationships, as well as secure philanthropic commitments from individuals, foundations and corporations. Key requirements • Excellent command of written and spoken English and  uency in Ukrainian LAW OFFICES OF • Undergraduate or graduate degree • Location work: Remote ZENON B. MASNYJ, ESQ. ______Please send your CV and cover letter in English and Ukrainian by June In the East Village since 1983 4 to [email protected]. Please indicate position title in the Serious personal injury, real estate subject line. for personal and business use, PERSONAL *The successful candidate must be legally entitled to work in the USA representation of small and mid- or Canada, able to work remotely with occasional travel required (in full size businesses, divorce, wills and compliance with relevant public health guidelines). For more detail on probate (New York matters only). A 35 y.o. highly educated and good position requirements please visit https://www.ukrainianworldcongress. (By Appointment Only) looking man wishes to meet a lady org/about/job-opportunities/ of Ukrainian descent for a long- 140 Second Avenue term relationship. Please email: New York, NY 10003 Established in 1967, the Ukrainian World Congress 212-477-3002 [email protected] (UWC) is the global voice for the Ukrainian people [email protected] worldwide. As an international non-governmental organization, we represent the interests of over 20 If 212-477-3002 landline busy, OPPORTUNITIES million Ukrainians in the diaspora, unite Ukrainian please call 201-247-2413 communities and organizations in over 60 countries, and work to support a democratic, prosperous, EARN EXTRA INCOME! European Ukraine. The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Run your advertisement here, for advertising sales agents. in The Ukrainian Weekly’s For additional information contact Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, CLASSIFIEDS section. The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. 1152 Route 10 West, Suite N, Randolph, NJ 07869 862-219-5344 YAROSLAVA TKACHUK, Realtor Real estate sale and purchase in Hunter, NY, and surrounding area.

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Klaus Iohannis said on May 11 after a virtu- Biden, for an increase of allied military health security, climate change, energy NEWSBRIEFS al summit that was joined by U.S. President presence in Romania and ... the south of the security, and global economic recovery.” Joe Biden. The summit of the Bucharest Eastern flank.” Mr. Biden, NATO Secretary- Earlier this month, Washington said it (Continued from page 10) Nine, a group of countries on the eastern General Jens Stoltenberg and the presi- could increase security help for Kyiv after this in the most careful way and would like edge of NATO, was jointly hosted by Mr. dents of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Russia moved troops near its border with to make sure that there are no political Iohannis and Poland’s President Andrzej Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, where motives behind this case.” Mr. Medvedchuk Duda and was aimed at coordinating their Slovakia joined the video conference. Ukrainian troops are in conflict with is a Ukrainian citizen but has close ties with security positions ahead of a full NATO “President Biden expressed his support for Moscow-backed separatists. Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin and has summit in June. “As allies on the Eastern enhancing NATO’s deterrence and defense announced the withdrawal of its forces on said the Russian leader is godfather to his flank, we need to continue consolidating posture, as well as the importance of Allies April 22. Mr. Stoltenberg did not publicly daughter. (Reuters) deterrence and defense. We all recently increasing their resilience against harmful address the call for a bigger presence in witnessed the worrying military build-up economic and political actions by our stra- eastern Europe, but had said in his opening More NATO presence needed in Eastern Europe by Russia in our close neighborhood, in the tegic competitors,” the White House press remarks that Mr. Biden’s participation dem- Eastern European NATO states would Black Sea, in and around Ukraine,” Mr. office said in a statement. Mr. Biden was onstrated “the U.S. commitment to rebuild- like a bigger allied military presence on the Iohannis said. “This is why I have argued, also seeking closer cooperation with the ing alliances and strengthening NATO.” bloc’s eastern flank, Romanian President including in discussions with President nine states on challenges “including global (Reuters)

become stronger and unified?” “The establishment of anti-corruption membership – I think the consensus here is Is Ukraine... Ms. Stefanishyna spoke at an online institutions that are robust – that’s really that there are still reforms that would need forum titled “Moving Forward: Ukraine’s very important for allies, but, of course, to be accomplished by Ukraine… The (Continued from page 3) NATO Track,” which was co-organized by first and foremost, it’s important for reforms haven’t reached a level necessary mation, the military-industrial sector and the German Marshall Fund, the Reanima­ Ukrainians,” Mr. Appathurai said. for membership and the consensus isn’t “real civilian control over the armed forces.” tion Package of Reforms and the Trans­ In the security and defense sectors, the there yet. What we’re doing, at least here, Ms. Stefanishyna also talked about the atlantic Task Force on Ukraine. The other deputy assistant secretary general at NATO is saying: Look, let’s move forward, drive challenges of adopting and implementing prominent speaker at the event was James acknowledged progress in Ukraine in terms forward on the reforms, clear away the judicial and anti-corruption reforms that Appathurai, deputy assistant secretary gen- of firmer establishment of civilian control practical speed bumps, so that when the are necessary for both NATO membership eral for political affairs and security policy over the military and democratic oversight politics are in place, there aren’t practical and launching a complete democratic at NATO. over security structures. These are chang- impediments,” Mr. Appathurai said. transformation of the country. She said In his presentation, Mr. Appathurai es that are moving forward despite Russia’s In other words, NATO will keep helping Ukraine, led by President Volodymyr expressed confidence that at their upcom- ongoing war against Ukraine. And he tout- Ukraine prepare for membership, the dep- Zelenskyy, remains committed to judiciary ing summit in June, NATO leaders would ed the benefits of Ukraine now being recog- uty assistant secretary general said. reform and anti-corruption measures, but again state their commitment to leaving the nized as a NATO Enhanced Opportunities “We are constantly in cooperation to there are many “groups of interest” and door open for Ukraine and other aspirants Partner, which is an important interopera- deepen support when it comes to areas like “influencers” who are “trying to undermine to join NATO, saying it should be “reassur- bility initiative. fighting corruption, strengthening the rule this process.” ing.” Despite all the dynamism in NATO- of law, strengthening defense institutions, In what might be reassuring for many He also lauded Ukraine’s commitment to Ukraine relations, there is still no consen- reform of the security structures (including friends of Ukraine who believe Ukraine’s future integration with NATO. sus within the alliance on granting Kyiv a the intelligence services), continuing to reforms have mostly stalled, the deputy “In the case of Ukraine,” Mr. Appathurai MAP, Mr. Appathurai said. strengthen the armed forces,” Mr. prime minister acknowledged that “it’s said, “it [the commitment] is undeniably “[T]here are allies who are concerned, Appathurai said. time for really tough decisions and real there, it’s enshrined in the Constitution, it is and they are concerned because Member­ These efforts to bolster Ukraine include reform to take place” in Ukraine. She also clear in regular political statements from ship Action Plan as a mechanism, as a tool, deterring Russian aggression through noted that becoming an Enhanced the highest level but, also, it’s evident in the doesn’t bring security guarantees with it,” statements, coordinated sanctions and pro- Opportunities Partner of NATO has served practical cooperation that we have, starting Mr. Appathurai said. “Only membership viding Ukraine a platform to communicate as a powerful new catalyst for Ukrainian with the very substantial Ukrainian contri- brings security guarantees, meaning collec- with individual NATO members about its reform efforts and obtaining a MAP would bution to NATO operations and missions, to tive defense. And what they worry is that military requirements, Mr. Appathurai said. do even more to unite Ukrainian political the NATO response force, to our coopera- granting MAP without the security assur- Responding to a question about what elites around the reform agenda. tion in the Black Sea, to our situational ances of membership raises risk for the more NATO can do to assist Ukraine in the Ms. Stefanishyna concluded her remarks awareness in the Black Sea. So, Ukraine’s aspirant without assurances or additional absence of a Membership Action Plan, Mr. with a reminder of the very serious ongo- commitment is clear to us.” security. And, so, what they believe is what Appathurai said that “what we need is ing threat from Moscow and the need for Mr. Appathurai went on to describe the we should prioritize is the practical cooper- more NATO presence in one way or anoth- transatlantic unity among democratic various tools that are in place to help the ation, and work on the politics.” er in Ukraine, to provide support… Political countries. NATO-Ukraine partnership develop further, The other challenge in terms of getting a statements, political visits, more military “When we start talking about the future, including the annual national program, the MAP now, Mr. Appathurai said, relates to cooperation, more support in the Black Sea, there is one thing that we know for sure,” comprehensive assistance package, two the situation with implementation of all of that, I’m quite sure, will be seen in the Ms. Stefanishyna said. “We know that NATO offices in Ukraine, millions of euros reforms in Ukraine. coming period.” Russia has a master plan and we know in funding for programs, support for “The other reason, though, is practical. Readers can access a video recording of what this master plan is. My question is reforms in areas like democratic gover- Even if we were ready politically today, if the event at the following web address: whether it’s time for us – for the West and nance, anti-corruption, human rights and we could get consensus on MAP or even https://youtu.be/EBgmxrDJV1c. for democracies – to have a master plan, to economic stabilization.

It is with great sorrow that we announce that same day another meeting took place the passing on May 7, 2021 Ukrainian Youth... at which the members of the initiative of my wife, our mother and grandmother group, led by Mykhailo Serdiuk, were (Continued from page 9) elected and the founding date of the orga- Rosalie P. Laszok sible in the restrictive conditions of the nization was established – April 25 as the pandemic, and its presence in each coun- date of the renewal of the Ukrainian Youth (née Katsock) try will be validated in the official pass- Association that had existed previously port that will accompany the flag on its from 1925 to 1930 in Ukraine. born on October 24, 1942 in Wilkes Barre, PA. world tour. Further proof that the actual founding The world tour will conclude when the date of CYM in the diaspora is April 25, She is survived by her: flag is carried to the top of Ukraine’s high- 1946, and not the previously believed husband - Ihor est peak – Mount Hoverla (6,762 feet) in dates of June 10 and/or July 6, is that the daughter - Anya and her husband Jurgen the Carpathian Mountains. poster marking the Second CYM Congress, daughter - Larissa and her husband Tony After many years of continuous held in Augsburg, Germany, April 24-25, son - Roman and his wife Caitlin research, CYM confirms that the founding 1948, stated that the founders were orga- grandchildren - Alyssa, Joey, Katarina, Garan, Finley, nizing the Congress exactly two years to date of the organization in the diaspora Leila and William was April 25, 1946. the date after the founding of the organi- brother - Joseph and his wife Marge On that day, on Dachauer Street in zation. Munich, Germany, the first organizational For more information, as well as addi- brother - David and his wife Carol meeting by the founding committee took tional historical evidence, the full article brother - John and his wife Vivian place, convened by a member of the can be found here (in Ukrainian only): Please remember Rosalie in your prayers. Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists https://cym.org/en/world-executive/ (OUN), Ivan Wowchuk. sum-v-emihratsii-iak-koly-i-z-choho-roz- Viewing at Union Funeral Home, Lytwyn and Lytwyn in Union Amongst the people present that day poch. For additional information about the Thursday, May13, 4-9 pm. were leading members of OUN: leader of CYM 75th anniversary and the flag world the youth sector Hryhorii Naniak, his dep- tour, readers can visit the CYM website, Funeral services Friday, May14, at 10 am St. John Ukrainian Catholic uty Vasyl Markus’ and Slava Stetsko. At https://cym.org/cymdiaspora75/#stats, Church, Sandford Ave., Newark, NJ with interment at Hollywood Cemetery that meeting, the organization’s program and the Global CYM Facebook group, in Union, immediately following. and statute (by-laws) were adopted. Later www.facebook.com/global.CYM. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 No. 20

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Rep. Boyle meets with Ukrainian Human Rights Committee

by Ulana Baluch Mazurkevich The bipartisan trip would take place on The Ukrainian Human Rights Committee August 11, 2021. urges readers to ask their Congressional PHILADELPHIA – On May 6, Rep. Participants of the meeting also dis- representatives to support Ukraine by join- Brendan Boyle, a Democrat who represents cussed the disinformation campaign that ing the bipartisan Ukraine Caucus. To date, Pennsylvania’s Congressional District, Moscow is waging against Ukraine and the there are 41 members in the Ukraine held a virtual meeting with members of the U.S. The work done by the Russia Today Caucus. In comparison, the Armenian Ukrainian Human2nd Rights Committee. The (RT) television station was also discussed. Caucus has 151 members. subject of the meeting was the critical situ- Rep. Boyle, who is a member of the ation in Ukraine. House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Ulana Mazurkevich, president of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, under- committee, welcomed the congressman scored that the disinformation campaign and thanked him for his strong support of was most prevalent on social media, with Ukraine. During the meeting, Rep. Boyle fake accounts used on Facebook and other announced that Congress is planning a social media sites. Congressional delegation visit to Ukraine. In discussing the critical situation in

Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Democrat who represents Pennsylvania’s 2nd Cong­ ress­ional District, held a virtual meeting with members of the Ukrainian Human Rights Committee on May 6.

Ukraine, Chrystia Senyk, the vice president of the Ukrainian Human Rights Committee, spoke about the plight of the families of sol- diers who have been injured or killed in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. She asked if there were any funds that were available for this type of humanitarian aid. Rep. Boyle said his office would get back to the committee with any relevant information about humanitarian aid. The meeting ended with a “call to action,” Pictured during the Ukrai nian Independence Day celebration at the Ukraini an as Rep. Boyle urged the Ukrainian Human Cultural and Education Center in Philadelphia on August 24, 2018, are (from left to Rights Committee to appeal to Ukrainians in right) Chrystia Senyk, Ulana Mazurkevich, Rep. Brendan Boyle, Yulia Stupin, Nila other states and districts and ask them to Pawliuk and Borys Pawliuk. join the Ukraine Caucus in Congress. No. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 13 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 No. 20

Recalling the “Uke Line” The “Uke Line” of the Boston Bruins, on the “Uke Line,” centering Johnny Bucyk formed in 1957, comprised Johnny Bucyk, on the left and Vic Stasiuk on the right. The Bronco Horvath and Vic Stasiuk, three for- threesome formed one of hockey’s most wards of Ukrainian heritage. The three electrifying forward lines, playing together actually got started in the Western Hockey from 1957 through 1961. League, where the trio skated together for His first season with the Bruins saw the Edmonton Flyers in 1954-1955, Horvath score 30 goals and 66 points in 67 although Stasiuk only got into 11 games games, leading Boston in scoring. The line’s (13 points), while Bucyk (30G, 88PTS) and offensive success catapulted the Bruins to Horvath (50G, 60A, 110PTS) killed it offen- the Stanley Cup finals against Montreal, sively. ultimately a losing effort. Season No. 2 was The line’s offensive production in Boston interrupted by a broken jaw, limiting him to over four seasons was solid – the 19 goals in 45 games. The next season Ukrainians scored 265 goals and 632 Bronco tied Bobby Hull for the league lead points, averaging 66 goals and 158 points with 39 goals. He finished second in overall per season. Their peak year was 1959- league scoring with 80 points, one point NHL.com 1960 with the three combining for 84 goals shy of top scorer Hull. He was named to the The “Uke Line” of the Boston Bruins in the 1950s: Vic Stasiuk, Bronco Horvath and and 200 points. By their fourth year, the NHL second all-star team at center, behind Johnny Bucyk. unit’s scoring totals dropped to 99 points Canadiens immortal Jean Beliveau. Horvath and personnel changes were imminent. jelled on the line with his fellow Ukrainians, spent in the American Hockey League after the minors, his name was left off the Bronco Joseph Horvath had the unique all three were adept at setting their line stints in Chicago, New York and Toronto. Stanley Cup after the Wings captured the distinction of at one time or another being mates up for easy markers or sniping pucks Bronco Horvath was inducted into the league crown. the property of all original six teams. into opposing nets. Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. In 1955 Stasiuk was dealt to the Boston Signed first by the Detroit Red Wings, he The “Uke Line” was broken up the follow- Coming out of junior hockey, Vic Stasiuk Bruins and re-found on-ice chemistry with was traded to the New York Rangers with- ing year, mainly due to injuries. Horvath signed with the Chicago Black Hawks Johnny Bucyk and Bronco Horvath on the out playing a single game in Detroit. After struggled through another injury-plagued where he played sparingly (37 games in “Uke Line.” In 1957-58, this forward unit one season he was shopped to Montreal season in Boston, playing in only 47 games, two seasons) and then was traded to the became the first in NHL history to have all where he dressed for one game. The next scoring 15 goals and 30 points. He was Detroit Red Wings in 1951. He won three three players reach the 20-goal mark. off-season saw Horvath traded to Boston claimed by Chicago in the intra-league draft, Stanley Cups while with Detroit, although where he blossomed as an NHL-er, playing but the remainder of his career was mostly in 1954, because he spent the playoffs in (Continued on page 15)

BASEBALL the duo issued a joint statement in February saying they were taking a break from their Longoria goes deep twice in two games relationship. Ukrainian Evan Longoria, in the Cactus Kostyuk reaches semifinal in Istanbul League, in his first at bat of the 2021 regu- lar season crushed a sinker from Seattle Still only 18 years old, Marta Kostyuk is Mariners lefty Marco Gonzales to give his closing in on another career-high ranking, San Francisco Giants an early 1-0 lead in reminding tennis fans why she was such a the second inning on April 1. Longoria, 35, promising prospect when she reached the hit his first homer of the year 358 feet over third round of the Australian Open as a the right field wall (an opposite field shot) 15-year-old, the youngest to go that far at a with an exit velocity of 101.4 mph. To prove major in 21 years. Navigating a challenging this was no fluke either, he went deep again season in 2021, she reached her first WTA in the Giants’ second game, smashing a semifinal at Abu Dhabi, and then, after some two-run shot, going two for three with two injuries and a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, RBI’s. The veteran third baseman hit .346 she reached another semifinal at the TEB with four home runs in 12 games this BNP Paribas Tennis Championship in spring. His stroke followed him to Opening Istanbul, Turkey, (April 19-25). Romanian Day in the best way possible. Sorana Cirstea defeated Kostyuk in the semifinal, 6-4, 6-4. Along the way, Kostyuk JUDO beat Kamila Rakhimova of Russia, 6-4, 6-3, Ukraine Judo Federation, ukrainejudo.com Daria Kasatkina of Russia, 6-3, 7-5 and Ana Ukraine wins three medals in Zagreb Medalists at the Eu ropean Judo Open in Zagreb, Croatia: Yevh en Vehera (66 kg, Konjuh of Croatia, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Kateryna Anton Savytskiy (100 kg) won gold at bronze), Anton Savytskiy (100 kg, gold) and Hievorh Manukian (81 kg, bronze). Kozlova lost to Sorana Cirstea in the round the European Judo Open in Zagreb, Croatia, of 32 by scores of 4-6, 6(6)-7. on May 1-2. Savytskiy won the final against won silver, and bronze medalists were a comeback victory 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2 at the Zeka Shpat of Kosovo. Bronze medals were Khrystyna-Zoryana Demko (55 kg), Alina Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, SOCCER won by Yevhen Vehera (66 kg) and Hievorh Hrushyna (57 kg) and Alina Berezhna (68 Germany, on April 24, to advance to the Women’s team draws North Macedonia Manukian (81 kg). Vehera won bronze after kg). In the men’s freestyle, Andriy Dzhelep final. It was a tough loss for the Ukrainian, winning the third place match against fel- (61 kg) won silver, and bronze medalists who eased to a one-set lead without facing a Ukraine’s women’s team, in Group 3 of low Ukrainian Danylo Hutsol, who finished were Kamil Kerymov (57kg), Ihor Nykyforuk break point, but could not successfully serve League B of the UEFA Women’s Under-17 in fifth place. Manukian won his final match (70 kg) and Oleksandr Khotsianivskyi. out the match at 5-4 in the second set. Championships qualifying round, is sched- against Sebastian Dengg of Austria. Bronze medals in men’s Greco-Roman were Svitolina defeated Angelique Kerber of uled to play against North Macedonia on Ukraine, among the 32 countries partici- Viktor Petryk (60 kg), Maksym Yevtushenko Germany 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the round of 16 and September 27 and against Moldova on pating, was represented at the competition (72 kg) and Zhan Beleniuk (87 kg). The com- Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, 6(4)-7, September 30. The draw was made on by 32 athletes (21 male, 11 female). petition attracted 444 athletes from 37 7-5, 6-2 in the quarterfinal. The doubles March 11 in Nyon, Switzerland. Estonia is countries. Ukraine’s men’s freestyle (113 team of Ukrainian Nadiia Kichenok and also in Group 3. WRESTLING Romanian Raluca Olaru were bested in the points) and women’s freestyle (145 points) Ukraine in Group C of UEFA Euro 2020 Ukraine wins 13 medals in Warsaw teams finished in second place. semifinals by Americans Desirae Krawczyk and Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 7-5, 4-6, 10-6. Ukraine, in Group C of the UEFA Euro Ukraine won 13 medals (two gold, two TENNIS On a personal note, Svitolina announced her 2020 qualifying round, plays against the silver and nine bronze medals) at the 2021 Svitolina reaches semifinal in Stuttgart engagement to tennis player Gael Monfils of Netherlands on June 13, against North European Wrestling Championships on April France in early April. The couple have been Macedonia on June 17 and against Austria 19-25 in Warsaw. In women’s freestyle, gold After losing her first five meetings with dating since 2018. Monfils gifted his fiancée on June 21. medalists were Iryna Kolidenko (62 kg) and Elina Svitolina, Ashleigh Barty of Australia a new black Mercedes automobile after the Alla Belinska (72 kg); Tetiana Rizhko (65 kg) has now won three times in a row, the latest announcement. The engagement came after (Continued on page 15) No. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 15

May 19 through Online art exhibit, “Max Vityk: Paintings,” Ukrainian May 26 Genealogy webinar, “Nashi Predky at Home Virtual Office September 5 Institute of America, www.ukrainianinstitute.org or Online Hours,” Ukrainian History and Education Center, New York 212-288-8660 [email protected]

May 21 Webinar with Andrey Kurkov, “From Violence to Vaudeville: May 29 Graduation commencement, St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Online How War Has Brought Comedians to Power,” Stanford Somerset, NJ Theological Seminary, [email protected] University, [email protected] or 650-725-2563

May 21-23 Catskill Pysanka Workshop, Soyuzivka Heritage Center, June 3 Online presentation by Maria Rypan, “Ukrainian Beaded Kerhonkson, NY https://sites.google.com/view/catskillpysanka/home or Online Adornments Past and Present,” Ukrainian Museum of [email protected] Canada – Ontario Branch, 416-923-9861 or [email protected] May 22 Online exhibit, “Autonomy Lost and Regained: The Ukrainian Online Orthodox Metropolia of Kyiv (1633-2019),” Ukrainian History June 5 44th annual Tryzub golf tournament, Ukrainian American and Education Center, [email protected] or 732-356-0132 Jamison, PA Sports Center Tryzub, The Bucks Club, 215-359-8688

May 23 Online literary presentation by Irene Zabytko, “The Days June 6 Meet the author, Diana Stevan discusses her book “Lilacs New York of Miracle and Wonder,” Ukrainian Institute of America, Online in the Dust Bowl,” St. Vladimir Institute, www.ukrainianinstitute.org or 212-288-8660 www.stvladimir.ca May 25 Online literary event, “The Countries Between Us,” with Online Vasyl Makhno, Askold Melnyczuk, Alexander Motyl, Oksana June 12 Beading workshop, “Ukrainian Netted Cuff Workshop,” Lutsyshyna, Dzvinka Orlowsky and Irene Zabytko, PEN Toronto with instruction by Maria Rypan, Ukrainian Museum of Ukraine and PEN America, https://fb.me/e/2gohZ9iVE Canada – Ontario Branch, 416-923-9861 or [email protected] May 25 Webinar with William Pidzamecky, “Thoughts of Home: A Online Study of Rus’ Contacts with Scandinavia During the Viking June 13 40th anniversary celebration, Ukrainian Educational and Age,” Ukrainian Genealogy Group – National Capital Region, Online Cultural Center, www.ueccphila.org http://ukrainiangenealogygroup-ncr.org/

May 26 Webinar with Lucas Makowsky, “Sports, Education and Life Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events Online Aspirations: An Evening with Lucas Makowsky,” Ukrainian advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions National Federation Ottawa-Gatineau Branch, from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors www.facebook.com/UNFOttawaGatineau and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected].

gold (29.350 points), and Ukraine’s Bucyk was a finesse player, yet tough as SportsShorts Women’s Pair team (Viktoriia Kozlovska Ukrainian Pro... nails, a heavy body checker especially noted and Taisiia Marchenko) won gold (28.390 for his devastating hipchecks. Despite his (Continued from page 14) points). Margaryta Tsiurupa and Arina (Continued from page 14) aggressive physical play, he was a clean play- GYMNASTICS Bieliaieva won bronze in women’s pairs; Stasiuk tallied 20 plus goals in four consec- er as evidenced by his two Lady Bing tro- and Ivan Labunets and Anita Prylyk won utive seasons (three with the “Uke Line”), phies as the NHL’s most gentlemanly player. Gold, silver and bronze medals in Basel bronze in mixed pairs. The competition peaking with a career high in points (68) in After hanging up his skates, Bucyk served as attracted competitors from 12 countries, a broadcaster, in the front office, director of Ukraine won three medals (one gold and 1959-1960. In 1961 he was traded back to and the competition was the only chance road services and team ambassador. two bronze medals) at the European Men’s Detroit where he played until 1963, before for gymnasts to refine their routines on the He recorded 16 20-goal seasons, was a and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics finishing his career in the minors. international stage prior to the World First Team All-Star in 1971, played in seven Individual Championships on April 2-25 in After retiring Stasiuk moved into the Championships in Geneva on June 26-29. coaching ranks, first in the AHL with the All-Star games and won two Stanley Cups. Basel, Switzerland. Igor Radivilov won gold Bucyk’s No. 9 jersey was retired by the in the men’s vault (14.71 points) and Illia Pittsburgh Hornets and Quebec Aces, and KARATE later with the Eastern Hockey League’s Boston Bruins in 1978. He was inducted Kovtun won bronze in the men’s all-around into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981 and (84.864 points), and Anastasiia Bachynska Two Ukrainians earn Olympic spots Jersey Devils. In 1969-1970 he earned the head coaching position of the Philadelphia into the Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame in won bronze in the women’s balance beam Anzhelika Terliuga (55 kg) and Stanislav 2017. (13.333 points). The event is an Olympic Flyers, which lasted two seasons. He went Horuna (75 kg) won gold and bronze med- on to coach the California Golden Seals and The following are direct quotations qualifying event. Ukraine’s men’s team tied als, respectively, at the Karate 1 Premier Vancouver Canucks, each for one season. about his line-mates from Bucyk’s book, for second place with Turkey. League stage in Lisbon, Portugal, on April Vic Stasiuk was inducted into the “Hockey in My Blood”: 30 through May 2. Terliuga won 6-0 in the ACROBATICS Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. “One of the best lines I played on was Women’s Kumite final against Yasmin Attia Whereas Bronco Horvath and Vic with Vic Stasiuk and Bronco Horvath. They Three medals for Ukraine in Sofia of Egypt. Horuna defeated Gabor Stasiuk could be characterized as journey- called it the ‘Uke Line’ because of our Harspataki of Hungary 3-2 in the Men’s Ukrainian descent. I first met Vic in Ukraine won two gold and two bronze men hockey players, the same distinction Kumite. The two Ukrainian athletes earned Edmonton; he was with the Flyers and I medals at the Acrobatics World Cup on could never apply to Ukrainian Johnny licenses for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. was with the Oil Kings. I watched Vic quite a April 23-25 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Ukraine’s Bucyk. Once he arrived in Boston, he never left, becoming a career Bruin in so many bit and admired him from the first time we men’s team (Stanislav Kukurudz, Yuriy Credit for the entries in tennis and base- different ways. met. Vic is what you call an honest hockey Savka, Yurii Push and Taras Yarush) won ball go to Ihor Stelmach. After two seasons with hometown player. Vic was the type who worked hard Edmonton of the Western Hockey League, all day. He’d skate up and down that right Bucyk graduated to the NHL’s Detroit Red wing side until he was blue in the face. He’d Wings in 1955, but couldn’t dent the pow- forecheck, backcheck, do everything, just erful Red Wings lineup and was traded to totally dedicated to hockey. Boston in exchange for fellow-Ukrainian “I first met Bronco Horvath in the Detroit goaltender Terry Sawchuk. Being dealt for Red Wings’ training camp, my first camp the greatest goalie ever brought some pres- before turning pro with the Edmonton sure on the young Bucyk, who readily Flyers. Right off the bat they put Bronco and accepted the challenge with his new club Vic together with me and we seemed to and proceeded to star for the next 21 years, click pretty well. We played the entire 1954- rewriting their record book on the way to 55 season at Edmonton together. becoming one of their all-time greats. “Vic was traded to the Bruins just before He received lots of ice time at the outset, the 1955-56 season while Bronco and I stepping in as the third member of the “Uke continued on with Detroit. Then Bronco Line,” joining his former junior teammates was traded to the Bruins and, before I knew Horvath and Stasiuk. His inaugural year in it, I was traded to Boston. It was a big lift Boston saw the “Chief” tally 21 goals and knowing I’d be back with Vic and Bronco. 52 points, on his way to 545 career goals, We played well together, but Lynn Patrick 794 assists, 1,339 points in 1,436 games. (Boston general manager) knew that. The long time Bruins captain retired as the That’s why he got us.” National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, noc-ukr.org Bruins all-time leader in games played, Stanislav Horuna (75 kg) and Anzhelika Terliuga (55 kg), bronze and gold medalists, goals and points, subsequently passed in Ihor Stelmach may be reached at iman@ respectively, at the Karate 1 Premier League event in Lisbon, Portugal. games and points by Ray Bourque. sfgsports.com. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 No. 20