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.