Part 1 of THE YEAR IN REVIEW pages 5-13

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXV No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 $2.00 Pinchuk’s tone of appeasement Chrystia Freeland is appointed toward Russia rattles Kyiv as Canada’s foreign affairs minister by Mark Raczkiewycz not be an obstacle on the way of returning Donbas.” KYIV – Victor Pinchuk, the billionaire He furthermore advocated for holding tycoon known for staging Ukraine’s pre- local elections in the Russia-occupied miere gathering of leaders and thinkers on Donbas even though there won’t be “condi- Ukraine’s European future, drew criticism tions for fair elections until Ukraine has full for suggesting that his county shelve inte- control over its territory.” gration with the continent and temporarily For years an advocate for closer ties with sacrifice Crimea in exchange for peace with the 28-nation European Union, Mr. Pinchuk’s Russia. He did so in an opinion piece pub- article came exactly three weeks before he lished in the Wall Street Journal on holds the Davos Ukrainian Breakfast at the December 29. World Economic Forum in Switzerland on On the commentary titled “Ukraine must January 19. CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria is make painful compromises for peace with scheduled to moderate a discussion on Russia,” Mr. Pinchuk, 56, said that “Ukraine Ukraine’s future in a “changing world” should give up the idea of European Union between former British Prime Minister membership,” including NATO, and that David Cameron and Ivanna Klympush- “Crimea is Ukraine, but this position should Tsintsadze, Ukraine’s vice prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. President Petro Poroshenko won’t attend the yearly meal that Mr. Pinchuk Chrystia Freeland/Facebook hosts in Davos, online news publication Chrystia Freeland, at the time Canada’s minister of international trade, addresses the Leviy Bereg reported, citing anonymous Montreal Council on Foreign Relations on January 6. sources in the Foreign Affairs Ministry. “The president will have his own pro- by Christopher Guly the removal of MaryAnn Mihychuk as min- gram in Davos, but after the [Pinchuk] arti- Special to The Ukrainian Weekly ister of employment, workforce develop- cle, he will not go to Pinchuk,” the source ment and labor. OTTAWA – Chrystia Freeland has become told lb.ua. In an unprecedented move, Mr. Trudeau the most powerful federal government min- Mr. Poroshenko’s foreign press service also gave 48-year-old, Alberta-born Ms. ister in Canadian history following a Cabinet and Mr. Pinchuk’s eponymous charitable Freeland – only the third female Canadian shuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau foundation didn’t respond to an e-mailed foreign affairs minister in history – the on January 10. request for comment. added responsibility of maintaining the Ms. Freeland, who had served as However, Mr. Pinchuk’s tone of appease- trade portion of the Canada-U.S. file as the Canada’s international trade minister since ment, according to detractors, elicited criti- Canadian government prepares for Donald the Trudeau Liberals formed a government cism from the president’s office, among Trump’s presidential inauguration on in 2015, was promoted to foreign affairs lawmakers and foreign think tanks. January 20, effectively making the Ukrainian minister, replacing Stéphane Dion, who is Speaking of “red lines” that Ukraine Canadian former journalist second only to also a former federal leader of the Liberal won’t cross, Kostyantyn Yelisieiev, the pres- the prime minister in power and influence. Party of Canada. ident’s deputy chief of staff, equated revers- “One of the things that we’ve seen from The Cabinet shake-up – in which three ing “European and Euro-Atlantic integra- President-elect Trump is that he very much ministers were given new roles, three new tion” with surrendering “independence, takes a trade and job lens to his engage- persons were appointed as ministers, and YES sovereignty and the territorial integrity of ments with the world in international three ministers were removed – also diplomacy,” Prime Minister Trudeau told Victor Pinchuk at the 13th Yalta European Ukraine.” reduced Ukrainian Canadian representa- Strategy annual meeting in September 2016. (Continued on page 15) tion on the ministerial team by half through (Continued on page 15) European allies of U.S. warn Trump about “new grand bargain with Russia” WASHINGTON – A group of 17 decision- Ukraine, and its illegal annexation of We – decision-makers and public figures makers and public figures from countries Crimea, threaten the peace, predictability Freiberga of Latvia, former Prime Minister from across Europe – welcome your elec- across Central and Eastern Europe sent a and security that Americans and Europeans Estonia,and Foreign former Affairs President Minister Carl Vaira Bildt Vīķe- of tion as America’s 45th president. We are letter on January 9 to U.S. President-elect created together through our victory in the Sweden, and former Foreign Affairs eager to work with your administration to Donald J. Trump warning him about any Cold War,” the letter-writers pointed out. sustain our powerful transatlantic Alliance, potential “new grand bargain with Russia.” “As your treaty-bound allies, we appeal to As The Washington Post noted, the letter jointly defending our way of life at a time of According to a news story in The Americans in the new U.S. Administration Ministeris similar Radosław to one sent Sikorski in 2009 of Poland. to President great peril. Washington Post, they wrote: “Have no and Congress to stand firm in the defense Barack Obama soon after he took office. Russia’s continuing efforts to destabilize doubt: Vladimir Putin is not America’s ally. of our common goals and interests: peace, That missive warned against a “reset” of Ukraine, and its illegal annexation of Neither is he a trustworthy international Atlantic strength, and freedom,” the pro- U.S.-Russia relations. Crimea, threaten the peace, predictability partner. Both of the presidents who preced- American leaders stated. Below is the full text of the “Letter to and security that Americans and Europeans ed you tried in their own ways to deal with Among the signatories is the current President-elect Donald J. Trump from created together through our victory in the Russia’s leadership in the spirit of trust and president of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev, and America’s Allies.” (The letter was in a link Cold War. We are concerned that the pros- friendship. Big mistake: Putin treated their several former leaders, among them former posted by The Washington Post.) pect of a new grand bargain with Russia will good intentions as opportunities.” * * * “Russia’s continuing efforts to destabilize mer President Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Dear President-elect Trump: (Continued on page 22) President Traian Băsescu of Romania, for- 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3

ANALYSIS

VP Biden headed on last trip to Kyiv Tillerson said, “I would leave things in the The illusion of a restored status quo so we are able to convey this can KYIV – U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden, go either way.” In a confirmation hearing Russian superpower long the Obama administration’s point man that focused largely on Russia, the former on Ukraine, will make a farewell visit to ExxonMobil chairman and CEO told the by Vadim Shtepa English-language media. Free media are Kyiv on Sunday, January 15, it was Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Eurasia Daily Monitor independent, but in the Russian case, it is announced by the Office of President Petro Russia “poses a danger” and that U.S. allies obvious that the media are seen as an Poroshenko. The Reuters news service had a right to be alarmed about a “resur- The new Russian foreign policy concept, instrument of the state. noted that the vice-president, one of gent Russia.” Mr. Tillerson, the recipient of a signed by President Vladimir Putin, was Some of the wording in this concept Ukraine’s strongest political supporters state friendship award from President published on December 1, 2016 (Gov.ru, looks quite cynical for an unbiased observ- will fly to Ukraine “as the country looks for- December 1, 2016). It replaced the previ- er. For example, “Russia stands for compli- Vladimir Putin, added in prepared opening ward with apprehension to the new admin- remarks to lawmakers: “While Russia seeks ous concept adopted in 2013. The Russian ance with international obligations in good istration of Donald Trump.” Mr. Biden has financial website Finanz.ru candidly named faith, against interference in the internal respect and relevance on the global stage, visited Ukraine five times (his most recent its recent activities have disregarded the new foreign policy concept a “Cold War affairs of other states.” In light of Russia’s visit was in December 2015), and he main- 2014 invasion of Ukraine, where it commit- America’s interests.” The firm stance on doctrine,” because of its premise of con- tains regular phone contact with Mr. frontation with the West (Finanz.ru, ted an infringement of the 1994 Budapest Russia that Tillerson assumed during the Poroshenko. Reuters noted: “Officials in December 1, 2016). Memorandum and violated other interna- hearing appeared likely to assuage some Indeed, if in the 2013 foreign policy con- tional treaties protecting the territorial Ukraine have expressed concern that U.S. concerns among leading U.S. senators that cept Russia considered itself “an integral integrity of sovereign states, this statement support could wane following the January Tillerson could take a softer line on Russia. part of Europe,” now such language is is hypocritical at best. 20 inauguration of Trump, who has voiced However, he elicited surprise from senators excluded and replaced instead with accusa- The foreign policy concept claims that admiration for Russian President Vladimir when he said he had not had a conversa- tions of “geopolitical expansion” by the Russia “firmly opposes aggressive national- Putin and a desire to improve ties with tion with Trump about U.S. policy on European Union. The paper says that by ism,” but it used the nationalist concept of Moscow. Biden, who last year promised the Russia. (Carl Schreck of RFE/RL, Reuters) restraining Russia, the EU together with the the “Russian World” to justify its assault on ‘unwavering support’ of the United States U.S., undermines regional and global stabil- eastern Ukraine. Back in 2015, Russian for Ukraine, has nevertheless chastised offi- Mattis: Russia is at top of list of threats ity. For the first time since the dissolution Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov named cials for lackluster reform efforts, warning WASHINGTON – The nominee for U.S. of the Soviet Union, the United States has the “Russian World” idea an “absolute priori- that endemic corruption risks undermining secretary of defense, retired general James been declared a “threat” to Russia’s nation- ty of Russian foreign policy” (Rossiyskaya international will to maintain sanctions on Mattis, testifying on January 12 at confir- al security (Gov.ru, Gazeta, November 1, Russia.” (Reuters, The New York Times, mation hearings before the U.S. Senate Finanz.ru, December 2015). RFE/RL) 1, 2016). For the first time The war in Armed Services Committee, said Russia, Liudmila since the dissolution Ukraine is defined in Tillerson on Russian actions in Crimea China and Islamist militants were present- Kravchenko, an this concept as an ing the biggest challenge to the U.S.-led WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State- expert from the of the Soviet Union, “internal Ukrainian world order since World War II and called Sulakshin analytical the United States conflict.” Although nominee Rex Tillerson said the United for Congress to lift spending caps under- center, observed an for the impartial States should have had a more robust mili- mining military readiness. Reuters report- interesting pattern in has been declared a observer it is obvious tary response following Russia’s annexa- ed that his remarks to the Armed Services the history of Russian “threat” to Russia’s that without the par- tion of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in Committee appeared set to clinch the pan- foreign policy con- ticipation of Russian 2014. Asked at his confirmation hearing on el’s backing for his nomination, as Russia- cepts: they usually national security. troops and military January 11 by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) wary lawmakers hope he might temper become obsolete very equipment, the what the U.S. response should have been, President-elect Donald Trump’s stated quickly. Such concepts were adopted in emergence of the Donetsk and Luhansk Mr. Tillerson said more defensive weapons, desire to partner with Moscow. “I’m all for 2000, 2008, 2013, and now there is a new “people’s republics” would be impossible. intelligence and air surveillance should engagement, but we also have to recognize one, very different from its most recent pre- The Ukrainian political analyst Yuri have been provided. Mr. Tillerson, who has reality in what Russia is up to,” Mr. Mattis decessor (Rusrand.ru, December 6, 2016). Kostyuchenko says: “The Kremlin insists on questioned the wisdom of the Ukraine- said, adding there were a “decreasing num- The demand for a new concept resulted the internal nature of a conflict that it has related sanctions, also criticized the admin- ber of areas” where the United States might from changes in Russian foreign policy in unleashed in another country” (Day.kyiv.ua, istration of outgoing President Barack cooperate with Moscow. Asked about the recent years. Since 2014, Moscow illegally December 5, 2016). Obama for its response to the Crimea land main threats to U.S. interests, the nominee annexed Crimea, started a war in eastern The crisis in Russia’s relations with the grab, saying it emboldened Russia to back said: “I would consider the principle Ukraine and came under sanctions by the West, according to this concept, is not gen- separatists in eastern Ukraine with weap- threats to start with Russia.” He cited international community. However, the erated by Russian aggression, but by the ons and soldiers. He added that Russia’s Russian involvement in hacking and infor- “geopolitical expansion” of NATO and the Kremlin does not see the solution of these leadership saw the Obama administration’s mation warfare among the challenges problems in ceasing military expansion. On EU. And Russia promises an “adequate response to Crimea as “weak.” Asked posed by Moscow. Others include treaty the contrary, one of the objectives of the response.” One of these responses appar- whether he believes now is the right time new foreign policy concept is “the consoli- ently was the placement of the Bastion mis- to lift Ukraine-related sanctions, Mr. (Continued on page 14) dation of Russia’s position as one of the sile system in the Kaliningrad region, which most influential centers in the modern caused concern in Poland and Lithuania world.” That may explain the active partici- (Newsru.com, November 22, 2016). pation of Russian troops in the Syrian crisis Russia’s opposition political analyst – in spite of the economic crisis at home. Konstantin Eggert believes that the Kremlin he krainian eekly FOUNDED 1933 The concept endorses “enhancing the hopes for a political situation in Europe that T U W factor of force in international relations,” is more favorable to its interests. He adds An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., which refers to using military force. that the Russian authorities are trying to a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Apparently, Moscow believes that by using keep the old Brezhnev policy of dividing Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. military force it can emerge from interna- Europe and the U.S. by maintaining inten- Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. tional isolation it has driven itself into. The sive contacts with France and Germany. (ISSN — 0273-9348) Kremlin is trying to present its military Arguing for a “multipolar world,” Moscow intervention in the Syrian conflict in a way actually aims to restore the bipolar world of The Weekly: UNA: to suggest that without Russia the world Soviet times, divided into “zones of influ- Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 community could not manage to solve it. ence” (Spektr, December 2, 2016). Russian government cooperation with However, this propaganda might col- Postmaster, send address changes to: various dictatorships inevitably leads to lapse under the weight of the economic cri- The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz increased rows with democratic countries. sis – as Soviet propaganda collapsed in the 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas P.O. Box 280 The new foreign policy concept depicts the mid-1980s. According to experts, the total Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] Western countries as global rivals, who “tend economic losses of Russia in 2014-2017, due to the fall of oil prices and international to hold their positions.” The idea of “integra- The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com tion into the global world” presented in the economic sanctions, will be about $600 bil- previous concept is already forgotten. lion (Vedomosti, February 5). One of the most important goals in the Russia compensates for its inability to The Ukrainian Weekly, January 15, 2017, No. 3, Vol. LXXXV concept is formulated as “strengthening the compete with the West with purely propa- Copyright © 2017 The Ukrainian Weekly position of the Russian media in the global gandistic efforts, creating for itself a virtual information space.” Needless to say, if the image of a “superpower” as a media illu- state is engaged in media operations, the sion. However, in today’s information ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA media loses its informational role and world, that is often very effective. becomes a mere propaganda tool. It is Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 inconceivable that the governments of the The article above is reprinted from e-mail: [email protected] United States of the United Kingdom Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 become suddenly engaged in “strengthen- its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, e-mail: [email protected] ing the international positions” of the www.jamestown.org. No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Ukrainians reflect bitterly on ‘betrayed hopes’ of Euro-Maidan

by Christopher Miller Indeed, corruption remains rampant in Several embittered reformers who have fighting, the conflict had reached a grim RFE/RL Ukraine. Moreover, prosecutors have failed quit government accuse him and his per- milestone: More than 10,000 people, includ- to bring current or former senior officials ceived cronies of blocking their efforts to ing at least 2,500 troops and 7,500 civilians, KYIV – Between classes in Kolkata, India, to justice for serious crimes, including the fight graft and nepotism. Most recently, a have been killed since April 2014. Moscow 17-year-old Svyatoslav Yurash was glued to killings of more than 100 protesters during member of Parliament now in self-exile has used the war as a lever to destabilize a video stream of almost a million of his the unrest. accused the president and his inner circle Kyiv, dialing up when it sees fit a war that compatriots rallying in Ukraine’s capital And Ukraine’s economy is still reeling of massive corruption – which his adminis- Mr. Poroshenko has said costs Ukraine when he decided to join the protest that from the 2014 chaos and subsequent con- tration vehemently denies. about $5 million a day. would soon swell into a revolt. flicts with Russia and Russia-backed sepa- Aivaras Abromavicius, the Lithuanian- The West has sought to be supportive of The night before in Kyiv – on November ratists. Its currency, the hryvnia, has born former economy minister, quit Kyiv. But Washington and Brussels have 30, 2013 – hundreds of demonstrators, plunged to historic lows. Some three-quar- Ukraine’s government in February, saying become increasingly annoyed by the slow most of them students, had been blud- ters of Ukrainians, who make just $200 a he wouldn’t be a “puppet” for Mr. pace of reforms in Kyiv and Mr. geoned by riot police. The idealistic Mr. month on average, consider themselves Poroshenko allies, whom he accused of Poroshenko’s personal lack of commitment Yurash couldn’t stand by any longer. He flew poor; almost 82 percent think their lives blocking economic reforms and pressuring to change, two diplomats from Western home and rushed to Independence Square – are worse since the revolution, according to him to appoint “dubious people” to senior embassies tell RFE/RL. Officials from the better known as simply the Maidan. Soon, recent surveys. positions in state-controlled companies. International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited he would launch the influential Euro- Meanwhile, the passionate idealism that Former Georgian President Mikheil Kyiv in November 2016 but left without Maidan PR agency that amplified voices drove many Euro-Maidan demonstrators to Saakashvili last month resigned in assuring it another aid tranche, saying deci- from the barricades in half a dozen or so hit the streets three years ago might have November 2016 from his presidential sive steps must first be taken to combat languages across almost as many platforms. ebbed; only around one in four Ukrainians appointment as governor of Odesa Oblast, corruption and prosecute and convict cor- Out on the Maidan, the “loss of hope” in a fresh study by pollster SOCIS expressed accusing Mr. Poroshenko and his circle of rupt high-level officials. A European Court that had driven Mr. Yurash out of Ukraine a willingness to participate in Euro-Maidan unbridled corruption. of Auditors report published on December after the 2010 election victory of pro-Mos- today. But the perception remains that Saakashvili ally Yulia Marushevska, 7, 2016, said that European Union funds cow President Viktor Yanukovych faded. As something is amiss; nearly half of respon- known for her English-language “I am a meant to help Ukraine reform have had he and his fellow protesters pressed their dents in the same poll think such a protest Ukrainian” video before Mr. Poroshenko “limited impact.” case for closer ties to the West and greater is “likely” or “very likely” in the first half of appointed her to head the Odesa customs Dmytro Shymkiv, a deputy head of the transparency, fighting back the ranks of riot 2017. department, tells RFE/RL that in the Black presidential administration, tells RFE/RL police, passion swelled within him. He Chants of “Bandits out!” and “Shame!” – Sea port city she and Mr. Saakashvili found that keeping a steady pace is more impor- sensed that his country was finally on the popularized during the 2013-2014 upris- their “green light [to reform the region] tant than being speedy. “If we stop, that’s right track, which for him meant the path ing – are again being shouted during street turned to a red light.” Almost immediately, going to be a challenge for the country,” he toward Europe as a thriving new democra- protests aimed at the government and she says, they were confronted by “a com- says. “I don’t think there is a way back.” cy and away from Russia’s smothering president. More than 1,000 demonstrators plete absence of political will and an It hasn’t been all gloom and doom. sphere of influence. at a Ukrainian Federation of Trade Unions absence of any real desire to change” from Ukraine has managed to launch new gov- Three years later, that passion has rally in front of Ukraine’s Parliament on Mr. Poroshenko’s allies in government, ernment anti-corruption agencies, intro- turned to frustration. December 8, 2016, chided lawmakers, say- especially Prime Minister Volodymyr duce electronic systems for the disclosure Mr. Yanukovych might be in Russian ing they should be ashamed of themselves Groysman. Ms. Marushevska resigned a of public officials’ assets and public pro- exile, but many of Ukraine’s would-be revo- for not doing more to increase social bene- week after Mr. Saakashvili. curement, modernize its military, and lutionaries say they are disillusioned by the fits for workers as utility costs rise. Anti-corruption campaigner Oleksandra decrease its energy dependence on Russia lack of progress and complain that the Members of far-right groups returned to Drik, president of the Kyiv-based Civic (Kyiv has not purchased Russian gas for country is now dangerously close to being Independence Square on November 21, Lustration Committee, an NGO that moni- over a year), among other things. rerouted from the European track set out 2016, the anniversary of the start of the tors anticorruption reforms, says that Perhaps the most visible reform has by the uprising. uprising, to demand the resignation of President Poroshenko and the government been that of its police forces, infamous for The past year has seen the collapse of Ukraine’s “criminal” leadership. Kyiv, which of Prime Minister Groysman are treading being corrupt and violent. the second post-revolutionary government has been ground zero for two revolutions the line between making “just enough” “Three years ago, we were standing and the departure of a number of reform- in 12 years, has been rife for months with changes to appease Ukraine’s Western against the police, and now we are standing minded ministers and other officials. For talk of a third revolt. backers and preserving the “old, corrupt for them,” says Kateryna Kruk, 25, an activ- the most part, they have been replaced by “I have a strong feeling that if you leave system” that has enriched oligarchs and ist who gained notice outside of Ukraine by old-guard politicians – including some with everything as it is, awaiting us is a counter- bled state coffers since the country’s inde- informing the world of Euro-Maidan events close ties to the president, Petro revolution,” Mustafa Nayyem, a former pendence in 1991. through Twitter. Poroshenko – who critics say have resumed journalist turned lawmaker whose Of course, some impediments are beyond And in December 2016, the government the opaque ways of Ukrainian politics. Facebook post on November 21, 2013, is Kyiv’s control. The ongoing, Russia-backed adopted a series of landmark reforms that “The post-Maidan leadership has widely viewed as the catalyst for Euro- war in Ukraine’s east, which exploded in the the current health minister, U.S.-born Ulana betrayed our hope for rebuilding Ukraine Maidan, as the movement came to be weeks after Mr. Yanukovych’s ouster, and Suprun, tells RFE/RL will overhaul anew,” Mr. Yurash, now 20, tells RFE/RL. called, wrote on that same social media the Kremlin’s forcible annexation of the Ukraine’s notoriously bureaucratic and cor- “These people kept the country together, platform on its third anniversary. Crimean peninsula, are also strangling rupt health-care system. Dr. Suprun, who but there has been little desire to change. Many Ukrainians have placed the blame Ukrainian reform efforts. Mr. Poroshenko played an instrumental role in the make- Instead, they’ve worked in the usual cor- for the slow pace of progress on one person announced during a trip to the frontline on rupt way.” in particular: President Poroshenko. December 6, 2016, that after 31 months of (Continued on page 21)

Obama signs law restructuring U.S. international news media

RFE/RL appointed by the White House and subject with the press – could seek to install a loy- signing of the bill, Mr. Obama said: “My to Senate confirmation. alist who would wield the agency as a tool administration strongly supports the bill’s WASHINGTON – U.S. President Barack Proponents of the law, which was spear- of Mr. Trump’s agenda. structural reform of the Broadcasting Obama has approved legislation that would headed by Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and In an interview published by Fox News Board of Governors (BBG), which stream- consolidate oversight of U.S. nonmilitary backed by the Obama administration, say it on December 13, Rep. Royce dismissed lines BBG operations and reduces ineffi- broadcasting in the hands of a single chief will improve performance of U.S. interna- these warnings as “spin” and “hysteria.” ciencies, while retaining the longstanding executive – an overhaul that supporters laud tional broadcasting by scrapping a board “It’s a smokescreen that some have put statutory firewall, protecting against inter- as a much-needed reform but critics warn consisting of members who served part- up. This has nothing to do with the incom- ference with and maintaining the profes- could endanger journalistic independence. time and met infrequently. ing president of the United States. This has sional independence of the agency’s jour- The legislation, part of a larger bill on U.S. But critics have raised concerns that it nothing to do with Donald Trump,” the con- nalists and broadcasters and thus their defense spending in 2017 that the president could damage the journalistic integrity of gressman was quoted as saying. credibility as sources of independent news signed into law on December 23, restruc- the media outlets under the agency’s Mr. Lansing said in a note to staffers ear- and information.” tures the Broadcasting Board of Governors umbrella. Such powers in the hands of a lier this month that the legislation makes While VOA and Radio Marti, which (BBG), the agency that oversees civilian gov- White House-appointed CEO, they argue, “no change to the firewall between the fed- broadcasts to Cuba, are federal agencies ernment broadcasting and media opera- could impinge on editorial firewalls eral government and the journalists of our that are formally part of the U.S. govern- tions such as RFE/RL and Voice of America. between the outlets and the government. five networks.” ment, RFE/RL and its sister organizations The new law will replace the BBG’s The BBG’s current CEO, John Lansing, “Maintaining our journalistic indepen- Radio Free Asia and Middle East bipartisan board with a presidentially remains in that position, which was created dence, and our credibility worldwide, Broadcasting Networks are independent appointed advisory board that will not have last year. But opponents of the bill have remains of the utmost importance,” Mr. corporations with their own editorial decision-making powers. Instead, those warned that President-elect Donald Trump Lansing wrote. boards, funded by Congress. All, however, powers will be placed in the hands of a CEO – who has had a contentious relationship In a White House statement after the are overseen by the BBG. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3

WINDOW ON EURASIA FOR THE RECORD A Trump-Putin deal on Crimea Exit memos from outgoing could trigger a much bigger war U.S. Cabinet members by Paul Goble the participation of the Middle East or a dash into Outgoing members of the Cabinet of President Barack Obama on Central Asia,” a region Ankara has long coveted and one January 5 submitted exit memos that included references to develop- Avraam Smulyevich, a leading Israeli specialist on that Moscow would like to rebuild its power in. ments in Ukraine as it continues to face Russian aggression. Below are ethnic issues in the former Soviet space, says that With regard to a settlement on Crimea, he contin- the relevant excerpts from the memoranda written by Secretary of State Kyiv might be forced to agree to a Trump-Putin deal ues, “the return of Crimea is even more important for John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. on Crimea but that such a deal would “only convince some representatives of the West than it is for the rul- the Russian dictator that he had to invade other coun- ing Ukrainian elite.” That is because Kyiv wants to end Secretary of State Kerry, in his exit memo to President Obama, tries without being punished” and thus lead him to the conflict as soon as possible, while some in the wrote: launch new wars. West want to maintain the principle of the inviolabili- “The United States has continued to stand with Ukraine as it pur- “Putin himself has acknowledged,” the head of the ty of international borders by force alone. sues the sovereign and democratic future that its people deserve. In Israeli Institute for an Eastern Partnership told That commitment explains the recent U.N. General the face of Russia’s aggression in eastern Ukraine and its illegal occu- Kseniya Kirillova in an interview published on January Assembly resolution on Crimea, but Mr. Shmulyevich pation and attempted annexation of Crimea, Ukraine has worked to 3 by Radio Liberty, “that the Syrian war is a training says, “it is important to understand that for the build stronger and more effective political, economic, and security ground for his army and that the state of his army has majority of the Western establishment, returning institutions. The United States has stood with Ukraine as it strength- really improved” (ru.krymr.com/a/28210963.html). Crimea to Ukraine is not as important as simply find- ens its democracy, and we and our European partners have continued The Kremlin leader is “evidently preparing his ing a way to resolve it in a legal fashion.” to press for the full implementation of the Minsk agreement to end country for war” in order, among other things, to pre- Mr. Putin clearly understands this, the Israeli ana- the conflict in Donbas and return the conflict zone and the interna- serve his own power by launching aggression abroad. lyst argues, and that explains why he bases his tional border to Ukrainian control. Because of Russia’s actions to The rest of Ukraine is less likely to be in his sights actions on what he says was Nikita Khrushchev’s ille- destabilize Ukraine, we and our partners put in place sanctions on than the Baltic countries, Poland or “some countries gal transfer of Crimea from the RSFSR to the Russia’s financial, energy, and defense sector, which have had a signifi- in the South Caucasus such as Azerbaijan.” Ukrainian SSR and on the fact that the Budapest cant effect on Russia’s economy. We have also made clear that if And in the current environment, Mr. Shmulyevich Memorandum is null and void because none of its sig- Russia implements its commitments, these sanctions can be rolled says, it is possible that Vladimir Putin will reach an back. … agreement with Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan “about (Continued on page 20) “During President Obama’s first term, the United States and Russia reset our relationship, which led to tangible benefits on nuclear arms control and supply routes for our troops in Afghanistan. …Still, the United States and Russia continue to have strong disagreements on a range of issues as well. In the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine, State of war exists between Russia we have led an international effort to support the Ukrainian people and to impose economic sanctions on Russia for its illegal actions. We and Ukraine, Portnikov says also launched a major deterrence initiative that ensures that we will maintain our capability, readiness and responsiveness to address any by Paul Goble donua.com/news/war/ekspert-mgimo-predlozhil- threat and to deter further destabilizing activities. …it is critical that vlastyam-rf-atakovat-ukrainu-aviaciey-i-raketami-po- we remain vigilant against these and other threats, even as we look It is a measure of the triumph of Kremlin propa- primeru-sirii-video-165028.html.) for areas where it is in our interest to cooperate with Russia.” gandists, the fecklessness of Western leaders and the Now, Ukrainian commentator Vitaly Portnikov has fears in Kyiv of angering both that, more than two offered a commentary on what that speech means, * * * years after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, a what it doesn’t, and why Ukrainians view it as an Secretary of Defense Carter, writing in his Cabinet exit memo Ukrainian commentator has been forced again to indication of Moscow’s real intentions toward their on January 5, noted: state the obvious: a state of war exists between country (svoboda.org/a/28187680.html). “Following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, the Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainians read it this way because they can see United States mobilized the international community in support of The Ukrainian media has been having a field day what Moscow is doing despite all of Moscow’s declara- Ukraine. Since that point, DoD [the Department of Defense] has taken with a speech by Mikhail Aleksandrov, a researcher at tions that “ ‘we aren’t there,’ that there is a civil conflict a series of measures aimed at deterring further aggressive Russian the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, [between the Ukrainian authorities and the Donbas], actions and defending U.S. and allied interests. Under Operation who said at a meeting of the Russian Institute for and that to punish Russia which seeks exclusively for Atlantic Resolve, we have also increased joint multi-national exercises Strategic and International Studies that Moscow stabilization of the situation in a neighboring country in frequency and scale, and improved regional infrastructure. We cre- should attack Ukraine with missiles and transform is the most obvious cynicism of the West.” ated the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI), funding approximate- Ukraine into “a new Syria.” (For his speech, see gor- Mr. Aleksandrov’s words do not permit an alterna- ly $800 million in FY 2016 to support enhanced U.S. force posture tive interpretation as to what he would like to see through rotational deployments, preposition equipment and materiel, Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on ethnic and happen in Ukraine: the bombing of Ukrainian cities, and further develop the capability and resilience of our NATO allies religious questions in Eurasia who has served in vari- rocket attacks and the advance of “the Donbas Army” and partners. To further reinforce our allies and build our deterrence ous capacities in the U.S. State Department, the throughout the country, “cleansing the occupied terri- posture, we requested $3.4 billion for ERI in FY 2017, more than qua- Central Intelligence Agency and the International tory and establishing order.” drupling our prior year request. Led by the United States, NATO Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice of “This really is the plan of the Syrian war,” Mr. recently agreed to establish an enhanced forward presence, including America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Portnikov writes, “and this means that Kharkiv, Mariupil, positioning four battalion-sized battlegroups in the Baltic states and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The Berdiansk and Melitopil will look like Aleppo, that out of Poland. In addition, the United States has worked to help build the article above is reprinted with permission from his the destroyed cities of the Ukrainian east hundreds of capacity of Ukraine’s forces, with DoD leading efforts to enhance blog called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windowo- Ukraine’s internal defense capabilities through training programs and neurasia2.blogspot.com/). (Continued on page 22) the provision of equipment. “

The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: November 2016 Amount Name City State Hlynsky Boris Vienna VA Halunko Lusia Richmond VA $125.00 Gural Joseph Bayside NY Kent Robert Riverhead NY Hawryluk Stephanie Cottekill NY $115.00 Hrycelak George Elmwood Park IL Kovach Wasyl & Stanislawa Stratford CT Macko Steven Hoffman Estates IL $110.00 Wesely Orest Stockton CA Koval Halyna Easthampton MA Mess Thomas & Helen Cincinnati OH $100.00 Dashawetz Yaroslav & Oksana Cragsmoor NY Krycki Stefan Clifton NJ Nebesny Michael & Stefana Clinton IN Pankiw Andrew Upper Arlington OH Motyka Walter North Port FL Santos Olga Attleboro MA Pylyshenko Wolodymyr & Irma Rochester NY Petryk Olya Southgate MI Zabijaka V Silver Spring MD $90.00 Olijnyk Thomas Rosedale NY Prynada Christine Gaithersburg MD $9.00 Zmud Helen Austin TX $70.00 Blethen Olga Orange VA Puszka Danylo Millwood NY $5.00 Maurer Greg Greensburg PA $60.00 Guty John Ottawa ON Tarasiuk George Newtown PA $50.00 Hiszczynskyj Roman Topeka KS Trenkler Helen North Providence RI TOTAL: $1,609.00 Holowinsky-Chen Mary Belle Mead NJ Zwarycz Stefan Kenosha WI Kryzaniwsky Jurij Sarasota FL $15.00 Iwanyckyj Ihor Big Pine Key FL Sincere thanks to all contributors Korytnyk Peter Chevy Chase MD Procyk Roman Huntingdon Vy PA $25.00 Drobny Daria Dearborn MI Lydia Bodnar-Balahutrak Houston TX to The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund. Hrycak Olga Morristown NJ Nebesny Michael & Stefana Clinton IN Luczka Joseph New York NY Pawluk Markian Lansdale PA The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund is the only $20.00 Bohonowych Roman Kerhonkson NY Tkacz Virlana New York NY fund dedicated exclusively to supporting Gojewycz Vera Hoffman Estates IL $10.00 Haftkowycz Nadia Wethersfield CT the work of this publication. No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 5

2016: THE YEAR IN REVIEW In Ukraine: economic hardship and Russian hybrid warfare kraine endured another year of economic hardship and unprovoked Russian hybrid warfare on all fronts Uwhile a third post-Maidan government was installed amid political turmoil in another attempt to deliver the promises of democratic transformation espoused by the revolution of 2014. 2016 was also the year Ukraine marked the 25th anni- versary of the re-establishment of its independence on August 24, 1991, and Ukraine saw many reasons to cele- brate. A grand military parade was held on Kyiv’s main thoroughfare, the Khreshchatyk, as an expression of defi- ance toward ceaseless Russian aggression. President Petro Poroshenko had ordered a military parade for a third consecutive year intended to underscore the nation’s military capability. But it was the first year that highlight- ed hardware rolled fresh off factory floors and newly designed uniforms, marking Ukraine’s efforts to shed its outdated Soviet past. After more than 4,000 armed forces units marched Presidential Administration of Ukraine past, some equipped with Ukraine-made Tavor automatic The scene at Independence Square, the Maidan, in Kyiv for celebrations on August 24 of the 25th anniversary of rifles, and 200 armored vehicles rumbled by, Mr. the re-establishment of Ukraine’s independence. Poroshenko said: “Our main guarantor is the Ukrainian previous season, which accounted for 40 percent of the tious human rights strategy and action plan, and the armed forces.” Approaching a company of camouflaged nation’s total exports for the first nine months of 2016. undertaking of decentralization reforms.” soldiers still standing at attention, the president said: Ukraine slightly improved in the World Bank’s “ease of The report also notes that “Ukraine successfully met all “Thanks for your patriotism, thanks for your protection. doing business” ranking, going up to 80th place among benchmarks under the Visa Liberalization Action Plan, Ukraine’s independence was supposed to end at the 23rd 190 countries and thus moving up three notches over the which led to the European Commission’s proposal to the anniversary (when Russia invaded Ukraine), but thanks to previous year. In corruption, Ukraine didn’t make much Council of the European Union and the European your sacrifice, it didn’t and that’s why we’re celebrating improvement in Berlin-based Transparency International’s Parliament in April to lift visa obligations for Ukrainian the 25th anniversary year.” yearly report. It ranked 130 among 168 countries surveyed citizens. In this context, the agreement reached on Noting that Ukraine currently spends about 5 percent on the level of perceived corruption, sharing the same posi- December 7 between the EU Council and the European of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, the presi- tion as Cameroon, Iran, Nepal, Nicaragua and Paraguay. Parliament on the suspension mechanism, paves the way dent said, “from this parade, our international partners Thus, Ukraine needs to harness the positive changes it for the conclusion of visa liberalization for Ukraine.” will get the message that Ukraine is able to protect itself, made so that “Ukrainian citizens can reap the benefits,” Kyiv further solidified EU integration when the but needs further support.” said a European Commission report published toward the Netherlands on December 15 reached a compromise with As a whole, Ukraine’s economy stabilized, with inflation end of the year, on December 13. the EU to ratify the Association Agreement with Ukraine. slowing substantially to 12.4 percent – from 43.3 percent in 2015 – and gross domestic product (GDP) grew for the first “Ukraine has taken important steps to address the key, The Netherlands is the last country not to ratify the deal in time in four years by 1 percent, reaching the $90 billion systemic challenge of corruption both by limiting the the 28-nation political union of countries. The Dutch held mark. The banking system, riddled with so-called pocket scope for corruption in a number of areas and strengthen- a non-binding referendum on April 6 that rejected the banks that engaged largely in third-party lending, saw more ing the means to pursue wrong-doers,” said Association Agreement. After the compromise, which stip- than 80 financial institutions lose their licenses. Among Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and ulates that ratification doesn’t give Ukraine a path toward them was Ukraine’s largest bank by assets, PrivatBank, co- Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. “This work EU membership, Holland’s Parliament will vote on the owned by billionaire oligarch Igor Kolomoisky. must continue and bring real change to the way the coun- measure in January 2017. Still, Ukrainians haven’t felt the benefits of macro stabil- try operates. Tackling corruption and creating a reliable Kyiv also expects to receive visa-free travel to the EU for ity despite the fact that the government has moved for- judicial system are also key to transforming the business its citizens before the April 2017 French presidential elec- ward to enact crucial legislation and set up institutions climate and rebuilding prosperity. The European Union tion after passing nearly 300 required laws and other leg- that would enable the full implementation of reforms bent will continue to support Ukraine in these efforts, both islative measures. on establishing rule-of-law and good governance. politically and financially.” No trickle down Urged by Western donors and lenders, like the According to the report, “Ukraine has implemented a International Monetary Fund, to raise consumer utility number of reforms to curb corruption and to clean up the Still, the public has grown disenfranchised with succes- rates at cost-recovery levels, households saw their utility banking system, and has embarked on ambitious energy sive post-Maidan governments and with President Petro bills soar by 47.2 percent. Meanwhile, the average month- reforms, as well as strengthened democracy and the rule Poroshenko, Ukraine’s first wartime commander-in-chief. ly salary hovers at $200 due to the hryvnia having been of law. Progress in other areas in the EU-Ukraine Populist sentiment has grown, public opinion surveys devalued by 40 percent since 2014. Association Agreement, parts of which have been provi- have found. On the business side, industrial growth was at 2 percent sionally applied since November 2014, has also been Authorities have failed to recover significant amounts driven by record grain exports. More than 39 million tons made, for example regarding the adoption of constitution- of money and other assets that the previous regime, led by of grain went to foreign markets, 13 percent more than the al amendments to the judiciary, the adoption of an ambi- ousted ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, had stolen. No high-profile corruption cases were prosecuted and the killing of some 100 protesters during the Maidan uprising have largely gone unsolved. Ukrainians were reminded of that fact when the dis- graced former president gave testimony from Russia on November 28 via video link related to the trial of five riot police officers who were allegedly involved in the mass killings. Like Mr. Yanukovych, many of the law enforce- ment officers who allegedly gunned down some 100 pro- testers during the uprising either fled to the Russian- occupied Ukrainian territory of Crimea or to Russia. During a break in the former president’s six-hour testi- mony, Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko read a notice of suspicion, charging him with committing “high treason,” aiding and abetting Russia to encroach on the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” and for causing more than 1 trillion hrv ($40 billion U.S.) in damages to the state. The IMF, with whom Kyiv has a $17.5 billion lending program to prop its economy, has voiced frustration with “stop-and-go” reforms and lax crime fighting. “Turning the current stabilization into strong and sus- tainable growth – so that Ukraine can catch up with its regional peers – will not be an easy task. This has been a challenge in the past, when stop-and-go reforms resulted in the repeated build-up of large imbalances and econom- Presidential Administration of Ukraine ic crises,” the IMF said on November 18. “Decisive steps Some of the heavy weaponry that proceeded down the Khreshchatyk for Ukraine’s Independence Day parade. particularly need to be taken to fight corruption… tangible 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3

2016: THE YEAR IN REVIEW results in prosecuting and convicting corrupt high-level officials and recovering proceeds from corruption have yet to be achieved.” Thus, Mr. Poroshenko’s rating has dipped below 15 per- cent, according to a December poll conducted by the SOCIS Center for Social and Marketing Research and Rating sociological service. Another poll, commissioned by Kyiv-based think tank Democratic Initiatives in December, found that 73 percent of the public thinks that the “situation in the country has gotten worse, with 55 percent of respondents saying they aren’t willing to undergo hardships for the sake of successful reforms.” The most popular government measure, according to public opinion polls, was the implementation of electronic income declarations for government officials. With more than 50,000 officials filing in 2016, the public witnessed their extraordinary wealth amid the paltry official salaries they receive. The Reuters news agency calculated that the 24 members of the current Cabinet of Ministers declared hoarding $7 million – and that’s just in cash. Ukraine can expect to receive the next IMF installment in the first half of 2017 due to the reforms it has made, although belatedly, according to S&P, a leading credit-wor- thiness rating agency. Since 2015, Ukraine has received Presidential Administration of Ukraine $7.6 billion of the $17.5 billion available under the IMF Approval ratings for President Petro Poroshenko, seen here during a January 11 visit with soldiers of an artillery brigade in the Ternopil region, dropped during 2016. According to a poll released on January 12, about 70 percent lending program. The bulk of the funds went to the central disapproved of his administration’s handling of the war in the Donbas. bank to enhance foreign exchange reserves. Ukraine expects to receive $1.3 billion in the next installment. Members of the Ukrainian diaspora and other special- tal in convincing the nation’s partners of Russia’s inces- ists filled key positions in Mr. Groysman’s government. sant belligerence. Third post-Maidan government Detroit physician Ulana Suprun became the acting health A testament to the combined work of the diplomatic Arseniy Yatsenyuk headed the first two post-Maidan gov- minister on July 27. Former U.S. federal prosecutor and corps came when the United Nations General Assembly on ernments since February 2014. A third administration start- assistant U.S. attorney Bohdan Vitvitsky on August 8 joined December 19 passed a resolution that recognizes Crimea ed forming on April 14 when the Verkhovna Rada approved a selection commission that will choose members of a as “temporarily occupied” by Russia and condemns the Volodymyr Groysman as prime minister. He is the youngest newly created General Inspectorate at the Prosecutor “abuses” and “discrimination” against Crimean Tatars, head of government on record and the first Jew to hold General’s Office. Canadian attorney Daniel Bilak became ethnic Ukrainians, and other groups on the peninsula, the position. Most of his Cabinet subsequently turned out the prime minister’s chief investment adviser on RFE/RL reported. “The resolution calls on Russia, as an to be loyalists of Mr. Poroshenko, including Mr. Groysman November 1 and American Petro Matiaszek was appointed ‘occupying power,’ to end all abuses against people living himself and current Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko. deputy director of Ukraine Invest – the nation’s investment in Crimea, including arbitrary detentions, torture and Absent are the foreign technocrats who had resigned in promotion office – on the day of its creation, October 19. other ‘cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment’,” the report said. disgust with corruption and resistance to change from Diplomacy keeps Russian sanctions intact entrenched interests. Mr. Groysman’s appointment ended Also not helping Moscow were two reports that point- political turmoil that started on February 3 when Another constant besides political infighting was that ed the finger at Russia for the downing of Malaysia Lithuanian-born Aivaras Abromavicius resigned as eco- Kyiv’s diplomatic corps managed to keep Western part- Airlines Flight 17 over Russia-occupied eastern Ukraine in nomic development minister. The former asset manager ners on board with their restrictive measures that punish 2014, which resulted in all 298 people on board being and other foreigner technocrats said they were beings Russia for its military aggression towards Ukraine. EU killed. A Dutch-led investigation concluded on September used as window dressing for Western lenders and donors, leaders in December extended economic sanctions against 28 that the surface-to-air missile that shot down the pas- and as a cover for corruption. Russia by another six months, until July 31, 2017, for its senger aircraft “came from Russia.” The missile system Mr. Abromavicius singled out Ihor Kononenko, a senior illegal annexation of the Ukrainian territory of Crimea and came from and returned to Russia after blowing up the lawmaker close to Mr. Poroshenko, saying Mr. Kononenko for stoking war in eastern Ukraine. The U.S. has followed airliner and was part of a military convoy of Russia’s 53rd had lobbied to get his people appointed to head state com- suit with its own set of sanctions through the Treasury anti-Aircraft Brigade based in Kursk, concluded Bellingcat, panies and at top government positions. Mr. Kononenko Department, some of which include the prohibition of a group of citizen journalists who use open-source infor- rejected the allegations as “completely absurd” and doing business with Russian enterprises. mation, including satellite imagery, to analyze data. accused Mr. Abromavicius of trying to shift the blame for “We welcome the unanimous decision by the EU to Combined, their findings, coupled with dozens of news his own failures atop the Economy Ministry. extend economic and sectoral sanctions against Russia,” reports by The Ukrainian Weekly, Reuters, Kyiv Post, The Chicago-born ex-Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko Mr. Poroshenko said in a statement on December 15 when Telegraph, as well as other news outlets, raise questions didn’t join the new government, while others resigned the EU sanctions were extended. “I am sincerely grateful about the involvement of Russian armed forces, the Kremlin before Mr. Groysman was appointed. They include for the unwavering unity and solidarity of the European and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the disaster. Georgia-born Health Minister Aleskandr Kvitashvili (July leaders in restoring Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial One hundred people were identified for their involve- 2) and former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili integrity, including Crimea.” ment in the disaster, Dutch prosecutors said, but they (November 7), who was governor of Odesa Oblast. Also Mr. Poroshenko, Foreign Affairs Minister Pavlo Klimkin didn’t provide the names of the suspects. resigning during the year were National Police Chief and Deputy Prime Minister for EU and Euro-Atlantic Ukrainian diplomats countered Russia during the ongo- Khatia Dekanoidze (November 14) of Georgia. Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze were instrumen- ing peace talks in the Belarusian capital of Minsk. Notably, they prevented Russia from what former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt described as an attempt “to con- fuse, distract, deny and to get Ukraine off track – to keep us off balance.” As a signatory of the Minsk peace accord, Russia – not its proxies – was supposed to ensure that fighting stops in occupied Donbas, heavy weapons be withdrawn, captives be released based on the principle of “all for all,” and Ukraine regains control over the eastern border with its belligerent neighbor. In addition, Kyiv was to conduct local elections in the occupied territories. Russia “has not implemented a single point of the Minsk agreements,” Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in February. The MFA further reported: “Illegally armed groups controlled by the Russian Federation con- tinue to systematically shell and fire on positions of the Ukrainian armed forces. During the previous month, the illegally armed groups fired on Ukrainian positions over 1,200 times; ...The Russian side continues to send weap- ons, military equipment and mercenaries across the bor- der into Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.” As The Ukrainian Weekly wrote in an editorial on February 14: “The Washington Post had it right in its February 5 editorial titled ‘Is Mr. Putin serious about mak-

Mikhail Palinchak/UNIAN ing peace in Ukraine?’ ” The Post noted: “The necessary Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Groysman at the April 14 session of Parliament when he was approved as first step is an end to the shooting and other measures to Ukraine’s new prime minister. ensure security, such as the deployment of international No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 7

2016: THE YEAR IN REVIEW monitors to all parts of the Russian-controlled territories. …Rather than pressure Ukraine, the Obama administra- tion should enlist the European Union in insisting that Mr. Putin demonstrate with acts that he is ready to end the war. If he does, the climate for a political deal could be set. If not, all will know who is to blame for a frozen conflict.” Peace monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe charged with observing the imple- mentation of the truce have consistently voiced frustra- tion. They never have had unfettered access to the war zone to carry out their mandate. Nearly 700 monitors from 46 OSCE participating states, of whom 39 are from Russia, work in the war zone to provide objective data on compliance of the ceasefire that never took hold. The OSCE’s $98.8 million monitoring mission is set to expire on March 31, 2017, if it isn’t extended. Three U.S. senators visited the frontline area near Shyrokyne just on New Year’s Eve. Sens. John McCain, Amy Klobuchar and Lindsey Graham visited with Ukrainian soldiers at a forward command post together with U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch and President Petro Poroshenko. “We urge our colleagues to take more meaningful and severe sanctions against Russia for its hacker attacks on the United States,” Sen. McCain said, Mikhail Palinchak/UNIAN adding that there is “clear evidence” of Russian interven- Nadiya Savchenko is mobbed by the news media upon her arrival at Boryspil International Airport in Kyiv on May tion in the American presidential election. Sen. Mc Cain 25 after she was freed from imprisonment in Russia, where she was held captive for nearly two years. also stated: “In 2017, we will defeat the invaders and send them back where they came from. To Vladimir Putin – you Calling the cross-border attacks an “act of war,” Bellingcat Towards the end of World War II, about 84 percent of will never defeat the Ukrainian people and deprive them said they numbered in the “thousands” and were the “first the Crimean Tatar population, or 180,000 people, were of their independence and freedom.” and strongest evidence of a direct Russian participation in deported on the orders of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and President Poroshenko underscored that Ukraine is the fighting.” Although they were already proven to have carried out by his henchmen. They were only allowed to fighting for more than its independence amid Russia’s occurred by Ukrainian officials and the U.S. government, return to their ancestral homeland in the late 1980s dur- unprovoked war. “We are fighting for freedom, for values, the new report analyzed the extent to which they were ing what was called perestroika. Now they were being for democracy, protecting them in the center of Europe in used in the summer of 2014, when they largely contribut- forced to leave their homes once more. ed to stemming a Ukrainian counterattack to retake the the 21st century.” Ukrainian hostages released Upon the senators’ return to Washington, where a new border areas near Russia, and cut off and surround the session of Congress was soon to convene, a group of bipar- occupied Donbas capitals of Donetsk and Luhansk. Perhaps the foremost symbol of Ukrainian resistance tisan lawmakers said they would prepare a bill that would Moscow consistently used cyberattacks to target on the global stage toward Russian aggression was Nadiya offer sanctions against Russia, CNN reported. Ukrainian government institutions and energy infrastruc- Savchenko, whom Mr. Putin released on May 25 in ture, Mr. Poroshenko announced at an end-of-year exchange for two Russian military intelligence operatives. Russia’s multi-faceted war National Security and Defense Council meeting. Ukraine’s first female military aviator had defied Russia’s Another constant in 2016 was Russia’s war. Ukraine Some 6,500 Russian cyberattacks were launched only in kangaroo court system with patriotic attire and spells of lost 211 soldiers in combat last year and an additional the last two months of 2016. They included an energy grid hunger strikes throughout her extrajudicial prosecution. 256 servicemen in non-combat incidents, the armed forc- in northern Kyiv that led to a brief power outage; the While incarcerated, she was elected in absentia to the es reported toward the end of the year. More than 10,000 Finance Ministry, Treasury Service and state-owned railway Verkhovna Rada and was appointed as part of Ukraine’s people have been killed since the Moscow-engineered war monopoly Ukrzaliznytsia. Nuclear power stations and the delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council in Donbas started in April 2014, according to the United nation’s biggest air hub, Boryspil Airport, were also targets. of Europe – the EU’s statutory body. Ms. Savchenko was Nations. More than 1.7 million have been internally dis- Moscow has also weaponized information and propa- abducted in Ukraine while serving in the volunteer Aidar placed, with at least another million seeking refuge ganda on a sophisticated and massive scale, publishing Battalion and on June 17, 2014, taken across the border to abroad, mostly in Russia. fake or skewed news stories whose ultimate aim is to dis- Russia. She was subsequently sentenced to 22 years in As of the end of 2016, about 5,000 regular Russian sol- credit Ukraine and its pro-European and NATO ambitions. prison on trumped-up charges and cynically fined $443 diers are in occupied Donbas, Defense Minister Stepan Ukrainian citizens are also constantly harassed in occu- for violating the border. Poltorak said. Moscow also has 600 tanks, 1,300 combat pied Crimea and inside Russia, where the largest Upon her release, Ms. Savchenko was Ukraine’s most vehicles, 760 artillery weapons and 300 multiple-rocket Ukrainian diaspora resides. Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs popular politician, according to numerous polls. But her launch systems in eastern Ukraine, he added. A December Ministry warned its citizens to avoid travel to Russia allegiance to Kyiv came into question when she met with 21 Bellingcat report concluded that Ukraine faced at least because of the high risk of arbitrary harassment and Kremlin-backed proxies in Minsk on December 11 to dis- 279 separate attacks likely fired inside Russia, targeting detentions by Russian security services, according to an cuss prisoner swaps. She justified the meeting in Belarus 408 Ukrainian military sites in the “entire border area of October 5 statement. as a step toward releasing prisoners of war and “strength- the conflict zone.” It expressed its “resolute protest to the Russian ening” ongoing peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and Federation in connection with the ongoing repressions, its Donbas puppets. Her colleagues in Parliament, includ- illegal detentions, searches, arrests, tortures and ill-treat- ing from the Batkivshchyna party on whose ticket she was ment towards the citizens of Ukraine,” in a separate state- elected, criticized her for the move. ment published on December 29. “The aggressor state Her detractors say that, by meeting with the Kremlin- continues to ignore its obligations under the Minsk agree- backed separatists, Ms. Savchenko creates the illusion that ments on the exchange of hostages and illegally detained the key to peace in war-torn Donbas lies with them, and persons by the principle ‘all for all.’ Though six prisoners that such overtures lend them legitimacy and undermine have returned to Ukraine, their total number has not Kyiv’s efforts to hold Russia responsible for the war and decreased but increased: now we have information on at keep Western sanctions in force as punishment. least 17 Ukrainians who are being kept under politically Three weeks after Ms. Savchenko’s release, two more motivated reasons on the territory of the occupier. Even Ukrainians were freed on June 14: Hennadiy Afansyev and more of our compatriots are arbitrarily arrested and Yuriy Soloshenko. detained on the occupied Crimean peninsula. More than Mr. Afanasyev is a Crimean photographer who was 100 Ukrainians are being kept in appalling conditions by arrested months after Russia annexed the peninsula and the Russian-terrorist forces in the occupied Donetsk and sentenced to seven years in jail after being convicted of Luhansk regions of Ukraine.” plotting a terrorist act against the Russian imposed author- Crimean Tatars have faced persecution ever since ities. Mr. Soloshenko, 73, is a former electronics-plant chief Russia illegally occupied the peninsula in March 2014. Its who was arrested by the Russian authorities in Moscow in highest ruling body, the Mejlis, was suspended and brand- August 2014 and accused of trying to buy restricted com- ed “extremist” by Russia’s Justice Ministry on April 18. ponents for the S-300 air-defense missile system. He was Before the annexation, Tatars made up around 12 percent sentenced in October to six years in prison. of Crimea’s population of 2.5 million. Human rights watch- “I think that while Putin’s regime is running Russia, it dog Amnesty International said Russia’s decision signaled will remain our enemy, and therefore we will have to do Presidential Administration of Ukraine a new wave of repression against Crimean Tatars. everything [we can] to release all our friends from Russian The Menorah memorial in Babyn Yar, the site in 1941- “Anyone associated with the Mejlis could now face seri- jails. ...They are waiting for our help and I believe they will 1943 of the mass killings of over 100,000 people, two- thirds of them Jews, by occupying Nazi forces. 2016 was ous charges of extremism as a result of this ban, which is join us,” Mr. Soloshenko said, as quoted by RFE/RL’s marked as the solemn 75th anniversary of the Babyn aimed at snuffing out the few remaining voices of dissent Ukrainian service. Yar massacre, when more than 30,000 Jews were killed in Crimea,” Denis Krivosheyev, Amnesty’s deputy director At least 17 Ukrainians are being held for politically moti- on September 29-30, 1941. for Europe and Central Asia, said in an April 13 statement. vated reasons in Russia, says Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3

2016: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Ministry, and more than 100 Ukrainians are being kept in appalling conditions “by the Russian-terrorist forces in the occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.” Crimean filmmaker Oleh Sentsov and Oleksander Kolchenko in August were sentenced in Russia to 20 and 10 years’ imprisonment, respectively. The pro-Ukrainian Crimeans opposed Russia’s invasion and annexation of Crimea and were prosecuted on trumped charges of “ter- rorism.” Milestones and notable events Ukraine marked the 75th anniversary Babyn Yar, in which more than 100,000 people – mostly Jews – were killed during Germany’s occupation of Kyiv during World War II. Commemoration of the horrific event took place on September 23-29 and was organized by the Ukrainian Jewish Encounter, a Canada-based non-profit that works to foster understanding of Ukrainian-Jewish relations. “It’s essentially a cemetery, a huge killing field. It’s a necropolis, a place for reflection,” Prof. Paul Robert Magocsi told The Ukrainian Weekly of the massacre site located in northwestern Kyiv that stands in a public park surrounded by a concrete jungle of Soviet-era high-rise buildings. In just two days, on September 29-30, 1941, more than EBRD/Novarka 30,000 Jews were slaughtered in the ravine, which the The new confinement structure for the Chornobyl nuclear power plant’s reactor No. 4 is seen on November 14, as Germans chose to serve essentially as a huge burial pit that the process of sliding it into place began. 2016 marked the 30th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster of required no digging. Jews residing in the city and the sur- April 26, 1986. rounding area had been ordered to march to the site the first has a lifespan of 100 years and was built by Novarka, a to a Dutch museum when Russia occupied the peninsula morning. Due to Soviet propaganda and misinformation, consortium of French construction firms at a cost of $1.6 must be returned to Ukraine, reported RFE/RL. The many weren’t aware of the Nazis’ racist policies towards the billion donated by 45 governments. The European Bank Amsterdam district court said that Crimea was not a sov- Jews. And because of the nearby freight train station, some for Reconstruction and Development is the administrator ereign country and so could not claim the treasures as cul- marchers thought they would be deported to Palestine. of the Chornobyl Shelter Fund, which financed the project tural heritage. The ruling drew a swift and angry reaction The Nazis would continue using the site to kill more and which totals $2.24 billion. from Russia and praise from Ukraine, whose president Jews, Ukrainian patriots, Communist Party members, The body of Ukrainian journalist Heorhii Gongadze was said it means that “Crimea is ours, period.” Roma, homosexuals and other so-called “undesirables” buried on March 22 in Kyiv, nearly 16 years after his killing, Kyiv and four museums in Crimea have been wrangling before retreating in 1943. but family and friends say their fight for justice is not over. over the fate of the archeological treasures – which range “We wanted to do something that has lasting value for Gongadze, a dogged investigative reporter who exposed from gold artifacts to a Scythian helmet dating back more Ukraine as a state, and for Jews and ethnic Ukrainians liv- high-level political corruption, was kidnapped in September than 2,000 years – ever since Russia seized control of the ing within the boundaries of Ukraine, and outside the 2000. His headless body was found that November in a for- Ukrainian peninsula in March 2014. The Ukrainian govern- boundaries of Ukraine,” said Prof. Magocsi of the two-year est outside the Ukrainian capital. After years in a morgue, ment claimed that, as state property, they could not be commemoration planning period. As a board director at his body was buried on the grounds of a Kyiv church. His returned to territory outside its control, while the Crimean the Ukrainian Jewish Encounter, the New Jersey native widow, Myroslava, the head of Voice of America’s Ukrainian museums argued the objects must be returned by the eschewed the typical conference format, where “academ- Service, and two daughters, Solomia and Nana, flew in from Netherlands to the institutions from which they were on ics from various aspects of the profession come give Washington to attend the ceremony. Gongadze’s relatives loan. The treasures, popularly known as Scythian gold, are papers, and then begin to plan, ‘wouldn’t it be great to “feel relieved that Heorhii’s body has been buried with the in the Netherlands because they were borrowed from the publish something,’ and this happens two to eight years dignity every person deserves,” according to a statement four museums in Crimea and one in Kyiv for an exhibition from that time in which the whole process and interest from the family that was read at the funeral by a friend of in early 2014 at Amsterdam’s Allard Pierson Museum. will have changed by then,” he said. Instead, 1,000 foreign Gongadze’s, journalist Yevhen Hlibovytskyy. Popular Crimean Tatar pop singer Jamala won the delegates gathered in Kyiv for the solemn anniversary and Leonid Kuchma, who was president from July 1994 to 2016 Eurovision song contest on May 14 in Sweden. were treated to a unique format of commemorations con- January 2005, came under suspicion after the publication Known for her style of R&B and soul, the talented star per- sisting of film screenings, art shows, the presentation of a of a recording on which a voice that sounded like his formed “1944,” a song that ties the current persecution by book on Babyn Yar that was co-edited by Prof. Magocsi spoke of the need to “deal with” Gongadze. Prosecutors the Russian occupation to the genocide in which Soviet and panel discussions, all of which was topped off by a charged Mr. Kuchma with involvement in the case in 2011, dictator Joseph Stalin deported most of the Crimean Tatar commemorative concert. but a court dropped the charges later that year. In 2008, population to Uzbekistan. The Verkhovna Rada declared The stricken Chornobyl nuclear reactor No. 4 was final- three former police officers were sentenced to lengthy the 1944 forced deportation of Crimean Tatars a genocide ly confined on November 29, 30 years after the world’s prison terms after being convicted of involvement in the on November 12, 2015, and designated May 18 as the Day largest nuclear accident occurred north of Kyiv on April killing. In 2012, former top police official General Oleksiy of Remembrance of Crimean Tatar Genocide Victims. In 26, 1986. The sliding structure is the largest moveable Pukach received life in prison after being convicted of the final round, Jamala – whose birth name is Susana land-based structure ever built, with a span of 257 meters strangling Gongadze to death. Jamaladinova – won enough votes to surpass runner-up (843 feet), a length of 162 meters (531 feet), a height of A Dutch court on December 14 ruled that a priceless Dami Im of Australia and Sergey Lazarev of Russia. 108 meters (354 feet) and a total weight of 36,000 tons. It collection of gold artifacts from Crimea that were on loan Looking ahead to 2017 Ukraine could expect to see more signs of economic recov- ery this year. The state budget has a deficit target of 3 percent of GDP that is in line with IMF program requirements, accord- ing to Kyiv-based investment capital Dragon Capital. “That said, Ukraine can realistically receive $1.3 billion from the IMF, the fourth tranche of its Extended Fund Facility program, in early 2017,” Dragon Capital wrote in a note to investors. “Ukraine is unlikely to face serious economic hardships next year. We expect recovery to continue, with real GDP accelerating to 2.5 percent year-on-year from 1.0-1.5 per- cent this year,” the investment bank said. However, Ukraine faces a new international political arena given the ascension of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency and key national elections taking place in Europe – notably France and Germany against the back- drop of the United Kingdom having voted to leave the EU in 2016. “Domestically, the government will mark its first year in office in April, becoming subject to a potential no-confi- dence vote, but the risk of early parliamentary elections remains low, in our view,” Dragon Capital noted. “Investors will stay focused on [the] general reform progress, espe- cially in IMF-related areas such as pension reform, privati- Andres Putting/EBU zation, corruption fight and land reform. Global commodi- Ukraine’s Crimean Tatar singer Jamala reacts to winning the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest on May 14 in Stockholm. ties prices (steel, iron ore, oil, grain) and the military con- She won for her song “1944” about Joseph Stalin’s mass deportations and genocide of the Crimean Tatar people. flict in the east will also remain on the watch list.” No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 9

2016: THE YEAR IN REVIEW In U.S.-Ukraine relations: concerns about war, corruption uestionable words uttered by President Barack Obama put Ukraine in the news in the United QStates at the beginning of the year. In his State of the Union address on January 12, speaking about threats faced by the U.S. and the world, Mr. Obama said: “Even as their economy severely contracts, Russia is pouring resources in to prop up Ukraine and Syria – client states they saw slipping away from their orbit.” According to var- ious news media reports, apparently the word “client” was a departure from the president’s prepared text, which referred to “states,” not “client states.” The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America reacted with a statement released on January 13, noting, “In his final State of the Union address, President Obama got it wrong when it came to Ukraine. … When it came time to mention Ukraine, a long-time strategic partner of the United States, President Obama once again demonstrated a shocking ignorance of foreign policy hotspots in his big- gest address to the nation.” The UCCA said it was “out- raged by the description of Ukraine used in the State of Presidential Administration of Ukraine the Union address. To be clear, Russia is not propping up The new U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, presents her letters of credence to President Petro Ukraine; the Russian Federation is destabilizing Ukraine. Poroshenko on August 30. “In the last two years, Ukraine has achieved significant progress. And now we have great Nor did Ukraine ‘slip away from Russia’s orbit’; the people opportunities to continue these changes. The U.S. is a reliable friend and supports Ukraine and its reforms,” Ambassador Yovanovitch stated. of Ukraine made up their own minds with regards to national policy, including their open and democratic deci- operating in eastern Ukraine and other efforts to destabi- The United States does not recognize Russia’s ‘referen- sion to demand basic human rights, journalistic and eco- lize the country.” Mr. Toner’s response was to a request for dum’ of March 16, 2014, or its attempted annexation of nomic freedoms and closer integration with Europe dur- comment from a correspondent for the Ukrinform news Crimea, which violates international law. …We will not ing the Revolution of Dignity.” service. Notably, The Ukrainian Weekly could find no trace accept the redrawing of borders by force in the 21st cen- And reactions came from other observers as well. of this clarification on the State Department’s website. tury. Sanctions related to Crimea will remain in place as Among the notable comments on Twitters were these: In one of a series of interviews published on March 10, long as the occupation continues. We again call on Russia Ambassador Steven Pifer tweeted: “POTUS: #Russia ‘is President Obama again made comments regarding to end that occupation and return Crimea to Ukraine.” pouring resources in to prop up #Ukraine.’ Odd line. More Ukraine that were seen as troubling. RFE/RL reported on On April 28, the Stability and Democracy (STAND) for like Moscow pouring resources in to destabilize Ukraine”; an article in The Atlantic in which the president said Ukraine Act was introduced in the House of and Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times opined: Ukraine “is going to be vulnerable to military domination Representatives by Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) and Adam “ ‘Russia is pouring resources to prop up Ukraine’? Hello? by Russia no matter what” the U.S. does. Furthermore, he Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and 14 co-sponsors. The bill’s aim was to More like pouring resources to destabilize Ukraine.” David said Ukraine was clearly a core interest for Russia but sug- bolster U.S. support for Kyiv with measures that included J. Kramer of The McCain Institute for International gested that it may not be one for the United States. tightened sanctions against Russia and a push for greater Leadership wrote: “…does President Obama really think Ukraine is “an example of where we have to be very clear private investment in the Ukrainian economy. The bill Ukraine is a ‘client state’ of Russia? That would be news to about what our core interests are and what we are willing would require that the U.S. president, prior to lifting a raft the vast majority of Ukrainians, nearly 10,000 of whom to go to war for,” Mr. Obama said. In the article titled “The of Ukraine-related sanctions, submit “certification” to have sacrificed their lives to fend off Russian aggression in Obama Doctrine,” the president once again used the term Congress that Ukraine has restored “sovereignty” over the past two years. And what money is Russia pumping “client states” in reference to Ukraine and Syria, saying Crimea or that the peninsula’s status has been resolved to into Ukraine to prop it up? Absolutely none. Instead, that in both countries Russian President Vladimir Putin the satisfaction “of a democratically elected government” Russia has invested in destabilizing its neighbor as much acted “in response to a client state that was about to slip in Kyiv. The legislation would also codify the U.S. govern- as possible, to make it unappealing to the West. The presi- out of his grasp” and “improvised” a way to maintain con- ment’s policy of non-recognition of Russian authority over dent owes Ukrainians an apology.” trol – but that in Syria, this came at enormous cost to the Crimea, mirroring Washington’s policy of refusing to rec- Two days later, the State Department clarified the pres- well-being of his own country.” The president rejected the ognize Soviet sovereignty over the Baltic nations of ident’s reference. Spokesperson Mark Toner stated: “Over idea that “talking tough or engaging in some military Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The bill was passed by the the past two years, the United States has worked closely action” could be useful in resolving the situation in House of Representatives on September 21 and sent the with our European and international partners to help Ukraine and he stated: “If there is somebody in next day to the Senate, where it was referred to the Ukraine defend its democracy and territorial integrity, and [Washington] that would claim that we would consider Foreign Relations Committee. the United States remains firmly committed to helping the going to war with Russia over Crimea and eastern Ukrainian people build a country that is peaceful, prosper- Ukraine, they should speak up and be very clear about it.” New ambassador to Ukraine ous and free to chart its own destiny. The president was Third year of Crimea’s occupation On May 18, President Obama nominated a new ambas- referring in his remarks to Russia’s previous long-term sador to Ukraine. Marie Yovanovitch, a career member of efforts to bolster the regime of former President [Viktor] On March 16, U.S. State Department spokesman John the Foreign Service, class of minister-counselor, who since Yanukovych as a way to prevent Ukraine from pursuing Kirby spoke about the situation in Crimea: “Today, as 2014 was the dean of the School of Language Studies at further integration with Europe, and its current occupa- Russia’s occupation of Crimea enters its third year, we the Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute, was tion of Crimea, extensive efforts to support armed groups reaffirm our commitment to a united, sovereign Ukraine. tapped to replace Ambassador Geoffrey R. Pyatt, who was nominated to serve as envoy to Greece. Ms. Yovanovitch previously served at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv as deputy chief of mission from 2001 to 2004. She was the U.S. ambassador to Armenia in 2008-2011 and the ambassa- dor to Kyrgyzstan in 2005-2008. Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 21, Ms. Yovanovitch stated that “more progress has been made in Ukraine in the past two years” than in the past 25 years of Ukraine’s renewed independence and said her objectives as U.S. ambassador will be to assist in reforming key sec- tors in Ukraine and fighting corruption. She enumerated three aspects to countering Russian propaganda: 1) get the story out, 2) put a premium on analyzing the stories and countering with facts, and 3) build capacities in train- ing journalists to recognize the disinformation and how best to reply. After her confirmation by the Senate on July 4, she was sworn in on August 12 at the State Department. Ambassador Yovanovitch is the eighth U.S. ambassador to Ukraine since its restoration of independence in 1991. The ambassador was already on the scene as Ukraine celebrated the 25th anniversary of its re-establishment of Helsinki Commission independence, although she presented her letters of cre- At the Helsinki Commission’s November 10 briefing on human rights and security violations in Russian-occupied Crimea dence to President Petro Poroshenko a few days later, on (from left) are: Paul Goble, Ambassador John Herbst, Orest Deychakiwsky, Oksana Shulyar and Taras Berezovets. August 30. In Washington, President Obama and Secretary 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3

2016: THE YEAR IN REVIEW of State John Kerry issued statements on the historic inde- on December 20, the U.S. Mission expressed “deep con- pendence anniversary. cern over the offensive combined Russian-separatist forc- Mr. Obama noted: “On behalf of the American people, I’m es launched on Sunday, December 18, in what appears to proud to join the Ukrainian people in marking this historic have been a failed attempt to seize territory in strategic anniversary. As we have been reminded in recent years, areas outside the town of Svitlodarsk, near separatist-held Ukraine’s path has not always been easy. From the hun- Debaltseve.” The U.S. Mission pointed out: “This Russian- dreds of thousands of Ukrainians who linked arms in a great separatist attack is clearly prohibited by Russia’s commit- human chain in 1990 to the fallen heroes of the Maidan, ments under the Minsk agreements. It is not an isolated realizing the dream of independence has called on the soli- action, but a deliberate effort to seize further territory. darity and sacrifice of the Ukrainian people. The people of This is the fourth major attempt by combined Russian- the United States, including proud Ukrainian Americans, separatist forces to seize territory beyond the Line of have been honored to partner with Ukraine on this journey. Contact that was established when Russia and the sepa- Today, we reaffirm that the United States will continue to ratists it backs signed the September 19, 2014, Minsk stand with the Ukrainian people as they protect their sover- Memorandum. Since signing, combined Russian- eignty and territorial integrity, embrace the vision of a separatist forces have violated that agreement multiple strong and united Europe, and deepen their commitment to times including in Debaltseve in February 2015, democracy, anti-corruption and respect for human rights.” Mariyinka in June 2015 and Svitlodarsk in June 2016, and Mr. Kerry said: “During my most recent visit to Kyiv, I again in the last few days. This latest attack at Svitlodarsk was deeply impressed by all you have accomplished in the is a continuation of this disturbing pattern and a deadly more than two years since the Revolution of Dignity. reminder of Russia’s disregard for its commitments under Samantha Power/Facebook Despite Russia’s aggression in eastern Ukraine and its ille- the Minsk Agreements.” Among the U.S. officials who called for Nadiya gal occupation of Crimea, you have worked steadily to Back in Washington, the U.S. Commission on Security Savchenko’s release from Russian captivity were U.S. build stronger and more effective political, economic and and Cooperation in Europe, which is known as the Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, who cultural institutions. These efforts have required persever- Helsinki Commission, on November 10 held a briefing spoke on March 9, noting that the previous day was her ance and sacrifice, for which I applaud you. Today we whose goal was to discuss how Ukrainians continue to “600th day of wrongful imprisonment,” and Secretary of mark not just a quarter-century of your independence, defend Helsinki principles in the face of Moscow’s egre- State John Kerry, who said on March 7 that he was but also of the fruitful partnership between our nations gious and unrepentant violations, and how the interna- “deeply concerned about the health and welfare of based on our shared commitment to freedom and the rule tional community is responding. Panelists were: Orest Ukrainian pilot and Rada Deputy Nadiya Savchenko,” who was on a hunger strike. (The two are seen above in a of law. The United States will stand by you as you continue Deychakiwsky, U.S. Helsinki Commission; Oksana Shulyar, photo taken in July at the United Nations.) to strengthen your democracy. With our European part- deputy chief of mission, Embassy of Ukraine to the U.S.; ners, we will also press for full implementation of the John E. Herbst, director, Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center at ruption, into lawlessness, into vassal statehood.” She Minsk agreements to end Russian aggression in Donbas the Atlantic Council, and former U.S. ambassador to explained: “The oligarchs and the kleptocrats who con- and return the international border to Ukrainian control. Ukraine (2003-2006); Paul A. Goble, editor, “Window on trolled Ukraine for decades know that their business We remain steadfast in our refusal to recognize Russia’s Eurasia,” and professor, The Institute of World Politics; model will be broken if the Maidan reformers succeed in attempted annexation of Crimea.” and Taras Berezovets, founder, Free-Crimea Project, Kyiv. 2016,” adding, “So they’re fighting back with a vengeance, During the hearing it was noted that violations of human using all the levers of the old system: their control of the U.S. Mission to the OSCE rights by Russian authorities in Crimea remain persistent media, state-owned enterprises, [parliamentary] deputies, Meanwhile in Vienna, in a press briefing on July 29 via and egregious; Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians who the courts and the political machinery.” telephone, two U.S. diplomats – Ambassador Daniel Baer, oppose the illegal annexation are targeted; and the actions Concerns about corruption in Ukraine were expressed head of the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security of Russia in Ukraine present a threat to the international also by U.S senators. On February 12, Sens. Rob Portman and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and U.S. Ambassador order and violate the basic principles of territorial integri- (R-Ohio) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), co-chairs of the biparti- to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt – accused Russia of continuing ty, inviolability of borders, sovereignty, and respect for san Senate Ukraine Caucus, and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen to supply separatist fighters with fuel and weapons and human rights and fundamental freedoms. (D-N.H.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on creating a “deteriorating security situation” in Ukraine’s European Affairs, joined by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Concerns about conflict, corruption east. “We see continued resupply of weapons and fighters; Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Richard we see continued provocations to keep the conflict going; At the beginning of the year, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) we see continued restrictions of the SMM [Special State Victoria Nuland met in Kaliningrad with Russian wrote a letter expressing concern to Ukrainian President Monitoring Mission of the OSCE] and its monitors; we see presidential aide Vladislav Surkov, reportedly brainstorm- Poroshenko regarding the resignation of Minister of continued shoot-downs of SMM UAVs [drones] after they ing on a way to resolve the armed conflict in Ukraine’s - have seen Russian heavy weaponry in places where it east. The Weekly’s Kyiv correspondent reported at the tion remains a dire challenge within the Ukrainian politi- shouldn’t be,” Mr. Baer said, according to RFE/RL. “Rather time that a solution had yet to emerge from the January calEconomy system. Aivaras In their Abromavičius, letter, the senators who alleged said thatthey corrup recog- than terminating this conflict, Russia’s actions are having 15 meeting, the details of which were not made public. nized the challenges facing the Ukrainian government two the effect of escalating it once again,” Mr. Pyatt said. Both U.S. officials said they briefed senior Ukrainian officials years after the Maidan brought positive change to ambassadors stated that Russia was not implementing the about the meeting on January 16. Ukraine. They also reaffirmed their commitment to help Minsk agreements of September 2014 and February 2015. Secretary Nuland was in the news again two months President Poroshenko confront the dual threat posed by During the course of 2016, Ambassador Baer and the later when she testified on March 15 before the U.S. Russian aggression in Ukraine and entrenched corruption U.S. Mission to the OSCE repeatedly raised the issue of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warning that, if in the government, and to create a transparent and demo- Russian mendacity and aggression in statements to the efforts to liberalize the economy and fight endemic graft cratic government. OSCE Permanent Council based in Vienna. Most recently, fail, Ukraine “risks sliding backwards once again into cor- The case of Nadiya Savchenko Members of the U.S. Congress continued in early 2016 to express their concern about the case of Nadiya Savchenko, who had been captured by pro-Russian forces July 2014 and whose trial in a remote region of Russia had begun in September 2015. Reps. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), members of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, on January 13 called on Russia to release the for- mer Ukrainian fighter pilot and current member of the Ukrainian Parliament. “We are gravely concerned by recent reports of her ill health since the commencement of her hunger strike. …Russian authorities have repeated- ly delayed Savchenko’s trial and hearing dates, moved her trial venue to discourage attendance and restricted access to witnesses. We demand that Russia abide by its interna- tional obligations and the rule of law, and we join the international community in calling for Nadiya Savchenko’s immediate release,” said Rep. Levin, co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. Vice-President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Kerry and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) were among others who spoke out in support of Ms. Savchenko. Mr. Biden issued a statement on March 8, International Women’s Day, noting that as we “honor all the brave Yaro Bihun women who struggle against injustice in this world, we Dmytro Shymkiv (left), the deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential administration, discusses the effectiveness of the also stand with Nadiya and with the Ukrainian people. government reform program at the Wilson Center in Washington on March 3. Seated next to him is the discussion And we call on Russia to make the right choice – to drop moderator, William Pomeranz, deputy director of the Kennan Institute. all charges and release her at once.” No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 11

2016: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Secretary Kerry said on March 7 that he was “deeply concerned about the health and welfare of Ukrainian pilot and Rada Deputy Nadiya Savchenko, who since Friday has refused food and water to protest her continued detention by the Russian Federation.” Sen. McCain stated on March 6: “Today, I stand with the Ukrainian people as they implore the world to open its eyes to the injustice that Ms. Savchenko and so many oth- ers face at the hands of a murderous Russian regime and call for her immediate release. I will also keep fighting the Obama administration to finally give the Ukrainian people the defensive weapons they need to defend themselves. Two years after Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea, the Obama administration has still not provided Ukrainian forces with the lethal assistance they need to fight an advanced Russian military, and which the Congress has authorized. The men and women striving to save their homeland have not backed down, and they will continue to fight for their country with or without the U.S. support they need and deserve.” Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. permanent repre- sentative to the United Nations, added her voice to the defense of Ms. Savchenko on March 9, noting that the pre- vious day was her “600th day of wrongful imprisonment.” Ms. Power stated: “Today, in spite of a ‘dry’ hunger strike in which she has not had any food or liquid for nearly a Yaro Bihun week, Savchenko took the stand to deliver her closing President Petro Poroshenko responds to questions about the situation in Ukraine after his keynote address at the statement in a farcical trial. Russia’s continued detention “Ukraine in Washington” forum in the U.S. Capitol’s Congressional Auditorium on March 30. Sitting next to him is of Savchenko demonstrates blatant disregard for its com- Bill Clifford, president of the World Affairs Council of America, moderator of the session. mitments under the Minsk agreements. Savchenko – as countries that are in the vicinity of Ukraine, why aren’t ing about and all of the power of NATO and all of this, in well as all Ukrainians who are being held illegally by sepa- they dealing? Why are we always the one that’s leading, the meantime, he’s going where – he takes – takes Crimea, ratists and by Russia – should be free.” potentially the third world war with Russia.’ ” At the same he’s sort of – I mean…” Also weighing in on the Savchenko case was Hillary time, Mr. Trump said U.S. involvement in NATO may need Writing in The Washington Post on August 4 about the Clinton, candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination to be significantly diminished. “We certainly can’t afford to presidential candidate’s latest statements, opinion writer for president. Her March 10 statement noted: “Russia do this anymore,” he said. George Will noted that “Vladimir Putin’s occupation of should drop all charges and release her immediately. It Another Republican candidate, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Crimea has escaped Trump’s notice.” He commented: “It should also meet all its commitments under the Minsk reacted to a statement by Mr. Trump at a March 30 town is, surely, somewhat noteworthy that someone aspiring to agreement to bring an end to the conflict in eastern hall meeting hosted by CNN in Milwaukee. Speaking at be this nation’s commander-in-chief has somehow not Ukraine, which has left thousands dead and over 1.5 mil- that same meeting, Gov. Kasich said: “I just heard briefly noticed the fact that for two years now a sovereign lion people displaced. I stand with Nadiya and the somebody was saying that we should just ignore Ukraine. European nation has been being dismembered.” Ukrainian people, as I have always stood for the rights of Are you kidding me? The United States of America should Among others reacting strongly to Mr. Trump’s state- women and all people suffering injustices worldwide.” be arming the Ukrainians who want to fight for freedom ments was Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.), a member of the When Ms. Savchenko was sentenced to 22 years’ impris- against Putin. We should be arming them… with lethal Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. Speaking on August 1, onment on trumped-up charges of complicity in the deaths defensive aid.” Previously, at a March 2 appearance at the Rep. Pascrell underscored: “It is simply irresponsible for of two Russian journalists and illegally crossing the Russian Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren, Mich., the candidate Donald Trump to perpetuate the idea that the Kremlin has border, once again there was swift reaction from the United released a white paper detailing “U.S. Policy Towards not violated the sovereign territory of another country by States. Condemnation of the trial and verdict came from, Ukraine under a Kasich Administration.” Among other force. This runs counter to the current policies of the among others, Vice-President Biden, the Congressional things, the release noted the following: “Under President United States, our NATO allies and even the Republican Ukrainian Caucus and the Department of State. Kasich: The U.S. will not recognize Russia’s annexation of Party’s platform. These remarks, as well as his history of The U.S. presidential campaign Crimea. We will condemn Russia’s imperialism and desta- cavalier compliments for autocratic strongmen like Putin bilization of its neighbors. We will provide Ukraine the and chosen advisors, demonstrate that Donald Trump Speaking of the U.S. presidential campaign, Donald J. lethal defensive weapons needed to defend itself. All par- would be dangerous for protecting human rights and Trump, a candidate for the Republican Party’s nomination ties should fulfill their obligations of the Minsk protocols: democracy around the world. I will continue to stand in was quoted on March 21 by The Washington Post as say- strict observance of the ceasefire by both sides; withdraw- strong support of the Ukrainian people by pushing for ing: “Ukraine is a country that affects us far less than it al of all foreign [Russian] military units, equipment and continued sanctions and relief, as they fight against the affects other countries in NATO, and yet we’re doing all of mercenaries; restore Ukrainian control over the border illegal invasion of its territorial integrity.” the lifting.” Speaking of America’s allies he said, “They’re with Russia; agreement on procedures for elections in The day after the U.S. presidential election, Ukraine’s not doing anything. And I say: ‘Why is it that Germany’s Donbass [sic] under Ukrainian law. …” President Poroshenko offered his congratulations: “My not dealing with NATO on Ukraine? Why is it that other Soon after that came news that on March 28 the Trump sincere congratulations to Donald Trump on being elected campaign had made a very controversial hire. The New president of the United States and to the friendly York Times website reported that Mr. Trump, “girding for a American nation on democratic expression of will. This is long battle over presidential delegates and a potential floor a symbol of true democracy when nobody knew the fight at the Cleveland convention, has enlisted the veteran results of the elections until the very last moment. And Republican strategist Paul J. Manafort to lead his delegate- this is a feature of true democracy always professed and corralling efforts.” The political blog also reported that Mr. promoted by our reliable and strategic American partners Manafort “has drawn attention in recent years chiefly for his and friends,” he said on November 9 during a meeting work as an international political consultant, most notably with U.S. Ambassador Yovanovitch. Mr. Poroshenko as a senior adviser to former President Viktor F. Yanukovych expressed gratitude to the ambassador for the statement of Ukraine, who was driven from power in 2014.” that sanctions against Russia will be continued in Things got worse in July when Mr. Trump, in an inter- December and her assurances that the new U.S. adminis- view broadcast on July 31 on the ABC-TV news program tration will remain a reliable partner in the struggle for “This Week,” said he would consider recognizing Russia’s democracy. He also conveyed his invitation to the newly annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. “I’m going to elected U.S. president to visit Ukraine. take a look at it,” Mr. Trump said. “But you know, the peo- On November 15, the president and the president-elect ple of Crimea, from what I’ve heard, would rather be with spoke via telephone, with Mr. Poroshenko again offering his Russia than where they were. And you have to look at that, congratulations, expressing his readiness to work with the also.” Host George Stephanopoulos then asked Mr. Trump: Trump administration to further strengthen the Ukraine- “Why did you soften the GOP platform on Ukraine?” Mr. U.S. strategic partnership, and issuing an invitation to Mr. Trump’s response: “[Vladimir Putin’s] not going into Trump to visit Ukraine at his earliest convenience. A read- Ukraine, okay? Just so you understand. He’s not going to out of the phone call by the Presidential Administration of go into Ukraine, all right? You can mark it down and you Ukraine also noted that the two leaders agreed to maintain can put it down, you can take it anywhere you want.” Mr. contacts and to hold a bilateral meeting. Stephanopoulos countered with, “Well, he’s already there, At about the same time, there were questions about isn’t he?” Mr. Trump then replied: “Okay, well, he’s there in what would happen now that there would be a new

Yaro Bihun a certain way, but I’m not there yet [apparently a reference administration in Washington. Writing in Foreign Policy Ukraine’s new prime minister, Volodymyr Groysman, to the U.S. presidency]. You have [President Barack] on October 30, Dan De Luce and Reid Standish asked: briefs the White House press at the conclusion of his Obama there. And frankly, that whole part of the world is a “What Will Ukraine Do Without Uncle Joe?” The reference meeting there with Vice-President Joe Biden on June 15. mess under Obama, with all the strength that you’re talk- was to Vice-President Biden, who served as the Obama 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3

2016: THE YEAR IN REVIEW administration’s point man on Ukraine. The analysts wrote: “No one in the U.S. government has wielded more influence over Ukraine than Vice-President Joe Biden. …he has rallied support for Kiev [sic] in the face of Russian mil- itary intervention and cultivated a personal rapport with its leaders. …Ukraine’s government has relied heavily on its direct channel to the U.S. vice-president, and Biden’s departure will leave a gaping hole. …it’s clear the next president will ‘have to have a point person for Ukraine,’ whether at the White House or the State Department, said a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity. …” Visitors from Ukraine During 2016, there were many visits to Washington by Ukraine’s officials and leaders. Among them was the depu- ty head of Ukraine’s presidential administration, Dmytro Shymkiv, the official responsible for overseeing the govern- ment’s national program of reforms necessary to raise itself to the standards of the European Union. Speaking at the Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars on March 3, Mr. Shymkiv focused on 18 of the 35 EU criteria Ukraine was striving to implement by

2020 and presented a scorecard on its progress thus far. Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Tarr “We have more than 70 percent of the decisions of the Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges (right), commander of U.S. Army Europe, and Dr. Ulana Suprun (left), Ukraine’s acting minis- National Reform Council being implemented in legislative ter of health, speak to the media during the official handover of five Field Litter Ambulances to the Ukrainian armed documents,” he said, adding that an increasing percentage forces on August 27. With them is Sgt. Taras Vintonyak from the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. The of the people surveyed in Ukraine react positively to these ambulances were part of the train-and-equip program with Ukraine. “I am very proud, of course, to see these ambu- changes. That is especially evident in the their reaction to lances behind me, a manifestation of the support of the United States for Ukraine,” Lt. Gen. Hodges said. the “strong development” in the area of defense and securi- ty, where, he said, “Russia did everything possible to The Ukrainian president said that his country has replaced by Oleksandr Danyliuk. In her opening remarks destroy the Ukrainian army, and we now have an army “effectively stopped” the Russian offensive. But, he added, at the conference, organized by the Atlantic Council and which is able to stand and defend the country.” “The price we paid is striking”: almost 10,000 people have the Center for International Governance Innovation, Ms. He did acknowledge that Ukrainians now see the most died and more than 2,700 Ukrainian soldiers were killed Jaresko said she had made the decision not to comment serious delays in the implementation of reforms in the by combined Russian-militant forces – more than the on or criticize the new government or her former col- areas of anti-corruption, the judiciary, public administra- number of American military losses in Afghanistan over leagues because “I believe is it better for Ukraine not to do tion and health care, but underscored that anti-corruption the past 15 years. In addition, about 1.75 million people so.” Instead, she focused on the economic reforms initiat- reform is at the top of the government agenda. “We estab- have lost their homes in the Donetsk and Luhansk region ed in Ukraine and what stills needed to be done. lished all the necessary institutions needed to fight corrup- and have been forced to move to elsewhere in Ukraine. On his first visit to the United States, Ukraine’s new tion,” including the Anti-Corruption Bureau. “So, it’s work- The conference at which President Poroshenko spoke prime minister, Volodymyr Groysman, expressed his grati- ing. We’re building the muscles,” he assured his listeners. was organized – in cooperation with the Embassy of tude for the support his country is receiving for its politi- President Poroshenko was in Washington later that Ukraine – by the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and the World cal and economic reform programs, and in stopping month. On March 30, delivering the keynote address at the Affairs Council of America, and co-hosted by the U.S.- Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine and Crimea. “In this “Ukraine in Washington” conference in the Congressional Ukraine Business Council, Ukrainian Congress Committee very important time in Ukraine’s history we now have the Auditorium in the U.S. Capitol, Mr. Poroshenko pointed out of America, Jurkiw Family Fund and other organizations. strong backing of our American partners,” was how he that, after Ukraine abandoned the world’s third largest In his address Mr. Poroshenko also thanked the United described that bilateral cooperation to members of the nuclear arsenal in 1994, it received security assurances States “for standing by Ukraine’s side over the last two press on June 15, at the conclusion of his meeting at the under the Budapest Memorandum guaranteeing its sover- years – the hardest two years in the history of my coun- White House with Vice-President Biden. As Mr. Biden eignty, territorial integrity and independence. He asked: try”; the Ukrainian American community, which has been greeted the Ukrainian prime minister at the White House, “But what has it turned [out] to be in reality?” He explained: supporting Ukraine “so actively and in so many ways”; and he praised him for his efforts. “You’ve taken on a difficult “Russia simply defied its assurances to Ukraine and com- “all people of goodwill who stood with Ukraine and job,” he said. “We have a lot more to do. But I’m mitted a direct armed aggression against my state,” refer- extended their financial, in kind and moral support.” impressed.” During his visit to Washington, Mr. Groysman ring to Moscow’s actions in Crimea and the Donbas region The next day, before joining in with the leaders of more also met with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Ukraine, where “Ukrainian patriots are losing their lives than 50 countries at the Nuclear Security Summit, Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy defending the same values that are dear to America and President Poroshenko visited the recently dedicated (R-Calif.), as well as Democratic Party congressional lead- Europe.” He called on the United States and other Western Ukrainian Holodomor Memorial in Washington, where he ers as and top U.S. government officials. laid a floral wreath to honor its millions of victims. powers to continue their sanctions on Russia to help end its Sanctions against Russia “direct armed aggression against my state.” The 2016 “Ukraine in Washington” conference, which focused on the devastating impact of Moscow’s war The next day, Prime Minister Groysman spoke at the against Ukraine and U.S. efforts to assist Ukrainians with National Press Club, heralding his government’s steps the humanitarian, economic and security crises brought toward institutional and economic reforms, saying chang- on by Mr. Putin’s hybrid military invasion, also featured an es to the customs service, public procurement procedures address by Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States and the courts will make the country more attractive to Valeriy Chaly, who emphasized the very important role investors. According to a report from RFE/RL, Mr. that Washington plays in maintaining trans-Atlantic unity Groysman argued that sanctions enacted by the U.S. and regarding support for and solidarity with Ukraine. the European Union “can be eliminated only when the Ambassador Chaly called the war waged by the combined aggressor returns within its borders, when the aggressor Russian-separatist forces, which has resulted in 10,000 renounces his aggressive plans.” deaths and 2 million displaced persons, “one of the big- His words echoed those of Assistant Secretary of State gest tragedies in Europe and for Europe in the modern Nuland, who told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee era.” Panels were devoted to the topics “The Human Cost on June 7 that sanctions are the most powerful leverage of the War in Ukraine,” “Economic Development in the United States has over Russia. “I think the largest piece Rebuilding Ukraine,” and “From Budapest to Minsk and of leverage that we have on Russia is the sustainment over Beyond.” Among other speakers were: Kurt Volker, a for- two years of deep and comprehensive sanctions across mer U.S. ambassador to NATO; Dr. Ulana Suprun, founder the U.S. and the EU countries,” Ms. Nuland was quoted by of Patriot Defence and director of humanitarian initiatives RFE/RL as saying. “So again this is why we are advocating for the Ukrainian World Congress; economist Anders – because Minsk is not being implemented – that the sanc- Aslund of the Atlantic Council; former U.S. Ambassador to tions have to be rolled over again.” She added, “We have Ukraine William Taylor, now with the U.S. Institute of deterred further land grabs in Ukraine, and that was a real Peace; and David Kramer of the McCain Institute. risk when we first started with sanctions – that they The next month, Natalie Jaresko came to Washington as would try to run all the way to Kyiv and Kharkiv. …I will the minister of finance of Ukraine to participate in a dis- tell you now that the Russians are now openly talking Yaro Bihun cussion on April 14 about the status of Ukraine’s economy about the pain of sanctions…” Nadiya Savchenko, former Ukrainian military pilot and and the prospects and results of its economic reforms and Secretary of State Kerry reassured Ukraine on July 7 now a member of the Verkhovna Rada, discusses her the effects of the conflict in Donbas. Earlier that morning, that sanctions would remain in place unless Moscow ful- experience as a prisoner of war in Russia and her views however, she learned – as did the rest of the world – that filled its obligations under the Minsk agreement. Speaking on the situation in Ukraine and its relationship with the Ukrainian Parliament had voted in a new prime minis- Russia at the Atlantic Council in Washington on at a joint news conference in Kyiv with President September 22. ter and Cabinet of Ministers, in which she would be Poroshenko, he also announced an additional $23 million No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 13

2016: THE YEAR IN REVIEW in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine to help those affect- ed by the ongoing war in Ukraine’s east. (Two months ear- lier, the U.S. had announced $28 million of similar aid. The latest allocation of funds brought the total of humanitari- an assistance to Ukraine since the start of the ongoing conflict to over $135 million.) Indeed, at the end of the year, the U.S. added seven more well-connected Russian insiders and over three dozen companies in Russia and Russia-occupied Crimea to its sanctions list. Another visitor to Washington during 2016 was former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, now the leader of Ukraine’s People’s Front party. As did his successor, Prime Minister Groysman, two weeks earlier, Mr. Yatsenyuk met with Vice-President Biden, thanking the U.S. government and people for their support of Ukraine and asking that they continue their assistance in the future. During his June 27-30 visit, he also met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, officials at the International Monetary Fund and with Sens. McCain, Durbin and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). During an open discussion at the Atlantic Council, he responded to many questions about Ukraine’s internal affairs and foreign relations, especially with the United States and Russia. Yaro Bihun Two more visitors from Ukraine were National Deputy Ukraine’s first president after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Leonid Kravchuk (right), analyzes the country’s Savchenko and former President Leonid Kravchuk. conflicts along its border with Russia and Moscow’s annexation of Crimea during a panel discussion on November 18 at the Atlantic Council with two other post-Soviet leaders, Russia’s first deputy prime minister, Gennady Ms. Savchenko arrived in late September. She received Burbulis (left), and the first Belarusian president, Stanislau Shushkevich (center). the Atlantic Council’s Freedom Award on September 19 in New York and then spoke at the council’s headquarters in “I cannot fathom the world reaction if the president of What will 2017 bring? Washington on September 22. The pilot-turned-politician the United States is going to recognize the annexation of As 2016 came to a close, our editorial wondered what urged the international community to fight to free every Crimea,” Mr. Kravchuk said. “Neither can I fathom some of the incoming Trump administration would bring. single Ukrainian locked up in Russia. “I was not the only the reported statements that Trump made during the Ukrainian Americans who love both the United States and prisoner in a Russian jail. I would like you to continue this election campaign.” He noted, however, that Mr. Trump did their ancestral homeland had repeatedly expressed their struggle to support my colleagues who are still there,” she not make those comments as president, adding that he concerns, as did citizens of Ukraine who feared that their was quoted by the Atlantic Council as saying. “It is impor- understands that being a president in the White House country could be abandoned to Russia’s sphere of influ- tant for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to understand changes the way a candidate may have thought about an ence. Things became even more worrying when The Times he has no chance of keeping any of the Ukrainian prisoners issue before being elected. “If he expresses it after his of the United Kingdom reported on December 28 that currently being held – illegally – by him.” She also pressed January 20 inauguration, then I will express my far nega- there was talk of the Trump administration deploying the case for targeted sanctions against Russian kleptocrats, tive reaction,” Mr. Kravchuk added. Henry Kissinger to reset U.S. relations with Russia, and that criticized the “underperformance” of Ukraine’s current At the end of the year, President Obama signed into law the Kremlin had reacted favorably to the idea. The Times government and explained that “The Kremlin is guided by the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, reported: “Mr. Kissinger is already said to have advised Mr. a sick idea of restoring the territories of the USSR.” which contains a Ukraine security assistance package. The Trump to roll out a plan to end sanctions on Moscow that Mr. Kravchuk, the first president of the independent NDAA authorizes $350 million in security assistance, would ‘recognize Russia’s dominance’ in the former Soviet Ukrainian state established 25 years ago after the break- including lethal and non-lethal equipment, training and states of Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia and Kazakhstan.” What’s up of the Soviet Union, also spoke at the Atlantic Council. technical assistance. Half, or $175 million, of this money is more, there are reports that Mr. Kissinger’s strategy might He appeared on November 18 alongside two other post- linked to Ukraine’s implementation of critical defense include accepting the annexation of Crimea in exchange for Soviet leaders – the first president of Belarus, Stanislau reforms, such as instituting civilian control of the military, Moscow withdrawing from eastern Ukraine. Shushkevich, and the first deputy prime minister of cooperation and coordination with Ukrainian parliamen- But there were pledges from Ukraine’s supporters in Russia, Gennady Burbulis – to discuss the “Soviet dissolu- tary efforts to exercise oversight of the Ministry of Defense Congress to continue or even increase sanctions against tion, the birth of nations and the successes and challenges and military forces, increased transparency and account- Russia. 25 years later.” Mr. Kravchuk stressed that “Ukraine is ability in defense procurement, and improvement in Sens. Portman and Durbin, co-chairs of the Senate growing and doing so in a democratic way, in a European transparency, accountability and potential opportunities Ukraine Caucus, on December 8 led a bipartisan group of way, and now Ukraine cannot be pushed off this path.” for privatization. Also part of the NDAA is the Countering 27 senators to call on President-elect Trump to continue Questions about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s Disinformation and Propaganda Act – legislation designed America’s tradition of support for the people of Ukraine in expressed positions on Russia, President Putin and to help American allies counter foreign government pro- the face of Russian aggression. “In light of Russia’s contin- Crimea also came up during the discussion. paganda from Russia, China, and other nations. ued aggression and repeated refusal to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereign right to choose its own destiny, we also renew our call for the United States to increase political, economic and military support for Ukraine,” the senators wrote. “This includes defensive lethal assistance as part of a broader effort to help Ukrainians better defend themselves, deter future aggres- sion and implement key structural reforms. Similarly, we believe that Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea should never be accepted, nor should we lift sanctions imposed on Russia for its behavior in eastern Ukraine until key pro- visions of the Minsk agreement are met.” While visiting Kyiv at the end of December, Sen. McCain told RFE/RL that the United States will not strike a “Faustian bargain” with President Putin, amid speculation that President-elect Trump could scrap sanctions. Speaking in an exclusive interview with RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service on December 30 along with Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sen. McCain said any possible deal with Mr. Putin “would interfere with and undermine the freedom and democra- cies that exist today.” Sen. Graham said Congress in 2017 would pursue more sanctions against Russia, targeting the energy and banking sectors, as well as “Putin and his inner circle.” While they were in Kyiv, President Poroshenko awarded Sen. McCain the Order of Freedom and Sen. Graham the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise for their significant personal contributions to the enhance- Mikhail Palinchak/UNIAN ment of relations between Ukraine and the United States. A delegation of the U.S. Senate on December 31 joined Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on a working trip to All three senators underscored that there is strong sup- the Donetsk region. The delegation included Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Amy Klobuchar, and was port in Congress to provide Ukraine with “lethal defensive accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. “I send the message from the American people – we are with you, your fight is our fight, and we will win together,” Sen. McCain was quoted as saying by Ukrainian weapons” to help Kyiv in its fight against combined president’s press service. Russia-separatist forces. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3

hacking campaign to influence the U.S. that it would be possible to find them!” Ms. Ukrainian defense sector reform as part of NEWSBRIEFS presidential election. “We should all be Savchenko laid out a three-step plan to the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense alarmed by Russian attacks on our nation,” exchange captives, find those believed to Authorization Act (NDAA). As amended by (Continued from page 2) said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), one of the be held in secret jails, and locate and iden- Sen. Portman’s provisions, the NDAA violations, using tactics short of open war leading critics of Russia in Congress and tify the remains of those missing who are authorizes $350 million in security assis- to destabilize other countries and “alarm- chairman of the Senate Armed Services found dead. A senior official at the Security tance, including lethal and non-lethal ing messages from Moscow regarding the Committee. Other items in the bill, the Service of Ukraine (SBU) told RFE/RL on equipment, training and technical assis- use of nuclear weapons.” He said Russian Countering Russian Hostilities Act, call for condition of anonymity so that he could tance. Half, or $175 million, of this money is President Vladimir Putin was trying to setting up a unit within the Treasury speak freely that his office was “not sup- linked to Ukraine’s implementation of criti- undermine NATO, and he noted the impor- Department’s financial crimes offices to portive” of Ms. Savchenko’s decision to cal defense reforms, such as instituting tance of the Western military alliance. target illicit money trails linked to Russia. publish the lists. Doing so, he said, makes civilian control of the military, cooperation (Reuters, as cited by Ukrainian Canadian The legislation also mandates sanctions in relatives of those people listed “more vul- and coordination with Ukrainian parlia- Congress Daily Briefing) Russia’s energy sector and on investments nerable to scammers and people who want mentary efforts to exercise oversight of the in the development of civil nuclear projects. to abuse that information,” adding that it Ministry of Defense and military forces, Senators want to cement Russia sanctions (RFE/RL, with reporting with AP and was the family’s right to decide whether increased transparency and accountability WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of Politico) they wanted the names of their loved ones in defense procurement, and improvement to be disclosed. “We cooperated with in transparency, accountability and poten- U.S. senators is pushing new legislation that Savchenko publishes ‘prisoner’ lists would cement into U.S. law the sanctions [Savchenko] because after her release she tial opportunities for privatization. This imposed on Russia for its annexation of KYIV – Ukrainian lawmaker Nadiya wanted to help [with prisoner exchanges],” year’s Ukraine security assistance pack- Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. The legisla- Savchenko has published the names of the SBU official said. “We shared informa- age builds on provisions that Sen. Portman tion, introduced January 10, could make it hundreds of people who have been taken tion with her in confidence on the condi- passed last year. The senator commented: harder for the incoming administration of captive or gone missing during the nearly tion that she would not make that info “As Russian aggression continues in eastern President-elect Donald Trump to lift the three-year-old war in eastern Ukraine, public.” Releasing the information, he Ukraine, the United States and NATO must sanctions imposed by President Barack ignoring appeals by authorities to keep the added, “damages the credibility of the provide the sustained economic, political Obama following the 2014 annexation. The information secret. In a Facebook post on Ukrainian side.” (Christopher Miller of and military support necessary for Ukraine sponsors of the measure include 10 January 10, Ms. Savchenko, a former mili- RFE/RL) to secure a democratic future. The Ukrainian people need the moral and mate- Republican and Democratic senators, tary navigator who was jailed in Russia in Azarov may form government-in-exile which gives it more of a chance of passing 2014 and became a symbol of Ukrainian rial support of the United States to defend the Republican-controlled Senate. A similar resistance against Russian aggression MOSCOW – Former Ukrainian Prime themselves as they continue their pursuit measure is being drafted in the House of before her release in May, said she hoped Minister Mykola Azarov has said he may for democracy, liberty and freedom.” He Representatives. The bill would also fortify that by publicizing the lists Ukrainian form a Ukrainian “government-in-exile” noted, “The provisions signed into law the sanctions Mr. Obama announced last authorities would work faster to facilitate after a December Moscow court ruling held today will help the U.S. keep their promise month against Russian government offi- their release. “Why publish the lists of pris- that the collapse of his government in early to Ukrainians longing for peace, and will cials and entities accused of carrying out a oners and missing people?” she wrote. “So 2014 was the result of an illegal coup. continue the policy of Democratic and Speaking in Moscow on January 9, Mr. Republican administrations alike of helping Azarov said it would be necessary to form a free people defend themselves against tyr- government-in-exile if the Ukrainian peo- anny.” (Office of Sen. Rob Portman) ple “demand an alternative.” He also said Defense Ministry: info not true the Ukraine Salvation Committee that he heads is planning to file cases in unspeci- TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 KYIV – Reacting to recent news media or e-mail [email protected] fied “international courts” asking for them reports that 80 percent of D-30 howitzers to follow the lead of the Moscow court’s of the armed forces of Ukraine (AFU) have ruling. Mr. Azarov was Ukraine’s prime been destroyed by Russian hackers as a SERVICES PROFESSIONALS minister from March 11, 2010, until result of the hacking of Ukrainian artillery, January 27, 2014, under former President the Ministry of Defense said the informa- Viktor Yanukovych. Messrs. Yanukovych tion is not true. The ministry’s press ser- and Azarov, as well as other pro-Russian vice reported that, according to the com- Ukrainian officials, fled to Russia in mand of the missile troops and artillery of February 2014 after months of mass pro- Ukraine’s land forces, the losses of artillery tests in Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine by weapons are much less than those men- demonstrators who were angered by Mr. tioned and are not linked to the reason Yanukovych’s refusal to sign an Association cited. “The military units of the missile Agreement with the European Union. Mr. troops and artillery of the AFU land forces Azarov is now wanted in Ukraine on suspi- currently are fully combat-ready, equipped cion of corruption and abuse of office. and able to carry out tasks as directed,” the (RFE/RL, based on reporting by TASS and Defense Ministry stated. As reported earli- HELP WANTED Interfax) er by UNIAN, a hacker group associated with the Russian government and high- World War II monument damaged profile cyberattacks against Democrats C AREGIVER KYIV – A monument in western Ukraine during the U.S. presidential election proba- for 95 year old woman honoring the memory of some 900 people bly used malware on Android devices to in Wilmington, DE. who were massacred during World War II keep track of Ukrainian artillery and its Please call 302-764-2684 has been severely damaged by unknown objectives from the end of 2014 until 2016. vandals. Local police reported the damage (UNIAN) or email [email protected] on January 10, saying that they were inves- PM sees further development in 2017 tigating. A stone cross was smashed to piec- 42 year old Ukrainian woman SERVICES es and two slabs bearing the names of the KYIV – In a New Year greeting, Prime seeking a live-in position as victims were painted with a Ukrainian flag, Minister Volodymyr Groysman wished love, a caregiver for the elderly. Ukrainian nationalist symbols and a Nazi prosperity and harmony to Ukraine’s citi- Conscientious housekeeper, GOT ENGAGED? SS emblem. The monument in the village of zens in 2017. Mr. Groysman said that in Order your korovai! Huta Peniatska in Ukraine’s Lviv region 2016 Ukrainian citizens became convinced very competent with excellent honors victims of a 1944 massacre by a recommendations and extensive Call Lisa at that they are able to achieve significant 307-250-4633 & visit Nazi unit composed mostly of Ukrainian results and move towards their goals experience with older people. www.nazdorovya.com volunteers. Most of the victims were ethnic despite difficulties. The prime minister Please call 609-216-0239 Shipping throughout USA Poles, and Poland’s Foreign Affairs Ministry thanked those who made growth of the has asked Ukraine to ensure that the perpe- Ukrainian economy possible. “Ukraine has trators are revealed and punished. Poland’s also fulfilled all its obligations to the Ukrainian Sport Museum and Hall of Fame ambassador to Ukraine, Jan Pieklo, plans to European Union on a visa-free regime. I is looking for mature high school seniors, college attend ceremonies at the site of the monu- believe that the Association Agreement students or senior citizens to work at the Museum ment next month to mark the 73rd anni- with the EU will be fully ratified, which will versary of the massacre. (RFE/RL, based on provide an additional impetus to the deep- in Whippany, NJ on Saturdays and Sundays. reporting by AP and Interfax) Hours are from 12:00 to 6:00 pm. ening of European integration and the Law on Ukraine security assistance effective implementation of internal Please send resume to [email protected] reforms,” he said. Mr. Groysman expressed or call 973 919-1322 WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Rob Portman confidence that the worst times are over (R-Ohio), founder and co-chair of the and that 2017 will be a year of further Senate Ukraine Caucus, on December 23, development, and will bring significant Run your advertisement here, 2016, announced that the president signed changes in the social, economic, defense, in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. into law key elements of his Ukraine securi- political, cultural and humanitarian ty assistance package dealing with spheres. (UNIAN) No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 15

until these conditions are fulfilled,” Ms. Mr. Pinchuk amassed most of his fortune billion according to Forbes, is also a gener- Pinchuk’s tone... Hopko noted. during the presidency of his father-in-law, ous philanthropist who has held the yearly By following Mr. Pinchuk’s advice, Kyiv Leonid Kuchma, in 1994-2005. He controls Yalta European Strategy discussion that (Continued from page 1) would gain no advantage to conceding East One Group, an investment advisory brings in world leaders and opinion-mak- Regarding the Donbas and Crimea, two more autonomy, James Sherr, associate fel- group that manages his company Interpipe, ers to Ukraine to discuss the nation’s place territories over which Ukraine has sover- low at Britain’s Chatham House think tank, a producer of steel pipes and rail wheels, as in Europe. He also runs a foundation that eignty, Mr. Yelisieiev said they shouldn’t be wrote on January 10. well as Credit Dnipro Bank, the country’s helps baby clinics and was the first swapped. “In substance,” Mr. Pinchuk’s proposals 21st largest bank with $300 million in Ukrainian to pledge half or more his for- “These territories cannot be part of a “suffer from the very flaw that dogs all such assets. An energy-efficient electric steel mill tune to philanthropic causes through an trade-off for peace. They belong to Ukraine, ideas: they are unworkable,” Mr. Sherr said. commissioned in 2012 also belongs to Mr. initiative founded in 2010 by Bill Gates and and this is confirmed internationally – “If temporary arrangements are instituted to Pinchuk. Warren Buffett. including by the U.N. General Assembly end a confrontation, how can they be termi- Because of the nature of his steel-pro- Mr. Pinchuk owns a lavish London pent- Resolution on Crimea last month nated without relaunching it? Once agreed, ducing business, Mr. Pinchuk has long- house with an underground swimming pool [December] and by the Office of the such arrangements create a new reality.” standing ties with Russia, but he has virtu- and movie theater worth 80 million pounds. Prosecutor of the International Criminal The expert explained: “They sap existing ally stopped exporting to Russia because of He was the single largest outside donor Court in November. Ukraine will never relationships (Ukraine-EU, Ukraine-NATO) of restrictive measures the country has to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s pri- abandon the Ukrainians who were trapped their vitality, substance and much of their imposed and low demand. vate charity in 2015. His $150,000 dona- behind the Iron Curtain of Russia’s military purpose. They also create a new dynamic While Interpipe once delivered 350,000 tion accounted for 20 percent of the foun- invasion in Crimea and Donbas,” he said. which Russia can be expected to use in order tons of steel pipes monthly to Russia, dation’s donations that year, according to Regarding the idea of holding local elec- to secure Ukraine’s subordination, first de according to company economy and IRS filings. tions in the Donbas while it is still occupied, facto and then de jure. There is no reason to finance director Denis Morozov, it now Mr. Trump that year made a short video Hanna Hopko, the head of the Verkhovna think that any unilateral concession offered sends 30,000 to 35,000 tons per month. for the mogul’s YES conference held in Kyiv Rada’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said that, will deflect Russia from these ends, which it Interpipe is currently in default of its during which the American presidential even if a compromise with Russia was on pursued doggedly even when Ukraine was a Eurobonds that mature in 2017, and saw candidate then said Ukraine wasn’t getting the table, it should have been backed by ‘non-bloc’ (i.e. non-aligned) state.” its share of pipe exports to Russia plunge to enough attention on the world stage. rebuilding trust. Regarding elections in the Donbas, Mr. 10 percent in 2015 from 27 percent the The Clinton Foundation also benefited “Russian troops leaving the Donbas and Sherr said that, “like agreements, elections previous year. Over all in 2015, pipe and from Mr. Pinchuk’s largesse, receiving giving Ukraine control over its borders confer legitimacy, but they should never do train wheel production at the company between $10 million and $25 million from back would be a first step. Any elections on so under occupation by brigands or foreign decreased by 29 percent to 600,000 tons. him through the years, according to The the occupied territories are not possible armies.” Mr. Pinchuk, whose net worth is $1.49 New York Times.

the U.S. and Russia. Ms. Freeland has lived ter, there will be a shift in the Canadian gov- gitimate and illegal actions of the Russians Chrystia Freeland... in both countries, first as Moscow bureau ernment’s approach toward Russia and in Ukraine, in the Donbas and the Crimea,” chief for the Financial Times and later in move away from the “engagement strate- he said. (Continued from page 1) New York City as the U.S. managing editor gy” Mr. Dion took “as more of an academic As for Ms. Mihychuk’s relegation to the reporters following the swearing-in cere- of the London-based international daily exercise” that in the UCC president’s view backbenches, Mr. Grod voiced hope that she mony of Ms. Freeland and five other newspaper. did not accurately reflect the prime minis- will be freer to serve as “an advocate on the Cabinet ministers. “It makes sense for the The Canada-Russia dynamic could prove ter’s tough position on Russian involve- Ukraine file” as a member of Parliament person who is responsible for foreign rela- the most challenging – yet pivotal – one for ment in Ukraine. within the Liberal government caucus tions with the United States to also have the Ms. Freeland, who along with 12 other Mr. Trudeau addressed this with report- without being “handcuffed” in what she can ability and the responsibility to engage Canadians, was declared persona non grata ers in Ottawa last week. say or do as a minister. with issues, such as NAFTA [North by President Vladimir Putin’s government “We’re proud of the strong friendship “MaryAnn has a lot of talent,” he added, American Free Trade Agreement] and the in 2014 after Canada responded to Russia’s between Canada and Ukraine, and continue “and I wouldn’t be surprised if she found broad range of trade issues that we’ll be invasion of Crimea by imposing economic to condemn in no uncertain terms the ille- her way back into the Cabinet.” facing with our friends and neighbors sanctions and travel bans on 45 Ukrainian south of the border.” and Russian officials. He called Ms. Freeland “an extremely At the time, Ms. Freeland tweeted that it With deep sorrow we announce that strong member” of his team, and said that was “an honor to be on Putin’s sanction list.” “her ability to deal with multiple situations On January 10 Russia’s Embassy in Ottawa Eugene Michael Kotlarchuk around the world was well demonstrated confirmed to the Canadian Broadcasting in her tremendous success in negotiating Corp. that Canada’s new foreign affairs min- 69, of Forest Hills, NY, passed away the Canada-Europe trade agreement.” ister remains on the no-fly list. unexpectedly on November 12, 2016, The Canada-European Union But Ms. Freeland, who speaks Ukrainian while visiting family in Alexandria, VA. Comprehensive Economic and Trade and Russian fluently, didn’t seem bothered Born March 9, 1947 in Manhattan, NY., Eugene Agreement was signed last October, largely by that. “I am a very strong supporter of our was a prominent lawyer and venture capitalist. He thanks to Ms. Freeland’s deft handling of government’s view that it is important to worked in the eld of Mergers and Acquisitions for negotiations when opposition from the engage with all countries… including 20 years in Manhattan, Ukraine and throughout Europe. Eugene was an Belgian region of Wallonia threatened to Russia,” she told reporters on Parliament avid violinist, artist and singer. He loved spending time with family and scuttle the pact, which once ratified by the Hill. The minister also noted that she “really, especially looked forward to yearly vacations skiing in Canada. European Parliament will give Canada really enjoyed” living in Moscow for four He graduated from Xavier High School, Fordham University and access to a market of more than 500 mil- years and has a “deep love” for the Russian Columbia University Law and Business School. He served on the lion people in 28 countries with a com- language and culture. “I feel with my back- board of the Ukrainian Institute of America and was involved in Plast bined GDP of more than $14.9 trillion (U.S.). ground in Russia, I am going to be well-posi- (Khmelnychenky Kurin). Eugene leaves behind children, Daria Kotlarchuk Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) tioned to be a member of our government’s Pruiksma, Eugene Kotlarchuk, Jr., wife, Marie Kotlarchuk, brother Ihor President Paul Grod said he is not sur- engagement there,” Ms. Freeland said. Kotlarchuk and granddaughter Melania Pruiksma. prised by Minister Freeland’s rapid rise up Mr. Grod, who is also on that list of the ranks in the Trudeau government. Canadians banned from entering Russia, May his memory be eternal. “This was something in the making,” Mr. said he believes that President Putin will Grod said in an interview. He believes that come to respect Minister Freeland. “She is were it not for Mr. Trudeau’s initial tough, and that’s exactly the language Putin appointment of Mr. Dion – seen as a senior understands,” Mr. Grod said. With deep sorrow we announce that statesman within the government – as for- “She is a very straightforward and very eign affairs minister, Ms. Freeland likely intelligent minister who will not only be George Kolomayets would have been given that portfolio. able to speak on behalf of Canada, but we 86, of Elk Grove Village, passed away January 2, 2017. But after serving as trade minister for the expect that she will also be able to lead the He was born May 25, 1930. past 14 months, during which time she also international community when it comes to finalized the historic Canada-Ukraine Free dealing with Russia.” He was the beloved husband of Alexandra née Shylo, loving Trade Agreement and affixed her signature On that front, the UCC president father of Taisa (Robert), Tamara (Michael) Ampulski and the late Tony to the document at a signing ceremony in observed that Ms. Freeland could find an (Felicia) Kolomayets, cherished grandfather of Adam (Ti any), Viktor and Kyiv last July, Minister Freeland has “dem- important ally in former ExxonMobil chair- Valentina Ampulski, dear brother of the late Anatole (Lubomyra), fond onstrated her weight and capability” as a man and CEO Rex Tillerson, Mr. Trump’s uncle of Marta (Danylo) Yanevsky and Andriy (Zoriana) Kolomayets, “very astute, capable and hard-working pol- nominee for secretary of state who forged dearest brother-in-law of Paul Shylo and Natalie Millirons. itician” who is more than qualified to serve close business ties with Mr. Putin, and who, Visitation – Monday, January 9, 5-8 pm, with Panakhyda at 7 pm as Canada’s top diplomat, commented Mr. with Ms. Freeland, “could come up with a at Humes Funeral Home, 320 W. Lake St., Addison, Illinois. Grod, who considers her a close friend. really important strategy on how to deter Funeral Services – Tuesday, January 10, at 10 am at St. Andrew Ukrainian He said he has witnessed first-hand how and counter Russian aggression in Ukraine Orthodox Church, 300 E. Army Trail Rd., Bloomingdale, Illinois. Interment Prime Minister Trudeau values Minister and other parts of the world by drawing at Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove, Illinois. Info www.humesfh.com Freeland’s opinion and relies on her advice, clear red lines and outlining the conse- or 630.628.8808. and how she freely offers both to him, all of quences.” which will help the Trudeau government Mr. Grod said he expects that, with Ms. May his memory be eternal. manage its critical foreign files with both Freeland as Canadian foreign affairs minis- 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3

International symposium discusses higher education in Ukraine

RIDRU nal ideas to be invented. Instead plagiarism and mindless routine has Ukrainian profes- EDMONTON, Alberta – The Faculty of sors replicating information from Russia or Education at the University of Alberta host- from Europe without their own vision for ed a symposium on December 8-9, 2016, higher education. The dominant mentality about the progress of reforms in higher is fear of new knowledge, dependence on education in Ukraine. The event was decisions from the level above and a disen- attended by Dr. Serhiy Kvit, former minister gagement from responsibility, Dr. Kvit of education and science of Ukraine, along noted. with leading analysts from several coun- Prof. Jerry Kachur, Department of tries. It was presented as part of the Educational Foundations, University of Research Initiatives on Democratic Reform Alberta, compared Ukraine, Greece and in Ukraine (RIDRU) project. Turkey, all on the Black Sea, with regard to On the first day, the program concentrated whether they are strong or weak nations on recent developments in higher education and states. He situated the region within in Ukraine. Dr. Kvit’s presentation focused on global political and economic trends, such how greater autonomy is being promoted in as the new online systems of communica- Ulana Pidzamecky academic, financial and administrative affairs tion, the emergence of strong political lead- at Ukrainian universities, helping to prevent ers destabilizing existing alliances, and the Dr. Anatoly Oleksiyenko Dr. Serhiy Kvit rectors and senior officials’ participation in emergence of the corporate university that nents that require change, but no evidence internal center for quality assurance. the corruption that currently dominates minimizes the value of intellectual thought. of consolidated plans to effect that change. Dr. Jeffrey Stepnisky, chair of the the government and society. He challenged Ukrainian reforms to avoid He also admitted ignorance of only indirect Sociology Department at MacEwan Dr. Kvit, who currently serves as director substituting one colonial model for another. connection with the reality of precipitating University, spoke about the importance of of the Center for Academic Quality Comments were also made by Dr. John change, but noted further analysis is not cultivating scholarship and the culture of Assurance at Kyiv Mohyla Academy, also Corlett (provost and vice-president aca- required to see direction for change. ongoing self-evaluation aimed at personal spoke about challenges of academic integri- demic, MacEwan University) and Dr. Randy Day two of the symposium was dedicat- and professional growth as prerequisites ty, merging teaching universities and the Goebel (associate vice-president research ed to the theme of building the infrastruc- for quality teaching, learning and research Academy of Sciences (where advanced and associate vice-president academic, ture of a 21st century university in Ukraine. in a contemporary university. research is done), low salaries and awards, University of Alberta). The four topics presented contrasted struc- Dr. Olenka Bilash, professor in the the strategy of faculty and student mobility Dr. Corlett observed that, as public insti- tures in Western universities with those Department of Secondary Education, inside Ukraine and internationally, empow- tutions, universities are obliged to be emerging in Ukraine: 1) student govern- University of Alberta, presented a number ering student government, requiring socially responsible and to use public funds ment; 2) overcoming barriers of access to of strategic initiatives used to transform English for graduate studies and reducing wisely, efficiently and effectively. Therefore, post-secondary education; 3) quality assur- predominantly teaching departments to bureaucracy. If not improved, each of these it is not unreasonable that governments ance; and 4) strategic planning for cultural cultures of research during her tenure as components hinders Ukraine’s universities will see themselves as having a duty to transformation. associate dean of the Faculty of Graduate in creating communities of independent oversee the activities that universities The session on student government Studies and Research. She also described scholars who can work on par with their undertake. The question, then, is how gov- heard presentations from Zarina Khalimon the evolution of the enterprises of teaching, Western colleagues, thereby damaging the ernments can provide that oversight with- (president of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy research and community-university country’s ability to compete economically. out intervening in the collegial governance Student Government), Cassian Soltykewych engagement in North American higher edu- Dr. Anatoly Oleksiyenko from the and academic freedom that defines the best (University of Alberta graduate and presi- cation institutions and the emergence of University of Hong Kong spoke about the of university activity. Can such tension ever dent of the Ukrainian Canadian Students the new culture of performativity. Soviet legacy and colonial mentality that be fully resolved? Does government ideolo- Union, or SUSK), Stephanie Nedoshytko, During both afternoons of the sympo- leaves today’s young scholars passive and gy, however benign or extreme, have any (councillor of the Students Association of sium, participants divided into discussion unmotivated, with few rewards. Most role in determining what universities MacEwan University and external relations groups to formulate suggestions on what Ukrainian universities are still functioning research and teach? Who is best positioned director of SUSK) and Fahim Rahim (presi- Canadian faculty members and administra- within many of the Soviet structures and to know what knowledge is valuable and dent of the University of Alberta Students tors might do to assist the reform process methods. Students have few opportunities worth studying and teaching? Union). Discussion focused on the election in Ukraine. Their recommendations were to develop critical inquiry and problem- Dr. Goebel made observations about the process, governance system, management presented prior to the last presentations of solving skills; universities are still managed challenges arising from insufficient intellec- and impact of student unions at universities. the event and are summarized on the by Soviet-trained executive officers, and tual and political leadership to, first, consol- Four speakers spoke to the theme of RIDRU website. have not yet become modern self-learning idate consensus on education reform with overcoming barriers of access to post-sec- At the closing roundtable five speakers – organizations. In the past, 40 percent of stakeholders (e.g., students, faculty, social ondary education for students with special Drs. Kvit, Oleksiyenko, Kachur, Petryshyn university work in the USSR was tied close- institutions), and then, to formulate a road- needs. The first presentation was given by and Bilash – discussed what was learned, ly to military objectives, and humanitarian map of change activities that can provide Abigail Parrish-Craig, chair of Services for what we have contributed and suggested faculties were subsumed within the official the framework for broad social and politi- Students with Disabilities at MacEwan next steps. Symposium organizers agreed ideology. cal support for change. He noted both the University, and by Amorena Bartlett, a stu- to participate in the June 2017 conference This has resulted in post-secondary depth and breadth of other participants’ dent ambassador from MacEwan, who will being organized on the same theme at the institutions that do not resemble Western analyses, including historical and social- be travelling to Ukraine in May to meet Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. universities in which faculty and students political momentum from the former Soviet with deaf students. The second speaker The symposium was a component of the are taught as individuals to do analytical system, but also suggested that there is was Dr. Ihor Kobel from Ukrainian Catholic three-year project Research Initiatives on work based on evidence that enables origi- ample evidence for educational compo- University (UCU), who reviewed Ukrainian Democratic Reform in Ukraine, led by Dr. legislation and described his university’s Bilash of the Faculty of Education, plans to open an office at UCU modelled on University of Alberta. She also chaired the that of MacEwan University. Finally Dr. Tim symposium organizing committee working Loreman (vice-president academic and pro- with Yuri Konkin (Ukrainian Resource and vost, Concordia University in Edmonton) Development Center, MacEwan University) spoke about both the importance and the and Dr. Roman Petryshyn (adjunct profes- limits of inclusive education at Canadian sor, University of Alberta). universities. This event was made possible by the The topic of quality assurance was generous contribution of the Faculty of addressed by Prof. Peter Mahaffy of the Education conference fund and the contin- King’s University in Edmonton. As co-chair ued support of the Kule Institute for of the Campus Alberta Quality Council Advanced Studies (KIAS), University of (CAQC), Dr. Mahaffy spoke about the princi- Alberta, the Ukrainian Foundation for ples and system on which CAQC operates. College Education (UFCE), the Alberta His presentation was followed by that of Foundation for Ukrainian Education Tetiana Antoniuk, deputy director of the Society (AFUES) and RIDRU’s partners. Center for Academic Quality Assurance at Presentations from the symposium were Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, which is the first recorded and can be viewed online by click- Dr. Serhiy Kvit with Tetiana Antoniuk and Dr. Peter Mahaffy. university in Ukraine to establish its own ing on http://ridru.artsrn.ualberta.ca/.

Read the Ukrainian National Association’s newspapers online: www.ukrweekly.com • www.svoboda-news.com Our online archives are made possible by our generous sponsors: Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Heritage Foundation of 1st Security Savings Bank Shevchenko Scientific Society, U.S.A. Credit Union Bahriany Foundation Anonymous donor SUMA (Yonkers) Federal Credit Union and others No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 17 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3 Annual Ukrainian Famine lecture delivered by Plokhy HREC TORONTO – The 19th Toronto Annual Ukrainian Famine Lecture was delivered on November 11, 2016, by Serhii Plokhy, Mykhailo Hrushevskyi Professor of Ukrainian History and director of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University. His presentation, attended by a full auditorium at the University of Toronto, was titled “The Fields of Sorrow: Mapping the Great Ukrainian Famine.” The event was organized by the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium (HREC) at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (University of Alberta) with the support of the Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine (Center for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, University of Toronto); the Canadian Foundation for Ukrainian Studies; and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (Toronto branch). Prof. Plokhy provided an overview of the

The map titled “Total Direct Famine Losses in Ukraine by Region, 1932-1934,” published by the HURI project “Mapa: Digital Atlas of Ukraine.” Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute the early 1920s when the Soviet Union had tious industrial projects such as the Dnipro (HURI) project called “Mapa: Digital Atlas accepted food aid. One possible explanation Hydroelectric Station (Dniprohes) in HREC of Ukraine.” One of the most striking maps, for the lower losses in southern Ukraine in Zaporizhia at a time when the United States Serhii Plokhy, Mykhailo Hrushevs’kyi “Total Direct Famine Losses in Ukraine by 1932-1934 is that because the region had was reeling from the effects of the Great Professor of Ukrainian History and Region, 1932-1934,” shows that the area higher levels of collectivization, the popula- Depression. The cost of Soviet industrial Director of the Ukrainian Research hardest hit by the Holodomor was the cen- tion was not subjected to the same degree development, including the Dniprohes ven- Institute (HURI) at Harvard University, delivers his presentation titled “The tral Ukrainian heartland in the Kyiv and of punitive in-kind taxes that meant the sei- ture was enormous, paid for largely by the Fields of Sorrow: Mapping the Great Kharkiv oblasts rather than the main grain- zure of foodstuffs. agricultural sector. Ukrainian Famine,” at the University of growing region of southern Ukraine, which Prof. Plokhy noted that the Soviet Union Toronto, November 11, 2016. had suffered the most during the famine of was hiring Western expertise for its ambi- (Continued on page 23) Presentations on the Holodomor at the Embassy of Ukraine HREC WASHINGTON – A number of presentations related to the Holodomor were made at the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington on November 17, 2016. The evening event was organized by the Shevchenko Scientific Society, Washington, D.C., chapter, together with the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium (HREC) of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Alberta and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. Oksana Shulyar, counsellor and head of the Political Section of the Embassy, welcomed the audience to the his- toric Embassy building and spoke about the importance of the Holodomor to understanding Ukraine. Bohdana Urbanovych, head of the Shevchenko Scientific Society’s Washington chapter, also offered words of welcome. Andrew Sorokowski, secretary of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, introduced the evening’s speakers. Frank Sysyn, director of the Peter Jacyk Center for Ukrainian Historical Research at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies and editor-in-chief of the Hrushevsky Translation Project, spoke first about the evolution of the study of the Holodomor in the West by the scholarly com- munity and his experience with the Harvard Famine Project, which supported the work of James Mace and Robert Conquest. Dr. Sysyn is head of the executive commit- tee of the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium and co-editor with Andrij Makuch of “Contextualizing the Holodomor” (2015) and with Andrea Graziosi of “Communism and Hunger,” to be published in 2017. HREC Presenters at the Holodomor event held at the Embassy of Ukraine (from left): Oksana Shulyar, Bohdana (Continued on page 20) Urbanovych, Dr. Frank Sysyn, Larysa Kurylas, Liudmyla Hrynevych, Marta Baziuk and Bohdan Klid. No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 19 CIUS Digital Archive Project website is launched CIUS EDMONTON, Alberta – Developed in close cooperation with the University of Alberta Libraries and the Arts Resource Center, the Digital Archive Project of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) aims to dig- itize, systematize and describe the core publications of the institute that have been produced over the last 40 years – essentially, since its founding in 1976. All of the digitized materials are part of the open access University of Alberta Library collections and are freely available online. The CIUS Digital Archive Project website has a search system, which operates on basic criteria such as type of document, year of publication, author, subject, scholarly discipline and chronological coverage. As of December 2016, the CIUS Digital Archive Project website contains the following materials: - ing mainly of out-of-print books and books on Ukrainians in Canada;• Thirty-three books published by CIUS Press, consist descriptions of archival collections, rare bibliographies and• other Sixty-five guides research to researchers; reports, consisting largely of

Studies. Since its founding, CIUS has published an academ- ic journal• All of containing the back issuesarticles of and the reviews Journal in of the Ukrainian humani- ties and social sciences on topics in the scholarly field of Ukrainian studies; has been chronicling and summarizing CIUS activities and achievements• All of the sinceback itsissues founding of the in CIUS1976; Newsletter, which - HREC letter published in the early 1990s for the readership of A screenshot of the CIUS Digital Archive Project website. CIUS• The donors; four andissues of Visnyk, a Ukrainian-language news tize collections of important historical documents that ect is Oleksandr Pankieiev. The archival assistant is In the near future, the CIUS Digital Archive Project col- have never been previously available in digital format, Viktoria Yakovleva. lection• A complete will be expanded set of CIUS to press include releases. the majority of video including British Foreign Office documents relating to The website of the CIUS Digital Archive Project is materials at CIUS, containing historical material on CIUS Ukraine from the years 1917-1948. http://cius-archives.ca/. CIUS encourages readers to visit and video recordings of CIUS events, such as lectures and The academic supervisor of the CIUS Digital Archival this new site, make use of the materials, and send their conferences/symposia. Plans are also being made to digi- Project is Bohdan Klid. The managing director of the proj- feedback.

Hrushevsky Translation Project Produces Volume 3 of “History of Ukraine-Rus’”

CIUS The English-language volume includes introductions scholars, including Leontii Voitovych, Volodymyr addressing its contents and ongoing scholarly significance Aleksandrovych, Christian Raffensperger, Charles J. EDMONTON-TORONTO – The Peter Jacyk Center for by Svitlana Pankova, director of the Hrushevsky Museum in Ukrainian Historical Research of the Canadian Institute of Kyiv, and Volodymyr Aleksandrovych, historian at the The volume also features a newly compiled bibliography Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, and CIUS Press Krypiakevych Institute of Ukrainian Studies of Lviv, as well ofHalperin, all works Tomasz cited byWiślicz Hrushevsky, and Maryna four Kravets.maps with accompa- announced the publication of a new volume of Mykhailo as an appended essay dealing with literature and education nying notes and a genealogical table with explanatory note. Hrushevsky’s “History of Ukraine-Rus’.” The new English- in Old Rus’ by Robert Romanchuk of Florida State University. Work on the English-language edition of the “History of language Volume 3, like the eight volumes previously pub- Contents include Hrushevsky’s own detailed biblio- Ukraine-Rus’ ” is supported by the endowment established lished (between 1997 and 2014), was prepared by the Jacyk graphical essays with extensive updates by contemporary by the late Peter Jacyk of Toronto, founder of the Jacyk Center’s Hrushevsky Translation Project. With its appear- Center, and by the Petro Jacyk Educational Foundation, ance in 2016, Volume 3, subtitled “To the Year 1340,” also headed by Nadia Jacyk. The preparation of the new volume marks the 150th anniversary of Hrushevsky’s birth. had the financial support of the Shevchenko Scientific Hrushevsky characterized his multi-volume “History of Society Inc., U.S.A., which already in the 1950s proposed Ukraine-Rus’ ” as the story of the Ukrainian people’s exis- the translation of Hrushevsky’s “History” into English as tence from the earliest times to the modern era. In Volume essential to the development of Ukrainian scholarship. The 3 he deals with one of that history’s least known but most estate of Edward Brodacky of London, England, provided a intriguing periods – the time of the preeminence of the generous donation toward the volume’s publication, and the BCU Foundation, based in Toronto, provided funds for Galician-Volhynian state and the spread of Tatar (Mongol) printing and dissemination. rule over the Ukrainian lands. In this volume the master historian also offers a comprehensive discussion of the an eminent philologist and associate of the Ukrainian political, social and cultural life of the Old Rus’ period, dur- Volume 3 was translated by the late Bohdan Strumiński, ing the flourishing of the princely state centered in Kyiv. also translated Volume 7 (published in 1999) and Volume Hrushevsky represents the Galician-Volhynian state as a 9,Research Book 1 (2005).Institute at Harvard University. Dr. Strumiński Western-based successor to Kyivan Old Rus’. He describes Consulting editors of Volume 3 were Yaroslav Fedoruk the Galician-Volhynian state’s formation and the dynastic of the Institute of Archaeography and Source Studies, Kyiv, circumstances that subsequently led to its decline. One and Robert Romanchuk, Florida State University. The vol- focus is on Danylo Romanovych, the eminent ruler who ume was edited by Frank E. Sysyn, director of the Jacyk played a major role in the affairs of East-Central Europe Center and editor-in-chief of the Hrushevsky Translation and received a crown from the pope. Danylo succeeded in Project, assisted by managing editor Uliana M. Pasicznyk. uniting the Volhynian lands and extended his rule over the Marta Horban-Carynnyk also edited the text. Halych principality (Galicia), protecting his state against Scholarly consultants included Christian Raffensperger, the Tatars while seeking support from the West. In this volume Hrushevsky also describes the situation Kravets, Victor Ostapchuk, Stephen Rowell, Michael Moser, in the Dnipro lands after the Tatar invasion. Turning to an RostyslavCharles J. Halperin, Paranko, Renata Giovanna Holod, Brogi, Tomasz Olenka Wiślicz, Pevny Maryna and examination of life in the Ukrainian lands during the entire András Riedelmayer. Old Rus’ period, Hrushevsky discusses the political, mili- The bibliography was compiled by Andrii Grechylo and tary and judicial systems, religious life, artistic and literary Myron Kapral, and the index was compiled by Myron achievements, economic matters, social structure and the CIUS Kapral and Antonii Feloniuk. The “Table of Rulers” was everyday life of ordinary people. Throughout his narrative Cover illustration of the “History of Ukraine-Rus’,” compiled by Marko R. Stech and Tania Plawuszczak-Stech, Hrushevsky demonstrates the erudition and command of Volume 3: “Christ in His Glory,” from the Egbert source materials for which he is renowned. (Trier) Psalter (11th century). (Continued on page 22) 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3

Presentations... (Continued from page 18) Bohdan Klid, Director of Research at HREC and co-editor with Alexander Motyl of “The Holodomor Reader: A Sourcebook on the Famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine” (2012), gave an overview of HREC’s major publication projects. These included the publication of memoirs from the Ukrainian Cultural and Education Center of Winnipeg (Oseredok), Holodomor testimonies gath- ered by Ukrainian writers Volodymyr Maniak and Lidia Kovalenko in 1989, and a collection of translations into English of scholarly articles written by Ukrainian scholars. HREC Executive Director Marta Baziuk then described activities of HREC that engage scholars from a range of fields and prompt them to consider the relevance of the Holodomor to their disciplines and its integration in their work. Larysa Kurylas, the design architect and HREC sculptor of the Holodomor Memorial in Liudmyla Hrynevych delivers her pre- Washington, described the genesis of the sentation and discusses the latest volume memorial’s design and challenges in its of her Ukrainian-language book, execution. “Chronicle of Collectivization and the Liudmyla Hrynevych, director of the Holodomor in Ukraine, 1927-1933.” Holodomor Research and Education Center in Kyiv and a senior scholar at the Institute of the History of Ukraine, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, gave a presentation in Ukrainian titled “The Holodomor and the Language of Hate in Stalinist Propaganda.” She demonstrated how Soviet caricatures of Ukrainian “kulaks,” Orthodox priests and other Ukrainian figures were used to foster hatred towards these groups as a prelude to their destruction. The presentations were followed by a question and answer session and a recep- tion hosted by the Embassy of Ukraine.

A Trump-Putin... (Continued from page 4) natories has lived up to its provisions. Mr. Putin’s people are also arguing that “the Helsinki Accords fixed inter-state and not intra-state borders, and that the state which signed them was not Russia or Ukraine but the Soviet Union.” Indeed, they point out, the only high-level international agreement both Russia and Ukraine have signed was the one creating the United Nations. But from the point of view of Ukraine and the West, that too is a legal argument that undermines their case, Mr. Putin thinks, according to Mr. Shmulyevich. That is because when the Ukrainian SSR signed the U.N. treaty, it did not have Crimea within its borders, something other U.N. members may take note of. What is thus likely to happen, he says, is a willingness in Kyiv to accept a deal if it formally keeps Crimea as part of Ukraine even if it does nothing to end Russian occu- pation – an arrangement unlikely to spark massive protests by Ukrainians given their reluctance so far even to declare war on Russia following Russia’s invasion and sei- zure of their territory. In exchange, if such a deal were to be arranged, Russia would fulfill the Minsk agreements, returning the Donbas de jure but in fact retaining control there through the pro-Russian separatists on the ground who “redressed in Ukrainian uniforms” and with power remaining “in the hands of the local oligarchs.” That would be a tragedy for Ukraine, Mr. Shmulyevich says. But a far greater tragedy would likely emerge from how Mr. Putin would read such a deal, as an indication that the West is not ready to stand up to him and that he can engage in more aggres- sion with impunity. No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 21

The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra embarks on 44-concert tour of North America PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The National Auditorio Nacional, the great success grant- Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine (NSOU), ing three encores. The performance of the the country’s most acclaimed cultural Shostakovich confirmed the high quality of ambassador and one of the most distin- the Ukrainian masters … all under the guished orchestras of Europe, will under- excellent and extrovert direction of take a 44-concert North American tour Theodore Kuchar , who at all times offered beginning on January 18 in Fort Myers, Fla., a level of intensity of one thousand degrees, and concluding in the San Francisco area yet always remaining enthusiastic and on March 26. clear.” – Antonio Iglesias, ABC (Madrid). Tour performances will be conducted by Theodore Kuchar, the orchestra’s first artis- more scarce than gold in Leeds for tic director and principal conductor, and Saturday• “With night’s City Hallconcert, packed the andtour ticketsof the presently conductor laureate; and NSO of Ukraine is proving a box office tri- Volodymyr Sirenko, Mr. Kuchar’s successor umph. Though it has not enjoyed the high- and the orchestra’s present artistic director profile status of many orchestras from the and principal conductor. Soloists will former Soviet Union, it is technically include the Ukrainian pianist Alexei accomplished and as red-blooded as the Grynyuk and violinist Dmytro Tkachenko. best of them. It has in its lifeblood the Mr. Kuchar told The Ukrainian Weekly music of the great national composer, that he has been “fighting for this North Prokofiev; the First Suite from ‘Cinderella’ American tour for ages” and that it promis- bubbled with vitality and brilliance, the Theodore Kuchar, the symphony’s first artistic director and principal conductor, who es to be “the largest-scale cultural event is currently the conductor laureate. final scene a wonderfully vivid conclusion. coming from Ukraine in our time.” Conductor Theodore Kuchar packed every Mr. Kuchar is the most recorded conduc- Schumann, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and major international labels including Naxos, punch known to musical mankind in his tor of his generation and appears on over Verdi. Marco Polo, Brilliant Classics, ECM and oth- dramatic reading of Dvorak’s ‘New World 100 compact discs for the Naxos, Brilliant Concert destinations include Fort Myers, ers. The orchestra’s distinguished history Symphony.’ The first movement, complete Classics, Ondine and Marco Polo labels. He Fla. (January 18), Sarasota, Fla. (January can be traced through the past century as with repeat, was whipped up to a frenzy of has served as general director and principal 30), Charlotte, N.C. (February 8), Toronto the Ukrainian State Symphony Orchestra excitement, and following a Largo with an conductor of two of Europe’s leading orches- (February 13), Worcester, Mass. (February until 1994, at which time the orchestra’s earthy cor anglais, and also featuring some tras, the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra 17), Kansas City, Mo. (February 10), Reno, name and status changed to the National exquisite quiet strings, Mr. Kuchar offered a (formerly the Czech Radio Orchestra) in Nev. (March 17), Los Angeles (March 22) Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. quick-silver and highly-charged reading of 2005-2014 and the National Symphony and Berkeley, Calif. (March 26). The NSOU has regularly collaborated the Scherzo and Finale.” – David Denton, Orchestra of Ukraine in 1994-2004. In the In New Jersey, concerts are scheduled with the most distinguished conductors of The Sheffield Post (England). 2011-2012 season he commenced his ten- for Union (February 10), New Brunswick the past, including Evgeny Mravinsky, Igor - ure as the artistic director and principal con- (February 19), Morristown (February 23); Markevitch, Evgeny Svetlanov, Kiril tues. Its strings can conjure up a vibrant ductor of the Orquesta Sinfonica de in the New York City area, there is a perfor- Kondrashin, Kurt Sanderling and Gennady songfulness;• “This is thean orchestrawoodwinds with have many a fruity, vir Venezuela. He is also music director and mance in the Bronx (February 12). Rozhdestvensky, while having partnered penetrating ripeness; the brass could principal conductor of the Reno Chamber Other venues include additional cities in with soloists such as Sviatoslav Richter, endanger the walls of Jericho; the percus- Orchestra (since 2002) and the Fresno Florida and New York state, Illinois, Emil Gilels, Artur Rubinstein, Van Cliburn, sion might wake the dead. The 80 musi- Philharmonic Orchestra (since 2001). Missouri and California, as well as venues Leonid Kogan, David Oistrach, Isaac Stern, cians, disciplined and balanced, show Guest conducting engagements have in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Yehudi Menuhin, Mstislav Rostropovich enough stamina to sustain fortissimos for taken the globe-trotting Mr. Kuchar to Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Gidon Kremer, among many others. hours on end. The arm that wields the major musical centers, including Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma and baton for all this is that of Theodore Kuchar. Kudos for past tours Amsterdam, Berlin, Chicago, Helsinki, Hong Colorado. Kuchar commands the Ukrainian orchestra Kong, London, Madrid, Prague and Seoul. Readers are advised to check local news Tour reviews from the recent past have with a meticulous, all-embracing authority The NSOU’s North American tour reper- media for advertisements of the National included the following. and intensity resulting in vivid performanc- toire will include works by Ukrainian-born Symphony’s concerts es.” – Fred Blanks, The Sydney Morning composers Mykola Lysenko, Sergei The National Symphony Orchestra of Shostakovich, the orchestra performed Herald (Australia). Prokofiev, Yevhen Stankovych and Myroslav Ukraine is one of the world’s most recorded with• a “In very the rare Fifthlevel of Symphony perfection and of For further information readers may Skoryk, in addition to major works by com- orchestras, appearing during the past two uncontrolled intensity, earning roars and contact the orchestra at NSOU2017@gmail. posers including Beethoven, Dvorak, decades on over 100 compact discs for applause from the audience that filled the com.

ing a freshly minted deal to allow Ukrainians born finance minister, Natalie Jaresko, they missed their chance to go down in his- Ukrainians... visa-free travel to the EU’s Schengen zone, a another favorite in Washington. That gov- tory as the new Ukraine’s founding fathers,” key demand of Euro-Maidan. ernment was ousted in April 2016. he says. “Poroshenko could have been the (Continued from page 3) But it may not be enough to convince Now, as 2016 rumbles to a close and Mr. Ukrainian George Washington. He’s lost that shift medical services provided at Euro- many disaffected Ukrainians that there’s Yurash sits in the shadow of the burned-out chance.” Maidan, says the “revolutionary” improve- still momentum for change here. Trade Unions Building that once housed his ments being unveiled on January 1 will “The chance for real reforms died with Euro-Maidan PR operation, he says he Copyright 2016, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with guarantee that all Ukrainians have access to the break-up of the ‘Dream Team,’ ” Mr. remains optimistic, despite everything. But, the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio primary health and emergency care. Abromavicius says, in a reference to the he adds, he is disappointed in Ukraine’s Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington Ukrainian officials have hoped it is all technocratic government that he was a part leadership and what he sees as a squan- DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see http://www.rferl. enough to convince the European Union that of under former Prime Minister Arseniy dered opportunity. org/a/ukrainians-reflect-bitterly-on-betrayed- it is worthy of a special relationship – includ- Yatsenyuk. It also included an American- “Those now in power don’t realize that hopes-euromaidan/28203245.html). 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3

On the contrary, it makes war more likely. European allies... Putin views concessions as a sign of weak- ness. He will be inclined to test American (Continued from page 1) credibility in frontline NATO allies, such as endanger this historic achievement. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. He It would be a grave mistake to end the may use not only military intimidation, but current sanctions on Russia or accept the also cyber-attacks, energy and economic division and subjugation of Ukraine. Doing pressure, espionage, psychological warfare, so would demoralize those seeking a Euro- disinformation and the targeted use of Atlantic orientation for that country. It would bribery. As Russia’s neighbors, we are also destabilize our Eastern neighborhood familiar with these techniques. Countering economically and give heart to extremist, oli- them requires greater strength, solidarity garchic and anti-Western elements there. and resolve from the West – not more The wider damage would be grave too. accommodation. The aftershocks of such a deal would shake As your treaty-bound allies, we appeal to American credibility with allies in Europe Americans in the new U.S. Administration and elsewhere. The rules-based interna- and Congress to stand firm in the defense tional order on which Western security has of our common goals and interests: peace, depended for decades would be weakened. Atlantic strength, and freedom. United, we The alliances that are the true source of are more than a match for Russia’s ailing American greatness would erode: coun- kleptocracy. Divided, as we have seen all tries that have expended blood, treasure too clearly in recent years, we are all at risk. and political capital in support of transat- For decades, our unified Alliance has been lantic security will wonder if America is the bulwark of European security. We now no longer a dependable friend. appeal to our American friends to strength- Have no doubt: Vladimir Putin is not en, not weaken our transatlantic ties. America’s ally. Neither is he a trustworthy Ukraine needs support; the frontline states international partner. Both of the presi- need your constancy and resolve. And most dents who preceded you tried in their own of all, Russia must see that when we are ways to deal with Russia’s leadership in the attacked, we grow stronger, not weaker. spirit of trust and friendship. Big mistake: Sincerely, Putin treated their good intentions as opportunities. Under Putin, Russia’s record of milita- TraianCarl Băsescu Bildt rism, wars, threats, broken treaties and Janusz OnyszkiewiczPaweł Kowal false promises have made Europe a more Mikuláš Dzurinda dangerous place. Putin does not seek Rosen Plevneliev American greatness. As your allies, we do. ​ Mátyás Eörsi When America called on us in the past, we Karel Schwarzenberg came. We were with you in Iraq. We were Iulian Fota with you in Afghanistan. We took risks together; sacrificed sons and daughters István Gyarmati together. We defend our shared transatlan- Radosław Sikorski tic security as a united front. This is what Toomas Hendrik Ilves makes our Alliance powerful. When the Petras Vaitiekūnas United States stands strong, we are all stronger – together. VairaAlexandr Vīķe-Freiberga Vondra A deal with Putin will not bring peace. Rasa Juknevičienė

Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš A book launch of the new volume took Hrushevsky... place in Toronto on November 13, 2016. Like all volumes of the “History of Ukraine- (Continued from page 19) Rus’,” Volume 3 can be purchased via the who also worked on other aspects of the secure online ordering system of CIUS volume. Myroslav Yurkevich edited the bib- Press at www.ciuspress.com or by contact- liography, and Marta Daria Olynyk translat- ing CIUS Press by e-mail, [email protected], ed the introductions. Also providing edito- or telephone, 780-492-2972. The volume is rial assistance were Serhii Plokhy, Andrij priced at $119.95 (plus taxes and shipping; outside Canada, prices are in U.S. dollars). Marko R. Stech, director of CIUS Press, The complete 12-volume “History” is avail- supervisedHornjatkevyč the publishing and Dushan process. Bednarsky. able at a subscription price of $1,100.

the satellites of the Golden Horde.” State of war... But “this is not a war for Aleppo. What is taking place in Syria is a hundred times (Continued from page 4) worse and more ruthless. ‘Hybrid war’ and thousands will flee into nearby regions and genocide are different kinds of wars.” countries, that the bodies of people… will rot However, they are both wars and it is in the streets, and that only ruins will important that they both be recognized as remain.” such because even if Mr. Putin never listens Were that to happen, then next door to to Mr. Aleksandrov, there is “a state of war” Russia there would be a pile of ashes, he now between Russia and Ukraine. says, as anyone can conclude having Ukrainians understand this. They view glanced at pictures of Aleppo now or Russia “as an aggressor which at any Grozny a decade or two ago. moment can violate the peaceful course of Of course, Mr. Aleksandrov’s speech is their lives. And yes, by bombing Kharkiv, not necessarily an indication of what Odesa or Kyiv if that is required. In the Vladimir Putin will do. The Kremlin leader Ukrainian consciousness, Russia is the “is carrying out against Ukraine ‘a hybrid country that is carrying out a war; and thus war,’ occupying territory with the help of they ask, ‘Why are we calling a war with local collaborationists, imitating civic con- Russia an anti-terrorist operation?’ ” flict and using force to destabilize a neigh- For many Ukrainians, all Mr. Aleksandrov boring country in order to prevent it from has done is to pronounce the words they carrying out an independent policy.” have feared since the moment Mr. Putin’s “This too is a horrific war,” the commen- “polite little men” appeared in Crimea, tator writes. “It has already cost Ukrainians words that for them mean “horribly and and Russians thousands of lives. And it is simply: We will destroy and enslave you. the worst conflict “between the two peo- You will work for us,” words that are more ples” involved “since the times of clashes understandable and “honest” than all the between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and blather about “the Russian world.” No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 23

January 21 Presentation of Debutantes, Plast Ukrainian Scouting January 29 Film screening, “Women of the Maidan” by Olha Onyshko, Whippany, NJ Organization – Newark Branch, Hanover Marriott, New York The Ukrainian Museum, www.ukrainianmuseum.org 973-809-7580 or 800-228-9290 or 212-228-0110

January 21 Malanka celebration, with music by the Yasnowsky January 31 Film screening, “Aquarium in the Sea. The Story of the Carnegie, PA orchestra, Ukrainian American Citizens’ Club, 412-215-3303 New York New York Group of Poets” by Oleksandr Fraze-Frazenko, Columbia University, 212-854-4697 January 21 Book signing, “The Genius of Judaism” by Bernard-Henri or [email protected] New York Levy, Ukrainian Institute of America, www.ukrainianinstitute.org or 212-288-8660 February 3 Art exhibit, “Sedimented” featuring Chicago-based Through March 23 artists Stephen Eichorn, Gunjan Kumar, Judith Mullen January 22 Concert, Dzvin Ukrainian Folk Choir of Philadelphia, Chicago and Toby Zallman, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Scranton, PA St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, www.uima-chicago.org or 773-227-5522 570-342-7023 or www.stvladimirscranton.org February 4 Presentation of Debutantes, banquet and ball, with music January 22 Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner, Ukrainian Homestead, Philadelphia by Hrim, Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of America, Hyatt Lehighton, PA 215-235-3709 or [email protected] Regency Hotel, [email protected]

January 22 Illustrated lecture by Tetiana Hoshko, “A Noble Among February 4 Performance, Ensemble Extasis, “Let’s Tango,” Ukrainian New York the Burghers: Relations Between the Nobles and the New York and Argentinean tangos, Ukrainian Institute of America, Burghers in the Rus Territories from the 15th to the 17th 212-288-8660 Centuries Through the Prism of Diet Constitutions,” February 4 Presentation of debutantes, Chervona Kalyna, Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences, 212-222-1866 Rochester, NY Radisson Riverside Hotel, 800-967-9033

January 27 Film screening, “Freedom or Death” by Damian Kolodiy, February 7 Presentation by Chris Miller, “The Struggle to Save the Chicago Ukrainian National Museum, 312-421-8020 or Washington Soviet Economy: Mikhail Gorbachev and the Collapse of www.ukrainiannationalmuseum.org the USSR,” Heritage Foundation, www.heritage.org January 27-29 Ukraine booth at The New York Times Travel Show, February 10 Film screening, “Music of Survival: The Story of the New York U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, Jacob K. Javits Center, New York Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus,” Ukrainian Institute of America, [email protected] or 202-524-6551 www.musicofsurvival.com or www.ukrainianinstitute.org

January 28 Malanka, with music by Hrim and Zvook, Zolotiy Promin February 12 Film screening, “Music of Survival: The Story of the New Britain, CT Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, St. George Hall, Philadelphia Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus,” Ukrainian Education and Cultural 860-378-0293 or [email protected] Center, www.musicofsurvival.com or www.ueccphila.org

January 28 Weekend traditional folk art courses in embroidery, Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events Through June 3 bead-stringing, pysanka writing, Easter traditions advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions New York baking workshop, tapestry weaving, The Ukrainian from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors Museum, 212-228-0110 or www.ukrainianmuseum.org and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected].

assault on Ukrainian cultural figures and Annual Ukrainian... institutions, as well as Communist Party officials that accompanied the famine, not- (Continued from page 18) ing that the impact of collectivization and As Prof. Plokhy commented, one needed the Holodomor amounted to the destruc- only to look just beyond the boundaries of tion of the traditional social order in the city “to see where the money was com- Ukraine. ing from,” as surrounding villages were A lively question-and-answer session being squeezed of all grain to underwrite followed his lecture. Soviet industrialization. Grain requisition- The maps of the HURI project “Mapa: ing was conducted in a brutal manner, and Digital Atlas of Ukraine” are accessible on by 1932 people were dying – the Ukrainian the Internet: http://gis.huri.harvard.edu/ Famine of 1932-1933 had begun. historical-atlas/the-great-famine/famine- Additionally, Prof. Plokhy discussed the map-gallery.html . 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 No. 3

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

INTRODUCING Sunday, January 22 workshop course for ages 12 and up, starts April 22. Pre-registration is necessary – NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Academy of Arts details may be found on the museum web- First Fridays at Soyuzivka and Sciences in the U.S. invites all to an illus- site’s section on Education. Fees include all trated lecture by Dr. Tetiana Hoshko, profes- materials and access to the exhibition galler- sor of history at the Ukrainian Catholic ies. The Ukrainian Museum is located at 222 University of Lviv, on “A Noble among the First Fridays of the Month: February 3, March 3 and April 7, 2017 E. Sixth St,; telephone, 212-228-0110; web- Burghers: Relations between the Nobles and site, www.ukrainianmuseum.org. the Burghers in the Rus’ Territories from the Friday, February 3, 2017 15th to 17th Centuries through the Prism of Sunday, January 29 the Diet Constitutions.” The event will take NEW YORK: At 2 p.m. at The Ukrainian place in the academy’s building at 206 W. Museum, meet director/producer Olha 6 -9 p.m. 100th St. (between Broadway and Onyshko who will present her new docu- Amsterdam Avenue) at 3 p.m. For informa- mentary film “Women of Maidan” (2016), a tion call 212-222-1866. deeply moving film that bears witness to how ordinary women became the sustain- Saturday, January 28-Saturday, June 3 DINNER MENU ing heart of the fight against the corrupt Experience NEW YORK: Registration is open for The regime to win a better future for their chil- • Ukrainian borscht Ukrainian Museum’s popular weekend tra- dren. Learn about the women who coura- traditional ditional folk art courses. Try your hand at geously filled the streets, energized the Ukrainian hospitality • Cucumber and tomato embroidery, an eight-session course for all nation and sustained the protesters for over medley ‘salatka’ levels open to adults and children age 10 two months during the “Revolution of and a delicious and over, or learn bead-stringing (gerdany) Dignity.” Admission (includes gallery access meal • Appetizer portion of potato in a four-session course for adults and chil- and light reception) is $15; $10 for museum varenyky with caramelized dren age 12 and up. Both start January 28. members and seniors; $5 for students. onions and sour cream Join us for the very popular pysanka and Arrive early to view the current exhibitions. Easter traditions baking workshops from The Ukrainian Museum is located at 222 E. • Free range breaded chicken late March to April 9 (check dates online). Sixth St,; telephone, 212-228-0110; website, cutlet with green beans and Tapestry weaving, a fun introductory four- www.ukrainianmuseum.org. garlic mashed potatoes • Dessert: traditional Ukrainian PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES $22/person hazelnut torte with tax and gratuities included Preview of Events is a listing of Ukrainian community events open to the public. It is a ser- • Includes complimentary vice provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian Seating is limited. glass of Ukrainian wine or community. Items must be no more than 100 words long. Please call (845) 626-5641 beer Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of pub- to make your reservations lication (i.e., they must be received by 9 am Monday morning). Please include payment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in which the item is to be published. Also, senders are asked to include the phone number of a person who may be 216 Foordmore Road, contacted by The Weekly during daytime hours, as well as their complete mailing address. Kerhonkson NY 12446 Information should be sent to [email protected]. When e-mailing, please do not (845) 626-5641 send items as attachments – simply type the text into the body of the e-mail message. www.Soyuzivka.com Preview items and payments may be mailed to: Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.