INSIDE: l Ramifications of critical water shortage in Crimea – page 3 l Interview: Ambassador Valeriy Chaly – page 9 l Online exhibit: Internment of Ukrainians during WWI – page 15 The Ukrainian Weekly Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association

Vol. LXXXVIII No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 $2.00 UCCA postpones XXIII Congress Ukraine enters second stage of Ukrainians in America to 2021 of quarantine easing UCCA The decision to schedule a UCCA con- vention outside of a U.S. presidential elec- NEW YORK – The Ukrainian Congress tion year was made due to the conditions Committee of America (UCCA), the repre- affecting the United States as result of the sentative organization of nearly 2 million global pandemic of COVID-19. As the health Americans of Ukrainian descent, on May 14 and well-being of the Ukrainian American convened an extraordinary session of community is, and should always be, a pri- UCCA’s National Council, UCCA’s highest ority for the leadership of that community, ruling body. The purpose of the meeting, and whereas individual states, including held over the Zoom video and audio confer- the state of New York (where the XXIII encing platform for the first time, was to Congress is to be convened), have closed discuss the planned XXIII Congress of most if not all businesses, schools and pub- Ukrainians in America, UCCA’s quadrennial lic facilities, the UCCA’s National Council convention. Scheduled to coincide with U.S. decided that the XXIII Congress will not presidential election years, the XXIII convene in 2020. Congress of Ukrainians will elect the UCCA’s While there is no clear answer as to executive officers and guide UCCA’s plan of when New York and other states will action until the next convention. reopen fully, it is the expressed desire of the Presided over by National Council Chair UCCA’s National Council, composed of dele- Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Stefan Kaczaraj, the President/CEO of the gates representing Ukrainian Churches and The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, meeting on May 20, lifted some coronavirus Ukrainian National Association (UNA), the religious associations, Ukrainian education- quarantine restrictions. extraordinary session ratified a proposal al institutions, national or central member from the Presidium of the UCCA’s Executive organizations and local UCCA chapters, that by Roman Tymotsko but now the city center is full of people, café and restaurant terraces are occupied, Committee to schedule the XXIII Congress of leading members of the Ukrainian KYIV – On May 25, life in Ukraine’s capi- and crowds are walking on the central Ukrainians for October 2021. This was done American community will be able to gather tal returned almost back to normal. The streets. in accordance with a ruling from UCCA’s in 2021 to once again discuss key political, metro is the main transport artery of Kyiv, However, the unusually cold May weath- By-Laws Committee, authored by its chair, strategic and social concerns that affect the and after its reopening, people’s mobility er in most regions prevented Ukrainians Bohdan Shandor, president of the Ukrainian future of this community and its relations increased significantly. At first, Kyiv resi- from dangerous overcrowding. Therefore, American Bar Association (UABA). with Ukraine. dents were afraid of going underground, the burst of outdoor activity in Ukraine was just beginning. The Ukrainian government had decided NEWS ANALYSIS to move to the second stage of eased restrictions related to the coronavirus pan- demic starting on May 22. During a regular Latest leaked recording targets U.S.-Ukraine relations session of the Cabinet of Ministers on May 20, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal noted by Bohdan Nahaylo Shokin was reportedly investigating revealed conversations purportedly that the coronavirus infection rate was Biden’s son Hunter for financial impropri- recorded secretly in the president’s office. showing a downward trend in Ukraine. KYIV – Ukraine has been shaken by a ety in Ukraine. Both Mr. Derkach and President In accordance with the government’s new scandal involving leaked recordings, The Biden-Poroshenko-Shokin subject Zelenskyy have stated that more leaks can decision, starting on May 22 in those purportedly made secretly at the highest had already been raised before and, given be expected from the same, as yet undis- regions where epidemiological indicators level, but this time involving former the political rivalry between Mr. Biden and closed, source. Much will depend on meet the criteria set by the Health Ministry Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Mr. Trump, required some smart footwork whether anything new emerges that is regarding new cases of coronavirus infec- the current U.S. presidential candidate last year from newly elected President more damaging for Mr. Biden or the tion spread (not exceeding 12 cases per from the Democratic Party, Joe Biden. Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his dealings with Ukrainian side, notably Mr. Poroshenko, 100,000 citizens), the number of tests con- While this affair obviously has potential the current U.S. Administration. but also for Ukraine’s credibility. If addi- ducted (not less than 12 per 100,000 peo- ramifications within the context of the U.S. Initially, the new leaks and recycled tional recordings emerge, will they be lim- ple) and hospital bed occupancy (not more presidential campaign and for U.S.-Ukraine accusations made more of a splash in ited to the Biden-Ukraine theme, or will than 50 percent), public transport was relations generally, it is already impacting Ukraine than in Washington. The they shed new light on the inner workings restored. As of May 25, the operation of Ukrainian domestic politics. Washington Post, for instance, dismissed of Mr. Poroshenko’s administration and subways was resumed, and kindergartens On May 19, Ukrainian National Deputy them as a case of both déjà vu and much hurt him, and by implication post-Revolu- were allowed to reopen. Andriy Derkach, an ally of President ado about nothing. But the potential dam- tion of Dignity Ukraine as such? The prime minister explained: “We are Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani, age that could be caused by the leaks has Mr. Biden says the leaked recordings yet not opening interregional transporta- released audio recordings received from resulted in an unprecedented pro-Ukraini- have been heavily edited, while Mr. tion. We agreed that it would be possible in “investigative journalists” of alleged phone an response – seven former U.S. ambassa- Poroshenko dismisses them as “fabricated.” early June, as soon as the epidemiological conversations between former U.S. Vice- dors to Ukraine issued a statement Nevertheless, President Zelenskyy has situation is favorable. Meanwhile, local President Biden and former President expressing their concerns and affirming declared that the recordings will be investi- restrictions will be in place, decisions on Poroshenko made in 2015-2016 when they their support for Kyiv. (See their statement gated. Subsequently, Mr. Poroshenko’s law- which will be made jointly with local were in office. on page 3.) yer, Ilya Novikov, revealed that Prosecutor authorities, so as not to export the virus Among other things, Messrs. Biden and In Ukraine, commentators did not hesi- General Iryna Venediktova had opened a throughout the country.” Poroshenko are supposedly heard discuss- tate to describe the affair as the most seri- criminal case over the so-called “Biden “This is in keeping with the adaptive ing the need to dismiss the Ukrainian pros- ous since the cassette scandal back in late recordings.” quarantine model,” Mr. Shmyhal added. ecutor general at that time, Viktor Shokin, 2000 when President Leonid Kuchma’s for- in return for $1 billion in U.S. aid. Mr. mer bodyguard, Maj. Mykola Melnychenko, (Continued on page 12) (Continued on page 12) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 No. 22

WINDOW ON EURASIA

Pandemic adding to burdens sanctions Two soldiers killed, 18 wounded and a congressional aide.” The package is the second half of the $250 million in have imposed on Moscow for seizing Crimea Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported Ukraine Security Assistance that was that during the week of May 15-21, two appropriated by Congress in the 2020 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 18 National Defense Authorization Act. A by Paul Goble weakness.” But not showing weakness and being in a weak position are not the same Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action. Pentagon spokesperson declined to com- The logic of the sanctions regime the thing. In the last week, Russian-terrorist forces ment to CNN on the assistance, citing a West imposed on Moscow after Vladimir The Kyiv scholar says that, “under condi- opened fire on Ukrainian positions in the department policy of not commenting on Putin seized Ukraine’s Crimea was not only tions of the economic crisis and the corona- Luhansk and Donetsk sectors of the front arms packages that are under congressio- to underscore its opposition to this blatant virus pandemic, Russia will find it ever 69 times in total, including at least 23 times nal review. CNN reported that the new violation of international law but also to more difficult to finance annexed Crimea” – with heavy weapons – mortars and artil- assistance package includes “mobile radar raise the price on Moscow of occupying especially given the financial demands that lery. Returning fire, Ukrainian forces killed systems designed to detect and track Ukrainian territory and eventually leading the crisis and the pandemic are placing on three and wounded 11 enemy combatants incoming artillery and rocket fire, dozens of the Russian government to back down and it with regard to the Russian Federation as in the last week. (Ukrainian Canadian ambulances, secure communications return the peninsula. such. Congress Daily Briefing) equipment, including 100 ‘tactical tablets’ and the two patrol boats, the latter of In the years since the Russian Anschluss, The Kremlin insists that it has plenty of U.S. grand jury investigating Kolomoisky these sanctions have imposed enormous money, even though it hasn’t spent it as yet, which is seen as particularly important costs on Moscow, but they are not sufficient but one must keep in mind that “Crimea BuzzFeed News reported on May 1: “One given Ukraine’s tensions with Russia in the for Moscow to change course. Now, the remains for Russia a region that requires of Ukraine’s wealthiest oligarchs, whose Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.” (Ukrainian coronavirus pandemic with its economic enormous subsidies; and under conditions name emerged in the center of the Trump Canadian Congress Daily Briefing, citing impact has raised those prices still further, when financing is being cut, this Crimean impeachment saga, is under investigation CNN) prompting Moscow to launch yet another adventure will be ever more subject to by a U.S. federal grand jury for allegedly IMF, Ukraine pencil $5 billion deal round of calls for ending sanctions so that questioning.” laundering hundreds of millions of dollars all can focus on the pandemic. “I have big doubts,” Dr. Umland says, in U.S. real estate.” BuzzFeed said billionaire The International Monetary Fund (IMF) It is unlikely Moscow will return Crimea “that Russia in the future will be able to Ihor Kolomoisky “is accused by Ukraine and Ukrainian officials reached a staff-level to Ukraine as long as Mr. Putin remains in allow itself to hold Crimea.” regulators of orchestrating a scheme to agreement on a new $5 billion stand-by power, Andreas Umland, a specialist at the After Mr. Putin leaves office, “Russia siphon money from the country’s largest arrangement to help Kyiv cope with eco- Kyiv Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation, could not only lose control over annexed bank and funnel it into prime properties, nomic shock caused by the coronavirus says, but it is clear that the pandemic has Crimea but lose part of its own territories, including landmark office towers and steel pandemic. The agreement is subject to added to the pressure on Russia (ru.krymr. in particular, certain regions of the North facilities across the U.S.” The grand jury is approval by the IMF’s management and com/a/andreas-umland-o-kryme-sankci- Caucasus,” he adds. Russia is unlikely to dis- examining the finances of Mr. Kolomoisky executive board, which will look at the deal yah-protiv-rossii-i-zayavlenii-shredera/ integrate completely, and it is not clear that in a probe that has tracked the money from “in the coming weeks,” the IMF said in a 30593995.html). would be something positive for Ukraine. the Ukrainian bank through a maze of off- statement. The agreement aims to provide The pandemic has distracted the atten- But recovering Crimea and ending Russian shore companies to the United States, balance of payments and budget support tion of many in the world “from the issue of aggression in the Donbas matters. according to two sources familiar with the over a period of 18 months. IMF Ukraine annexed Crimea and the aggression of In the meantime, and especially while inquiry. “The grand jury investigation in mission chief Ivanna Vladkova Hollar says Russia in Ukraine,” Dr. Umland continues; Mr. Putin is still in office, Dr. Umland says Cleveland represents a rare effort by the it will ensure that Ukraine is “well poised to but sanctions continue to have an impact he cannot exclude the possibility that there U.S. justice system to target an influential return to growth and resume broader on Russia, and they are having a greater will be an escalation in Russian aggression oligarch and trace the millions that he and reform efforts when the crisis ends.” The impact now than earlier because of the bor- in Ukraine. Moscow may seek to gain con- his associates allegedly sent through U.S. arrangement also is expected to “catalyze rowing restrictions they place on Moscow trol of the canal that has supplied water to correspondent banks,” the media outlet additional bilateral and multilateral finan- to finance economic recovery. Crimea or move further into southern por- reported. (Ukrainian Canadian Congress cial support,” she added in the statement. According to Dr. Umland, in the current tions of Ukraine. Daily Briefing, citing BuzzFeed) The fund’s governing executive board gen- environment, “Russia would like” to lift its Unfortunately, Dr. Umland says, the West’s erally follows the recommendations of the own counter-sanctions on foodstuffs, “but reaction to Russia’s escalation of tensions in Pentagon on additional military aid to Ukraine technical teams. Ukrainian lawmakers it cannot do this without the lifting of at the Azov Sea “sent a signal to Russia” that recently approved banking legislation pav- CNN reported on May 27: “The Pentagon least a part of Western sanctions. The logic Moscow may have a freer hand in the south- ing the way for billions in assistance to flow has notified Congress that Ukraine’s gov- of this regime is such that it cannot show ern and eastern portions of Ukraine. from the IMF. Ukraine has been in talks ernment has made the necessary progress with the IMF for months about a loan tied on key institutional reforms, thereby justi- to reforms to help the country meet a spike fying an additional $125 million in new in debt repayments this year. Ukrainian military assistance, including patrol boats President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Putin moving from ‘Great Victory’ to hostility armed with remote-controlled 30mm auto- to entire world – and young Russians ready to follow cannons, according to a U.S. defense official (Continued on page 10)

by Paul Goble its end. A renewed country, which will have grown up on the ruins of the old… promis- Just as “Crimea is Ours” paled with time es to be as off-putting, anti-human and The Ukrainian Weekly FOUNDED 1933 as a mobilizing tool, so too Vladimir Putin’s bloodthirsty as all its predecessors.” “Great Victory” by itself will be insufficient “This isn’t news,” the Ukrainian analyst An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., for him to dominate Russia in the future, continues. “That Russia is not subject to ref- a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. says analyst Sergey Ilchenko, And so the ormation and that from the old Muscovite Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. Kremlin leader is adding another quiver to elite can arise only a new evil has been Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. his bow, declaring Russia a separate civili- known from the very beginning.” But “the (ISSN — 0273-9348) zation based on hostility to the rest of the details of the new Russian project have The Weekly: UNA: world and its representatives inside Russia. emerged only recently and are taking ever Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 The Ukrainian commentator notes that clearer shape” before our eyes. new surveys show, despite what many had According to Mr. Ilchenko, “the old Postmaster, send address changes to: hoped, that the rising generation in Russia Yeltsin-Putin skin of the Russian reptile is The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz is quite prepared to follow that lead – one bursting and in a year or two we will see a 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas that resembles Nazism and presages a renewed Russia” once again. What can be P.O. Box 280 Russia more oppressive at home and more seen of its emerging characteristics are Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] aggressive abroad (dsnews.ua/world/neo- anything but encouraging. rossiya-vlast-tnk-natsional-sotsializm-i- He argues that what is occurring now is The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com agressivnoe-19052020220000). a struggle between the “siloviki” [institu- Mr. Ilchenko reaches that conclusion on tions of force, i.e., security services and The Ukrainian Weekly, May 31, 2020, No. 22, Vol. LXXXVIII the basis of an analysis that begins with the armed forces], out of which Mr. Putin Copyright © 2020 The Ukrainian Weekly observation that “the post-Soviet cycle of sprung, and the multi-national corpora- the Russian transformation is approaching tions from which he has profited. The for- mer are all about control and building a ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on fortress Russia; the latter are about making Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia. money regardless of borders. Mr. Putin has and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 The article above is reprinted with permis- been astride them both, but maintaining e-mail: [email protected] sion from his blog called “Window on that position is increasingly difficult. Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Eurasia” (http://windowoneurasia2. e-mail: [email protected] blogspot.com/). (Continued on page 14) No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Critical water shortage in Crimea may prompt new Russian move against Ukraine

by Paul Goble the drinking water for Crimean residents came via the population” with such necessities as safe drinking water Eurasia Daily Monitor North Crimean Canal, from the Dnipro River. But after lies with the occupying state. If Ukraine were to give water Russian forces arrived, Ukraine abruptly ended that prac- to the Russian occupiers, these writers fear, that would The Crimean peninsula has long suffered from water tice, forcing the occupiers to rely on local wells, groundwa- constitute recognition of the occupation. In fact, that is not shortages, but these are now often exacerbated by the ter and reservoirs. The peninsula has 22 reservoirs, with a necessarily the case: Israel, for example, provides water to ever-more frequent winters with little to no rain or snow. combined capacity of 334.2 million cubic meters. At pres- Palestinian areas under its control but does not thereby In the last several months, under Russian occupation, those ent, however, some of them have already completely dried recognize Palestinian claims. Nonetheless, Kyiv believes difficulties have become critical: according to Russian offi- up, and the remainder are at critical levels. They were about otherwise and is unlikely to change its mind. cials, the region has seen its reserves of potable water two-thirds full a year ago but have reportedly been drawn The Russian occupation authorities currently are trying decline by 60 percent and will entirely run out of supplies down to less than a third now (Apostrophe, May 17). to address the problem by drilling more wells and extend- of this critical natural resource sometime in July or August The occupation authorities blame the current crisis not ing pipelines into cities; moreover, they have announced (Gazeta.ua, May 21). only on Kyiv’s intransigence but also on the enhanced need plans for establishing water-purification plants. But The situation is creating a serious public health crisis in for water during the pandemic. Ukrainian officials and groundwater levels in much of Crimea have fallen dramati- Crimea and could prompt Moscow, which has few other experts, however, disagree with that contention. The water cally. They are currently too low for fruits and vegetables to options, to engage in a new military action against Ukraine shortages, in their view, are entirely the result of the occu- be planted in the northern half of the peninsula, and the to gain access to water supplies, especially as Ukrainian pation itself. If it ends, so too will the water crisis. As construction of purification plants like those in Israel will officials and commentators have made clear that Kyiv is Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Reznikov recently put it, not be completed for some time. Meanwhile, Crimea faces not prepared to sell water to the occupation authorities “water for Crimea from other parts of Ukraine will come the prospect of water shortages for both agriculture as well (Moskovsky Komsomolets, May 19). only after de-occupation. This is the united position of the as the resident population (Ren.tv, May 21; RIA Novosti, This crisis has been building for some time (see Eurasia government” (Gazeta.ua, May 21). May 19). Daily Monitor, February 26; Geopolitical Monitor, April 24). The Kyiv-based writers note that the 1949 Geneva Until the Russian annexation in early 2014, 85 percent of Convention specifies that “responsibility for providing the (Continued on page 14)

FOR THE RECORD Statement on Ukrainian-American Strategic Partnership The statement below was posted on May 23 by the Kyiv Myroslav Marynovych, Vice-Rector of the Ukrainian (2007-2009). Security Forum with this notation: “The Kyiv Security Forum Catholic University, political dissident and prisoner of con- Danylo Lubkivsky, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine expresses gratitude to the distinguished Ukrainian politi- science under the Soviet occupation, member of the First (2014), member of the Board of Open Ukraine Foundation. cians, diplomats and civic activists for their support of the of December Initiative Group. appeal to the American leaders and society on the impor- Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Chair of the Parliamen­ Yevhen Zakharov, Chairperson of the Kharkiv Human tary Committee on Ukraine’s integration into the EU, tance of protecting the Ukrainian-American strategic part- Rights Group, head of the Board of the Ukrainian Helsinki nership.” European Solidarity faction, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Rights Group, member of the First of December European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine (2016- Initiative Group. We, the representatives of Ukrainian politics, civil soci- 2019). ety and the expert community, are deeply concerned to Leonid Finberg, Director of the Research Center of the Yuriy Shcherbak, Ambassador Extraordinary and watch a campaign to involve Ukraine in the political com- History and Culture of Eastern European Jewry at the Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Israel (1992-1994), the petition in the United States unfold with renewed vigor. National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Editor-in- United States (1994-1998), Canada (2000-2003). Chief of the Dukh i Litera Publishing house. Ukraine greatly appreciates the steadfast support of the Oleksandr Motsyk, First Deputy Foreign Minister of American people for our independence, security and Ihor Kozlovsky, prisoner of the Russian occupation Ukraine (2004-2005), Ambassador Extraordinary and Western course. regime in the Donbas, President of the Center for Religious Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States (2010- Our nations share the common values of national and Studies, member of the First of December Initiative Group. 2015). human freedom. Lilia Hrynevych, Minister of Education of Ukraine Valeriy Chaly, Ambassador Extraordinary and The combined efforts of the two largest political parties (2016-2019). in the United States and all concerned Americans to defend Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States (2015- Ukraine are a major historical contribution to the creation Volodymyr Vasylenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and 2019), Chair of the Board of the Ukrainian Crisis Media of a united Europe and a just world order. Plenipotentiary, Judge of the International Criminal Center. We call on American leaders to distinguish between the Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (2001-2005), Represen­ And 41 additional signatories. position of new Ukraine, which stands for the unity of the tative of Ukraine to the U.N. Human Rights Council (2006- West and acts to unite democracies around the world, and 2010). (To see the full list of signatories go to: https://ksf.ope- those forces that seek to turn the political developments in Volodymyr Ohryzko, Ambassador Extraordinary and nukraine.org/en/news/1782-zvernennya-pro-ukrajin- our country into a toxic narrative to sow discord among Plenipotentiary, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine syko-amerikansyke-strategichne-partnerstvo.) our partners. We oppose the dishonest attempts to use the political controversies in the United States. We do not choose any side, but support each of them in the same way that they together help Ukraine’s independence. Statement by former U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine We call on America’s leaders to distinguish between the The statement below was disseminated by the Atlantic between the United States and Ukraine and sow division position of our nation from the actions of politicians insti- Council on May 26. within our two countries. That serves neither country’s gated by Moscow. interests. We strongly condemn these efforts to divide our We condemn hostile provocations aimed at alienating Over the past three decades, the United States and two countries and call on officials in both to avoid steps our nations. Ukraine have developed a broad and robust relationship that will only erode the bilateral relationship and alienate We believe in the strategic partnership between Ukraine that serves the interests of both countries, countries that our countries from one another. and the United States. share values such as democracy, liberty and human free- Let us not allow mutual distrust and doubt to erode this Ambassador (Ret.) Roman Popadiuk dom. Ukraine’s success in developing as an independent, 1st U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine great and lasting relationship. stable, democratic state with a strong market economy, Let us stand together in times of great trials. anchored to European institutions, advances the U.S. inter- Ambassador (Ret.) Steven Pifer est in a more stable and secure Europe. 3rd U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Signed on May 22-23, 2020. The bilateral relationship has long enjoyed wide biparti- Ambassador (Ret.) Carlos Pascual Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security san support in the United States, including in Congress and 4th U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Forum, Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014-2016). from both Republican and Democratic presidents alike. It has also enjoyed support from a broad political spectrum Ambassador (Ret.) John Herbst Oleksandr Turchynov, acting President of Ukraine, 5th U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2014), in Ukraine. National Security Advisor (2014-2019). We have worked over the years to build and strengthen Ambassador (Ret.) William Taylor the U.S.-Ukrainian strategic partnership established in 6th U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Oksana Zabuzhko, writer, National Taras Shevchenko 1996. We thus are disheartened by efforts to inject Ukraine Prize laureate. into America’s domestic politics as the 2020 U.S. presiden- Ambassador (Ret.) John Tefft Joseph Zissels, member of the First of December tial election approaches. Those efforts advance a false and 7th U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Initiative Group, member of the Strategic Council of the toxic narrative, one with no basis in the reality of U.S.- Ambassador (Ret.) Marie Yovanovitch Movement against Capitulation. Ukraine relations, in order to weaken the relationship 9th U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 No. 22

OBITUARY Helen Perozak Smindak, journalist, longtime columnist for The Ukrainian Weekly, 91

NEW YORK – Helen Perozak Smindak, a her education in Geralton, Sault Ste. Marie, ing a Walter Bacad dance group rehearsal journalist well-known to the Ukrainian Saltfleet High School and McMaster at the Ukrainian Institute of America. On community, passed away on Saturday, May University, where she began her journalis- June 6, 1959, the couple returned to 16, in New York City from complications of tic career with McMaster’s Silhouette news- Brantford, Ontario, to marry. COVID-19. She was 91. paper. Ms. Smindak’s first New York-originated Ms. Smindak was a longtime columnist Thereafter, she worked with the jobs were in public relations for National and feature writer for The Ukrainian Brantford Expositor, London Free Press and Distillers and Clairol. While in New York, Weekly. In 1957-1958, she was an editor of then with the National Film Board of she pioneered and wrote The Ukrainian the newspaper, but her byline appeared on Canada, establishing the film board’s first Weekly’s very popular cultural column The Weekly’s pages for decades. office in New York. (originally called “Panorama of Ukrainian Helen Irene Perozak was born in Fort She emigrated from Canada in 1955. Culture in the Big Apple” and later known William (now known as Thunder Bay), Morris Diakowsky introduced her to Joseph as “Dateline New York”). She was active in Ontario, on October 18, 1928. She received Francis Smindak of Bridgeport, Conn., dur- the Ukrainian Youth League of North America and the Ukrainian National Association. Sometime in her 40’s Ms. Smindak developed epilepsy. She experienced petit mal seizures that required lifelong remedi- ation by medication. Despite the significant impact on her explicit memory, she deter- minedly continued her writing and journal- istic endeavors. She retired in 2013. Ms. Smindak was predeceased by her Helen Perozak Smindak husband, Joseph. Leaving to mourn are her son, Joseph M., of Dayton, Ohio; and daugh- of the region, Ms. Smindak helped organize ter, Katherine, and her husband, Stewart and served as a guide for Kobasniuk Travel, Grodman, and her grandchildren, Kyra and an agency that specialized in tours to Zachary, of Manhattan. She also leaves her Ukraine, during the late 1970s and 1980s. brother, Justice Morris J. Perozak of The funeral was held on May 22 at St. Hamilton, as well as her nephews Michael John’s Cemetery of Stratford, Conn. Given and Stephan and niece Ivanna with their the coronavirus environment, there was a families, all of Canada. graveside service led by a priest from St. Helen, Joseph Sr., Joseph Jr. and Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Katherine visited the home countries of Bridgeport, Conn. Burial will be in the fami- The Ukrainian Weekly Archives their families in western Ukraine and the ly plot at St. John’s Cemetery, where Joseph Helen Perozak Smindak (left), The Ukrainian Weekly’s editor in 1957-1958 and a region known as Ruthenia quite often and Smindak Sr. had been laid to rest in 1993. longtime columnist and feature writer for the newspaper, in a photo from 2003 with were able to research and record their Weekly veterans Marta Kolomayets (1982-1984, 1988-1996), Khristina Lew (1990- respective ancestries. Compiled by Katherine and Joseph 1998) and Irene Jarosewich (1996-2000). As a result of her fluency and knowledge Smindak.

The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: January 2020

Amount Name City State Pankiw Andrew Upper Arlington OH Kaczaj Olia & Roman Pittsgrove NJ $115.00 Shandor Bohdan Bonita Springs FL Paschuk Larisa Verona NJ Karmazyn Olga Aliquippa PA Stasiuk Demetrius Englewood FL Kolos Bohdan Toronto ON $105.00 Chubaty Andrew Lawrenceville GA Temnycky Daria & Orest Clifton NJ Martyniuk Irene Fitchburg MA $100.00 Boone Tom & Xenia Indian Head MD Zenczak Stephen Parma OH Sybydlo Bohdan MIssissauga ON Danyliw Roman Pittsburgh PA $40.00 Dykyj Daria Forest Hills NY Szanc-Smarsh Larysa Brooklyn NY Dombchewskyj Bohdan Monroe NC Szpyhulsky John Iselin NJ $35.00 Drobny Daria Dearborn MI Harmaty Anna Chatham NJ Terlecky John Spring Valley NY Laschuk Bill San Francisco CA Lylak Eugene Rochester NY Wawryshyn Michael Toronto ON Mcmurray Brian Brentwood TN $25.00 Kulish Mary Ann Bayonne NJ $15.00 Chirovsky Andriy Tucson AZ Nowadly John Fairfax VA Wowchuk Wasyl Hawthorn Woods IL $10.00 Kish Steven North Arlington NJ $60.00 Soltys George Montreal QC $20.00 Diaczuk Zenko Boonton NJ Ochrym Jean Etobicoke ON $50.00 Gojaniuk Zoryslava Hamilton NJ Dolinsky Larissa Westfield NJ Podolak Eugenia Lehighton PA Hursky-Devassal Anna Gwynedo Valley PA Halaburda-Patti Daria Clifton NJ Kucewicz Ihor Wheaton IL Herman John Indianapolis IN TOTAL: $1,845.00

The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: February 2020

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Young UNA’ers

Harper Marie Holman, daughter of Kristen Marie and Julian Teodor Pyz, son of Justyn and Kasia Pyz of Vira Anastasia Plotytsya, daughter of Nadija Anna Dub Bryan John Holman of Rosedale, Md., is a new member Woolwich Township, N.J., is a new member of UNA and Yaroslav Plotytsya of Mountainside, N.J., is a new of UNA Branch 42. She was enrolled by her grandpar- Branch 133. He was enrolled by his grandparents member of UNA Branch 28. She was enrolled by her ents Roman and Patrice Hankewycz. Teodor and Maria Pyz. grandparents Zenon and Olga Dub.

Do you have a young UNA’er, or potential young UNA’er in your family? Call the UNA Home Office, 973-292-9800, to find out how to enroll.

MISSION STATEMENT The Ukrainian National Association exists: • to promote the principles of fraternalism; • to preserve the Ukrainian, Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian heritage and culture; and • to provide quality financial services and products to its members. As a fraternal insurance society, the Ukrainian National Association reinvests its earnings for the benefit of its members Daniella Zoriana Demidowich, daughter of Drs. Andrew and Shirley Demidowich, of Jessup, Md., is a new mem- and the Ukrainian community. ber of UNA Branch 37. She was enrolled by her grand- parents Dr. George and Christine Demidowich.

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Please contact our Subscription Department at subscription@ The Ukrainian Weekly, ukrweekly.com founded in 1933, is published or 973-292-9800 by the Ukrainian National ext. 3040. Association. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 No. 22

COMMENTARY The Ukrainian Weekly Remembering Helen Smindak Ukraine takes vital step to protect Earlier this month, we learned the very sad news that Helen Smindak, a long- time columnist and feature writer for The Ukrainian Weekly, had passed away at Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Crimea the age of 91. Tragically, she was one of this country’s 100,000 fatalities due to the by Halya Coynash The move can be used as an instrument, novel coronavirus. This exemplary journalist was well-known and greatly loved by Kharkiv Human Rights Protection with Ukraine calling upon its partners in Ukrainian community members throughout North America. Her wonderful writ- Group the world and international organizations ing graced the pages of this newspaper for decades. And that’s no exaggeration. to defend Ukraine’s cathedral and its Arts and culture were her beat, and Ms. Smindak must have worn out countless Moscow must understand that the believers from the occupiers. pairs of shoes covering all sorts of events in New York City and then, in the early forced dissolution of the Orthodox Church Archbishop Klyment also believes that days, delivering her typed up copy in person to the offices of our newspaper, then of Ukraine in Crimea will have identical the move, if supported by Verkhovna Rada located in Jersey City, N.J. Her fans were many, and we have some of the fan mail consequences for the Russian Orthodox legislation, will help preserve the cathedral sent in reaction to her columns as evidence. “We enjoy your column ‘Panorama’ Church in mainland Ukraine (known as the in Crimea. He has, in fact, been pleading for and respect your efforts and the time you spend on researching. It’s amazing how Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Moscow this since Russia’s invasion and annexation many Ukrainians are being recognized for their outstanding talent, contributions Patriarchate), Archbishop Klyment, head of of Crimea. For over six years, he has had to and achievements,” wrote one reader from New Jersey. “Your column is very well the beleaguered Church in Crimea has said. fight, not only to retain the Cathedral in written, most interesting and informative. … All that you write about is of interest The archbishop was commenting on a Symferopol, but to preserve the Orthodox to us,” wrote a couple who had moved from the Northeast to St. Louis, Mo. vital, albeit extremely belated, resolution Church of Ukraine in Crimea, which he calls But few people remember that Ms. Smindak was also an editor of The Ukrainian passed by Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers at the only island of Ukrainian identity and Weekly in 1957-1958, which means she was the second editor at this newspaper. the beginning of March. While Crimea is spirituality on the occupied peninsula. (Stephen Shumeyko was the first, serving since the paper’s founding in 1933.) She occupied, this transfers the Cathedral of Ss. “We’re often asked what this resolution also filled in as an editor of The Weekly on two occasions and came to help out as Volodymyr and Olha in Symferopol to state will give us. In the first instance, the co-editor during a crisis in the spring of 1980, when the paper was left with one ownership. responsibility for the state for Ukrainian editorial staffer. The move may seem theoretical, but it is citizens who have remained in Crimea. At After her stint on The Weekly staff in the late 1950s, Ms. Smindak continued to not. As Minister for Temporarily Occupied present, all the responsibility is upon me – submit articles. In the 1960s, she contributed a column called “Panorama of the for the church, the diocese, the priests, the Ukrainian Social and Cultural Scene.” In the 1970s through the early 1980s, her Territories Oksana Kolyada explained, new column, “Panorama of Ukrainian Culture in the Big Apple,” became a regular Ukraine is showing that it will defend its feature – a very popular one at that. We lovingly called her “Scoop Smindak,” property while the peninsula is occupied. (Continued on page 13) because if anyone could track down a star or a personality for an interview or a comment, it was the intrepid and resourceful Helen. When she gave up writing “Panorama” in 1983, Ms. Smindak already had an incredible 25 years of service to this newspaper and our readers. Putin hands out flats to turncoats who Ms. Smindak’s byline returned to The Weekly’s pages in 1994 under a new column called “Dateline New York.” As our de facto cultural reporter, she also filed numerous feature stories, something she continued to do into the 2000s as a regular contribu- betrayed Ukraine in Russian-occupied Crimea tor. It was great to have “Scoop” back! It was noteworthy that this distinguished jour- by Halya Coynash deal. While property prices – whether lease nalist was now reaching a new generation of our readers and gaining new fans. or purchase – went up steeply in 2014, We’ve missed Ms. Smindak since she retired from writing for The Weekly in Kharkiv Human Rights Protection pushing many out of the market, many 2013. There was no one who could take her place and do what she did for so many Group members of the enforcement agencies – the years. She was devoted to her profession – her calling. Hours and hours went into Russian President Vladimir Putin has de facto prosecutor and officers of the preparing each installment of her column on culture and the arts. She attended ordered that flats be provided for former Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) – myriad events, telephoned countless sources and turned out innumerable pieces Ukrainian enforcement officers who received flats in prime locations. In October of exceptional writing that were enjoyed by thousands of our readers. In one of 2017, 650 FSB officers received new flats. her e-mails to us from 2006 she said that writing for The Weekly “gave me enor- betrayed their oath to Ukraine on Russia’s Some traitors were particularly gener- mous satisfaction and a good feeling that I was doing something worthwhile.” invasion and annexation of Crimea. Since Indeed, Helen Smindak’s efforts were worthwhile. the individuals need to have been on ously treated. Natalya Poklonskaya, who During this terrible time of coronavirus, it was impossible for Ms. Smindak’s Ukraine’s register as needing housing, we was installed as prosecutor by the occupa- colleagues from The Ukrainian Weekly to attend funeral services to pay our last can only guess whether the turncoats who tion regime and was extremely active in all respects. Writing from Parsippany, N.J., we can only say: Rest in peace, Helen. You have zealously helped Russia persecute politically motivated persecution, received will always be remembered by us and by the faithful readers of The Ukrainian Crimean Tatars will be thus rewarded. a flat that she was never asked to give up. Weekly. Vichnaya Pamiat. This is not the first time that Moscow has In principle, those who get flats by virtue rewarded traitors. However, Mr. Putin’s order of their service should relinquish them if that the Russian government get on to this they leave their work. The enforcement before February 1, 2021, comes less than bodies are heavily engaged in measures of two months after the Russian president repression and intimidation in Crimea, June Turning the pages back... issued a decree effectively declaring with the number of people arrested and Ukrainian citizens “foreigners” and forcing imprisoned on politically motivated charg- those Ukrainians without Russian citizenship es or for their faith steadily rising. The Ten years ago, on June 2, 2010, members of the National to either sell their land or risk losing it. Since Russian occupation regime demands 2 Assembly of Quebec unanimously passed Bill 390 – An Act to the decree will apply to the land of many unquestioning implementation, and the 2010 Proclaim Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Ukrainians forced to leave their homes after fact that refusal to take part in persecution Memorial Day. Russia’s invasion, it is possible that their flats will leave a person homeless likely to be a Introduced in November 2009 by Member of the National could end up “allocated” to traitors. powerful deterrent. Assembly Louise Beaudoin, the bill received unanimous approval Moscow has, in fact, long provided Proving their zeal at its first reading. The legislation recognizes the Holodomor as “the famine and genocide rewards for what it terms “service for that occurred in Ukraine in 1932 and 1933 where millions of Ukrainians perished as vic- Russia,” with the main prerequisite being Sergei Grekov and Roman Svyetikov are tims of a famine deliberately induced by the Soviet regime under Joseph Stalin to quash that the recipients, whether former two ex-Berkut turncoats, deployed in the the aspirations of the Ukrainian people for a free and independent Ukraine.” Ukrainian military men or enforcement offi- Russian Rosgvardia, who almost certainly Bill 390 was based on the 1998 Ukrainian presidential decree on the Holodomor, the cers, defected to Russia before annexation caused the death of Vedzhie Kashka on law adopted by the Parliament of Ukraine in 2006 and legislation unanimously passed by was complete. November 23, 2017, through the excessive the Canadian Parliament in 2008. Similar statutes were adopted by provincial legislatures In April 2018, Mr. Putin issued a decree force they applied during the shocking of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario that recognize the Holodomor as a geno- providing Russian state-funded flats in operation to arrest the 83-year-old and cide against the Ukrainian people and establishes the fourth Saturday in November as a Crimea to former Ukrainian military service- four other respected veterans of the Day of Remembrance. men who “handed in their notice” before Crimean Tatar national movement in their “Today, the government of Quebec paid tribute to the millions of innocent victims of the March 18, 2014. The procedure for resigning 50s and 60s. Holodomor, condemned the heinous crimes of the Soviet Communist regime of Joseph from the Ukrainian Armed Forces is, in fact, Alexander Kompaneitsev is one of the Stalin and has helped to restore historical justice,” stated Marika Putko, president of the quite different, and any such scrap of paper most notorious former SBU officers now Quebec Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC). “We applaud the does not change the fact that the servicemen working for the FSB. Mr. Kompaneitsev has resolve and courage of Quebec’s legislators in ensuring the passage of Bill 390, which pro- switched sides to serve an invading army. Up been particularly active in persecuting claims the fourth Sunday of every November as a day of remembrance – Holodomor to two-thirds of the Ukrainian soldiers sta- Crimean Tatar human rights activist Emir- Memorial Day – and that recognizes the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as an act of genocide.” tioned in Crimea at the time of Russia’s inva- Usein Kuku and five other Ukrainian “We commend the members of the Quebec National Assembly for their work to ensure sion remained in Crimea with their families, Muslims from the Yalta region. that the tragedy of the Holodomor is recognized and will no longer be whitewashed by many effectively switching armies. Russia There are many others traitors, but apologists for the Soviet system,” stated Paul Grod, president of the UCC. “Quebec becomes illegally appropriated the flats of those sol- Russia is also violating international law by the sixth jurisdiction in Canada to recognize the Holodomor as Famine-Genocide. May the diers who had left, and claimed municipal bringing in large numbers of enforcement lesson that the world has acknowledged not be forgotten in Ukraine.” ownership of those flats still occupied by sol- officers, “judges,” etc. with these also having Source: “Quebec passes bill recognizing Holodomor as an act of genocide,” The Ukrainian diers who did not leave. a vested interest in carrying out the occu- Weekly, June 13, 2010. Enforcement officers got an even better pation regime’s criminal orders. No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM FAR from Ukraine and release all Ukrainian hos- Russia barters masks tages. AND WIDE Instead, in the midst of the coronavirus by Marco Levytsky for Ukrainian lives pandemic, the RF continues to cruelly vio- late its ceasefire obligations in eastern Dear Editor: Ukraine on a daily basis. - That is why the RF’s attempt to portray ing to use a global pandemic to pull off an its “humanitarian side” with the transmis- Enhancing Ukraine’s relationship with NATO incredibleТhe Russian scam: Federation bartering masks(RF) is and attempt med- sion of masks and medical equipment to ical equipment for Ukrainian lives. countries suffering from the COVID-19 With the onset of COVID-19 and all the blocked by Hungary which claims its In 2014, the RF invaded and seized pandemic, while simultaneously lobbying emergency lockdowns and physical distanc- minority in Zakarpattia is threatened by Crimea, and then mounted an overt and for the easing of international sanctions ing measures that have been enacted in the Ukrainian language law. vicious military aggression in eastern that are in place for its obstinate military order to slow the spread of the pandemic, The EOP gives five countries that signifi- Ukraine that is into its sixth consecutive aggression against Ukraine, is extremely people have begun to use various online cantly contribute to NATO operations – year. Despite repeated attempts by duplicitous. platforms to conduct church services, meet- Australia, Finland, Georgia, Jordan and Ukraine, and the international community, The international community must not ings, seminars and so on. What has become Sweden – a special status within the alli- in particular Germany and France, to nego- be fooled by the RF’s powerful propaganda very popular is a new medium called “webi- ance. This status allows partners privileged tiate a ceasefire and the withdrawal of campaign and resist calls from high-placed nar,” basically a seminar held on the web. access to NATO-only ministerial meetings Many of these, particularly those spon- and exercises. Russian troops from Ukraine, including and -priced, Putin apologists for the remov- sored by the Washington-based Atlantic Responding to subsequent questions I Minsk I, Minsk II and the 2020 Normandy al of sanctions. Council, deal with Ukraine. The advantage posed to him by e-mail, Ambassador Shev­ Four summit in Paris, the RF’s military Western democracies must unequivocal- of such online discussions is the ability to chenko elaborated, offering the following: aggression continues. ly and firmly support the sanctions regime against the RF until the RF finally meets its link globally, thus allowing experts from In addition to massive destruction of both Ukraine and North America to discuss NATO membership and it helps us to build international commitments: stops the kill- Ukraine’s infrastructure and economy, the issues simultaneously. Recently one such a stronger• The EOP Ukraine. status gets us closer to full ing and maiming of Ukrainians in eastern human toll of the RF’s incessant aggression webinar, sponsored by the Canadian Ukraine, ceases the occupation of Crimea, in eastern Ukraine since 2014 has been Institute of Ukrainian Studies, brought involved in NATO’s operational planning for withdraws all its troops from Ukraine and staggering. Indeed, over 13,000 individuals together both Ukraine’s ambassador to crisis• If response it joins this and program, intelligence Ukraine sharing, may and be have been killed and 30,000 injured, and releases all Ukrainian hostages. Canada, Andriy Shevchenko, in Ottawa, it will expand the opportunities for there are over 1.5 million internally dis- Eugene Czolij with Canada’s new ambassador to Ukraine, Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen to par- placed persons in Ukraine. Toronto Larisa Galadza, in Kyiv. ticipate in multinational military exercises Western democracies have understood – The letter-writer is president of the non- Ambassadors Shevchenko and Galadza and to hold positions in the alliance’s inter- after witnessing the RF’s destabilization governmental organization Ukraine-2050. covered myriad issues regarding Canada- national command and staff structures. operations in the region, including Russian He is a former president of the Ukrainian Ukraine relations, including the free trade He added that there are also obvious occupation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia World Congress (2008-2018). agreement; Operation UNIFIER; dealing benefits for NATO if Ukraine joins EOP. in Georgia and the RF’s invasion of Crimea with COVID-19, including Ukraine’s assis- with “little green men” – that international tance to the rest of the world in this pan- NATO operations, sharing and exploiting outcries and empty condemnations were demic by utilizing the Antonov Mriya to operational• Ukraine lessonscould increase from the contribution Joint Forces to simply not enough to pressure the RF to transport medical supplies; how Ukraine operations Ukraine – including in the comply with its most basic international About Ukraine’s was able to assist Canada following the cyber/hybrid domain, as well as contribut- obligations. land sale law Iranian shootdown of a Ukraine Inter­ ing to Black Sea security. EOP status for Indeed, the lack of a strong response national Airlines (UIA) plane, most of whose Ukraine will strengthen European security. from the West emboldens the RF to be even Dear Editor: passengers were actually heading for more audacious. Canada; countering Russian hybrid warfare exchange intelligence information. For - I enjoyed the commentary written by and disinformation; as well as maintaining example,• Ukraine if Ukraine will also had be theable EOP to more in January, easily sion of Crimea and a portion of eastern George Woloshyn, “Ukraine’s land sale law: sanctions on Russia. we could have shared information on Ukraine,Thеrefore, and thein response RF’s downing to the of RF’s Malaysia inva Boom or bust” (April 19). Land reform is Mr. Shevchenko noted that Russia is try- PS752 (the UIA plane) much faster and Airlines Flight 17 in Ukraine’s airspace, extremely important for Ukraine. This ing to use the pandemic situation in an effort more efficiently. Western democracies, including the U.S., thoughtful article goes into the pro and to convince some countries that this is the “Among the NATO members, there is a the European Union, the U.K., Canada and cons of passing such a law at this time. time to review sanctions. Instead, they growing commitment to this decision, Australia, imposed sanctions against the I worked for a major Western company should be used to pressure Moscow to get based on understanding that Ukraine RF. in the agricultural sphere in Ukraine from on the right track internationally. “If there is meets all the criteria necessary to partici- These sanctions have had an impact on 1993 to 2004 and feel that with the present a chance to get some transformational pate in this program. Both the U.S. and the RF and slowed its expansionist ambi- political situation now is definitely not the changes and a chance to make Russia Canada clearly support EOP for Ukraine. tions in Ukraine. right time for such an undertaking. Why? change its behavior, this is the time,” he said. There is also very strong and passionate For its part, the RF has ridiculed these Because good land will be legally swal- One topic that may be of particular inter- support across Eastern and Central Europe est to American readers is Ukraine’s rela- (set aside the special case of Hungary). We sanctions, imposed its own against lowed up by Ukrainian oligarchs and by tionship with NATO. hope to see a thoughtful, mature consensus Western democracies and devised various Western mammoth companies, leaving the Ms. Galadza stressed that one thing on the matter among the NATO countries, devious strategies, including massive disin- poor Ukrainian peasants again with noth- Ukrainians have to understand about NATO as it something of a clear benefit for the formation campaigns, to push for the lifting ing and virtually no employment in that is that it is not just a military alliance, but Alliance,” Mr. Shevchenko added. of sanctions. sphere. More contemplative articles of this also a political organization that stresses When asked a similar question within Since 2014, the RF has always been in democratic values, and that Canadian poli- the framework of an Atlantic Council webi- the position to get these sanctions lifted. All nature should be included in your newspa- per. cy strives to educate Ukrainians as to the nar on Ukraine’s foreign policy, Andriy it needs to do is respect the ceasefire benefits NATO brings them as citizens of Zagorodniuk, Ukraine’s defense minister regime in eastern Ukraine, cease the occu- Ihor Kowal the country. from August 2019 to March 2020, stated: “I pation of Crimea, withdraw all its troops Concord, Mass. “The important part of this cooperation raised the idea with the ministers of is to bring Ukraine into the fold is not the defense from NATO countries during a min- technical part. It’s not about meeting mili- isterial meeting in Brussels in February tary standards. Rather it’s about cooperat- 2020. The majority of countries were pro- Opinions in The Ukrainian Weekly ing with Ukraine to ensure that it can dem- EOP. Some have raised this matter as con- The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor that react onstrate to the alliance that it can organize tingent on ongoing reforms, which we were itself according to democratic principles,” happy to accept… The chances of resuming to articles published on its pages. Opinions expressed by letter- she said. meetings of the Ukraine-NATO Commission writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions Ms. Galadza also said that Canada is are reasonably high and subject to a posi- of either The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, advocating for the resumption of the NATO- tive outcome of the Ukraine-Hungary presi- the Ukrainian National Association. Ukraine Commission (NUC) and actively dential bilateral. All requirements of the supporting Ukraine in attaining member- Venice Commission, regarding Hungarian Letters must be signed (anonymous letters are not published). ship in the NATO Enhanced Opportunities minorities, were fulfilled by Ukraine. If The daytime phone number, e-mail address and complete mailing Partners (EOP) program Ukraine shows good reform progress and address of the letter-writer must be given for verification purposes. The NUC is the decision-making body articulates it well, there should be no lack The length of letters cannot exceed 500 words. Letters may be responsible for developing the NATO- of support for EOP.” Ukraine relationship and for directing Enhancing Ukraine’s relationship with edited or abridged. The Weekly reserves the right to edit for clarity, cooperative activities. It also provides a NATO is a crucial matter when we are faced civility and accuracy. forum for consultation between the allies with rapacious Russian aggression. We Letters should be sent to [email protected] or to and Ukraine on security issues of common should be grateful that both the Canadian The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, concern. Since 2018 its meetings have been and the U.S. governments are doing their best to help facilitate this relationship and P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Marco Levytsky may be contacted at encourage them to continue and expand [email protected]. upon this path. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 No. 22 No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 9

INTERVIEW Valeriy Chaly: Russia takes opponent’s weakness as an invitation to act

Ukraine Crisis Media Center Putin agree to include the U.S. in this for- mat? Will the drop in oil prices change the It is important to understand that there Kremlin’s Ukraine plans? Why should the is nothing static in the world. In 2015, our European Union and the U.S. extend sanc- primary task was to cease fire. That has tions on Russia? Can the Normandy format never happened. So what further steps and be effective? Is Russia’s large-scale aggression formats are we talking about? No format is against Ukraine a realistic scenario? Why are effective, but the International Court at The any direct talks between Ukraine and the Hague will not only rule Russia’s actions occupied territories not an acceptable for- illegal but will also hold all of its governing mat? The Ukrainian media outlet Glavkom elite liable. There are obvious violations of sat down with Valeriy Chaly, Ambassador bilateral agreements and international law. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Not formats, but Ukraine’s strength is key Ukraine, to ask him these questions and here. The stronger the country is, the more speak about a broader range of issues. realistic a peace settlement becomes. The Mr. Chaly devoted a large part of his pro- more you compromise with Russia, the fessional life to the Razumkov Center, where more you demonstrate your weakness and he chaired international programs, and he UCMC set back peace. served as deputy head of the Presidential Valeriy Chaly, chair of the Ukraine Crisis Media Center’s board, former ambassador The U.S. is present in the negotiation Administration of Petro Poroshenko, advis- of Ukraine to the U.S. process on a peace settlement in Ukraine in ing him on foreign policy. Between 2015 and one way or another; they are following the 2019, Mr. Chaly was Ukraine’s ambassador Russia’s governing elite. Will they change attacks from the territory of Russia and situation. The United States, same as our to the United States. the governing elite in the nearest time? ending with the invasion of Russia’s regular European partners, knows all the details of Two years ago, the government of the Probably not. Understanding the risks from troops into our territory. When the interna- our talks, and the Normandy format is not Russian Federation issued a decree that the drop in oil and gas prices, they foresaw tional community got to see it, the majority the only one. some restraint and “airbags” in the form of of the world’s countries supported us. That included Mr. Chaly on the list of sanctioned While in office as the [U.S.] ambassador, I the so-called National Welfare Fund and was achieved thanks to Ukraine’s active Ukrainians. Having finished his work as used to talk to them a lot about the attack Reserve Fund. This “airbag” will be enough position. If you are less persistent than your Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Mr. Chaly against our ships and navy sailors in the for a while. It is a long-lasting resource allies and partners, no one is going to sup- is back in the non-governmental sector as Kerch Strait and the violation of the free- secured by the loyalty and patience of the port you more than you support yourself. the chair of the Ukraine Crisis Media Center dom of navigation. According to the U.N. Russian people. Over 700 Russian entities and individuals (UCMC) board. Charter, it was an act of direct aggression, Still, the pandemic is taking away many under U.S. sanctions are a result of huge, The full text of the interview with Mr. so the question is not whether it comes resources from Russia, so that the econom- case-by-case work; these are not just politi- Chaly in Ukrainian is available on the within the scope of the Normandy format. ic crisis will be felt by all Russians. We’ll see cal decisions. Glavkom website (see https://glavcom.ua/ These cases are considered by the United how Russia’s civil society will react to that. The European Union rolls out sanctions interviews/eksposol-v-ssha-valeriy-chaliy- Nations Security Council, but Russia, being So far they are satisfied with how they are every six months; the U.S. also has a special nastupnogo-roku-na-politichniy-mapi-ukra- a member of the council, blocks them. being governed. Ending the war with procedure. It becomes more and more diffi- jini-vidbudutsya-kardinalni-zmini-677564. That’s why we’re in a stalemate. Russia is impossible, unless Russia stops cult to keep these sanctions, especially html). The Ukraine Crisis Media Center pre- Surely, we need to engage the U.S. more. the warfare itself. when our allies see that we are ready to pared the abridged version below. The framework of our relations with the U.S. It now may seem that Russia took a take unilateral actions more than we need is a strategic partnership. There is a power- You are the chair of the board at break because of the pandemic, but the to. ful document that has been slightly forgot- attacks in the Donbas continue, our heroes Ukraine Crisis Media Center (UCMC). Although the West now better under- ten – the U.S.-Ukraine Charter on Strategic keep dying, and the number of wounded What are your current interests and stands the conflict and Russia’s motives, it Partnership. It needs to be utilized to the does not decrease. The war goes research areas? fullest, so that we can interact with our ally on. Although it’s called a hybrid as much as possible. I am back in the non-governmental sec- war, it has hot phases, information There is a risk that if There is also the Budapest Memorandum. tor. We established the UCMC to actually and cyberattacks. There is a risk We used to rely on it, taking it for a security respond to the start of the Russian aggres- that if we fall out of the focus of the we fall out of the focus guarantee, but the document did not work sion and the occupation of Crimea. It was key international players, Russia out. Sometimes I get to hear the opinion back in March 2014, when international will get a chance to advance. It of the key international that the former administration was not community had to be told the truth. Today, keeps bolstering weapons and players, Russia will get able to use the document. While in office as same as then, our mission is to counter fully equipped troops at our bor- the ambassador, I used to present argu- external aggression and support the ders, reinforcing its positions in a chance to advance. ments to U.S. counterparts highlighting the advance of efficient reforms. the Black Sea, impeding the free- importance of this instrument, and U.S. The UCMC now implements projects dom of navigation, violating count- still protects its national interests. It will experts supported me. Unfortunately, our that counter information attacks and ana- less provisions of international law, not to never take our place in protecting our own arguments have not been fully effective. We lyze hybrid threats, bolster implementation mention bilateral agreements with Ukraine. interests. also tried to get the status of a major non- of key reforms including health care, educa- That’s why we have to be prepared for a It will grow even more difficult. These NATO ally of the U.S., but our European tion and decentralization reforms. long-standing conflict. But we have the difficulties, on one hand, are caused by a partners warned us that we would not be truth on our side, as well as international On Russia’s aggression, the drop in oil certain fatigue of our Western partners perceived as a country aiming for NATO support built under the previous adminis- prices and a break during the pandemic: and, on the other hand, by actual changes in membership. Still, this subject needs to stay tration. The key task of the current presi- No one in the world seems to be pre- the tone and actions of our present admin- on the agenda. dent is to preserve this solidarity, instead of pared for what is happening in the oil istration. We need to be cautious. Russia Formats may differ, but there are two taking the wrong path of easy decisions markets. The government budget of the takes signals for compromises as weakness ways in the current circumstances – enter- that will definitely lead to nothing but Russian Federation and its military and uses them to push its foreign partners ing NATO’s collective defense system, or capitulation. capacities respectively were hit hard. on the need to lift sanctions. signing a bilateral agreement with a power- Russia likes unilateral action, not com- Will the current situation make the You saw Russia stating at the United ful nuclear state, like the U.S. The aspiration promises. Russia’s leaders take an oppo- Kremlin revise its aggressive intentions Nations that lifting the sanctions in times of for NATO membership cemented in the nent’s weakness for an invitation to act. I towards Ukraine? the pandemic would be the right move Ukrainian Constitution is not just symbolic, can affirm that as someone who served as from the humanitarian standpoint. That’s The reasons behind the Kremlin’s it is the country’s primary direction. Right secretary of the Strategic Group on the why now is the time to intensify the efforts aggressive actions run deep. They are his- now, amid the economic crisis, Ukraine can Ukrainian-Russian Relations under two to reinforce the sanctions. It should become torically conditioned; an authoritarian state demonstrate to many European sceptics presidents, encountered Russian the focus of major efforts by the president is searching for its roots not even in the that it is a reliable ally, with its aviation that Federation President Vladimir Putin and and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Soviet Union but as far back as in the assists NATO and its troops that take part spoke with him directly many times. Moreover, Russia’s illegal actions in Crimea Russian Empire. External expansion is in peacekeeping operations. and in the Donbas continue and there are nearly natural to the Russian Federation. Sanctions on the Russian Federation After all, we are paying a huge price, not more than enough reasons for sanctions. That’s why the Russian-Ukrainian war was and signals for compromise initiatives only protecting ourselves, but actually pro- supposed to break out, sooner or later. Our have been voiced to revoke sanctions on You directly witnessed how the Minsk viding cover for the eastern flank of the conflict with Russia has existed forever and, the Russian Federation in view of the agreements were written, the tone of Euro-Atlantic area. pandemic. Can it really happen? unfortunately, will last long. the Normandy format meetings and the Last year you said that in 2020 Russia John McCain used to call Russia “a gas When sanctions were being introduced, pace of negotiations with the U.S. on will be fully prepared for an offensive station masquerading as a country.” On one Ukraine had an active position: the country Crimea and the Donbas. Under what operation against Ukraine. Will the hand, it’s true. On the other hand, energy joined efforts to demonstrate to the world conditions should one expect the prices alone will not change the mindset of what was going on, starting with the Normandy format to be productive? Will (Continued on page 14) 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 No. 22

Halyna Tereshchuk’s car ablaze on the Dmytrenko is under house arrest. (RFE/ gests he may have committed suicide. Mr. NEWSBRIEFS night of January 30. The 19-year-old uni- RL’s Ukrainian Service) Davydenko ran as an independent from the (Continued from page 2) versity student admitted his guilt to the northern Chernihiv Oblast in the 2019 par- court and agreed to cooperate with prose- Poroshenko a witness in transfer of paintings liamentary elections. He later joined the cutors, Ms. Tereshchuk’s lawyer, Oleh Dovira parliamentary group. From May May 20 that he was certain a memorandum Former Ukrainian President Petro Mytsyk, said. Police have not provided a 2013 to March 2014, he was deputy minis- with the IMF would be signed by the end of Poroshenko has failed to appear at the motive for the crime, but many reporters in ter of agriculture. (RFE/RL, with reporting May to bolster the country’s finances. “We State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) for Ukraine have been attacked, and even by AP, Reuters and 112 UA) have large debts to international entities. questioning as a witness in a case about the killed, over the years due to their investiga- We are a serious nation, but we are a poor alleged illegal transfer of cultural objects tive work. Ukraine ranked 96th out of 180 Russian court rejects Crimean blogger’s appeal country. We are paying off billions of U.S. across the border. Mr. Poroshenko’s lawyer, countries in the 2020 World Press Freedom dollars annually to international organiza- Ihor Holovan, said on Facebook that his cli- A Russian military court has rejected an Index. “The conviction is an important first tions,” Mr. Zelenskyy told a press confer- ent did not appear at the DBR headquar- appeal by Crimean Tatar blogger Nariman step in holding accountable the perpetra- ence to mark his first anniversary in power. ters in Kyiv on May 26 because the sum- Memedeminov to overturn his conviction tors of this hateful crime. The arson attack “We will sign this memorandum, I am sure mons for questioning was “illegal” since his on charges of inciting extremism, leaving not only targeted an RFE/RL colleague, and client should have been served the subpoe- him to serve the rest of his sentence in pris- that we will sign it in May. It cannot be terrorized her family, but it was a worri- na personally, which was not the case. Mr. on. The May 14 decision comes as Russia is delayed,” he added. (RFE/RL) some attempt to intimidate independent Holovan called his client “the main political accused of stepping up pressure on blog- journalism in Ukraine,” RFE/RL President Student guilty of torching reporter’s car rival” of incumbent President Volodymyr gers and independent media critical of the Jamie Fly said in a statement. “I call on the Zelenskyy and claimed that the case in Kremlin’s policies. Rights groups and A Ukrainian court has found a university Ukrainian authorities to identify and prose- question, as well as other cases against Mr. Western governments have also denounced student guilty of torching an RFE/RL cute those who ordered the attack in addi- Poroshenko, were politically motivated. what they call a campaign of oppression reporter’s car, a decision that the media tion to the individual who carried it out.” The DBR said earlier that it had summoned targeting members of the Turkic-speaking organization’s president said brings prose- Police have named two other suspects in Mr. Poroshenko for questioning in a case Crimean Tatar minority and others who cutors closer to apprehending the organiz- the arson attack: Mykhaylo Cherdak, a local about “the circumstances of moving across opposed Moscow’s seizure of the Ukrainian ers of the premeditated crime. A court in police official, and Vadym Dmytrenko, an the Ukrainian border, without presenting to peninsula in March 2014. The majority of Lviv on May 25 handed down a suspended unemployed individual with a criminal customs services, a collection of cultural Crimean Tatars were against the Russian five-year sentence with a three-year proba- record. Mr. Cherdak is in hiding and his objects, consisting of 43 paintings by takeover of their historical homeland. Mr. tion period to Yakob Sarakhman for setting whereabouts are unknown, while Mr. world-famous artists.” The former presi- Memedeminov was arrested in Crimea in dent, who is currently a national deputy in late March 2018 on charges his YouTube the Verkhovna Rada, has been questioned videos dating from 2013 to 2015 incited as a witness several times in recent months followers to commit acts of terrorism. In in cases looking into several investigations his video blogs, Mr. Memedeminov dis- launched after he failed to win a second cussed political developments, voiced opin- TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 term as president. The DBR said in January ions on Russian holidays, and called on or e-mail [email protected] that it was looking into 13 possible cases Muslims to observe their religious norms. where Mr. Poroshenko or his associates Most Crimean Tatars are Muslim. In a rul- were implicated. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian ing denounced by human rights and media- SERVICES PROFESSIONALS Service) freedom watchdogs, a military court in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don in Small businesses lost significant income МАРІЯ ДРИЧ October 2019 sentenced him to two and a Ліцензований Продавець The European Business Association half years in prison. During the May 14 Страхування Життя reported, “One-third of small businesses hearing at the Moscow region’s military МАRІA DRICH lost more than 50 percent of their income. court of appeals, Mr. Memedeminov called Licensed Life Insurance Agent These are the results of a survey conducted on bloggers and journalists to continue to Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. by the European Business Association report on human rights abuses in Crimea. “I 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 among the participants of the Unlimit ask that you continue to pay attention to Tel.: 973-292-9800 ext. 3035 Ukraine project, which unites micro and the persecution on religious, national and e-mail: [email protected] small businesses. Thirty-three percent of professional grounds on the territory of these businesses reported income losses of Crimea. I hope soon to meet with you 50-75 percent. Businesses also reported a directly and not through the bars,” he said. HELP WANTED significant increase in receivables. Another Ahead of the court ruling, the New York- 44 percent suffered up to 50 percent of rev- based Committee to Protect Journalists enue losses, and 7 percent of businesses called on the court to overturn Mr. Need full time experienced housekeeper are considering closing. At the same time Memedeminov’s conviction, saying: for 6 mo baby. Also need to shop, cook, only 14 percent did not have any changes “Forcefully transporting a Ukrainian citizen clean small apartment, laundry etc. in work or even increased their income. It and independent journalist from Crimea to Prefer uent Spanish, Ukrainian, English will take one year for 38 percent of entre- Russia and trying him in a military court on speaker by June. Beautiful Battery Park absurd charges is a violation of internation- apt. Tel.: 631-807-4992 ANNA preneurs, two or more years for 25 per- cent, and about six months for 19 percent al legal norms, and the Russian authorities to reach the pre-lockdown level of develop- know it.” (Crimea Desk, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service) An elderly, single man, an OPPORTUNITIES ment. Only 3 percent reported that the American citizen, is looking for a level of development of their business has Far-right activists detained for hooliganism not changed. The following measures of lady to help with the housework Seventeen members of a far-right group and for companionship. EARN EXTRA INCOME! state support can help companies recover: reducing the tax burden on the wage fund, have been detained for attacking the head- If there is no answer, please leave The Ukrainian Weekly is looking quarters of Ukraine’s largest pro-Russia for advertising sales agents. providing cheaper loans and abolishing a message on the answering penalties for tax violations by the end of the political party in Kyiv. Police said on May 23 machine. For additional information contact that members of the far-right National Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, year. Forty-eight percent of companies Corps were arrested for hooliganism after Tel.: 919-233-4593 Roman. The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. managed to keep staff salaries unchanged, while 29 percent were forced to reduce they clashed with security guards and wages, and another 19 percent sent threw smoke bombs, fireworks and paint employees on unpaid leave. Fifty-nine per- cans at the headquarters of the Opposition cent of enterprises were able to keep the Platform – For Life. The party is led by company’s staff unchanged. Another 33 Viktor Medvedchuk, a close associate of percent of companies had to cut staff, but 6 Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is percent are even looking for new employ- godfather to one of the Ukrainian politi- ees. (Ukrainian Canadian Congress Daily cian’s daughters. The National Corps is the Briefing) political wing of the far-right Azov move- ment that emerged during fighting with Lawmaker found dead in his office Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. The National Corps has demanded Valeriy Davydenko, 47, was found dead that authorities file charges of treason by a cleaner in the restroom of his office in against Opposition Platform – For Life and central Kyiv on May 23. Deputy Minister of its leaders. On March 10, a delegation of Internal Affairs Anton Herashchenko said Ukrainian lawmakers from the Opposition on Facebook that a comprehensive investi- Platform – For Life met with deputies from gation would be carried out. “The police the Russian State Duma in Moscow. The and prosecutors will check all possible ver- party said the two sides were discussing Run your advertisement here, sions of the tragedy,” he wrote. Zoryan the creation of an interparliamentary ele- in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. Shkiryak, an Internal Affairs Ministry offi- cial, said a preliminary investigation sug- (Continued on page 11) No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 11

SBU chief runs company in Spain, illegally other executive or control bodies, and ment said. When asked about the Spanish NEWSBRIEFS supervisory boards of commercial enter- State Register’s statement confirming the The head of the Security Service of (Continued from page 10) prises or profit organizations.” Mr. company was still listed as functioning Ukraine holds a top position in a private Bakanov refused to comment on the situa- with Mr. Bakanov as its sole administrator, company registered in Spain, in violation tion, but the SBU press service provided the press service said that “work to clarify ment of the Normandy format, a diplomatic of an anti-corruption law, according to a Skhemy with a statement denying Mr. the issue will be done.” The deadline for process involving Ukraine, Russia, Germany Skhemy investigative program. According Bakanov did anything wrong. Skhemy, submitting property and income declara- and France to end the fighting in eastern to the May 21 report, an official extract which translates as Schemes, is a joint tions by Ukrainian officials to the National Ukraine. Mr. Medvedchuk reportedly dis- from the register of legal entities in Spain investigative news project produced by Agency for the Prevention of Corruption is cussed the initiative with Mr. Putin. (RFE/ shows Ivan Bakanov has occupied the post RFE/RL and UA:Pershy television. “It is a June 1. According to amendments to the RL’s Ukrainian Service) of sole administrator at Nueva Tierra well-known fact that, long before his legislation introduced last fall, the SBU Sailors freed after kidnapping in Africa Verde Sociedad Limitada since 2015. appointment as the chief of the Security leadership must make all income declara- According to Ukrainian law, the head of the Service of Ukraine, Ivan Bakanov was suc- tions public. However, President Zelenskyy Eight foreign crew members kidnapped Security Service, known as the SBU, cannot cessfully engaged in business, including submitted an “urgent” bill to the from a container ship off Benin’s coast last be the head of a private company. The business activities abroad. We stress that, Verkhovna Rada in March that would again month have been freed, the Nigerian Navy founder of the company is the Cypriot firm in compliance with the law requirements, classify the SBU leadership’s income and says. The eight include nationals from Davegra LTD, owned by Andriy Yakovlev, he has not been engaged in commercial property declarations. Mr. Zelenskyy Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and the the creator of Kvartal-95 Studio, where activities since his appointment to the promised to discuss the issue with Mr. Philippines. They were freed in a rescue President Volodymyr Zelenskyy worked as public office. Nueva Tierra Verde Sociedad Bakanov, whom he calls “the most honest operation on May 23, Nigerian Navy a comedian/actor before he was elected Limitada officially suspended its activities SBU chief,” when asked about the move Admiral Oladele Daji told AFP, adding that last year. The name of the company, based in 2019, which is reflected in the relevant during a press conference on May 20. it was “premature to give any details on in the Spanish province of Girona, trans- register of legal entities,” the SBU’s state- (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service) their captivity and release.” He also report- lates as New Green Territory in English, ed: “They are on medical observation and echoing the titles of projects with Mr. one of them is receiving medical treatment Zelenskyy’s involvement. The president’s With deep sorrow and heavy hearts for malnutrition.” The owner of the ship, last name stems from the word green in we announce that our Hamburg-based shipping firm Transeste, Slavic languages. According to the register, dearest Father and Grandfather: confirmed that the detained crew members the company specializes in construction had been released and would be repatriat- and various real-estate activities. Since it Zenon Lubomyr Salewycz ed back to their families. Transeste has said does not submit annual reports on its the vessel, the Tommi Ritscher, had been operations, the company was added to a peacefully passed on May 21, 2020 at the age of 93. boarded by pirates on April 19 while at list of violators of Spanish tax regulations. He was born in the city of Ternopil, Ukraine, and was a long-time resident anchor off the coast of Benin. Eleven crew Last autumn, the company’s tax identifica- of Clifton NJ. Please visit his full obituary at www.allwoodfuneralhome.com. members were able to hide in the ship’s cit- tion number was temporarily revoked due adel and were later freed in a joint Benin to the violation. The State Register of Legal Left in deep sorrow: Navy and Nigerian Special Forces opera- Entities of the Province of Girona con- daughter: Ulana Salewycz tion. However, 11 crew members remained firmed to Skhemy that the company had son and wife: Alexander and Ksenia Salewycz missing, including three Russians, one not been liquidated and was considered a granddaughters: Anna and Sophia Salewycz Ukrainian and the Bulgarian captain. The functioning entity. Under Spanish regula- West African country lies in the Gulf of tions, Mr. Bakanov is legally the company’s Funeral services took place on May 23, 2020 with Military Funeral Guinea, which has been the scene of pirate sole manager and fully in charge of run- Honors at Crest Haven Memorial Park, where he was laid to rest next attacks, lootings and kidnappings for ran- ning it. Article 25 of Ukraine’s Law on the to his beloved wife Vera (Nimylowycz) Salewycz. som. Many of the pirates come from Prevention of Corruption states that indi- Nigeria. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by viduals occupying public offices are ‘Vichnaya Pamiat’- Blessed Eternal Memory! AFP) banned “from being members of boards,

In Loving Memory of Philip Witenko 90, passed away peacefully at home from Eleonora Karpinich Adams natural causes on May 23, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Phil lost Anna, his wife With deep sorrow the Karpinich and Adams families would of 67 years in 2017. She was the love of his like to inform our friends that after a long illness, Eleonora Karpinich life. He often spoke of his love for her, and Adams passed away on March 19, 2020. She was interred next to her of how much he missed her. Although New Milford, CT was his home for well over 20 years, he was born in husband at Forest Grove Cemetery, Buckingham, PA. Ukraine in a small village called Nosiv, outside of Lviv in Born in Ukraine in 1939, Eleonora, the youngest of three children, western Ukraine. In 1944, near the end of WWII, German soldiers captured the village and took the men as prisoners. The Nazis gave along with her surviving brothers, Leonid and Volodymyr, were him a choice – they would either take him or his father – and he did not want children of Mykola and Nina Karpinich. Having endured the turbulent them to take his father. So, at the age of 15 he was marched away at gunpoint, WW II war years and Lysenko Displaced Persons’ Camp in Germany, never to see his parents or sister again. the family immigrated to the United States in 1951. After the war he spent time in a displaced persons camp before deciding to Eleonora attended Philadelphia High School for Girls, Temple emigrate to the United States, where he became a citizen. He lived  rst in Brooklyn, NY, where he met and married Anna. He would often say that his University and participated in Study Abroad Year in Heidelberg, life really started when he married Anna. They had four daughters, and Phil Germany. In 1967 she married the late John Kendal Adams, Ph.D. and worked hard to become a part-owner of a restaurant-bar on the Upper East their only child, Peter Nelson Adams, was born in 1971. Side of Manhattan. In 1960 he moved his young family to the home he had built for them in Yorktown Heights, in Westchester County, NY. Eleonora earned her Ph.D. in comparative literature from the Education was very important to Phil and each of his four daughters attended University of Pennsylvania in 1974. Her doctoral dissertation is based college and obtained one or more degrees. He was very proud of them all. on the research of the works of Austrian novelist Franz Werfel and Leo Phil and Anna retired and moved to Spring Hill, Florida for a few years. In 1996 Tolstoy. In 1974 she accepted a professorship at Temple University, they settled in New Milford, CT, where they remained until their passing. where she taught German and Slavic languages and litteratures. After the breakup of the USSR, Ukraine became an independent country and She moved on to a professorship at Penn State Abington in 1986, it became safe to travel there. In 2001 he made a trip back to his childhood village, where he met his sister’s grown children for the  rst time: nephew where she taught German, Russian and English. In 2008, she was Micheal and niece Philca (named after him), both with children of their own. appointed to the position of Division Head for Arts and Sciences at Phil was very proud of his Ukrainian heritage. Penn State, Abington. Phil’s four daughters are still living: Arlene (John) Rhodes of Grand Junction, Throughout the 1990s-2000s, she served as an interpreter for CO; Darcy Witenko of Danbury, CT; Patricia Zenk of Kent, CT; and Kathryn the U.S. State Department to foster communication between U.S. (Kenneth) Valentine of Brookline, NH. Philip had nine grandchildren: Philip and Tristan Rhodes, Chelsea, Kayla and Morgan Zenk, and Gregory, Kimberly leaders and Ukrainian counterparts. During this time she developed and Olivia Valentine. His six great-grandchildren are Noah, Jonah, Charlotte, numerous professional relationships with government o cials. Chloe, Benjamin and Jonathan Rhodes. Along with her rich and accomplished life as talented educator, Phil continued to have a steadfast faith in God and had a Christian burial Eleonora is lovingly remembered by her family as a caring daughter, service. Lillis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements for a private sister, mother, grandmother and aunt. graveside service for the immediate family at St. Francis Cemetery on Wednesday, May 27th. Father Ivan Mazuryk o ciated. When travel restrictions are lifted there will be a memorial gathering for the extended May her memory be eternal! family and friends of Philip Witenko. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 No. 22

summarized in note form. So the origin of was to depict former President Poroshenko believed to be acting in Mr. Kolomoisky’s Latest leaked... the recordings is indeed a question for Mr. as a corrupt leader prepared to accept interests. (Continued from page 1) Poroshenko and the Security Service of alleged U.S. manipulation and interference The latest twist in this story concerns Ukraine to look into. in the country’s domestic affairs. But they the fugitive businessman and former law- In fact, the Prosecutor General’s Office Not surprisingly, on May 26 Ukrayinska also implicitly hit at Mr. Zelenskyy and the maker Oleksandr Onyshchenko, who fled has opened an investigation into possible Pravda reported that the State Investigation pro-Western course he has stuck to by, in Ukraine in 2016 after being accused of high treason by Mr. Poroshenko. A contro- Bureau has opened a case into a possible effect, challenging him to renounce publicly fraud and money laundering in the gas sec- versial judge also ordered a criminal case illegal wiretap of the phone calls between the notion of dependence on Washington tor. On May 20, while detained in Germany into alleged interference by Mr. Biden into former Vice-President Biden and former and reliance on support from the as he awaits a decision on his extradition, the work of Ukraine’s former Prosecutor President Poroshenko. It focuses on: “The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and he gave a press conference utilizing Russian General’s Office. In other words, the leak of illegal use of technical means of obtaining other international creditors and donors. media during which he sought to corrobo- the recordings has precipitated instant information which could inflict damage to This “anti-Western” theme has been rate the accusations made by Mr. Derkach. reaction within Ukraine. national interests.” played up more and more in recent On May 27, a German court unexpectedly It is not known what is behind the new Both Mr. Biden and Mr. Poroshenko have months. Not only by the pro-Russian rejected the extradition request from Kyiv leaks and what their ultimate purpose is. suggested the recordings are a Russian Opposition Platform – For Life, but also by and freed Mr. Onyshchenko, reportedly on It’s clear that damaging the prospects of provocation. And a possible Russian trace is the rogue oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, who the grounds that conditions in Ukrainian Democratic Party presidential hopeful Mr. not hard to detect. Mr. Derkach, an inde- blames the IMF and Western courts for his prisons do not meet international norms. Biden at home is a primary objective. But pendent lawmaker, was not only previously recent major setbacks connected with the Observers expect that the likes of otherwise, the leaks could undermine U.S.- a member of a pro-Russian parliamentary adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of a law Messrs. Onyshchenko and Kolomoisky will Ukraine relations by complicating relations faction, but he and his father are linked preventing the return of banks to their for- seek to raise their profile with the Trump with both the Trump administration and with the Soviet and (later) Russian secret mer owners after they were nationalized administration by continuing to attack Mr. the Democrats, and at the same time they police, through office and education. because of apparent large-scale fraud. Biden in the hope that this will ease their could foster the image of Ukraine as a cor- According to Michel Tereshchenko, the They have been joined by Yulia actual or potential legal problems in the rupt country that does not deserve strong grandson of a famous pre-revolutionary Tymoshenko and her Batkivshchyna party, U.S. U.S. support. Simultaneously, the leaks Kyivan businessman, philanthropist and who have begun claiming, as she said Commentators here are generally in could spur further division in Ukraine itself. politician, who some years ago returned to recently on a leading TV political talk show, agreement that in this situation President Among the key questions are: Who is the Ukraine from France and became the that international financial institutions are Zelenskyy has to carefully avoid being latest “Melnychenko” who made the reformist mayor of Hlukhiv, Mr. Derkach out to transform Ukraine into a “banana dragged into American politics by staying recordings, and who has made them avail- represents the bad old ways. He and his republic.” strictly neutral during the U.S. election cam- able now? While in office, did Mr. political cronies have imposed their own Other figures likely to be implicated in paign. They also warn against using the Poroshenko record his discussions, wheth- bandit-like, Soviet-style rule in northeast- this unfolding drama are former Prosecutor leaked tapes as a pretext for settling scores er by telephone or in person, with his inter- ern Ukraine. Despite initial assurances General Yuriy Lutsenko, a close ally of Mr. with Mr. Poroshenko, emphasizing that locutors? If so, who has leaked them, a for- from Mr. Poroshenko that he would sup- Poroshenko, who discredited himself by, there are sufficient other possible cases mer friend and auxiliary, or a hidden foe port Mr. Tereshchenko and the new way, he among other things, cooperating closely against him that are pending. (domestic or foreign)? backed Mr. Derkach’s people. Today, when with the Trump camp to the extent of seek- In any case, as the election campaign in Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Mr. Poroshenko is no longer in power and ing to undermine the former U.S. ambassa- the U.S. heats up, the attempts to exploit Klimkin, when asked during a TV discus- his support is unnecessary, Mr. Derkach has dor in Kyiv, Marie Yovanovitch. The other is Ukraine within it are only to be expected. sion, said that at his level, such telephone effectively stabbed him in the back. Konstantin Kulik, a former prosecutor who This is both a dubious backhanded compli- conversations were not recorded, but only The aim of Mr. Derkach’s insinuations turned against Mr. Poroshenko and is ment and a serious challenge.

antine measures from May 22 to June 22. 11 other regions do not meet the criteria experts, scientists and business associa- Ukraine enters... We are introducing criteria related to the for easing the second stage of restrictions,” tions, has prepared a program to stimulate (Continued from page 1) epidemiological situation in the regions: Mayor Klitschko said at a briefing on May the economy to overcome the effects of the the incidence of illness and number of beds 22. He emphasized that, of the three crite- COVID-19 pandemic. According to Prime Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) is in use in health-care facilities. Based on ria, the capital did not meet only one: the Minister Shmyhal, together they embarked beginning a gradual resumption of passen- these indicators, decisions will be made on number of patients per 100,000 city resi- on developing the program immediately ger train service. In particular, the company reducing quarantine measures. In total, we dents. The norm is 12 patients, while after the start of quarantine and have been has opened the sale of tickets for five high- will have five stages of relaxation of restric- according to the data for the last week, working on it for more than six weeks. speed Intercity trains, which will run begin- tions.” there were 15 patients per 100,000 people “We have attracted dozens, specifically ning on June 1. Railway tickets are available “Ukraine has developed a mechanism for in Kyiv. more than 90 developers, the best think on the routes Kyiv-Kharkiv (two trains), exiting the quarantine,” he continued. “As for the other two criteria, there are tanks in the country, dozens of business Kyiv-Odesa, Kyiv-Kostiantynivka and Kyiv- “From May 22 – the second stage – the no complaints. Those are occupancy by no associations and individual companies Kryvyi Rih. operation of public, suburban and internal more than 50 percent of an in-patient facili- (including representatives of small and In keeping with a decision by the transport is resumed, religious institutions ty and the number of PCR tests per 100,000 medium-sized businesses). Therefore, … Cabinet of Ministers, ticket sales are open are also allowed to operate, but on the con- population. In the capital, the [latter] figure this is a strategy devised by the best for 50 percent of the seats on those trains. dition of one person per 10 square meters. is three times higher than the set norm,” Mr. experts, businessmen, scientists, analysts,” Tickets are currently available online only. In addition, the work of hotels is being Klitschko explained. He added that over the said Mr. Shmyhal. Passengers will be allowed on trains only in resumed, but that doesn’t apply to the past six days, the capital’s incidence of He added that “the crisis caused by the protective masks. Passengers’ body tem- operation of restaurants in hotels.” coronavirus cases was within the limits set coronavirus pandemic is, among other peratures will be measured during the tick- “The next stage begins on June 1. Then by the government. things, our chance to make radical transfor- et check-in. Also, the trains will be sanitized the operation of fitness centers and interre- “Therefore, I appeal to the government: mations. This is our chance to alter before and after each trip, and stewards gional transportation will be allowed, and let Kyiv begin the second phase of easing approaches and our chance to launch real will be provided with personal protective starting June 10, cafes and restaurants will restrictions. But not all of them, only those change.” equipment. open,” he related. critical to the city and business. In particu- According to the Public Health Center of Mr. Shmyhal reported that the issue of There was controversy about the lifting lar: to restore the operation of ground- Ukraine, as of 9 a.m. on May 27, there were resuming air transportation and opening of quarantine restrictions in Kyiv. At first, based public transport and commercial 21,905 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in airports would be considered after June 15, the Health Ministry reported that the capital facilities of 1,000 square meters beginning Ukraine, 658 patients have died and 7,995 when the airlines of Ukraine’s partner coun- did not meet the required conditions to on May 23, without opening children’s patients have recovered. There were 1,595 tries begin to open their borders. “So far, the reopen public transport. But then the mayor playgrounds and sports fields. The metro cases among children and 4,241 cases airports of our partner countries are closed. of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, appealed to the gov- should be opened, as planned, on May 25, among health-care workers. During the We are engaged in a dialogue with air carri- ernment to allow the capital to begin the since there would be a transport collapse in previous 24 hours, 321 new cases were ers and there is a common position that it second phase of eased restrictions. the city if the metro is not opened,” the confirmed. makes no sense to open airports earlier “From May 23, the capital had planned mayor emphasized. Worldwide, as of May 27, there were than June 15,” the prime minister explained. to begin the next phase of relaxation of In the end, Health Minister Stepanov 5,734,864 confirmed cases and 354,208 Commented on the government’s deci- restrictions. I emphasize: in compliance stated that Kyiv would be allowed to lift deaths from COVID-19. Ukraine is 36th on sion, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov with all norms and regulations. Today, the restrictions. the list of countries with the most novel said, “We plan to introduce adaptive quar- Ministry of Health announced that Kyiv and The government, in cooperation with coronavirus cases.

Read the Ukrainian National Association’s newspapers online: www.ukrweekly.com • www.svoboda-news.com Our online archives are made possible by our generous sponsors: Self Reliance New York Anonymous donor Heritage Foundation of 1st Security Federal Credit Union Selfreliance Federal Credit Union Savings Bank Shevchenko Scientific Society, U.S.A. SUMA Federal Credit Union Bahriany Foundation and others No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 13

Dennis Maruk: Unappreciated super sniper He was described by some as another production could only assist his team, not Marcel Dionne. They called him “Pee-Wee,” work against it. If the team could not turn and he is for sure the most unheralded of around its fortunes, the hope was Maruk’s the 19 players in NHL history to have playing well and hard would result in an scored 60 goals in one season. opportunity elsewhere. Diminutive in stature at 5-foot-8, 165 The 1978-1979 season looked promis- pounds, but with the inner fortitude of a ing for a while, when the Seals-Barons fran- true hockey player, Ukrainian Dennis chise merged with the Minnesota North Maruk broke into the league in 1975 during Stars. It looked like Maruk would finally get the golden days of goon hockey. The the chance to play for a contending team. extremely talented center compensated for This proved not to be the case due to the his lack of size with a gritty style of play, a North Stars’ strength at the center ice posi- confident attitude and a mean-looking Fu tion with Bobby Smith and Tim Young man- Manchu mustache. ning the top two slots. General Manager The first teams he played on, the Lou Nanne informed Maruk a trade would California Golden Seals and the Cleveland be imminent. A deal finally got done in NHL.com Barons, were both laughing stocks, so October, and Maruk was shipped off to the Maruk focused on scoring points, hoping Washington Capitals in exchange for a first- Dennis Maruk plays in a Washington Capitals Alumni game in 2012. other organizations would notice his pro- round draft choice. duction. Despite his scoring exploits with Maruk’s dream had come true. He pro- the team rewarded Maruk by moving him MARUK MOMENTS: He was the 21st dismal clubs, team success was always ceeded to blossom into one of the NHL’s to left wing in 1982-1983 to make room for overall selection in the 1975 NHL Draft. Born ahead of any personal achievements. elite point men with the Capitals. In 1980- sophomore phenom Bobby Carpenter. on November 15, 1955, in Toronto, at young Maruk described it as an athlete’s per- 1981, he tallied 50 goals and 47 assists for Maruk lined up with grinders Doug Jarvis age he watched the Maple Leafs on TV’s sonal pride and inner drive to succeed in 97 points on a Washington squad that man- and Ken Houston, but still managed a most “Hockey Night in Canada.” The first famous the game, rather than selfish play. His point aged a mere 70 points, finishing out of the respectable 81 points. The summer of 1983 hockey player he met was Bobby Hull at a playoffs. The next season, saw him traded back to Minnesota, but for practice at Maple Leaf Gardens while with centering a line with gritty only a second-round draft pick. the Marlies (he was then 12 years old). After left wing Ryan Walter and Maruk did not hold it against the Caps he tore his knee ligament (MCL), he missed one-year wonder Chris for the trade, instead understanding it as an entire year (1978-1979) with Minnesota. Valentine, Maruk scored an part of the business of playing in the Maruk was very frustrated with not making unbelievable 60 goals and National Hockey League. The joke was that the playoffs and playing on losing teams. His 136 points, ranking fourth GM Nanne had lent Maruk to the Capitals most memorable goals: first-ever goal overall in league scoring. for five years. against Wayne Thomas in Toronto while The trio clicked on all In 1984 Maruk enjoyed a second playoff with the Seals and his 60th against Montreal. cylinders: Walter was a appearance with the North Stars. Four His closest friend in the NHL was fellow super strong, up-and-down years later, he shattered a kneecap while Ukrainian Brian Bellows in Minnesota. winger, strong puck handler blocking a slap shot by Buffalo Sabres Maruk’s toughest competitors to play and very physical. Valentine defenseman Grant Ledyard, ending a very against were Bryan Trottier and Mark had good hands, was a underrated NHL career. Messier. He like to play tennis and golf, and steady skater, real good Maruk was selected to two NHL All-Star respects people who deal with adversity and with the puck. Maruk, in the Games and holds the Washington Capitals’ challenge themselves to overcome it. He also middle, fed his wingers and single-season point-scoring and single-sea- believes passion is essential in life. Maruk capitalized on their corner son assists records. In 888 NHL games he was elected to Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame work with tons of goals scored 356 goals, 522 assists and 878 total in September 2018. Facebook.com/dennisjohnmaruk from in front of the net. points. He had six seasons of 30+ goals. His Dennis Maruk, complete with Fu Manchu mustache, in After breaking Capitals’ career highlight: just making it to the Ihor Stelmach may be reached at iman@ his California Golden Seals jersey. individual scoring records, National Hockey League. sfgsports.com.

to resolve the situation and protect believers in Crimea. nervous about that final move. Ukraine takes... While Russia may want to continue its persecution of The battle to seize control of the Cathedral of Ss. (Continued from page 6) the Church as though nothing has happened, the responsi- Volodymyr and Olha began soon after Russia’s invasion and bility now lies with Ukraine’s lawmakers to protect the has continued, with Archbishop Klyment even attacked dur- Ukrainian citizens who cannot leave Crimea, but live in Church and its believers. ing a raid on the cathedral in which crosses and icons were spirit with Ukraine,” the archbishop noted. There is nothing at all abstract about this, as the arch- seized. This is partly a move aimed at seizing a major site in Once the resolution has been affirmed by the Verkhovna bishop spelled out. Ukraine does have a powerful lever, Symferopol. Archbishop Klyment has said that almost Rada, it will be possible to develop a specific algorithm for namely the Orthodox Church under the Moscow immediately after annexation he was offered $200,000 countering attempts by the Russian occupation regime to Patriarchate in Ukraine and its very considerable property, (U.S.) to vacate. Since he, obviously, refused, the occupation take the cathedral away. After fighting the battle alone, including the Pecherska Lavra in Kyiv. Let those in Moscow regime used trumped-up pretexts for its plunder. Archbishop Klyment says now he will have the Ukrainian understand that, if the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in This move is also part of the aggressive offensive and state and the international community on his side. Crimea is dissolved, then the same will happen to the repressive measures against the Ukrainian Church in Russia’s persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (effectively) Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Crimea since annexation and against Archbishop Klyment began soon after its invasion and annexation. Open repres- Perhaps, as Archbishop Klyment says, it is God who has himself. sion might well have prompted further sanctions, and the enabled services to continue in at least part of the The archbishop reported on February 8, 2019, that he occupation regime focused instead on demanding unac- Cathedral of Ss. Volodymyr and Olha. It does, however, had received a writ ordering that he vacate the cathedral ceptable “re-registration” under Russian legislation and on seem likely that the court hearings are being dragged out within 30 days. He then warned that this was likely to lead depriving the Church of its land and places of worship. The because of international pressure, on the one hand, and to eight parishes in rural areas also being forced to close. Russian occupiers claimed that the land, which under concern that Moscow could lose its church and property in On March 27, the Church received another letter from a Ukrainian law was the property of the Autonomous Ukraine, on the other. “ministry” that terminated the lease agreement . The letter Republic of Crimea, was “federal Russian property” that the Russia’s attempts to evict the diocese from the Cathedral claimed that this was because the Church is in debt; how- archbishop was illegally occupying. is also flouting interim measures imposed by the United ever, the sum was nominal and, in fact, the archbishop This was absurd, but Archbishop Klyment could not Nations Human Rights Committee back in September denies that anything at all is owed. argue this alone since the land was under effectively per- 2019. This was on the application of lawyer Serhiy Zayets, By the end of August 2019, the Russian-controlled court of manent lease for a nominal fee and was not the Church’s who is representing 50 members of the congregation who appeal had upheld the ruling of the de facto Crimean private property. That made it much more difficult to pro- complain of persecution by the Russian occupation author- Arbitration Court from June 28, 2019, which had ordered the tect legally at the international level, and Archbishop ities. On September 6, 2019, the committee reported that it dissolution of the lease agreement for the Cathedral of Ss. Klyment made repeated approaches, only to be told by had accepted the case and had “requested” that Russia not Volodymyr and Olha signed in 2002 between the Ukrainian Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture that the Ukrainian govern- evict the congregation until the case had been considered. authorities (the Crimean Property Fund) and the Crimean ment could not do anything since Crimea was not under its While Russia has appeared to be ignoring this, with “court Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriar­ control. Another minister told him that Ukraine didn’t have hearings” continuing regardless, the fact that Archbishop chate. Although the court hearings are still dragging on, the any mechanisms. Deeply frustrated, the archbishop even Klyment was able to celebrate Easter in the cathedral, occupation regime has not waited and has already begun went on hunger strike late last year, demanding measures which is open every day, probably shows that Moscow is destroying Church property under the guise of “renovations.” 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 No. 22

will be able to blast Ukraine from the Russia is violating its commitments. How council is not. Russia is using the lack of Valeriy Chaly... inside. In this dimension, the threats are can we move forward if something as basic experience and weakness on the Ukrainian (Continued from page 9) mounting. Unfortunately, these risks are as implementation of the Minsk agree- side. So the only right position is to keep a reinforced by off-balance governance, the ments is neglected? strong defense in diplomatic talks and at Kremlin dare to use all of its military weakened pace of actions regarding state There is another important aspect to the the contact line. Now is not the time for forces deployed along our border? What security, the decreased advance of reforms Minsk agreements. Who was their biggest easy solutions. As long as hawks reign in does that depend on? and the lack of unity that would transform opponent? Who was trying to avoid Russia, the war with Russia will continue. It is possible that the current situation the citizens into a single political nation. cementing the position on immediate What do the occupying forces want to has put the brakes on their plans and they Ukrainian authorities explain their ceasefire? The president of the Russian demonstrate to us by putting forward will need several more months. Their intentions to sit with representatives of Federation, Putin. He was cagey and didn’t intentions to rename Donetsk and spending is huge. They continue prepara- the ORDLO [the Ukrainian acro- want to sign them. French President Luhansk as Stalino and Voroshylovgrad? tion, they have not given up the scenario of nym for the temporary occupied It is a clear signal that they want no large-scale aggression against Ukraine. At territories] at the negotiation The more you compro- turning back. I don’t know why they are the same time, the Russian government will table, saying that Ukraine needs doing it at this particular moment, but they not issue an order to attack, knowing that to implement the 11th para- mise with Russia, the never do anything without Russia’s order. the price will be very high. Remember, how graph of the Minsk agreements Maybe it is a signal that they are ready to it was at the contact line? As soon as we that stipulates the need to reach more you demonstrate keep getting money from Ukraine but will were able to fire back and it was causing agreement on certain issues with your weakness and set proceed with their separatist line anyway. casualties on the attacker’s side, attacks representatives of the occupied In a unitary state, like Ukraine, what does it immediately ceased. If in our military sec- territories. Is there a solution for back peace. mean to rename (cities) on their own, tor, in addition to a well-motivated and fully the 11th paragraph? supplied army, we also have strong troops without a parliamentary decision and with on the sea and capacities to counter air It is crucial not to let Russia achieve its François Hollande mentions it all in his emphasis on the Stalin epoch? It is a signal strikes, it will make Russia’s advance goal of repackaging the conflict from memoirs; maybe someday even more coming from their leaders saying that they impossible. Any attack is not just a break- Ukrainian-Russian into an allegedly details will be made public. Besides, differ- will never be with us. These leaders live through into a certain area, it is also about Ukrainian internal one. The Minsk agree- ent paragraphs of the agreements can be well there, they stole Ukrainian factories, gaining a foothold in the territory. ments are not dogma. They can be revised interpreted differently. These are agree- they keep stealing money, they are also I find it hard to imagine Russian troops, to become more precise and complete. Why ments, not international treaties incorpo- stealing from people who stayed on the even if they are several hundreds of sol- is the security question shifted to the back- rated into Ukrainian law. The room for temporarily occupied territory. diers, keeping Ukrainian territory under ground? Main goal of the Minsk agree- maneuver can be quite wide. At first, they thought they would unite control. The resistance would be country- ments is written down in paragraph 1, it is What really works is a strong army, allies with Russia. They have no illusions now, as wide. a complete ceasefire. The ceasefire has and constant pressure on Russia. All the running those territories is becoming more The Russians also assess all these risks. never happened. In all these years, the moves about consultation councils will lead and more difficult. That’s why they need to If they were sure they could quickly take Minsk agreements were actually disregard- nowhere. I would advise against any other return to Soviet symbols and tools of the Ukraine under control by military means, ed – by Russia in the first place. attempts or manipulations. Our allies say: totalitarian epoch. They probably need it they would do it without hesitation. One At the same time, these agreements have do not give Russia a chance by showing that more for internal control. It is a signal from should not have illusions, Crimea’s occupa- certain weight, they are linked to the sanc- you are violating anything. It is a very sub- the metropole, the way they understand tion proved it. Secondly, they still hope they tions and they clearly demonstrate how tle game, while the idea of a consultation Moscow’s rationale – back to the empire.

it than he was able to, including the places either, no matter how much pressure the explosives near the North Crimean Canal” Critical water... from which Crimea had historically West and Moscow put on it to do so. That is (0552.ua, February 18; see EDM, February (Continued from page 3) received its water. That pattern raises the because there are looming water shortages 26). question as to whether the current “hyste- in Ukraine itself, and giving water to the The water situation in Crimea was dire Yury Smelyansky of the Kyiv Institute for ria” in Crimea about water shortages Russian occupation would only exacerbate then; but it is even more so now. Black Sea Strategic Research asserts that reflects only that direct problem or presag- them. Consequently, the possibility that Moscow not only is Crimea running out of water and es a new Russian move against Ukraine That increases the possibility that will launch just such a military strike can- losing any chance to save the situation on (Apostrophe, May 17) Moscow may decide on a military option, a not be ruled out, especially as the Russian its own, but the occupation authorities Much of what the occupiers are saying thrust northward into Ukraine proper to authorities can currently count on the rest have often played up this issue in order to now is in the realm of fantasy, Mr. gain control of water for the peninsula of the world being distracted by the coro- put pressure on Kyiv via Europe. Indeed, he Smelyansky contends. In order to power before a full-scale humanitarian disaster navirus pandemic. Moreover, Moscow notes, what Moscow outlets say about enough water-purification plants to pro- hits later this summer. Indeed, such a might calculate that it would be able to water for Crimea has paralleled Moscow’s vide a daily minimum 16 liters of water for resource crisis, if unaddressed, might present any such move as a “humanitarian” efforts to expand its control into other each Crimean, the Russian authorities prompt new Western demands for Russia gesture rather than as the naked military parts of Ukraine. When Vladimir Putin would need to construct “about 10 atomic to give the peninsula back to Ukraine. Both aggression it would so obviously be. invaded Ukrainian territory in 2014, he power stations” – something beyond Russian and Ukrainian officials have talked expected to seize a much larger portion of Russia’s capacity and an action sure to about that possibility, with the former The article above is reprinted from spark international outrage given the envi- encouraged and the latter frightened by the Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from ronmental consequences of such a move. fact that earlier this year, Ukrainian securi- its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, Meanwhile, Kyiv will not shift its position ty officers found “a cache of weapons and www.jamestown.org.

But the multinationals, although global- ocratic and more cooperative Russia. “ ‘The Putin moving... ist in one sense, are not any more commit- Great Victory,’ even in combination with (Continued from page 2) ted to “the democratization of Russian ‘the struggle with fascism,’ hasn’t been able social life” than are the siloviki. On the con- to fill the entire ideological niche,” the ana- The former have enormous power trary, they may be willing to be even more lyst argues. domestically, and the latter are weak rela- authoritarian in order to maintain the posi- Mr. Putin needed something additional, tive to other international corporate play- tion of the one percent over the 99. and with the idea of Russia as a separate ers. Indeed, they sometimes have to make This combination of factors has forced and distinct civilization up against the rest concessions to these groups, not out of a Mr. Putin to look for a new legitimating of the world, which is hostile to it. commitment to any rules of the game, but principle for his rule – one that allows him Moreover, he has found a group to promote rather because the others are stronger than to keep his base in the siloviki without cost- this for him – Zakhar Prilepin’s For Truth they are. ing him the wealth of the multinationals. Party – and thus manage the ideological But because the multinationals have He might have preferred to rely on Russian aspect of the leadership transition. made Mr. Putin and his team so rich, they Orthodoxy, but the national Church is too What is disturbing about all this, Mr. have been able to force the siloviki to give weak and thus has no chance of becoming Ilchenko says, is that such an evolution of way on occasion. The pandemic has accel- the Leninism of the Putin era. national bolshevism “looks natural and erated that process, Mr. Ilchenko says. That The Kremlin leader currently is relying repeats the path of the National Socialist is because it has demonstrated that the primarily on the cult of the Great Victory German Workers Party [the Nazis] which siloviki lack the resources “to maintain full but is beginning to move beyond that to a also began by opposing the anti-people plu- control over Russia.” vision of Russia as “a unique civilization” tocracy. There is no doubt that the Prilepin The more thoughtful of the siloviki are that must be defended against domestic party in 2021 will overcome the electoral reluctantly willing to do this. They see that and foreign enemies. Young Russians are barrier and have seats in the Duma.” Mr. Putin’s sharing of power with regional buying into this, with its image of greatness That is because “national socialism” of governments is in fact sharing power with and sacrifice, even though few really want the kind Mr. Putin is outlining now “ideally the multinational corporations, most of to fall under NATO tanks. combines Orthodox obsession with victo- whom have strong positions in particular In sum, Mr. Ilchenko says, Mr. Putin ry” and thus has more than a few support- regions and thus are able to use them to appears to have found a winning combina- ers in Russia, the Ukrainian commentator promote their interests. tion, but not one that points to a more dem- says. No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 15

Ukrainian Canadian community launches new initiative to support children in Ukraine Through May 31 Online art exhibit, featuring works by Pat Zalisko and other artists, Online “Pandemic-Inspired Online Exhibition,” Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Ukrainian Canadian Congress Gardens, www.ormondartmuseum.org TORONTO – The COVID-19 Children’s Relief Initiative June 2-30 Exhibit, “Embroidered Memories: Featuring over 750 Embroidered Pillows Created was launched on May 20 as an online appeal to provide Edmonton, AB by 150 Ukrainian Canadian Artisans,” curated by Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, Alberta support to children in Ukraine in need of basic supplies Council for the Ukrainian Arts, 780-488-8558 or [email protected] during the coronavirus pandemic. Almost 100,000 children in Ukraine were living in gov- June 15-20 Archangel Icons workshop, with Michael Kapeluck, ernment-run residential institutions or rehabilitation Carnegie, PA Archangel Studios, [email protected] centers prior to the quarantine announced on March 11. In an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus, Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events advertised in The Ukrainian approximately 50,000 children were sent home to their Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions from all our readers. Items will be published at the discre- biological families, many of whom are unable to provide tion of the editors and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. or care for them. “These families are in dire need right now because tens of thousands of children were sent back from gov- ernment-run institutions to family residences for isola- tion purposes,” said Mykola Kuleba, the Ombudsman for Online exhibit focuses on internment Children with the President of Ukraine. “Currently, thousands of families are unable to provide basic food and hygiene supplies to their children,” said Mr. of Ukrainians during World War I Kuleba. “With your support, these vulnerable children can remain where they belong, at home, with their fami- lies. Information gathered during this time will guide the creation of a long-term strategy.” Donations are now being accepted to support the pur- chase of food packages and hygiene kits for these children and their families in Ukraine. These materials will be dis- tributed by social workers as they visit the families to assess the health and well-being of the children. This initiative is being led by Help Us Help and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. It is supported by Meest Corporation and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, in partnership with the Ombudsman for Children with the President of Ukraine. Donations to purchase these kits can be made to either Help Us Help or Canada-Ukraine Foundation and are eli- gible for tax receipts. The project website can be found at www.covid19childrensrelief.ca. The Canada-Ukraine Foundation was established to coordinate, develop, organize and deliver assistance proj- ects generated by Canadians and directed to Ukraine. Help Us Help is a member of the Canada-Ukraine www.greatwarcentre.com Foundation. Since 1993 it has distributed over $25 mil- Internees in Canada during World War I. lion in charitable aid to projects and organizations engaged in education, literacy, arts and culture, social MONTREAL – The Canadian Centre for the Great War Internees were used as forced cheap labor in forestry, work, civil society and humanitarian aid. (CCGW), a non-profit organization, has launched an online mining and land-clearing projects by the Canadian gov- All food packages and hygiene kits are curated by exhibit, “Confined: Reflections on Internment in Canada ernment. Meest in partnership with Ukrainian retailers and distrib- during the First World War.” The website continued: “By 1916, labor shortages uted throughout Ukraine by Meest Express directly to The exhibit shows images from the internment opera- became so acute that the Canadian government sent social workers. Packages and kits can also be purchased tions in Canada during World War I that targeted, among internees to work in factories, resulting in 75 percent of directly through Meest’s e-commerce website gifts- other ethnic groups, Ukrainians, who were labeled as the camps being shut down, including one of the largest in forukraine.com. Giftsforukraine.com is a new online ser- “enemy aliens.” The exhibit can be found on the center’s Spirit Lake, Quebec. These enemy aliens were released, vice, powered by Meest, that allows users to purchase website, www.confined.greatwarcentre.com, with addi- usually to work in mines or in the railroad industry, pro- goods and gifts online for their relatives and friends back tional photos on its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ vided they sign a parole document demanding loyalty, home in Ukraine. Meest Corp. Inc. was founded in Toronto greatwarcentre/photos. adherence to the law and periodical reports to the nearest in 1989 with the main goal of uniting the Ukrainian dias- The website describes the work: “Our mission is to pre- police authority.” pora abroad, in Canada, with the homeland, in Ukraine. serve, protect and archive artifacts related to the Canadian The website acknowledged the work of Ukrainian orga- True to its goal of strengthening ties between Ukraine experience of the first world war and to inform Canadians nizations and politicians in bringing these events to light and the diaspora in Canada, Meest has long been a spon- of the same. We do not attempt to highlight the large his- sor of humanitarian aid shipments from Canada to and informing the public. Included in these acknowledg- Ukraine and has a longstanding partnership with Help Us torical events of the war, but rather present personalized ments were Member of Parliament Inky Mark’s private Help and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation in delivering narratives of the many experiences that touched member’s Bill C-331, Internment of Persons of Ukrainian aid all across Ukraine. Canadians during this period.” Origin Recognition Act, which received Royal Assent on The camps were divided into two groups – “receiving November 25, 2005. Following negotiations with the stations” and permanent internment camps that housed Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the 8,816 men, women and children, including civilians and Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Ukrainian Canadian prisoners of war. Ukrainians are counted among people Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, the government of from Austro-Hungary (5,954 people as listed on the web- Canada on May 9, 2008, established the Canadian First site), which included Czechs and Slovaks. World War Internment Recognition Fund to support com- The camps are described by the CCGW: “The camps memorative and educational initiatives that recall what were mostly located in repurposed government build- happened to Ukrainians and other Europeans during ings, military installations and two rented factories. Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914- Like Love During the summer, certain locations would use tents or 1920. train cars as shelter. Adhering to the Hague Convention, This project was made possible by a grant from the internment facilities were, at least technically, as good as Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War The Ukrainian Weekly those offered to Canadian soldiers. However, most of Internment Recognition Fund. these camps were located in harsh environments far Readers can learn more by contacting the organization from hospitals and other sanitation infrastructure, by telephone, 514-418-0716, or e-mail, info@greatwar- on Facebook! allowing diseases to flourish. Due to the harsh condi- centre.com. The Canadian Centre for the Great War is www.facebook.com/ tions of internment, combined with the general stress of located at 5524-A Rue St-Patrick, Suite 202, Montreal, imprisonment, 107 internees died between 1914 and Quebec, H4E 1A8 Canada. Readers may also visit the orga- TheUkrainianWeekly 1920.” nization’s website, https://greatwarcentre.com/. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020 No. 22