No. 18, May 5, 2019
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INSIDE: “A UKRAINIAN SUMMER” – a special 24-page pullout section. THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationEEKLY Vol. LXXXVII No. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2019 $2.00 Holodomor Committee Putin tests Zelensky, encroaches on Ukraine’s sovereignty continues promotion by Mark Raczkiewycz of genocide awareness KYIV – Russia continues to test U.S. Holodomor Committee President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky during a transitional power period with further WASHINGTON – Based on the suc- encroachment on Ukraine’s sovereignty. cessful commemorations of the 85th In the span of two weeks, the Kremlin anniversary of the Holodomor of 1932- banned oil and coal exports to Ukraine, 1933 in Ukraine, the U.S. Committee for started expediting the issuance of Russian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness (U.S. passports to Ukrainians and continued its Holodomor Committee) is continuing creeping annexation of the Azov Sea. its campaign in 2019 and beyond. Combined, the events are exposing Mr. Holodomor advocacy days are sched- Zelensky, 41, to the daily reality that he will uled for early May throughout state capitals and major cities to promote a face as president and one that is dissimilar Holodomor curriculum within the pub- from the same role of a fictional head of lic school systems of the 50 states, as state he played in the TV series “Servant of well as to advocate for executive procla- the People,” in which Russia’s hybrid and mations/legislative resolutions recog- conventional war is never mentioned. nizing the Holodomor as genocide During a brief hiatus in Turkey following his convincing April 25 runoff victory, the against the Ukrainian nation. Orthodox Church of Ukraine Highlighting the U.S. Holodomor former comedian learned that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to Metropolitan Epifaniy, primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, presents a Committee’s plans and activities for reprint of the 16th-century Ostroh Bible to President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky in fast-track citizenship for residents of the 2019 will be a Holodomor convention Kyiv on April 30. scheduled for October 5-6 in Moscow-occupied parts of the Donbas. He Philadelphia. The two-day convention expanded the decree on May 1 – Labor Day “inalienable human rights and freedoms” Luhansk Oblast in a town of the Rostov will be an opportunity to bring togeth- in Ukraine and in Russia – to include don’t exist. region. er experts on Holodomor-related Ukrainians born on the Ukrainian territory Mr. Zelensky underscored that “Ukrainians Overall, the Russian government has so issues. It will feature workshops delv- of Crimea and Ukrainians who have Russian are free people in a free country that is far earmarked $5 million ($330 million ing into the practical topics of advanc- residency or asylum status. independent, sovereign and indivisible.” rubles) and issued an order to issue “at least ing a Holodomor curriculum; political Mr. Zelensky mocked the Kremlin leader He then said that Kyiv will extend citizen- 190,000” passports to residents of the occu- recognition of the Holodomor as a in a statement that went over his head and ship to citizens of “post-Soviet states,” includ- pied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. genocide; social and mass media directly addressed the Russian people on ing Russia, who seek “protection, asylum After the Kremlin leader’s latest decree on awareness campaigns about the April 28. Obtaining Russian citizenship, he and… anyone ready to fight for freedom.” citizenship, Mr. Zelensky said on May 2 in a Holodomor; and, efforts to rescind The said, offers fewer freedoms than what While Mr. Zelensky’s words remain sus- Facebook post that there is “nothing left in New York Times correspondent Walter Ukrainians enjoy: “The right to be arrested pended in the realm of rhetoric, Russia on common” between Ukraine and Russia Duranty’s Pulitzer Prize for his articles for a peaceful protest, the right to have no April 29 opened its first passport issuance wrought with Soviet propaganda. free and fair elections,” and the fact that center for residents of the occupied part of (Continued on page 7) The U.S. Holodomor Committee is an organization of nearly 30 affiliated organizations and individual volun- teers. In addition, regional community committees have also been formed in Connecticut, Florida, Texas, Michigan, New law protects Ukrainian language in society New Jersey, New Hampshire, Oregon, by Mark Raczkiewycz the Capital District of New York State, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, KYIV – The Verkhovna Rada adopted a Philadelphia and Yonkers, N.Y. sweeping language law on April 25 that Commemorations of the elevates the status of Ukrainian in nearly Holodomor’s 85th anniversary were every facet of life. initiated in the U.S. with a March of A solid majority of 278 lawmakers voted Remembrance in New York City in for the bill that makes Ukrainian the sole November 2017. Observances contin- language in all government activities and ued throughout 2018 with communi- for officials while performing official duties. ties participating in the international Ukrainian dominance in media, culture and Candle of Remembrance campaign; education is also ensured. The bill’s mea- advocating for resolutions and procla- sures don’t apply to private communication mations from states and major cities or language use in religious ceremonies. throughout the U.S.; and lectures, con- After centuries of suppression by more certs, and exhibits offered at various powerful neighbors whose legacies are still public venues and universities. felt today, Ukrainian has become a symbol The U.S. Holodomor Committee for the country’s struggle for independence commissioned the making of a short and a key component of identity. Russian, documentary called “When We Starve.” in particular, still dominates as the lingua The 17-minute film reviews the medi- Facebook/Andriy Parubiy franca in print and online media as well as cal, psychological and spiritual effects Verkhovna Rada head Andriy Parubiy (top center) triumphantly lifts his arms in in commerce, where menus, labels and out- of starvation. It includes interviews reaction to the Verkhovna Rada having adopted an expansive law that elevates the door signage still appear mostly in Russian. status of the Ukrainian language in nearly all public spheres on April 25. Seated (Continued on page 11) beside him are Iryna Herashchenko (left), the Rada’s first deputy chair, and National (Continued on page 7) Deputy head Oksana Syroyid. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2019 No. 18 ANALYSIS Kremlin sees new window of opportunity It’s official: Zelensky declared winner Zelensky to Putin: ‘Don’t waste your time’ Ukraine’s Central Election Commission Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr after Poroshenko’s massive electoral loss has formally declared Volodymyr Zelensky Zelensky has told Moscow “not to waste time trying to lure Ukrainian citizens with moted Mr. Zelensky during the campaign. the winner of the country’s presidential by Pavel Felgenhauer Russian passports,” after Russian President Several years ago, the Poroshenko election, releasing final results from the Eurasia Daily Monitor Vladimir Putin said Moscow could ease the administration nationalized PrivatBank, April 21 runoff vote. Commission process of granting Russian citizenship to On March 31, the authorities released the biggest Ukrainian private bank, which Chairwoman Tetyana Slipachuk announced Ukrainians. Ukrainians understand that official results for the first round of the belonged to Mr. Kolomoisky, who demands on April 30 that Mr. Zelensky received Russian citizenship means “the right to be its return or $2 billion in compensation 13,541,528 votes, more than 73 percent, Ukrainian presidential election. The incum- arrested for peaceful protests,” and “the from the government (see Eurasia Daily while incumbent President Petro bent, President Petro Poroshenko, came in right not to have free and competitive elec- Monitor, April 23). The U.S. Federal Bureau Poroshenko received 4,522,450, less than second place with almost 16 percent of the tions,” Mr. Zelensky wrote in a Facebook of Investigation (FBI) has reportedly been 25 percent. The numbers were in line with vote, while the front-runner, popular sati- post on April 27. “It’s the right to basically investigating Mr. Kolomoisky’s possible the unofficial figures released shortly after rist/comedian/media manager Volodymyr forget all rights and freedoms,” he wrote. financial criminal activity, though he has the runoff between Mr. Zelensky, a 41-year- Zelensky, received over 30 percent. During “Ukraine’s difference, in particular, is in the denied any wrongdoing (Newsru.com, old comedian with no political experience, the three weeks leading up to the decisive fact that we, Ukrainians, have freedom of April 8). After Mr. Zelensky won the runoff, runoff on April 21, Mr. Poroshenko and Mr. Poroshenko, 53, who is close to the speech in our country, free media and the Kyiv district administrative court ruled attempted to close the gap. He campaigned end of a five-year term. The turnout was Internet,” Mr. Zelensky wrote. He went on to in favor of Mr. Kolomoisky, declaring the primarily on a patriotic agenda, promoting 61.37 percent, Ms. Slipachuk said, adding say that “Ukrainians are free people in a nationalization of PrivatBank illegal his achievements in resisting Russia and that the commission had not received any free country” and that they “should not be (Korrespondent.net, April 23). President Vladimir Putin, building up the major complaints that could put the results talked to in the language of threats and mil- The Kremlin wanted President Ukrainian military, negotiating a visa-free of the election in doubt. The official results itary and economic pressure.” However, Mr. Poroshenko to be ousted and the Russian travel regime with the European Union, of the runoff were based on the protocol Zelensky pointed out that he was ready for state-controlled media clearly supported and achieving mild economic growth of signed by 15 members of the commission – negotiations with Russia.