INSIDE:  Experts analyze efforts of Ukraine’s new prosecutor – page 3  Congressional delegation meets with Poroshenko – page 4  Special section: Ukrainian Debutante Balls – pages 9-11

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXIII No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 $2.00 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ukraine’s minister of fi nance visits hears testimony on Ukraine policy D.C. to seek assistance for Ukraine Appearing on the first panel were Victoria Nuland, assistant secretary of state Frustration mounts for European and Eurasian affairs; Vice as Obama declines Admiral Frank Pandolfe, director for strate- gic plans and policy for the Joint Staff to provide lethal aid Pentagon; Brian P. McKeon, principal depu- ty undersecretary of defense for policy; and Ukrainian National Information Service Ramin Toloui, assistant secretary of trea- sury for international finance. WASHINGTON – The chairman of the Despite arguing that Ukraine figures Senate Foreign Relations Committee prominently in U.S. strategy in Europe and (SFRC), Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), called recounting the ways in which the U.S. is into session two panels to hear testimony offering economic support to Ukraine, the on President Barack Obama’s policy toward panelists did not say the U.S. is prepared to Ukraine to repel Russian aggression and offer Ukraine military assistance. It was push reform. Word of the president’s state- clear that the administration’s objective is ment in diplomatic channels in February to affect Russian behavior by diplomatic that his administration will not offer mili- means, which includes imposing sanctions tary assistance to Ukraine was the back- that will hurt Russia economically. drop to the March 10 hearing. Initially referring to the crisis in Ukraine In his opening remarks, Chairman as a “conflict” in her opening statement, Corker emphasized “the provision of lethal Yaro Bihun during questioning Assistant Secretary Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko discusses Ukraine’s critical financial and economic assistance aims to increase Ukraine’s Nuland quietly admitted that she is “com- challenges at the Brookings Institution in Washington. defense capabilities in a way that will give fortable with the word” “invasion” to Kyiv the ability to produce conditions on describe Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. by Yaro Bihun talked about them in a packed conference the ground favorable to a genuine peace The administration is waiting for the Minsk room at the Brookings Institution, a leading process. By equipping Ukraine with the accords to be implemented before proceed- WASHINGTON – Ukraine’s new minister of Washington think tank. means to impose a greater military cost on ing to the next steps. According to Ms. finance, Natalie Jaresko, came to Washington Ms. Jaresko stressed that Ukraine wants Russia, the United States will be contribut- Nuland, the U.S. might “roll back sanctions on March 16-17, seeking U.S. assistance in a peaceful solution to its conflict in the ing to a quicker, fairer and more stable set- [against Russia] when the ceasefire [Minsk helping to get her country’s economy work- Donetsk-Luhansk region with Russian- tlement of the conflict.” The administra- 2] is fully implemented.” ing normally during these very difficult and backed separatists, which has killed more tion’s inaction on providing military aid to Mr. McKeon’s testimony to the commit- uncertain times for Ukraine. than 6,000 and wounded more than 15,000 Ukraine, which was likened to U.S. promis- tee emphasized the assistance that the U.S. She discussed her government’s needs soldiers and civilians, and displaced more es of military aid made to Syria in 2013, government has supplied Ukraine in the and plans for recovery with senior officials than 1 million residents. underscored the frustration evident in the of the White House, the Treasury and State hearing room. (Continued on page 5) departments and congressmen, and later (Continued on page 17) McCain and Murphy address overfl ow crowd in Hartford by Alexander Kuzma and Lana Babij HARTFORD, Conn. – An overflow crowd of 400 concerned citizens packed the audi- torium at the Ukrainian National Home in Hartford on Monday, March 9, to hear U.S. Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) share their concerns about the current crisis in Ukraine. The unusual early morning visit drew people from across Connecticut and beyond, including friends from the Baltic and Polish communities and non-affiliated supporters. The event drew a swarm of area reporters, photographers and cameramen. Both senators insisted on more econom- ic and military aid to help Ukraine rebuild its economy and withstand Russia’s inva- sion of Ukraine. “Putin is attempting not just to break Ukraine,” said Sen. Murphy. “He is trying to Christine Melnyk Over 400 community members pack the hall at the Ukrainian National Home in Hartford, Conn., to hear U.S. Sens. Chris (Continued on page 5) Murphy (D-Conn.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) address the current crisis in Ukraine. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 No. 12

ANALYSIS

Putin celebrates first anniversary Rada OKs bill on east’s special status March 14. Officials at the facility where Ms. Savchenko is being kept said they would KYIV – Ukrainian lawmakers have not allow an earlier visit on March 13, approved a draft law to grant special status of seizing Crimea from Ukraine because the doctors did not have the neces- to the rebel-held areas in the country’s east. under the guise of “reinforcing” the Russian sary paperwork from the Russian Foreign by Roger McDermott The Verkhovna Rada approved the bill on Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol. Affairs Ministry. She recently ended a near- Eurasia Daily Monitor March 17. It was part of a package of legisla- In this sense, he takes sole credit for the ly three-month hunger strike to protest tive proposals made by President Petro During a mysterious period of absence entire operation, planned and coordinated what she calls her illegal confinement by Poroshenko and that have been sharply crit- from public view, controversy erupted though the Kremlin; if there ever was a Russia. The Ukrainian doctors recommend- icized by both Russia and the pro-Russian ed to Ms. Savchenko that she should not around Russian President Vladimir Putin Russian “hybrid” approach to modern war- separatists. The text of the bill outlines the sharing his reflections on the annexation of fare, it seems to have emerged in Mr. Putin’s resume her hunger strike. (RFE/RL, with boundaries of particular districts in the reporting by Interfax and TASS) Crimea in 2014, after a trailer for the docu- mind. Mr. Putin also said that Russian spe- areas under pro-Russian separatist control mentary was screened on March 11. By cial services “knew well” the situation in that could be granted special status with Savchenko resumes hunger strike March 15, following the Russian president’s the Ukrainian military due to monitoring limited self-rule. That was a key part of the MOSCOW – Ukrainian military pilot 10-day disappearance from public view, the their communications. ceasefire deal reached in Minsk on February Nadia Savchenko says she has resumed her pre-recorded documentary, “Crimea: the But on the possibility of conflict escala- 12. The bill says rebel-held areas in Donetsk Way Home,” was aired on Rossiya 1. Mr. tion, Mr. Putin said he would have placed hunger strike in a Russian jail and is pre- and Luhansk regions will be granted their pared to die if she is not released. She Putin shed light on the political-military the nuclear forces on alert if things had special status after holding elections in decision to seize Crimea, its timing and the gone badly. The operation, in fact, resulted announced the decision in a letter from accordance with Ukrainian law and under pretrial detention at Moscow’s evaluation of its risks, including his readi- in a relatively smooth seizing of territory international observation. (RFE/RL, with Matrosskaya Tishina jail. “As of March 16, I ness to place Russian nuclear forces on and no outside power tried to intervene; reporting by Interfax, TASS and Reuters) am resuming the hunger strike until I am alert under certain scenarios (Rossiya 1, Mr. Putin’s later reference to the nuclear Russia, separatists criticize bill returned to Ukraine or until the last day of March 15). card seems calculated to be a warning to my life in Russia,” she wrote in the letter In the trailer, Mr. Putin admitted order- the West to tread carefully with Russia in MOSCOW – Russia and pro-Russian sep- posted on Twitter by one of her lawyers, ing the operation to take Crimea following the future and respect its interests (Rossiya aratists in eastern Ukraine have criticized a Mark Feigin. “I have no intention of chang- an all-night emergency meeting held in the 1, March 15). Ukrainian draft law granting the rebel-held ing my decision,” she wrote in a separate Kremlin, on February 22 to consider the Mr. Putin reinforced this message time areas special status. Denis Pushilin, a sepa- letter addressed to her lawyers. Ms. issue of Ukraine’s then-president, Viktor and again during the documentary, saying ratist leader in the Donetsk region, Savchenko, 33, lost about 20 kilograms Yanukovych, fleeing Kyiv. he ordered the placement of K-300P described the bill as “a crude violation” of after being drip-fed on glucose and vita- Ukraine’s current prime minister, Bastian-P coastal defense batteries to be the ceasefire deal reached in Minsk last mins alone during a hunger strike she Arseniy Yatsenyuk, stated in response: “I seen from space, in order to send a mes- month. Russia said the bill raised “serious” began on December 13. She stopped the ask the Ministry of Justice to send this trail- sage: this could only have been meant for concerns. “The way things have developed hunger strike on March 5, citing health con- er to the Hague Tribunal. It is important the United States and the North Atlantic shows that the Ukrainian leadership has cerns. (RFE/RL, with reporting by Agence that the movie in its entirety is also sent to Treaty Organization (NATO) as a signal to chosen the course of rejecting key princi- France-Presse and Interfax) the Hague Tribunal – this film should be of “keep out” (Rossiya 1, March 15). ples of the Minsk process,” Russia’s Foreign 25th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence interest to international prosecutors and The documentary is also intriguing inso- Affairs Ministry said. The text of the bill investigators. It answers the question of far as Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu did says rebel-held areas in Donetsk and VILNIUS – Lithuania has marked the who gave instructions to seize Ukrainian not seem to be enthusiastic about the Luhansk regions will be granted their spe- 25th anniversary of its declaration of inde- territory in Crimea and violations of inter- entire venture. This supports other Russian cial status after holding elections in accor- pendence from the Soviet Union in celebra- national law, and who was responsible” sources, which suggest that Mr. Putin’s dance with Ukrainian law and under inter- tions overshadowed by Moscow’s interven- (Ukraine Today, March 16). “war cabinet” was led by Nikolai Patrushev national observation. It states that armed tion in Ukraine. Lithuanian independence groups and weapons would also have to Although Mr. Putin’s admission was and Sergei Ivanov, who pushed a more leader Vytautas Landsbergis told lawmak- disarm or leave Ukraine. Verkhovna Rada largely unsurprising, Western governments hawkish line over Crimea and the Ukraine ers on March 11 not to take freedom for Chairman Volodymyr Groysman said law- lost no time in highlighting the contradic- crisis (Rossiya 1, March 15; Novaya Gazeta, granted or “our success story may soon makers would vote in the coming week on tions in his statements in the March 15 doc- February 20). become a temporary success story.” the draft law. (RFE/RL, based on reporting Current President Dalia Grybauskaite umentary, which contrasted with his com- Of course, the key problem in Mr. Putin’s by Interfax and Agence France-Presse) urged Lithuanians to show strength and ments around March 4, 2014. The United reflections relates to timing. He stated that courage as “the rattle of the guns is heard” he authorized the operation on February Kingdom’s Embassy in Kyiv, for instance, Ukrainian doctors meet with Savchenko from the east. Lithuania, now a member of noted that in March 2014, Mr. Putin said 22-23. Yet the Kremlin medal for the opera- MOSCOW – Ukrainian physicians who NATO and the European Union, became the the decision on the future status of Crimea tion offers the dates “February 20 to March traveled to Russia to examine jailed first Soviet republic to declare indepen- rested with the local population and the 18”; the latter being the date of the Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko have now dence on March 11, 1990. (RFE/RL, based expression of their will in the referendum Crimean peninsula’s incorporation into the been allowed in to see her. Ms. Savchenko’s on reporting by the Associated Press) that followed on March 16, 2014. By March Russian Federation. This may be explained lawyer, Mark Feigin, confirmed on Twitter 15 of this year, however, Mr. Putin was by a reference to levels of readiness for the that Ukrainian doctors met with her on (Continued on page 14) admitting: “It was on the night of February operation, bringing forward various plans 22… I will not conceal it: I told my col- and options. According to sources in the leagues the situation in Ukraine has Ukrainian General Staff, signs of unusual evolved in such a way that we have to start Russian activity in Crimea had been detect- FOUNDED 1933 work on returning Crimea to being a part of ed as early as mid-January 2014. Russia The Ukrainian Weekly Russia” (Ukraine Today, March 16). does not choose to engage in military oper- Ukrainian bloggers quickly highlighted ations without careful planning and battle- An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., Mr. Putin’s main admissions in the docu- field preparation, suggesting that by a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. mentary: He had personally ordered February 22, 2014, the operational plan- Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. Russian special forces (Spetsnaz) to seize ning was already well advanced – Mr. Putin Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. control of government buildings in Crimea; simply had to approve the operation, which (ISSN — 0273-9348) he authorized the annexation of Crimea; formally began on February 27. The Weekly: UNA: prior to seizing the territory, Russian spe- The February 27 date for the operation Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 cial forces had violated Ukrainian sover- commencing was reinforced by Mr. Shoigu eignty in efforts to rescue Mr. Yanukovych, during a Moscow teleconference with Postmaster, send address changes to: before eventually later succeeding. Mr. Crimean authorities on March 16 of this The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz Putin claims that this “saved” the former year, in which he noted that the profession- 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas president’s life (Ukraine Today, March 16). al holiday for Russian Special Operation P.O. Box 280 Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] Indeed, Mr. Putin stated that he had Forces has been established to mark this moment (Krasnaya Zvezda, March 16). ordered a specific force mix, including The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com Russian military intelligence (GRU) The latest Russian spin on these events Spetsnaz, elite airborne units (VDV) and is far from conclusive. Indeed, although ref- marine infantry, to lead the operation erencing the initial force mix, and going The Ukrainian Weekly, March 22, 2015, No. 12, Vol. LXXXIII some way toward explaining what Copyright © 2015 The Ukrainian Weekly appeared to Kyiv and outsiders as “hybrid” Correction operations, the medal recipients included a The “Book Notes” column in the March wide range of civilians (boxers, military ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA 15 issue gave the incorrect web address veterans, criminals and even members of for the publisher. “And I Was There” is the Russian biker movement Night Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 available online at www.virtualbookworm. Wolves). It gives the impression of a mili- e-mail: [email protected] com. It is also available at Barnes and tary jamboree with one aim: intimidating Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Noble. The information has been corrected e-mail: [email protected] in The Ukrainian Weekly’s online edition. (Continued on page 16) No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 3 New arrests no cause for optimism, experts say by Zenon Zawada nizance by two Kyiv courts, which rejected So, while mid-tier functionaries have nal investigations into Mr. Sakvarelidze’s the procurator general’s request that he be been arrested, criminal charges remain claim, Mr. Doniy pointed out. “Who’s taking KYIV – The Ukrainian government arrested. Meanwhile, a Vinnytsia court floating against Mr. Yanukovych’s inner cir- money in the Procurator General’s Office? If unleashed a new round of criminal investi- imposed house arrest on Ms. Tsarevych cle without any arrests. this information is available, why isn’t it gations and arrests in recent weeks against and Mr. Kytsiuk (who received his electron- Indeed, the speculation that they will investigated and resulting in consequenc- Yanukovych administration functionaries, ic bracelet on March 13). emerge unscathed from their reign of ter- es?” he asked. among them “the three odious judges” – as The fact that judges involved in the most ror was strengthened when four members Despite such revelations, Ukrainian they’ve been widely labeled – who were controversial cases of the Yanukovych era of the entourage learned on March 6 that prosecutors did succeed in filling out the involved in illegal rulings that drew global are being charged with lesser crimes, and the European Union is dropping sanctions, necessary documents to secure the arrest attention. not those involving prominent politicians, consisting of freezes on assets and bank of Mr. Kolobov, the finance minister under They join two other Yanukovych func- indicates Mr. Poroshenko and his close accounts, against them. Mr. Yanukovych, who has been residing tionaries of a higher profile – the former entourage (which includes Mr. Lutsenko) The four are former Presidential since August in his million-dollar home in chair of the Party of Regions parliamentary want to avoid being accused of persecuting Administration deputy chief Andrii the seaside resort town of Altea on the faction, Oleksandr Yefremov, and his depu- the opposition as Mr. Yanukovych had been, Portnov, former Security Service of Ukraine Spanish White Coast. ty, the late Mykhailo Chechetov – in being Mr. Oleshchuk said. (SBU) heads Oleksandr Yakymenko and Spanish police arrested Mr. Kolobov on arrested by Ukrainian authorities in recent “They are trying to show it’s not politi- Ihor Kalinin, and Oleksii Azarov, the son of March 3, a move that wasn’t coordinated weeks. Another high-profile official, former cal, but violations of their oaths and profes- former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. with the other arrests occurring in Kyiv Finance Minister Yurii Kolobov, was arrest- sional responsibilities,” he said. “If they At least one decision on removing sanc- around that time, Mr. Oleshchuk said. The ed by Spanish police on March 3. pursued the high-profile crimes, it could be tions was based on poorly completed docu- challenge that Ukrainian law enforcement At first glance, the efforts of the new argued in a Western institution that the ments submitted by the Procurator authorities now face is his extradition from procurator general, Viktor Shokin, would new government is persecuting its political General’s Office (PGO) of Ukraine under the Spain, which won’t be easy, he said. inspire optimism that President Petro enemies. For instance, Lutsenko was con- leadership of Mr. Yarema, said David “It’s a long procedure and not always Poroshenko is finally punishing the crimes victed, now he leads the president’s parlia- Sakvarelidze, who served as first deputy with the desired effect,” he said, noting that committed under his predecessor after a mentary faction and is using his authority procurator general under former Georgian Mr. Shokin said he has already begun pre- year of inaction. But political experts con- to gain revenge.” President Mikheil Saakashvili and was paring the necessary paperwork for extra- tacted by this correspondent insist the lat- It also shows that the president is more recruited to the PGO in December 2014 dition. “He won’t necessarily be transferred est moves are largely for show and to cool interested in a demonstration for the public (when he gained Ukrainian citizenship). to Ukraine, moreover quickly.” boiling public discontent, and may not even rather than serious punishment for crimi- The documents could have been fudged Mr. Kolobov is the highest Yanukovych lead to punishment. nals, said Mykhailo Basarab, a Kyiv political intentionally, he said. administration official to be arrested thus All the key insiders of the administration consultant. “The government is replacing a “One of the leading individuals in the far, besides Mr. Yefremov. Yet he was only of President Viktor Yanukovych remain at fight with current corrupt officials by target- [Ukrainian] Procurator General’s Office on the periphery of “the family” and is a large, many hiding in the Russian Federation, ing those of the previous regime. That’s sim- said he suspects an investigator took a functionary whose arrest can be added to and some have even begun to get their sanc- ply revenge,” he said. “For the government to bribe of $7 million” to fudge the docu- the category of “high-publicity public rela- ments, he told the 112 television network tions dropped by the European Union. clear the path to reform, it must pursue offi- tions maneuvers,” Mr. Basarab said. in a bombshell revelation on March 8. “Of “They’ve decided to target the most odi- cials currently engaged in corruption.” Another high-profile functionary, Kharkiv course, that’s an embarrassment, and such ous judges as demonstrative examples to An approach similar to that employed City Council Head (Mayor) Hennadii Kernes, people shouldn’t represent your state and show they’re ready to change something, against “the three odious judges” was dem- was issued a notice for his suspected should be subject to concrete measures.” particularly in the judicial branch,” said onstrated by prosecutors in the case of Mr. involvement in kidnapping and torture in The same PGO that claims to be fighting Petro Oleshchuk, a political science lecturer Yefremov, the Luhansk mega-millionaire corruption has yet to announce any crimi- at Taras Shevchenko National University in widely suspected of financing the separatists. (Continued on page 16) Kyiv. “It’s a conscious strategy to select the Yet he was charged only with inciting ethnic most offensive people.” tensions through some public remarks. Indeed, the public was treated to televi- That indicates prosecutors had limited sion footage of one of the arrested judges, time to fulfill an order for a made-for-pub- FOR THE RECORD: One year later Oksana Tsarevych, being instructed by a lic prosecution from the president, Mr. judge to wear an electronic bracelet as part Basarab commented. Instead of investing of her house arrest imposed on March 11. the time and effort, Mr. Poroshenko could – Russia’s occupation of Crimea She and two other judges, Serhii Kytsiuk be more interested in creating the general and Serhii Vovk, were targeted by Mr. impression that politicians are being prose- Shokin just two days after his appointment. cuted, he said. That day, February 12, he submitted an What’s certain is that, after a year of appeal to the Verkhovna Rada to arrest and inaction, the order for all these arrests – hold the three on bail. including “the three odious judges,” Mr. Parliament followed through on his Yefremov and Mr. Chechetov, who commit- request at its March 4 session, a day after ted suicide on February 28 – came from Mr. the Supreme Court of Ukraine also offered Poroshenko directly, said several experts, its approval, and the Higher Qualification including Mr. Basarab. That also means that Commission of Judges heeded Mr. Shokin’s the lack of action by the previous procura- request that they be placed on leave for two tor general, Vitalii Yarema, between June months pending criminal investigations. and February also had the president’s Experts said the three judges were tar- approval, Mr. Basarab added. geted because of their role in the two most “The question is: why hadn’t that hap- noteworthy cases of the Yanukovych pened for a year?” said Oles Doniy, a former administration, in which criminal charges national deputy and director of the Political Graphic posted on Facebook by the U.S. Mission to NATO. (The credit reads: were filed against former Prime Minister Values Research Center in Kyiv. “Why has Produced by U.S. Department of State.) Yulia Tymoshenko and former Internal this happened only when society began to Following is the text of a press statement of international order and drawing the Affairs Minister Yurii Lutsenko. heavily criticize the procurator general and delivered on March 16 by Jen Psaki, spokes- condemnation of free, democratic societ- Ms. Tsarevych and Mr. Kytsiuk partici- president? And why don’t these cases affect person for the U.S. Department of State. ies across the globe. pated in the trial – widely believed to be oligarchs and their financiers, but fall guys Over the last year, the human rights politically motivated – in which the state and bit players?” On this one-year anniversary of the situation in Crimea has deteriorated dra- alleged that Ms. Tymoshenko had orga- The reason it’s taken a year lies in the sham “referendum” in Crimea, held in matically, with mounting repression of nized the 1996 murder of Yevhen Presidential Administration’s sophisticated clear violation of Ukrainian law and the minority communities and faiths, in par- Shcherban, a Donetsk businessman. approach to politics that actively employs Ukrainian Constitution, the United States ticular Crimean Tatars, and systematic Yet the formal charge that Ms. Tsarevych polling organizations and sociological sur- reiterates its condemnation of a vote that denial of fundamental freedoms. Local and Mr. Kytsiuk face – issuing a premeditat- veys, said Mr. Basarab. “They conduct was not voluntary, transparent or demo- residents have been detained, interrogat- ed unjust ruling – involves separate individ- research to learn the public’s attitudes,” he cratic. We do not, nor will we, recognize ed and disappeared, and NGOs and inde- uals in rulings made in January 2014. said. “The president’s performance depends Russia’s attempted annexation and call pendent media have been driven out of Ms. Tsarevych also served alongside Mr. on several key markers, among them the on President Putin to end his country’s the peninsula. These brutalities are unac- Vovk in hearing the state’s abuse of author- punishment of high-ranking officials. Society occupation of Crimea. ceptable, and we call on Russia to stop ity accusations against Mr. Lutsenko, which is demanding this. And when the public sen- A year ago, as covert Russian military further abuses. drew international attention after the timent reached certain levels, the decision forces took control of key government This week, as Russia attempts to vali- European Court of Human Rights ruled his was made for much more active measures.” buildings and infrastructure, the popula- date its cynical and calculated “libera- arrest was illegal. When discontent was rising, the tion of Crimea was forced to go to the tion” of Crimea, we reaffirm that sanc- Yet the formal charge that Mr. Vovk faces Presidential Administration decided Mr. polls facing a false choice of either joining tions related to Crimea will remain in also involves a separate case in which he is Yarema should take as much negativity as Russia or calling for Crimea’s indepen- place as long as the occupation contin- alleged to have premeditatedly issued an possible during his tenure, Mr. Basarab said. dence. Two days later, the Russian ues. The United States continues to sup- unjust ruling in a civil case that deprived a “When the indicator reached the boiling Federation attempted to annex sovereign port Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial rightful owner of his property. point, the president dismissed him and Ukrainian territory, disrupting 70 years integrity and right to self-determination. Mr. Vovk was released on his own recog- released the steam of public dissatisfaction.” 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 No. 12 Congressional delegation meets with Poroshenko KYIV – House of Representatives Russian soldiers. This violence continues Defense Appropriations Subcommittee even after the Minsk ‘ceasefire’ went into Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) effect. In anticipation of further Russian led a bipartisan congressional delegation to efforts to destabilize Ukraine and seize addi- Ukraine that met on March 11 with tional territory, I believe the United States President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine. should approve additional measures to help Delegation members were: Subcommittee Ukraine defend its sovereign territory, Vice-Chair Kay Granger (R-Texas), including the transfer of lethal, defensive Subcommittee Ranking Democratic weapons systems to the Ukrainian military.” Member Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.), John Carter Rep. Israel, in a story published on March (R-Texas), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Rep. 17 in the Daily News, said he is altering his Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Rep. Steve Womack stand and taking issue with the Obama (R-Ark.) and Rep. Steve Israel, (D-N.Y.). administration not giving Kyiv lethal defen- The delegation met with President Petro sive weapons. “It’s a very dangerous situa- Poroshenko and members of his Cabinet. tion, and I fear if we don’t act quickly and Discussions centered on the ongoing con- smartly, [Vladimir] Putin is going to invade flict in eastern Ukraine. The delegation dis- During the congressional delegation’s meeting with Ukraine’s president and ministers the whole country. He’ll control it and move cussed further U.S. military and economic (from left) are: U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, Rep. Steve Womack, Rep. Steve on to other countries. … I believe if we don’t support for Ukraine as it fights Russian- Israel, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Rep. Kay Granger, President Petro act, don’t provide Ukraine with defensive backed separatists and Russian soldiers in Poroshenko, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, Rep. John Carter, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Rep. technologies quick, that Ukraine will be eastern Ukraine. Pete Visclosky, Rep. Ken Calvert, Minister of Finance Natalie Jaresko and Foreign completely controlled by the Russians very Affairs Minister Pavlo Klimkin. President Poroshenko told the members quickly.” of Congress that the Ukrainian nation is Ukrainian understands that we are strug- sage to constituents: “The people and the The delegation’s journey, which was held paying a high price for freedom and inde- gling for freedom and democracy of the government of Ukraine deserve praise for in preparation for the Fiscal Year 2016 pendence, and that Ukrainian warriors are entire European continent and, probably, their courageous defense of their indepen- defense appropriations bill, also took the demonstrating heroism and courage while the entire world,” he said. dence and sovereignty in the face of brutal group to Egypt, Cyprus and the United defending peace in Europe. “Every Rep. Frelinghuysen later noted in a mes- attacks by Russian-armed separatists and Kingdom. Senate Ukraine Caucus meets Kuchma says West too soft with European ambassadors on Russia over Debaltseve century weapons, then today in the Donbas WASHINGTON – Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) Ukraine Caucus along with Rob Portman RFE/RL and the Senate Ukraine Caucus met on (R-Ohio). Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mark there are 21st century weapons and it is abso- March 12 with European Union Ambassador Kirk (R-Ill.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kelly Former Ukrainian President Leonid lutely clear that they are Russian,” he said. to the U.S. David O’Sullivan, as well as Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) Kuchma has criticized the Western He said that if the conflict were in fact a ambassadors and officials from the United also attended the meeting with European response to “crude violations” of a ceasefire civil war, as Russia describes it, “it would Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Germany, envoys. by Russian-backed rebels who ignored the have ended long ago, in August of last year.” Lithuania and Poland to discuss Russian Sen. Portman commented: “The United truce deal to seize the strategic town of Rebel forces appeared close to defeat at aggression in Ukraine. States and our European allies remain uni- Debaltseve in a major offensive. that time, but then the tide turned and the During the meeting, Sen. Durbin raised fied in our support for Ukraine and our goal Kuchma, Kyiv’s representative at sporad- separatists made major gains in an offen- the importance of halting Russian aggres- of deterring Russian aggression. I appreci- ic talks involving Ukraine, Russia, the rebels sive Kyiv and the West said could not have sion in Ukraine and bullying elsewhere in ated the opportunity to hear the perspec- and the Organization for Security and occurred without direct Russian military the region, including the possible provision tives of the diverse group of America’s Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), spoke to support. of defensive weapons to Ukraine. European friends and allies, and will con- RFE/RL in an interview on March 4. Mr. Kuchma said negotiating with the sep- “Ukraine is at a critical moment in its tinue my work to stand up for the He said that after the leaders of France aratists has been very difficult “for one sim- history. I applaud the administration for Ukrainian people.” and Germany brokered a February 12 deal ple reason: they want to have what nobody taking the right step by sending increased Other attendees included the United for a ceasefire and other steps to end the will give them. They declare the Donetsk military aid to Ukraine as they continue to Kingdom’s Ambassador to the U.S. Peter conflict in eastern Ukraine, “the Russians... People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s fight for their freedom,” Sen. Durbin said. Westmacott, French Ambassador to the U.S. continued the war” with a bloody offensive Republic. This is ruled out, you understand.” “An effort allied with Europe against the Gerard Araud, Netherlands Ambassador to in which rebel forces took Debaltseve. Mr. Kuchma said Kyiv was prepared to Kremlin’s overreach and aggression is cru- the U.S. Rudolf Bekink, Lithuanian “I don’t understand the reaction of the transfer substantial powers to Ukraine’s cial. Today’s meeting was productive in this Ambassador to the U.S. Zygimantas Pavilionis, international community – if it is clear and regions, including those in the east, but ongoing dialog and I look forward to more Polish Ambassador to the U.S. Ryszard obvious to the naked eye that a peace trea- would not agree to let the rebel-held territo- constructive conversations in the future.” Schnepf, and German Embassy to the U.S. ty has been crudely violated, and the reac- ries be “independent units within Ukraine.” Sen. Durbin is co-chairman of the Senate Deputy Chief of Mission Philipp Ackermann. tion is: ‘Come on, guys, let’s get along.’ I For Ukraine, Mr. Kuchma said, the most don’t understand such an approach.” important thing is control over the state The “get along” remark was a reference border between the rebel-held areas and to a Soviet-era television cartoon in which a Russia – something that, under the Quotable notes cat – the international community, in Mr. February 12 deal, does not have to be pro- Kuchma’s analogy – is terrorized by a pair vided until the end of this year and is sub- “…The seizure of Debaltseve, the increasing threat of attack on Mariupol and the of aggressive mice and tries in vain to make ject to conditions. continued flooding of Ukraine’s territory with Russian weapons and military person- peace with them. He suggested the separatist leaders are nel raise doubts about Moscow’s inclination to implement the Minsk agreement. If “If we continue to look at what is happen- guided by Russia in negotiations, saying they these activities continue, the response of the West has to be robust with all options ing in the Donbas through the prism of such were “not so much independent politicians” on the table. These can include traditional means of raising the cost for aggression, views, I don’t think we will achieve the end and “do not dictate the rules of conduct.” such as [a] new round of economic sanction, but also new measures – exclusion of goal – and the end goal is peace,” he said. Mr. Kuchma, who carefully balanced Russia from international organizations and SWIFT banking system, and deprivation The conflict has killed more than 6,000 Ukraine between Russia and the West as of the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. people since April, inflicted massive dam- president from July 1994 to January 2005, “Moscow has to be put before a simple choice: either it will comply with interna- age on relations between Russia and said he believes Russian President Vladimir tional law or suffer difficult consequences. In order for good relations to be restored, Ukraine, and driven East-West ties to post- Putin’s chief aim is to keep Ukraine out of Russian forces, mercenaries and arms must leave Ukraine’s territory and the Cold War lows. the European Union and keep its develop- Kremlin must stop its interference in our internal affairs. Restoration of [the] territo- Hostilities have eased since the rebels ment in check. rial integrity of Ukraine must be seen as a logical step in the context of Budapest seized Debaltseve in an advance that Mr. “This is the main thing for Russia – not to Memorandum... Kuchma said left “hundreds of soldiers” dead let Ukraine into the EU, to deny it the oppor- “This also concerns the Ukrainian region of Crimea, which has become the victim on the battlefield, but Kyiv has accused tunity to build a truly thriving economy, to of the initial stage of Russian aggression. Since the unlawful annexation of peninsula it Russia and the separatists of using the truce deny it the opportunity to serve as an exam- has turned into a territory of brutal violations of human rights and abuses of individ- to regroup for potential new attacks. ple for Russia,” the former president stated. ual freedoms. The indigenous population of Crimean Tatars is constantly harassed by Moscow denies it has sent troops and the puppet authorities, while the mere of expression of support for Ukraine is treated weapons to Ukraine to aid the rebels, but Copyright 2015, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted as a crime. We believe that this situation can be resolved only through return of Mr. Kuchma said that “nobody in the world with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ Crimea to Ukraine, and we will not rest until this goal is achieved. …” doubts that professional Russian military Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, – Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Olexander Motsyk, speaking on March 10 at a men are fighting in the Donbas” and that Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see hearing of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee. Russian weapons are being used. http://www.rferl.org/content/kuchma- “If the Ukrainians are fighting with 20th ukraine-russia-cease-fire/26883682.html). No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 5

munity addressed specific issues of inter- McCain and Murphy... est. Dr. Marta Bojko of Yale University urged the senators to support “integrated (Continued from page 1) medical aid” to help soldiers and civilians break Europe, to break the trans-Atlantic recover from injuries and post-traumatic alliance, and if he is not stopped there, then stress. Eugene Babij of Manchester asked we have no idea what the end point will be. the senators to help expedite the $17 bil- We believe that this is one of the greatest lion from the International Monetary Fund threats that the world order has ever that Ukraine needed to stabilize its econo- faced…” my. And Roma Hayda of Fairfield County In December of 2013, Sens. Murphy and asked the senators to help counter Mr. McCain traveled together to Kyiv where Putin’s propaganda machine. they addressed a massive crowd of over During an especially poignant moment 500,000 demonstrators on Independence during the question and answer session, Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosty) at the both senators left the podium to personally height of the national uprising that has greet two young Ukrainian war veterans, since become known as the Euro-Maidan Roman Lutsiuk and Roman Dzivinskyi, who or the “Revolution of Dignity.” are undergoing treatment for wounds they “As long as I live, I will never forget that sustained while fighting Russian troops and incredible sight,” said Sen. Murphy, who separatists in eastern Ukraine – Mr. Lutsiuk expressed deep admiration for the demon- at Yale-New Haven Medical Center and Mr. strators who withstood weeks of sub-zero Dzivinskyi in Philadelphia. The image of temperatures and vicious police attacks to Christine Melnyk Sen. McCain shaking hands with the wheel- demand the restoration of democracy and During the Ukrainian National Information Service’s presentation of its Friend of chair-bound Mr. Lutsiuk was carried along an end to the corrupt regime of Viktor Ukraine Award to Sen. John McCain (from left) are: Alexander Kuzma, chief devel- with front-page stories in the New Haven Yanukovych. opment officer for the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation; Myron Kolinsky, Register and other publications. In explaining his motivation for support- president of the Hartford chapter of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America; As the question-and-answer period ing more aid to Ukraine, Sen. McCain Michael Sawkiw, executive director of the Ukrainian National Information Service; drew to a close, Sen. McCain praised the Sen. McCain; Tamara Olexy, president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of added: “No one could have stood in that Ukrainian-American community of America; and Sen. Chris Murphy. square, as Chris and I have, seeing so many Connecticut for its humanitarian aid efforts people in freezing weather, without doing front row across from a large group of McCain said that the Russians have an unfair and for its advocacy in support of Ukraine. everything we can to help them succeed.” Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox advantage in their assault against Ukraine. Quoting Winston Churchill during the bleak Following a warm welcome by Hartford- clergy. Both senators urged the Obama administra- early days of Hitler’s attacks on Great area community leader and activist Myron The Arizona senator warned that tion to provide the military aid, defensive Britain, McCain told the audience, “You Kolinsky, the forum opened with an invoca- Vladimir Putin is on a mission to restore weapons and intelligence that Ukrainians must never, ever, ever give up!” tion by Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Ukrainian the old Russian Empire. “We have seen this need to defend their sovereignty. At the close of the program, Michael Catholic eparch of Stamford, Conn. The movie before,” he said. Sen. McCain added Sen. Murphy thanked Sen. McCain for Sawkiw Jr., director of the Ukrainian Yevshan Ukrainian Vocal Ensemble then that if Mr. Putin were to invade any of the taking the time out of his schedule to visit National Information Service, and Tamara sang the American and Ukrainian national Baltic countries that would require a direct Connecticut. He praised him as one of a Olexy, the president of the Ukrainian anthems and a musical setting of Taras military response from NATO. small handful of courageous “bridge build- Congress Committee of America and a Shevchenko’s “Zapovit” (Testament) – With tongue in cheek, Sen. McCain ers” in the Republican Party who are not Connecticut native, presented Sen. McCain appropriate both for its solemn tone and to recalled the moment when President afraid to reach out across the aisle to build with a Friend of Ukraine award, similar to note the March 9 birthday of Ukraine’s George W. Bush said he looked into Mr. bipartisan support for important initiatives. one they had bestowed earlier on Sen. greatest national hero, poet and abolitionist. Putin’s eyes and thought he could see into Returning the compliment, Sen. McCain said Murphy and other supporters of Ukraine’s In his introduction, Alexander Kuzma, the the Russian leader’s soul. Sen. McCain that Sen. Murphy was a “worthy successor” freedom. chief development officer of the Ukrainian quipped that he also tried looking into Mr. to his good friend, Connecticut’s retired Sen. The March 9 program received extensive Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF) wel- Putin’s eyes, but all he could see there were Joseph Lieberman. The former presidential coverage in many Connecticut media out- comed both senators and thanked them for the letters “K-G-B.” This received a hearty contender also joked that “if I were as good- lets, including over 20 feature stories in their “impassioned advocacy of human round of applause and laughter from the looking as Chris Murphy, I might be presi- newspapers such as the Hartford Courant, rights and justice for Ukraine.” audience. dent today.” the New Haven Register, the Journal Sen. McCain received a particularly On a more serious note, Sen. McCain The statements by the senators were fol- Inquirer, the Connecticut Post, as well as warm welcome from a large group of warned that the city of Mariupol was next lowed by a lively question-and-answer public radio station WNPR and TV station Ukrainian American veterans sitting in the on Mr. Putin’s agenda for conquest. Sen. period during which members of the com- Fox News Connecticut.

Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member treaty, which did not include provisions for the growing instability in Europe. Senate... of the European Subcommittee, about about the Crimean peninsula. “Why have Ambassador Kornblum said the West is los- (Continued from page 1) when the administration will realize that any hope for peace knowing Putin’s goal (of ing the narrative and thereby world opin- the Minsk 2 ceasefire has failed seemed not honoring the peace accords)?” the sen- ion, while Ambassador Herbst described a past year under the European Reissuance sparse. Having recently met with Ukrainian ator asked. Administration officials stated Russia that he believes wants to have con- Initiative (ERI), which includes $118 mil- national deputies, the senator emphasized that Minsk is a test for Russia and, if it is not trol over the post-Soviet space. Both called lion for the training of Ukrainian security that lethal assistance has merely a symbolic successful, the U.S. (and presumably on the U.S. to be proactive. services and the provision of modern impact, as the war has escalated. Western allies) would impose additional Senate Foreign Relations Committee equipment. An additional $120 million of The Obama administration’s delayed costs. Chairman Corker underscored at the hear- security measures, including communica- response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine The second panel featured John ing that “the refusal of the administration tions equipment, is scheduled for delivery was repeatedly noted. Senators found the Kornblum, former U.S. ambassador to to step up with more robust support for within the next year. Notwithstanding the lack of a response on the part of the admin- Germany, and John Herbst, former U.S. Ukraine and further pressure on Russia is a discussion of inaction, Sec. McKeon men- istration to Russia’s violation of the ambassador to Ukraine. Both faulted Russia blight on U.S. policy.” tioned that officials are “working within Budapest Memorandum of 1994 troubling. inter-agencies in reviewing lethal weapons Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) inquired option.” about U.S. obligations under the Budapest The committee’s ranking member, Sen. Memorandum, to which Assistant Quotable notes Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), sponsor of the Secretary Nuland responded: “It was a “…Unfortunately, President Obama’s stubborn refusal to provide weapons and Ukraine Freedom Support Act (UFSA) political agreement amongst all four signa- other military assistance to Ukraine has only emboldened Russia. Political and eco- passed last December in a unanimous tories that holds no legal binding mea- nomic sanctions have failed to deter Russian incursions into Ukrainian territory, bipartisan show of support in Congress, sures.” Some senators therefore questioned which continue unabated. A growing number of national security experts and law- mentioned a litany of foreign policy experts the administration’s pursuit of a similar makers on both sides of the aisle now agree that providing defensive lethal assis- from former secretaries of state to national deal with Iran when the U.S. would not tance to Ukraine is essential to achieving a political solution to the crisis. security advisors who have publicly called honor its political obligations to Ukraine. “In February, I, along with several of my Senate colleagues, wrote to Secretary John for military assistance to Ukraine. The sen- Sen. Murphy continued by stating “I Kerry urging him to immediately provide defensive weapons to Ukraine, tighten ator proceeded to question the administra- don’t buy that supplying Ukraine [with international sanctions against Russia and consider imposing further penalties such tion officials about why the bill, signed by lethal military assistance] will escalate the as the removal of Russia from the SWIFT financial system. We also need to highlight the president, still had not been imple- war Putin is waging.” the gross human rights abuses that have been committed against Ukrainian civilians, mented by him. Furthermore, a report the An interesting round of questioning fea- thousands of whom have been killed and wounded, and hundreds of thousands dis- administration was required to submit by tured discussion of removing Russia from placed. February 15 has yet to be completed. Sen. the SWIFT financial system. Sen. Cory “This is the gravest security threat that Europe has faced in decades. What is need- Menendez referenced a number of eco- Gardner (R-Colo.) mentioned that there ed now more than ever is American leadership and resolve. Rest assured that I will nomic sanctions that have not been fully should be coordinated efforts with European continue to watch this situation very closely.” imposed, once again ignoring provisions of allies to counter Russian aggression. – Sen. John McCain in a March 9 letter written in response to a member of the the UFSA. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) addressed the Ukrainian American community. Answers to questions posed by Sen. rationale of the Minsk peace process and 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 No. 12

WINDOW ON EURASIA The Ukrainian Weekly Ukrainians aiding Ukraine Putin’s admission on Crimea gives At home and abroad, Ukrainians have been marshalling their forces and uniting to help their homeland and ancestral homeland during this critical time. West ‘unique’ chance to force change Just over a year ago Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of by Paul Goble tion he ordered rather than a free expres- Crimea and thus violated every post-World War II international agreement that had sion of the will of the residents of that established the world’s security structure and international boundaries, and had Vladimir Putin’s acknowledgement that Ukrainian peninsula as he and his minions ensured peace. Then, he invaded Ukraine’s east – all part of his plan to create a he personally decided upon and conducted have insisted on a regular basis over the “Novorossiya” carved out of Ukraine’s territory. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s treasury had a special operation to seize Crimea “opens last year. Indeed, he has “called down fire been plundered by Viktor Yanukovych and company, and its military capabilities a unique and limited-time window of on himself” by his latest statement. decimated. Ukraine’s troops and the volunteer battalions that sprang up lacked opportunities” for the West to bring real Were Western governments to take this essentials at a time when the country was at war, fighting for its very existence. pressure on him, divide his regime and step, Mr. Rabinovich continues, the upper All across Ukraine, citizens reacted by collecting funds and supplies for those force Moscow to change course, according reaches of the Putin regime would divide defending their country against a much larger and well-financed aggressor. A recent to Slava Rabinovich. ever more clearly “into two camps: those story in Stars and Stripes (a news outlet that serves the U.S. military community) The Russian economist and blogger says who cannot avoid responsibility” for what spoke of the sad reality: “…the collection boxes at churches and museums and even that Mr. Putin’s admission of responsibility Mr. Putin ordered under any circumstances on the streets asking for support for troops have been essential. Frequently, troops along with his efforts to hide the role of his and “those who have a chance to deny their are asked to outfit themselves on their way to battle, and families with enough to regime in the murder of Boris Nemtsov involvement” up to and including by orga- spare often will outfit a husband or son and several other members of his unit.” should lead the West to recognize and nizing “a palace coup.” There are countless other initiatives. According to Svoboda, for months, members declare that Mr. Putin is “an international These two groups, he suggests, could be of Plast in Lviv have been making bulletproof vests, ammunition bandoliers and win- criminal and political terrorist” (nv.ua/ called “the twin towers of the Kremlin,” and ter camouflage netting; volunteers of all ages joined this effort begun by the opinion/rabinovich/kogda-putina-obyavy- they would seem to be completely unequal Chornomortsi fraternity and the Chornomorski Khvyli sorority. The citizens’ group at-prestupnikom-i-politicheskim-terroris- in strength. Mr. Putin might appear to have Ukrayinska Halytska Asambleya (Ukrainian Assembly of Halychyna), as noted on tom-38085.html). the military in his corner, but it is a princi- Facebook, is raising funds for the purchase of a drone for one of the volunteer bri- If Western governments did so, Mr. ple of international law that “military per- gades. The New York Times reported that teams of women come together in Rabinovich argues, then Mr. Putin would find sonnel are not required to obey the crimi- Dnipropetrovsk to make dried borsch in Ziploc bags – call them Ukrainian MREs – himself on the list of those subject to arrest nal orders of their commanders.” for soldiers on the front. Meanwhile, others in that city pack various products: and dispatch to the international court, Consequently, were Mr. Putin charged underwear, night-vision scopes, sleeping bags, socks. something that would not only limit his trav- with war crimes, Mr. Rabinovich continues, The Ukrainian diaspora around the globe also sprang into action. el options but would also have a serious “the two towers of the Kremlin” would There have been countless collections of money for funds established by numer- impact on the political pyramid in Moscow. come into serious conflict because both ous organizations, such as the War Victims Fund of the Ukrainian National Women’s As the commentator says, this step would be interested “in the literal sense of League of America or the fund drive organized by Razom. Other noteworthy efforts: would lead to “a legally and politically the word” in protecting their own skins. the Adopt a Wounded Ukrainian Soldier program of the United Ukrainian American interesting collision,” given that it is far In conclusion, he adds the following Relief Committee; the Patriot Defence Program, functioning under the aegis of the from clear to anyone how anyone should observation: This could have in the near Ukrainian World Congress, that provides Combat Lifesaver Training and Improved act in a situation “where one is talking term, but perhaps not for long, a positive First Aid Kits (IFAKs) to Ukraine’s soldiers; a toy drive for children of fallen heroes about a dictator who has established his set of consequences because “one of the organized by the Self-Reliance School of Ukrainian Studies in New York; and con- unconstitutional dictatorship over one- towers knows better than the other that certs performed by artists who have donated their services. eighth of the earth’s surface and has in his politically and economically precisely now Many of our communities in the U.S. have collected supplies to help soldiers and vol- possession nuclear arms.” there is a window of opportunities” that unteer battalions. For example, a “Socks for Ukrainian Soldiers” drive was held at St. But Mr. Putin has opened the way for may soon close if Mr. Putin moves Russia in Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Passaic, N.J. To help some of the 1 million refu- just such charges by his admission that the the direction of “complete geopolitical and gees from the war zone in Ukraine, there was a clothes drive in our neighborhood, at Anschluss of Crimea was a special opera- domestic economic chaos.” the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey. The contributions of goods from the local community, including a non-Ukrainian parish, overwhelmed organizers – so much so that the estimated costs for shipment of the humanitarian aid increased fourfold (thankfully, community members chipped in to cover expenses). Murderers of opposition figures rarely caught, These and so many other endeavors surely are deserving of our admiration, and our support. Let’s all do what we can to help Ukraine and its people at this time of need. those behind them are almost never caught

by Paul Goble tive journalist Dmitry Kholodov has not been solved. In the increasingly Orwellian world that - is Vladimir Putin’s Russia, one in which the pher and activist Galina Starovoitova and March Turning the pages back... lie is the truth, it is important to remember investigative• For 16 years, journalist the murders Larisa Yudinaof ethnogra have that “with rare exceptions,” the murders of not been solved. “In both cases,” Mr. Twenty years ago, on March 29, 1995, the Russian Consulate those the authorities don’t like are not Vishnevsky writes, “those who carried out 29 in Crimea closed its doors following a demand from the solved. “Sometimes, those who carried out the murders have been convicted, but those Ukrainian government. The request was delivered via diplomatic the murders are found, but those who who ordered the killings have not been 1995 note from Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to its Russian ordered them almost never,” Boris named.” counterpart on March 24, 1995. Vishnevsky says. Ukraine’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Borys Tarasyuk said While one would like to believe that and journalist Yuri Shchekhochikina has the Russian diplomats at the Russian Consulate in Symferopol were handling requests for those who killed Boris Nemtsov have now not• beenFor 12 solved. years, the murder of lawmaker Russian citizenship rather than offering services to Russian citizens on the peninsula. been arrested and that they will name “According to the Vienna Convention [on diplomatic activity], consulates should pro- those who ordered them to do so, the “the murder of Paul Khlebnikov,” the vide services to citizens of the country which they represent,” Mr. Tarasyuk said during a Yabloko deputy in St. Petersburg’s legisla- American• For 10 journalistyears, Mr. Vishnevskywho worked continues, on cor- weekly meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv on March 28, 1995. tive assembly says, one can do so only with ruption in Moscow, “has not been solved.” Simultaneously, there was a row between Symferopol and Kyiv regarding the Crimean difficulty given the record (echo.msk.ru/ Parliament’s adoption of a Constitution and other laws that were out of line with Ukraine’s blog/boris_vis/1507274-echo/). Anna Politkovskaya has remained Constitution and laws. New elections for Crimea were called by Ukraine’s Parliament on He enumerates some of these cases and unsolved,• For nine with years, the the triggermen murder of convictedjournalist June 25, 1995. It was decided that the election would be conducted according to Ukrainian concludes that the current one is unlikely but those who ordered them to kill not laws and practices, and that the people of deported nations living in the Crimea (Crimean to be different: named. Moreover, Mr. Vishnevsky says, as Tatars, Bulgarians and Germans) have a quota in the local elections. - in the case of the Nemtsov murder, pro- Dmytro Stepaniuk, a national deputy from Dnipropetrovsk, traveled to Symferopol as Kremlin types described her murder as “a part of a fact-finding mission following the banning of the illegal Crimean Constitution. Mr. • For 20 years, the murder of investiga provocation against the regime.” Stepaniuk told lawmakers that he was aware of a secret letter from Crimean President Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia Yuri Meshkov to Russian Federation President Boris Yeltsin and the Russian Duma, asking human rights activist Natalya Estemirova who has served in various capacities in the for an increase in the number of Russian troops on the peninsula. has• not And, been for solved five years,either. the murder of U.S. State Department, the Central Criticizing the ouster of the prime minister of Crimea, Anatoliy Franchuk, as a “political That record does not inspire confidence action,” Mr. Stepaniuk said that 55 deputies out of the 98-member Crimean Parliament Intelligence Agency and the International about the current “investigation,” Mr. Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice had no intention of working constructively within the framework of Ukrainian legislation Vishnevsky says. Moreover, the situation of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio and that most of the deputies were working in a destructive manner. “Their low-level pro- now is even worse than it was at the time of Liberty and the Carnegie Endowment for fessionalism does not allow them to work for the benefit of either Ukraine or Russia,” he some of these earlier cases. It is “impermis- International Peace. Mr. Goble writes a blog added. sible not to remember history,” he notes. called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- In 1905, the Union of the Russian People Source: “Russian Consulate in the Crimea closes its doors” and “Ukraine seeks restoration woneurasia2.blogspot.com/). The articles of Crimean PM,” by Marta Kolomayets, The Ukrainian Weekly, April 2, 1995. above are reprinted with permission. (Continued on page 12) No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 7

NEWS AND VIEWS Andriy Parubiy visits Washington by Borys Potapenko The Ad Hoc Committee for Ukraine was instrumental in facilitating the public meet- Andriy Parubiy, first vice-chairman of ings and interviews, and helped in arrang- the Parliament of Ukraine, conducted an ing a number of meetings in Congress. The official visit to Washington on February U.S. Embassy in Kyiv and Ukraine’s 23-26. Mr. Parubiy is past secretary of the Embassy in Washington were responsible National Security and Defense Council of for the official meetings, including with the Ukraine and commander of Maidan Self- executive branch. Defense forces. As readers may recall, the Ad Hoc Oleksiy Skrypnyk, vice-chairman of the Committee for Ukraine was established in parliamentary Committee on Science and September 2014 to better unify efforts to Education, who was in Washington at the advocate on behalf of the Ukraine Freedom time, joined Mr. Parubiy at a number of Support Act and for the establishment of meetings in Congress. Also, at several con- the SUC. Subsequently, the committee has ferences and roundtables hosted by been working to assure implementation of Washington think tanks and universities the act and to expand membership in SUC. where Mr. Parubiy was the featured speak- Representatives of the Ad Hoc Committee er, a number of experts from Ukraine par- for Ukraine, Mykola Hryckowian, Marta At a meeting with members of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus (from left) are: ticipated, among them Mr. Skrypnyk; Farion and Borys Potapenko, organized Ambassador Olexander Motsyk, Andriy Parubiy, Oleksiy Skrypnyk, and Reps. Roman Mashkovets and Stanislav and participated in the meetings of experts Marcy Kaptur, Michael Fitzpatrick and Sander Levin. Bondarenko, both former officers in the from Ukraine with the senior advisers of defense forces of Ukraine and senior fel- SUC, CUC and Senate Foreign Relations nation that survived the Holodomor and Putin came to power. It is understood that lows at the Center for Defense Reform; Committee. They also organized and partic- other crimes against humanity of the Stalin Mr. Putin’s tactic is to create distrust among Vasyl Filipchuk, chairman of the ipated in Mr. Parubiy’s public appearances era and all Communist regimes. This is why the people in their government, to destroy International Center for Policy Studies; and talks, as well as interviews with major Ukrainians are prepared to do whatever it social cohesion and then to impose his own Mykhailo Honchar, president of Strategy newspapers. takes and make every sacrifice to preserve order. This was the role Mr. Yanukovych XXI Center of Global Studies; and Anatoli A major issue at all venues was the ques- their independence. For only within a truly played under the direction of Mr. Putin. Pinchuk of Ukraine Strategy Institute. tion of providing military assistance, includ- independent country can the very existence At all appearances at Washington think Mr. Parubiy’s official meetings were held ing lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine. of the Ukrainian nation be safeguarded. tanks, academic forums and in Congress, with members of the newly established At the outset, Mr. Parubiy provided an Therefore, removing Mr. Putin’s puppet, Mr. Parubiy, the other representatives from Senate Ukraine Caucus (SUC) and with the effective presentation from a unique per- Mr. Yanukovych and his dictatorial regime, Ukraine and, significantly, all high-level par- co-chairs of the Congressional Ukrainian spective as one of the principal leaders of became an absolute necessity to secure the ticipants from the U.S., expressed the need Caucus (CUC) in the House of Representatives. the Euro-Maidan – the “Revolution of independent statehood of Ukraine. Today, to impose more severe sanctions against Mr. Parubiy also held separate meetings Dignity” – and as secretary of the National Ukrainian defense forces, the army and vol- Russia – especially its oligarchs and the with Rep. John Boehner, speaker of the Security and Defense Council during the unteer battalions, are fighting not only for banking system. However, the greatest con- House, and Sens. John McCain and Jack Reed, transitional government and the first Ukraine, but also for the civilized world. If sensus was on the necessity of providing chair and ranking member, respectively, of months of the presidency of Petro Mr. Putin were to take Ukraine then other Ukraine defensive lethal weapons to coun- the Senate Armed Services Committee. He Poroshenko, as well as from his vantage countries would be next, including mem- ter Russia’s aggression. held high-level official meetings at the point as the current first vice-chair of the bers of NATO. Mr. Putin has thrown down Mr. Parubiy emphasized that, irrespec- Department of Defense, Department of Verkhovna Rada. the gauntlet and challenged international tive of what the West will do on the issue of State and the National Security Council. Mr. He recalled that on the day the Maidan norms. He is doing everything he can to providing weapons to Ukrainian defense Parubiy also had interviews with the edito- was covered in blood, Russia began its divide the Euro-Atlantic community, sepa- forces, Ukrainians will continue to fight for rial board of The Washington Post and with armed aggression against Ukraine in rate the U.S. from Europe and break the their country. The tragic history of Ukraine the Wall Street Journal. Crimea. He also noted that Russia’s war unity of the West. makes clear that without their own inde- National Deputy Skrypnyk and a group against Ukraine had begun long before the However, Ukraine must not only fight pendent state, Ukrainians will be an object of experts from Ukraine met separately Euro-Maidan protest; employed as weapons the invading Russian army, it also must for political and physical annihilation as a with senior advisers to the members of the were disinformation, energy, the economy, also, simultaneously, restore its economy nation by Russia. This is why Ukrainians Senate Ukraine Caucus and the corruption and sedition with the goal of and implement reforms at all levels of gov- will not, and cannot, settle for anything less Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. Together undermining the government and making ernance. This is akin to making major than full national independence on its with Mr. Parubiy they participated in con- Kyiv subservient to the will of the Kremlin. repairs to an airplane while it is in flight. internationally recognized sovereign terri- ferences and roundtables hosted by the Ukrainians understood that signing the During the Yanukovych dictatorship, Mr. tory. The question of military aid is not a National Democratic Institute, Brookings Association Agreement with the European Putin’s agents operated freely at all levels of deciding factor, because Ukrainians will Institute, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, Center Union was the only way to join the West and government. The new government began continue to fight. The Maidan was a water- for U.S.-Ukrainian Relations, U.S.-Ukraine defend the country against aggression from to govern only several months ago and is shed in the history of the country that for- Business Council, Jamestown Foundation, Moscow. Ukrainians understood that working under extreme pressure. Reform ever closes any possibility of the nation Georgetown University and American Ukraine was the lynch pin for restoring the of the military, the Defense Ministry and returning to the past. Foreign Policy Council. empire Vladimir Putin seeks. Ukraine is a the military-industrial complex is only Speakers agreed that President beginning. At the same time, reforms in all Poroshenko signed the Minsk 2 agreement other areas of governance, including in the because of intense pressure, including eco- LETTER TO THE EDITOR judiciary, also are under way. New legisla- nomic, by Germany and France. There also tion is being acted upon to assure full trans- was agreement that the U.S. must assert As a national security priority for the parency of government operations. Despite leadership among its allies to unify support U.S., $1 billion a year is not a great deal of all of the difficulties and continuing aggres- for Ukraine and to prevent the restoration Re: Fedynsky column money. During the first six months of sion from Moscow, the country was able to of Russian hegemony. Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIL, successfully conduct presidential and par- The newly formed Senate Ukraine Caucus on Ohio’s 9th District the U.S. spent $1.5 billion. liamentary elections. A coalition of 300 was an important factor in the visit by Mr. Dear Editor: It bears repeating that Ukraine gave up democratic national deputies has been Parubiy, as were the hearings on Ukraine at formed in the Verkhovna Rada and a new the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Andrew Fedynsky, in his “Perspectives” its nuclear weapons in 1994 in return for assurances of sovereignty and territorial government has been established. The that took place the same week. column of March 1, rallies around yet president, the prime minister and the Together, the Congressional Ukrainian another member of Congress as an essen- integrity from several other nations, including the United States. Cabinet of Ministers are hard at work. Caucus in the House of Representatives and tial contributor in the struggle for a free However, the old guard of the former the Senate Ukraine Caucus are important in Ukraine. Mr. Fedynsky also neglects to address Ukrainian complicity in the current crisis. regime has not been fully defeated. Mr. mobilizing congressional support, in lobby- The contributions cited by Mr. Fedynsky Yanukovych’s people have not disappeared. ing the White House and in keeping are overrated. Over 12 million people in Ukraine, near- ly 49 percent of the electorate, voted for This is why removing them from the Ukraine in the forefront of the American What’s important for Ukraine is to push bureaucracies of all government structures public’s attention. Therefore, it is impera- Viktor Yanukovych in the Ukrainian presi- back Vladimir Putin’s adventure. Russian and agencies is an essential condition for tive for the Ukrainian American community dential election of 2010. casualties are a vulnerability for Mr. Putin. consolidating the nation-state. to further unite and coordinate activities to Ukraine has yet to demonstrate that its He is burying his dead in secret. More casu- The military component is only one part achieve our collective goals. elected officials are committed to the rule alties make that harder to do. of Mr. Putin’s war in Ukraine. There also is a of law by avoiding corruptible influences. Rep. Marcy Kaptur and other members of vicious war of disinformation designed to Borys Potapenko is chair of the Legislative There are things that Ukrainians need to do Congress should urge the Obama adminis- breed chaos, confusion, divisions in society Subcommittee of the Ad Hoc Committee for for themselves, if there is to be an indepen- tration to provide $1 billion in defensive and suspicions. Destabilizing society and all Ukraine and vice-president of the dent Ukraine, governed by the rule of law. arms to Ukraine, including lethal equipment. state institutions, and sowing disaffection International Council in Support of Ukraine. The purpose is to deter further aggression Eugene Apostoluk in the nation – this is the method of the FSB Marta Farion and Mykola Hryckowian and to stabilize the situation in Ukraine. Parma, Ohio against Ukraine from the very first day Mr. contributed to this article. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 No. 12 No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 9

Chicago hosts UMANA Illinois Charity Debutante Ball by Maria Hrycelak CHICAGO – The Illinois Branch of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA-Illinois) hosted the 54th traditional annual Banquet and Charity Ball with Presentation of Debutantes on February 14 at Chicago’s historic Palmer House in the heart of the downtown “Loop” area. Although the weather was very cold, the snow held off falling until the following morning. Planning and preparation for this annual event began months ago, leading to a memorable and successful event for all. In November, the debutantes attend- ed a mother-daughter luncheon, where they began planning the details of their debut. The 2015 Debutante Ball took place on Valentine’s Day, and fittingly the ballroom was decorated with alternating center- pieces filled with red roses. Guests and friends greeted each other warmly throughout the cocktail hour. Over 320 participants were seated in the stunning- ly ornate and elegantly decorated ball- room. In addition, over 150 guests lined the balcony to view the presentation. Maksym Prokopiv Photography The debutantes, on the arms of their Debutantes and their escorts (from left): Larissa Masnyk, Roman Kowalchuk, Julianna Popowycz, Alexander Zelez, Oriana parents, opened the formal program Jastrembsky, Peter Jerzewski, Deanna Charkewycz, Orian Shkrobut, Mikaela Senycia and Maksym Hryhorczuk. with a grand entrance into the ballroom. debutantes, their parents, escorts and Dr. Arkadiush Byskosh, president of guests, who came from all over the UMANA-Illinois, presented the five debu- United States and Canada for this chari- tantes to Chicago’s Ukrainian community. ty ball. He thanked them for their con- The debutantes bowed charmingly and tinuing support and participation. gracefully as they were introduced, along Roxana Charkewycz, speaking on with their proud parents and escorts. The debutantes were from the Illinois behalf of the proud parents, warmly area, as well as from Rhode Island. The addressed their daughters, the debu- young ladies and their escorts began tantes, wishing them well in their future practicing their opening waltz months in endeavors both in their Ukrainian and advance, performing an intricate and American community lives. All five deb- beautiful dance program under the utantes spoke next, thanking their par- expert choreography of Roxana Dykyj- ents for their unwavering support and Pylypczak with help from Adriana love, as well as expressing gratitude to Striltschuk-Karawan. the sponsors and guests for their contri- The debutantes, in their flowing bution to the memorable evening. Each white gowns and holding their pink debutante then presented her mother bouquets, danced elegantly and effort- with a rose in appreciation for her hard lessly to the sounds of Strauss waltzes, work and commitment. first with their fathers and then with More than 200 guests, both young their escorts. Dr. Byskosh welcomed the and old, arrived after dinner, and Debutantes and escorts perform an intricate waltz. danced the night away to the sounds of Chicago’s Klopit band. Later in the eve- ning the guests, debutantes and escorts all participated in the anticipated tradi- tional folk dance, the kolomyika. The debutantes were seen on the dance floor performing beautifully choreo- graphed kolomyika moves that lasted close to an hour. The debutantes and their families celebrated well into the night amidst fine music and friends. Traditionally, debutante balls help raise funds for charity. This year, the proceeds from this ball will benefit the UMANA Foundation’s UMANIKINs Project. The success of this fund-raiser was unprecedented. The UMANIKINs Project will allow the foundation to sup- ply trauma manikins for use in advanced life support and combat casu- alty training classes in Ukraine. The 2015 organizing committee included many volunteers. Special thanks were expressed to Dr. Byskosh, Dr. Diana Iwanik, Marta Kozbur and Larissa Matusiak. Their dedicated efforts resulted in an imposing and enjoyable event for all involved. All are invited for the next UMANA- Illinois debutante ball on January 23, Debutantes enjoy their special evening. 2016. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 No. 12

UAYA celebrates 51st annual Debutante Ball by Yulia Horbachevsky PARSIPPANY, N.J. – On February 14, the Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA) hosted its 51st annual Debutante Ball. Five young women made their debut before a ballroom of friends, family and guests. This ball, held under the auspices of the UAYA National Executive, is a longstanding tradition among the UAYA community of the Northeast. The debutante ball has its roots in European court custom, as young women were introduced to adult society on their 16th birthday. This tradition came to the United States in the 19th century and in the 20th century, various Ukrainian American organizations began to organize their own balls. This year’s debutantes joined a group of almost 800 others who have previously participated in this rite of passage. The evening began with a cocktail hour before guests were ushered into the ball- room for the presentation. Natalka Horbachevsky, co-chairwoman of the orga- nizing committee, welcomed the guests to the formal portion of the evening. The presentation of debutantes this year was arranged by UAYA members Yuriy Symczyk and Ulana Blahy, who served as master and mistress of ceremonies. As the guests looked on, Mr. Symczyk and Ms. Blahy introduced the debutantes one by one. Each girl, in a long white gown and elbow-length gloves, walked to the back of the dance floor, greeting her parents and receiving her bouquet. Then, met by her YCP Studio chosen escort in white tie attire, the debu- The 2015 Ukrainian American Youth Association debutantes, escorts and organizing committee. tante turned and slowly circled the floor before the guests as the emcees read out After the presentation, Yuriy Mykytyn, The last portion of the formal program The event had the generous support of her academic accomplishments, activities president of the UAYA National Executive, was the beautiful waltz, performed by the sponsors, including the SUMA Federal and hobbies, highlighting in particular her welcomed everyone to the celebratory occa- debutantes and their escorts, choreo- Credit Union in Yonkers, Ukrainian National involvement in UAYA and the Ukrainian sion. Speaking to the debutantes directly, Mr. graphed by Hryhoriy Momot. Following Federal Credit Union, Yonkers Dim-SUMA American community. Each debutante then Mykytyn encouraged their continued partic- this, the debutantes’ fathers took their and Self Reliance (N.Y.) Federal Credit curtsied before the crowd, ending her inde- ipation in UAYA, particularly encouraging daughters to dance, marking the end of the Union. The committee also thanked the pendent presentation and signifying her them to support Ukraine in its fight for free- presentation itself. After a prayer led by the various volunteers who helped orchestrate official debut. dom and to emulate the ideals of bravery, Rev. Vasyl Patera, the guests then sat down this event and without whose support the This year’s debutantes were: Brianna dignity and love of Ukrainian patriot Nadiya for dinner. Dinner was accompanied by evening would not have been possible. Andrach (UAYA branch in Passaic, N.J.), Savchenko in their daily lives. piano music provided by Andrij Stasiw. The Debutante Ball organizing commit- escorted by Alex Bihuniak; Tatiana Next, Inna Lemyzhanska read the oath The “zabava” began after dinner and the tee for 2015 was composed of Ms. Blahy- Barankewicz (Yonkers, N.Y.), escorted by that is read every year by a selected debu- bands Hrim and Zvook, from New York and Tatarenko (co-chair), Olia Figol, Daria Andrew Hrubiy; Olena Kocur (Yonkers), tante, noting, as Mr. Mykytyn did, the Montreal, respectively, traded off playing and Horbachevsky, Natalka Horbachevsky (co- escorted by Andrew Andrach; Inna importance of supporting men and women kept the crowd dancing non-stop. The kolo- chair), Katia Kucyna, Myron Pryjmak and Lemyzhanska (Yonkers), escorted by Michael of the Ukrainian armed forces and of using miyka, as usual, was one of the highlights of Olya Zahnijnyj. Kuzemczak; and Christine Podberezniak Ms. Savchenko as a role model in their daily the evening, and the dance floor stayed Next year’s ball will take place on (Passaic), escorted by Christian Andrach. lives. packed until the early hours of the morning. February 6, 2016.

During the waltz, choreographed by Hryhoriy Momot. The calm before the presentation. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 11

Plast debutantes presented at ball in Whippany, N.J.

Dan Bitcon/Bitcon Productions Plast debutantes (from left): Alexa Czartorysky, Lexi Hamilton, Olenka Hladky, Dara Klemik, Ruta Odulak, Marta Penkalskyj, Natalia Tsuvanyk, Olenka Tytla and Katia Woloszyn.

by Natalia Bilash guests as she was escorted through the The debutantes in their flowing white After dinner, more guests arrived and center of the ballroom. gowns danced gracefully with their escorts danced the night away to the music of WHIPPANY, N.J. – The Parents Committee This year’s debutantes included nine to a newly choreographed arrangement Tempo and Hrim, including a great 30-min- of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization’s young ladies from Plast’s Newark branch prepared by Natalia and Andriy Cybyk. ute kolomyika. Newark, N.J., branch on January sponsored its (which is now based in Whippany), as well Each debutante also joined her father in a Special thanks were given to the Self- annual Debutante Ball here at the Hanover as branches in Passaic, N.J., New York, special waltz. Reliance Ukrainian American Federal Marriot. The debutante ball is a traditional Philadelphia and Kerhonkson, N.Y.: Alexa Two of Newark’s Plast scouts set up a Credit Union for its generous contribution event at which each debutante is formally Czartorysky (escort Alexander Tomko), table outside the hall where they collected to the event. presented to the community as a young lady. Olenka Hladky (Roman Onyshkevych); Dara pledges and funds for soldiers fighting in The success of this memorable event was Anya Tershakovec-Tomko and Borislaw Klemik (Christopher Kuzemka), Alexandra Ukraine. In addition, every table had made possible by members of the organiz- Bilash, who served as this year’s masters of Hamilton (Peter Kondrat), Natalia Tsuvanyk #FreeSavchenko fliers, and guests were ing committee: Natalia Voronka-Bilash and ceremonies, formally opened the event by (Alexander Rakowsky), Ruta Odulak encouraged to photograph themselves and Ms. Tershakovec-Tomko (co-chairs), Christina welcoming the debutantes, their families (Maxym Kolomayets), Olenka Tytla (Stephan post these to Twitter and Facebook to bring Gnoy-Stasiuk, Alexandra Tershakovec- and guests. After being formally intro- Firko), Marta Penkalskyj (Stephen Waskiw) awareness to the campaign for Nadiya Zawadiwsky, Lida Lukianenko-Moczula and duced, each debutante was welcomed by and Katia Woloszyn (Yuriy Stolyarchuk). Savchenko’s release from prison. Roxy Smyk. 15 debut at Chervona Kalyna Ball PEARL RIVER, N.Y. – The Chervona Kalyna Debutante Ball, New York’s Ukrainian American cotillion ball for more than 50 years, was held here at the Hilton Pearl River on February 7. Seen on rhe right are the debu- tantes and their escorts: (first row, from left) Natalia Andrea Bohdanna Baran and Brendyn Lupe, Taisa Sorobay and Maksym Kolomayets, Roxanne Kulynych and Orest Byskosh, Nadia Jean Langer-Marshall and Markian Kuziw, Natalia Blyznak and Andrey Shmotolocha, Nataliya Perkhalyuk and Adrian Temnycky, Maya Lydia Lopatynsky and Peter Lenchur, (second row) Roma Katerina Kulbida and Julian Fedorciw, Natalia Livcha and Mark Shust, Irene Anna Kulbida and Dimitriy Baran, Diana Furda and Alexander Tomko, Stefania Moore and Mark Kucy, Larissa Anna Klufas and Luсa Iwasykiw, (third row) Anastasia Zaluckyj and Markian Ozaruk, Katarina Rose Iovino and Alexander Hirniak. – Andrij Tytla Wowk Photography 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 No. 12 An annual tribute to Shevchenko in D.C. WASHINGTON – Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Olexander Motsyk and a small group of his Embassy colleagues and Ukrainian Americans braved the rainy weather to honor Ukraine’s poet laureate Taras Shevchenko in front of his monument in Washington on March 10. The brief ceremony began with the ambassador speaking about Shevchenko’s significance to Ukraine, especially during this dangerous time in its history. Afterwards, Andrew Bihun, who heads The Washington Group, an association of Ukrainian American professionals, noted how important Shevchenko has been and continues to be for Ukrainians living abroad, who demonstrate their love and respect for him every year on his anniversary. Taras Shevchenko was born March 9, 1814, and died on March 10, 1861. – Yaro Bihun

Murderers... (Continued from page 6) (part of the Black Hundreds movement) was set up with the support of the Russian regime and even the blessings of the tsar. “Besides Jewish pogroms,” that group was responsible “at a minimum” for three polit- ical murders of opposition deputies of the State Duma, Mikhail Gertsenshtein, Grigory Iollos and Aleksandr Karavayev. Now, 110 years later, and again “with the support of the authorities,” another Black Hundreds-type organization has been set up, the Anti-Maidan, whose leaders have declared that they will use any means nec- essary including “the fear of death” to block those who oppose the regime. Government investigators and the pro- curacy, Mr. Vishnevsky continues, “will not turn the slightest attention” to this group, one can be sure. And their failure to do so has further emboldened the Anti-Maidan groups which are now trying to further divide society by talking about provoca- tions of one kind or another. Another Moscow commentator, Igor Eidman, makes many of the same points, particularly in regard to the Russian gov- ernment’s new charges against Chechens for supposedly killing Nemtsov, charges that may blow up in Moscow’s face if Russians and others are paying attention (kasparov.ru/material.php?id=54FC898 77193E). Ramzan Kadyrov “had no particular rea- sons to kill Nemtsov,” Mr. Eidman points out. “Boris [Nemtsov] wasn’t involved in the investigation of the crimes of the Kadyrov regime as were the late Politkovskaya or Estemirov.” Moreover, Nemtsov “did not denounce Kadyrov or become his blood enemy.” And given everything, “Kadyrov could organize the murder of Nemtsov only if he were directly ordered to do so by Putin,” the Moscow commentator said. Moscow will likely try to lay all the blame for the Nemtsov murder on the Chechens, invoking the always useful argu- ment that these Chechens are motivated by Islamic extremism and were “angry” about the support Nemtsov and other Russian liberals had given to the Charlie Hebdo car- icaturists. That may be enough for many in Russia and the West, but clearly, Mr. Eidman says, the Putin regime is putting most of its hopes that it will again evade being held responsible for murder in something else: “the short attention span” of Russians and others, who will soon forget this and turn to other news. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 13 “Viktor Gurniak: Road from the Maidan” photo exhibit presented in Chicago

by Ruth Ripecky CHICAGO – An exceptional photo exhibit opened here at the Ukrainian National Museum on January 16. The photographs of Viktor Gurniak, a photojournalist and volun- teer fighter of the Aidar Battalion, offered a glimpse into the realities of war in Ukraine. Mr. Gurniak, 27, was killed in October 2014 during an attack in the ATO (anti-ter- rorist operation) zone of the Luhansk region while he was evacuating wounded soldiers. An excellent news photographer with a sharp mind who produced compel- ling photos, he was among the best practi- tioners of photojournalism. Mr. Gurniak was a co-founder of the Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago LUFA photo agency in Lviv, and a frequent At the exhibit (from left) are: Lydia Tkaczuk, president of the Ukrainian National contributor to Reuters, UNIAN and Insider. Museum of Chicago; guest speaker Nolan Peterson, war correspondent and a co- Galyna Ugryna He devoted many years of his life to Plast founder of the Blue Force Tracker; and Mylana Semeniuk, Plast Chicago member and Guest speaker Nolan Peterson of blue- National Scouting Organization of Ukraine, one of the organizers of the exhibit, during the opening event. forcetracker.com. where he was a beloved leader and role model. He is survived by his wife, Ira, and a The exhibit was introduced by the muse- affairs and the military by writers with on- the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, young daughter, Yustynka. um’s president, Lydia Tkaczuk. A large the-ground experience. Vahtang Kipiani, activist historian from group of Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians, Mr. Peterson spent six months in the Ukraine, as well as many Ukrainian school- young and old, recent and not-so-recent ATO zone with Ukrainian soldiers. He children, younger Plast members and the immigrants, as well as members of Plast spoke of his experiences there and the chal- interested public. Of particular interest was Ukrainian Scouting Organization, was in lenges for journalists in covering the war in the visit of Audrey Campbell, a relative of attendance. Ukraine. Mr. Gurniak from Alberta. In her very moving remarks, Mylana A biographical video compiled by The photographs will now travel to Semeniuk, a Plast leader originally from Lviv Natalia Figel and a Bach violin interlude Cleveland and other Plast centers in the and an active member of the Ukrainian com- performed by Maria Storm were also fea- United States. This exhibit was organized in munity in Chicago, gave her personal insights tured. Ms. Semeniuk then introduced an partnership with the great team in Ukraine, into Mr. Gurniak’s life and many achieve- exclusive video of one of Mr. Gurniak’s namely Mr. Gurniak’s wife, his sister Olka ments. She had come to know Mr. Gurniak friends currently serving on the front lines Gurniak, and his photojournalist friends at through their Plast activity in Ukraine. in the east of Ukraine, who offered a LUFA, Petro Zadorozhny and Markiian The evening’s guest speaker was Nolan glimpse into the emotional experiences of Lyseiko. Peterson, a freelance war correspondent, soldiers in the ATO. The photographs of Viktor Gurniak trans- former U.S. Air Force Special Operations Concluding remarks were made by port viewers to the battles on the Maidan pilot, and a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Maria Klimchak, museum curator. and in the ensuing war. These images are Afghanistan. He is a co-founder of In the two weeks the photographs were his legacy, and the legacy of his generation Galyna Ugryna Maria Klimchak, curator of the museum, BlueForceTracker.com, a news site dedicat- exhibited at the museum, they were viewed fighting for freedom and democracy in delivers closing remarks. ed to giving unbiased analyses of foreign by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), co-chair of Ukraine. “Maidan. Ukraine. Road to Freedom” on exhibit in California by Olenka Krupa Griffies DOWNEY, Calif. – The Ukrainian Art Center Inc. of Los Angeles debuted its 2015 year with an exhibition from Kyiv titled “Maidan. Ukraine. Road to Freedom” at the Stay Gallery in Downey, California. The exhibition opened on January 24 with a panel dis- cussion vis Skype with artists from Kyiv: Olexiy Sai, Maxim Dondyuk, Olexander Glyadyelov, Matviy Vaisberg and Igor Gaidai. After words of welcome by Daria Chaikovsky of the Ukrainian Art Center, a concert by Serhiy “Foma” Fomenko of the popular rock band Mandry followed. Foma travelled from Ukraine for this exhibit, after successful exhibits in London, Berlin and New York. Yulia Marushevska, who pro- duced the “I Am Ukrainian” film, delivered a short statement. Over 120 guests attended the opening reception where food of the Maidan was served by Lyalya Lisowska. Included in the program, and very well received, was the West Coast premier of “Dancing Diplomats,” a movie docu- menting the joint project between Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and the Khirovohrad Philharmonic in

Ihor Figlus Ukrainian Art Center members with Foma of Mandry and Oles Demko, exhibit facilitator, at the exhibit “Maidan. Ukraine. Road to Freedom.” 2012. The relevance was not missed by the audience, as it specially created “Molotov Cocktails” to the exhibition’s guests. foreshadowed the brewing storm of events that would The exhibition closed on January 28. occur in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Art Center is a non-profit organization Displayed on the walls were posters from the Maidan, with a mission to promote awareness of Ukrainian art. photos by several artists, and implements evidencing what Several local high school students attended and were Ukrainians used to fight tanks and bullets – barbed wire impressed enough to write about the exhibit, comparing wrapped around a wooden stick, metal shields with signs this protest to others going on in the world. of impact, a leather jacket half burned (status of the wearer Special thanks were expressed to the people organizing unknown). In the center of the room were a collection of this event: Ms. Chaikovsky (founder and director), Alex Molotov cocktails and a gas mask. As viewers made their Demko (ArtFira), Andriy Hos, Marijka Oharenko, Irynej way around the gallery, they could hear the sounds of the- Prokopovich, Landen Garcia, Luba, Wally and Zoryana Maidan – explosions, guns being fired, people shouting. Keske, Vaughn Lewis, Ihor Figlus, Olga Starow, Deanna Foma performs at the exhibit opening. Across the street, Lock & Key Social Drinkery was serving Steczenko, Dr. Andriy Olesijuk, and Olenka and Scott Griffies. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 No. 12

Vladimir Putin’s government. Mr. Yashin statement on March 13 that $2.2 billion will 18th such convoys which entered Ukraine NEWSBRIEFS told the BBC a team of experts is working be put in government accounts and the rest on March 13 and 15. (Ukraine Crisis Media to complete the report that Nemtsov was go to the central bank to help stabilize the Center, OSCE) (Continued from page 2) working on when he was killed, and would falling national currency, the hryvnia. The Girl killed by armored vehicle make further reporting trips to complete $5 billion tranche is the first part of a four- OSCE welcomes mission’s extension the work. Several men from the Caucasus year, $17.5 billion IMF package. The IMF BELGRADE – The March 12 decision by KOSTIANTYNIVKA, Ukraine – Authorities region have been arrested for the killing, loan is designed to unlock other credits for the Vienna-based Permanent Council of the in a government-held town in eastern prompting suggestions of an Islamist link Ukraine from other lenders, eventually Organization for Security and Cooperation Ukraine have made arrests after violence that to the attack. But one of the men charged allowing Kyiv to receive a total financial in Europe (OSCE) to extend the mandate of followed a road accident in which an over the murder has said he was forced package worth some $40 billion. Ukrainian the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to armored vehicle struck and killed a young into a confession. (RFE/RL, based on Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko said talks girl. Angry residents of the Donetsk region Ukraine (SMM) and allocate necessary reporting by BBC, Moscow Times, would start on March 13 with Kyiv’s credi- town of Kostiantynivka threw stones at a bar- resources confirms the support and com- Newsweek and Ukraine Today) tors on restructuring Ukraine’s debt. (RFE/ racks, torched two cars and overturned a mitment of all 57 participating states to RL, based on reporting by Agence France- implementing the Minsk agreements and third after servicemen apparently lost control Russia deploys bombers to Crimea of an armored vehicle on March 16, killing a Presse and Reuters) to the mission, said OSCE Chairperson-in- MOSCOW – Russia’s military has Office and Serbia’s Foreign Affairs Minister girl who was about 7 years old and injuring EPP delegation visits Ukraine her aunt and a toddler. Police stepped up announced it was sending strategic bomb- patrols to avert any more unrest, Donetsk ers to the annexed Ukrainian territory of BRUSSELS – A delegation of the European if we are to reach the goal which I am cer- region police chief Vyacheslav Abroskin said Crimea and will deploy advanced missiles People’s Party (EPP) traveled to Kyiv on tainIvica we Dačić. all share,“We must to see seize the the end momentum of hostili- on Facebook on March 17. Mr. Abroskin said to its exclave of Kaliningrad. Russian news March 9-11 for a fact-finding mission to ties, verify the withdrawal of heavy weap- two servicemen responsible for the accident agencies TASS and Interfax cited defense meet with top Ukrainian officials. The EPP ons, and boost national dialogue that leads had been detained, and that organizers of the officials on March 17 confirming Tu-95 and delegation gained first-hand insights on the to a normalized situation and better life for “disorder” had been identified. Anton Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, capable of car- current political, economic and security situ- all those affected by the conflict,” he said. At Herashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s inter- rying nuclear bombs, were being sent to ation in the country and expressed its full the same time, he said, “It is crucial for all nal affairs minister, told RFE/RL that “we Crimea as part of military exercises taking support for the ongoing reforms. The delega- parties to ensure unfettered access to our respect the protest by the citizens after the place around Russia. The officials also said tion was led by EPP Vice-President Corien monitors and to guarantee their security, tragedy, but we will do everything to prevent Iskander missiles would be sent to the Wortmann-Kool and involved high-level which is the prerequisite for the SMM to the Russian secret services and their sup- Kaliningrad region, which borders NATO experts from 12 different EPP member par- implement its mandate on the ground.” The porters from further destabilizing the situa- members Poland and Lithuania, as part of ties. The delegation visited the headquarters decision extends the mandate of the SMM tion.” (RFE/RL Ukrainian Service, with the military maneuvers. Iskander missiles of Petro Poroshenko Bloc-Solidarnist and as until March 31, 2016. It further allows for reporting by UNIAN and RIA Novosti) have a range of some 500 kilometers and well as the People’s Front (NF) party of the number of SMM monitors to be can be equipped with conventional or Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, both of increased from the currently approved Opposition to issue Nemtsov’s report nuclear warheads. Polish Prime Minister which have applied for EPP membership. level of 500 up to 1,000, as necessary, MOSCOW – A colleague of slain Russian Ewa Kopacz said, “Russia is making this The delegation also held meetings with EPP according to the situation and the needs on opposition politician Boris Nemtsov says a gesture before the European Council meet- member party Batkivshchyna, represented the ground. (OSCE) report he was compiling on Russia’s role in ing. It is trying to influence European by Deputy Chairman Hryhoriy Nemyria, and Former governor found dead the eastern Ukraine conflict will be Council decisions concerning extending or with youth representatives from member released in April. According to March 15 adding new sanctions.” (RFE/RL, based on party UDAR. The EPP delegation held con- ZAPORIZHIA – A former governor news reports, Ilya Yashin said most of the reporting by the Associated Press, Reuters, sultations with representatives of civil soci- (oblast administration chair) of Ukraine’s material gathered by Mr. Nemtsov has been TASS and Interfax) ety, journalists, NGOs and think tanks. The Zaporizhia region has been found dead retrieved, despite police searches of his Kyiv receives $5 B tranche from IMF dominant topics were the devastating war in with a gunshot wound to his throat, the lat- apartment and offices and the seizure of his eastern Ukraine and the dire economic situa- est in a string of violent deaths of officials computer and documents after his death. KYIV – Ukraine says it has received the tion. (EPP) with ties to ousted leader Viktor Mr. Nemtsov’s allies say his February 27 first $5 billion tranche of an International Yanukovych. Police officials said Oleksandr “Humanitarian convoys” continue shooting death near the Kremlin was Monetary Fund bailout loan for its strained Peklushenko, governor of the southeastern linked to his criticism of Russian President economy. The Finance Ministry said in a KYIV – Russia’s 20th so-called “humani- region from 2011 until March 2014, most tarian convoy” has entered Ukraine, stated likely committed suicide. They said his Ukrainian military spokesperson Col. body was found in his home in the town of Andriy Lysenko. According to the Russian Soniachnyi near the regional capital on authorities, more than 80 cars crossed the March 12. Mr. Peklushenko, 60, was a mem- Russia-Ukraine border. Part of the convoy ber of Viktor Yanukovych’s Party of Regions TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 headed to Luhansk, while the rest went to and formerly represented it in parliament. or e-mail [email protected] Donetsk. Neither the Ukrainian interagency At least six officials or ex-officials with links group nor the representatives of the to former President Yanukovych’s adminis- International Committee of the Red Cross tration have died this year in cases ruled SERVICES PROFESSIONALS inspected the cargo, said Col. Lysenko. probable suicides, but the victims’ political Meanwhile the observer mission of the allegiances and job histories have fueled Organization for Security and Cooperation suspicions of foul play. (RFE/RL, based on in Europe (OSCE) reported on the 19th and reporting by UNIAN and pravda.com.ua)

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Nicolas “Mykola” Andreadis on March 12, 2015, at the age of 86, in Brick, NJ.

He owned successful construction and real estate development companies in both Buenos Aires and Mastic, NY, and was on the Board of Directors for the Ukrainian Opera Company. He was preceded in death in 2001 by his wife of 50 years, Halyna Andreadis, internationally acclaimed opera singer and lifelong advocate for the Ukrainian community. OPPORTUNITIES Mr. Andreadis is survived by: wife - Evgenia Minaeva son - Nicolas and his wife Irene Earn extra income! son - Alex and his wife Irene The Ukrainian Weekly is looking grandchildren - Larysa and Nicolas for advertising sales agents. For additional information contact Panakhyda and viewing: Friday, March 20, 2015, 4-6 p.m., at O’Brien Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, Funeral Home in Brick, NJ. The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. Funeral: March 21, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the Ukrainian National Monument Mausoleum at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland. Run your advertisement here, In lieu of owers, donations may be sent to: United Ukrainian American in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. Relief Committee (UUARC) http://www.uuarc.org or similar fund. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 15

Ділимося сумною вісткою, що у четвер, 12 березня 2015 року, після короткої недуги, відійшла у Божу вічність наша найдорожча і незабутня Ділимось болючою вісткою, що 19 лютого 2015 поку, з волі МАМА Божої відійшла на вічний спочинок на 102 році життя наша св. п. найдорожча, благодійна мати, бабуня, прабабуня і тітка ІРЕНА ЗИНЮК св. п. Александра Яцкевич з дому Пачовська уроджена у Львові, Україна, 2 березня 1913 року. нар. 4 серпня 1929 року у Чорткові, Україна. Залишилися в глибокому смутку: Похоронні відправи відбулися 27 лютого в Українській католицькій церкві Царя Христа у Бостоні, Масачусетс. Похована 2 березня на син - ЮРІЙ дочки - НЕОНІЛЯ ІВАСЬКІВ з чоловіком ВОЛОДИМИРОМ цвинтарі св. Марії в Елкінс-Парк, Пенсилванія, побіч її улюбленого - ХРИСТИНА ГРУШКЕВИЧ з чоловіком д-ром АНДРІЄМ чоловіка, св. п. інж. Лева Яцкевича. та ближча і дальша родина в США, Франції, Італії та Україні. У глибокому смутку залишилися: Вічна Їй пам’ять! Похоронні відправи відбулися у п’ятницю, 20 березня, в Hines- донька - Мотря Головінська з чоловіком Андрієм Rinaldi Funeral Home, та у суботу, 21 березня, в Українській като- внук - Тиміш Головінський з дружиною Лілею лицькій церкві Святої Тройці в Silver Spring, MD, а опісля на цвинтарі правнуки - Вікторія і Трувор Головінські Mount Olivet у Washington, D.C. племінниці - Марта Тарнавська з родиною Христина Дольницька з родиною Ляриса Шпон з родиною Замість квітів в пам’ять Покійної родина просить складати пожертви на будівельний фонд Holy Trinity Particular Ukrainian Catholic Church, Віра Датон з родиною 16631 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20905, або на гуманітарну племінники - Андрій Сеньковський з родиною допомогу для Українського війська і Національної ґвардії через ЗУАДК: Андрій Залуцький з родиною та United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Inc., 1206 Cottman Avenue, Юрій Яцкевич. Philadelphia, PA 19111. ВІЧНА ЇЙ ПАМ’ЯТЬ!

Просимо ласкаво згадати покійну у своїх молитвах, а пожертви в її память, згідно з її бажанням, можна зложити на Українську католиць- ку церкву Царя Христа в Бостоні, Мас., Український Католицький Уні- верситет у Львові або Український Дослідчий Інститут Гарвардського Університету.

Rea M. Hrycak 89, of Cranford, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Rea was born on June 3, 1925, in Rakvere, Estonia, to her parents Gottlieb-Johannes and Elise-Helene (Rosenholm) Limberg. Her younger years revolved around cross country skiing in the winter, and summer visits to their family house along the Baltic Sea. After her family ed to Germany from Estonia, as a result of the Soviet occupation, she graduated Gymnasium in 1943, and later attended University of Tubingen, Germany, from 1943 to 1948, where she met fellow student Peter Hrycak, who had graduated the Ukrainian Jaroslawska Gymnasium in Przemysl, Poland, in 1941, and University of Vienna in 1946, on April 3, 1947. They were married in Tubingen, Germany, on June 13, 1949, and immigrated to the United States in 1951, and lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Maria and Michael were born, in 1953, and 1959, respectively. In 1960, Dr. Peter Hrycak was picked to be part of the design team for the ž rst communications satellite being designed and built by Bell Telephone Laboratories, and, as a result, the family moved to Cranford, New Jersey (eventually becoming a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology from 1966- 1993). Orest was born in 1962 and Alexandra in 1966. Rea taught in Ukrainian schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Elizabeth (St. Vladimir) and Newark (St. John), New Jersey, over a span of four decades. She enjoyed living in Cranford, where she rode her bicycle around the neighborhood, enjoying the local bike paths, beautiful parks and light traŸ c! Mom also enjoyed swimming every morning at the Cranford Municipal Pool, where she met a wonderful group of people who enjoyed swimming and socializing together. Rea was proud of her children and ž ve grandchildren (ranging in age from 8 to16), and actively participated in all of their lives on a daily basis, to the advantage of all of her family. Survived by her children, daughter: Alexandra Hrycak and David Mandel with son Askold of Portland, Oregon; sons: Michael Hrycak and Marta Biskup with sons Brandon and Jared of Cranford, New Jersey and Orest Hrycak and Margaret Begley with sons Peter and Arthur of Cranford, New Jersey; sister Oda Endress of Grobenzel, Germany, and nephews, Peter and Ian Eichfuss of Australia. She was predeceased by her parents, Gottlieb-Johannes and Elise-Helene Limberg, her sister, Ina Eichfuss, her husband, Peter Hrycak, and daughter Maria Hrycak. Viewing will be Friday, March 20, 2015, 2-4 and 7-9 PM (Parastas at 7:30 PM) at DEATH ANNOUNCEMENTS Krowicki Funeral Home, 2124 St Georges Ave, Linden, NJ 07036, followed by a Death announcements should be sent to the Advertising Department funeral service on Saturday,10:30 AM March 21, 2015, at St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian by e-mail to [email protected] or by fax to 973-644-9510. Catholic Church, 309 Grier Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07202, and burial at 12:30 PM at St. Deadline: Tuesday noon before the newspaper’s date of issue. Andrew’s Cemetery, 280 Main St, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880, followed by a repast. For further information call 973-292-9800, ext. 3040. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 No. 12

a bloody end to the Maidan, and was one of New arrests... the main suppliers of ‘titushky’ to Kyiv. If Donations Honoring Roxolana Yarymovych’s Birthday the notices are being done to bring results (Continued from page 3) for the nation as a whole, the public will For UNWLA War Victims approve. If Poroshenko or someone else is Kharkiv during the Euro-Maidan protest. seeking personal gain, then it will cause $150.00 Anna and Ostap Macielinski Since then, he has survived an assassination more public dissatisfaction.” $100.00 Orest and Lidia Bilous, Vira and Bohdan Bodnaruk, attempt that nearly took his life. The unfolding spectacle of notices, Bohdan and Roma Guran, Bohdan and Neonillia Lechman, He has remained mayor of Kharkiv, play- investigations and arrests – without any Oksana Lew, Roman and Jaroslava Maluk, ing to both the city’s pro-Russian crowd, convictions so far – reminds political Lidiya and Eugene Mychalowych, Myron and Irene Radzykewycz, with statements such as “I don’t believe observers of 2005, when Mr. Shokin – a Russia is engaging in aggression regarding Walter and Marilyn Sharko, Christyna B. Sheldon, deputy procurator general at the time – Zenon and Larisa Shpon, John and Ulana Sos, Ukraine,” while at the same time succeed- was in charge of handling the arrest of Jaroslaw and Orysia Zinycz. ing in suppressing the separatist activity well-known oligarchs accused of crimes. $ 80.00 Misty Van Meggelen that had been boiling in the spring of 2014. In particular, Donetsk mega-millionaire $ 50.00 Jean Holowaty, Doris Horbachevsky, Victor and Halyna Lisnyczyj, Last year, Mr. Kernes received a similar Borys Kolesnikov was accused of making Alexandra Popel, George and Katherine Steciuk, Volodymyr notice, which led to no arrest. The only murder threats against a local business- and Klara Szpiczka, Eugene and Daria Tomashosky. explanation Mr. Doniy said he sees for the man, Dnipropetrovsk billionaire Igor repeated pressure on Mr. Kernes by law Kolomoisky was accused of attempted Total $1,880.00 enforcement authorities is a cheap attempt murder of a lawyer, and Kharkiv politician to blackmail him for money. For the Ukrainian Museum Yevhen Kushnaryov called for the separat- Meanwhile, Mr. Poroshenko is cooperat- ism of the Kharkiv Oblast. $100.00 Orest and Lidia Bilous, Bohdan and Myra Futey, ing with Mr. Kernes because he’s as effec- Mr. Kolesnikov was arrested and was in John and Ann Marie Susla, M.and R. Yarymovych Family tive as any politician he’ll get in Kharkiv in prison for two months before the charges maintaining order there, Mr. Basarab said. Total $400.00 were dropped, while Messrs. Kolomoisky He thinks the notices have the president’s and Kushnaryov were never arrested Thank you, my friends, for your generosity. approval to get him to take certain steps, before their charges were dropped. which Mr. Basarab said could be political or This time again, Mr. Shokin has made Roxolana Yarymovych even personal, for all he knows. high-profile arrests, while failing to target Member of UNWLA Branch #56 “Kernes was one of the hawks of the key figures. Time will tell whether criminal Yanukovych regime,” he said. “He called for convictions will result, though experts unanimously express doubt. Mr. Oleshchuk said doesn’t even think the “three odious judges” will serve time in prison. “The Ukrainian judiciary is a large, ПЛЕМ'Я ПЛАСТУНОК „ПЕРШІ СТЕЖІ“ mafia-like structure,” he said. “Its judges влаштовує can’t ‘betray’ one another, since they all ful- fill corrupt decisions that the government „ДЕННИЙ ТАБІР ПТАШАТ ПРИ ПЛАСТІ“ needs. That’s why the three judges didn’t flee abroad, even while suspecting they’d для дітей від 4 до 6 років, які володіють be arrested.” (розуміють і розмовляють) українською мовою Observers are equally concerned that these showy arrests are engineered to dis- tract the public’s attention from the current • Дитина мусить мати повні 4 роки до 31 серпня 2015 р. Винятків немає. corruption, which faces no systemic effort • Дитина мусить мати всі приписані щеплення. to combat it. Such failure is disappointing • Дитина, яка склала Заяву Вступу до новацтва, не може брати участи в таборaх для Пташат. not only to the Ukrainian public, but also to more influential figures in the West. Табір відбудеться на Союзівці у двох групах: For instance, the lack of efforts to com- bat corruption could have been a factor in • від неділі 21 червня до суботи 27 червня 2015 р. the International Monetary Fund’s decision • від неділі 28 червня до суботи 4 липня 2015 р. to limit the first tranche of its $17.5 billion loan announced in mid-March to only $5 У справі кімнат просимо порозуміватися прямо з Адміністрацією Союзівки: million, instead of the $10 million that had SOYUZIVKA, P. O. Box 529, 216 Foordmore Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446 been hoped for by Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko, said Alexander Paraschiy, the head (845) 626-5641; www. Soyuzivka.com; Fax: 845-626-4638 of research at Concorde Capital investment bank. • Tаборова оплата: $110.00 ($20.00 незворотні); оплата за два тижні 215.00 дол. “The prosecution shouldn’t be fragment- • Зголошення і таборову оплату (чек виписаний на Plast – Pershi Stezhi) надсилати до: ed with individuals like Yefremov or a few judges,” Mr. Basarab said. “It should be a Mrs. Oresta Fedyniak, 2626 W. Walton Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 wide-scale process, like the Nuremburg tri- als. The benches of the accused should be Tel.: 773-486-0394 (від 8:00 до 10:00 ранку) loaded with dozens of people responsible for theft, at a minimum, under the previous • Реченець зголошень: 1 червня 2015 р. • Після реченця зголошень не приймаємо. administration. These arrests and the beginning of these processes don’t speak to a systemic fight against corruption, which КАРТА ЗГОЛОШЕННЯ НА ТАБІР ПТАШАТ-2015 hasn’t declined in scale.” Ім’я і прізвище дитини ...... по-українськи і по-англійськи Putin celebrates... Дата народження ...... Адреса ...... (Continued from page 2) Телефон ...... E-mail ...... and scaring the interim government in Kyiv and influencing local Ukrainian command- Просимо залучити посвідку про дату народження дітей, що вписуються на табір вперше. ers in Crimea (Novaya Gazeta, February 20). But the most concerning part of Mr. ☐ від 21 червня до 27 червня 2015 р. ☐ від 28 червня до 4 липня 2015 р. Putin’s comments is his reference to the Величина таборової сорочинки дитини: ☐ 6-8, ☐10-12, ☐14-16. nuclear option and willingness to go that ☐ Залучую чек на суму $...... ☐ Резервую кімнату на Союзівці far. If he really means business in this area, Western governments will be forced de facto to recognize that Russia has formed a ...... “sphere of privileged interests,” into which ім’я і прізвище матері (подати дівоче прізвище) the U.S. and NATO can never stray beyond a certain level without risking nuclear con- Завваги ...... flict. That’s sure to raise questions concern- ...... ing Russia’s current nuclear threshold...... The article above is reprinted from ...... Підпис батька або матері Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, www.jamestown.org. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 17

Violinist Maria Storm to perform benefi t for Ukraine’s war refugees CHICAGO – The turmoil in Ukraine has created an The concert takes place on Saturday, March 28, at 7 under-reported humanitarian crisis. Over 1 million people p.m., at the Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago (1936 have been displaced by fighting in eastern Ukraine, includ- S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60616). ing children orphaned by the war, critically wounded sol- Ticket are required for attendance and are available for diers and families forced to leave their homes for safety. purchase in advance at www.ChicagoSisterCities.com Resources to assist these refugees and victims are limited. (advance purchase is strongly recommend, as tickets will With the intention of bringing the Chicagoland commu- be available for purchase at the door only if the event is nity together to raise money to support those in Ukraine not sold out). Donations will be accepted online and at affected by the war, the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister event. Cities International, the Second Presbyterian Church of Ticket prices: adults: $25; children under 12, free, but Chicago and the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council are hosting RSVP required; Bronze Circle VIP seating, $100; Silver a concert featuring renowned violinist, Maria Storm. Circle VIP seating, $250; corporate and individual sponsor- Ms. Storm hails from Kyiv and has been distressed by ships are available at the $5,000 (Platinum) and $1,000 recent events in her homeland and the damage it has (Gold) levels. For sponsorship information contact Chicago caused to her fellow countrymen. She has assembled a Sister Cities International at 312-201-4534. group of leading musicians from Chicago and New York to All proceeds raised from the concert will go the present a program of music – classical in the first half, and Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA), which will provide modern and popular in the second. Additional performers relief in the form of food, water, clothing and medical sup- include acclaimed Ukrainian performer Foma; Grammy- plies to families and children in Ukraine affected by the nominated singer Matthew Santos; pianist Emiko Sato; war. For more information on the UFA, please visit www. vocalist Constance Volk; and guitarist Jesse Langen. Maria Storm ukrainianfederationofamerica.org.

up an independent law enforcement agen- Ukraine’s minister... cy to fight corruption and expressed the hope that the many changes and reforms (Continued from page 1) that are being put in place will bring back In addition, after 70 years of commu- public confidence in how the government nism, and 23 years of incomplete economic functions. reforms, mismanagement, corruption by This is just the beginning, and much previous regimes, she added, “all of this has remains to be done, and with the support left the country in a complex and difficult of the United States, Ukraine will succeed, economic situation.” Ukraine’s economy she said, adding, “But I think it’s important and industrial output has gone down by 20 for everyone to know that Ukraine is ‘walk- percent in 2014, the hryvnia has depreciat- ing the walk’, not just ‘talking the talk’ ed by 70 percent, which is pushing the pub- about reforms.” lic sector debt to “very dangerous levels.” Responding to a question about why she She noted that the International said “yes” when asked to join in the govern- Monetary Fund’s recent approval of a $17.5 ment as the minister of finance, she said billion loan program is less than half of the that “everyone ought to be doing one’s estimated $40 billion Ukraine needs for the part” in helping Ukraine. During the many next four years. years she has lived and worked in Ukraine Ukraine is very thankful to the United since its independence, Ms. Jaresko said States for the assistance it has provided so she has taken every opportunity to help far, Ms. Jaresko said, but it needs additional Ukraine in every way that she could. And support, in the form of financial and when the president asks you to serve, she humanitarian assistance, military equip- added, “there is no way to say no.” ment “to put an end to this conflict,” and “Everyone ought to be doing one’s part,” sanctions against Russia if the peace agree- she said, adding that since she couldn’t ments are not fully implemented. help on the front lines, this was where she “But what’s most important, from my could help. She became the new finance perspective, is that we win the war of creat- minister of Ukraine on December 2, 2014. ing a reformed market economy – strong Ms. Jaresko was born in 1965 in Chicago and capable – that can lead Ukraine for- to Ukrainian immigrant parents. Working ward,” she said. The Ukrainian government for the U.S. State Department, she first must reform the country, fight corruption, came to Ukraine in 1992 to serve as the improve transparency, accountability and chief of the economics section of the newly the rule of law, and create conditions that opened U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. More recently will improve economic growth and pros- she has been a co-founder and chief execu- perity. tive officer of the fund-management firm And that is the objective of President Horizon Capital. She is a board member of Petro Poroshenko and the Ukrainian the Kyiv School of Economics and the Open Parliament, she added, noting that Ukraine Foundation, as well as a member “Ukraine now has the most reformist and of the World Economics Forum Global professional government since indepen- Agenda Council on the Future of Financing dence.” and Capital and the German Marshall Ms. Jaresko pointed out that the many of Fund’s Leadership Development Council. the new, young Cabinet ministers are not career politicians; they come from the pri- vate sector and represent different walks of life. She also noted that she recently chose five deputy ministers, all young profession- als, without having to get prior approval Subscribe to from anyone, which is not the way things worked before. “What we share is an absolutely com- Only $90 The Ukrainian Weekly mon, unified commitment and an absolute determination to change and reform Please contact Subscription Dept. Ukraine,” she said. $80 for UNA The government now has to focus on [email protected] stabilizing the banking system, broadening members the tax base to include those that are now Tel.: 973-292-9800 ext. 3040 avoiding the system, creating a more just and fair pension system, and reforming the For an additional $5 get Published by energy system – now one of the most cor- rupt in Europe. an online subscription as well the Ukrainian National Association She said the government has already set 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 No. 12

March 23 Seminar with Yuliya Ilchuk, “Hearing the Voice of March 28 Pysanka workshop, led by Laryssa Czebiniak, Ukrainian Cambridge, MA Donbas: Art and Literature as Forms of Cultural Protest New York Institute of America, [email protected] During the 2014-2015 War of Eastern Ukraine,” Harvard University, 617-495-3549 March 28 Easter Bazaar, Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Jenkintown, PA Center, 215-663-1166 or www.ueccphila.org March 23 Presentation by Mark Katz, “Russian-Iranian Relations Washington in the Shadow of Ukraine,” Woodrow Wilson March 28 Easter Bazaar, Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, International Center for Scholars, Ronald Reagan Silver Spring, MD 301-717-2537 or [email protected] Building and International Trade Center, 202-691-4000 March 28 Lecture by Andriy Zayarnyuk, “Ukrainian Identity and March 23 Fund-raiser presentation, “Conversation with a Soldier – New York Austrian Citizenship of Galicians in the First World Hamilton, ON Serhiy Hordiychuk,” Ukrainian Canadian Congress – War,” Shevchenko Scientific Society, 212-254-5130 Hamilton, Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection, [email protected] March 28 Pysanka workshop, Ukrainian American Society of Texas, The Colony, TX St. Sophia Ukrainian Catholic Church, www.uast.org March 25 Film screening, “Crimea Unveiled” by Olga Morkova, New York Ukrainian Institute of America, 212-288-8660 or March 28-April 12 Exhibit, “Mystical Power of the Pysanka,” featuring [email protected] New York Ukrainian Easter eggs by Sofika Zielyk, Ukrainian Institute of America, 212-288-8660 or March 25 Panel discussion with Nadiya Kravets and Serhii Plokhii, [email protected] Cambridge, MA “Independent Ukraine: Evaluating Two Decades of Sovereignty from Russia,” Harvard University, March 29 Easter/Spring Bazaar, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian 617-495-4053 Whippany, NJ Catholic Church, Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, 973-476-1970 March 26 Networking event, “Dialogue with Adrian Slywotzky,” New York Ukrainian Student Organizations of America, Ukrainian March 29 Film presentation, “Music of Survival,” with director Institute of America, bit.ly/sustapro Middletown, CT Orest Sushko and performance by bandurist Julian Kytasty, Wesleyan University Center for Film Studies, March 27 Film screening, “Quiet in Odessa” by Dima Khavin, 860-685-3355 or www.wesleyan.edu/boxoffice New York Razom for Ukraine, The Ukrainian Museum, 212-228-0110 or www.ukrainianmuseum.org March 29 Easter Market (Yarmarok), Assumption of the Blessed Ottawa Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 613-728-0856 March 27 Film presentation, “Music of Survival,” with Lexington, MA performance by bandurist Julian Kytasty, Lexington March 29 Pysanka Workshop, Glebe Community Center, Historical Society, www.musicofsurvivial.com or Ottawa 613-233-8713 [email protected] Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events March 27 Lenten Fish Fry dinner, Ukrainian American Youth advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions Horsham, PA Association, Ukrainian American Sports Center Tryzub, from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors [email protected] and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected].

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No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 19 Contemporary sacred art from Ukraine on exhibit at UIA NEW YORK – The Ukrainian Institute of America is the venue for a group exhibition of 18 artists from Ukraine, “Iconart: Visions of a World Unseen” from March 20 through April 12. Organized in cooperation with Iconart Gallery of Contemporary Sacred Art, located in Lviv, the exhibition draws from the work of Ukrainian artists associated with the gallery. Independently working in different media, the artists focus on spiritual and religious concerns within the contemporary cultural context in which they live. The artworks – both representational and abstract – visualize ties between rituals of medieval religious iconog- raphy and current interpretations of the sacred. This spe- cial group of artists is brought together through shared ori- gins in Ukrainian spiritual culture and their respective inti- mate experiences. Their works are centered on the cre- ation of images of the “world unseen”: a sinner in search of paradise, man in search of God, heroes and seducers, saints and traitors, and God in search of man. Most of the artists are exhibiting for the first time in the United States. Spanning multiple generations, some com- menced their creative practices 40 years ago, working out- side of official (Soviet) mandates, while others entered the Ukrainian art arena in recent decades, influenced by con- temporary culture and recent political events. Exhibiting artists include: Olexander Antoniuk,

Ivanka Krypyakevych-Dymyd’s “Descent from the Cross” (2013). Lyuba Yatskiv’s “Do Not Lament Me, O Mother” (2011). Olexander Bryndikov, Ivanka Demchuk, Oleh Denysenko, Historic Landmark and protected as a contributing ele- Petro Humenyuk, Olga Kovtun, Olga Kravchenko, Ivanka ment of the New York Metropolitan Museum Historic Krypyakevych-Dymyd, Olexander Kudryavchenko, Ostap District. Lozynsky, Mykola Molchan, Danylo Movchan, Uliana The Iconart Gallery, established in 2009, is the only gal- Nyshchuk-Borysyak, Natalia Rusetska, Yuriy Smolsky, lery of contemporary sacred art in Ukraine that focuses pri- Yaroslava Tkachuk, Luba Yatskiv and Roman Zilinko. marily on the spiritual, religious dimensions of contempo- The Ukrainian Institute of America Inc. is a nonprofit rary art. Since its opening in 2010 the gallery has organized organization dedicated to promoting the art, music and lit- more than 60 exhibitions and events that were dedicated to erature of Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora, is perma- the spiritual problems of modern Ukrainian culture. nently housed in the Fletcher-Sinclair mansion at 2 E. 79th Exhibit hours at the UIA are Tuesday-Sunday, noon-6 Petro Humenyuk’s “St. Nicholas” (2014). St. at Fifth Avenue. The building is designated as a National p.m., or by appointment. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 No. 12

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Friday, March 27 Identity and Austrian Citizenship of Galicians in the First World War” by Dr. LEXINGTON, Mass.: Please join us for the Andriy Zayarnyuk. Dr. Zayarnyuk is an New England Premiere of the Movie – associate professor in the Department of “Music of Survival” This is the story of the History at the University of Winnipeg and a Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus – 17 men unit- 2014-2015 Shklar Fellow at the Harvard ed by music and destiny. The evening will Ukrainian Research Institute. The lecture begin with a special bandura performance will take place at the society’s building, 63 by Julian Kytasty. This exciting event is at Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th 7:30 p.m. at the Lexington Depot – streets) at 5 p.m. For additional informa- Lexington Historical Society, 13 Depot tion call 212-254-5130. Square. Tickets are $20 and available at musicofsurvival.com or at the Ukrainian Sunday, March 29 Federal Credit Union, 282 Providence Highway, Westwood, Mass. For additional MIDDLETOWN, Conn.: Film screening of information contact pronchick@verizon. “Music of Survival: The Story of the net. This event is sponsored by the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus” with perfor- Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, Boston mance by Julian Kytasty, and discussion Branch. with director Orest Sushko at Wesleyan University Center for Film Studies. Tickets Saturday, March 28 are $15 ($5 for students) and may be pur- NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific chased at door or by phone, 860-685-3355, Society invites all to a lecture “Ukrainian or online at wesleyan.edu/boxoffice.

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