Inside: l Ukrainian National Credit Union Association meets – page 4 l in International Hall of Fame – page 8 l 400-mile trek raising awareness of orphans’ plight – page 14

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXVI No. 25 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 $2.00 Ukrainian Canadian Congress supports Ukrainian Parliament moves closer global #RedCard4Putin campaign to completing anti-corruption architecture UCC by Mark Raczkiewycz Ukrainian television on June 7. Fifty of the 138 corruption cases that NABU and SAP OTTAWA – The Ukrainian Canadian – The passed have submitted since their inception in Congress (UCC) on June 15 called on all another bill to complete the architecture of 2015 to Ukrainian courts aren’t being con- Canadians to support the #RedCard4Putin establishing a separate court to prosecute sidered – some haven’t been examined for campaign, which is drawing international corrupt public officials on June 21, but six months. attention to the many crimes of ’s failed to revise clauses that make it possible At stake is an additional $2 billion IMF regime. for graft cases to skirt the judiciary body. disbursement in the bailout program that During the FIFA World Cup (June 14-July Choosing to vote for creating the High 15), the #RedCard4Putin campaign will ends in March 2019. Kyiv has received only Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) in its entire- $8.4 billion so far and is behind schedule in issue multiple “red cards” to the Russian ty, instead of the optional two readings, 256 regime for its countless violations of inter- meeting other benchmarks. lawmakers voted in favor of President Chief among those criteria is raising national law and abuse of internationally ’s bill. recognized human rights. The campaign household natural gas prices to market Yet, revisions to last week’s principal bill seeks to bring international awareness prices, which hasn’t happened in almost for how the court functions never made it about the crimes of the Russian govern- two years, so that they meet cost recovery to the agenda for this week’s plenary ses- ment with the objective of securing the levels and do not drain the state budget via sions in Parliament although they were reg- immediate release of all political prisoners subsidies. That leads to maintaining a bud- unjustly detained by Russia. istered on June 14. Amendments were sup- get deficit of revenues and expenditures “Over 70 Ukrainian political prisoners are posed to send existing graft cases, including that don’t exceed 2.5 percent of gross illegally jailed by Russia,” stated Denys Volkov, appeals, to the newly formed court, not to domestic product. Canadian coordinator of the #RedCard4Putin existing courts that currently hear them. Certain unpopular changes will be more campaign, a former member of the FIFA The renewal of a $17.5 billion loan deal difficult to make the closer comes to 2015 Women’s World Cup local organizing for Ukraine’s feeble economy from the next year’s dual nationwide elections. In 2019 committee and former vice-president of International Monetary Fund (IMF) has presidential elections are scheduled in March the Manitoba Soccer Association. One of many posters designed by artist partially been tied to finally creating a court with parliamentary elections in October. Andriy Yermolenko. “Russia is waging war on Ukraine, shot that hears corruption cases. It’s supposed “We agreed that it is now important for down Flight MH17, and carried out a chem- campaign. The campaign will regularly to legally adjoin the two previously created parliament to quickly approve the supple- ical weapon attack on the soil of the U.K. publish materials on Facebook at https:// institutions: National Agency Anti- mentary law submitted… to formally estab- We call on all people of conscience to speak www.facebook.com/RedCard4Putin/. Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized lish the court, as well as the necessary loudly against the crimes of the Russian The #RedCard4Putin campaign is an ini- Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP). amendments to restore the requirement regime,” Mr. Volkov said. tiative of the International Coalition for A bottleneck for prosecuting crooked that the HACC will adjudicate all cases The UCC is calling on Canadians to officials exists in the courts, Verkhovna spread the message of the #RedCard4Putin (Continued on page 14) Rada Chairman implied on (Continued on page 18)

North American premiere of Stankovych’s “Ukrainian Requiem” draws large crowd The Rev. Panchuk noted that, although anniversaries of the Program commemorates Holodomor were observed since 1948 and the current mis- sion and objectives of the foundation were being realized Holodomor’s 85th anniversary since 1983, the foundation was officially established and registered in the state of Illinois through the efforts of its by Maria Korkatsch-Groszko first president, Nicholas Mischenko, in 2002. and the Rev. Myron Panchuk The Rev. Panchuk indicated that the idea of presenting the North American premiere of Maestro Stankovych’s CHICAGO – In commemoration of the 85th anniversary “Ukrainian Requiem” was that of the foundation’s current of the Holodomor of 1932-1933, the Consulate General of president, Nicholas Kocherha, who had attended the pre- Ukraine in Chicago and the Ukrainian Genocide Famine miere performance in Kyiv in 2006. Foundation-USA Inc. on Saturday, May 19, co-sponsored the North American premiere of “Ukrainian Requiem” The Women’s Bandura Ensemble composed by Yevhen Stankovych. The program began with the Women’s Bandura The program included soloists Nina Matviyenko and Ensemble of North America (WBENA) under the artistic Stefan Szkafarowsky, the Kalamazoo Philharmonia, direction of Oksana Rodak-Lucenko and Oksana Zelinska. Kalamazoo Bach Festival Chorus, actor George Wyhinny The ensemble performed a selection of works with the and the Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America. underlying theme of suffering and loss, depicting the deep The commemorative concert was performed at the religious devotion of Ukrainians to family and nation. In “The Harris Theater in Chicago, drawing an audience of over Wandering Orphan” (a song of the itinerant Ukrainian musi- 1,000 people from across various ethnic groups in the cians known as “lirnyky,” arranged by Yakiv Yatsynevych), Chicago metropolitan area and from other states. the tone for the evening was set with a most emotionally The introduction and opening remarks were delivered piercing delivery by 11-year-old Anastasia Lucenko singing by the Rev. Myron Panchuk, Ph.D., of St. Joseph the YOLAB the role of the orphan searching for her mother. Betrothed Ukrainian Catholic Church, who is also vice-presi- Nina Matviyenko sings “Ukrainian Requiem’s” seventh movement, specifically written for her by composer dent of the Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation-USA. Yevhen Stankovych. (Continued on page 10) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 No. 25

ANALYSIS

Ukraine to resume privatization Council of Europe: release Sentsov Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine has a “devastating toll” on children. The chief of Europe’s top human rights Since the conflict began in April 2014, at in accordance with new rules body is urging Russia to release imprisoned least 740 education facilities in the region Ukrainian film director Oleh Sentsov, who is order to prepare assets valued at more have been damaged or destroyed, accord- by Oleg Varfolomeyev currently on hunger strike while serving a than $9 million – the threshold for “big ing to the United Nations. In May of this Eurasia Daily Monitor 20-year sentence. Thorbjorn Jagland, secre- privatization” – the government has to hire year alone, the United Nations said at least tary-general of the Council of Europe, on The Ukrainian government will resume international investment banks as advisors, four education facilities sustained damage June 20 told Russian Ombudswoman its privatization campaign in October, the which should enhance the credibility of the as a result of continuous hostilities. Both Tatyana Moskalkova that Mr. Sentsov acting head of the local privatization body, process. Cheaper assets will be put up for sides in the conflict have used schools and “should be released on humanitarian the State Property Fund, Vitaly Trubarov, electronic trades. It should also now universities as bases and barracks, HRW announced on May 10. Speaking after a become possible to resolve privatization grounds,” the Interfax news agency report- said. Seventy-five countries have signed the meeting of the Cabinet of Prime Minister disputes in international courts (Segodnya. ed after their meeting in . “If there is Safe Schools Declaration, which contains , which discussed ua, January 18; Golos.com.ua, March 6). a need for a request for pardoning him, I concrete commitments to better protect privatization, Mr. Trubarov said all the large Two companies stand out on the privati- would gladly do it on the basis of the students, teachers, schools, and universities state-owned stakes slated for sale this year zation list as potentially the most valuable European Convention of Human Rights,” Mr. from the effects of war. “The U.N. Security should change hands by the end of the year. ones: the regional power generation com- Jagland added. On June 18, a dozen leading Council’s Open Debate on Children and Addressing his Cabinet, Mr. Groysman pany Centerenergo and OPZ. Kyiv has been names in the Russian arts, including Andrei Armed Conflict is on July 9. What better vowed to put an end to “shadow privatiza- postponing their sales since the last Zvyagintsev and fellow filmmaker platform for Ukraine to endorse the decla- tion,” apparently meaning certain past decade, and the IMF has been insisting for Aleksandr Sokurov, called for President ration than on one of the world’s most privatization schemes in which lucrative several years that the two be sold. to pardon Mr. Sentsov. influential stages?” HRW said. Ukraine’s businesses were sold to local oligarchs Centerenergo is the country’s second- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Serhiy cheaply and without competition (UNIAN, largest regional power generation compa- reporters that Mr. Sentsov would have to Kyslytsya said in October 2017 that his Kmu.gov.ua, May 10). ny. Since 2009, when then-Ukrainian ask for the pardon himself before it could be country attaches “great importance” to the The privatization list approved by Kyiv President allowed the considered. A vocal opponent of Russia’s Safe Schools Declaration and expressed includes majority shares in several power privatization of Centerenergo, its sale has 2014 annexation of Crimea, where he was Kyiv’s willingness to endorse the docu- generation and supply companies; turbine been postponed almost every year. born, Mr. Sentsov was sentenced in 2015 to ment. “These words were encouraging, but maker Turboatom and the manufacturer of Centerenergo owns three thermal power 20 years for conspiracy to commit terrorist more than seven months later, it’s time to electric equipment Electrovazhmash, both plants in eastern and central Ukraine, with acts. He and human rights groups say the put words into action, HRW said. based in ; the chemical plants a total capacity of 7,660 megawatts. Last charges were politically motivated. On May “Ukrainian children cannot wait any lon- Sumykhimprom and Odesa Portside Plant year, it cut power generation by 36 percent 14, he began a hunger strike, demanding ger.” (RFE/RL) (OPZ); and the United Mining and Chemical because of coal shortages caused by the the release of 64 Ukrainian citizens he con- Company, which is a player on the interna- government-imposed ban on coal purchas- siders political prisoners. Russian state-run Tymoshenko announces presidential run tional titanium market (Spfu.gov.ua, es from mines controlled by Russian prox- RIA Novosti news agency quoted Ms. Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia accessed on May 16). ies in the Donbas region (see Eurasia Daily Moskalkova as saying that Mr. Sentsov was Tymoshenko says she plans to run for pres- The privatization of most of those com- Monitor, March 29, 2017). Nevertheless, “receiving nutrition from a drip filled with ident in 2019, setting up a possible show- panies has been delayed for years. Centerenergo managed to almost quintuple all the vitamins twice a day” and that he had down with incumbent Petro Poroshenko. In Speeding up the sale of government-owned its net profits, to the equivalent of $73 mil- not lost weight. Separately, Mr. Sentsov’s a video conference on her Facebook page industrial assets has been one of the main lion, in 2017. lawyers said the European Court of Human on June 20, Ms. Tymoshenko said she will conditions of the International Monetary OPZ’s privatization progressed to the Rights had called on Mr. Sentsov to end his run for the presidency “not just to play an Fund (IMF) for the $1.9 billion tranche of stage of auctions several times, only to be hunger strike and for Russia to provide authoritarian game… but to lift Ukraine its Extended Fund Facility loan, which derailed at the last moment. In 2009, the details by June 27 about his condition and back on its feet.” She added: “The presiden- Ukraine hopes to obtain this summer. In government of then-Prime Minister Yulia how his rights are being ensured. (RFE/RL, tial office for me is not a PlayStation, but a order to convince the IMF that privatization Tymoshenko invalidated OPZ’s sale to with reporting by AP, AFP, and Interfax) place to introduce real changes our country will be honest, Kyiv last January approved Nortima, a company reportedly linked to has been longing for.” The leader of new privatization legislation. It came into HRW calls for safe schools in Ukraine local oligarch Ihor Kolomoysky, for $600 Ukraine’s opposition Batkivshchyna party effect in March, later than planned initially, million. The State Property Fund then Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged added that she would initiate a referendum so the start of the privatization campaign claimed that the price was too low. Ukraine to endorse the Safe Schools on a new Constitution if she was elected this year has been postponed from last Nevertheless, in 2016 the State Property Declaration, an intergovernmental political president. “I will propose a new constitu- winter until the fall. Fund failed to find buyers for OPZ – initially document aimed at better protecting chil- tion for Ukraine to make it a real public In line with the new law, privatization for the equivalent of $527 million, and sev- dren’s right to education in wartime. The procedures have been simplified in order agreement between the government and eral months later even for $200 million. It New York-based watchdog made the call in the people in order to de-monopolize the to make the process faster and to attract may not be easy to find buyers for OPZ this a June 20 statement, saying that fighting more foreign investors. At the same time, year either, because it has been losing between Ukrainian government forces and (Continued on page 12) companies from Russia are explicitly pro- money for several years and accumulated hibited from buying assets from the gov- large debts for natural gas to the state oil ernment. Russia is being punished for the and gas firm Naftogaz Ukrainy and to continuing war in eastern Ukraine and the Ostchem. The latter company is linked to FOUNDED 1933 annexation of Crimea in 2014. The state- local tycoon Dmytro Firtash, who is wanted The Ukrainian Weekly owned assets slated for sale were subdivid- in the on bribery charges. ed into two groups, for “big privatization” An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., and simplified “small privatization.” In (Continued on page 13) a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. ministers extend (ISSN — 0273-9348) The Weekly: UNA: Crimea sanctions for another year Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900

by Rikard Jozwiak ban on cruise ships flying the flag of an Postmaster, send address changes to: RFE/RL EU member state or controlled by a The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz member state to call at ports at the Black 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas BRUSSELS – European Union agricul- Sea peninsula, and a prohibition of the P.O. Box 280 tural ministers have prolonged the bloc’s purchase by EU companies of property Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] investment ban against Crimea for and companies there. another year. Under the ban, goods and technology The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com The ministers extended the restrictive for the transport, telecommunications and measures, which were adopted in 2014 energy sectors also cannot be exported to The Ukrainian Weekly, June 24, 2018, No. 25, Vol. LXXXVI in response to Russia’s illegal annexation Crimean companies or for use in Crimea. Copyright © 2018 The Ukrainian Weekly of the Ukrainian peninsula, during a The EU’s economic sanctions target- meeting in Luxembourg on June 18. ing Russia’s banking and energy sector EU ambassadors had already are set to be debated by EU leaders when ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA approved the move earlier this month. they meet in Brussels at the end of June. The measures, which have been According to EU diplomats who were not Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 extended on a yearly basis, include an authorized to speak on the record, the e-mail: [email protected] EU-wide ban on imports from Crimea sanctions are likely to be rolled-over for Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 unless they have Ukrainian certificates, a another six months. e-mail: [email protected] No. 25 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Russia rejoices in celebration of soccer, but bad memories loom by Pavel K. Baev $70-$80 per barrel, as Igor Sechin, Mr. and its smoldering wars in Syria and eastern Mr. Trump’s success in Singapore, during Eurasia Daily Monitor Putin’s oil-confidant and CEO of the state- Ukraine (Moscow echo, June 15). Mr. Putin, his summit with North Korean dictator Kim owned energy giant Rosneft, put it (RBC, nevertheless, finds it important to combine Jong-un, is expected to pave the way for an The start of the 2018 World Cup (June June 15). The colossal expenses from build- soccer diplomacy with demonstrations of equally high-profile heads-of-state meeting 14-July 15) had everything that the mil- ing the infrastructure for the World Cup are Russia’s might. One example has been the with Mr. Putin (Carnegie.ru, June 12). lions of soccer fans in Russia could wish not expected to yield any net financial prof- large-scale exercise of the Northern Fleet, The Kremlin needs to find something to for: perfectly prepared stadiums, a beauti- its, but at least the diplomatic and propa- which sailed into the Barents Sea with 36 put on the table, and the dumping by the ful and short opening ceremony, and the ganda dividends can be harvested (Forbes. combat ships, auxiliary vessels and subma- Russian Central Bank of half of its portfolio spectacular performance of the national ru, June 13). rines. The navy’s only aircraft carrier, the of U.S. government bonds may be intended team. The country has, indeed, come Sporting excitement notwithstanding, Admiral Kuznetsov, which has started long to remind the White House of Russia’s together and rejoiced in welcoming what is the country’s economic problems persist. repairs, was absent, as was its flagship, the financial clout (RIA Novosti, June 15). often considered the world’s greatest And the government has decided that the nuclear cruiser Petr Velikii, which awaits its Moscow tries to move quickly with vari- sporting event, which will be watched with happy moment of the arrival of the long- turn for overhaul (TASS, June 13). ous initiatives, knowing that the uplifting keen attention in every inhabited corner of awaited soccer party provides perfect This surprise show of naval power is quite effect of the good start to the World Cup the globe. For the past eight years, 11 cities cover for the inevitable decision to raise the possibly intended to reinforce the diplomatic will not last long – moreover, the continued in Russia’s European part had been prepar- retirement age (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, June warning to Oslo that Moscow is highly dis- smooth course of the month-long tourna- ing to greet thousands of foreign tourists, 14). Many officials are worried that this pleased with Norway’s intention to invite the ment is by no means guaranteed. Even bar- and the joyful atmosphere in Moscow painful hit to social benefits (men’s retire- United States to increase to 700 the force of ring any organizational setback or terrorist resembles the capital’s breathtaking open- ment age will gradually be adjusted from U.S. Marines training in the northern fjords attack (see EDM, April 24), the soccer ing to the world during the 1957 Festival of 60 to 65, while women face even greater (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, June 14). championship will be over by mid-July, and Youth and Students (Gazeta.ru, June 14). change – from 55 to 63) may lead to pro- Simultaneously, a different kind of dem- August has frequently brought bad luck in Alexei Navalny, a defiant leader of the tests (Vedomosti, June 15). Mr. Putin, mean- onstration is developing in the Sea of Azov, the past (Sobesednik, May 30). The exorbi- “non-systemic” opposition, has sardonical- while, has distanced himself from this act, where Russia has redeployed several mis- tantly expensive sports showcase will ly praised the beautification of the Moscow pushing the responsibility squarely on the sile ships from the Caspian flotilla undoubtedly leave Russia with crowds of prison, which has been transformed into a government and reserving for himself the (Nezavisimoe Voennoe Obozrenie, June 7; boisterous fans, discontented aging work- hotel-type establishment ready to accom- option to show benevolence by adjusting see EDM, May 31, June 11). ers agitated about their pensions, and modate “overenthusiastic” fans (Navalny. the new rules by a year or two (Moskovsky This combination of soccer “soft power” deeply worried neighbors, who know full com, June 15). Yet, behind this euphoria Komsomolets, June 15). and demonstrative military “hard power” is well Russia’s propensity to upset the inter- loom reflections on the perfectly organized What might have even greater impact on supposed to prove Russia’s relevance on national order while global attention is 1980 Olympics in Moscow, which marked business dynamics was the decision to the international arena. What could confer turned to other spectacles. the terminal decline of the increase the value-added tax (VAT) – which credibility to these maneuvers is the pros- In the four years since the Sochi Olympics, accelerated by the war in Afghanistan, and has made it impossible for the Central Bank pect of President Putin meeting with U.S. Russia has moved far along the track of eco- on the spectacular 2014 Winter Olympics to cut interest rates (Kommersant, June President Donald Trump (see EDM, June nomic decline and political despotism. But it in Sochi, which became a preamble to 16). Economic stagnation, instead of the 14), and the Russian mainstream media has also gained much experience in execut- Russia’s brutal aggression in Ukraine breakthrough prescribed by Mr. Putin (see have been applying a heavy spin on this ing “hybrid” interventions abroad. Moscow (, June 12). Eurasia Daily Monitor, May 3, 17), remains theme (Rossiyskaya Gazeta, June 16). will, thus, almost certainly continue to test President Vladimir Putin himself is not a the most likely prospect for Russia, even The unprecedented row at the G-7 sum- the limits of Western resolve to contain its fan of the most popular game in the world, with the “comfortable” volume of petro- mit, where Mr. Trump offended U.S. allies in export of conflict and corruption. but he is keen to maximally exploit its huge revenues (Republic.ru, June 15). many unexpected ways, including by sug- geopolitical resonance. At the opening Sobering up to these economic realities gesting that Russia be readmitted into this The article above is reprinted from match, he showed all due respect to Saudi may happen sometime in the autumn; but club of advanced industrial democracies, is Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and presently, Russia is happy to escape Western seen as particularly beneficial to the its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, feigned profound surprise at the over- ostracism and forget about the sanctions Russian cause (Russiancouncil.ru, June 13). www.jamestown.org. whelming victory of the Russian team (Svoboda.org, June 15). Indeed, for him it was a useful opportunity to discuss further oil production limits by Russia and the 100 million victims of communism are remembered Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Moscow would like the VOC price to stay in the “comfortable level” of WASHINGTON – Sixteen embassies, four delegations and representatives from 39 ethnic and human rights organizations joined the Victims of Communism Memorial Ukrainian artist’s Foundation (VOC) on June 8 for the 11th annual Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom viral posters ‘red card’ and Roll Call of Nations wreath-laying cere- mony at the Victims of Communism World Cup host Russia Memorial on Capitol Hill, which this year honored slain Cuban dissident and by Christopher Miller democracy advocate Oswaldo Payá. RFE/RL Executive Director Marion Smith noted that, despite efforts by contemporary KYIV – Before the 2018 FIFA World Cup in pundits and totalitarian regimes to reha- Russia kicked off on June 14, one Ukrainian bilitate the bloody ideas of Karl Marx, “the artist got a jump on its Russian hosts. real legacy of Marxism is this ceremony. It VOC President Vladimir Putin views the is the dozens of countries represented Participants of the 11th annual Roll Call of Nations wreath-laying ceremony at the international soccer championship as a here by those who will lay wreaths to Victims of Communism Memorial on Capitol Hill. chance for Russia to put its best face for- commemorate the lives of those killed in ward at a time when relations with the some 40 communist countries since could provide the correct answer: over staged car accident in 2012. West are arguably worse than at any time 1917.” 100 million. Commented one millennial But his daughter Rosa María Payá is since the Cold War. Russians are even get- VOC Board Chairman Dr. Lee Edwards about his peers: ‘They haven’t seen social- continuing the vital work her father ting smiling lessons to make foreign visi- stated: “According to our YouGov survey, ism’s failures firsthand.’ ” began. Her organization, Cuba Decide, is tors feel welcome. one-third of all Americans would prefer to Almost six years ago, the people of trying to organize a plebiscite calling for Ukrainian artist Andriy Yermolenko, on live under socialism rather than capital- Cuba lost Mr. Payá, the founder of the free elections with full political participa- the other hand, sees the monthlong specta- ism.” He was referring to VOC’s “Annual Movimiento Cristiano Liberación (MCL) tion on the island. cle as an opportunity to shine a light on Report on U.S. Attitudes Toward and a 2002 laureate of the European VOC presented Mr. Payá with its Moscow’s perceived crimes and human Socialism.” He went on to say: “Why? Is it Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom, which rights violations in his country and around due to idealism, the desire for a classless of Thought. He dedicated his life to peace- was accepted by his wife, Ofelia Acevedo, the world. society in which everyone is equal and fully opposing the authoritarian rule of and his daughter. The medal is awarded Inspired by Russia’s forcible annexation envy does not exist because everything is the Communist Party of Cuba and advo- to those individuals and institutions who of Crimea in 2014 and its support for owned in common? Is it a lack of knowl- cating for pluralistic liberal democracy on have demonstrated a lifelong commit- armed insurgent forces in eastern Ukraine, edge, sheer ignorance? When asked how an island that has languished under the ment to freedom and democracy and Yermolenko has created a-growing collec- many people have died under commu- iron fists of the Castro brothers for nearly opposition to communism and all other nism, less than one-third of Americans half a century. Mr. Payá was murdered in a forms of tyranny. (Continued on page 16) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 No. 25 Ukrainian National Credit Union Association holds annual meeting in Washington

by Orysia Burdiak WASHINGTON – The Ukrainian National Credit Union Association (UNCUA) held its 37th annual meeting and spring confer- ence on June 7-9 in Washington. Thirty participants representing 12 Ukrainian American credit unions in the U.S. gathered to lobby their legislators on Capitol Hill, meet with Ambassador Valeriy Chaly at the Embassy of Ukraine, hear pre- sentations on current topics of interest to credit union leaders and elect a new board of directors. The conference commenced on Thursday morning with a briefing on talk- ing points concerning Ukraine and credit unions, in order to prepare participants for scheduled visits with their legislators on Capitol Hill that afternoon. Michael Sawkiw Jr., director of the Ukrainian National Information Service, briefed participants on points concerning Ukraine. Credit union issues were presented by Ryan Donovan, chief advocacy officer of the Credit Union National Association. Delegates then pro- ceeded to Capitol Hill to lobby their respec- tive elected officials, emphasizing the important issues discussed during that morning’s briefing. Afterwards, delegates met with Ambassador Chaly at the Embassy of Ukraine. The ambassador provided the cred- it union leaders with an update on events in Ukraine, specifically an assessment of the Participants of the Ukrainian National Credit Union Association’s 37th annual meeting and spring conference in Washington. improving business environment in Ukraine. Friday’s program began with welcoming millennials presented by the president of endars have been distributed to credit union Temnycky (Self Reliance New York), remarks by Andrij Horbachevsky, UNCUA Razom, Mariya Soroka. members in the United States in 2018. Bohdan Wruskyj (Selfreliance Chicago); chairman. Following his remarks, delegates Tamara Denysenko, board member and The following individuals were elected were honored by a visit from two U.S. rep- former CEO of Ukrainian Federal Credit to the 2018-2019 UNCUA Board of Fedun (Nova UA), Mr. Horbachevsky (SUMA resentatives: Ed Royce (R-Calif.), chairman Union (FCU) in Rochester, focused on a Directors and committees: Yonkers),• Nominating Vitaliy Committee:Kutnyy (Selfreliance Jaroslaw of the House Foreign Affairs Committee look ahead to 2020 – best practices, suc- Chicago), Mr. Stachiw (Selfreliance New and senior member of the House cesses and challenges for UNCUA credit chairman (SUMA Yonkers, N.Y.); Stephen England), Yaroslav Zaviysky (Ukrainian Committee on Financial Services, and Brian unions, discussing assets, membership and Kerda,• UNCUA vice-chair Officers: (Selfreliance Mr. Horbachevsky, Baltimore); National); Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), member of the House capital growth. George Stachiw, secretary (Selfreliance committees on Foreign Affairs, Homeland On Saturday, June 9, the association con- New England); Executive Committee mem- (SUMA Yonkers), Natalia Pachashynska Security and Small Business. Both con- ducted its 37th annual meeting, which bers: Bohdan Kurczak (Self Reliance New (Ukrainian• By-Laws National), Committee: Nusia Roman Woch-Kerda Kozicky gressmen are friends of Ukraine and credit included reports by management and vari- York) and Bohdan Watral (Selfreliance (Selfreliance Baltimore); and unions. They provided delegates with a ous committees. The election of board Chicago); Washington update on the committees members for the 2018- 2019 term was also Insurance Trustees: Ms. Burdiak, Mr. they serve, encouraged visits to Capitol Hill held. Bohdan Czepak (Cleveland Selfreliance), Kaczurak,• Loan Mr. Protection Kerda, Ms. and Kolodij, Life Savings Wasyl and responded to questions from the par- UNCUA Chairman Horbachevsky report- Ms.• DenysenkoMembers of(Ukrainian the Board FCU, of Directors:Rochester, Kornylo, Mr. Kurczak, John Olijarczyk. ticipants. ed on his activities for the past year, and N.Y.), Esteban Kaczurak (Ukrainian Ms. Burdiak was elected president of the Presentations on topics of interest to the Orysia Burdiak, president, reported on the National, New York), Mary Kolodij association and the Ukrainian Cooperative credit union industry followed, such as HR work of the staff. (Selfreliance Philadelphia), Michael Lewko Insurance Agency in Chicago. UNCUA staff compliance and liability, cybersecurity, an The 2018 credit union calendar was dedi- (Nova UA, Clifton, N.J.), Natalie Maruszczak members are Christine Pylypowycz and emerging technology known as blockchain cated to the voice of Ukraine – the bandura. (Selfreliance Michigan), Eugene Szestak Nina Bebko. presented by Bohdan Shevchik of the This year commemorates the 100th anniver- (Selfreliance Pittsburgh); The delegates agreed to return to Federal Reserve System, and insight into sary of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of Washington for the 38th UNCUA annual the demographics of Ukrainian American North America. Approximately 28,000 cal- Liscynesky (Cleveland Selfreliance), Orest meeting and spring conference in 2019. • Supervisory Committee: Orest Illinois governor’s proclamation recognizes UCC testifies at Human Rights Committee, genocidal Holodomor call for a strong response to Russia PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The governor of Illinois, Bruce Rauner, OTTAWA – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has taken no actions against the Russian judges, on May 19 presented a proclamation commemorating “the 85th (UCC) testified on June 8 at the House of Commons prosecutors, investigators, security service officials anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine Genocide” in which he Subcommittee on International Human Rights on the and politicians responsible for these violations. We “encourage[d] all Illinoisans to memorialize the victims and human rights situation in Ukraine. call on the government of to use the tools survivors of [the] Holodomor.” Ihor Michalchyshyn, UCC CEO, and Orest available in the Magnitsky Act to implement sanc- The governor’s proclamation noted the plans of the Zakydalsky, UCC senior policy advisor, reiterated the tions against these Russian officials. Canada must Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Division, to UCC’s call on the government of Canada to ensure a stand up for Ukrainian political prisoners.” hold 85th anniversary commemorations of the Holodomor strong, united G-7 response to Russia’s egregious The G-7 leaders’ summit began that day in anniversary throughout 2018. It described the Holodomor as human rights violations of Ukrainian citizens. Charlevoix, Quebec. Messrs. Michalchyshyn and “a famine genocide in Soviet Ukraine from 1932 to 1933 during Messrs. Michalchyshyn and Zakydalsky called on Zakydalsky both stated that Canada’s presidency in which millions of Ukrainians starved to death.” the Canadian government to immediately implement the G-7 presents a unique opportunity to focus inter- The proclamation points out that “the people of Illinois rec- sanctions against Russian officials responsible for national attention on ending Russia’s war against ognize the importance of remembering and learning from dark the violations of the human rights of over 70 Ukraine and ending Russia’s occupation of Crimea chapters in human history to ensure that such crimes against Ukrainian political prisoners illegally jailed by and parts of and oblasts. humanity are not repeated” and states that “we honor the Russia. The UCC expressed its gratitude to the memory of those who lost their lives during [the] Holodomor “Since the adoption of the Magnitsky Act in Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the and pay our respects to the American Ukrainians in Illinois October 2017, the government of Canada has had Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and who lived through this tragedy and have told their horrific sto- the tools to sanction Russian officials responsible for International Development for the opportunity to ries.” these violations of internationally recognized human testify about these important issues to Canada’s par- rights,” stated Mr. Michalchyshyn. “The government liamentarians. No. 25 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 5 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 No. 25

WINDOW ON EURASIA The Ukrainian Weekly Crisis at the border Putin’s World Cup more like Brezhnev’s The humanitarian crisis at the U.S. border has brought to light most penetratingly that our immigration system is broken. In fact, it has been broken for a long, long 1980 Olympiad than Hitler’s 1936 Games time, but that reality has been ignored when politically convenient. by Paul Goble “the world community today had much This time, it could not be ignored. By now, most of us have seen video and heard greater reason to boycott the Putin champi- recordings of the heart-rending separation of innocent children from their parents At first glance, it may seem that the par- onship than they did in the case of the 1936 as they illegally crossed the border into this country. allels between today’s World Cup in Russia Hitler Olympiad.” It cannot hide behind the That was the direct result of a new “zero tolerance” policy announced in April by and the 1936 Olympics is “more idea that it doesn’t know who Putin is and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. No longer would families be released into the U.S. exact” than that with the 1980 Moscow by refusing to boycott the World Cup in while their immigration cases or asylum applications were being processed. Any Olympics, commentator Vadim Zaydman Russia it has made itself “passively complic- adults who illegally crossed the border would be prosecuted; they would be detained says; but a closer examination suggests that it in Putin’s crimes.” until their cases were processed. And their children would not be allowed to stay with those between the World Cup now and the Thus, Mr. Zaydman says, “the analogy them, instead being placed in some facility or with relatives, if such were found. Moscow Olympiad are far closer. between the current championship and the Five first ladies – past (Rosalynn Carter, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Michelle On the one hand, the kasparov.ru com- 1980 Olympics is more correct. Now, as in Obama) and present – expressed their dismay over the new policy of tearing families mentator says, “Hitler’s Olympiad was the 1980, the world community already had apart. Melania Trump weighed in through her spokeswoman. “Mrs. Trump hates to first precedent of such type. The world still the lesson of the Berlin Olympics, now, as see children separated from their families and hopes both sides of the aisle can finally did not have in its possession such histori- then, Russia (the Soviet Union) was come together to achieve successful immigration reform,” her communications direc- cal lessons and one can conclude couldn’t involved in a military adventure, then in tor, Stephanie Grisham, told CNN on Sunday, June 17. “She believes we need to be a imagine that this Olympiad would be used Afghanistan.” country that follows all laws, but also a country that governs with heart.” to ‘raise Germany from its knees’ and The big difference is that “in 1980, the On Tuesday, June 19, reported that Sen. Mitch McConnell, unleash military insanity” (kasparov.ru/ leaders of the East had enough political will the majority leader, said that “all of the members of the Republican conference sup- material.php?id=5B26501C3C60A). to draw the lessons of the 1936 Olympics port a plan that keeps families together,” and that they support an approach that That means that the international com- and now they don’t” would provide legal authority to detain parents and children together while their munity in 1938 did not have the knowledge The Moscow commentator continues by legal status in the country is assessed by the courts. Asylum claims would be expe- about how such things could play out. “And noting that Wikipedia, in its article on dited by adding more immigration judges or allowing families to be processed in this sense, the historical guilt of Hitler’s Olympiad, points out that “after before others, Republican senators said, according to The Post. Chamberlain and Deladier, who concluded World War II, [the actions] of the The next day, June 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting the Agreement with Hitler was all International Olympic Committee in the the zero tolerance policy (he’d previously said he could not reverse the policy by the same less than the guilt of current lead- early 1930s were recognized as mistaken. simply signing an order). He commented that his wife “feels very strongly about it” ers of Western countries who make peace The IOC issued a formal apology.” and added, ”I think anybody with a heart will feel strongly about it – we don’t like to with Putin.” “How long will we have to wait for FIFA see families being separated.” It seems that families will now be kept together in And on the other, Mr. Zaydman points to apologize for not moving the 2018 some sort of detention facilities. Current rules say families can be detained for up to out, “In 1936 Hitler had not yet conducted World Cup? “When will the leaders of the 20 days, and it’s not clear what happens after that. Also unanswered is the question any military campaigns, hadn’t invaded any West apologize for their refusal to boycott” of what will happen to the over 2,300 children who have already been separated countries or annexed any territories. Putin Mr. Putin’s games? Both are important from their parents, although a Health and Human Services spokesperson was quot- in 2018, however, has launched two cam- questions. But there is a still more ominous ed as saying, “reunification is always the goal,” without providing any details. paigns, in Ukraine and in Syria, and has question posed by the commentary: “Will it Obviously, there is much that remains to be clarified and worked out. killed tens of thousands of people.” take an intervening world war to make On Thursday, June 21, The Washington Post reported that the U.S. Border Patrol Consequently, the Moscow analyst says, these things happen?” will no longer refer migrant parents who cross into the United States illegally with children to federal courthouses to face criminal charges, citing a senior official at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Meanwhile, that same day, a release from the White House explained that the president’s executive order “allows the administration to continue to protect the border with its zero-tolerance policy while avoiding the sep- Two dangerous proposals on Crimea aration of illegal alien families, to the extent the president can legally do so.” It also reported that the attorney general “will seek an immediate modification of the with even more dangerous consequences Flores settlement agreement, which prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement from detaining families together for more than 20 days.” by Paul Goble That is disastrous enough as a betrayal Thus, the situation continues to evolve. President Trump and members of his of Ukraine, but the reason Mr. Trump administration continue to speak about “strong borders” and tough enforcement of Any time a dispute lasts beyond a few reportedly invoked to justify this idea is the law. And critics cite the immorality and cruelty of U.S. policy toward immigrants weeks, it is almost inevitable that some of even more disturbing. It goes further than fleeing persecution, drug cartels, poverty. those involved will seek to end it by accepting even Mr. Putin has in justifying Russian As descendants of immigrants, Ukrainian Americans cannot close our eyes to the position of their original opponents or by aggression. Since 2014, the Russian presi- what is happening in our country. It’s wrong, just plain wrong. To be sure, defenders proposing what seems to be a way around dent has justified the annexation by point- of the Trump administration point to similar situations and policies under previous the problem by recasting it in different terms. ing to the referendum he orchestrated after administrations. Still, two wrongs don’t make a right and, as noted at the top of this Both these steps represent serious risks Russian forces moved in. editorial, the system has been dysfunctional for far too long. in and of themselves; but often they also What Mr. Trump reportedly said was that Yes, our borders must be safe and secure – but not at the cost of incarcerating thou- pose dangers far larger than the problem Crimea is Russian because “all the people sands of people desperately seeking better lives for their families. Nor should children they purport to solve, dangers neglected as there speak Russian.” It’s a position that mir- be used as bargaining chips to compel Congress to act. It is high time for this country’s people react to them. Two such ideas have rors the Kremlin leader’s earlier assertions leaders – both the administration and the Congress – to get to work on immigration surfaced today regarding Crimea, one from about “a Russian world” embracing more reform while remembering what the United States of America stands for. U.S. President Donald Trump and a second than just Crimea and the Donbas, and one from Greeks on that occupied Ukrainian that Moscow might seek to apply to north- peninsula. ern Kazakhstan, parts of Belarus and so on. The one that is certain to gain the great- One should treat the Buzzfeed report er amount of attention is a report in with caution because its sources were not June Turning the pages back... Buzzfeed today that Trump told the G7 authorized to report this and spoke only on meeting in Ottawa that “Crimea is Russian,” condition of anonymity. But if it is true – or a reversal of the U.S. position up to now and Last year, on June 27, 2017, Col. Yuriy Voznyi of the Security even if it is a trial balloon – no one should a major victory for Vladimir Putin Service of Ukraine (SBU) was killed in a car bomb blast while sit- forget these larger problems as well as the 27 (buzzfeed.com/albertonardelli/trump-rus- ting in a vehicle in the district of . immediate ones it can cause. The White sia-crimea and thebell.io/buzzfeed-tramp- It was the third high-ranking Ukrainian officer killed in car House has neither confirmed nor denied 2017 nazval-krym-rossijskim/). explosions in the past three months. Some leading experts that Mr. Trump made such remarks. believed that Russia was specifically targeting an emerging cadre [Editor’s note: On June 18, a senior State of proven field leaders. Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on Department official said in response to a That same day, army Col. Maksym Shapoval was killed in a car explosion in Kyiv while ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia question about the Buzzfeed story: “Again, he was off from a fresh stint at the frontline. Col Shapoval was collecting evidence of who has served in various capacities in the we’ve reiterated that our Crimea policy Russian war crimes to substantiate Kyiv’s case against the Kremlin at the International U.S. State Department, the Central remains. We support Ukraine’s territorial Court of Justice at The Hague. As a commander of a reconnaissance division within the Intelligence Agency and the International integrity within its internationally recog- armed forces, he had planned reconnaissance raids deep into enemy territory in Russian- Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice nized borders, and our Crimea policy occupied Donbas and also took part in some of them. of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio remains unchanged. Our sanctions – our On March 31, Lt. Col. Oleksandr Kharberiush, who was the deputy head of the local Liberty and the Carnegie Endowment for Crimea-related sanctions will remain in counterintelligence unit in Donetsk Oblast, died in a car blast in . He had targeted International Peace. The article above is place until Russia ends its occupation and Russian saboteur groups and their Ukrainian collaborators in the Donbas. reprinted with permission from his blog returns Crimea to Ukraine.”] called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- (Continued on page 19) woneurasia2.blogspot.com/). (Continued on page 16) No. 25 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

tradition of unwittingly working against Enforcement) agents to brutally separate CG4DU has been contributing to the the best interests of their ancestral home- mothers from their children. shaping of Canada’s policy regarding Court the administration land and, while they are all first-rate Contrary to Mr. Trump’s fear-mongering Ukraine since its founding some five years instead of attacking it Democrat Americans, they strike me as portrayal of U.S. immigration policy as one ago in order to fill the gap on policy formu- rather poor Ukrainian Americans. of open borders, the fact is that President lation regarding issues between Canada Dear Editor: Ukrainians Americans ought to be courting Barack Obama deported over 2.5 million and Ukraine. (The group is looking for peo- On your lively Letters page of May 27, this administration, which could actually illegal aliens. This policy also was consid- ple who want to work on international pol- Tania Vitvitsky refers to a letter from Ihor give diplomatic impetus to recovering ered harsh in many cases, but it focused icy issues with us; visiting www.CG4D for Mirchuk (“Seek collaboration, not partisan- Ukrainian territory and making Russia stay heavily on criminal groups like the Sineloa more information.) ship,” May 20). After a couple of readings, within its proper borders. Cartel and MS-13. The U.S. relied on immi- Our overtures to the G-7 foreign minis- gration courts enforcing the law, and both ters’ meeting – via a letter to Canada’s Ihor Mirchuk impressed me as a careful Jeffrey Ojeda Bellinger U.S. and international law provide protec- Minister earlier this year thinker with a good grasp of the past. My Riverton, Wyo. only quibble with Mr. Mirchuk is his rather tion for asylum-seekers who have a reason- – contributed to keeping sanctions on too optimistic ending in which he suggests able fear of persecution, should they be Russia in place, as well as obtaining a com- support for Ukraine is a “touchstone” of forced to return to their country of origin. mitment to assist Ukraine in dealing with Remembering our parents’ and grand- American policy. its corruption. parents’ experience at the end of World On the contrary, I believe playing Ukrainian Americans must However, we are disappointed that the War II, Ukrainian-Americans should show Ukraine as an expendable nation has, for a Canadian government failed to punish compassion and demand that the new couple of decades, been our policy and that speak up for immigrants Russia’s aggression in Ukraine by boycot- Dear Editor: administration in Washington respect the change to genuine and meaningful support rights of other immigrants that seek asy- ting the World Cup. Some 20 other coun- is only possible now with our current pres- It was a long time ago, but for those old lum, especially innocent women and chil- tries are doing so officially. This is a policy ident. The appointments and confirmations enough to remember, it seems like yester- dren that would face death or brutal treat- failure. Canada has a reputation of doing of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and day. In 1945, tens of thousands of Ukrainian ment if forced back to Central America. the right thing internationally. Going to a C.I.A. Director Gina Haspel augurs well for refugees crowded into displaced persons’ ball game organized by a murderer and Ukraine, for both have long seen Russia for camps in Germany, seeking asylum in Katja Pylyshenko Kolcio habitual criminal who aims to cover his the predatory and totalitarian power that it America or Canada. Soviet agents stalked and Bohdan Kolcio crimes with charm, belies that. is. Our country has not enjoyed such clarity, the camps, demanding that the Americans Nestor and Magda Kolcio Clearly, there was insufficient pressure on at this level of government, since before the repatriate Ukrainians to their homeland, Higganum, Conn. Canada to stand up to President Vladimir C.I.A. and the O.S.S. were formed. We face where they would have faced death or Putin. The opportunity was missed by the an overt Russian opponent not only in deportation to Siberia. Irma and Wolodymyr Pylyshenko Ukrainian Canadian Congress, as well as the Ukraine, but in Syria, North Korea and Iran. Every human tragedy has its own Rochester, N.Y. Ukrainian Congress Committee of America – If thinking more broadly, the theaters of nuances, but Ukrainian Americans who still indeed all Ukrainian umbrella organizations concern must include the Baltic, Bosporus remember those days should be deeply Orysia Pylyshenko that claim to provide leadership to our com- and Aegean as well. moved by the plight of Central American Yarmouth, Maine munity. Ms. Vitvitsky and Mr. Mirchuk referred mothers and children desperately fleeing Ksenia Kolcio It would be instructive to find out why to a February 25 advertisement of the their homelands to escape from drug car- Seattle there was no forceful push. As members, it Ukrainian-Americans for Compassion, tels and death squads. We should be out- is our right to ask and get answers. Truth & Transparency, making an appeal to raged by the policies of the Trump adminis- UCC often states that it speaks with “one “Support Mueller Investigation.” I notice tration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions voice” for Ukrainian Canadians to the gov- there are no signatories to that advertise- that instituted a “zero tolerance” policy “One voice” or ernment of Canada. This is rather pre- ment from Wyoming. Out here we tend to toward Central American and Mexican fam- sumptuous, as each citizen has a right to know a lot more about rodeo than Russia, ilies seeking asylum. no voice at all? speak to his government. Having said that, or any of that fancy stuff, but while we may Mothers and children obviously do not Dear Editor: we need to pay attention to this “voice” or not be as informed as Ms. Vitvitsky claims match the profile of “Mexican rapists” that get snookered. Or we may find out too late herself to be, we do tend to be somewhat Mr. Trump touted as he sought to incite Thank you for publishing the letter of the that the “one voice” ends up being no voice more straightforward. voters’ racist fears and prejudice on the Canadian Group for Democracy in Ukraine at all. As a Wyoming ignoramus, permit me to campaign trail. But instead of going after (CG4DU) to Canada’s Prime Minister Justin state that Ms. Vitvitsky and her fellow sig- criminals, as promised, Mr. Sessions has Trudeau (which was later republished in the Oksana Bashuk Hepburn natories uphold a centuries-long Ukrainian dispatched ICE (Immigration and Customs , among others). Ottawa FOR THE RECORD UWC ‘appalled’ by Trump’s suggestion Menendez statement on suggestion that Russia be reinstated in G-7

UWC escalating vengeance claiming casual- that Russia should rejoin G-7 ties on an almost daily basis.” U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking think it would be good for the world. I think it TORONTO – The Ukrainian World “As of today,” the UWC reported, “the member of the Senate Foreign Relations would be good for Russia. I think it would be Congress (UWC) said it is “appalled by Russian Federation has seized 7.2 per- Committee, on June 13 submitted the fol- good for the United States. I think it would be the suggestion made on June 8 by U.S. cent of the territory of eastern Ukraine lowing statement for the Senate record on good for all of the countries of the current G-7. President Donald Trump, and support- and its military actions have resulted in President Donald Trump’s comments I think the G-8 would be better.” ed by Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe 11,000 deaths, including 2,500 civilians, regarding the government of the Russian Such a statement, even for this presi- Conte, that the Russian Federation be and 24,000 wounded. Currently in Federation rejoining the G-7. Earlier that dent, is stunning. reinstated as a member of the Group of Ukraine there are 1.6 million internally week, Sen. Menendez also introduced an On March 24, 2014, the current group of Seven.” displaced persons, whereas the Russian amendment to the annual defense policy G-7 states suspended the Russian A news released from the UWC Federation’s military aggression against legislation calling on the president to imme- Federation, in response to its illegal invasion noted: “In June 2014, the Russian Ukraine has negatively impacted the lives diately retract his statement at the G-7 and and occupation of the Ukrainian territory of Federation was excluded from the G-8 of close to 4.4 million Ukrainians living in to clearly state that the Russian Federation Crimea. Since then, the government of the summit that was originally scheduled the Donbas and resulted in the greatest will never join the G-7 until it ends its illegal Russian Federation continues to illegally to be held in Sochi, Russian Federation, humanitarian crisis since the end of the occupation of Crimea. Below are excerpts occupy Crimea and has utterly failed to fulfill and later moved in another format, second world war. There are more than from the senator’s statement. its obligations under the agreements without the Russian Federation, to 100 Ukrainian hostages in the Donbas … at the G-7 Summit in Charlevoix, Canada, to end its violent aggression in eastern Brussels. The decision was made by G-7 and over 60 Ukrainian political prisoners on June 9, 2018, President Trump stated the Ukraine. Russia has failed to respect a full leaders in unanimous condemnation of continue to languish in prisons in the following in regard to the Russian Federation ceasefire; it has failed to pull back its heavy the Russian Federation’s military Russian Federation and Crimea.” rejoining this group of the world’s seven most weaponry; it has failed to permit the moni- aggression against Ukraine and the ille- UWC President Eugene Czolij stated: industrialized and powerful nations: “It gal invasion of Crimea, and as a reaffir- “The Ukrainian World Congress calls would be an asset to have Russia back in. I (Continued on page 14) mation of their support for the people upon G-7 leaders to remain firmly com- of Ukraine and the fundamental princi- mitted to Ukraine’s sovereignty and ter- ABOUT OUR NEXT ISSUE ple of the territorial integrity of inde- ritorial integrity, and continue to pres- pendent countries.” sure the Russian Federation to remove The next edition of The Ukrainian Weekly will be a double issue dated The international coordinating body its troops from eastern Ukraine, de- July 1/July 8 that will be mailed to readers on June 29. for the Ukrainian diaspora pointed out occupy Crimea and release all that “the hybrid aggression of the Ukrainian hostages and political pris- Following the Independence Day holiday in the U.S., The Weekly’s subse- Russian Federation continues with an oners illegally detained by the Kremlin.” quent issue will be dated July 15. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 No. 25

Klitschko-Brothers.com Borys Buniak (left) and Vitali Klitschko pose by the Muhammad Ali and Joe Vitali Klitschko’s message: “Never give up fighting for your dreams!” Frazier exhibits in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Vitali Klitschko becomes first Ukrainian inducted into International Boxing Hall of Fame

by Lida Buniak “I want to say especially thank you to one Special to The Ukrainian Weekly person. Without this person, it would be impossible to achieve such a big accom- CANASTOTA, N.Y. – Amongst the sea of plishment in life. This person always push- hundreds of boxing fans who made the pil- es me from my back. He’s just four years grimage to witness this year’s inductions younger than me. …I go to boxing, he says into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, he wants to do boxing. I want to go to uni- was an atypical multitude of beaming indi- versity for Ph.D., and he also. I go to the Hall viduals draped in Ukrainian flags and wear- of Fame, and I’m sure Wladimir Klitschko ing embroidered shirts. For among the will be here too. I am very proud to have 2018 inductees were three boxers: four- the strongest brother in the world!” division world champion Erik “El Terrible” Vitali Klitschko, who is Kyiv’s current Morales and middleweight champion mayor and leader of the UDAR (Ukrainian Ronald “Winky” Wright, as well as former Democratic Alliance for Reform) party, three-time champion Vitali addressed both his personal and native land’s “Dr. Ironfist” Klitschko of Ukraine. Also fighting spirit. “It is very important to always inducted on that day, June 10, were two have a dream, to have a dream to be a cham- broadcasters, Steve Albert and Jim Gray. pion. I have a dream to live in a good country Dr. Klitschko (he holds a Ph.D. in sports with good life standards… I know you have to science) boxed professionally from 1996 to fight for your dreams and fight for others… 2013. His formidable jabs and punches you have to, because no fights – no wins.” yielded a practically indomitable 45-2 On this international stage where such record with 41 . A product of the boxing legends as Muhammad Ali, Marvin Soviet athletic system, Dr. Klitschko shared Hagler, and with the audience at the induction ceremo- have stood, Dr. Klitschko concluded his ny that as a youth, his 6-foot-7 lean phy- Klitschko-Brothers.com acceptance speech with the proclamation, sique would lend itself better to the sport of “Slava Ukraini!” In turn, spectators and Vitali Klitschko in the parade en route to the induction ceremony. swimming. Still, boxing, this vigorous com- proud Ukrainians loudly and proudly bat sport, requiring incredible stamina, responded “Heroyam slava!” strength and the ability to strategically pen- For Ukrainians at this historic event, etrate an opponent’s guard with powerful when the first Ukrainian was inducted into jabs and hooks, was his calling. the International Boxing Hall of Fame, that Ukrainian and other fans of Dr. Klitschko gesture unequivocally affirmed that Vitali appeared moved when the Hall of Fame “Dr. Ironfist” Klitschko is an individual who inductee made a prayer gesture with his is not only a true sportsman and champion hands and said, “God sent me good people in the ring, but also a champion in life. around me, who helped me achieve these goals in life …without these people, I never Lida Buniak, a retired school psychologist could have achieved what I received today.” and current graduate student at Syracuse Paying tribute to his younger brother, University, and her husband, Dr. Borys former two-time world heavyweight cham- Buniak, who live in Fayetteville, N.Y., attended Borys Buniak pion Wladimir “Dr. Steelhammer” the International Boxing Hall of Fame induc- 2018 inductees (from left): , Steve Albert, Vitali Klitschko, Jim Gray Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko stated earnestly: and Erik Morales. tion ceremony in nearby Canastota, N.Y.

Klitschko-Brothers.com Klitschko-Brothers.com Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko in the International Boxing Hall of Fame point to the Ukrainian fans with the . plaque recognizing Vitali. No. 25 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 9 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 No. 25

NOTES: Stankovych’s “Ukrainian Requiem” Concert notes by Maestro Andrew Koehler, Stankovych’s Requiem exists in several God’s strength and models it, too, in vigorous conductor of the Kalamazoo Philharmonia, liminal spaces at once – it transitions rising lines punctuated by percussion. about Yevhen Stankovych’s “Ukrainian between paroxysms of discordance, com- The first appearance of a narrator Requiem.” (Excerpted from the concert pro- positional techniques of the avant-garde (Stefan Szkafarowsky) – declaiming gram book.) that Stankovych knew and used in the first Pavlychko’s text – calls for us to remember part of his career, while mostly relying on those years of starvation. A warm solo …in the very year after the Soviet Union the plain-spoken vocabulary of his later opens the third movement, as he recalls dissolved and Ukraine declared itself – final- work; it embodies the full human response work on the land and what it meant to ly, after centuries of domination from others to tragedy, moving from supplication to Ukrainians; but at the words “on Satan’s – an independent nation, the celebrated rage to lament to acceptance; it hovers orders” a fearsome shout arises from the composer Yevhen Stankovych turned his between a spiritual world, invoking depths of the chorus and pushes the music attentions to composing a Requiem for Orthodox chants and the profundity of to a dissonant fanfare. A final prayer for those victims of the Holodomor. A Requiem belief, and the earthly suffering of starva- God’s intervention ends the movement. with an unapologetic text from his contem- tion. The succeeding music channels a folk porary colleague, poet Dmytro Pavlychko, The first of 15 interconnected move- idiom, dotted with the warnings of shrill which does not shirk from proclaiming the ments, all performed without pause, begins woodwinds, to help us hear the horrors truth of what happened. A Requiem that in complete stillness: a single note, intoned experienced in the villages; it is followed by somehow only now, at this performance, is from all corners of the orchestra, provides an a return to spiritual contemplation. The receiving its North American premiere. It is unwavering backdrop to a lamenting violin propulsive sixth movement depicts the Cover of the program book for the North as extraordinary an act of testament as it is solo and statements of “Amen” from the two American premiere of “Ukrainian a work of art. choruses. The next movement proclaims (Continued on page 13) Requiem” by Yevhen Stankovych.

North American... (Continued from page 1) With their skillful ability in playing “Son, the Ducks are Flying” (Oleksander Bilash), WBENA members succeeded in moving the audience to a tearful experience as they por- trayed a mother’s feelings of sadness and longing for her son as she awaits his return, “Echo of the Steppes” (Hryhory Kytasty) brought to mind the tumultuous events that have played out on the fertile plains of Ukraine while depicting the co-existence of man and nature on the vast steppes, catch- ing the essence of the breeze through the tall grasses. Ms. Matviyenko, People’s Artist of Ukraine, accompanied the ensemble in singing “Across the Wide Field,” delivering a moving performance of this traditional reli- YOLAB gious song from the lirnyk repertoire. The The Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America on stage with Nina Matviyenko, Stefan Szkafarowsky, Andrew Kohler and the piece pleads for God’s help in the nation’s Kalamazoo Philharmonia and Kalamazoo Bach Festival Chorus. hour of need, again eliciting a tearful erate deception reported that there was no tion to the Soviet collectivization of agricul- ly a member of the folk trio Zoloti Kliuchi moment among the audience. starvation, only some crop failures. Some ture. On a subsequent trip to Ukraine, Jones and performs with the Kyiv Camerata A one-man play other reporters ignored the travel ban and reported on the horror that he witnessed Orchestra and the Kostyantyn Chechenya reported on the Famine: Gareth Jones, there, and it was for this that he was likely Early Music Ensemble. In “Ukrainian For decades, the Soviet government vig- Malcolm Muggeridge and W. H. Chamberlin assassinated in Manchuria. Requiem,” Ms. Matviyenko performed the orously denied and covered up the genocid- among them. seventh movement’s soprano solo, which “Ukrainian Requiem” al Famine. During the 1930s, Soviets culti- Mr. Wyhinny passionately and skillfully was composed expressly for her. vated foreign journalists to depict the enacted a scene from the play “Buried The second half of the commemorative Mr. Szkafarowsky has been the featured Soviet government in positive terms by Truth,” in a “one-man play” that depicts the evening was dedicated to the North soloist with numerous symphonies in the rewarding them with privileges and pre- reporting of several journalists who deny American premiere of “Ukrainian Requiem: United States and Canada and is returning ferred access to Soviet dignitaries. Foreign the existence of death and starvation in A Requiem for Those Who Died of Hunger in to the Metropolitan to sing in journalists were required to remain in Ukraine. However, the Soviets could not hide 1921-1922, 1932-1933, 1946-1947” by cel- “Madame Butterfly.” He is a recipient of the Moscow and were forbidden from entering the truth from everyone. In 1931, Jones, a ebrated composer Yevhen Stankovych (set Award from the Ukraine and the Northern Caucus areas. Welsh journalist, was offered a job to to the poem by Dmytro Pavlychko), which is Foundation. In “Ukrainian Requiem,” Mr. Most journalists complied, traveled outside research and write a book about the Soviet dedicated to the victims of Holodomor. The Szkafarowsky performed as the narrator – of Moscow only if accompanied by Soviet Union. He toured the Soviet Union with H.J. work was performed by the Kalamazoo declaiming Mr. Pavlychko’s text – calling on officials and did not protest the limitations. Heinz II (of the food company dynasty) and Philharmonia (Andrew Koehler, conductor) all to remember those years of starvation, Walter Duranty of The New York Times produced a diary that probably marks the and Kalamazoo Bach Festival Chorus (Dr. recalling work on the land and what it was permitted into Ukraine and with delib- first time the word “starve” was used in rela- Chris Ludwa, director) with Ms. Matviyenko meant to Ukrainians. and Mr. Szkafarowsky as soloists. In a special 40-page booklet prepared Mr. Stankovych is a recipient of Ukraine’s for the concert – which included informa- highest award for artistic creativity – the tion about the program, the performers State Award. From his and the Holodomor – the Consulate first compositions, he declared himself a General of Ukraine in Chicago and the composer of dramatic temperament, not Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation- averse to emotional risk. His elaborate poly- USA Inc. extended gratitude to all who phonic textures and meditative lyricism are attended, promoted, organized, staged and reminiscent of Baroque music, while the performed this 85th anniversary commem- full-bodied effects with obvious post- oration of the Holodomor. romantic coloring give the music warmth The mission of the foundation is to and expressiveness. His music shows emo- research, teach, promote awareness, and tional freedom, consummate technical mas- advocate on behalf of the victims and survi- tery and flexibility of form. vors by telling the truth about this geno- Ms. Matviyenko is a world-renowned cide, and numerous other acts of genocide Ukrainian singer, a People’s Artist of on the Ukrainian people committed by Ukraine. She, too, is a recipient of the Taras imperial and Soviet Russia. Shevchenko State Award. Her repertoire Stefan Szkafarowsky, bass soloist and includes numerous folk songs, and she has Maria Korkatsch-Groszko, Ph.D., and the narrator of the poem “A Requiem for performed in films and radio. Ms. Rev. Myron Panchuk, Ph.D., are executive Those Who Died of Hunger in 1921-1922, Matviyenko was a soloist of the Ukrainian board members of the Ukrainian Genocide 1932-1933, 1946-1947” by Dmytro George Wyhinny enacts a scene from Pavlychko. “Buried Truth.” State Folk Choir for 25 years. She is current- Famine Foundation-USA, Inc. No. 25 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 11 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 No. 25

ongoing hunger strike by Oleh Sentsov and U.S. to Russia: Release political prisoners the city center. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian NEWSBRIEFS several other Ukrainian political prisoners, Service) the resolution is a response to the blatant The United States has called on Russia to (Continued from page 2) human rights violations by the Russian release dozens of people it says have been Thousands march for LGBT rights identified by rights groups as political pris- powers of the authorities,” she said. “On Federation, including illegal detentions, tri- Thousands of activists have marched in one hand, the authorities will be more able als, imprisonments, and torture of oners. The June 18 statement by the State Department said more than 150 people Ukraine’s capital, marking an annual cele- to implement strategic changes. On the Ukrainian citizens for political reasons, the bration of gay and lesbian rights that has other, they will become properly organized, UWC noted in its press release. The resolu- were being held in all, including Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov and human rights been marred by violence in the past. The balanced, and controlled by society.” She tion urges the Russian Federation authori- June 17 March of Equality in Kyiv, which said that parliamentary elections, sched- ties to release “immediately and uncondi- activist Oyub Titiyev. Mr. Sentsov was arrested in Crimea in 2014, after Russia took place amid an increased police pres- uled for the autumn of 2019, must be con- tionally” Mr. Sentsov and all other ence, was one of the largest such events ducted under the rules of the new Ukrainian political prisoners in the Russian seized the Ukrainian region. A Russian court in 2015 convicted him of planning to staged in Ukraine in years. Clashes broke Constitution. Meanwhile, Ms. Tymoshenko Federation and occupied Crimea, whose commit terrorist acts and sentenced him to out early in the morning when riot police said she will never give up the fight to have number currently surpasses 70. 20 years in prison. He has been on hunger dispersed more than 150 far-right protest- Crimea and Ukraine’s eastern regions EuroParliament lawmakers reminded the strike since May 14. Mr. Titiyev, who heads ers seeking to block off the route of the brought back under Kyiv’s control. Ms. Russian Federation of its obligation, as a the Chechen office of the rights group march, police said in a statement. But no Tymoshenko, 57, lost to pro-Russian candi- member of the Council of Europe and the Memorial, has been in pretrial detention in serious incidents occurred during the date in 2010 and to Mr. Organization for Security and Cooperation march, and Kyiv police chief Andriy since his January arrest on drug Poroshenko in 2014 after Mr. Yanukovych in Europe (OSCE), to comply with the Krischenko said 57 members of radical charges that he and his associates say are was driven from power and fled to Russia. European Convention on Human Rights groups were detained. Police said about fabricated. “We call on Russia to release all Ms. Tymoshenko was Ukraine’s prime min- and the International Covenant on Civil and 3,500 people attended the march, which those identified as political or religious ister from 2007 to 2010 and was jailed on Political Rights. The resolution condemns started near Taras Shevchenko Park and prisoners immediately and cease its use of embezzlement charges following her gov- the multiple violations of international law lasted less than one hour. Organizers said the legal system to suppress dissent and ernment’s defeat by Mr. Yanukovych in by the Russian Federation in occupied there were at least 5,000 participants. peaceful religious practice,” the statement 2010. Her sentence was viewed by much of Crimea, including the application of Russian Roads were closed for cars in the city cen- said. There was no immediate reaction to the international community as political in laws, the intensive military build-up in ter, and 5,000 police and soldiers from the the statement by Moscow. The State nature. She was released in February 2014 Crimea, and pervasive human rights viola- National Guard were deployed to protect Department also mentioned the case of a and later re-elected to Parliament. tions against ethnic Ukrainians and the marchers. During the early morning Jehovah’s Witness who it said had been in According to recent polls, Ms. Tymoshenko Crimean Tatars living on the peninsula. The clash, the ultranationalist group C14 said pretrial detention for more than a year and Mr. Poroshenko each have support of resolution calls on the European Union to police officers surrounded its protesters now. Other religious followers facing pres- 14 to 16 percent of Ukrainian voters. (RFE/ issue a statement condemning these viola- attacking them with batons and tear gas. sure include Church of Scientology follow- RL) tions as well as attempts by the Russian Police said they detained more protesters ers and those of a Muslim Turkish theolo- Federation to conceal them under the pre- in an altercation near the Opera House. The UWC hails EuroParliament resolution gian, the department said. (RFE/RL) text of the FIFA World Cup. “The Ukrainian organizers of the march, who received The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) World Congress joins the call by the Tatar activists get suspended sentences threats from far-right groups, had advised welcomed the European Parliament’s reso- European Parliament for an immediate and the participants not to hold posters, ban- lution 2018/2754 (RSP) on Russia, notably unconditional release of Oleh Sentsov and A Russian court in Crimea has convicted ners or symbols of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, the case of Ukrainian political prisoner all other Ukrainian political prisoners who five Crimean Tatar activists of taking part in bisexual, and transgender) community Oleh Sentsov, which was overwhelmingly are persecuted by the Russian Federation,” “mass disturbances” in February 2014 and until they arrived at the event area. “We supported on June 14. In the context of an stated UWC President Eugene Czolij. (UWC) handed them suspended prison sentences want to feel free in our country,” said ranging from three and a half to four and a Tymur Levchuk of Kyiv Pride, a nine-day half years. The court in Symferopol, the cap- series of events in Kyiv, including confer- ital of the Russian-controlled Ukrainian ences, movie screenings, and artistic per- region, pronounced the verdicts and sen- formances that ended with the march. tences on June 19. The five men – Ali “Kyiv is a city where there should be no dis- Asanov, Mustafa Degermendzhy, Eskendir crimination, violence, or alienation,” he TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 Kantemirov, Eskendir Emirvaliev and Arsen said. “This is a city where everyone can be or e-mail [email protected] Yunusov – were among a group who staged themselves.” Kyiv held its first major pride a protest outside the regional legislature in march in 2016 after a pro-Western govern- SERVICES PROFESSIONALS February 2014. The demonstration ment that came to power in 2014 sanc- occurred as Russia moved to seize control of tioned such events. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian the Black Sea peninsula following street Service, with reporting by Reuters, Interfax protests in Kyiv that pushed Moscow- and the Kyiv Post) friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych from power. The five were Canada to continue support for Ukraine arrested and charged by Russian authorities Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported: in 2015. Akhtem Chiygoz, a prominent lead- “At NATO HQ, Minister of Defense of er of the Crimean Tatars’ local assembly, Ukraine, General of the Army of Ukraine was also charged for his participation in the held bilateral talks with protest. He was sentenced to eight years in Minister of National Defense of Canada prison in September 2017, but weeks later Harjit Singh Sajjan. The parties focused on he was taken to Turkey and freed. He later discussion of a decision related to joint moved to Kyiv. (Crimea Desk, RFE/RL’s OPPORTUNITIES development of a list of weapons, military Ukrainian Service) equipment and armament required for the Protesters clash with police defense sector of Ukraine and development Earn extra income! of capabilities of the Armed Forces of The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Crowds of protesters including coal min- Ukraine.” The Canadian minister pledged for advertising sales agents. ers, Chornobyl clean-up workers and Soviet that “Canada will continue to support For additional information contact Afghan war veterans have clashed on June Ukraine and increase assistance.” He Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, 19 with police outside the Ukrainian observed: “I see progress in reforms of The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. Parliament. Some of the more than 2,000 Defense Ministry of Ukraine, I am pleased protesters broke though a police cordon with the result of trainings of Ukrainian and were trying to enter the Verkhovna service members conducted by Canadian Rada building during the demonstration. instructors. I am sure we have to continue Police used what appeared to be tear gas, and develop cooperation, move forward but the protest continued. The protesters and improve capabilities of the Armed included veterans of the Soviet Union’s Forces of Ukraine.” General Poltorak 1979-1989 war in Afghanistan, “liquida- thanked Canada for its assistance and tors” who were sent to the Chornobyl underscored that he “values all joint proj- nuclear power plant after the 1986 disaster ects of the two countries.” (Ukrainian there, coal miners, and Ukrainians who Canadian Congress Daily Briefing) have fought in the ongoing war with Russia-backed separatists in the country’s Ombudswoman not allowed to see prisoners east. Their demands included improved Ukrainian ombudswoman Lyudmyla benefits for public transportation use, Denisova was not allowed to meet with increases in state support for disabled vet- Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko in erans, and the allocation of billions of hryv- a Moscow detention center, the Ukrainian ni for the development of the country’s parliament’s deputy speaker says. Iryna Run your advertisement here, struggling coal industry. Kyiv police said Herashchenko wrote on Facebook on June in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. earlier that the protests caused complica- tions for transport on two major streets in (Continued on page 13) No. 25 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 13

the request was delivered to Mr. Guterres governor in May 2016 after a new law bar- we are totally dependent on joint training NEWSBRIEFS on June 15 by Ukraine’s Mission to the ring regional lawmakers from simultane- and exercises in times of peace.” In addition United Nations. The U.N. chief was sched- ously holding state posts took effect, but she to posting more troops in Norway, the min- (Continued from page 12) uled to hold talks with Mr. Putin on June 20 remained in the regional administration as isters said the United States has expressed 18 that despite a court’s ruling allowing Ms. and attend a Portugal-Morocco match dur- an adviser to then-Gov. . interest in building infrastructure to Denisova to see the journalist, she was not ing the World Cup that Russia is hosting. In Mr. Saakashvili resigned in November 2016, accommodate up to four U.S. fighter jets at allowed to see him and her written request their letter, the 38 countries wrote that the accusing the Ukrainian government of a base 65 kilometers south of Oslo, as part to see Mr. Sushchenko had been sent for case of Mr. Sentsov, who has been on a hun- undermining his efforts to fight corruption of a European deterrence initiative approval to the Federal Penitentiary ger strike since May 14, poses a “matter of and carry out reforms, and has become an launched after Crimea’s annexation. (RFE/ Service. On June 4, the Moscow City Court urgency” and said Mr. Guterres should try ardent opponent of President Petro RL, with reporting by AFP and Reuters) found Mr. Sushchenko guilty of espionage to mediate a solution. “The U.N.’s engage- Poroshenko. (RFE/RL, based on reporting and sentenced him to 12 years in a strict- ment on these concerns is welcome and we by UNIAN and pravda.ua) Second suspect detained in Babchenko case regime prison. Mr. Sushchenko maintains would encourage further steps to address Norway asks for more U.S. troops The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) his innocence, saying the case against him the plight of all those unlawfully detained,” says a second person has been detained in is politically motivated. Last week, Ms. the letter said. Among the signatories were Norway will ask the United States to an alleged plot to assassinate Russian jour- Denisova was not allowed to see two other Australia, Canada, and many EU countries, more than double the number of U.S. nalist Arkady Babchenko, an outspoken Ukrainian citizens: Oleh Sentsov in a peni- along with Turkey, Moldova, and Marines stationed in the country in a move Kremlin critic, in Kyiv. The deputy head of tentiary in the far-northern Yamalo-Nenets Ukraine. Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr that could raise tensions with neighboring the SBU’s main investigative department, region, and Mykola Karpyuk in a penal col- Yelchenko presented Mr. Guterres with the Russia, top ministers have said. The move Bohdan Tyvodar, told a June 15 news con- ony in the Vladimir region. Mr. Sentsov is a letter and a list of dozens of Ukrainian announced by Oslo’s foreign and defense ference that the suspect, a Ukrainian man, Crimea native who is serving a 20-year detainees in Russia, including labor union- ministers on June 12 comes amid increas- was detained two days earlier. Mr. Tyvodar prison term in Russia after being convicted ist Oleksander Kolchenko, historian ing wariness among nations bordering played what he said were recorded phone on terrorism charges that he and human Stanislav Klykh and politician Mykola Russia after Moscow’s annexation of conversations between the suspect – iden- rights groups say were politically motivat- Karpyuk. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula in 2014. Nine tified only as “Citizen T” – and the alleged ed. Mr. Karpyuk, who also denies any AFP and Interfax) nations along NATO’s eastern flank last organizer of the plot on Mr. Babchenko’s wrongdoing, was sentenced to 22 years in Gaidar resigns as Odesa lawmaker week called for an increased presence by life, Ukrainian businessman Borys Herman. prison in 2016 after a court in Russia’s the military alliance in their region amid In the recording, the authenticity of which Chechnya region found him guilty of fight- Maria Gaidar, a prominent Russian-born concerns about Russian aggression. Some could not be immediately confirmed, two ing alongside Chechen separatists in the politician and activist, has resigned her seat 330 U.S. Marines currently are scheduled to male voices are heard discussing how to 1990s. On May 15, Russian Ombudswoman in the legislature of Ukraine’s Odesa region. leave Norway at the end of this year after travel from the Russian city of Rostov-on- Tatyana Moskalkova said that Ms. The Odesa Oblast assembly said on June 12 an initial contingent arrived in January Don to Kyiv via Istanbul to avoid detection, Denisova’s attempt to meet with Sentsov that it has relieved Ms. Gaidar of her duties 2017 to train for fighting in winter condi- as well as how to procure weapons. “At violated “agreements reached previously.” as a lawmaker at her request, which she tions. They were the first foreign troops to present, there are sufficient grounds for Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on filed on June 10. The reasons for her deci- be stationed in Norway, a member of NATO, suspecting Citizen T of involvement in the June 18 that he is not aware of why Ms. sion have not been made public. Ms. Gaidar, since World War II. The initial decision to preparation of terrorist acts,” Mr. Tyvodar Denisova was unable to meet with Mr. 35, is the daughter of the late , welcome the Marines last year irked said. He added that the suspect was also Sentsov. (RFE/RL, with reporting by TASS) an economic reformer who was acting Russia, with Moscow warning that it would being held on suspicion of illegal handling U.N. chief asked to raise Sentsov case prime minister under Russian President worsen bilateral relations with Oslo and of weapons and explosives. The SBU staged Boris Yeltsin in 1992. A vocal critic of escalate tensions on NATO’s northern flank. Mr. Babchenko’s murder on May 29, claim- The United States, , Britain and 35 Russian President Vladimir Putin, she is a Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen ing the extraordinary measure was the only other countries have asked U.N. Secretary- former deputy governor of Russia’s Kirov Soereide told reporters on June 12 that the way to save the journalist’s life and catch General Antonio Guterres to raise the case region. Ms. Gaidar served as acting deputy decision to increase the U.S. presence has the organizer it claims was tasked by of jailed film director Oleh Sentsov and doz- governor of Odesa Oblast from July 2015 to broad support in Parliament and does not Russian security services. After Mr. ens of other Ukrainian prisoners during his May 2016. After she obtained Ukrainian citi- constitute the establishment of a perma- Babchenko turned up alive at a SBU press upcoming talks with Russian President zenship in 2015, she renounced her Russian nent U.S. base in Norway. Oslo will ask conference the following day, the SBU said Vladimir Putin next week. A letter making citizenship. Ms. Gaidar resigned as deputy Washington to send 700 Marines starting it had detained Mr. Herman, who the agen- next year, she said, with the additional cy said oversaw the alleged plot. Mr. troops to be based closer to the border Herman is alleged to have promised prayerful contemplation in the next move- with Russia in the Inner Troms region in $40,000 to a would-be assassin for the kill- Stankovych’s... ment, then a hushed recollection of the vil- the Norwegian Arctic, about 420 kilome- ing of Mr. Babchenko. The alleged would-be lage theme (appropriately in a fleetingly ters from Russia, rather than in central killer, a former Ukrainian monk turned (Continued from page 10) brief movement where the narrator reads Norway. Defense Minister Frank Bakke- army veteran named Oleksiy Tsymbalyuk, unstoppable drive of the “red banners” to “silently, like a candle, the people burned Jensen told reporters in Oslo that the said he went to the SBU after Mr. Herman commit and ignore their crimes. out”), and an even more ferocious homage expanded military force in the country is approached him. Mr. Tsymbalyuk says he The very center of the work, literally and to God’s strength. intended to improve the training and win- worked with the agency to foil the plot. Mr. emotionally, is the seventh movement’s After one final dissonant fanfare, the ter fighting capability of NATO troops. “The Herman was remanded in custody for 60 moving soprano solo; Stankovych here 14th movement – an energetic, rhythmical- defense of Norway depends on the support days by a Kyiv court on May 31. (RFE/RL’s requests the less embellished sound of a ly vivacious “Alleluia” – begins in earnest. It of our NATO allies, as is the case in most Ukrainian Service, with reporting by folk, rather than operatic, singer (Nina feels as if this might end the work, but other NATO countries,” he said. “For this Christopher Miller in Kyiv, Zn.ua and 112. Matviyenko) Her words are those of a dying Stankovych, composing in the first year in support to work in times of crises and war, ua) child’s, pleading with her mother to ensure which he would have been free to even that they might once again meet in heaven. acknowledge this atrocity, pointedly …The eighth movement is textless and returns to a place of remembrance for the begins with a violin solo of increasingly finale. The Alleluia is cut off with a scream The Executive Committee frantic desperation; this leads to a wordless from the orchestra, but then met with pro- of the chorus singing the lamenting theme of the found calm. The choruses sing the words Ukrainian National Association first movement while anxious string “eternal memory,” the traditional ending of rhythms play out overtop. The ninth revis- the Orthodox requiem liturgy. In the final regrets to announce to the members its the terrible fanfare and the narrator’s “Amen,” the last of many such gestures, of the General Assembly, to members initial request to remember, while the 10th Stankovych opts to unexpectedly conclude of UNA Branch 356 and to the recalls music of the child’s lament under on a major chord, a sliver of illuminating UNA membership at large that additional narration. We are returned to brightness… Oleksa Prodywus Ukraine to resume... year, privatization may be affected by the (March 14, 1928 – May 9, 2018) upcoming presidential and parliamentary Secretary of UNA Branch 356 in Omaha, NE, elections, both scheduled for 2019. (Continued from page 2) In the past, Ukrainian politicians used to passed away on May 9, 2018. OPZ CEO Mykola Shchurykov said recently buy the support of oligarchs ahead of elec- Mr. Prodywus was a proud Branch Secretary for 66 years. that the starting price of OPZ would be set tions with lucrative assets privatized for a The Executive Committee and the entire UNA membership at $54 million (day.kyiv.ua, May 2). fraction of their real value. If this year’s wish to express their deepest sympathy to children: Jaroslaw, The state budget law for this year pro- privatization campaign is honest, Kyiv will Rev. Alexander, Daria and Gregory, grandchildren, vides for privatization proceeds of $813 not only fill state coffers, but more impor- great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. million. Ukraine’s total state budget for tantly, also potentially earn the trust of seri- 2018 equals $37.8 billion (Interfax, ous investors, something it lacked for many Mr. Prodywus was a very active and long-time supporter December 30, 2017). Last year, the projec- years. of the UNA. His dedication to the Ukrainian National tion was for the equivalent of $653 million Association will not be forgotten. in privatization proceeds, but less than $8 The article above is reprinted from million was received because almost all of Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Вічна Йому пам’ять! the scheduled privatizations were eventu- its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, ally postponed until 2018. However, this www.jamestown.org. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 No. 25 WikiSpiv: a new digital anthology of Ukrainian songs by Irka Sawchyn Doll enjoyed singing Ukrainian songs that he ditions with a common title. On the techni- learned as a Plast scout, and was frustrated cal side, he also made a significant effort to MORRISTOWN, N.J. – A major contribu- by the lack of a single source of lyrics for code the lyrics and chords so that the tion to the world of Ukrainian song has the songs he wanted to sing. It was also dif- chords aligned accurately with the corre- recently been released to the general public ficult to obtain lyrics and chords for con- sponding lyrics, regardless of the browser on the Internet. WikiSpiv is a collaborative, temporary songs coming from Ukraine, or used to view the song page or the font used editable, digital encyclopedia of Ukrainian for once-popular songs that were no longer to display or print the song. This is a major songs that was created and developed by in demand. improvement over other online songbooks Daniel Centore and launched in January at Recognizing that no one editor could and improves usability. The home website www.WikiSpiv.com. compile the wealth of Ukrainian songs, Mr. page has an attractive and easy-to-use pre- A key feature that differentiates the Centore constructed an editable songbook, sentation, facilitating the user experience. WikiSpiv digital anthology from other online based on the open-sourced coding frame- Mr. Centore is already working on cod- song books is that it is structured in the style work of the Wikipedia database, where ing the next phase of a print version of the of “Wiki” free-content websites. Users of anyone from around the world could con- songbook. Users will be able to create their WikiSpiv are able to contribute songs to the tribute his or her knowledge to the site and own custom songbooks, selecting and collection or edit the songs already available. grow a comprehensive encyclopedia that “dropping” their song choices into a file Since anyone can add content, the goal is to was usable and sharable by everyone. they’ll be able to print. grow the collection and provide Ukrainian Mr. Centore has been developing Mr. Centore has worked with several col- song lovers a comprehensive compilation WikiSpiv for the past two years as a side laborators to accumulate the song content of songs, centrally located and accessible to project to his studies at Rensselaer, and he of WikiSpiv, which has been derived mostly anyone on the Internet. launched the site in January of this year. So from Plast song books and the website Each song page offers the words to the pisna.org.ua. If a user wishes to add or edit most common version of the song, the a song, the home page has a “contribute” chords to the melody, and links to one or Daniel Centore link that leads to a set of instructions. The more recorded renditions of the song so far, the project has been self-funded. A new lead paragraph titled “Coding is too that the melody can be easily heard and feature that has just been released is a print Complicated” instructs the non-coder con- learned. A song can be located from the version of the complete songbook, available tributor to send the information directly to main page of the WikiSpiv site by its title, for sale in time for the summer camp sea- Mr. Centore. For the more knowledgeable words or phrases using the search window, son. The site for the songbook can be found contributor, there are a series of relatively or in one of the 24 categories such as love at the link for the Printed Edition on the easy coding rules and examples. The goal is songs, patriotic songs, Plast Ukrainian WikiSpiv.com homepage. Any profits that to encourage song lovers to add and/or Scouting Organization or Ukrainian may come from sales of the hard copy will edit content and strengthen the compre- American Youth Association songs, and be donated to charitable causes after cover- hensiveness of the site. English-language songs composed for dias- ing hosting costs. Mr. Centore graduated from Rensselaer Ukrainians. The site currently carries WikiSpiv has additional features that in May, and will start employment as a soft- 386 songs, several of which have been make it user-friendly and help a user easily ware engineer with Facebook in added by users since the site’s debut. learn a song’s melody and lyrics. The linked September. He plans to continue to support The concept was initiated by Mr. Centore recordings reflect various ways a song can and expand the WikiSpiv project. in 2016 while he was a computer science/ be sung or played. One of the most time- For any comments or questions about computer engineering sophomore at consuming challenges Mr. Centore faced WikiSpiv, readers can e-mail contact@wiki- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, was to review recorded renditions with spiv.com or message its Facebook page at N.Y. Although not a musician himself, he The logo for WikiSpiv. non-uniform titles and associate these ren- www.facebook.com/wikispiv.

Activist begins 400-mile trek to raise Menendez statement... awareness of Ukrainian orphans’ plight (Continued from page 7) toring and verification of a ceasefire regime; and it has failed to ensure access for humanitarian aid to conflict-affected individuals. by Mark Raczkiewycz As of June 21, she had hiked 74 kilometers and was in the Zhytomyr Oblast town of Popilne via the But the story does not stop with Ukraine – since 2014, the KYIV – Ukrainian Canadian realtor and communi- Kyiv Oblast towns of Vasylkiv, Fastiv, Olenivka and Government of the Russian Federation has greatly expanded its ty activist Wrzesnewskyj of Toronto has Kozhanka. aggression around the world, including against the United States begun a 650-kilometer (404-mile) trek from Kyiv to Advocating under the banner of Help us Help the with the attack on our 2016 election. The Kremlin continues to the Carpathian Mountain town of Vorokhta in Ivano- Children, Ms. Wrzesnewskyi is marking the 25th interfere in elections, wage cyberattacks, engage in corruption Frankvisk Oblast in an effort to raise awareness anniversary of her endeavor to provide better lives and political meddling, and spread lies and disinformation – all about the plight of orphans in Ukraine. Her route for children who are orphaned or whose guardians with the goal to divide societies, undermine the rules-based ends in the area where she regularly holds camps for were deprived of their parental rights. One of her international order, and break up longstanding transatlantic alli- socially vulnerable and at-risk children. daughters is an orphan from Lviv. ances. Our intelligence community has repeatedly asserted that Since the Euro-Maidan rev- the Kremlin will likely target our elections again this fall. The olution in 2014 and subse- very ideal of democracy as a system of government is under con- quent Russian invasion of stant assault from a Kremlin bent on destroying the international Ukraine, she has included chil- rules-based order. dren whose parents have …upon considering these facts, no observer could seriously either suffered or perished in think Russia deserves to be welcomed back into the G-7 club. Any the conflicts at her summer such suggestion is ludicrous and must be dismissed out of hand. and winter camps. Ms. …Inviting the current government of the Russian Federation Wrzesnewskyi, 64, has pushed to rejoin the circle of G-7 world leaders when President Vladimir the Ukrainian government to Putin’s regime poses an ongoing threat to our freedom, peace implement a child foster care and prosperity serves his interests – not ours. … system modeled after the Canadian one. Only 10 to 20 percent of Ukrainian Canadian... children at state care centers are actual orphans who’ve lost (Continued from page 1) both parents. The majority are known as “state orphans” Human Rights (ICHR), a coalition of NGOs and individuals around the because their parents have globe who are committed to defending and advocating for the human lost guardianship rights due to rights and freedom. The UCC is a founding member of the ICHR. alcohol or drug abuse or “At a time when Russia wages war against its neighbors, supports because they cannot afford to the Assad regime, which uses chemical weapons against its own take care of them and only see people, and illegally imprisons over 150 political prisoners, includ- ing 70 Ukrainian citizens, it is unacceptable that Russia is hosting http://huhtc.org/ their children on weekends. Ms. Wrzesnewskyi’s walk- the FIFA World Cup,” stated Paul Grod, president of the ICHR, vice- Ruslana Wrzesnewskyj of Toronto is seen on June 11 on the cobblestoned president of the Ukrainian World Congress and national president Andriyivskyi Uzviv in Ukraine’s capital as she begins a 650-kilometer a-thon can be followed on of the UCC. “The #RedCard4Putin campaign will draw the world’s trek from Kyiv to Vorokhta in the Carpathian Mountains to raise aware- http://huhtc.org/blog/, a site ness about the plight of orphans in Ukraine. that is updated daily. attention to the many crimes of the Kremlin and pressure Russia to end its ongoing violations.” No. 25 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 15

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE SUSK concludes its annual national congress in Banff , Alberta

SUSK interested in the history of internment in gress banquet and dance (zabava) on preserved, and copies of missing issues Canada was humbling. The commitment to Saturday evening. The evening’s keynote continue to be sought for digitization. BANFF, Alberta – More than 60 student maintaining culture and heritage was also speaker was Mark O’Neill of the Canadian SUSK also underscored its relationship delegates and alumni gathered for the truly inspiring, and I am thrilled to have History Museum and the Canadian War with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress as a annual national congress of the Ukrainian been a part of it.” Museum, who reported about current and means to advocate for issues relevant to Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK) that was Presentations focused on the domestic future initiatives to commemorate the Ukrainian Canadian students, as well as held on May 3-6 at the Banff Center in experience in Canada during the first world internment operations of the first world SUSK’s relationship with student organiza- Banff, Alberta. war, the redress campaign, as well as war. tions in Ukraine and the diaspora to engage This year’s theme, “Rediscovering the recent research and testimonies. Delegates The new SUSK executive board includes: Ukrainian youth and students. Past,” focused on human rights and the visited the Castle Mountain Internment Stephanie Nedoshytko (president, re-elect- Other collaborative efforts were pro- internment operations of the first world Site, and Cave and Basin, led by Dr. Bohdan ed); Mattay Dubczak (vice-president posed with community organizations, war. The four-day event was dedicated to Kordan, as well as a panel discussion fea- national); Roman Grod (vice-president youth and cultural groups, universities and encouraging and challenging student lead- turing artists who examined how under- finance); Devon Goldie (vice-president technical institutes in Canada, as well as ers to come together, discuss and deliber- standing and recognition of historic injus- west); Maxym Dubczak (vice-president ethno-cultural communities across Canada ate relevant questions and issues, and tices are aided through the arts. east); Natalia Blysniuk (secretary); Raya to promote SUSK and its activities. SUSK spearhead the future of youth leadership Delegates were welcomed to the Banff Dzulynsky (external relations director); also urged its member organizations to and involvement in Canada. Center by its vice-president, Michael Code, Andriy Katyukha (internal relations direc- take action in raising awareness about the The congress was sponsored by the who said that the center strives to inspire tor); Nykole Dovgyy (project director); and internment operations of the first world Endowment Council of the Canadian First artists and leaders to make their unique Cassain Soltykoveych (immediate past war. World War Internment Recognition Fund contribution to society. SUSK presentations president). Other major sponsors for the SUSK con- (CFWWIRF) and the Ukrainian Canadian followed with reports by the executive The congress urged individual USOs to gress included the Buduchnist Credit Civil Liberties Foundation, and featured members and annual re-cap of activities by commemorate the following anniversaries Union, the Shevchenko Foundation, the guests from other communities affected by each Ukrainian student organization (USO). this year: 65th anniversary of SUSK; 50th Ukrainian Canadian Professional and the internment operations of World War I, Awards were presented to: the anniversary of the national publication Business Association of Calgary, Ukrainian including members of the Armenian and Ukrainian Student Club of Barrie (Best Student; 85th anniversary of the Credit Union Limited, Rodan Energy Bulgarian communities. New and Up-and-Coming USO), Western Holodomor; and the 100th anniversary of Solutions, Cholkan Stepczuk Chartered “Immediately upon commencing the Ukrainian Student’s Club (Best Story) and the founding the Ukrainian Orthodox Accountants Business Advisors, Ukrainian SUSK Congress, I was struck by the profes- the University of Saskatchewan Ukrainian Church in Canada. Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial sionalism, organization and dedication of Students’ Association (Best Event). The congress resolved to expand its Council and Edmonton Branch, League of the Ukrainian Canadian students,” said More than 120 guests, including SUSK online archive of Student, which was com- Ukrainian Canadians – Edmonton Branch Nicole Minkova, a Bulgarian Canadian stu- alumni and representatives from the pleted in 2014 by the National Executive of dent. “To see so many young leaders keenly Ukrainian community, attended the con- SUSK. Paper copies and artifacts were to be (Continued on page 19) Moving documentary “Second Chance” premieres in Winnipeg

by Vera Hrycenko WINNIPEG, Manitoba – “Second Chance,” a documentary by Adriana Luhovy of Montreal, was premiered in Winnipeg on Sunday, May 6. The screening was orga- nized by the Plast Sorority “Pereletni Ptytsi” at the Winnipeg Plast Home. The documentary tells the moving and uplifting story of Ukrainian orphaned chil- dren and the Canadian volunteers who work alongside them at summer camps in Ukraine to help make a difference in the orphans’ lives. Narrated in English in the first person by Ms. Luhovy, the film follows her as a first- time volunteer and filmmaker as she learns about the children and becomes witness to the orphans’ strengths and resilience. Filmed on site in Yaremche, in the Carpathian Mountains, where over 500 orphaned children from all over Ukraine converged at a camp organized by the Toronto-based charitable oranization Help Us Help The Children (HUHTC). University student volunteers with training and skills obtained in Ukrainian schools and youth organizations are selected from across Adriana Luhovy, filming from Hoverlia in the Carpathian Mountains, the highest peak in Ukraine, during a day trip for orphan children. Canada. They run specialized camp pro- working closely with HUHTC and orphan grams and workshops that focus on build- children. ing life skills and independence. Activities The film was introduced by Maria based on Ukrainian customs and traditions Halkewycz, president of “Pereletni Ptytsi.” are also emphasized. She spoke briefly about the beginnings of Through interviews with volunteers and HUHTC and about the importance of mak- by highlighting activity participation, ing documentary films as well as the need ”Second Chance” shows how the orphans to support such projects. She also thanked gain trust, bond with their counselors and the organizing committee headed by face their challenges. Tatiana Hawleshka. The documentary reports on the state of A coffee and sweets reception organized orphanages in Ukraine and raises concerns by “Pereletni Ptytsi” followed. about the future of the orphans once they “Second Chance” is now available on DVD. are released. To obtain a copy or to arrange for a showing Ms. Luhovy grew up in Plast Montreal, of the 53-minute documentary, readers may was an active member of Concordia visit www.adrianaluhovy.com. The link for Adriana Luhovy (left) with orphan children while filming her documentary “Second Ukrainian University Student’s Union and the trailer may be found at https://www. Chance.” volunteered many summers in Ukraine, .com/watch?v=uNYsy628V2U. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 No. 25

A third depicts the Russian-backed Ukrainian political prisoners sitting in Ukrainian artist’s... bombing of civilians in Syria’s war-ravaged Russian jails. Mr. Sentsov has said he is pre- Aleppo: It shows a player tackling another pared to die to save his compatriots. (Continued from page 3) player, who carries a bleeding child in his Travel warning tion of provocative, alternative World Cup arms. posters that has taken the Ukrainian and But what may be Mr. Yermolenko’s most Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Russian Internet by storm. brazen image shows a glaring Mr. Putin Affairs Minister Klimkin, have warned “You know, when the conscience switch- donning a track suit, his hands drenched in Ukrainians about the risks of traveling to es on, it’s very hard to muzzle it and make it blood, squatting atop a pile of human Russia to attend World Cup matches. shut up,” Mr. Yermolenko told RFE/RL’s skulls. “You can’t stop me, suckers!” reads a Yet some 5,000 Ukrainians are thought Russian Service, adding that he had hoped text bubble beside him. to have purchased tickets to matches in Ukrainian government officials would do a The bold images have been a hit in Russia, according to Ukrainian Parliament better job of raising the alarm. “But I saw Ukraine and – unsurprisingly – pilloried in Deputy Speaker , who that everyone was silent. I could not remain Russia. After Russia’s state-run Channel One also urged her countrymen to think twice silent.” showed them on its popular “60 Minutes about going. Mr. Yermolenko’s images, which he pub- program,” Mr. Yermolenko received threat- “It’s not worth a single hryvnia or ruble lishes to his personal Facebook page, are ening messages online and had his to support anything that is happening in bold and jarring. In one, a silhouetted soccer Facebook account briefly banned. Facebook Russia,” she added. player kicks a ball into an exploding plane to said they had violated its terms of use Mr. Yermolenko won’t be coming. And he symbolize the July 2014 downing of Malaysia before restoring his account hours later. won’t be watching the matches on televi- Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine Mr. Yermolenko cited internationally sion, either. with a missile that international investigators known film director Oleh Sentsov’s hunger “I love football, but I will not watch the found to have come from Russia. strike as the “catalyst” for his poster cam- World Cup, and I do not advise anyone [to One of Andriy Yermolenko’s posters In another, a person in a yellow hazmat paign. A Crimea resident serving a 20-year watch], to be honest, because you can’t released before the beginning of the 2018 suit juggles a skull with their foot – a swipe prison term after being convicted on ter- calmly watch an event that is smeared with World Cup to highlight Russia’s crimes at Russia for its alleged near-fatal poisoning rorism charges that he and human rights blood, even if it’s a very beautiful concert or and human rights violations. groups say are politically motivated, Mr. a very beautiful show,” Mr. Yermolenko of former Russian spy Sergey Skripal and adhere to any international doctrines, from Sentsov has been on a hunger strike since said. “For the last few years, Russia has his daughter, Yulia, with a nerve agent chemical weapons to interference in elec- May 14 to demand the release of all shown itself as a terrorist who does not called Novichok in the United Kingdom. tions in other countries.” “It’s scary!” he added. “That’s what I’m saying with my posters.”

Copyright 2018, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted (in a slightly abridged version) with the per- mission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (to read the full text, see https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-art- ist-yermolenko-world-cup-russia-viral-post- ers/29290357.html).

Two dangerous... (Continued from page 6) The second proposal comes from the ethnic Greek community on the occupied Ukrainian peninsula. It has called for going back to the tsarist-era term for the region and calling Crimea the “Tauride,” thus elim- inating “Crimea” as a problem by eliminat- ing the name – or at least creating confu- sion (ura.news/news/1052338816 and cont.ws/@comandanteoleg/975344). Nomenclature matters, and one perhaps can even sympathize with the tiny Greek minority on the peninsula for wanting to have a name more closely associated with themselves and their history than “Crimea” does. But there are two far-reaching conse- quences if this proposal gains any traction. On the one hand, it would dramatically undercut the position of the Crimean Tatars, for whom Crimea is their unique national homeland. Indeed, some in Moscow and the West would likely view the Greek proposal as a way of denying that the Crimean Tatars have any rights to national self-determination. And on the other – and far more seriously – it would open the way for more Russian aggression. Those who are ready to accept the notion of going back to “Tauride” as a name for the peninsula may not know or have forgotten that in tsarist times the Tauride included not just Crimea but a large part of the south of what the Putin regime has referred to as . Thus, this new-old term would lend sup- port to Russian aggression not only in Crimea but in the Donbas – and by exten- sion elsewhere wherever imperial Russian boundaries and names do not correspond with current post-1991 ones. Both proposals must be rejected and denounced by all those who care about Ukraine and about the maintenance of international law, not only because of what their immediate consequences would be, but even more because of the possible lon- ger-term consequences. No. 25 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 17 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 No. 25

“Treasures Rediscovered & Shared” at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada TORONTO – The latest exhibit at the Ukrainian School of Ballet, Alberta Ballet Company, Banff School Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch tells the story of of Fine Arts, York University, George Brown College how one woman’s passion for Ukrainian dance was and The Kyiv Institute in Ukraine. She holds a Bachelor inspired and shaped by her grandmother’s collecting of Fine Arts in dance; a master’s degree in arts admin- and research activities. On view through September istration and marketing; and a bachelor of education 28, “Treasures Rediscovered & Shared” explores degree, all from York University. Danovia Stechishin-Stefura’s ethnographic and folklor- She performed professionally as a ballet and modern ic research in Ukraine. dancer, and performed and toured with the Ukrainian A renowned choreographer and Ukrainian folk ensembles Zirka, Shumka Ukrainian Dancers and The dance and costume expert, Ms. Stechishin-Stefura was Ukrainian Festival Company. She studied folk dance in influenced by her grandmother, Savella Stechishin, Lviv with artistic directors of Verkhovyna, Hutzulski who travelled to Ukraine and Europe in the 1920s on Company of Song and Dance, Zakarpatski Company of personal and research trips to collect, among other Song and Dance, Unist Company and Horytsvit, and items, Ukrainian embroidery samples. took private classes at the Lviv Ballet Opera Theater. Ms. Stechishin-Stefura built on this familial legacy She undertook folkloric research in over 100 Ukrainian through her own extensive trips between 1984 and villages and studied with most of the professional folk 1995, when she visited over 100 remote villages and and ballet companies in Ukraine. studied with Ukrainian choreographers and dance Ms. Stechishin-Stefura also studied Hungarian and troupes. During this time, she also began collecting gypsy dance in Hungary, and has explored the folk Ukrainian folk and dance costumes. dances of many other countries. She founded the Daria Diakowsky, museum co-president and exhibit Ukrainian Academy of Dance in 1987 and has trained convenor, noted: “It’s exciting to trace how one per- over 1,500 dancers. Arkan Dance Company, the acade- son’s research interests, collecting passions, hard work my’s performing ensemble, was formed in 1995. and enthusiasm flowed down through the generations The Ontario branch of the Ukrainian Museum of and enriched a community and country.” Canada was established in 1944 and moved to its cur- Artifacts on view include a selection of Savella rent location within St. Vladimir Institute in 1979. The Stechishin’s personal collection of embroidery samples museum houses more than 5,000 artifacts –predomi- and her publication, “Artistic Treasures of Ukrainian nantly textiles – that have been collected, researched, Embroidery,” published in Ukrainian in 1950. The cen- documented, photographed and preserved to profes- terpiece of the exhibit is a Bukovynian wedding party, sional museum standards by its dedicated volunteers. in full antique costumes, worn at the wedding of Ms. For its exhibitions, the museum draws on its own Stechishin-Stefura and her husband, Scott. collections, as well as artifacts from community mem- Vintage and antique costumes from other regions of bers and other institutions. The museum’s gift shop Ukraine, collected on Ms. Stechishin-Stefura’s many offers Ukrainian-themed collectables, hand-made trips, are also on display, supported by video research items, cookbooks, greeting cards, CDs and exhibition and documentation. A substantial number of these souvenirs. The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario exquisite treasures have been generously donated to Branch, is a registered not-for-profit organization. the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch, by The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 10

Ivanka Haney the Stefura family to be shared and admired by future a.m. to 3 p.m., on weekends by appointment only, and Some of the items on display as part of the exhibit “Treasures generations. is closed on Mondays. For information readers may see Rediscovered & Shared” at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ms. Stechishin-Stefura received her formal dance, the museum’s website, www.umcontario.com, or its Ontario Branch. choreographic and pedagogical training at Edmonton Facebook page, www.facebook.com/umcontario.

$10 billion for this and next year, of which Ukrainian Parliament... two-thirds is owed to international lenders like the IMF, the World Bank and the U.S. (Continued from page 1) “Overall, the latest IMF statement sug- under its jurisdiction, including all appeals gests that the fund is going to maintain a ANNUITIES* of relevant first instance court decisions,” tough stance on Ukraine, though we contin- said IMF head Christine Lagarde in a June ue to think that the budget issue mentioned PREMIER NINE 19 statement, following a phone conversa- by Lagarde could be resolved without hav- tion with Mr. Poroshenko. ing parliament amend the 2018 budget She continued: “We also agreed to work law,” Kyiv-based Dragon Capital said in a ALSO AVAILABLE: closely together, including with the govern- note to investors. “As we said before, if all SELECT SEVEN – 3.5%* ment, toward the timely implementation of outstanding issues are settled by the end of this and other actions, notably related to June, Ukraine could realistically host an STARTER FIVE – 3.0%* gas prices and the budget that are critical to IMF mission in July and have the next loan allow the completion of the pending review tranche approved by the IMF Board in under Ukraine’s IMF-supported program.” August or September.” Ukraine’s gross external debt exceeds Also passed on June 21 was a technical $116 billion as of April 1, according to data bill related to the anti-graft laws that brings provided by the country’s central bank. legislation into line with the current Law External government debt equals more than on the Judiciary and the Status of Judges.

SECOND-YEAR RATE – 3.0%

* First-year rate. All annuity rates are subject to change. Not available in all states Security Service of Ukraine Ukrainian National Association, Inc. The head of the maternity ward in the state-run hospital in Vinnytsia Oblast is detained in her office on June 19 after receiving the equivalent of a $385 bribe from 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 an expectant mother to receive medical assistance during pregnancy leading up to General Information: 800-253-9862 • Fax: 973-292-0900 child delivery. Health care is supposed to be free in Ukraine, according to the www.UkrainianNationalAssociation.org Constitution, yet corruption is rampant. Vested interests have resisted acting Health facebook.com/UkrainianNationalAssociation Minister Ulana Suprun’s attempt at reforming the outdated and rotten health care system ever since the Detroit native was appointed in July 2016. No. 25 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 19

Through Exhibit, “Treasures Rediscovered and Shared,” with July 7 Ukrainian Dance Camp Performance and Zabava, September 28 work by Danovia Stechishin-Stefura, Ukrainian Museum Lehighton, PA Ukrainian Homestead, www.ukrhomestead.com Toronto of Canada (Ontario Branch), www.umcontario.com or www.facebookk.com/umcontario July 7 Golf tournament, “Legends on Niagara” at Ussher’s Niagara Falls, ON Creek Course, Ukrainian Golf Association of Canada, June 27 Film screening, “Recovery Room” by Adriana Luhovy, 905-295-9595 or www.niagraraparksgolf.com/legends-on- Albany, NY Ukrainian American Cultural Center, 518-608-6779 or the-niagara/usshers-creek www.recoveryroomthemovie.com July 7 Concert, featuring soprano Maria Antunez and tenor June 28 Film screening, “Recovery Room” by Adriana Luhovy, Jewett, NY Martin Messpaumer, Grazhda Music and Art Center of Passaic, NJ St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 201-637-5047 Greene County, www.grazhdamusicandart.org or or www.recoveryroomthemovie.com 518-989-6479 June 29 Film screening, “Recovery Room” by Adriana Luhovy, July 7-8 Lemko Vatra, Organization for the Defense of Whippany, NJ Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Ukrainian Ellenville, NY Lemkivshchyna, Ukrainian American Youth Association American Cultural Center of New Jersey, camp, www.lemko-ool.com 908-759-1771 or www.recoveryroomthemovie.com

June 29 through Nadiya Ye Festival, Ukrainian American Youth Association, July 13-15 Ukrainian Cultural Festival, Soyuzivka Heritage Center, July 1 www.cym.org/us-ellenville Kerhonkson, NY www.soyuzivka.com Ellenville, NY July 14 Gardenton Ukrainian Festival, Gardenton Ukrainian June 30 50th anniversary of Plast Shkola Bulavnykh banquet, St. Gardenton, MB Museum Grounds, http://gardentonpark.com Lexington, NY John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, [email protected] July 14 Concert, featuring violinist Richard Young, cellist Natalia Jewett, NY Khoma, pianist Volodymyr Vynnytsky and soprano Anna June 30 through USCAK-East tennis tournament, Ukrainian Sports Kosachevich, Grazhda Music and Art Center of Greene July 1 Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada, County, www.grazhdamusicandart.org or 518-989-6479 Kerhonkson, NY www.soyuzivka.com or 215-266-3943 July 15 Fund-raiser luncheon, Ukrainian Catholic Education June 30 through Cleveland Ukrainian Heritage Festival, Cleveland Maidan San Francisco Fund, University of San Francisco, Fromm Hall, July 1 Association, Ukrainian Museum-Archives, 216-714-2881 or 800-599-3671 or [email protected] Cleveland http://clevelandukrainianheritage festival.com/index.html July 18 Annual Pavilion Dinner, Ukrainian Cultural Institute, July 1 Lemko information session and reception, Organization Belfield, ND Belfield Pavilion, www.ucitoday.org Syracuse, NY for Defense of Lemkivshchyna, Syracuse Ukrainian National Home, [email protected] or 917-678-4168 Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions July 6-8 Ukrainian Pysanka Festival, Festival Grounds, from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors Vegreville, AB 780-632-2777 or www.pysankafestival.com and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected].

without drawing attention to the process. Turning... Security expert Yuriy Kostiuchenko told RFE/RL, “There are indeed Russian agents (Continued from page 6) working in Ukraine, and weapons and “This was obviously a vendetta by the equipment are being passed on to sabo- Kremlin,” commented Oleksiy Melnyk, co- teurs.” Mr. Kostiuchenko opined that director of foreign relations and international Ukraine has proof of Russian-organized security programs for the Razumkov Center terrorist attacks, but it is not assembled in policy center. Over the years, Col. Khararbe­ a systematic manner. riush “made the enemy’s life really hard.” Zorian Shkiriak, an advisor to Ukraine’s Put together, the three deaths in car blasts Internal Affairs Ministry, named Russia’s “are obviously a trend,” added Mr. Melnyk. GRU and FSB as Russian special services “They were coordinated from abroad, most likely involved. Mr. Shkiriak said that the likely by Moscow, but not necessarily carried terrorist act against Col. Shapoval was one out by Russians… it could have been done by in a line of acts committed by Russia Ukrainian [collaborators].” against officials and servicemen, including The SBU said Col. Voznyi’s death marked , an exiled Putin critic the 23rd casualty that the agency had suf- and Russian MP who was shot to death in fered in Russia’s was against Ukraine, March 2017 in Kyiv. which began with the illegal annexation of Anton Herashchenko, a Ukrainian MP Crimea in March 2014, and the invasion of and advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Donbas commencing a month later. Internal Affairs, noted that the specific In 2016, , a Belarusian executors may be different, but the organiz- journalist, was killed in a car explosion in ers are the same. Kyiv during his morning commute to work. His killing remains unsolved. National Source: “Moscow’s hand seen in three Deputy Mustafa Nayyem said that killing deaths in car blasts of Ukrainian service- was “an ordered hit,” noting that such tar- men,” by Mark Raczkiewycz, The Ukrainian geted killings can be carried out quietly, Weekly, July 2-July 9, 2017.

students. SUSK serves as a national forum SUSK... in which these concerns are discussed and acted upon. It is the coordinating body for (Continued from page 15) Ukrainian students’ organizations through- and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – out Canada. Calgary Branch. More information can be obtained by Founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in visiting the SUSK website, www.susk.ca, or 1953, SUSK fell inactive in 2001, and since by contacting the organization’s president, 2007 has been reinvigorated to advocate Ms. Nedoshytko, [email protected] or concerns relevant to Ukrainian Canadian 780-616-4652.

Visit our archive online: www.ukrweekly.com 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 No. 25

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Friday, June 29 by Canada Ukraine Foundation. The film is WHIPPANY, N.J.: The Ukrainian National based on interviews with wounded soldiers Women’s League of America, Branch 75, and medical teams, and uses unique stock invites you to the Whippany, N.J., premiere shots and photos. The screening will take of multi-award-winning feature documenta- place at the Ukrainian American Cultural ry film “Recovery Room,” directed by Center of New Jersey, 60 N. Jefferson Road, SOYUZIVKA HERITAGE CENTER-UNF Adriana Luhovy, produced by Yurij Luhovy. Whippany, NJ 07981, at 7:30 p.m. Admission PRESENTS A GALA FUND-RAISER The film documents the impact of Russia’s is $15. A reception will follow. Producers invasion of eastern Ukraine and humanitari- will be present. For information call 908- UNDER THE STARS an medical missions to Ukraine organized 759-1771 .

ЗАПРОШУЄМО НА “ЛЬВІВСЬКУ КАВУ” PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES І БЛАГОДІЙНИЙ ВЕЧІР, БЕНКЕТ, ШОУ-КОНЦЕРТ Preview of Events is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. Items should be no more than 100 words long. Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2018, 7 PM publication. Please include payment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in which the item is to be published. Information should be sent to: preview@ ukrweekly.com. Intimate and light-hearted Cabaret show “Retro Lviv”, featuring music of Old Lviv, starring Orest Lutiy, Petro Maha, Iryna Fedyshyn, Vasyl Popadiuk Subscribe to • Meet the Artists/Photo Op. OREST LUTIY • Elegant Dinner of Old Lviv cuisine uncensored with wine he krainian eekly • Cocktail hour with zakusky/appetizers T U W • Includes Weekend Festival admittance For an additional and VIP parking pass $5 get an online • $150 per person $90 per year PETRO MAHA (includes $100 deductible donation subscription as to UNF-Soyuzivka Heritage Center $80 for UNA member well • Information: [email protected] IRYNA FEDYSHYN or 845-626-5641

Soyuzivka, PO Box 516, 216 Foordmore Rd, Kerhonkson, NY 12446 845-626-5641 • www.soyuzivka.com Please contact Subscription Dept. VASYL POPADIUK email [email protected] Tel.: 973-292-9800 ext. 3040