The Ukrainian Weekly, 2019
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
INSIDE: UMANA holds biennial convention in Utah – page 4 Photo report: Ottawa’s Ukrainian festival – page 11 Our community: Pittsburgh and Montreal – page 12 ThePublished U by thekra Ukrainian Nationalin Association,ian Inc., celebrating Weekly its 125th anniversary Vol. LXXXVII No. 32 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 2019 $2.00 U.S. ambassador: Ukraine asks Zelenskyy administration tries to fi nd to buy more Javelin missiles its footing in the foreign policy sphere by Christopher Miller fy which equipment. Mr. Zelenskyy confirmed to RFE/RL dur- RFE/RL ing a European Union-Ukraine summit in KYIV – A senior U.S. official says Ukraine Kyiv on July 8 that a request had been sent has requested to purchase more Javelin to Washington, but he declined to name the anti-tank missiles from the United States, a arms and other military equipment he move that is likely to anger Moscow amid a hopes to purchase. four-year conflict that pits Russia-backed Since 2014, Washington has provided separatists against Ukraine’s forces. Ukraine with about $1.5 billion of military William Taylor, chargé d’affaires of the support. The Defense Department U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, told RFE/RL in an announced in June that it would provide interview that Ukraine would acquire the $250 million for Ukraine to acquire sniper Javelins from the U.S. Defense Department’s rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, Foreign Military Sales program for defensive counter-artillery radar, and night-vision purposes as the violence continues in a war equipment, among other items. that has killed more than 13,000 people. The support came after Russia seized “They would like to buy more Javelins,” Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and fomented he said. what is Europe’s only active war in the east- Official Website of the President of Ukraine Ambassador Taylor’s comments are the ern Donbas region, now in its sixth year. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip first confirmation of Ukraine’s desire to add Russia has provided military, economic, Erdoğan during the official welcoming ceremony in Ankara on August 7. to its stock of 210 Javelin missiles and 37 financial and political support to the separat- launchers that the United States provided ist fighters who it controls in parts of the by Bohdan Nahaylo the Normandy group of leaders to request in April 2018. Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, and members an urgent meeting at the highest level. He The office of Ukrainian President of its regular military have participated in key KYIV – The killing of four Ukrainian sol- also called the new British prime minister, Volodymyr Zelenskyy declined to comment battles during the conflict, evidence shows. diers on August 6 by shelling from Russian- Boris Johnson. on the request, and the Defense Ministry did The Javelin missile systems delivered to backed forces in the Donbas during the latest It has become very clear that, now that not immediately respond to requests for Ukraine last year are meant to be used in proclaimed ceasefire has precipitated a flur- the presidential and parliamentary elec- information. the event of a large-scale escalation in the ry of diplomatic activity from official Kyiv. tions are over, Ukraine has to address Mr. Taylor announced on July 7 that war and not for offensive purposes, U.S. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called enduring challenges, changes and new Ukraine had formally requested to pur- and Ukrainian officials have said. Another his Russian counterpart the following day opportunities not only in the domestic but chase U.S. military equipment for the first to express his disgust and reached out to time, but he and the Embassy did not speci- (Continued on page 7) Ukraine’s German and French partners in (Continued on page 4) Parma cathedral’s parish celebrates 95th anniversary by Father John Nakonachny PARMA, Ohio – St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, annu- ally celebrates its patron saint’s day (July 28). This year’s celebration was especially uplifting because the parish celebrated its 95th anniversary. The commemoration began on Saturday evening, July 27, with vespers and a memo- rial service for deceased clergy, wives of married pastors and faithful who had labored in the Lord’s Vineyard since the formation of the parish. On Sunday, July 28, hundreds of faithful gathered at the cathedral to welcome Metropolitan Antony, prime hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., and Archbishop Daniel, hierarch of the Western Eparchy and president of the Consistory, who traveled to Parma to lead the celebra- tion of the hierarchal divine liturgy. Assisting at the altar were the cathedral clergy – Father John Nakonachny, pastor, Father Michael Hontaruk, assistant pastor, UOC-U.S.A. Hierarchs, clergy and faithful of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, following the liturgy on Sunday, (Continued on page 17) July 28, when the parish marked its 95th anniversary. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 2019 No. 32 ANALYSIS The Kremlin showcases Four Ukrainian soldiers killed in east ised him something, details of which would be disclosed later. The Kremlin said the two Kyiv says four Ukrainian soldiers have presidents discussed the prospects of coop- lost their lives in the latest clashes with its Ukrainian confidant Medvedchuk eration under the so-called Normandy for- Russia-backed separatists in the country’s mat for negotiations aimed at putting an end from Mr. Putin to Mr. Medvedchuk in the east. The Defense Ministry said in a state- by Vladimir Socor to the conflict, and agreed to intensify their run-up to Ukraine’s parliamentary elec- ment that the pro-Russia militants opened Eurasia Daily Monitor work on prisoner exchange. It was their sec- tions (which Mr. Zelenskyy’s party, Servant fire at Ukrainian military positions in the ond publicly announced phone call since Mr. Russian President Vladimir Putin is pro- of the People, went on to win). Mr. Stone’s Donetsk region on August 6, using grenade- Zelenskyy was elected president in April. moting his closest Ukrainian confidant, latest documentary film, “Revealing launchers, machine guns and assault rifles. Later in the day, the Ukrainian president said Viktor Medvedchuk, on the international Ukraine”, which premiered in June and “We say with sadness that, as a result of the he had also spoken with French President level. This effort was manifest ahead of received a top prize at the Taormina film enemy’s attacks today, according to the Emmanuel Macron, and that his French festival, gives Mr. Medvedchuk top billing, information in our possession, four of our Ukraine’s parliamentary elections and is counterpart had supported his call for a new heroes sustained injuries, to which they suc- set to continue thereafter. with Mr. Putin appearing rather in a sup- round of talks within the Normandy format, cumbed,” the statement said. It was the The Kremlin is using Mr. Medvedchuk in portive role. The film – tailored to the elec- which involves France, Germany, Ukraine highest daily casualty toll in the Ukrainian several parallel roles: First, as leader of the torate of Mr. Medvedchuk’s party, the and Russia. (RFE/RL, with reporting by conflict since a truce was agreed nearly pro-Russia opposition in Ukraine’s newly Opposition Platform – For Life (OP-FL) – Reuters, AFP, AP and Interfax) elected Parliament. Second, as a long-time was distributed in Ukraine at the height of three weeks ago. President Volodymyr proponent of restructuring Ukraine along the parliamentary election campaign. In a Zelenskyy called the incident an attempt to Moscow Court to hear seamen’s appeals “undermine” Ukraine’s efforts toward federal lines to weaken the central govern- separate conversation with Mr. Stone, its The Moscow City Court will hear argu- peace, and called on France, Germany and ment. Third, most recently, as international airing timed to Ukraine’s July 21 parlia- ments on August 16 in the case of six of the Russia to “meet as quickly as possible to explainer of Russia’s policy on Ukraine gen- mentary elections, Mr. Putin revealed that 24 Ukrainian crewmen detained in Russia, resume negotiations.” Germany, France, erally and the Minsk armistice in particular. he views Mr. Medvedchuk’s party as the TASS news agency has reported. They, Ukraine, and Russia are part of the so-called And fourth, as fixer for the selective release Russia’s only available ally in Ukraine’s cur- along with seven other sailors, have been Normandy format for talks aimed at putting of Ukrainian captives in the Russian- rent political environment. ordered to stay in pretrial detention until an end to fighting between Ukrainian forces To help the Russophile-leftist OP-FL pick October 24, while 11 others will be held controlled territory and in Russia itself, and the separatists who control parts of the up some centrist support, Mr. Putin used until October 26. A lower court prolonged leveraging Mr. Medvedchuk politically in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Mr. the Stone interview to portray Mr. their detention on July 17 as they await trial that role against Ukraine’s president and Zelenskyy wrote on his Facebook page that Medvedchuk as a Ukrainian patriot and on charges of “trespassing” in what Russia government. Kyiv “will not cease to work toward ending claims are its territorial waters. If found On July 18, Mr. Putin received Mr. independently minded politician whose hostilities or leave any attack on our sol- guilty, the sailors face up to six years in pris- Medvedchuk in St. Petersburg to highlight views can differ from Mr. Putin’s. Crediting diers unanswered.” Since April 2014, more the presentation that Mr. Medvedchuk had Mr. Medvedchuk with “holding his own on.