The Ukrainian Weekly Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association

Vol. LXXXVIII No. 15 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 $2.00 Unprecedented quarantine measures Retired Metropolitan-Archbishop enacted to fight coronavirus in Ukraine Stephen Sulyk dies of COVID-19 PHILADELPHIA – Metropolitan-Arch­ bishop emeritus Stephen Sulyk, who head- ed the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States in 1981-2000, died on April 6 at the age of 95. A day earlier, he had been hospitalized with symptoms of the corona- virus. Archbishop-Metropolitan Borys Gudziak wrote on Facebook on April 5: “A few hours ago, Archbishop Stephen was hospitalized. He is presenting the symptoms of COVID-19, and his vital signs are weak. The Archbishop is receiving comfort care. Everything is in the Lord’s hands.” Metropolitan Borys provided the follow- ing biography of the deceased hierarch. Stephen Sulyk was born to Michael and Mary Denys Sulyk on October 2, 1924, in Serhii Nuzhnenko, RFE/RL Balnycia, a village in the Lemko District of National deputies leave the Verkhovna Rada wearing protective masks. the Carpathian mountains in western Ukraine. In 1944, he graduated from high Retired Metropolitan-Archbishop Stephen Sulyk by Roman Tymotsko infectious diseases, a person faces criminal school in Sambir. After graduation, the events prosecution. of World War II forced him to leave his native with the additional responsibilities of chan- KYIV – As Ukraine enters the second Beginning on April 6, being in public land and share the experience of a refugee. cery secretary. month of its coronavirus quarantine, new places without a facemask or a respirator is He entered the Ukrainian Catholic From July 1, 1957, until October 5, 1961, restrictions were enacted on April 6. With prohibited. “Considering the rate of the Seminary of the Holy Spirit in Hirschberg, he was pastor of St. Michael’s Church in 1,668 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of spread of the coronavirus, all people are Germany. In 1948, he migrated to the United Frackville, Pa. During his short tenure of April 8, Ukraine remains one of Europe’s considered to be potentially infected,” the States and continued his priestly studies at four years, he built, furnished and paid for a least affected countries (per capita). government explained. “One may not be St. Josaphat’s Seminary and The Catholic new church and parish social hall. Annual However, the paucity of virus testing leaves aware that he/she carries the virus, but University of America in Washington. gross income rose from $10,000 in 1957 to observers to suspect that the real number puts other people at risk. The mask serves In 1952, he received his S.T.L. degree $60,000 in what was considered a finan- of those taken ill is highly undercounted. as the barrier to the possible infection of from the Catholic University of America cially depressed area. New quarantine measures are forcing others. When the mask is on the face, the and was ordained to the priesthood on June After a short stay at St. Nicholas Parish Ukrainians to stay home both for fear of amount of released biological material into 14, 1952, at the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia, on March 22, 1962, he was infection and a huge fine for non-compli- the surrounding air that may contain the Cathedral in Philadelphia. appointed pastor of Assumption Church in ance with the rules. For a violation of quar- pathogen is reduced.” After ordination, he served as assistant Perth Amboy, N.J. Within a year, he com- antine rules, a penalty of between 17,000 Also banned are: groupings of more pastor in Omaha, Neb., Brooklyn, N.Y., pleted a new elementary school. During his hrv ($623 U.S.) and 34,000 hrv ($1,246) is than two persons (except for exigencies of Minersville, Pa., and Youngstown, Ohio. pastorate, Father Sulyk converted the rec- envisaged. Moreover, for violating sanitary Father Sulyk received his first pastoral laws and regulations for the prevention of (Continued on page 14) assignment in 1955 in Phoenixville, Pa., (Continued on page 5)

Transatlantic Task Force reviews Ukraine’s reform efforts amid COVID-19 crisis by Adrian Karmazyn the passage of a banking legislation ban- ning the return of nationalized banks to WASHINGTON – In the aftermath of previous owners and a land market law President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s govern- that allows for the sale of farmland. The ment shake-up on March 4 that brought to appointment of new, respected finance and power a number of ministers with ques- health ministers also bolstered what had tionable reform credentials, observers been waning confidence in Ukraine’s tra- were concerned that Ukraine would be jectory. Still, Ukraine’s reform path remains backtracking on the progress that had been fragile as the crisis deepens. made by the previous Cabinet of Ministers. During an April 2 webinar linking Unexpectedly, the coronavirus pandemic experts in Washington, Kyiv and Brussels, as and the ensuing global economic crisis well as an international audience online, the have forced Ukraine to demonstrably Transatlantic Task Force on Ukraine (TTFU) recommit to reform efforts in order to sought to examine the way forward for access major loans from the International ongoing Ukrainian reform efforts, including Monetary Fund (IMF), which have again good governance, judicial reforms, the rule become critical to the country’s stability. of law, combatting corruption and promot- That funding comes with strings attached – Adrian Karmazyn ing economic development. conditionalities requiring that Ukraine stay A screenshot of the webinar linking experts in Washington, Kyiv and Brussels who on track with reforms, particularly through discussed Ukraine’s reform efforts on April 2. (Continued on page 19) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 No. 15

ANALYSIS

Legalization of Ukrainian PMCs: Agreement on pre-Easter prisoner swap sists of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, is meant to Ukraine and Russian-backed militants in bring the countries closer to the EU with- the east of the country have agreed to Challenges and opportunities out the concrete offer of future member- another prisoner swap ahead of Julian cal- trol: “[I]f Donbas is overtaken by the army – ship in the bloc. The statement stops short by Sergey Sukhankin endar Easter. The Russian and Ukrainian this is a clear violation of the Normandy of calling for future EU membership for the Eurasia Daily Monitor sides in the so-called Trilateral Contact agreements. If this is done via PMCs,” it six, saying only that “political association Group (TCG) made the announcement late On February 3, the deputy secretary of could be explained away as part of the and economic integration of the Eastern on April 8 following a video conference. the National Security and Defense Council of ongoing “civil war,” and no legitimate puni- partners with the EU remain our main The talks led to “fundamental agreements Ukraine, Maj. Gen. Serhiy Kryvonos, suggest- tive steps could be undertaken in response goal.” It also supports their “gradual access” on the lists for the mutual release of ed the necessity to legalize private military (Tvzvezda.ru, February 6). to the EU markets. The Visegrad statement detained persons” no later than Orthodox companies (PMC) in Ukraine. According to Referring to the positive side of legaliz- will be included in the debate on the Easter on April 19, according to a state- the national security official, many ing Ukraine’s PMCs, National Deputy Eastern Partnership that EU foreign minis- Ukrainian soldiers – especially those coming Vasylevska-Smahliuk stated that the coun- ment on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s website. Russia’s envoy to the ters are scheduled to have at the end of the from the frontlines in the Donbas – are try already has such private-sector military month. An Eastern Partnership summit is formations anyway; the problem is that TCG, Boris Gryzlov, said Kyiv and “separat- unable find decent jobs upon their demobili- still scheduled for June 18 in Brussels, “they are registered abroad… and they do ists” in the Donbas region had “principally zation (UNIAN, February 3). The following although it might be postponed due to the not pay taxes in Ukraine” – if they obtain coordinated the lists of detained persons day, National Deputy Olha Vasylevska- pandemic. (Rikard Jozwiak of RFE/RL) Smahliuk (representing the majority legal status, this situation can change. Most for exchange.” It was not immediately clear Servant of the People party), officially intro- Ukrainian military experts tend to agree how many prisoners the two sides would Ukraine confirms 1,892 coronavirus cases duced a bill “On Military-Consultancy with the need for such a bill as well as its exchange. The last prisoner swap in Activities,” de facto proposing to legalize prospective positive impact on both the December 2019 involved 200 people. Ukraine had 1,892 laboratory-confirmed national PMCs. The bill regulates terms and Ukrainian war veterans and the state bud- During the video conference, held in keep- COVID-19 cases as of April 9, according to conditions under which Ukrainian PMCs are get (UNIAN, February 11). ing with recommendations against in-per- the Public Health Center of the Health to operate (Rada.gov.ua, February 4). Yet, not everyone shares such optimism. son gatherings because of the coronavirus Ministry of Ukraine. Among those were 57 The issue of legalizing PMCs in Ukraine Already in 2018, one former employee pandemic, the sides also discussed demin- lethal cases. Some 45 patients have recov- became more pressing after 2014 (Russia’s of a Ukrainian PMC (on conditions of ano- ing and negotiations on the disengagement ered. Over the past day, 224 new cases annexation of Crimea and war in the nymity) pointed out the potentially detri- of troops in the Donbas region. were recorded. An earlier report from the Donbas). On April 3, 2015, the then-leader of mental effects of this kind of reform. The Negotiations for a new ceasefire between Public Health Center indicated that 85 per- the Right Sector organization, Dmytro Yarosh, individual warned that this initiative “will Kyiv and the separatists have so far failed to cent of the deceased were people over the working with members of Privat­Bank (at the result in even larger corruption and the halt the fighting. The conflict has claimed age of 50. (Ukrinform) time, controlled by Ukrainian oligarch Ihor creation of private armies… and a potential around 13,200 lives since April 2014, Kolomoisky), tried to prepare legislation outbreak of a full-fledged armed conflict according to the United Nations. The pris- Secretary of state speaks with Zelenskyy between oligarchical clans” (Obozrevatel. (unsuccessfully) to create legal status for oner swap comes as U..N Secretary-General U.S. State Department spokesperson national PMCs (Ipress.ua, April 4, 2015). com, March 22, 2018). Antonio Guterres in March called on the Another well-known military expert, Morgan Ortagus said on April 6 that Later, on February 3, 2018, Yevhen Deidei, warring parties in conflicts around the Igor Romanenko, compared the creation of Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo had the former coordinator of the Special Tasks world to halt fighting due to the coronavi- PMCs with the “legalization of gambling, spoken with Ukrainian President Volody­ Patrol Police Kyiv-1 battalion, spoke in favor rus pandemic. (RFE/RL, with reporting by medical cannabis and passing amber myr Zelenskyy that day. She noted: of PMCs by declaring, “Private military com- DPA and TASS) extraction into private hands” – there are “Secretary Pompeo and President Zelens­ panies in Ukraine represent the demands of obvious risks but also potential opportuni- kyy discussed ongoing U.S. assistance to the present and our contemporary realities” Aid to Eastern Partnership countries ties. He argued that if PMCs are legalized, Ukraine during the COVID-19 crisis, includ- (Obozrevatel.com, February 28, 2018). The they should be certified and become Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech ing the planned delivery of much-needed following month, on March 5, a member of accountable for their actions. If these con- Republic – the Visegrad Four group of medical lab equipment. Secretary Pompeo the Petro Poroshenko Bloc political party ditions are satisfied, the government will Central European countries – will launch a thanked President Zelenskyy for Ukraine’s (since renamed European Solidarity), Valery receive a significant new source of revenue, solidarity program for the six members of Kapuntsov, proposed a bill on military-con- support in repatriating U.S. citizens and while the war veterans will also benefit. the European Union’s Eastern Partnership residents, including more than 200 Peace sultancy activities; the measure failed to Yet, if the first condition is not fulfilled, the (EaP) to help them fight the coronavirus pass, however. Corps volunteers. The secretary and the outcome might be dire: PMCs will de facto outbreak. In an April 8 joint statement on president also stressed the continued According to Mr. Kapuntsov, his bill become private armies serving the inter- the future of the Eastern Partnership, the ended up watered down by the Ministry of importance of access to Russia-controlled ests of specific oligarchs, which, in turn, four EU members said they will “launch an Defense because “the military was afraid areas of Ukraine’s Donbas region, where would create more instability and growing extraordinary ‘V4EastSolidarity program’ that its personnel would leave the army for Russia-led forces continue to mount attacks criminalization (providing illegal services, for the EaP countries” that would provide more economically attractive opportuni- and prevent the work of humanitarian extorting private property, using violence up to 250,000 euros in aid. The partner- ties… But this is happening anyway on a reg- to achieve political ends) in Ukraine (Kp.ua, ship, which was launched in 2009 and con- (Continued on page 16) ular basis. In Ukraine, there are many February 16, 2020). recruiting centers. Whenever we have joint Given current levels of domestic insta- military exercises like Sea Breeze, many bility (see Eurasia Daily Monitor, February [PMC] recruiters head there.” Mr. Kapuntsov 24) coupled with the persistent conven- he krainian eekly FOUNDED 1933 suggested that legalizing PMCs would offer tional military and “hybrid” threat from the T U W large economic benefits to the country. He east, such an outcome would represent the also noted that the “global market for these worst-case scenario for Ukraine. An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., services [PMCs] is estimated to be around Analysis of the current proposed bill on a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. $200 billion.” He further claimed, “The legalizing PMCs demonstrates that its sup- founder of one of the most well-known porters do not consider PMCs to be private Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. American PMCs Blackwater [now Academi], armies as such. Rather, their main tasks (ISSN — 0273-9348) Erik Prince, was interested in this prospect tend to be concerned with training and per- The Weekly: UNA: and is ready to invest hundreds of billions of forming non-military missions. Yet, two Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 dollars in organizing training centers [in points of uncertainty will need to be kept in Ukraine]” (Kp.ua, February 16, 2020). mind by Ukrainian policymakers. Postmaster, send address changes to: This opinion is, by and large, shared by First, given the political role historically The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz mainstream domestic experts: Ukraine played by oligarchs in Ukraine, it, indeed, 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas needs PMCs to effectively deal with war seems dubious that some of them will not P.O. Box 280 veterans and as a means to raise more be tempted to use this potentially powerful Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] money for the state budget. instrument – PMCs – for their own needs. Somewhat different arguments on the Were this scenario to materialize, Ukraine The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com subject have been voiced by Russian could experience skyrocketing criminaliza- experts. The well-known military corre- tion akin to the 1990s, yet with far more The Ukrainian Weekly, April 12, 2020, No. 15, Vol. LXXXVIII spondent Semen Pegov argued that the serious consequences for the state. Copyright © 2020 The Ukrainian Weekly Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered 7,000 The second concern is that, even if legal- cases of deserters; and in the Donbas ized, it seems unlikely Ukrainian PMCs will region (an area of confrontation), functions be able to successfully compete on the ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA typically performed by the army have global PMC market. Notably, during the late Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 already been replaced by PMCs. Another 1990s-early 2000s, Russian entrepreneurs and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 military commentator, Yuri Knutov, argued established a number of what were then e-mail: [email protected] that Ukraine needs PMCs in order to be called private military security companies Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 able to forcefully reincorporate the occu- e-mail: [email protected] pied Donbas back under government con- (Continued on page 5) No. 15 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Ukraine turns to business leaders to support anti-coronavirus efforts

by Vladimir Socor Pravda, March 23, 30; Censor.net, March 26, 2012. He was elected to the Ukrainian Volyn Oblast. Closely allied with Mr. Eurasia Daily Monitor 28; Liga.net, March 28; Ukrinform, March Parliament from Sevastopol in a by-election Kolomoisky, Mr. Palytsia was CEO of the 30). in 2013 (this is one of the 27 now-vacant Ukrnafta and Neftekhimik Prykarpattia oil Ukraine’s top businessmen are answer- Viktor Pinchuk has volunteered for this seats in the Verkhovna Rada), was elected extraction and refining companies, both ing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call to assignment in his home oblast – again in 2014 on the list of the Akhmetov- linked to Mr. Kolomoisky’s Privat Group. He assist and even lead the country’s efforts to Dnipropetrovsk. Mr. Pinchuk’s steel pipe- backed Opposition Bloc, and again in 2019 was governor of Odesa Oblast in 2014- deal with the novel coronavirus pandemic. making and other metallurgical plants, from a single-mandate electoral district in 2015, then led Mr. Kolomoisky’s project Mr. Zelenskyy had summoned Ukraine’s comprising the Interpipe Group, are mainly the Ukrainian-controlled part of Donetsk party, Ukrop, in Volyn’s 2015 oblast election, wealthiest businessmen for an emergency located in the cities of Dnipro and Nikopol Oblast. taking first place and the chairmanship of meeting on March 16 in the presidential in this oblast. Mr. Kolomoisky is also based Andriy Stavnitser has led the anti-virus Volyn’s Regional Council until 2019. Mr. building to consider a coordinated in Dnipro but does not seem enthusiastic to effort in Odesa Oblast from the outset Palytsia’s role in both Odesa and Volyn was response to the crisis. They responded with help the anti-coronavirus effort. (Interfax-Ukraine, March 19; 112.ua, March to expand Mr. Kolomoisky’s influence alacrity, and the effort is unfolding based on Oleksandr Yaroslavsky has taken the 31). This proactive leadership contrasts beyond the latter’s Dnipropetrovsk power ideas exchanged at that meeting. lead in organizing an anti-crisis center in with that of Mayor Gennady Trukhanov, base. Three guiding ideas are clearly discern- Kharkiv Oblast, surpassing the state whose low relevance in this crisis could Elected to the Verkhovna Rada last year ible. First, the oligarchs seem ready to help authorities. Mr. Yaroslavsky is the owner of influence the October elections. Mr. (2019) from Volyn in a single-mandate finance the state’s effort, in addition to Ukraine’s largest construction company, Stavnitser and his family members own the electoral district, Mr. Palytsia is one of undertaking their own initiatives, which Development Construction Holding (DCH) TransInvestService (TIS) group of compa- about 20 or 30 pro-Kolomoisky members could be more extensive than the state’s. and of the Kharkiv Tractor Plant, a national nies, Ukraine’s leading port operator by of this parliament. Some of them belong to Mr. Zelenskyy has asked for 12 billion-13 industrial flagship that he has overhauled. volume of goods handled. TIS owns multi- the pro-presidential Servant of the People billion hrv (some $440 million-$470 mil- Mr. Yaroslavsky had initiated a joint project ple terminals and piers for handling miner- party while others, like Mr. Palytsia, have no lion U.S.), it being understood that this in Kharkiv with the Chinese entrepreneur, al ores, coal, fertilizer, containers and grain party affiliation. President Zelenskyy’s would be a first-stage, short-term response Jack Ma, prior to the coronavirus outbreak (the latter jointly with Cargill), mainly in choice of Mr. Palytsia for this new Volyn to the pandemic. Second, Mr. Zelenskyy has and has now received a consignment of the port of Pivdenny. assignment suggests that the president assigned certain geographical areas of anti-virus equipment from Mr. Ma for Meanwhile Ukrainian media have posted remains reluctant to make a clean break responsibility to the top business leaders, Kharkiv. video-audio intercepts showing Denis with Mr. Kolomoisky. namely where their major business assets, Mr. Yaroslavsky has joined forces with Yermak, the brother of the Presidential A precedent exists in Ukraine for the company headquarters and social net- Kharkiv city’s long-time mayor, Hennady Office chief Andriy Yermak, apparently dis- state to assign business magnates to take works are based, and where their business- Kernes, not only in the anti-virus effort, but cussing possible moves to undercut charge of particular areas of the country in a es are the main employers. And third, they also politically, preparing for the October TransInvestService in favor of a foreign dire crisis. In the spring of 2014, then-acting are expected to organize anti-crisis centers 2020 local elections. Highly popular in competitor (Ukrinform, Nashi Groshi, RBK president Oleksandr Turchynov appointed on the level of Ukraine’s oblasts, assigning Ukraine’s second-largest city, Mr. Kernes has Ukraine, Ukrayinska Pravda, March Mr. Kolomoisky, Mr. Palytsia (on Mr. professional managers from their compa- enjoyed an informal, quasi-feudal immunity 30-April 2). Kolomoisky’s recommendation), and the nies to such centers, it being understood under three Ukrainian presidents. He plans Andriy Verevskyi coordinates the pri- steel industrialist Serhiy Taruta (on Mr. that private-sector personnel would act to seek re-election with Mr. Yaroslavsky’s vate-sector response to the pandemic in the Akhmetov’s recommendation) as governors more effectively than the state’s. apparent support, notwithstanding central regions of Poltava and Kirovohrad. of the Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa and Donetsk Not all of Ukraine’s oblasts have been President Zelenskyy’s and the presidentially Poltava-born Mr. Verevskyi is the main oblasts, respectively. Mr. Turchynov acted in delineated as areas of anti-crisis action for appointed Kharkiv governor’s manifest hos- shareholder in the Kernel Group agrohold- agreement with the entire post-Euro-Maid- major business leaders as yet. Meanwhile, tility to Mr. Kernes (Glavnoye.ua, March 12; ing, Ukraine’s largest producer and export- an leadership. Those three oblasts faced the country’s wealthiest industrialist, Rinat Censor.net, March 26). er of sunflower oil. It is also Ukraine’s larg- imminent threats of attack and capture, and Akhmetov, is apparently counted upon to Vadym Novinsky is assigned to support est farming enterprise by area, with the Ukrainian state at that juncture lacked act in several oblasts at the same time: the anti-pandemic effort in Mykolayiv and approximately 600,000 hectares of cultivat- the means to stabilize the situation. Zaporizhia Oblast, the Kryvyi Rih-Pavlodar Kherson oblasts. Mr. Novinsky’s Smart ed land. The current experiment with reliance on mining and industrial basin (the western Group holds a 25 percent stake in Yuriy Kosiuk has accepted to lead the pri- oligarchs, however, encompasses many part of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast), and even Metinvest, the vast holding of metallurgical vate-sector measures in Vinnytsia and more Ukrainian oblasts, and it may not yet the Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts, on plants and iron ore mines that is 75 percent Cherkasy oblasts. Mr. Kosiuk, from the have reached its full final extent. It also dif- top of the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the owned by Mr. Akhmetov. Most of these Cherkasy Oblast, owns Myronivka Grain fers in method, in that it can lead to the cre- Donbas where Mr. Akhmetov has been assets are located in the Donbas, the Kryvyi Produce, Ukraine’s largest producer and ation of parallel structures on the level of delivering humanitarian assistance long Rih area and Zaporizhia. Separately from exporter of poultry meat. A vertically inte- those oblasts. Two anti-crisis centers and before the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic Metinvest, Mr. Novinsky owns the Smart grated company, it produces the necessary two lines of action – state and oligarchic – struck. Ihor Kolomoisky’s attitude, mean- Maritime Group of shipbuilding yards and fodder on 370,000 hectares of farmland in are to operate in a given oblast. By contrast, while, remains unclear. Asked by President ports in Mykolayiv (the Black Sea the Vinnytsia, Cherkasy and Kyiv oblasts. Mr. Mr. Turchynov had appointed those oligar- Zelenskyy to contribute, Mr. Kolomoisky Shipbuilding Plant), Kherson and Ochakiv. Kosiuk was a pro bono advisor to President chic figures to be state governors, with full replied by complaining that his former Mr. Novinsky had moved to Ukraine Petro Poroshenko in 2014-2019. official authority and personal responsibility. PrivatBank assets are unavailable to him. from Russia and acquired those Ukrainian Ihor Palytsia has been designated to (Interfax-Ukraine, March 19; Ukrayinska assets long before acquiring citizenship in coordinate anti-crisis measures in his native (Continued on page 7)

EU lawmakers say Russia using coronavirus crisis for political benefit

by Rikard Jozwiak any possibility of reviewing or lifting the The lawmakers’ letter says that the EU the coronavirus curve.” RFE/RL EU sanctions against the Russian sanctions, imposed over the Russian The document concludes by stating that Federation due to the pandemic.” annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region in “as long as Russia denies and hides data about BRUSSELS – A group of European Union “Russian authorities by pursuing such 2014 and its subsequent support for so- the actual COVID-19 spread in the country, lawmakers is accusing Moscow of exploit- public relation campaigns as sending poorly called separatists in eastern Ukraine, “do distorts the global tragedy for its political ben- ing the coronavirus pandemic to try to get applicable humanitarian aid to Italy, as well not prevent Russia from duly protecting its efits, and continues aggressive actions sanctions imposed over Russia’s actions in as misinterpreting the statements by the citizens’ health and contributing to the against the neighboring states and their pop- Ukraine lifted, according to a letter seen by U.N. officials, might try to sway the position global fight against the coronavirus.” ulation, the EU sanctions are among the only RFE/RL. of the EU and its member state’s leadership It adds that the restrictive measures available measures to keep Russia account- The letter, dated April 3, says Russian regarding the sanctions,” they added. don’t target trade in medicines and medical able and to deter from further violation of aid provided in support for European coun- A source told RFE/RL the letter was equipment. international law and attempts to under- tries to tackle the health emergency caused referring to a proposal recently made by The document also notes that the sanc- mine our European values and democracy.” by coronavirus is part of “public relation Russian President Vladimir Putin that a tions “can only be reviewed if substantial campaigns” aimed at having the EU sanc- freeze be placed on economic sanctions to progress” in implementation of the Minsk Copyright 2020, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with tions reviewed or lifted. allow countries to better combat the coro- agreements that sought to put an end to the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio The letter was signed by 19 members of navirus epidemic. fighting in eastern Ukraine is achieved. Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington the European Parliament and addressed to Mr. Putin told a Group of 20 (G-20) video “Russia remains hard to be trusted,” the DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see https://www. European Commission President Ursula conference on March 26 that restrictive lawmakers insisted, citing “worrisome rferl.org/a/eu-lawmakers-say-russia-using- von der Leyen, European Council President measures imposed on countries should be statements by Russian doctors accusing the coronavirus-crisis-to-gain-political-bene- Charles Michel and EU foreign-policy chief lifted on humanitarian grounds to “facili- Russian government of covering up the fits/30529085.html?fbclid=IwAR2DkHsbd6Na Josep Borrell. tate mutual deliveries of drugs, food, equip- coronavirus outbreak in the country” and oA9PnBYOsNz0yO96wanFz7FUqPWl_oasBZ- The lawmakers said they “seek to rebuff ment and technology.” “the absence of national efforts to flatten DjdK9iA3-TvFg). 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 No. 15 No. 15 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 5

atheistic communism of the Soviets. Retired... Metropolitan Stephen served on various (Continued from page 1) committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Synod of tory into a convent for nuns, built a new Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. rectory, purchased and landscaped addi- After Metropolitan Stephen reached the tional parish grounds, and renovated the canonical age for retirement, Pope John parish church. He also compiled and print- Paul II accepted his resignation on ed a series of bilingual texts for use in litur- November 29, 2000. gical services. On May 31, 1968, Pope Paul June 14, 2002, was the 50th anniversary VI granted him the dignity of papal chap- of his ordination to the holy priesthood and lain with the title of monsignor. the jubilee was observed with the celebra- On December 29, 1980, he was appoint- tion of a hierarchical divine liturgy and a ed metropolitan-archbishop of Philadel­ testimonial banquet on June 23, 2002. The UNA ANNoUNces phia by Pope John Paul II. He was conse- During his retirement years, the former crated bishop in Rome on March 1, 1981. metropolitan lived in Cherry Hill, N.J. ScholarShipS and awardS He supervised the construction of a new On April 8, Metropolitan Borys advised chancery center, bishop’s residence and that the funeral of Metropolitan Stephen will for StudentS attending college cathedral rectory. He renovated the sanctu- be on Monday, April 13. He will be buried in in the 2020-2021 academic year. ary of Immaculate Conception Cathedral and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral’s landscaped the adjoining grounds. He estab- crypt next to Bishop Soter Ortynsky, Bishop lished the Seminary Endowment Fund to Constantine Bohachevsky and Metropolitan Students wishing to apply for a UNA scholarship or award must meet finance the education of seminarians and to Ambrose Senyshyn. There will be a very lim- the following criteria: provide income for St. Josaphat’s Seminary. ited number of people present at the funeral l Have been an active, premium-paying UNA member for at least At the request of the Vatican, he was due to the coronavirus epidemic. The faith- two years by June 1st of 2020; involved in sensitive diplomatic talks with ful may watch the funeral livestreamed on members of the Orthodox Church in the Facebook page of the Archeparchy of l Have had a life insurance policy or an annuity, valued at a minimum Ukraine at the time the Soviet Union was Philadelphia at 10 a.m. of $5,000 during the last two years (term policies excluded); collapsing, Ukraine was becoming an inde- l Be enrolled in an accredited college or university in USA or Canada. pendent state and the Ukrainian Catholic Sources: Facebook page of Archbishop- Church was emerging from its existence as Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, Ukrainian The application for a UNA scholarship or award must be postmarked no a persecuted catacomb Church under the Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. later than June 1, 2020. For complete details and applications, please call the UNA Home Office Security Group to try branching out to cre- or visit the Our Benefits page on the UNA website at: Legalization... ate a more de facto private military force – www.UNAInc.org (Continued from page 2) Slavonic Corps Limited – which, after engaging in combat operations in Syria, (PMSCs) (see Jamestown.org, June 25, essentially became the predecessor to the Ukrainian National Association, Inc. 2019) in the belief that privatized Russian notorious Russian Wagner Group PMC (see 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 soldiers would be as highly valued as more Jamestown.org, December 18, 2019). 800-253-9862 ext. 3035 established Western PMCs. But this calcula- tion turned out to be wrong: the market for The article above is reprinted from private security-providing firms had long Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from been divided between Western players. its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, That revelation urged Russia’s Moran www.jamestown.org. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 No. 15

EASTER PASTORAL LETTER The Ukrainian Weekly Hope is not cancelled Let us grasp anew what We’re all in this together. That’s the main message we hear these days in the United States while the novel coronavirus is taking its deathly toll on our country. it means to be a Christian Just like you, we at The Ukrainian Weekly are doing our part to stop the spread of Pastoral letter from his Beatitude Pascha of our Lord, the Eternal Pascha, as COVID-19. We’ve been working from our homes for nearly four weeks now – we Sviatoslav of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic we sing in our Paschal Matins, is not only can’t say it’s been easy, but our paper has been coming out without fail. Church. salvation from the temporary danger of a While we’re all physically separate, we must underscore that the social distancing physical illness and mere bodily death. we’re all practicing does not need to be social disengagement. Indeed, it has been Most Reverend Archbishops and Today Christ grants salvation from the very noted by many professionals that it’s critically important to our emotional and phys- Bishops, Very Reverend and Reverend cause of death – to all people, of all times ical health that we maintain contacts with our family, friends and colleagues. Fathers, Venerable Brothers and Sisters in and nations. We aren’t speaking here mere- Thankfully, we have multiple social media to help us do so. Monastic and Religious Life, Dearly Beloved ly of salvation from an emerging sickness As noted last week in this space, our Churches have taken steps to ensure that Laity in Christ of the Ukrainian Greek- or protection from the sword, even an their faithful are served – something that’s especially important during the Easter Catholic Church: angelic one, as it was in the case of the holy days. We‘ve lost count of how many parishes are now streaming liturgies and Israelites in Egypt. Having gone from suf- other services online, but we encourage you to check out your parish website or Christ is Risen! fering and death to the Resurrection, posts on Facebook by our Churches’ leadership to learn more. When those bound by chains Christ, in the words of the Apostle Paul, Our Ukrainian schools and youth and scout organizations are successfully con- in the realm of Hades destroyed deadly sin and crucified it on the ducting classes and meetings online. And it’s an experiment that’s working! (We Saw Your boundless mercy, cross along with its hellish power to even learned of Ukrainian youngsters in Sweden who participated via the Internet in They hastened to the light with joy, O Christ, enslave. the Ukrainian studies program conducted by our local school in Whippany, N.J.) Praising the eternal Pascha. There have been other unique uses of the Internet, whether by Zoom or Google The Eternal Pascha is a victory and a Ode 5, Paschal Canon Hangouts, or similar services. Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization’s physical fit- mockery over the very sting of death, as the ness director has promoted an online yoga class conducted by a Plast member from Beloved in Christ! Apostle proclaims today: “Death is swal- the Chicago area. Our local Ukrainian dance fitness class now “meets” on This year we are celebrating Christ’s lowed up in victory. O death, where is your Wednesdays online, with the instructor leading his students via live video feed. Pascha in particular circumstances. Many victory? O death, where is your sting? The Afterwards, the class enjoys a bit of virtual socializing. of us spent the season of Great Lent at sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is The Ukrainian Museum in New York is presenting a series of pysanka workshops home, isolated from others, physically dis- the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us that are conducted via the videoconference app Zoom. The workshops are free; par- tant from our churches and parish commu- the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ticipants merely needed to register online and, of course, have their own pysanka- nities. Yet even in such challenging condi- (1 Cor. 15:54-57). In his Resurrection, making supplies. Also in New York, the Ukrainian Institute of America has invited its tions, no one has the power to prevent the Christ removed our enslaving chains of fear supporters to “stay connected with us.” Though the UIA is currently closed, an e-mail joyful movement of people everywhere before death, and transformed that fear, by message notes that it has been posting on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and towards the Light, in order that, with faith granting us paschal entrance into a new Instagram daily and advised: “Please visit us there!” in Christ’s Resurrection, with hope in God’s life. With the Resurrection, we have opened We’re sure there are many, many more illustrative examples of how our commu- victory and with the love of the community before us a door that leads us from that nity is maintaining social engagement and continuing its work. Therefore, we invite of God’s children, we might greet one which passes away to that which lasts for- readers to inform us, and through us the community at large, about how you are another with a jubilant and resounding ever. The Pascha of our Lord opens for us handling things in your “hromady.” “Christ is Risen!” the door to joyful eternity. We were togeth- We’d like to end this editorial with another pertinent message we’ve seen in Over 3,000 years ago the Lord heard and recent days in our neighborhood. It appeared on the marquee of our local perform- er in the chains of death – today, as the received the cry and lament of the sons and ing arts center: “Hope is not cancelled.” Keep that in mind, dear readers, as we con- united People of God of the New daughters of Israel, languishing in captivity tinue our common battle against the coronavirus. Testament, we share in the common expe- in Egypt. On the night of Passover, by the rience of joy in the Resurrection. blood of the Paschal lamb, the Lord protect- ed his people from the angel of death and When those bound by chains in the realm led them from the house of slavery. of Hades saw Your boundless mercy… April Turning the pages back... Subsequently, the escape from Egypt under In the face of the global pandemic, we the leadership of Moses brought another suddenly recognized that as humans we are danger at the shore of the sea – deep weak and mortal. The coronavirus brought Thirty years ago, on April 15, 1990, Ukrainian Orthodox and waters ahead, the pharaoh with horses and a deadly danger to the rich and poor, to all 15 Ukrainian Catholics in Ukraine celebrated Easter, marking major chariots behind. And the sea parted before people, with no regard for place of resi- milestones in their respective Church histories. them! Thus, for the people of God, the dence around the globe, for race or religious 1990 Thousands of Ukrainian Catholics gathered in front of St. Passover came to be associated with salva- persuasion. Possibly, for the first time, we George Cathedral in Lviv to celebrate Easter divine liturgy, as the tion from death. Every Israelite, having church itself was closed by order of the Soviet authorities and came to understand that we are all equally lived through the liberation from Egypt, the Russian Orthodox Church refused to vacate the premises despite an order from the vulnerable and in need, but we have also experienced his God as a Deliverer: I Lviv City Council. Additional services were held at the Church of the Transfiguration, St. come to see ourselves as one human family: escaped death! All those who were saved Onufriy Church and two houses of worship at Shevchenkivskyi Hai. The Easter services that which affected people in one corner of attracted nearly 20,000 to 30,000 during the weekend. came to see themselves as one people: we the planet carried over to and impacted Ukrainian Catholic leaders feared that Russian Orthodox authorities had looted St. were together in slavery, together we sur- people on the other side of the world – it George Cathedral during the weeks prior to Easter. Approximately 150 to 200 Russian vived death, we share one and the same personally affected each one of us. Orthodox also gathered in front of St. George Cathedral to have Easter baskets blessed. God – a Savior and Liberator. We are the The entire world has found itself as if There were no reports of violence during the gatherings. People of God! bound together by the chains of Hades. The The Russian Orthodox hierarchs refused to recognize the Ukrainian Catholic bishops, as In the risen Christ the passage from fear of becoming ill and dying, the pain of they claimed that the Ukrainian Catholic hierarchs had not been appointed by Rome. A death to life transcends all boundaries of losing family members, friends and Vatican delegation joined the Ukrainian Catholic hierarchs during a Quadripartite human history. The Pascha-Passover of the acquaintances, the darkness of loneliness Commission meeting that was held in Lviv in March, when Bishop Volodymyr Sterniuk Old Testament was limited to the salvation and despair in circumstances of enforced walked out in protest after the Russian Orthodox decided to close St. George Cathedral. of a limited circle of people from a danger Borys Gudziak, who is now metropolitan-archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church that was limited in time. Our Pascha, the (Continued on page 9) in the U.S.A. and heads the Philadelphia Archeparchy, was at the time a theology student in Lviv. He conducted a spiritual rebirth service at Transfiguration Church, with thousands of “youth from ages 2 to 82” in attendance. In Kyiv, Easter divine liturgy was held at Pokrova Cathedral, marking the first time that priests from the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church were allowed to celebrate lit- urgy since the Church was banned by Stalin in 1930. Several thousand people attended the all-night services. Services were also held at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Kyiv as well as in Lviv, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk (now Dnipro) and Cherkasy. Pastoral letters from Metropolitan Mstyslav of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. and Archbishop Ioan of Lviv, Ukraine’s first Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox hier- arch since the renewal of the Church in Ukraine, were read during the Easter services. Archbishop Ioan, while speaking in Lviv, noted that it was only the UAOC, not the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate, that could give impetus for the rebirth and development of Ukraine and its spiritual life. The Easter services included the blessing of Ukrainian folk instruments – liras (hurdy- gurdies) and banduras, an old tradition only recently revived. This had been renounced by the Russian Orthodox Church, which also refused to hold memorial services for the Ukrainian kobzars murdered by the Soviets in the 1920s and 1930s. Sources: “Thousands of Catholics celebrate in Lviv despite closed St. George Cathedral,” by Marta Kolomayets, “Easter services celebrated by UAOC,” “Easter services in Ukraine mark rebirth of UAOC,” The Ukrainian Weekly, April 22 and 29, 1990. Pysanky, Sun Symbols, from The Ukrainian Museum’s Collection, 2020. No. 15 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 7

REFLECTIONS Anniversaries and profiles in art and politics by Askold S. Lozynskyj They were greeted by the villagers with bread, albeit without salt as that was not Fifty years ago, a film was produced in available. Quarantined? the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic The significance of the film industry titled “White Bird with a Black Insignia.” under the Soviets dated back to Joseph COVID-19, the severe acute respiratory spread the virus. He encouraged atten- There is at least one other English transla- Stalin’s fondness for film. He recognized syndrome caused by the coronavirus, does dance by live streaming. On March 25, tion, “White Bird Marked With Black,” that industry as an indispensable part of not have a particularly high mortality rate. Patriarch Sviatoslav announced that Easter which I believe misses the point that both the Soviet propaganda machine. This film, But it is highly contagious. Thus, while the observances would be accordingly limited. screenwriters were making. They used the as others, had to fit that mold. Ilyenko was mortality among those infected with the Here in the U.S., the Ukrainian Catholic term “oznaka” in Ukrainian, which con- not a willing participant. virus has been estimated at around 2 to 3 Metropolitanate of Philadelphia suspended notes designation, when they could have He made the film appear pro-Soviet: the percent, the absolute number is growing regular public services on March 18. used “pliama” to denote a black mark if villagers greet their Soviet liberators; three of fast. Of course, no one can predict the course Roman Catholics have developed innova- their intent was to denigrate. the four brothers immediately or eventually of this pandemic. By the time this column tive ways to cope with the need to maintain The film was produced by the even then join Soviet ranks; the village ultimately turns goes to print, it may be receding. Or not. social distance, including drive-through world-famous Film Studio of Oleksander against the partisan and kills him; the female The spread of the coronavirus is replete confessionals, eucharistic adoration in a Dovzhenko in Kyiv. Its screenwriters were lead despite her genuine love for the with ironies. In an age of globalization, it is a parking lot and a virtual congregation com- also well-known, at least in the USSR, Yuriy “Banderite” cries out for death at a wedding global disease. In the midst of a communica- posed of selfies (Life Site News, March 17). Ilyenko and Ivan Mykolaichuk, the latter ceremony to him despite her love; three tions revolution, this is a most communica- In Russia, after some hesitation, on March more so for his work as an actor in the years later, after being away from the village ble disease. In a time when society has 29 Patriarch Kirill of Moscow finally internationally acclaimed film “Shadows of for an unclear reason (some insist that she begun to question hyper-individualism and decreed that the faithful may stay at home, Forgotten Ancestors” (1964). Ilyenko was joined the partisans) and returning home seeks to reassert communitarian values, the following the example of the penitent her- the director of “White Bird with Black bearing a child out of wedlock, she notes that coronavirus sends us back into isolation. mit St. Mary of Egypt as well as the direc- Insignia.” Additional major credits the role of the woman is to bear children for During an election campaign when tives of the state authorities. belonged to the well-known actress Larissa society’s benefit (the Soviet woman that whole segments of the electorate live in Is private worship at home a harbinger Kadochnykova and the cinematographer bears children for her state); the village echo-chambers and cannot even agree on of the future? There may be more pandem- later to become world recognized, Vilen priest ultimately loses his mind and attempts fundamental facts, political fanatics on both ics. Like 9/11, coronavirus may have Kalyuta, who was born 90 years ago. to shoot the village’s Soviet doctor (one of sides – and in an epoch where politics has changed our way of life forever. Even when The historical political milieu in 1970 the brothers), whom he essentially had supplanted religion as the passion of the the coronavirus recedes, the trend toward was most interesting, especially in view of raised from childhood; and the doctor, as he populace, this is the fanaticism we need to social distancing and isolation may contin- Soviet reality and the paradigm that art disarms the priest, offers medical assistance worry about – concoct conspiracy theories ue for other reasons, as our diaspora com- was politics. While the conservative and to him (science over religion) and then looks about how the other side is shamefully munities, and hence our parishes, scatter. repressively stalwart Leonid Brezhnev was exploiting the pandemic for political or More and more of us are moving away at the helm of the Communist Party of the out the window at the villagers reveling in their Soviet paradise in the film’s finale. economic advantage. from the old immigrant centers and into USSR, Ukraine itself was a hotbed of dissi- Religion is affected too. In mid-March, I the suburbs, often in states where our dent activity. Petro Shelest, a relatively lib- Ilyenko was able to circumvent authori- was watching the divine liturgy celebrated churches have a limited presence. Old eral Ukrainian, headed the Communist ties because he wrote the script together in Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kyiv, churches may have to be closed, while pas- Party in Ukraine. with Mykolaichuk. An actor of great stature courtesy of Zhyve Telebachennia. The con- tors to serve new ones may be lacking. The subject film takes place in the like Mykolaichuk in most societies could gregation was sparse, the faces gloomy and Ukraine, after all, needs its clergy for work Carpathian mountain region of Ukraine, choose his own role. His choice was to play stressed. It was, after all, cold, and the then occupied by Romania and known as the “Banderite” but the censors said no, and in the east and south. And vocations there Bukovyna. The time frame is set from at the role was given to a then little-known country was at war. And no, watching the are declining. Here, the elderly among us least 1938 to 1944 or a bit later. The actor named Bohdan Stupka from Lviv. liturgy on a laptop was not “just like being may not be able to travel the long distance screenplay develops a human, yet political, Much to the censors’ dismay Stupka became there.” It just made me want to be there. to the nearest active church. Thus, “attend- melodrama about a family, more specifical- the hero of the film. Mykolaichuk played a The video transmission showed some ing” a liturgy through the computer screen ly focusing on four brothers from a village Soviet lackey in a role that was marginal. coronavirus no-nos, like people touching may be the most we can do. in that region. One of them is a Ukrainian Stupka as an actor became perhaps the their faces. But the children receiving This is unsatisfactory for a religion that nationalist partisan, better known in most prominent actor in Ukraine. The Communion followed the health instruc- – unlike Buddhism, for example – is Ukraine as a “Banderite.” The other broth- female lead was in love with the “Banderite” tions meticulously, not letting the spoon intensely social, emphasizing relationships ers are more simply anti-Romanian and but became psychotic because that love was used to impart the Eucharist (“cochlear,” among people as well as between people believe that the Soviet liberators are pre- wrong since he was a renegade. Greek kochliarion, Slavonic lzhitsa) touch and God. It is unsatisfactory for a rite that is cisely that. Romania was a ruthless regime The film was considered very controver- their mouths. Meanwhile, the Orthodox emphatically sensory and physical, involv- enslaving its indigenous populations. In sial because of Ilyenko’s skill and determi- world was divided between what one ing (in addition to the visual and aural fact, the brothers had been sold as slaves. nation. Even the name was a disguise, as might call cochleophiles and cochleo- aspects that video translation can convey) The Soviets came in following the Molotov- phobes. The Russian, Georgian, Greek, kissing icons and crosses, smelling the Ribbentrop Pact as liberators in 1939. (Continued on page 15) Bulgarian and Romanian Churches tended incense and tasting the Eucharist. Will to favor retaining the spoon, though some changing the “medium” by which the faith Church leaders suggested the faithful could is transmitted affect the “message”? And in so doing it finds that more effective bring their own spoons or receive Certainly not the core Christian message. Ukraine turns... power and more resources may be avail- Communion in paper cups. (“Coronavirus But over time, the way that the message is vs. the Church,” RFE/RL, March 17). (Continued from page 3) able locally, rather than at the center, as a experienced and understood may be affect- basis for action. By the same token, eco- Metropolitan Kirill of Moscow decreed that ed by the technology that conveys it. Oft-expressed fears of “oligarchic state nomic power (oligarchs with their produc- the spoon should be wiped with ethanol Even if gatherings become possible again, capture” in Ukraine and neighboring coun- tion assets) are also dispersed in the and rinsed in water between communi- our physical dispersion will likely continue. tries notwithstanding, Kyiv’s pact with the oblast, not concentrated in any national cants (Interfax - Religion, March 17). Before the coronavirus pandemic, news cir- country’s business leaders seems widely center. Others have suggested distributing culated about a group in Oregon that gets accepted as a potential solution to a Some Ukrainian commentators worry Communion without using a spoon at all. together for prayer in a private home but unique dire situation. Easing, perhaps, this that the shock caused by the COVID-19 In any event, as one Ukrainian Orthodox hopes for a regularly visiting priest. This acceptance in Ukraine are two recogniz- pandemic, the state’s ineffective response priest has pointed out, the cochlear contro- sounds like the catacomb Church of Soviet ably Ukrainian characteristics of this solu- and fear of more such calamities could gen- versy should not be allowed to degenerate times, minus the fear. If there is a visiting tion. First, state weakness necessitates pri- erate yearnings for authoritarian govern- into a pointless and misconceived argu- priest but no consecrated space, could vate initiatives and solutions at one level ment. But this does not seem possible in ment between “science and religion” the Catholics and Orthodox share churches? or another. From 2014 onward, volunteer Ukrainian conditions. Centrifugal tenden- (Rev. Anthony Perkins, “Evangelism, the One Sunday as I was live streaming the movements at the grass-roots level com- cies run deep, and the dangers stem not coronavirus and Communion,” OrthoAnaly­ liturgy from my parish, I noticed that I had pensated to some extent for state weak- from these tendencies as such, but from tika, March 18, 2020). Faith in the healing never met many of the people whose ness. The business leaders’ response to loss of control over their dynamics, which powers of the Eucharist is perfectly consis- names were popping up in the Comments the current crisis corresponds with a vol- is what Russia aims to set in motion tent with understanding that the spoon window. It seemed that a virtual communi- unteer initiative at a different level. The through a precedent-setting special status used to distribute it could carry the virus. ty was springing up. Someone even wrote other characteristic is its decentralization. in the eastern Donbas. Such issues do not even arise if one stays in from Brazil. Perhaps our global response In line with Ukraine’s traditions of dis- at home. In mid-March, Ukrainian Greek- to a global crisis will help build a global persed power and intense localism (as The article above is reprinted from Catholic Patriarch Sviatoslav decreed that community after all. well as state weakness), the central lead- Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from public health regulations must be obeyed. ership seeks to resolve a national crisis by its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, The faithful were asked not to congregate Andrew Sorokowski can be reached at going directly to the lower level of oblasts. www.jamestown.org. or to engage in other practices that might [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 No. 15 No. 15 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 9

CARES act provides economic relief for small businesses and individuals

by Kristina Rak Brown program to any business concern, 501(c) the lesser of: (i) $10 million or (ii) the bor- en. However, if, prior to June 30, 2020, a (3) nonprofits (including, for example, cer- rower’s average monthly payroll costs for business increases its employee count and Kristina Rak Brown is a corporate lawyer tain religious organizations and museums, the previous one year prior to the loan being employee salaries to levels in effect on with over 20 years of experience. She is cur- subject to affiliation rules discussed below), made times 2.5. (Certain other SBA loans February 15, 2020, adjustments may not be rently practicing as senior counsel at the law certain veterans’ organizations, and certain outstanding, like Economic Injury Disaster required. In other words, the loan forgive- firm of Brown, Moskowitz & Kallen, P.C. in Tribal business that have less than 500 Loans, may be added to (ii).)The amount ness will stand. employees. Sole proprietorships, indepen- covers eight weeks of payroll and certain Summit, N.J. As part of her practice on behalf Is the amount of loan forgiveness sub- dent contractors and certain self-employed additional costs. The eight-week period can of the firm, since the COVID-19 outbreak she ject to interest and is it taxable? has been tracking and writing about the fed- individuals may also qualify. cover any time frame between February 15, 2020, and June 30, 2020. (Seasonal expenses A business will not be responsible for eral funding programs and advising clients What are “affiliation” rules and why are measured differently.) on how to navigate the programs and appli- does it matter? interest accrued during the eight-week cation process. What are the loan terms? period on amount of the loan that is forgiv- We publish this information as a public Typically, when determining the number en. The amount of loan forgiveness is not service to our readers and our community. of employees of a small business concern, The loan term is two years. The interest taxable to the borrower. the SBA takes into account the aggregate is 1.0 percent. The principal amount may number of employees of the applicant, as be prepaid without penalty. PPP loans are When can I apply and what is the On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief application deadline? and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) well as its affiliates (entities that control or not subject to fees. There are no collateral went into effect in the United States. The have the power to control the applicant). or personal guarantee requirements. The Applications were opened on April 3, CARES Act offers several loan and grant pro- Under this metric, applicants who believe loans are 100 percent guaranteed by the 2020. The application deadline is June 30, SBA. Loan payments are deferred for a peri- grams for qualifying small businesses, inde- they are within the requisite threshold for 2020. od of six months to one year from the origi- pendent contractors and self-employed qualifying as a small business may be sur- prised to find out that the scope of the affili- nation date. ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN individuals who are suffering the negative ation rules puts them over the threshold. PROGRAM economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak What are permitted uses for the loan The PPP does away with aggregation for disaster. The two largest programs are the proceeds? The EIDL Program offers direct loans entities that are in the “Accommodation Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the from the federal government. Eligible busi- and Food Services” industries and have Compensation, excluding individual Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) pro- nesses may qualify for loans up to $2 mil- multiple locations each with fewer than employee compensation above $100,000 gram, each of which is administered by the lion with interest at 3.75 percent for for- 500 employees, as well as certain franchis- per year; certain payroll costs; group health Small Business Administration (SBA). Both profit enterprises and 2.75 percent for non- es, and businesses receiving financial assis- care benefits, including paid sick, medical profit organizations. The term of the loan the PPP and the EIDL Program have limited tance from a Small Business Investment or family leave and insurance premiums; may be up to 30 years. Interest is deferred funding and applicants are served on a first- Company (SBIC), a type of privately owned mortgage interest (not principal) pay- come, first-served basis. investment company that is licensed by the ments; rent; utilities; interest on debt for the first 12 months of the loan repay- ment period. The loans may be used to pay FOR SMALL BUSINESSES SBA. In brief, the scope of eligible appli- incurred prior to February 15, 2020. fixed debt, payroll, accounts payable, and cants is bigger and more businesses may be Is there loan forgiveness? THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM eligible to benefit from the PPP. other bills and expenses that cannot be Generally, an amount equal to the total paid as a result of the disaster. There is no What types of businesses can partici- Where can I apply for a PPP loan? pate in the PPP? costs of permitted uses (excluding non- cost to apply or obligation to take the loan, Loans will be made by current SBA lend- mortgage interest) paid during the eight- if approved. There are no pre-payment The SBA already provides loans to “small er banks. To expand the pool of lenders, week period following the origination of penalties. An applicant for an EIDL loan can business concerns.” Depending on your additional banks and financial institutions the loan is subject to loan forgiveness. request an advance on the loan of up to industry, a small business could be defined may apply to be designated as SBA lenders $10,000. as a business with a maximum of 250 What if I lay off employees or reduce in order to facilitate processing and dis- payroll? The key difference between the EIDL employees or a maximum of 1,500 employ- bursement of the PPP loans. Program and the PPP is that the EIDL loans ees within different ranges of revenues. If employees are terminated or payroll are not subject to forgiveness. A small busi- Small business concerns qualify for the PPP. What is the maximum loan amount? decreases by more than 25 percent, adjust- The PPP expands the applicability of the If approved, an applicant may receive ments may be made to the amount forgiv- (Continued on page 14)

broadcast at the Vatican, and we held our fears are conquered by God’s love. The centers, in order to share with you the joy- Let us grasp... Easter baskets before our radio receivers to physical chains of the present time have no ful and life-giving news and to encourage (Continued from page 6) be blessed. No one and nothing can deprive power before the spiritual freedom of faith you to carry your suffering in faith, with a Christians of the joy of Christ’s and spirit, before eternal life, given to us in spirit of self-sacrifice. I especially greet and isolation, the ruin of new methods of com- Resurrection! Families, in which Christians Christ Jesus. In good time He will break bless our doctors and medical staff – all munication and the collapse of world eco- consciously and maturely confront today’s down the doors of quarantine, take away who heroically care for the sick and those nomic systems have become our common challenges, in a special way, demonstrate the fear that lies ready to pounce on us needing assistance in these extraordinary universal chains. As shackles restrict a their character as domestic churches, behind these doors, and He will call on us circumstances. I unite myself spiritually to slave, so have the strict rules of quarantine becoming for its members homes of pro- to proclaim to the world, as once did the all the soldiers at the frontlines and their – the only possible way to fight this deadly foundly intense prayer, blessing, sacrifice apostles, “Christ is Risen!” families, to the wounded, to all refugees disease – suddenly restricted all humanity: and spiritual growth, places of encounter and to those who remain in the occupied They hastened to the light with joy, O airports have ceased to operate, trains have with the living Christ. At the same time, we territories, to all captives and prisoners for Christ, praising the eternal Pascha. stopped running, borders between nations, are discovering new methods of spiritual the sake of their conscience. All of you who having almost receded from our conscious- unity, over which no restrictive measures In celebrating Pascha, we believe and are alone or far from your loved ones, I ness, once again have been reasserted as have any power, for that which unites us is already see that the present pandemic will embrace you with fatherly love. impenetrable iron gates. the one spiritual body of the Church, that is, surely end, and humanity will emerge the May the risen Christ transform this In the midst of this darkness of fear and one hope that belongs to our call – “one better for it, with a sense of solidarity and moment of weeping and pain, universally captivity for contemporary humankind, we Lord, one faith, one baptism” (see Eph. 4:4- unity among us, with a deeper understand- experienced by all humankind, into the pas- have a unique opportunity to grasp anew 5). It is, indeed, in this spirit of hope that ing of the meaning and calling of human life. chal joy of victory over illness and death, what it means to be a Christian. As today we celebrate Pascha and pray for its On this feast, Christ gives us the Light of just as this morning he transformed the Christians, we are those, who in the fulfilment in the restoration and renewal of hope, open to all people without exception. weeping of the Myrrh-bearing women into Mystery of Baptism, have already died to ecclesial and spiritual life. No quarantine, no social distancing, can joy! May he grant us in every moment the this world and have risen together with our In response to the darkness of separa- block our path to him. On the contrary, all of gift of victory over sin, and a rebirth of love Savior! We are the heirs of the apostles, tion and the fear one has of the other, as a us together, those alive today, and those who and hope through an increase in our lives of who saw the Risen One with their own eyes possible carrier of the virus of death, on have departed into eternity, as one People of the divine gift of eternal life, which we all and with their own hands touched his glo- this night we encounter the living risen God, celebrate the joy of victory over death. received in Baptism! I sincerely wish each rified Body, the Body that went from death Christ, who passes through all closed quar- In our affliction and pain, we receive hope of you a blessed Easter feast, a tasty sharing on the cross to eternal life. In these circum- antine doors, in order to encounter us, his and comfort. We have been given eternal of our traditional blessed egg, and a Paschal stances, which temporarily deprived us of disciples: “On the evening of that day, the liberation from our spiritual chains. joy that is full of light. the possibility of fully participating in the first day of the week, the doors being Therefore, let us praise the eternal Pascha! The grace of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, liturgical life of our churches and communi- locked where the disciples were for fear of Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ! On the love of God the Father, and the commu- ties, we rediscovered the importance of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among this bright, joyful day I hasten to each of your nion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. spiritual life in our Christian families, tradi- them and said to them, ‘Peace be with homes, in order to share with you the joy of tionally called domestic churches. you!’” (John 20:19). Fear before all that deliverance given us in the Resurrection. To Christ is Risen! – Truly, He is Risen! Unintentionally, many of us have found our- might be touched by a person’s hand in a all of you, in Ukraine and throughout the + Sviatoslav selves thinking of the time when we cele- time of epidemic, gives way to the hand of world, I send you my sincere prayers and brated Easter in the underground, how we, the living God – the risen Christ, which car- heartfelt greeting. I bless you all: the well and Given in Kyiv at the Patriarchal Cathedral not having the possibility of coming togeth- rying the wounds of the nails reaches out to the sick, the strong and the weak, the young of the Resurrection of Christ, on the day of St. er in church, were joined with the us and reveals to us God’s limitless mercy! and the old, parents and children. Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem, March 31 Eucharistic Christ at divine liturgy being All of our sins and illnesses, pandemics and I hasten also to all hospitals and care (18), 2020 A.D. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 No. 15

The Executive Committee of the Ukrainian National Association and the UNA’s newspapers, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly

extend best wishes for a Happy Easter to the leaders of Ukrainian Churches; Ukrainian organizations; the UNA General Assembly; District Committees; Branches and members; readers of the UNA publications, as well as Ukrainian communities in the diaspora and Ukraine. Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

З НАГОДИ СВЯТА ВОСКРЕСІННЯ, Радісних Свят КРАЙОВА ПЛАСТОВА СТАРШИНА В США вітає Воскресіння Христового Всіх укрaїнців нa рідних землях і в діяспорі, Ієрархів українських церков і духовенство тa Український уряд, родині, приятелям, знайомим, головному урядові УНСоюзу, Проводи Головної Пластової Ради і Головної Булави, працівникам, управам округ Крайову Пластову Старшину в усіх країнах, та відділів де існує Пласт, і всю пластову родину. щиро бажають Нехaй Божa лaскa зійде з небес, Стефан і Святослава Качараї Смaчнa буде Пaскa з родиною Христос Воскрес! Христос Воскрес! Воістину Воскрес! КРАЙОВА ПЛАСТОВА СТАРШИНА США

to family and friends, members of the UNA General Assembly, Branch Secretaries, and all UNA employees.

Yuriy and Nataliya Symczyk with children Victoria and Diana No. 15 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 11 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 No. 15

З Воскресінням Христовим КРАЙОВА УПРАВА СПІЛКИ УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ МОЛОДІ В АМЕРИЦІ вітаємо бажає Ієрархам Українських Церков, Світовій Управі СУМ, всім Управам Осередків та Булавам Відділів Юнацтва СУМ, весь український народ в Україні і діяспорі, членам і прихильникам та Українському Народові в Україні і в діаспорі всіх наших членів та прихильників мирних і радісних Великодніх Свят.

ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС! ВОІСТИНУ ВОСКРЕС! і бажаємо За Крайову Управу СУМ: Адріан Длябога, Голова Оля Тимуш, Секретар ВЕСЕЛИХ СВЯТ

ФЕДЕРАЛЬНА КРЕДИТОВА Христос Воскрес! КООПЕРАТИВА „САМОПОМІЧ“ у Клівленді, Огайо CSFCU з нагоди СВІТЛОГО ХРИСТОВОГО ВОСКРЕСІННЯ в і т а є Український народ у вільній Україні, Ієрархів і Духовенство Українських Церков, Проводи українських організацій в Україні та в діяспорі, Українську світову Кооперативну Раду та Централю Українських Кооператив Америки, всіх своїх членів та все українське громадянство. УКРАЇНСЬКА АМЕРИКАНСЬКА ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС! КООРДИНАЦІЙНА РАДА Дирекція, Комітети 142 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10003 й Працівники Tel.: (212) 505-1765 • Fax: (212) 475-8161

‚ e Ukrainian Catholic University and the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation wish you much happiness during this joyous time. З нагоди ХристосХристосMay the Воскрес! miracleВоскрес! of this Easter Christ Christ season blessis is risen!your risen! Христового Воскресіння Христосheart, Воскрес! your home and Christ those you love!is risen! Екзекутива та Рада Директорів Злученого Українського Американського Допомогового Комітету

шле щирий привіт і святочні побажання Ієрархам і духовенству Українських Церков, нашим добродіям і жертводавцям, членам ЗУАДК-у і всім нашим братам і сестрам по цілому світі. Нехай Всемогучий Господь обдарує всіх щедрими ласками. Христос Воскрес! Воістину Воскрес! Екзекутива ЗУАДК-у

United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Inc. 1206 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111 Tel. 215-728-1630 • Fax. 215-728-1631 e-mail: [email protected] • web site: www.uuarc.org

Небеса Небеса достойно достойнодостойно нехай нехай Visitнехай веселяться, веселяться, веселяться, us at земля земля земля ж ж нехай жнехай нехай радіє,радіє, радіє, нехайнехай святкує святкуєсвяткує увесь увесьувесь видимий видимий видимий світ світ світ і невидимий,і невидимий,і невидимий, Христос Христос Христос бобо бо воскрес — радістьwww.ucef.org вічна! воскресвоскрес — радість— радість вічна! вічна! —— Пасхальна —Пасхальна Пасхальна утреня, утреня, утреня, пісняпісня пісня 11 1

УкраїнськийУкраїнський Католицький КатолицькийКатолицький Університет Університет Університет і Українська і Українськаі Українська Католицька Католицька Католицька ОсвітняОсвітня Освітня Фундація бажають Вам світлих і радісних Великодніх свят. Нехай ФундаціяФундація бажають бажають Вам Вам світлих світлих і радісних і радісних Великодніх Великодніх свят. свят. Нехай Нехай Воскреслий Господь благословляє Ваші серця, Ваш дім та Ваших близьких! ВоскреслийВоскреслий Господь Господь благословляє благословляє Ваші Ваші серця, серця, Ваш Ваш дім дім та Вашихта Ваших близьких! близьких! Завітайте до нас www.ucef.org або телефонуйте 1-773-235-8462 (USA), ЗавітайтеЗавітайте до нас до насwww.ucef.org www.ucef.org або аботелефонуйте телефонуйте 1-773-235-8462 1-773-235-8462 (USA), (USA), 1-866-871-8007 (CANADA) 1-866-871-80071-866-871-8007 (CANADA) (CANADA) No. 15 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 13

21 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT 06109 Tel.: 800-405-4714 • 860-296-4714 • Fax: 860-296-3499

New Britain, CT Branch 270 Broad Street, New Britain, CT 06053 Tel.: 860-801-6095, Fax: 860-801-6120

Westfield, MA 01085 103 North Elm Street, Westfi eld, MA 01085 Tel.: 413-568-4948, Fax: 413-568-4747

Вже дзвони весняні у серці лунають До свят Великодніх приготовляють. Бажаєм безгрішно і радісно жити, Людей поважати і Богу служити. А потім по святах про себе подбайте: Ідіть в Кредитівку та гроші вкладайте. Пенсійний рахунок Вам всім допоможе В достатку прожити – любий із Вас може. ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС!

Запрошуємо Вас і Вашу родину, що мешкають в околицях Ню-Інґланд, завітати до нашої Кредитівки. Дозвольте нам полагодити Ваші фінансові справи. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 No. 15

ployed, low-income families with children, COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Unprecedented... and small and medium-sized enterprises. (Continued from page 1) “It is good that we have already developed the tools and calculated the funding to help work and accompanying children); the Ukrainians. Now we need to move as fast as A Holodomor curriculum success story presence in public places of children under possible so that people get the money and age 14 without their parents; and visiting feel relief,” Mr. Zelenskyy stated parks, public gardens, recreation areas, for- Ukraine’s authorities are also tightening ests, coastal areas, sports and playgrounds restrictions on the border to prevent the (except for the walking of pets by one per- spread of the coronavirus. As of April 7, son and in cases of emergency). This Ukraine’s state border can be crossed only restriction was actively criticized because by motor vehicles and only through 19 walks and jogging are made impossible checkpoints. A total of 115 checkpoints will under the new rules, while the government be temporarily closed, and pedestrian traf- has not closed down pawnshops and fic will be temporarily suspended at 28 churches. checkpoints. There is also a temporary clo- Also forbidden by the new rules is being sure of checkpoints across the state border on the streets without an ID card. “The for international passenger transportation need to carry identification documents will by rail, air and road (i.e., buses). allow for checking whether a person To inform citizens more quickly, the should be in self-isolation or in observa- Ministry of Digital Transformation present- tion,” explained the Cabinet of Ministers in ed a creative solution: users of the Diia a statement released to the public. “It will (Action) mobile application will be able to also enable law enforcement agencies to receive push notifications with the latest apply administrative liability to quarantine information about the coronavirus pan- rules violators.” demic. The first messages were about quar- Moreover, there are rules for home iso- antine rules. “Subsequently, users will lation and observation. The self-isolation receive as push notifications news about regime is monitored by the police, the mili- government decisions, practical advice on tary, the National Guard, employees of pub- how to protect themselves from infection, lic institutions of the Ministry of Health, and more,” the ministry said. The initiative and others. is aimed to help slow down and stop the While the new restrictions sparked a lot spread of the virus in Ukraine. of criticism from civil society – with some “Systematic messaging will allow Diia even calling them anti-constitutional as users to keep abreast of the latest develop- MEDWAY, Mass. – After much effort, the study of the “Forced famine genocide of the they prevent freedom of movement – ments in the quarantine regime,” Minister Ukrainian people, known as the Holodomor” has been included in the Massachusetts President Zelenskyy said he believes these of Digital Transformation Mykhailo framework. Activist Maria Walzer (center) is seen above meeting with Dr. Armand measures are essential in the fight against Fedorov noted. “In this way, the state will Pires, superintendent of Medway High School, who was very receptive of including coronavirus. promote a responsible attitude toward the Holodomor in history courses, and Gabrielle Adams, assistant to the superinten- “Quarantine is what saves us. Because health – one’s own and others’. The push dent. The purpose of the meeting was to promote teaching about the Holodomor in the we have introduced it in time, the spread of messages in the Diia app are intended to school system. Ms. Walzer underscored: “It is incumbent on all of us to contact school coronavirus is not so fast. We see that many promptly provide relevant, up-to-date and districts to make sure the Holodomor is taught.” Ukrainians have a responsible attitude reliable information from the state to towards quarantine, although this is not Ukrainian citizens,” said Mr. Fedorov, who is easy. We must be responsible for the peo- also a deputy prime minister. More than 2 determine their eligibility for state unem- ple and do everything to make their lives million Ukrainian citizens are users of Diia. CARES act... ployment. easier at this time,” Mr. Zelenskyy said after They now have access to a driver’s license Under the CARES Act, individuals may be an online conference call with heads of and vehicle registration certificate on their (Continued from page 9) entitled to receive up to $600 per week in regions and cities. smartphone, as well as a digital student ID. ness can apply under both programs. addition to what is available under state The Ukrainian government is not con- What is foreseen as a minimum of one However, the loan proceeds cannot be used unemployment benefits; and individuals may sidering easing quarantine measures at this and a half months’ quarantine will pro- for the same purposes. be entitled to up to 39 weeks of payments. point. Ukrainians will celebrate the Easter foundly affect the education process. Thus, Refundable tax credits are available for holy days at their homes, as the new the government’s solution is to bring the FOR INDIVIDUALS: INDEPENDENT independent contractors who would have restrictions are designed to prevent school into homes. On April 6, the broad- CONTRACTORS AND SELF-EMPLOYED qualified for coronavirus related paid leave crowds. The World Health Organization has casting of lessons for pupils in grades 5-11 The CARES Act also provides aid to inde- if they were employees. also urged that quarantine measures be was launched on the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MES) YouTube pendent contractors and self-employed Individuals who operate a sole propri- kept in place, the government said. channel, as well as on 14 TV channels and individuals. etorship or as an independent contractor In addition to the health crisis, media resources. On the MES YouTube The CARES Act temporarily expands and eligible self-employed individuals also Ukrainians also face economic troubles, as channel, there are lessons for each class. unemployment insurance to cover individ- may qualify for a PPP loan. most businesses have shut down or have switched to online activity only. Under each video, students find recom- uals who are not traditionally covered, * * * Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported mended homework that is designed to pro- including the self-employed, gig-workers, Updates continue to be issued. Updated that the government has developed pro- vide a review of the subject being taught. independent contractors and workers with and important information, as well as grams of payments to people in the lowest For those pupils who have problems con- irregular work history. It also expands the applications, for the PPP and EIDL pro- income brackets. “Yesterday, we started to necting to the Internet, all lessons are list of allowable criteria for claiming unem- grams can be found at treasury.gov and sba. make additional payments to pensioners broadcast by Ukrainian TV channels ployment compensation to include many gov. Unemployment information is typical- who are over 80 years old. Next week, we It is not only the government of Ukraine reasons related to the COVID-19 public ly available on your state’s website. will send an additional 1,000 hrv [a one- that is searching for solutions amid the health emergency. State unemployment Informa ti­ on about refundable tax credits time payment] to those who have [month- coronavirus crisis. Businesses and entre- offices offer information to help individuals can be found at irs.gov. ly] pensions below 5,000 hrv. And by the preneurs have been active in helping end of April, all such pensioners will have health-care providers fight COVID-19, start- received this money,” Mr. Shmyhal said. ing with the purchase of necessary medical The prime minister noted that in the equipment and ending with help to individ- ПЛЕМ’Я ПЛАСТУНОК near future an appropriate plan for the ual health workers. As of the beginning of gradual loosening of the quarantine mea- April, these donations totalled about 1 bil- „ПЕРШІ СТЕЖІ“ sures will be developed. “In the case of pos- lion hrv. itive dynamics, we will kick start the econo- Such companies as Silpo, Epicenter, повідомляє, що my of Ukraine according to a developed Nova Poshta, Meest, SoftServe, Enzym and plan that will be presented by the govern- EPAM have donated to fight the coronavi- „ДЕННИЙ ТАБІР ПТАШАТ ПРИ ПЛАСТІ“ ment and communicated in detail,” he rus on the local level. First of all, Ukraine explained. needs ventilators and personal protective на Союзівці на рік 2020 In accordance with the instructions of equipment for medical personnel. The the president, the government has classi- hope is that combined private and govern- fied the categories of the population that mental efforts will succeed in fulfilling the ВІДКЛИКАНО! will be assisted. These are: the unem- need for such essential equipment. „Надіємося, що зустрінемося The Ukrainian Weekly на другий рік.“ LIKE on Facebook! No. 15 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 15

talents abroad. She spent time at the Lopatetska is next Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France, an tennis prodigy operation run by Serena Williams’ coach, The Ukrainian presence on the WTA Patrick Mouratoglou. Although she appreci- Tour was alive and well in 2019. Elina ated the quality training at the academy, Svitolina has found her rightful place in the she was grateful to come home and reunite top-10 and Lesia Tsurenko elevated herself with her family. Traveling to tournaments thanks to her best career finish – the final limits the time she gets to spend with her at the 2019 Brisbane International. The sister and coach Leleko. success continues with teenage sensation Due to her young age, Lopatetska is lim- Dayana Yastremska’s rise of over 100 plac- ited in the number of professional tourna- es in the WTA rankings and her first title ments she can play. She recognizes that win, while another teenager, Marta spending lots of time practicing will fill up Kostyuk, made waves by becoming the her schedule, but also realizes there is youngest player to reach a Grand Slam much work ahead to improve even more. third round in over a decade. The work is not only on the courts; it Now add to the above millennial babies involves challenges in off-the-court areas another tennis prodigy in the person of like learning a new language. During her 15-year-old Daria Lopatetska (who went by time at the Mouratoglou Academy, Dasha Lopatetskaya in previous junior Lopatetska was forced to either speak competition), a winner of two ITF titles in English or French. Since her mother one month earlier this year – for a total of enrolled her in an English school when she five titles already to her name. was 4 years old, she chose English. In mid-January, a mere week after win- In time, Lopatetska found that the com- ning the Kidsland Women’s 25k mon language among the players in ITF Tournament in Hong Kong, Lopatetska juniors and tournament interviews was trounced her opponents to take the title at English, and she became more comfortable the Lo’s $25,000 Tournament. Competing ITF with her third language. She converses in and winning two back-to-back senior tour- Daria Lopatetska climbed the rankings with her 2019 performance in Hong Kong. Russian with her coach and Ukrainian with naments was physically and mentally most of her family except, with her sister, demanding, but the pressure did not stop Ukraine’s junior national team. These days, her Hong Kong interview. “Ultimately, it’s who also speaks English. the young lady from reaching the top of her after more than a decade since she first about getting the best out of yourself.” Lopatetska’s promising career start was game. picked up a tennis racket, she claims she She posted 27 wins in her first 30 rewarded with a nomination to Ukraine’s The 5-foot-9 budding tennis star was not cannot imagine a day without tennis. matches on the ITF Circuit despite not mak- World Group tie in Australia in February always the strong athletic type. In her early “Tennis is my life,” she said in a January ing her debut on the circuit until June 2018. 2018, at age 14. She also led her country to years she constantly battled illnesses. At a 2019 interview after a Hong Kong tourna- She quickly won two $15,000 events, enjoy- an appearance in the junior Fed Cup final in very young age, she was advised by doctors ment. “It is more than part of me, it is me. ing herself immensely, with no pressure the fall of 2018. She already has a following to become more active and practice sports. To wake up early every day and hit a tiny playing against girls 10 and 15 years older. in Ukraine and truly enjoys representing Lopatetska’s mother heeded the advice, ball… that’s what I live for.” Her first tournament started in qualifiers – her home country at international tennis trying to enter her little girl into several Her success in early 2019 followed what she was not rated high enough to be in the events. tennis schools in the hope that the sport she described as a disappointing perfor- main draw – and she won. A mature, intelligent 15-year old, the would improve her health. Most of the ten- mance a year earlier. It was not until the Lopatetska tested the waters in her big- youngster looks forward to learning all she nis schools declined to admit Lopatetska, U.S. Open Junior Tennis Championships in gest professional event at the time, a can from her surrounding group of compa- claiming she was not physically fit for such September 2018 that she found her stroke, $60,000 ITF in Saguenay, Canada, where triots. Established Ukrainian tennis star activity. One club took a chance on the frail finishing fourth overall in the competition. she proceeded to upset former Top-100 Svitolina, Tsurenko, Lyudmyla and Nadiia youngster, and Lopatetska took her first Her results in this tournament made her Naomi Broady on the way to the quarterfi- Kichenok are soon to be joined by the next steps into the world of tennis. realize she was good enough to defeat nals. She ultimately suffered her first pro- generation of Kostyuk, Yastremska, The first few years of training had some of the top players. It proved a motiva- level defeat against Canadian Katherine Katarina Zavatska and Lopatetska. Lopatetska barely even picking up a tennis tor to strive for greater achievements. Sebov. These days Lopatetska’s ecstatic to rep- racket, choosing instead to run around the One of the more valuable lessons resent Ukraine in team matches, playing court with a tennis ball in her hand. It Lopatetska learned over the years is to not Yearning with these amazing ladies. Her goal is to wasn’t until the age of 8, after she won a be discouraged or intimidated by other for self-improvement one day, five or 10 years down the road, be tournament, that she began to take her people’s success. The focus should always better than them. sport seriously. be on self-improvement. “There is always In 2018 Lopatetska returned home to In a scant three years, she proved skilled going to be someone better, who is faster, Ukraine to train with childhood coach Ihor Stelmach may be reached at iman@ enough to qualify for a position on stronger, makes better shots,” she said in Denis Leleko after previously honing her sfgsports.com.

Anniversaries... Subscribe to (Continued from page 7) noted above. After all the bird in the title was the “Banderite” and his Ukrainian nationalism was not an insignia but a blem- ish or black mark to the Soviets. Ilyenko’s next project several years later was so care- fully scrutinized by the Soviet censors that at its completion he opined of the later film, “I have created a monster.” His health suf- fered. This year marks not only the 50th anni- versary of this film, but also the 10th anni- versary of Ilyenko’s death. He was recog- nized rightly as a great director and screen- play writer, but unfortunately, too little known and admired for his courage. Go on line, see this film and recognize “White Bird with a Black Insignia” for what it was and Yuriy Ilyenko for who he was. You will not be disappointed. PRINT EDITION for $90 ($80 if you are a UNA member) Please contact our Subscription Department at Askold S. Lozynskyj is an attorney based ONLINE EDITION for $40 [email protected] in New York City. He is a former president of PRINT AND ONLINE for $95 ($85 for UNA’ers). or 973-292-9800 ext. 3040. the Ukrainian World Congress. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 No. 15

tors,” Mr. Avakov told reporters. According recovered, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of one of detachments, which hold the line NEWSBRIEFS to him, Ukrainian doctors from the Ministry reported on April 3. Four Ukrainians recov- in the direction towards Svitlodarsk, a (Continued from page 2) of Health and the Internal Affairs Ministry ered in Japan, two citizens were cured in drone Zastava Bird Eye 400 was downed. will help both Italy and Ukraine. “For us, Italy and Poland, and one in each of Russia has been producing such drones organizations and OSCE monitors.” (U.S. the experience that our doctors will receive Germany, Nigeria and the United Arab since 2012. It costs around $2 million,” the Department of State) is invaluable,” the minister said. He added Emirates, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said JFO said. The drone was passed to experts that the Ukrainian doctors who flew to Italy on Telegram. Currently, 166 Ukrainians are from specialized detachments to check the 100 Ukrainians in Italy’s hospitals are volunteers. Among the Ukrainian medi- being treated for coronavirus abroad: 121 data storage device. “This fact once again Ukrainian doctors, who will work in Italy cal personnel who will perform their work people in Italy, 16 in Greece, four in proves the direct participation of the for two weeks, will receive invaluable expe- in Italy are anesthetists, resuscitators, Germany, Poland and the Dominican Russian armed forces in the war in eastern rience, Ukraine’s Internal Affairs Minister infectious disease specialists, therapists Republic, three in Austria, one each in the Ukraine,” it said. (Interfax Ukraine) and nurses. Mr. Avakov said that protective United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, Nigeria, Arsen Avakov stated on April 4. “Today we Eight Ukrainian MPs have COVID-19 send 20 Ukrainian doctors to Italy. For us, means are fully provided by the Ukrainian Portugal, the Netherlands, the UAE, Russia, this is a very important step. Firstly, it’s side, while Italy provides work and accom- the U.S., Serbia, Seychelles, Thailand, As of April 6, eight cases of COVID-19 humanly and right to help friends. modations. (Interfax Ukraine) Switzerland and Sweden. The ministry did have been confirmed among national depu- not indicate in which countries Ukrainians ties of the Verkhovna Rada, said Oleksandr Secondly, there are a lot of Ukrainians Five Ukrainians die abroad from COVID-19 working in Italy. According to our unofficial had died of the coronavirus, but deaths in Kachura, a member of the Servant of the data, about 100 of them are in Italian hos- Five citizens of Ukraine have died Italy were previously reported and, accord- People faction. “Today, according to the pitals and they are treated by Italian doc- abroad from the coronavirus, while 11 have ing to Ukrainian media, one Ukrainian died results of epidemiological investigations of in France. (Interfax Ukraine) cases of the disease COVID-19, the Fire extinguished near Chornobyl Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine confirmed cases of this disease in the following deputies of Emergency authorities in Ukraine said Ukraine: Vitaliy Bort, Opposition Platform – there are no signs of any fire still burning in For Life; Volodymyr Vatras, Servant of the TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 the uninhabited exclusion zone around the People; Ruslan Horbenko, Servant of the or e-mail [email protected] decommissioned Chornobyl nuclear plant People (recovered); Ihor Kisiliov, Opposition after firefighters mobilized to put out a Platform – For Life; Oleksandr Lukashev, blaze. The country’s State Emergency Opposition Platform – For Life; Serhiy SERVICES PROFESSIONALS Service said early on April 5 that back- Rudyk, independent; Hanna Skorokhod, ground radiation levels were “within nor- independent; and Serhiy Shakhov, Dovira mal limits.” More than 130 firefighters, (recovered),”Mr. Kachura wrote on his three aircraft and 21 vehicles were Telegram channel. (Interfax Ukraine) deployed on April 4 to battle the fire, which was said to have burned around 20 hect- Interpipe, EastOne fight coronavirus ares (50 acres) in the long-vacated area The Ukrainian industrial company near where an explosion at a Soviet nuclear Interpipe and the investment advisory plant in 1986 sent a plume of radioactive group EastOne, with its stakeholders Victor fallout high into the air and across swaths and Elena Pinchuk, have declared an initia- of Europe. Fire and safety crews were said tive to combine the efforts of business and to be inspecting the area overnight on April state authorities to fight COVID-19. This 4-5 to eliminate any threat from sites decision was made following the meeting where there was still smoldering. The SERVICES between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Ukrainian State Emergency Service said and businesses on March 16. The two com- that “as of April 5, 7 a.m., there was no open panies have gotten involved in the estab- fire, only some isolated cells smoldering.” lishment and operation of the Dnipropet­ Officials had earlier shared aerial images of rovsk Oblast Anti-Crisis Headquarters, led white smoke blanketing the area, where it by Governor Oleksandr Bondarenko. said firefighting was complicated by “an Interpipe and EastOne will make a major increased radiation background in individ- contribution to the funding and develop- ual areas of combustion.” There was no ment of the action plan and preventive threat to settlements, the State Emergency measures to fight COVID-19, as well as the OPPORTUNITIES Service said. A number of regions of information campaign among the popula- Ukraine this week have reported brushfires tion regarding these measures. As part of amid unseasonably dry conditions. Fires implementation of this initiative, the com- EARN EXTRA INCOME! are a routine threat in the forested region pany has already donated $2 million (U.S.) The Ukrainian Weekly is looking around the exclusion zone. (RFE/RL’s for state procurement of COVID-19 tests, for advertising sales agents. Ukrainian Service, with additional report- part of which will be supplied to Dnip­ For additional information contact ing by Interfax) ropet ­rovsk Oblast. Additional funds will be Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, Police identify Chornobyl arson suspect provided upon establishment of the The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. region’s primary need plans. The Pinchuks The Kyiv police have identified a man issued the following statement: “A pandem- who allegedly started a mass fire in the ic is everybody’s challenge. And everybody uninhabited exclusion zone around the must fight it. The leadership must adopt KULINSKI MEMORIALS decommissioned Chornobyl nuclear plant measures to protect its citizens. The citi- 809 SOUTH MAIN STREET • MANVILLE, NJ 08835 last week. The police said on April 6 that a zens must behave responsibly. The media TEL. 908-722-3130 FAX 908-253-0027 27-year-old resident of the village of must inform and warn. Doctors must heal. TOLL FREE 800-458-5467 [email protected] Rahivka told investigators that he had set Business must be solidary and provide some garbage and grass on fire “for fun.” financial support. Today, one must not sit • Serving Ukrainian families for over 60 years Police launched a probe into the destruc- idle. We want our country to be prepared to • Over 40 granite colors to choose from tion of forestry – an offense punishable fight the coronavirus.” As previously • Custom etchings with hefty fines or imprisonment for up to reported, the Elena Pinchuk Foundation • House appointments available five years. The man, whose identity was not and the Victor Pinchuk Foundation have disclosed, has not yet been officially bought 10 artificial lung ventilation • Serving the tri-state area charged. Earlier in the day, the State machines for Ukrainian hospitals in • 5 minutes from South Bound Brook, NJ Emergency Service said firefighters and Chernivtsi, Donetsk, Luhansk, Lviv, Odesa, rescue teams continued to put out fires at Volyn and Zakarpattia oblasts, and in the two sites near Rahivka, adding that radia- city of Kyiv. (East One) tion levels in the city of Kyiv and the Kyiv region were within the normal range. The ‘Hero of Labor’ for Crimean bridge total area affected by the fire near Rahivka Russian President Vladimir Putin has was reported as five hectares. (RFE/RL’s awarded his former judo instructor the title Ukrainian Service) “Hero of Labor” for building a controversial Russian drone downed in Donbas bridge from Russia’s southern regions to the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula of Ukrainian servicemen in the Donbas Ukraine. Arkady Rotenberg, a friend of Mr. downed a $2 million drone produced in Putin going back decades when they prac- Russia on April 5. They handed the drone ticed martial arts in their youth, received over to specialists for examination, the the award on March 16, the sixth anniver- press service of the headquarters of the sary of a widely denounced referendum Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said on its Facebook page. “On April 5, thanks to skills (Continued on page 17) No. 15 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 17

“The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine NEWSBRIEFS demands that Russia cancel the call for mili- (Continued from page 16) tary service in Russian-occupied Crimea and ensure the unconditional fulfillment of With a heavy heart we share that was organized by Russia to annex its international obligations as an occupying with family, friends and students the news, Crimea. Mr. Rotenberg’s Stroygazmontazh state,” the ministry said. (Interfax Ukraine) that on April 2, 2020, our loving mother, was the general contractor for the $3.7 bil- grandmother, great-grandmother and teacher lion bridge, which stretches 19 kilometers Ukraine expects explanations from Iran and is the sole link between Crimea and Ukraine expects immediate explanations Russia. The bridge was opened to automo- from Iran concerning a statement by an Alexandra (Lesia) Maria bile traffic in 2018 and rail traffic last year. Iranian parliamentarian saying that the The United States and the European Union Iranian “military forces carried out their Kysilweska Tkacz have condemned Russia’s construction of duties well” in downing a Ukrainian passen- the bridge, calling it a violation of Ukraine’s ger airliner in January, Ukraine’s Deputy passed away at the age of 91. sovereignty and have imposed sanctions on Prime Minister for European and Euro- firms associated with its construction, Atlantic Integration Vadym Prystaiko said. A graveside service at the St. Andrew cemetery in South Bound Brook, including Stroygazmontazh. Mr. Rotenberg “We expect an immediate explanation from NJ, was conducted by the Pastor of St. John the Baptist Church sold the company late last year for 75 bil- #Iran on this deplorable statement. It in Newark, where she was a long-time parishioner. lion rubles ($1 billion) reportedly to com- shows full disrespect for human lives. panies affiliated with the state-owned gas Dozens of families from Iran, Ukraine, giant Gazprom. Mr. Putin had signed an Canada, Sweden, UK & Afghanistan lost Alexandra Kysilewska, daughter of Kost Kysilewskyj and Anastasia order in 2013 establishing a “Hero of their loved ones in the attack against Holinata Kysilewska, was born on September 9, 1928 in Stanislaviv (now Labor” award for Russia to “raise the pres- defenseless civilian aircraft,” Mr. Prystaiko Ivano-Frankivsk), Ukraine. The family moved to Lviv, and after the war tige of selfless and conscientious labor.” The wrote on Twitter on April 7. Hassan were refugees in the Bayreuth camp in Germany. They emigrated to New award had also existed in Soviet times. Norouzi, spokesman for the Iranian parlia- (RFE/RL, with reporting by Kommersant) York in 1949, eventually settling in Newark, New Jersey. Lesia married mentary legal and judicial committee, said Jaroslaw Tkacz in 1951 and had four children: Virlana, Borys, Andrew and Ukraine condemns Russia’s draft in Crimea in an interview with a state-run daily that the Iranian “military forces carried out their Zoriana. She was a devoted teacher of Ukrainian literature and taught at Ukraine has strongly protested the duties well” in downing a Ukraine the School of Ukrainian Studies in Newark and St. George Academy in implementation by Russia of another draft International Airlines aircraft in January, the New York. She received a MA & PhD at the Ukrainian Free University in for military service in Russian-occupied Al Arabiya TV channel reported on its Munich in the 1970s, where she directed the Educational Institute from Crimea, Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry English-language webpage. A Boeing 737- 1988-2006. After the death of Jaroslaw Tkacz, she married Volodymyr said. “Such actions by Russia are a gross vio- 800 of Ukraine International Airlines Kosyk and lived in Paris from 2001-2015. She is the author of several lation of international humanitarian law, crashed in the vicinity of Tehran’s Imam books and numerous articles on the history of Ukrainian Schools and which prohibits Russia, as an occupying Khomeini International Airport soon after guides for teaching Ukrainian Literature. state, from forcing protected persons to takeoff on January 8. None of the 167 pas- serve in its armed or auxiliary forces. It is sengers and nine crewmembers survived She is survived by her: also forbidden to exert pressure and con- the crash. Iranian authorities acknowledged duct propaganda in favor of voluntary entry on January 11 that the Boeing was downed daughters: - Virlana Tkacz into the army, as well as to transfer protect- by the Iranian military by mistake. - Zoriana Siokalo with her husband Peter ed persons outside the occupied territory,” Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh of the sons: - Borys Tkacz with his wife Zenia the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a state- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ - Andrew Tkach with his wife Olena ment released on April 6. The ministry said Aerospace Forces later assumed full respon- grandchildren: - Alexander Tkacz with his wife Madeline sibility for the crash of the Ukrainian plane. military conscription in the context of the - Melanie Siokalo Hagey with her husband Daniel coronavirus pandemic is especially cynical. (Interfax Ukraine) - Nicholas Siokalo - Sebastian Tkach great-grandson: - Hayden Tkacz as well as her greater family in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Russia and Ukraine. May she rest in peace and live long in our memories. Donations may be made in her name to: With deep sorrow we announce The Ukrainian Museum, 222 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003 the passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Aunt or the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. ATANASIA (TANYA) OSADCA née Klym Ділимося сумною вісткою з родиною і знайомими, що відійшла у вічність 21 березня 2020 року on December 29, 2019, at age 93. наша найдорожча Мама, Бабуся і Тета Born January 31, 1926, in Siedlce, Poland. св. п. A renowned pysanka artist, researcher and collector, Анна Бойчук she was awarded the title of Honored Master of Ukrainian Folk Art by President Leonid Kuchma in 2001. з дому Зотовська

She leaves behind: народжена 1 серпня 1928 року на Харківщині в Україні. daughter - Irma with husband Thomas Payne of Toronto, Аня прожила більшість життя в Ню-Йорку, де закінчила навчання в Canada ділянці освіти на Колюмбійському Університеті. Вийшла заміж за Бог- granddaughter - Natalia Payne of New York, New York дана Бойчука, та разом виховали двох синів. Довгі роки працювала grandson - Nicholas Payne of Hudson, New York бібліотекарем. Аня підтримувала улюблені культурні і мистецькі орга- son - Cornel with wife Deborah née Sirko of North нізації в українській громаді. Багато часу присвятила на допомогу сту- Grafton, Massachusetts дентам в їхніх науках. Аня особливо раділа своїми дітьми та внучками. brother - Justyn Klym with family of Toronto, Canada Похоронні відправи відбулися 25 березня в Українській право- extended family in U.S.A., Canada and Ukraine. славній церкві св. Володимира в Ню-Йорку, а похорон відбувся 26 березня на цвинтарі св. Андрія в С. Бавнд-Бруку, Н. Дж. The Divine funeral liturgy was held on January 4, 2020 at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hartford, Connecticut. У глибокому смутку залишилися: Tanya was laid to rest beside her husband Bohdan at St. Michael the син - Юра з дружиною Калиною та доньками Меланією Archangel Cemetery in Glastonbury, Connecticut. і Роксаною син - Роман з дружиною Клер та донькою Елисою ETERNAL MEMORY! ближча і дальша родина в Америці й Україні. ВІЧНАЯ ПАМ’ЯТЬ! Вічна Їй пам’ять! 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 No. 15

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On a positive note, he said: “There are bill” that upon final passage will ensure tions are to take place in Ukraine. Transatlantic... centers of initiatives in civil society who are that banks will be properly monitored and Therefore, civil society must continue to (Continued from page 1) trying now to revive the energy of Maidan, help avoid the harm caused in the past by monitor every single draft law, and there the energy of volunteerism, especially insolvent banks that were a “fiction.” The has to be a strong push from the president, In opening remarks, moderator when it comes to the assistance and aid to risk of Ukraine not cooperating with the Parliament, civil society and the interna- Jonathan Katz (Senior Fellow, German medical staff, to doctors. There is a big rise IMF is now gone, he said, and thanked all tional community to reboot judicial and Marshall Fund) noted that the task force of initiative on the grassroots level to help international and Ukrainian partners that other reforms. was set up in October 2018 to directly con- Ukrainian society to survive under this provided advice and that support And it shouldn’t be forgotten that while nect U.S. policymakers and European poli- pandemic. I hope that civil society will be Ukrainian reforms. we are pushing reforms and fighting the cymakers with their counterparts in Kyiv, able, as it happened in 2014-2015, to mobi- Still, for reforms to succeed, ordinary pandemic, Russia will increase “hybrid and also with Ukrainian civil society and lize itself in order to really contribute to the people, he said, “must believe that working attacks against Ukraine and pro-Western other experts. He also emphasized that it’s countering of the pandemic,” especially and living in Ukraine can be done without Ukrainians,” she added. very important for Ukraine and other coun- since the government and medical system bribes and schemes.” He underscored that Hlib Vyshlinsky (executive director, tries to realize “that in the fog of coronavi- are not well prepared. an extraordinary plan is needed to deal Center for Economic Strategy) discussed rus, backsliding on democracy is not some- Dr. Volodymyr Kurpita (former director with the job losses and high unemployment the economic impact of the coronavirus cri- thing that will be overlooked.” general, Public Health Center, Ministry of that are expected due to the COVID-19 cri- sis on Ukraine. Even if the banking law is He said there is a lot of bipartisan sup- Health of Ukraine) discussed the numerous sis. Along with new investment programs, passed in the second reading and Ukraine port for Ukraine in Washington and a focus challenges that Ukraine’s political leaders ideas must be allowed to “bubble up from is able to secure IMF funding, the decline in on reform efforts, and that it would be a and health-care system are facing in trying the regions,” he said. Mr. Kamelchuk GDP is projected to be about 4-5 percent. mistake to think that “nobody is watching.” to respond to the coronavirus crisis. Among acknowledged that there are rifts within Without IMF support, Ukraine would face a That interest is not only in the U.S., but also the problems he described were shortages Servant of the People, the ruling majority “full financial catastrophe,” he said. This is in the European Union and Brussels, of ventilators and protective equipment for party. And he suggested that, although the why the Ukrainian government had to sig- because “the health, safety, security, eco- medical personnel, as well as a lack of pandemic and immediate need for IMF nal that it would move away from some nomics of countries like Ukraine have a response coordination, with a number of assistance speeded up the passage of the “oligarch-influenced policies,” and that it direct impact” on Europe and the United competing task forces sending mixed sig- legislation, the majority in Parliament would return to implementing reforms and States. “There is still a strong expectation – nals to the population. understood that its adoption was inevita- fulfilling IMF conditionalities that were put even in the most difficult of circumstances Although media coverage has been ble, even without a crisis situation. on hold prior to the outbreak of the COVID- – that President Zelenskyy, the [Verkhovna] extensive, there has been a dominance of Daria Kaleniuk (executive director, Anti- 19 pandemic and its disruption of funding Rada and others will do the right things.” “political messages rather than real advice” Corruption Action Center) welcomed the sources for emerging markets. Ukraine’s In his remarks, Orest Deychakiwsky for people about dealing with COVID-19 passage of the banking and land reform leg- situation is further complicated by major (board vice-chair, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation), health concerns. He said the country is islation and the likely upcoming deal with external debt repayments coming due this said: “Ukraine still has a strong reservoir of waiting for a strategy from Maksym the International Monetary Fund. “IMF year. support in the U.S. The impeachment scan- Stepanov, the new minister of health. Mr. cooperation opens up some leverage for Although the land reform legislation is dal, as damaging as it was, did not erode Stepanov replaced Ilya Yemets, who had pushing for good governance reforms in welcome, its modest pace and scope will longstanding bipartisan support for Ukraine served for only a couple of weeks. Current Ukraine,” she said. Ms. Kaleniuk drew atten- not bring about the massive infusion of in the U.S. Congress and among the national projections indicate that the peak of coro- tion to the fact that President Zelenskyy investment that Ukraine needs to fuel rapid security and foreign policy establishment – navirus cases in Ukraine is expected publicly pushed for this legislation but, due economic growth. There is other disap- especially regarding Ukraine’s struggle around April 24-27. However, additional to defections within his party, he could not pointing news, he continued. During the against ongoing Russian aggression.” foreign technical assistance for modeling have gotten it passed without the support of crisis other reforms will not be a priority, Washington’s focus and massive expendi- the spread of the epidemic in Ukraine Svyatoslav Vakarchuk’s Holos party and there will be a curtailment of privatizations tures on the coronavirus pandemic could would be helpful, he added. Petro Poroshenko’s European Solidarity of state-owned companies and there will negatively impact future foreign assistance Oleksandra Ustinova (member of party. She sees it as a sign that a truly pro- be more talk of employing old “industrial and this “unfortunately could very well Parliament, Holos party) noted that, amidst European coalition is being formed in policies” and “hands-on approaches” that, affect Ukraine notwithstanding that Ukraine the coronavirus crisis and despite opposi- Parliament on which Mr. Zelenskyy will in the case of Ukraine, “just stand for cor- is a relatively high priority with respect to tion from pro-Russian national deputies in need to rely to adopt more reforms. ruption.” After the crisis subsides, in the U.S. foreign policy.” the Verkhovna Rada, the second phase of She expressed dismay about the head of absence of a major change in strategy, He added: “Ukraine needs to continue health-care reforms was implemented on the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak’s Ukraine will be on a slow-growth trajectory along the path of reforms, especially rule of April 1 and expressed hope that “these overtures to representatives of the Donetsk of 3-5 percent annually, “which is not law and the anti-corruption area. There changes are irreversible now.” and Luhansk “people’s republics” in the enough for Ukraine,” he concluded. should be no rollback of reforms and “In the political sphere today, it’s a very Russian-occupied Donbas, the Constitut­ The Transatlantic Task Force on Ukraine COVID should not be used as an excuse to turbulent time,” she said, but a “very strong ional Court’s rejection of Mr. Zelenskyy’s includes The German Marshall Fund of the unnecessarily curtail civil liberties and pro-Ukrainian and pro-Western coalition” efforts at judicial reform, the dismissal of United States, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation’s democracy.” Finally, “serious concerns here has emerged. She said the passage of the reformist Prosecutor General Ryaboshapka, Friends of Ukraine Network Democracy and in the U.S. with last month’s government banking legislation (first reading) and land- rollbacks of investigations (including the Civil Society Task Force, the Reanimation shake-up as well as other signs of stalling market law “clearly showed that pro-Ukrai- case of murdered activist Kateryna Package of Reforms and other NGOs. The reforms may now be somewhat alleviated nian and pro-Western forces have a majori- Handziuk) and the increasing power of TTFU virtual conference titled “Ukraine’s by the Rada’s passage of two historic laws ty in the Parliament.” There had been a lot Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov. Democratic Reforms Hang in the Balance: earlier this week. But it is vital for Ukraine of talk about how pro-Russian forces were Ms. Kaleniuk predicted that oligarch Mr. What is the Way Forward?” can be viewed to keep moving in the right direction.” turning Ukraine away from Western coun- Kolomoisky’s national deputies in the at https://youtu.be/GQ4aw3Ghryc. Speaking from Brussels, Bruno Lete tries back to Russia. And the dismissal of Verkhovna Rada will likely step up attacks (German Marshall Fund) noted that reformist Prosecutor General Ryaboshapka on the president, as will Kolomoisky- Adrian Karmazyn is vice-chair of the U.S.- EU-Ukraine cooperation has been moving and the previous government were seen as owned media like TV Channel 1+1. Mr. Ukraine Foundation’s Friends of Ukraine forward since President Zelenskyy’s elec- a sign of the first steps in that direction. But Zelenskyy’s popularity will likely decrease Network Democracy and Civil Society Task tion a year ago. “The EU lost no time in try- the latest votes showed that oligarch Ihor significantly by October, when local elec- Force. ing to work with the government in pursuit Kolomoisky’s influence may be “overesti- of a broad and ambitious reform agenda mated.” If the banking law is passed in the including, of course, the implementation of second reading “that would show We would like to update everyone on the status of Soyuzivka’s the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement,” Ukrainian dedication and Ukrainian but last month’s dismissal of reformist Parliament’s willingness to cooperate fur- summer camp programs. We have been notified by the Ulster County Prosecutor General Ruslan Ryaboshapka ther with… Western partners.” Health Commissioner that summer camp permits will not be granted and other ministerial changes had sown However, Ms. Ustinova also noted a rise for the time being. some doubts about Kyiv’s intentions. in rhetoric against pro-Western national Soyuzivka plans on applying for our summer camp permit and Ukraine securing a deal with the IMF after deputies and activists, with pro-Russian intends to wait for further guidance from the Ulster County Health forces labeling them “Sorosiata” – a pejora- adoption of the banking and farmland laws Commissioner. At this time Soyuzivka anticipates that we will be able is a key pillar of the EU-Ukraine relation- tive term suggesting they are lackeys of ship and would pave the way for another 1 philanthropist George Soros and the U.S. to hold our summer camps in some capacity. billion euros of assistance from Brussels to State Department. She called this and We will keep everyone informed and updated as to any changes in Kyiv, he explained. efforts to increase the power of law status. Oleksandr Sushko (executive director, enforcement agencies “a very scary thing,” Stay healthy and safe. akin to trends in Russia that began a Renaissance Foundation), participating Soyuzivka Management from Kyiv, said this is an “extraordinary decade ago. She warned that the banking time” with “extraordinary challenges” – and bill could still be derailed by a “flood of that the coronavirus pandemic is affecting amendments.” not only economic stability but also, poten- Talking about the role of civil society, she tially, political stability, keeping in mind the also said that “just as people tried to help ongoing war waged by Russia. Despite the soldiers [in the war effort], people are try- majority that was assembled in Ukraine’s ing to save the lives of health-care workers, Parliament in support of the banking and providing them with everything needed… Soyuzivka Heritage Center farmland market legislation, there is a masks, gloves.” 216 Foordmore Road “strengthening… of those who are trying to Yurii Kamelchuk (national deputy, Kerhonkson, NY 12446 derail the Ukrainian reforms path as well as Servant of the People party) called the www.Soyuzivka.com (845) 626-5641 Ukraine’s European and Western path.” banking legislation that was passed a “good 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 No. 15 LIVE IN NYC? YES, you fill out the census. The more New Yorkers who fill out the census, the more money we get for our: • Schools • Senior Centers • Roads & Bridges • Housing • Jobs • Hospitals

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