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Inside: l The relevance of the Budapest Memorandum – page 3 l A look at ’s interim government – page 10 l Ukraine set to compete at Paralympic Games – page 16

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXII No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 $1/$2 in Ukraine U.S. ambassador to U.N. and U.S. try sets the record straight on ’s aggression to address conflict in Ukraine EU says it will sign Here is the text of remarks by the United States ambassador to the , Samantha Power, Association Agreement delivered on March 3 during an emergency meeting of with before May 25 the Security Council. Source: Business Insider (http:// www.businessinsider.com/samantha-power-russia- by Zenon Zawada ukraine-un-security-council-2014-3). KYIV – The European Union leader- Thank you, Madam President. Listening to the rep- ship on March 6 addressed the politi- resentative of Russia, one might think that Moscow cal conflict in Ukraine as European had just become the rapid response arm of the Office Council President Herman van of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. So many Rompuy announced the EU will sign of the assertions made this afternoon by the Russian the political portion of its Association Federation are without basis in reality. Agreement with Ukraine before the Let’s begin with a clear and candid assessment of May 25 presidential election, saving the facts. the free trade pact for afterwards. The same day, German Chancellor It is a fact that Russian military forces have taken Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Angela Merkel vowed to freeze the over Ukrainian border posts. It is a fact that Russia has Ukraine’s Prime Minister meets on March 6 in Brussels taken over the ferry terminal in Kerch. It is a fact that bank accounts of Russian officials in with European Parliament President Martin Schulz. Following the meeting, Russian ships are moving in and around . It Germany should they fail to de-esca- Mr. Yatsenyuk told reporters that they discussed ways to overcome the cri- is a fact that Russian forces are blocking mobile tele- late the military aggression in the sis, “which applies not only to Ukraine and Russia, but also the entire phone services in some areas. It is a fact that Russia Autonomous Republic of . Europe. We need to realize that it is our overall responsibility.” has surrounded or taken over practically all Ukrainian The measures were long-awaited military facilities in Crimea. It is a fact that today by Ukraine’s pro-Western majority, Applied Political Research in Kyiv. travel bans against both Russian and Russian jets entered Ukrainian airspace. It is also a which has had to fight against Russian “The issue isn’t about starting a war Ukrainian officials “responsible for or fact that independent journalists continue to report aggression for the last three months with Russia. The issue is about ensur- involved in encroachments upon the that there is no evidence of violence against Russian largely on its own. The Euro-Maidan ing safety on Ukrainian territory,” he sovereignty and territorial integrity of or pro-Russian communities. protest demonstrated its impatience explained. Ukraine.” In addition, U.S. President Russian military action is not a human rights pro- with the EU when it demanded that Though military dispatches are pos- issued an executive tection mission. It is a violation of international law be removed from sible, so far it’s not at all an option for order that provides the legal basis for and a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integ- the presidency, defying EU-negotiated the West. The U.S. has two naval vessels imposing sanctions on “individuals rity of the independent nation of Ukraine, and a plans for a December vote. in the , neither of which has and entities” who have undermined breach of Russia’s Helsinki Commitments and its U.N. “Therefore in order to restrain been deployed in relation to the March Ukraine’s territorial integrity. (See obligations. Russian aggression in Ukraine, quite 1 decision by the Russian government White House statement on page 11.) The central issue is whether the recent change of harsh measures are needed from the to dispatch soldiers to Ukraine alleged- Also on March 6, Mr. Rompuy U.S. and EU, beginning with economic government in Ukraine constitutes a danger to ly to ensure peace and calm. declared the EU is halting its negotia- sanctions and ending with dispatch- Western leaders have so far limited Russia’s legitimate interests of such a nature and tions with the Russian government on ing military detachments to ensure their retaliatory measures against the extent that Russia is justified in intervening militarily visa liberalization for its citizens. safety,” said Volodymyr Fesenko, the Russian government. in Ukraine, seizing control of public facilities and issu- director of the Penta Center for On March 6, the U.S. announced ing military ultimatums to elements of the Ukrainian (Continued on page 11) military. The answer, of course, is no. Russian military bases in Ukraine are secure. The new government in Kyiv has pledged to honor all of its existing interna- Yanukovych vows to fight on, Russia: Yanukovych asked for troops tional agreements, including those covering Russian bases. Russian mobilization is a response to an imagi- denounces Ukraine’s new authorities nary threat. RFE/RL A second issue is whether the population of the RFE/RL Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vitaly Churkin said on Crimea or other parts of eastern Ukraine are at risk Viktor Yanukovych says he’s still the legitimate presi- March 3 that Ukraine’s ousted president, Viktor because of the new government. There is no evidence dent of Ukraine, and that the country’s current authorities Yanukovych, sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir of this. Military action cannot be justified on the basis are “fascist thugs.” Putin requesting that he use the Russian military to restore of threats that haven’t been made and aren’t being In his first public appearance since he fled Kyiv a week law and order in his country. carried out. There is no evidence, for example, that earlier Mr. Yanukovych spoke at a news conference in the Mr. Churkin was speaking at an emergency United churches in eastern Ukraine are being or will be southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on February 28. Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine, which Russia attacked; the allegation is without basis. There is no “The time has come for me to say that I intend to contin- called for. evidence that ethnic Russians are in danger. On the ue the fight for the future of Ukraine against those who are He quoted from the letter, dated March 1: “I would call contrary, the new Ukrainian government has placed a trying, through terror and fear, to take charge over it,” Mr. on the president of Russia, Mr. Putin, asking him to use the priority on internal reconciliation and political inclu- Yanukovych told reporters. “And I decided to speak public- armed forces of the Russian Federation to establish legiti- sivity. President [Oleksander] Turchynov – the acting ly about that.” macy, peace, law and order, stability and defending the president – has made clear his opposition to any Mr. Yanukovych denied that he had been removed from people of Ukraine.” restriction on the use of the Russian tongue. power, maintaining that he had been forced to leave Russia has poured troops into Ukraine’s Crimea region, because of direct threats to his safety. “Nobody has ousted sparking outrage and threats of sanctions from the United (Continued on page 12) (Continued on page 11) (Continued on page 13) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 No. 10

FOR THE RECORD Obama and Putin speak Obama speaks on Ukraine crisis via phone for 90 minutes President Barack Obama delivered a try, forge a broad-based government and statement on Ukraine on February 28. Here move to elections this spring. Following is the readout of President Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integ- are excerpts of the statement released by the I also spoke several days ago with Barack Obama’s March 1 call with President rity, which is a breach of international law, White House. President Putin, and my administration has of Russia. It was released by including Russia’s obligations under the been in daily communication with Russian the White House, Office of the Press Secretary. U.N. Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine, and which is Over the last several days, the United officials, and we’ve made clear that they President Obama spoke for 90 minutes inconsistent with the 1994 Budapest States has been responding to events as can be part of an international communi- this afternoon with President Putin of Memorandum and the Helsinki Final Act. they unfold in Ukraine. Throughout this cri- ty’s effort to support the stability and suc- Russia about the situation in Ukraine. The United States condemns Russia’s mili- sis, we have been very clear about one fun- cess of a united Ukraine going forward, President Obama expressed his deep con- damental principle: The Ukrainian people which is not only in the interest of the peo- deserve the opportunity to determine their ple of Ukraine and the international com- cern over Russia’s clear violation of (Continued on page 15) own future. Together with our European munity, but also in Russia’s interest. allies, we have urged an end to the violence However, we are now deeply concerned and encouraged Ukrainians to pursue a President Obama calls leaders course in which they stabilize their coun- (Continued on page 11) of U.K., and Germany Canadian PM comments on Ukraine Following is the readout of the President The leaders affirmed the importance of Barack Obama’s calls with Prime Minister unity within the international community On March 3, while in Toronto, Prime spoken with one voice in condemning David Cameron of the United Kingdom, in support of international law and their Minister Stephen Harper delivered the follow- President Putin’s military intervention in President Komorowski of Poland and support for the , ing remarks on the situation in Ukraine. Ukraine. We call once again on President Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany. The including its territorial integrity and its Source: Office of the Prime Minister of Canada. Putin to immediately withdraw his military. readout was issued by the White House, efforts to move forward with elections in President Putin’s actions have put his Office of the Press Secretary, on March 2. May so that the Ukrainian people can con- The situation in Ukraine remains country on a course of diplomatic and eco- tinue to determine their own future in this extremely serious for global peace and President Obama spoke separately this historic hour. The leaders also pledged to security. Canada and its G-7 partners have (Continued on page 16) afternoon with Prime Minister Cameron of work together on a package of multilateral the United Kingdom, President Komorowski and bilateral financial assistance to help of Poland, and Chancellor Merkel of Germany. Ukraine as it pursues urgently needed The leaders expressed their grave concern reforms to stabilize its economy. The lead- Canada welcomes new government over Russia’s clear violation of Ukrainian sov- ers agreed to continue to coordinate close- ereignty and territorial integrity, which is a ly, including bilaterally, and through appro- Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird on steps in Ukraine’s regeneration. Meaningful breach of international law and a threat to priate international organizations. February 27 issued the following statement. economic reform must be supported by the international peace and security. The leaders The president reaffirmed the United Source: Foreign Affairs, Trade and international community, including stressed that dialogue between Ukraine and States’ longstanding and continuing com- Development Canada. through key international financial institu- Russia should start immediately, with inter- mitment to security and democracy in tions. Elections in May will consolidate the national facilitation as appropriate. Eastern Europe. Canada welcomes the appointment of a restoration of democracy. new government today in Ukraine. After the We are confident that Ukraine’s new lead- trauma of the past three months and the loss ers know that to succeed, they must stay of so many lives, the appointment of a legiti- united, focus on governance, root out corrup- G-7 leaders condemn Russia’s violations mate government is a vital step forward in tion and strive for inclusive national policies. restoring democracy and normalcy to Ukraine. Canada is proud to stand beside the The new government of Prime Minister Ukrainian people in support of their move of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity Arseniy Yatsenyuk offers a fresh start. toward a more democratic government. We We, along with the international com- will continue to offer Ukrainians every The Group of Seven (G-7) issued the fol- restraint and responsibility, and to munity, expect that Ukraine’s sovereignty assistance as they continue on the path lowing statement on March 2. Source: White decrease the tensions. will be respected and its territorial integri- toward security, democracy and prosperity House, Office of the Press Secretary. We note that Russia’s actions in Ukraine ty maintained. We look forward to the next within Europe.” also contravene the principles and values We, the leaders of Canada, France, on which the G-7 and the G-8 operate. As Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom such, we have decided for the time being to and the United States, and the president of suspend our participation in activities asso- Newsbriefs appear on pages 12-13. the and president of the ciated with the preparation of the sched- European Commission, join together today uled G-8 Summit in Sochi in June, until the to condemn the Russian Federation’s clear environment comes back where the G-8 is violation of the sovereignty and territorial able to have meaningful discussion. integrity of Ukraine, in contravention of We are united in supporting Ukraine’s The Ukrainian Weekly FOUNDED 1933 Russia’s obligations under the U.N. Charter sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its and its 1997 basing agreement with right to choose its own future. We commit An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., Ukraine. We call on Russia to address any ourselves to support Ukraine in its efforts a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. ongoing security or human rights concerns to restore unity, stability, and political and Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. that it has with Ukraine through direct economic health to the country. To that Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. negotiations, and/or via international end, we will support Ukraine’s work with (ISSN — 0273-9348) observation or mediation under the auspic- the International Monetary Fund to negoti- es of the U.N. or the Organization for ate a new program and to implement need- The Weekly: UNA: Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 Security and Cooperation in Europe. We ed reforms. IMF support will be critical in stand ready to assist with these efforts. unlocking additional assistance from the Postmaster, send address changes to: We also call on all parties concerned to World Bank, other international financial The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz behave with the greatest extent of self- institutions, the EU and bilateral sources. 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas P.O. Box 280 Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] North Atlantic Council notes The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com The Ukrainian Weekly, March 9, 2014, No. 10, Vol. LXXXII breach of international law Copyright © 2014 The Ukrainian Weekly The statement below was issued on Military action against Ukraine by forces March 2. Source: U.S. Embassy Kyiv. of the Russian Federation is a breach of international law and contravenes the prin- ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA The North Atlantic Council condemns the ciples of the NATO-Russia Council and the Russian Federation’s military escalation in Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Partnership for Peace. Russia must respect and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 Crimea and expresses its grave concern its obligations under the United Nations e-mail: [email protected] regarding the authorization by the Russian Charter and the spirit and principles of the Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Parliament to use the armed forces of the e-mail: [email protected] Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine. (Continued on page 13) No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 3 The Budapest Memorandum and its relevance to Crimea

by Ron Synovitz Under the memorandum, Ukraine prom- threaten or use force against the territorial Kellman, a professor of law and director of RFE/RL ised to remove all Soviet-era nuclear weap- integrity or political independence of the International Weapons Control Center ons from its territory, send them to disar- Ukraine. They also pledged that none of at DePaul University’s College of Law. With tensions rising in Crimea and pro- mament facilities in Russia, and sign the them would ever use economic coercion to “The Budapest Memorandum follows Russian forces controlling the peninsula’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Ukraine subordinate Ukraine to their own interest. the Helsinki Final Act and essentially reiter- main airports as of the writing of this analy- kept these promises. They specifically pledged they would ates its provisions. There are confidence sis (February 28), Ukrainian Prime Minister In return, Russia and the Western signa- refrain from making each other’s territory building measures and then a host of other Arseniy Yatsenyuk has called on Russia to tory countries essentially consecrated the the object of military occupation or engage broader obligations – primarily negative “not violate the Budapest Memorandum.” So sovereignty and territorial integrity of in other uses of force in violation of inter- obligations. Don’t interfere.” what is the “Budapest Memorandum” and Ukraine as an independent state. They did national law. Prof. Kellman concludes that there are a what does it have to do with Crimea? so by applying the principles of territorial All sides agreed that no such occupation host of other sources of international law integrity and nonintervention in the 1975 or acquisition will be recognized as legal that oblige Russia to respect Ukraine’s ter- What exactly is the Budapest Helsinki Final Act – a Cold War-era treaty and that the signatories would “consult in ritorial integrity – including the provisions Memorandum? signed by 35 states including the Soviet the event a situation arises which raises a of the CSCE (Conference on Security and The Budapest Memorandum on Security Union – to an independent post-Soviet question concerning these commitments.” Cooperation in Europe) treaty and the Assurances is a diplomatic memorandum Ukraine. Is there anything legally binding United Nations Charter. that was signed in December 1994 by Which principles in the Helsinki Final about the Budapest Memorandum Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the Copyright 2014, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted Act, reiterated in the Budapest regarding Russia’s obligations to respect United Kingdom. with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ Memorandum, are relevant to the cur- Ukraine’s territorial integrity? It is not a formal treaty, but rather, a dip- Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, rent situation in the Crimea? lomatic document under which signatories “That’s actually a much more complex Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see made promises to each other as part of the In the Budapest Memorandum, Russia, question than it may sound. It is binding in http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine- denuclearization of former Soviet republics the United Kingdom and the United States international law, but that doesn’t mean it explainer-budapest-memoran- after the dissolution of the . promised that none of them would ever has any means of enforcement,” says Barry dum/25280502.html.) FOR THE RECORD: Ukraine’s Mission to the United Nations issues release The press release below was issued on According to the agreement, within 48 of Ukraine on February 22, carried out by chairperson of the Parliament February 24 by The Permanent Mission of hours after the signing of the Agreement a 2014, being the only legitimate authority in of Ukraine until a new president is elected and Ukraine to the United Nations. It was released special law that would restore the Ukrainian Ukraine, adopted a decree restoring the inaugurated. Therefore, taking into consider- in conjunction with press conferences held by Constitution of 2004 had to be adopted by the of June 28, 1996, as ation the provision of the Constitution of Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.N. Yuriy Verkhovna Rada, signed by the president and amended on December 8, 2004, February 1, Ukraine, the only legitimate supreme authori- Sergeyev. made public. 2011, and September 19, 2013. ty in Ukraine is the Parliament of Ukraine. The parties also agreed on the early presi- The Parliament of Ukraine adopted the All decisions adopted by the Parliament are On February 21, 2014, the President of dential elections to be held immediately after decree with the aim of restoring the legitima- aimed at urgent formation of constitutional Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych on the one side the adoption of the new Constitution of cy of the constitutional order in Ukraine, authorities in Ukraine, expression of the sover- and the opposition leaders Mr. Vitali Ukraine, but no later than in December, 2014. based on its exclusive authority to amend the eign will of the Ukrainian people and restora- Klitschko, Mr. Oleh Tiahnybok and Mr. Arseniy The parties agreed to refrain from the use of Constitution of Ukraine. tion of civil peace and order in Ukraine. Yatsenyuk on the other side signed an violence. Moreover, considering the actual renuncia- Thus, the opposition parties, together with Agreement on the Settlement of Crisis in In order to implement the agreement, the tion of the agreement by Mr. Yanukovych, the the former ruling party majority in the Ukraine (the agreement). Negotiations on the Verkhovna Rada adopted by the constitution- Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, on February 22, Parliament, have secured implementation of agreement were held with the participation al majority (386 votes) the Law of Ukraine 2014, adopted the following decrees: “On the the agreement in the situation when Mr. of EU representatives, including Mr. Radoslaw “On Restoring Specific Provisions of the Removal of the from his Yanukovych removed himself from his consti- Sikorski, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Constitution of Ukraine” that provided for the Constitutional Authority and Early Elections tutional duties and renounced the agreement. Poland; Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the restoration of the Constitution of Ukraine of of President of Ukraine” and “On Assuming In this regard, the allegation by the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany; and 2004. Political Responsibility for the Situation in Federation that the opposition failed to imple- Mr. Laurent Fabius, the Minister for Foreign Meanwhile, on February 22, 2014, Mr. Ukraine.” ment the agreement is groundless and uncon- Affairs of France; as well as Mr. Vladimir Yanukovych publicly stated in a video-inter- By these decisions, the Parliament of Ukraine structive. The agreement was not fulfilled by Lukin, Special Envoy of the President of the view that he renounced the agreement and recognized that the president of Ukraine, Mr. ex-President Yanukovych himself. This is con- Russian Federation. had no intent to sign the law restoring the Yanukovych, removed himself from his constitu- firmed by his actions, particularly his refusal At 10 a.m. on February 21, 2014, the text Constitution of 2004 adopted by the tional duties through unconstitutional means to sign the new law restoring the Constitution of the agreement was approved by the par- Parliament, left the city of Kyiv for an and did not perform his duties. The Parliament of Ukraine of 2004 adopted by the Parliament ties and signed by Messrs. Yanukovych, unknown destination and, in fact, removed scheduled early elections of the president of by 10 a.m. on February 23, 2014, as was pro- Klitschko, Tiahnybok, Yatsenyuk, Sikorski, himself from his constitutional authority. Ukraine for May 25, 2014. vided for by the agreement. Steinmeier and Fabius. Taking into account the absence of a legiti- According to Article 112 of the Constitution Moreover, the position of the Russian Mr. Lukin, Special Envoy of the Russian mate government of Ukraine (which resigned of Ukraine of 2004, in case of early termina- Federation is very surprising, given the fact Federation, did not sign the agreement, there- on January 28, 2014) and the president’s self- tion of power of the president of Ukraine, the that Russian Envoy Lukin in fact refused to by not recognizing it. removal from exercising his functions, the functions of the president of Ukraine shall be recognize the agreement before it was signed. ANALYSIS: Putin’s Ukraine strategy: Crazy, shrewd, a little of both?

by Robert Coalson is intelligent and rational. But what we see an existential threat to Russia in Ukraine’s signing an Association Agreement with the RFE/RL now is the behavior of a politician who has westward drift and therefore is willing to European Union to the decision to intervene lost his mind.” bear a very high political and economic cost in Crimea, it is all about this one thing – it is Is Russian President Vladimir Putin Rumors of Mr. Putin’s supposed mad- to prevent it – and has been preparing the that Ukraine can’t fully have autonomous crazy or crazy like a fox? ness have become so prevalent in recent ground to do so for a long time. control over its own destiny,” Mr. Judah says. In remarks quoted by The New York days that one can’t help but recall the “mad- A U.S. diplomatic cable from the Kyiv In addition to geopolitics, domestic con- Times, German Chancellor Angela Merkel man theory” of former U.S. President mission in 2006 that was released by siderations are also a strong motivator for reportedly wondered aloud whether the Richard Nixon, whose administration tried WikiLeaks accuses Russia of funding “a Mr. Putin, analysts say. Kremlin leader was “living in another to plant the suspicion that he was unbal- deliberate effort to destabilize Crimea, Russian opposition figure Leonid Gozman world.” And despite the fact that the German anced in order to scare geopolitical oppo- weaken Ukraine, and prevent Ukraine’s said that in Crimea Mr. Putin is engaged in a government later denied Ms. Merkel’s com- nents into concessions. movement west in institutions like NATO “genuine attempt at an Anschluss,” an appar- ments, an increasing number of analysts But Mr. Putin has been such a shrewd and the EU.” It says that plan had been in ent reference to Adolf Hitler’s annexation of have been suggesting that, with his military political player for more than a decade and operation at least since the Orange Austria to Nazi Germany in 1938. intervention in Ukraine, Mr. Putin may have a half, and many observers see cold calcula- Revolution of 2004. But Mr. Gozman says the reason Mr. indeed taken leave of his senses. tion and deliberation, rather than madness, Ben Judah, the author of “Fragile Empire: Putin is seeking outside “enemies” is to bol- Stanislav Belkovsky, an influential in his latest Ukraine gambit. How Russia Fell In and Out of Love with ster his political legitimacy at home, which Moscow-based political commentator, says Vladimir Putin,” says “the crucial thing that Cost-benefit calculus has declined among much of the popula- ”the poor guy’s brain isn’t working.” Putin was trying to achieve in Ukraine over tion since vocal public opposition to him And Andrei Zubov, a professor at the Jan Techau, director of Carnegie Europe the past few weeks was to continue to emerged in late 2011. prestigious Moscow State Institute of in Brussels, suggests that Mr. Putin is sim- impose a Russian veto over Ukraine’s future.” “What is Vladimir Putin’s situation? He International Relations, agrees. “We always ply employing a cost-benefit calculus that is “From the moment that Russia threat- has serious problems with his legitimacy, make prognoses based on the assumption completely different from that used by ened a trade war to block [deposed that the politician, even if selfish and cruel, Western politicians. Mr. Putin, he says, sees Ukrainian President] Viktor Yanukovych (Continued on page 14) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 No. 10 Protest directed at Russian Embassy

WASHINGTON – Ukrainian Americans continued their pro-Ukraine demonstrations in Washington, adding the Russian Embassy to their protest venues on March 2. It was a cold and drizzly Sunday afternoon, when a crowd estimated at between 100 and 200 people gathered across the street from what once used to be the Soviet Embassy, waving Ukrainian and American flags and placards, singing Ukrainian patriotic songs and chanting anti-Russian and anti-Putin slogans. They were joined and hailed by people from some of Ukraine’s Eurasian neighbors, among them Afghanistan, Armenia, Belarus, Hungary, Mongolia and Russia. The previous day, the White House was once again the scene of their protests denouncing Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and calling on the United States to help Ukraine maintain its independence and territorial integrity. Yet another White House demonstration was already scheduled for the following week. Connecticut Cleveland Ukrainians rally for Euro-Maidan CLEVELAND – The Ukrainian commu- community meets nity of Cleveland continued its now three- month effort to contribute to the Maidan with Sen. Murphy movement through constant prayers, fund- raisers and rallies. The latest event was an by Halia Lodynsky Auto-Maidan – including 250 vehicles dec- orated with Ukrainian flags, blue and yel- NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Sen. Chris low ribbons, and various types of Ukrainian Murphy met with about 100 mem- insignia – on February 21 through the bers of the Ukrainian American streets of Parma and Cleveland that cul- community in Connecticut on minated with a demonstration (seen on March 1 at St Michael Ukrainian the right) of more than 400 participants Catholic Church Hall in New Haven. on the steps of Cleveland City Hall. Marta Conn., to discuss the current situa- Kelleher, president of the United Ukrainian tion in Ukraine. Organizations of Ohio, and representa- The Ukrainian American com- tives from Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), munity meeting was the ninth town Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Cleveland hall meeting held in Connecticut Mayor Frank Jackson were among those since December 1, 2013. who addressed the gathering. It was Liturgies and prayer services announced that the Cleveland City Council had passed a resolution calling on the U.S. were also held in 13 Ukrainian to support Ukraine’s sovereignty, indepen- churches in the state of Connecticut dence and European aspirations. on Sunday, March 2. – Nadiya Petriv Adam Misztal UCCA urges U.S. action against Russian invasion Community members The statement below was released by dent Ukraine can be that keystone of free- ing G-8 summit in Sochi and convene the hold town hall meeting the Ukrainian Congress Committee of dom in the region. However, unless G-7 in an allied location. America on March 3. Ukraine’s territorial integrity and political by Myron Kolinsky independence is safeguarded, as stipulat- and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to For the United States, Ukraine’s inclu- ed in the 1994 Trilateral Agreement, Kyiv• Deployto mediate Secretary the crisis of Statein Ukraine. WILLLIMANTIC, Conn. – About 100 sion into the stabilizing transnational, trans-Atlantic security is simply an illu- members of the Ukrainian American com- trans-Atlantic security framework clearly sion. multilateral organizations such as the munity of Connecticut attended their serves our national interests. The security The UCCA urges the U.S. to take the fol- World• Suspend Trade theOrganization Russian Federation (WTO), OSCE from eighth town hall meeting regarding the cur- of the United States lies in the expansion lowing actions: and the like if it does not heed to all the rent situation in Ukraine. The February 23 of democracy, not in the appeasement of a legitimate calls to comply with the inter- meeting took place at the Ukrainian failed empire intent on renewal. NATO-Ukraine exercises. national obligations of said organizations; National Home of Willimantic. On February 28 the Russian Federation • Move up planned biannual joint Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Rep. invaded a sovereign country by sending manning and bring the NATO Response tions to Organization for Economic Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and State Rep. Susan troops into Crimea. Force• Stand to a higher up NATO state Crisis of alert. Centers to full Cooperation• Freeze Russia’sand Development membership (OECD) applica- and Johnson (D-Conn.) attended the meeting, This step by President Vladimir Putin, other international organizations. which also honored the memory of the vic- and subsequent unanimous ratification by international monitors from the United Fleet into tims of the recent violence in Kyiv. That the Russian Duma, is a blatant violation of Nations• Call andfor thethe immediateOrganization deployment for Security of the Black Sea. Sunday morning, 11 Ukrainian Churches in international law, including Russia’s obli- and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to • Sail the United States 6th Connecticut (Ansonia, Bridgeport, Colchester, gations under the U.N. Charter, the 1994 Ukraine. Action Plan (MAP) to Georgia and others Hartford, Glastonbury, New Britain, New Budapest Memorandum and the Helsinki countries• Extend in immediate the region NATO to solidify Membership Euro- Haven, Stamford, Terryville and Willimantic) Final Act. Shield in Central Europe to provide a first Atlantic structures. held memorial services after liturgies to The crisis in Eastern Europe, and level• Re-instituteof protection the for Missile our allies Defense from commemorate the fallen heroes of Maidan. Ukraine specifically, will not simply go imposing threats. Members of Congress, policy experts and In addition to the Willimantic meeting, away. In an increasingly interconnected community• Establish representatives a task force composedcharged with of Sen. Blumenthal attended services in and economically interdependent world, (sanctions to restrict visas and freeze developing a comprehensive post-Yanu- Stamford along with Rep. James Himes the United States must take the lead in assets)• Expand to include the Magnitsky Russian Actofficials legislation who kovych economic and geopolitical pro- (D-Conn.). He was also present in New promoting international norms and con- promote and support Russia’s invasion of gram, a 21st century Marshall Plan, Haven along with Rep. Rosa DeLauro’s rep- solidating geopolitical stability. With Ukraine. aimed at stabilizing and strengthening resentative and New Haven Mayor Toni American support, a democratic, indepen- trans-Atlantic and regional security. Harp. Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.) attend- ed services in New Britain. • Suspend engagement in the upcom- No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 5

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM UNA organizing report for 2013

by Christine E. Kozak The top three branch secretaries/organizers who sold UNA National Secretary the most life insurance or face amount are: For more than a century, the Ukrainian National George Fedorijczuk (Branch 162) $565,000 Association has been uniting, building, supporting, organiz- Lubov Streletsky (Branch 10) $520,000 ing, informing, teaching and reaching out to the diaspora Martha Lysko (Branch 171) $325,000 throughout the United States and Canada. Supported solely through the sale of life insurance, endowments and annui- Congratulations to all and a sincere thank you for your ties to its members, the UNA provides members the ability hard work and dedication. to make meaningful contributions to their community, as In such a competitive and quickly changing regulatory well as providing their families with financial peace of mind. environment in which we find ourselves today, the job of In 1894, the sale of life insurance was a vastly different insurance sales and member assistance requires patience, process than it is today, but the concept remains the same. perseverance, specialized product knowledge, and knowl- Thousands of new immigrants, coming from Ukraine found edge of laws and regulations. Despite challenging and work in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. The jobs were dan- uncertain economic times, the UNA continues to maintain gerous and deaths frequent. The idea of collecting “premi- the course and achieve overall goals and projections. ums” in order to pay for the burial of those who perished For the year 2013, the total amount of CWA for life and provide income for the widows and their children con- insurance and annuities was approximately $14 million. tinues to be just as valid today as it was back in 1894. The This amount does not reflect the renewal premiums and Lubov streletsky UNA’s beginnings lie deep within those coal mines. additional annuity deposits made during the year, which Advisor on UNA General Assembly, fraternal agent, As a modern-day fraternal, the UNA must comply with totaled approximately $19 million. The UNA continues secretary of Branch 10 state laws and regulations and be licensed by insurance with a conservative approach toward the short-term annu- 20 new members $520,000 of insurance departments in the states in which it operates. However, ities by limiting the maximum deposit amount, and is con- the UNA also continues to follow in the footsteps of our centrating on the five-, seven- and nine- year annuities, New York, where cultural and athletic activities occur, for forefathers by carrying on their mission: “To provide high which are higher profit-yielding products. The concerted example the annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival, Seniors’ quality, solid, secure and straightforward life insurance and effort to adjust and realign the annuity products and to Week and children’s camps. Other benefits include offer- annuity products to its members; to preserve the princi- focus on the long-term annuities is meeting with success. ing scholarships to young college-bound members, recog- pals of fraternalism through branch affiliations, which The UNA’s branch secretaries concentrate on the sale of nition of successful completion of Schools of Ukrainian allows members to support each other and people in their life insurance, and for the year ending December 31, 2013, Studies and much, much more. communities in time of need; and to preserve the they sold $4,737,247 in life insurance for annual premiums UNA and the Community – Partners for Life debuted at American, Canadian and Ukrainian heritage and culture.” of $123,051.70, a slight increase over the $4,222,626 in life the Ukrainian Cultural Festival at Soyuzivka to very posi- With these words in mind, the UNA congratulates all insurance and $114,336,84 in annual premiums for 2012. tive and enthusiastic feedback. You can see the publication those who through either sales or its support have been a An additional $223,257.92 was sold in annuity premiums by logging on to the UNA website at www.ukrainiannation- part of this centuries-old tradition. by the UNA’s licensed branch secretaries. This resulted in a alassociation.org. I encourage all Ukrainians in the diaspo- The UNA’s top producing branch secretaries strive to total of $249,859.32 in life insurance and annuity premi- ra to support the UNA. Please call the UNA Home Office at become part of the UNA “championship clubs.” The tradi- ums CWA for the UNA branch secretaries as of December 800-253-9862 and we will be happy to send you a free tional championship clubs are based on the number of 31, 2013. copy of the publication. For further product information, members a branch secretary recruits into the ranks of the The UNA’s professional field agents continue to domi- contact our sales department toll free at 888-538-2833 to UNA, or in other words, how many policies a branch secre- nate in the sale of annuities, selling $11,410,612 as of ascertain which product is right for you and your family. tary or organizer sells. Following along the lines of this long- December 31, 2013. For the same time period, life insur- Once again, congratulations and thank you to all of the standing tradition, UNA proudly announces the winners to ance saw an increase of $49,717 in annual premiums – a UNA’s producers and support teams. The UNA would like the Club of UNA Builders and Club of Dedicated UNA’er: 50 percent increase over same period last year. The total of to especially acknowledge and thank you, the UNA mem- life insurance sold was $915,259. For year-end 2013, the bers for your loyalty and support – for without you, the field agents sold $11,460,329 of life and annuity premiums UNA could not fulfill its mission and provide quality prod- 2013 Club of UNA builders combined. The UNA continues to recruit professional ucts and benefits. Lubov Streletsky agents, building a sales force in states where the UNA is From our modest beginnings in 1894, through the Advisor on UNA General Assembly, fraternal agent, licensed to do business. decades of the 1900s and into the 21st century, we have secretary of Branch 10 UNA Home Office professionals and branch representa- served the insurance needs of our members and have con- 20 new members $520,000 life insurance tives also play a large part in this picture, for not only do tinued to support the community in the U.S. and Canada. they have their full-time responsibilities, but also sell life This fact gives us great pride and confidence as we go for- insurance and annuities. To their credit, Home Office ward, sharing with all what the UNA has to offer. After all, 2013 Club of Dedicated UNA’ers employees sold $1,601,998 in life insurance with annual the UNA and the community are partners for life! Nicholas Diakiwsky premiums of $46,057 and $1,486,757 in annuities, for a District Chairman of Pittsburgh, fraternal agent, total of $1,532,814 in life insurance and annuity premi- secretary of Branch 161 ums. 5 new members $150,000 life insurance Traditional permanent life insurance products continue Young UNA’ers to make up the majority of life insurance sales. UNA prod- George B. Fedorijczuk ucts are high-quality, straightforward, secure products Secretary of Branch 162 with competitive rates. The commitment made by the members to the UNA shows a long-term commitment as 5 new members $565,000 life insurance reflected in the purchase of permanent life insurance. It is Eugene Oscislawski a testament by the UNA members about their confidence UNA second vice-president, licensed agent, and loyalty toward this organization. secretary of Branch 234 The UNA continues its multi-pronged sales approach and the development of a professional agency that com- 5 new members $145,000 life insurance plements the traditional UNA branch secretary. As regula- 3 new members $215,000 annuity premium tions are eroding the more traditional aspect of sales for fraternal organizations, it is crucial for the UNA to stay The number of new members recruited is but one crite- ahead of the curve and continue to develop a professional rion used to measure life insurance and annuity produc- sales force that will work together with branch secretaries. tion. Another is the aggregate amount of premium income In July, the UNA proudly unveiled a new marketing tool: during the reporting year. Each life insurance and/or annu- ity application must be accompanied by a premium pay- UNA and the Community – Partners for Life, a 32-page, ment or CWA (cash with application). For 2013, the top full-color publication. This is a concise and comprehensive three branch secretaries/organizers who brought in the explanation about the Ukrainian National Association, its most life insurance premiums are: products and member benefits. But most importantly, the publication serves to unite and draw awareness to the fact the UNA is the primary supporter of fraternal benefits, Lubov Streletsky (Branch 10) $15,903 Yarema T. Odomirok, son of Adrianna and Robert which includes publishing the newspapers Svoboda and Martha Lysko(Branch 171) $2,226 Odomirok of White Plains, N.Y., is the newest member The Ukrainian Weekly, as well as the UNA Almanac. The George Fedorijczuk (Branch 162) $2,186 of Branch 171. He was enrolled by his grandparents UNA also maintains Soyuzivka Heritage Center in upstate Olha and Stephen Rudyk. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 No. 10

The Ukrainian Weekly Let’s talk about it Is Putin willing to pay the costs? by Yaro Bihun Events in Ukraine continue to be fast-moving and extremely fluid. On the day this editorial was being written, Thursday, March 6, there were major developments. In Crimea, where at least 16,000 Russian troops are reported to be on the ground, the Parliament voted to hold a referendum on March 16 on whether Crimea should Maidan: close and personal become part of Russia or remain an autonomous region of Ukraine. That followed a Like most Ukrainian Americans keeping vote by the region’s Parliament that declared Crimea to be part of Russia. Prime track of developments on Kyiv’s Maidan Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk stated that Crimea was, is and will be part of Ukraine, and elsewhere in Ukraine since mid- and that this referendum would violate the Constitution of Ukraine. U.S. President November, I was all set for another fairly Barack Obama said it would violate not only Ukraine’s Constitution, but internation- restrained week of protests with no dra- al law as well. Certainly it could not be considered a valid vote since it would be held matic changes as the third week of under duress during an occupation by foreign forces. (We’ve seen that scenario February began. But it turned out to be before – it’s straight out of the Soviet playbook). extremely violent and bloody, which had Mr. Obama spoke from Washington and laid out the latest steps he’s taken in view almost everybody in our communities of Russia’s escalation of the situation: tough visa restrictions against those who “glued to the tube” and on the Internet just threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine (this is in addition to about all day and evening, and unable to visa restrictions previously applied to Ukrainian officials involved in human rights concentrate on anything but what was hap- abuses or political oppression) and sanctions against individuals and entities pening there. “responsible for activities undermining democratic processes or institutions in And for me it got somewhat personal as Ukraine, threatening the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity well. George Sajewych sits injured on the of Ukraine...” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke from Rome, underscoring that On Tuesday, February 17, when the Maidan (image captured from TV screen). a peaceful resolution can still be achieved, that it is not too late for Russia to take the number of killed and injured all of a sud- suggesting that his relatives back in appropriate steps. But there is an “imperative,” he said, to move quickly on a political den began to skyrocket, I began receiving America would not believe that it was due solution. He said the Ukrainian people have the world’s support and that “We cannot alerts from friends and relatives about my to an accident. Peter wasn’t beaten or allow Russia or any country to defy international law with impunity.” old Washington friend and retired Voice of detained and made it home by way of some The European Union said it was freezing the assets of ex-President Viktor America colleague George Sajewych being back roads. But – who knows – it could Yanukovych and 17 of his associates (including his son the oligarch dentist, and his among those injured that day. I received procurator general, head of the Security Service of Ukraine, justice minister and pictures and links to a film by a Ukrainian have been worse. internal affairs minister). The British government followed suit by issuing financial television station showing him with a bro- A few days later, when it became appar- sanctions. The EU also announced that an Association Agreement would be signed ken arm and his head covered with blood ent that Mr. Sajewych’s condition was even with Ukraine prior to the May 25 presidential election. The diplomatic maneuvering on the Maidan and later in a Kyiv hospital more complicated, he was transferred to continued in Europe, with some countries taking positions for strong sanctions on No. 17, where he and the other seriously the American medical center at the U.S. Russia and others, obviously concerned about the economic repercussions on their injured were taken for treatment. Embassy in Kyiv. He remained there as this own countries, wanting to hold off. Concurrently, the U.S. and its allies were report- If that wasn’t enough to get my complete was being written, recuperating and await- edly working hard to provide what they called an “off ramp” for Russian President attention, on the following day my nephew ing a second operation on his severely bro- ken arm. When asked by a friend if he plans Vladimir Putin, as they continued to insist that Russia must withdraw from Russia. Peter Kowcz – who moved from Cleveland to immediately return home to Silver NATO underlined that it supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, to Kyiv a few years ago to work with a Spring, Md., after his release, his answer and called the events in Crimea “the gravest threat to European security since the end Ukrainian American businessman from was no. His plan is to go back to his tent on of the Cold War.” As a member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace program, Ukraine Philadelphia – was driving on one of the the Maidan. should certainly seek consultations and a fact-finding mission to Crimea and eastern major roads leading into downtown Kyiv Watching the latest developments in Ukraine. To its credit, Washington stepped up policing of the area in order to calm which was blocked off by security forces to Ukraine’s nervous neighbors in Europe, sending aircraft over the Baltics and naval Ukraine, albeit from afar, I thought about prevent more protesters from reaching the my father, Mykola, and uncle Volodymyr vessels toward the Black Sea. Meanwhile, Russia scuttled a ship off the coast of Maidan. He is seen in a TV report asking Crimea near in order to block egress for Ukrainian ships at Lake. the officer to explain the back-up and then Russia continued to create conditions on the ground in Crimea to “justify” its next (Continued on page 9) steps as an occupying power. It also carried on its pervasive disinformation cam- paign, spreading lies about “fascists,” “neo-Nazis” and “anti-Semites” threatening the WINDOW ON EURASIA people of Ukraine, in particular its Russian-speaking population. While Russia’s U.N. ambassador to the U.N. said Ukraine’s ex-president had asked President Putin to use Russia’s armed forces “to establish legitimacy, peace, law and order, stability,” Mr. Putin insisted that the forces in Crimea were local “self-defense” groups dressed in Russians overwhelmingly oppose generic uniforms widely available in stores. The good news here is that no one believes such fantasy. As the conflict escalates, the United States and its European allies have repeatedly Moscow intervention in Ukraine stated that there will be “costs” for Russia’s conduct in Crimea and Ukraine. The by Paul Goble Russia,” with people outside the capitals frightening thing is that Mr. Putin appears to be prepared to pay the “costs” imposed somewhat more likely than those in Moscow thus far to get Crimea and more. More than seven out of 10 Russians say and St. Petersburg to hold that view, 79 per- that Moscow should not intervene in Ukraine, cent to 64 percent, respectively. Only 15 per- but at the same time, a slightly larger number cent of those sampled said that an analogous say that events like those that have taken situation could develop in Russia. place in Ukraine are impossible in the Russian Asked whether they would like to see Mar. Turning the pages back... Federation, according to results of a new such a development occur, 94 percent told VTsIOM poll released on February 24. the VTsIOM sociologists that they would Last year, on March 14, 2013, , head of the Seventy-three percent of 1,600 Russians not, while 3 percent said they would. UDAR party in Ukraine, met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State surveyed in 130 population centers in 42 While all Russian polling data should be 14 William Burns in Washington to propose that the U.S. impose tar- regions of Russia said that Moscow should treated with skepticism, this pattern of answers 2013 geted sanctions against Ukrainian officials who are behind selec- not intervene in Ukraine. Only 15 percent suggests three interesting conclusions: tive justice, political reprisals and human rights abuses in Ukraine. said that Russia should support those who First, if Putin does use force in Ukraine, he A day later, on March 15, 2013, Mr. Klitschko met with oppose the Maidan regime in Kyiv. Four will have much less popular support than European Union leaders in Brussels, and told them that some Ukrainian officials were percent said Moscow should support the many in Russia and the West appear to believe. bringing the country toward dictatorship and international isolation through their actions. Maidan, and 9 percent did not answer Second, only a small share of Russians Ukrainians, he said, “should not be held hostage to politicians.” Adding that sanctions (interfax.ru/world/news/360602). believes that a Maidan in Russia is possible. should not be levied against Ukraine and its people, but rather against “highly placed fig- At the same time, 75 percent said that And third, only an even smaller fraction ures of authorities, definite names and posts” and that these sanctions should target their “similar mass actions were impossible in of Russians would welcome such a develop- ability to “hide money abroad and feel they are above the law.” ment – a reflection of the fact, that after the In February 2013, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu officially confirmed plans to Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on turmoil of the 1990s, Russians do not want create a permanent “naval operation division” in the Mediterranean Sea to “defend ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia any more and will likely support those like Russian national interests.” The naval group of ships was initially estimated to be between who has served in various capacities in the Mr. Putin who promise stability even at the six and 10 ships, including warships, and ready for deployment in 2015, with a potential U.S. State Department, the Central expense of other values rather than those to grow to 30-40 ships. Vessels from the North, Baltic and Black Sea fleets would rotate to Intelligence Agency and the International who are pushing for Russian democracy. form the new Mediterranean flotilla, but the main operational division would be the Black Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice But the interest in and support for sta- Sea Fleet (BSF), and the Mediterranean fleet would be under the command of the Black of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio bility among Russians clearly extends to Sea Fleet admiral. Liberty and the Carnegie Endowment for foreign affairs as well; consequently, The new Russian fleet would use the Syrian port of Tartus and, possibly, ports in Cyprus, International Peace. Mr. Goble writes a blog despite efforts by some near the Kremlin to Greece and Montenegro. This new fleet is supposed to counter the U.S Navy’s 6th Fleet. called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- whip up backing for a move against However, any reinforcement of the BSF must be endorsed by Kyiv. The Ukrainian woneurasia2.blogspot.com/). This article Ukraine, Russians on the whole aren’t buy- above was posted on February 24 and is ing it and could, if the Kremlin ignores (Continued on page 14) reprinted with permission. them, turn against the regime. No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 7

A political Rorschach test A Putin primer What did you see in the Maidan? At the every success in persuading its govern- It’s easy to understand the “what” of Today’s Ukrainians are descendants of beginning it was festive, almost carni- ment to help the homeland only lent cre- Vladimir Putin’s plans for Ukraine. We see the Rus’, a people that settled along the valesque, as colorful tents were pitched dence to suspicions that it was collaborat- their implementation on television every Dnipro River in the ninth century and and fanciful barricades built. Then, it took ing with foreign interventionists, just as day. established the city of Kyiv. By the 10th on the dramatic hues of revolutionary some émigré Ukrainian nationalists sought To comprehend the “why” of Mr. Putin’s century Kyivan Rus’ was an empire that romanticism, the fires and black smoke, Hitler’s aid against Russia on the eve of actions, however, calls for a little geopoliti- extended from the Baltic to the Black seas. and red, yellow and blue banners recalling World War II. What the critics failed to see cal and historical background. For centuries they were called Rus’. a canvas of Delacroix or a scene from “Les was that the Maidan was an authentic Know this. President Putin is not just Today’s Russians are descendants of the Miserables.” With each advance of the expression of popular discontent which no interested in Crimea. He wants all of Muscovites who settled far to the northeast steel-grey phalanx of Berkut shields and foreign power could create or direct. Ukraine. If he can’t swallow Ukraine whole and established their city, Moscow, in 1147. helmets, however, it began to resemble a Prominent among the Maidan’s critics now, he will bite off eastern Ukraine, an Protecting its “near abroad” became the frieze from a Roman triumphal arch, was the Moscow Patriarchate of the area where his agents have been openly raison d’être for Moscow’s existence. This recording the ineluctable march of empire. Russian Orthodox Church, and the pro- agitating for Russia since the departure of excuse for expansionism, worked. In 1300, On February 18-20 it became a horrific kill- Russian faction of the Ukrainian Orthodox President Viktor Yanukovych, Mr. Putin’s the Duchy of Muscovy encompassed a land ing field. Then suddenly, it was like the Church (UOC-MP). To them, the historic former satrap in Ukraine. area of 18,500 square miles. By 1500 it had finale of Mozart’s “Magic Flute,” where legacy of Kyivan Rus’ implied the spiritual, Mr. Putin has a multi-phase strategy. expanded to 772,000 square miles. The Sarastro declares: “The sun’s rays drive out ethnic and political unity of the Russian Phase one is to invade Crimea and observe Tsardom of Muscovy in 1700 included the night, and destroy the ill-gotten power and Ukrainian peoples. To them, the how Europe and the U.S. respond. He 5,600,000 square miles. By 1900, the of the hypocrites!” Maidan was a Western-inspired aberration. invaded. Nothing happened. There were Russian Empire had exploded to 8,571,000 It would seem strange, then, to compare Moreover, in opposing Euro-integration threats of dire consequences, repercus- square miles. As Russia expanded, it came the Maidan to an inkblot. And yet, on the they played on people’s aversion to homo- sions and other hollow declarations. The to be known as the “Prison House of level of political ideology, it was a kind of sexuality, warning that joining “Euro- U.N. Security Council called an emergency Nations.” Rorschach test. Invented by the Swiss psy- Sodom” would bring “gay marriage” to meeting. Mr. Putin yawned. European So when did Muscovy become “Russia”? chiatrist Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922) Ukraine. They were evidently unimpressed Union ministers had an emergency con- In 1713, the state that had been known in 1921, the Rorschach test was later used by the fact that the overwhelming majority clave but with no contingency plans, they internationally as “Muscovy” was renamed to detect personality traits. The patient of Ukraine’s Churches and religious com- scratched their heads and wrung their “Russia” by Tsar Peter I. The name was co- would look at a series of inkblots and relate munities, including a portion of the UOC- hands in frustration. What to do, what to opted after Peter defeated the Ukrainian what he saw. His impressions would pro- MP, supported not only the country’s do… Kozaks and Charles XII of Sweden at the vide a key to his psychology. European identity, but the Maidan’s Phase two for Mr. Putin is to send more Battle of Poltava in 1709. Like a Rorschach test, the Maidan did not demands for honest, just and humane gov- provocateurs to agitate Russian-Ukrainians By 1960, the commissars had replaced present an unambiguous image. It had no ernment. living in , Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk the tsars and Russia increased its size to obvious political shape. But it told us some- On the positive side, European and and other cities in eastern Ukraine. 8,650,069 square miles. After the Yalta thing about those who observed and inter- American liberals saw the Maidan as the Ukraine’s new government will continue to agreements of 1945, Russia extended its preted it. And those interpretations were as embodiment of their values of democracy, be defamed as “extremist,” “fascist,” illegal. hegemony to the eastern suburbs of Berlin. varied as the political psychologies – and civil rights and the rule of law. They tended Some in the Western media and the profes- The people living within the Soviet orbit pathologies – of contemporary society. to gloss over the right-wing ideologies of sorial class are already accepting this last came to be called the “Captive Nations.” For the Yanukovych regime, the Maidan some of the Maidan’s most active and dedi- fairy tale. The Soviet Union self-destructed in was the shape of their fears. Those accus- cated members, whose adulation of author- Once eastern Ukraine descends into 1991. The Captive Nations declared their tomed to a world of blackmail and bribery itarian leaders of the past, and skepticism chaos, it will be time for phase three. independence. Mr. Putin, a former KGB col- could not fathom the moral outrage of ordi- about current European values, are no Russian troops will be “asked” to go in to onel, was devastated. Speaking to the nary Ukrainian citizens. They could only secret. Eager to bring Ukraine closer to the “restore order and protect the Russians” Russian people in 2005, President Putin believe that American and European secu- West, liberals tended to give the benefit of living in eastern Ukraine. What will the U.S. declared that, “The collapse of the Soviet rity services were behind the demonstra- the doubt to the European Union and the and the West do? Nada. By now, people Union was the greatest geopolitical catas- tions, ready to assert their hegemony over United States, ignoring the dangers of cor- here will say: “Enough. We’re ‘Ukrainian- trophe of the century... Tens of millions of Ukraine. To the regime, it was all a game of porate capitalism to Ukraine’s economic, weary.’ What’s the big deal? Moscow, after our citizens found themselves outside of power and money; human rights and social and cultural integrity. But could it be all, has always had interests in its ‘near the Russian Federation.” For liberty-seek- democracy were airy abstractions for ide- that Ukrainians don’t want to become mere abroad.’ Let’s be sensitive to that. Moral ing Ukrainians, the Soviet demise was a alists and fools. copies of Europe or America any more than equivalence is our motto. Let godsend. For Mr. Putin it was a tragedy that It was not only the Ukrainian regime that they want to become mere copies of Russia? sort it out. Peace in our time.” demanded rectification. saw it this way. For other reasons, some on American neo-conservatives generally Remember how the leftist elite reviled Today, the Russian Federation encom- both the Left and the Right in Europe and agreed with liberals in supporting the Mitt Romney following one of the presi- passes 6,592,800 square miles, an unac- America held such a view. Many of us are Maidan, seeing it as a vindication of indi- dential debates when he argued that the ceptable size for the Russian president. No not fully aware of how deep the distrust of vidual freedom and free-market values. biggest threat to world peace today was one knows exactly when Mr. Putin will the United States runs in much of the world. Ukrainian nationalists naturally supported Russia? He was accused of trying to revive remedy the Soviet collapse. All we know is Some saw the Maidan as the latest U.S. it as the latest episode in Ukraine’s age-old the Cold War. Following Russia’s invasion that he is on his way and will not be attempt to project power by supporting struggle against Russia. At the other end of of Georgia in 2008, Sarah Palin predicted swayed by threats of G-8 expulsions and rebellions against governments it disfavors, the spectrum, some Leftists supported the that President Putin might be emboldened finger-wagging from the West. He couldn’t as in Iran in 1953, Guatemala in 1954, Chile Maidan as a successor to the various “occu- to invade Ukraine if we did nothing. care less. He is sitting on piles of oil and gas in 1973 and now the “Arab Spring.” In this py” movements around the world. Journalists and foreign policy moguls reserves, so he is not worried. view, shared by some libertarians, presi- Most observers fell into one or more of chuckled derisively at her naiveté. Like it or not, we’re back in a Cold War, dential and State Department talk about these categories. And many saw the The next “near abroad” for Mr. Putin will so let’s stop pretending we’re not. Let’s res- human rights and democracy is just a cover Maidan through the prism of their own be whatever is left of Ukraine. Phase four urrect Ronald Reagan’s successful anti- for American imperialism. The prospects of country’s politics. The Maidan was a mir- will be initiated, and by now, dear reader, Communist playbook. A good beginning a prominent role for the International ror of their fears or desires. So did they see you know the drill. would be to restrict Russian access to Monetary Fund in post-Yanukovych Ukraine it as it really was? Do the Left-Right spec- So why does Mr. Putin behave as he Western credit and technology, revoke the reinforce that suspicion. trum and liberal-conservative axis sharpen does? The simple answer? Along with visas of more Russian oligarchs and freeze That the Left should hold such a view is our view of political reality, or obscure it? many of his countrymen, he believes their assets in the West, restore our missile not surprising. But paleo-conservatives, It’s worth remembering that the Rorschach Ukraine is not really a nation. Ukraine is defense bases in Poland and the Czech who considered Russia a bulwark of tradi- test was intended as a diagnostic method “Little Russia” and belongs within the bor- Republic, and convince the Saudis to lower tional values and a counterweight to for schizophrenia. Is our binary vision of ders of the Russian Federation. The the price of oil to less than $100 a barrel. American neo-liberalism, shared it too. politics a symptom of political schizophre- is nothing more than a Tall order? Yes. Achievable? Yes. We Some conservatives also questioned the nia? If so, can we overcome it, and see low-class Russian dialect. This imperial need action, not words. Mr. Putin has devel- wisdom of allowing a “mob” of demonstra- things as they really are? As Ukraine tries mindset has always been part of the oped a long-term strategy. We need one tors to overthrow a democratically elected to reconstitute its political life, this will be Russian DNA. To appreciate how this all too. Let’s pray we can find the courage and government. What kind of precedent essential. came about, it is necessary to look into the will to do what is required. Soon. would that create? history books. History is important, espe- As it happens, the most active Ukrainian Andrew Sorokowski can be reached at cially when it comes to understanding Myron Kuropas’s e-mail address is diaspora is in the United States. Hence, its [email protected]. Russia and Mr. Putin. [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 No. 10 No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 9

CURRENT POLITICS IN UKRAINE

by Uilleam Blacker willing to actually vote in potential referen- da, 58 percent would favor the EU and 42 On February 19, following the worst vio- percent the Customs Union). lence so far of the Ukrainian protests, BBC Ukraine: But should the reluctance of a significant Radio 4’s “Today” program, probably the proportion of the country’s population to leading radio news show in the United commit to supporting EU integration be seen Kingdom, reported on Ukraine. The pro- Divided or diverse? as yet another fatal divide in the country? gram’s correspondent Daniel Sandford The situation in fact makes Ukraine typically warned of the danger of a bloody civil war graphical basis for warnings of divisions, speaker, never mind for an entire region. European: Euroskepticism has become very and of the splitting of the country. On splits and wars. Certainly, strong regional Anyone following the protests online will strong in many European states. The U.K. February 20, the program spoke of half of political differences, based in historical, have noticed a robust mixture of Ukrainian may well hold a referendum on its member- Ukraine that “feels more Russian” and half ethnic and/or cultural differences, can cre- and Russian voices in the Maidan camp. ship. Polls suggest that support for EU mem- that “feels more European.” ate fault lines within states: Northern But accepting that different languages bership in the U.K. is significantly lower than On February 19, “Today” presenter Ireland is a case in point, separated from are used across the country, with regional it is in Ukraine (only around 30 percent sup- Mishal Husain asked Robert Brinkley, for- the Republic of Ireland and having autono- variation, is there any link between this and port for membership according to 2012 mer U.K. ambassador to Ukraine and mous status within the U.K. Scotland is potential civil war and state collapse? One polls). Yet while this is fairly standard for Russia, about the prospect of war and a about to vote to separate from the rest of thing that is important to remember here is some actual EU members, in Ukraine, where split, saying that after all, “half the country the U.K. If one wants to talk about deep that in Ukraine (as in many other coun- disapproval of the EU is lower and enthusi- speaks Russian.” Recognizing the risk of regional differences, the U.K. is a much tries) language doesn’t mark ethnicity. Only asm certainly more visible, division on the further unrest, Mr. Brinkley nevertheless more dramatic case than Ukraine. Ukraine about one-sixth of the population is ethni- issue is seen as an insurmountable problem cautioned that talk of a split was exaggerat- has no strong separatist movements. There cally Russian (and here it’s important to for closer ties with Europe. ed. The country’s supposed East-West split are no political parties that include cession note that making any conclusions about All of this smacks of the most conde- is not clean cut, he said, neither are its eth- of any part of the country in their pro- Russians’ political views based on ethnicity scending kind of Western double stan- nic or linguistic divisions. Sadly, grams. There are no problems with sepa- would be hasty). There are more ethnically dards. While political, linguistic and cultur- Ambassador Brinkley’s differentiated ratist terrorist organizations. Ukrainian Russian speakers than there are al diversity seem to be desirable traits, understanding of Ukraine is sorely lacking Crimea, Ukraine’s most ethnically Russian ones. Ukraine is not Yugoslavia (an signs of “normal,” tolerant, democratic in wider Western commentary on Ukraine. Russian region and an important site of analogy that is often cited) – over 80 per- European societies, in the Ukrainian case Talk of sharp divisions is not limited to Russian strategic interest, is the only place cent of its inhabitants share the same these traits are seen as signs of deeply journalists, but is also frequently heard where some degree of separatism is really national identity, and there is no history of threatening divisions in society. What’s from specialized commentators, for whom noticeable. The region, a small part of ethnic conflict between the inhabitants of okay for the rich nations of the West – identifying Ukraine’s “deep divide” seems Ukraine with a population of around 2 mil- present-day Ukraine. regional, cultural, linguistic diversity that is to the first marker of expertise on the coun- lion, has an identity powerfully distinct The is a mainstay of reflected in a varied political landscape – is try. Stephen Cohen, emeritus professor at from the rest of the country and enjoys a life in Ukraine, and can be heard in any not okay for poor, chaotic Ukraine. The Princeton and New York universities, com- high level of autonomy. Rumblings are often region. Most Ukrainians consume Russian present unrest is seen as proof of this. mented thus in The Nation: “But every heard about the prospect of ceding to media, watch Russian movies, read Russian Yet it should be obvious to any observer informed observer knows – from Ukraine’s Russia, but this has never really been seri- literature or listen to Russian music to that the unrest in Ukraine is not a result of history, geography, languages, religions, cul- ously entertained, and voters overwhelm- some degree. The west of the country is any kind of ethnic, regional, linguistic or ture, recent politics and opinion surveys – ingly support Viktor Yanukovych’s party, actually no exception. But there is little dif- other split, nor does it foresee any territorial that the country is deeply divided as to which wants Crimea as part of Ukraine. Any ference between this language-based affini- split or civil war: it is the result of the disas- whether it should join Europe or remain potential conflict in Crimea is likely to be ty and that found among Irish people for trous rule of a corrupt and brutal govern- close politically and economically to Russia. caused by Russian-Ukrainian geopolitical British culture, or among Brits for ment that represents the interests of a small There is not one Ukraine or one ‘Ukrainian relations, potentially similar to the conflict American culture. These affinities may elite that is determined to hang on to its people’ but at least two, generally situated between Georgia and Russia in South speak to certain overlaps in identity, atti- wealth and power at any cost. Any future in its Western and Eastern regions.” Ossetia in 2008, but neither side is likely to tudes, historical experience, but they are violence will not be between different eth- A similar message came from two other risk this scenario. Ethnic tensions or sepa- not omens of any future political union. nic, regional or linguistic groups: it will be North American academics, Lucan Way and ratism on the ground are not strong enough Linguistic diversity in Ukraine is much between the state and its opponents. That Keith Darden, in their blog for The to spark major unrest. less of a “problem” than some outsiders opposition may be stronger in some parts of Washington Post (albeit presenting a far Compared to the U.K., then, with seem to think: in everyday life, one might the country than in others, but those who more nuanced view than Prof. Cohen): “We Scotland and Northern Ireland, or Spain, meet some resistance for speaking are less willing to protest are unlikely to take should be particularly wary when ‘the peo- with the Basques and Catalans, where Ukrainian in Odesa or Russian in Lviv, but arms against Maidan supporters. No one is ple’ referred to are the people of Ukraine. If threats of separatism are very real, most people pay little attention. Ukrainians willing to fight for Mr. Yanukovych, other 20 years of scholarship and surveys teach us Ukraine’s territorial integrity seems to be often hold conversations across two lan- than the thugs he pays to do so. one thing, it is that Ukraine is a country that fairly safe. Nevertheless, Western observers guages without really noticing. Surveys One wonders what the ideal scenario is deeply divided on virtually every issue see supposed regional splits as deeply from the early days of Mr. Yanukovych’s would be for Ukraine, according to those pertaining to relations with Russia or the threatening to Ukraine’s future as a state. rule have suggested that the “language who lament its lack of unity. Vladimir Putin West, with very deep historic divisions that At the same time, even the immanent pros- question,” so inflated by politicians around managed to achieve an impressive level of continue to bear on contemporary politics.” pect of the separation of Scotland from the election time, is actually of little concern to political unity and stability in the country This idea of a fatally divided state that U.K. and the continued terrorist activity in ordinary people, worrying only around 5 for much of his time in power (with some can barely hold itself together because of Northern Ireland, while of course causes percent of the population. notable exceptions to the rule, such as the political, linguistic, cultural and other dif- for concern for many, inspire neither And yet again, Western observers often bloody secessionist war in Chechnya). Is ferences is repeated so often that it has domestic or foreign observers to create a pick up on these differences as evidence of a this kind of unity a desirable scenario for become commonplace, and is widely repro- doom-laden discourse of political impossi- flawed society that is heading for catastro- Ukraine? Perhaps it’s time to recognize that duced in less specialized media coverage, bility around the future of the U.K. phe, despite the fact that linguistic diversity Ukraine’s perceived divisions are in fact as on the BBC. Division is often drawn along linguistic is in fact the norm in many countries, and is simply typical signs of diversity; they are Yet the BBC’s “received wisdom” about lines – as the question posed by the BBC’s something that is openly promoted by the not a liability, but a sign of cultural richness Ukraine, and the statements made by news presenter demonstrates: “After all, half EU as desirable and important. and can, if harnessed and embraced, pro- Messrs. Way, Darden and Cohen demand the country speaks Russian, doesn’t it?” In both articles mentioned above, and in vide the foundations for the emergence of a some scrutiny. Why should we be extra- Well, not exactly. In the country as a whole, numerous others, observers point out that vibrant and differentiated democracy. careful when talking about the “Ukrainian the Ukrainian language dominates as the support for the EU is another point that people”? Why the quotation marks? stated native language, though research sug- splits Ukraine. It is true that support is not Uilleam Blacker is a post-doctoral fellow Politicians and commentators the world gests that actual language use brings uniform across the country, and there is no at St. Antony’s College, Oxford. over talk about the people of their coun- Ukrainian and Russian closer. There are cer- clear majority support for the EU: Messrs. The article above is reprinted from the tries and what it wants. No one corrects tainly regional differences – the east is gen- Way and Darden cite a survey that shows blog “Current Politics in Ukraine” (http:// them by pointing out that in fact the peo- erally more Russophone – but the geograph- that 43 percent supports EU membership, ukraineanalysis.wordpress.com/) created by ples they refer to are internally differentiat- ical spread of the two languages is actually and 32 percent membership in the the Stasiuk Program for the Study of ed. Why is it necessary to establish over- quite complex. Many people speak both, or Customs Union (the survey doesn’t ask Contemporary Ukraine, a program of the whelming consensus in Ukraine in order to mixtures of the two. It is often hard for an about the actual proposition of the EU Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at justify talking about the Ukrainian people? individual, even in the east, to define wheth- trade agreement that was rejected by Mr. the . It was posted on Regional diversity is seen as the geo- er they are a Russian speaker or a Ukrainian Yanukovych; it also suggests that of those February 22.

prisons. Ironically, the governments of Neither of them got to see their dream immigrants from Ukraine, we have some Maidan: Close... these two countries today are among the and goal in life come true in 1991, when close and distant relatives still living there. strongest proponents of maintaining Ukraine finally attained its independence. Ours – from my father’s first marriage – live (Continued from page 6) Ukraine’s independence. Uncle Vlodko died in Auschwitz in 1940. in Lviv, Kyiv and Vinnytsia. They support Kubrak. Both were what today’s U.S. media I suspect that if my father and uncle My father survived, and we emigrated to the protests in their cities, and the younger would identify as western Ukrainian “ultra- were alive today, both would have tried to America, where he died in 1978 in members participate in them. Emotionally, nationalists” or maybe even “terrorists.” get on the next plane for Ukraine when the Kerhonkson, N.Y. – near Soyuzivka. A die- they are elated by the changes that they Between the two world wars, they had ded- bloody protests began in November. But, hard Ukrainian nationalist, he never hope will be fully realized. But they remain icated their lives to fighting for Ukraine’s with their background, I don’t think that became a U.S. citizen. uncertain and worry about what the final independence and, as a consequence, spent Ukraine’s security forces would have let As does just about every post-World War outcome will be. a part of that time in Polish and German them in. II immigrant family and the more recent And we worry along with them. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 No. 10 Ukraine’s interim government reflects a compromise between old and new

by Zenon Zawada the government, as did former Foreign ning re-election as Vinnytsia mayor by ence in the Autonomous Republic of Affairs Minister (nominat- earning 78 percent of the vote in 2010. Mr. Crimea, even serving as a deputy in the KYIV – The Euro-Maidan and Western ed for vice prime minister for EU integra- Hroisman is reported to have close ties to in 1990-1994. officials were hoping the new government tion) and former finance minister Viktor Mr. Poroshenko. Andrii Deshchytsia, 48, acting foreign of Ukraine would consist of nonpartisan Pynzenyk (nominated for the same post). , 50, acting internal affairs affairs minister, is a lifelong who technocrats, experts in their respective Among his numerous criticisms of the new minister, is among the picks most rejected most recently served as the acting head of fields, to begin to rebuild the state and save government, Mr. Tarasyuk cited the exclu- by the Euro-Maidan protest movement conflict resolution at the Organization for it from disintegration. sion of NATO membership from its pro- because it had a clear political nature, con- Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). What they got instead was largely the gram. Mr. Pynzenyk cited health reasons for sidering that he never served as a police A native of the village of Perviatychi, Lviv same old system of political tribute, experts opting not to join the government. officer. The Internal Affairs Ministry serves Oblast, he holds a bachelor’s degree from said, this time to those most responsible for Following is a look at members of the as a national police force, consisting of Ivan Franko State University in Lviv and a the Euro-Maidan’s success, financially, interim government. more than 200,000 officers, including spe- master’s degree in history from the physically and morally. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, 39, prime minister, cial forces and the internal army. Ukraine University of Alberta in . Before “We got a compromise government is the perennial Ukrainian politician and has no local police divisions. earning the latter degree, he served as a between the old ‘elite’ and the new society,” establishment insider. He has extensive He’s as much a part of Ukraine’s oligar- research assistant at the Canadian Institute said Vadym Karasiov, a veteran political contacts with most of Ukraine’s oligarchs chic establishment as anyone, having of Ukrainian Studies at the university. observer and former adviser to the served as the Kharkiv State Oblast and business clans. He also is highly , 54, finance minister, Presidential Secretariat. He called it “a gov- respected among Western leaders and dip- Administration chair in 2005-2010, during ernment of the people’s distrust,” as opposed which he cooperated with the local corrupt is a Lviv banker who served as the minister lomats, earning the confidence of U.S. of economy and Euro-integration in 2001- to “a government of the people’s trust,” as Deputy Secretary of State for European and oligarchy led by and had been demanded by the Euro-Maidan. Hennadii Kernes. He became their enemy 2002 under former President Leonid Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland. Kuchma. He served alongside Mr. Yatsenyuk “What’s needed is for the new society when competing in the 2010 election for However, Mr. Yatsenyuk isn’t popular as his deputy in the National Bank of that emerged on the Maidan to form the Kharkiv City Council chair (mayor) against with the public and isn’t even a presidential Ukraine during the Orange Revolution. He new elite. Then it will already be the new Mr. Kernes, who allegedly falsified the vote contender, despite having led Batkivshchyna served as first deputy chair of the government. The government was trans- results. In January 2012, Kharkiv prosecu- during Ms. Tymoshenko’s imprisonment. Presidential Secretariat under Viktor ferred into the hands of the opposition tors filed abuse of authority charges against Observers cite his lack of charisma and Yushchenko in 2007-2010. within the oligarchic elite, which took into Mr. Avakov, who fled abroad to avoid arrest inability to earn the public’s trust (he was Mr. Shlapak was doused with water and account certain demands of the Maidan.” for alleged illegal land sales. revealed by investigative journalist Dmytro had his eyeglasses broken during Ms. The key posts in the interim govern- Focus magazine in 2013 estimated his Hnap to have been indirectly involved in Tymoshenko’s court trial in 2011 for testify- ment, to be working until a new president wealth at $99 million, which includes a several corruption scandals last year). ing against her. He’s part of Mr. Yatsenyuk’s is elected in May, consist mainly of bank and dozens of diverse companies The leaders of the Pravyi Sektor coali- entourage, observers said. Batkivshchyna party members, many of ranging from the energy to food sectors. He tion of nationalist organizations said they “Tymoshenko never was sentimental whom are close associates of former Prime claimed to have sold most of his assets are dissatisfied with Mr. Yatsenyuk emerg- nor divided the world between her friends Minister and current when being targeted for arrest by the ing as prime minister. Mr. Yatsenyuk has and enemies. Shlapak is neither a friend Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. Kharkiv authorities. been mocked on the Euro-Maidan for his nor foe,” Mr. Oleshchuk said. “He simply can The government also consists of a hand- “kulia v lob” speech, in which he declared Although Mr. Avakov served as a Euro- Maidan commander, its fighters rejected his serve as an instrument. Who else to put in a ful of nationalists from the Svoboda party, he was ready to take “a bullet to his fore- government that will have a short life span? appointment since he has failed to make which worked in the opposition alongside head” for the Maidan. Instead, Mr. It’s obvious that the finance minister in this any arrest of those responsible for the vio- Batkivshchyna during the last three years, Yatsenyuk shied away from the Maidan’s government won’t gain any laurels. She can lence and murder, including former as well as numerous nonpartisan Euro- attempts to storm the government quarter, take advantage of him, so why not?” Maidan activists. which had been blockaded. President Viktor Yanukovych. Although their presence in the Cabinet “Avakov couldn’t arrest Yanukovych Pavlo Petrenko, 34, justice minister, is a Vitalii Yarema, 50, first vice prime min- of Ministers was less than had been hoped, because he would have begun to reveal his fellow Chernivtsi native and longtime asso- ister for law enforcement, is a lifelong it still marks an unprecedented step in agreements and trades with the opposi- ciate of Mr. Yatsenyuk. He worked as a law- police officer who rose through the ranks to Ukrainian governance. tion,” Mr. Karasiov told the Hazeta yer in Ukraine’s leading state bank, become a general-lieutenant and Kyiv’s “The government is very diverse and Po-Ukrayinsky newspaper in an interview Oshchadbank. He was elected to the Kyiv police chief in 2005, serving in that post for motley,” said Volodymyr Fesenko, the board published on March 4. “The entire political Oblast Council in 2010 and led five years. He moonlighted as a deputy in chairman of the Penta Center for Applied class stems from a single oligarchic root. Batkivshchyna’s legal department during the during that time, in Political Research in Kyiv. “It’s practically a They sometimes war with each other but the 2012 parliamentary elections, in which violation of the law. He joined the coalition between Batkivshchyna and the that enmity is within the framework of a he became a national deputy. In June 2013, Batkivshchyna party for the 2012 parlia- revolutionary Maidan, with a few Svoboda single football match. They’re close to each he was elected as one of several deputy mentary election and was elected to repre- members and professional technocrats. A other, not the people.” heads of the Batkivshchyna party. sent a Kyiv district. big question is the professionalism of this Mr. Avakov was selected because Ms. Maksym Burbak, 38, infrastructure He became popular among Euro-Maidan government.” Tymoshenko needs someone she trusts minister, is yet another close ally of Mr. activists for his assistance, including gain- At the same time, the Euro-Maidan activ- fully to run Ukraine’s police force, Mr. Yatsenyuk, having studied law and graduat- ing valuable information from the Internal ists were given posts that were mostly cul- Karasiov commented. “He is a businessman ed with him from Yurii Fedkovych National Affairs Ministry about who was organizing turally oriented. The politicians kept for with administrative experience and there- University in Chernivtsi in 1998. He owns a the attacks on the protest. His appointment themselves the ministries that manage the fore is cut from the same cloth as her,” he transport company in Chernivtsi that con- is widely believed to satisfy the Euro- nation’s wealth and finances. “The streams said. “He has contacts in Kharkiv among the sists of trucks and buses. He led the Front Maidan. Mr. Yarema is reported to have were divided between two parties,” Mr. regional elites and law enforcement struc- for Change faction in the Chernivtsi Oblast close ties to , a billionaire Karasiov said, referring to Batkivshchyna tures. Tymoshenko thinks that a part of the Council before getting elected to Parliament and presidential candidate. and Svoboda. [Euro-Maidan] self-defense needs to be in 2012 with the Batkivshchyna party. The Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Oleksander Sych, 49, vice prime minis- installed in the Internal Affairs Ministry to , 42, economy minis- Reform led by Vitali Klitschko declined to ter, is among the leading politicians in the build a real enforcement structure.” ter, while identified as one of the few tech- join the government, having always kept Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, where he served as Among Mr. Avakov’s first moves was to nocrats in the government, is more of an itself at arm’s length from Batkivshchyna the oblast council chair between 2010 and liquidate the Berkut special forces division expert in business management than eco- and Svoboda. UDAR refrained from forming 2012, when he was elected to Parliament to that was largely responsible for the vio- nomics or trade, which is the ministry’s pri- the Unified Opposition with these two par- represent an Ivano-Frankivsk district. He lence against the Euro-Maidan. He also ority. He was the founder and dean of the ties for the 2012 parliamentary elections. joined the Svoboda party in 2006. He is also claimed to have dismissed 90 percent of Kyiv-Mohyla Business School between Moreover, Mr. Klitschko will be running a member of Plast Ukrainian Scouting the ministry’s management “who discredit- 1999 and 2008 and taught business admin- for president (perhaps against Ms. Organization and served as chair of its ed themselves during the last three istration in the Kyiv School of Economics, Tymoshenko) in the May 25 election, which national council in 2004-2006. Himself months.” However, not a single law enforce- where he recently served as president. A will give him the ability to criticize the from a large family, he sponsored contro- ment officer has been arrested and crimi- Lviv native, he earned his M.B.A. from interim government, Mr. Fesenko said. versial legislation to make abortions illegal. nally charged. Emory University in Atlanta and completed “Tymoshenko’s Batkivshchyna is taking Vice prime ministerships are largely cere- These changes are merely cosmetic so a program in administrative development an exceptional risk in concentrating its peo- monial posts, and Mr. Sych’s appointment is far, said Petro Oleshchuk, a political science at Harvard Business School. In 2006-2010 ple in the highest positions,” he said. widely believed to be a token of tribute to lecturer at Taras Shevchenko National he served as the vice-president of the “There’s going to be a lot of criticism against the Svoboda party. University in Kyiv. “Avakov has yet to dem- Association of Management Development the new government from the Maidan and Volodymyr Hroisman, 36, vice prime onstrate some kind of effectiveness in any in Central and Eastern Europe. sphere,” he said. other political camps. [Acting President and minister for regional policy, served as the Serhiy Kvit, 48, education and science Verkhovna Rada Chair Oleksander] Vinnytsia City Council chair (mayor) since Ihor Teniukh, 55, acting defense minis- minister, has been president of the National Turchynov will be fulfilling the will of 2005, becoming elected when he was only ter, is a native of Stryi, , and University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy since Tymoshenko. If that continues for the three 28. He has been identified as one of only a member of the Svoboda nationalist party 2007. He was perhaps the biggest and most months until the elections, an anti-Yulia handful of technocrats, having campaigned since 2012. He spent his career in the naval targeted enemy of his predecessor, Dmytro coalition will emerge very quickly.” with the Sovist Ukrayiny (Conscience of forces, reaching his peak when he served as Tabachnyk, which makes the appointment The Cabinet has only one woman, Ukraine) party in 2010 but remaining non- commander of the between all the more sweet. He earned his doctorate Liudmyla Denisova. Dr. Olha Bohomolets, partisan afterwards. He’s enjoyed unusual 2006 and 2010. He earned the rank of the Maidan’s chief medic, declined to join popularity for a Ukrainian politician, win- admiral in 2008. He has extensive experi- (Continued on page 14) No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 11

Secretary of State John Kerry arrived on European Union... March 4 to meet with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and acting President (Continued from page 1) Oleksander Turchynov. He also visited the Fallen Heroes Shrine Yet the flood of measures had little effect that has emerged on Instytutska Street in on the Kremlin and its satellite government central Kyiv, placing a candle and flowers at that was installed in Crimea a week earlier. the memorial. He was accompanied by The very same day as the announced sanc- numerous Ukrainian religious leaders. tions, the Crimean Parliament voted over- The Russian government “would have whelmingly to leave the Ukrainian state you believe that ethnic Russians and and join the Russian Federation. Russians bases are threatened,” Mr. Kerry Meanwhile, a referendum on Crimean said at his March 4 press conference in Kyiv. independence that was scheduled symboli- “They’d have you believe that Kyiv is try- cally for May 25, the same day as Ukraine’s ing to destabilize Crimea, or that Russian presidential election, was moved to March actions are legal or legitimate because 30 before being moved up again to March Crimean leaders invited intervention. And 16. That too was done on March 6. as everybody knows, the soldiers in Moreover, reports surfaced in Ukraine of Crimea, at the instruction of their govern- open attacks on Ukrainian military bases ment, have stood their ground but never being planned. Although the Crimean gov- fired a shot, never issued one provocation, ernment organs had declared their exit have been surrounded by an invading from the Ukrainian state, no Ukrainian group of troops and have seen an individu- detachments had abandoned their military al who got 3 percent of the vote installed as posts, despite receiving threats and bribes the so-called leader by the Russians.” from Russian soldiers. At the same press conference, Mr. Kerry The threat of war on the European con- also announced an immediate $1 billion loan tinent for the first time since the Kosovo guarantee to support Ukraine’s recovery. War in 1999 prompted British Foreign “We are currently working with the U.S. Secretary William Hague to declare that the U.S. Embassy Kyiv Treasury Department and others to lay out Crimean conflict is “the biggest crisis in Visiting Kyiv on March 4, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry places a candle and a broader, more comprehensive plan,” he Europe in the 21st century.” flowers at a memorial to those killed on the Maidan. He commented: “Incredibly said. “We will provide the best expertise The most influential Western diplomats moving visit to Instytutska Street and the Shrine of the Fallen. Courageous, proud available to help Ukraine’s economy and paid urgent visits to Kyiv this week. U.S. people. We stand with Ukrainians for self-determination.” financial institutions repair themselves.”

been largely silent on Ukraine’s crisis. He Yanukovych vows... said he had not met with Mr. Putin since he left Ukraine, but he expected to meet with White House announces new visa restrictions, (Continued from page 1) Mr. Putin when the Russian leader has time. me,” he said. “I was forced to leave Ukraine Mr. Yanukovych also denied allegations authorizes sanctions on individuals and entities because of an immediate threat to my life he ever had foreign property or foreign and the life of my loved ones.” bank accounts. On February 28, Austria announced it The following statement was released steps should the situation deteriorate. He added that he would return to Ukraine on March 6 by the White House, Office of These actions build upon the previ- only after receiving guarantees of his safety. was freezing the bank accounts of 18 the Press Secretary. ous actions the United States has taken, Mr. Yanukovych insisted that Ukraine Ukrainians suspected of human rights vio- including suspending bilateral discus- should remain “united and whole,” includ- lations and corruption, but it did not dis- As President Obama has made clear, sions with Russia on trade and invest- ing Crimea, where there is a major Russian close their names. Switzerland also said it the United States is pursuing and ment; suspending other bilateral meet- influence. He said he would not seek mili- would freeze any accounts held there by tary assistance from anyone to return to Mr. Yanukovych and his close associates. reviewing a wide range of options in ings on a case-by-case basis; putting on the seat of power in Kyiv. Mr. Yanukovych said publication of pho- response to Russia’s ongoing violation of hold U.S.-Russia military-to-military He also apologized to Ukrainians for not tographs of the lavish presidential estate at Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial engagement, including exercises, bilater- maintaining stability. Mezhyhiria were a plot to “discredit” him. integrity – actions that constitute a al meetings, port visits and planning Mr. Yanukovych denounced Western He said he only owned and lived in a small threat to peace and security and a conferences; and our agreement with powers for failing to implement the house on the property. breach of international law, including G-7 nations to suspend for the time February 21 Western-brokered agreement Ukraine’s new government has issued a Russia’s obligations under the U.N. being our participation in activities asso- that he signed with the opposition. warrant for Mr. Yanukovych’s arrest and Charter and of its 1997 military basing ciated with the preparation of the sched- Mr. Yanukovych fled Kyiv a short time after has said it will ask Russia to extradite him, agreement with Ukraine, and that are uled G-8 Summit in Sochi in June. signing the pact, and the deal, which called for and Ukraine’s Parliament has asked that he inconsistent with the 1994 Budapest Depending on how the situation devel- early presidential elections and a unity gov- be tried at the international court at The Memorandum and the Helsinki Final ops, the United States is prepared to ernment, has not been implemented. Hague for his alleged involvement in the Act. consider additional steps and sanctions He also condemned the West as irre- deaths of Maidan protesters. Pursuant to the president’s guidance, as necessary. sponsible for supporting the Maidan pro- Mr. Yanukovych also insisted he had no today the State Department is putting in At the same time, as the president has test movement. personal animosity against former Prime place visa restrictions on a number of said, we seek to work with all parties to Mr. Yanukovych denied ordering securi- Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, an opposition officials and individuals, reflecting a pol- achieve a diplomatic solution that de- ty forces to shoot at protesters. Ukraine’s leader who was his rival in the 2010 presi- icy decision to deny visas to those escalates the situation and restores new authorities want to put him on trial for dential election, but said that Parliament’s responsible for or complicit in threaten- Ukraine’s sovereignty. We call on Russia mass murder for the deaths of protesters. decision the previous week to release her ing the sovereignty and territorial integ- to take the opportunity before it to was legally invalid. He also apologized to the “brave fighters” rity of Ukraine. This new step stands in resolve this crisis through direct and of the Berkut crowd-control police who he Copyright 2014, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted addition to the policy already imple- immediate dialogue with the govern- said “stood and suffered innocently” and with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ mented to deny visas to those involved ment of Ukraine, the immediate pull- unarmed while protesters pelted them with Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, in human rights abuses related to politi- back of Russia’s military forces to their Molotov cocktails and shot at them. Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see cal oppression in Ukraine. bases, the restoration of Ukraine’s terri- Mr. Yanukovych said he didn’t understand http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-yan- In addition, the president has signed torial integrity, and support for the why Russian President Vladimir Putin has ukovych-press-conference/25280591.html). an Executive Order (EO) that authorizes urgent deployment of international sanctions on individuals and entities observers and human rights monitors responsible for activities undermining who can assure that the rights of all ders of Ukraine, and of international laws. democratic processes or institutions in Ukrainians are protected, including eth- Obama speaks... And just days after the world came to Ukraine; threatening the peace, securi- nic Russians, and who can support the Russia for the Olympic Games, it would (Continued from page 2) ty, stability, sovereignty, or territorial Ukrainian government’s efforts to hold a invite the condemnation of nations around integrity of Ukraine; contributing to the free and fair election on May 25. by reports of military movements taken by the world. And indeed, the United States misappropriation of state assets of As we follow developments in the Russian Federation inside of Ukraine. … will stand with the international communi- Ukraine; or purporting to assert gov- Ukraine closely, the United States reaf- any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and ty in affirming that there will be costs for ernmental authority over any part of firms its unwavering commitment to our territorial integrity would be deeply desta- any military intervention in Ukraine. … Ukraine without authorization from the collective defense commitments under bilizing, which is not in the interest of Vice-President Biden just spoke with Ukrainian government in Kyiv. This EO the North Atlantic Treaty. We will con- Ukraine, Russia or Europe. the prime minister of Ukraine to assure is a flexible tool that will allow us to tinue to pursue measures that reinforce It would represent a profound interfer- him that in this difficult moment the sanction those who are most directly those commitments, to include the pro- ence in matters that must be determined United States supports his government’s involved in destabilizing Ukraine, vision of additional support to NATO’s by the Ukrainian people. It would be a clear efforts and stands for the sovereignty, ter- including the military intervention in Baltic Air Policing mission and our avia- violence of Russia’s commitment to respect ritorial integrity and democratic future of Crimea, and does not preclude further tion detachment in Poland. the independence and sovereignty and bor- Ukraine. … 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 No. 10

UCCA welcomes U.S. support

for Ukraine’s territorial integrity Europeans pull punches on Russia reinforce your efforts by authorizing U.S. loan guarantees to Ukraine and increasing The statement below was released on addressed and the invasion of Ukraine by PRAGUE – The has sent assistance to facilitate a peaceful transition March 4. Russia must be reversed. All options, European leaders scurrying to find respons- of power. We also believe that the U.S. including NATO pressure, need to remain es to Russia’s aggression. One reason for the The Ukrainian Congress Committee of open. Russia’s imperialist ambitions and should make use of the tools at its disposal, America (UCCA), the representative orga- confusion is that many European Union including targeted sanctions and asset its invasion of Ukraine must be brought member states have close trade ties with nization for the over 1 million Americans to an end. Russia must forsake its imperi- recovery targeting corruption, to dissuade of Ukrainian descent, welcomes U.S. Moscow and are loathe to jeopardize them individuals who would foment unrest to alist ambitions and behave as a civilized by slapping punitive sanctions on Moscow. Secretary of State John Kerry’s statement member of the international community. undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity or during his official visit to Ukraine during The Czech Republic suffered a Soviet inva- employ coercive economic measures The Ukrainian Congress Committee of sion itself in 1968, so, some Czech officials this period of Russian active aggression America seeks continued U.S. support for against the Ukrainian people and the new and invasion. We are encouraged by the have reacted fiercely to news of Russia Ukrainian government.” The senators also Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity intervening in Crimea. On March 3, Czech support expressed by the government of and Euro-Atlantic ambitions. We reiterate raised concerns about “actions and rheto- Defense Minister Martin Stropnicky said he United States for the courageous our calls for all possible unilateral and ric” of the Russian government “to actively could “hardly imagine” that Russia could Ukrainian people and their commitment multilateral economic assistance to undermine Ukraine’s unity” and “use pro- now win its bid against a U.S.-based compa- to freedom and democracy. We are reas- Ukraine, including urging the vocative and dangerous tactics to extend ny to carry out the planned $10 billion sured by the secretary’s condemnation of International Monetary Fund (and our their control on the ground.” They wrote: expansion of the Czech Republic’s sole Russia’s invasion of sovereign Ukrainian European Allies) to provide the Ukrainian “We do not seek confrontation with territory and its continued use of aggres- government with the necessary financing nuclear plant. But, by day’s end, Czech President Putin and his government, but sion, intimidation and provocations. We so that it can begin restructuring its eco- Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka walked simply to ensure that Russia abides by its support the steps taken by the United nomic institutions according to OECD back the defense minister’s statement. “It is commitments and adheres to core princi- States to encourage the de-escalation of (Organization for Economic Cooperation impossible to imagine that we will burn all ples of international law. A peaceful, demo- the crisis and the forceful calls to Russia and Development) country norms. We bridges by rupturing all commercial ties cratic, stable, and sovereign Ukraine is in to stand down and withdraw its armed underscore the necessity of establishing a with Russia because of this crisis,” he said. our national interest.” (Senate Foreign forces to their barracks. Marshall Plan for Ukraine. British Prime Minister David Cameron has Relations Committee) We urge the United States to deepen The United States must work to facili- warned President Vladimir Putin that the political, economic and diplomatic tate the transformation of Russia’s lin- Russia will have to pay “significant costs” Resolution condemns Russian aggression unless the Kremlin changes course on isolation of Russia as it continues to gering imperial ambitions into ambi- WASHINGTON – Sen. Dick Durbin on Ukraine. So a photo of an apparently official behave as a renegade and aggressor tions of democratic statehood. With March 5 introduced a resolution condemn- document as it was being carried into state. However, punitive measures American support for Ukraine’s territo- ing the occupation of Crimea by the Downing Street on March 3 caused quite a against Russia cannot be seen as the goal rial integrity against Russian aggression, Russian Federation. The resolution reads in stir by suggesting London might, in fact, of U.S. actions. The security and territori- a democratic, independent Ukraine can part: “…it is agreed that the U.S. Senate: oppose curbs on Russian trade. The docu- al inviolability of Ukraine must be be the keystone of freedom in the region. Condemns the unprovoked and illegal ment says “the U.K. should not support for Russian military seizure of the Ukrainian now trade sanctions... or close London’s Crimea and demands the immediate with- the situation on the ground. Their presence financial center to Russians.” Downing drawal of Russian forces except as specifi- U.S. ambassador... is urgently necessary in Crimea and in key Street has refused to comment. Germany cally allowed for by treaty; Demands the cities in eastern Ukraine. The United States says it is counting on a “contact group” to (Continued from page 1) immediate release of besieged Ukrainian calls upon Russia to ensure that their open channels between Kyiv and Moscow security forces in Crimea who have shown No one has to explain to Ukraine’s new access is not impeded. and de-escalate a crisis that could endanger remarkable restraint under threat; government the need to have open commu- The leadership in Moscow may well be trade ties between Berlin and Russia, the nications, not only with leaders of the unhappy about former President Demands the immediate acceptance of a source of almost 40 percent of its oil and credible international observer mission in country’s Russian ethnic minority in the Yanukovych’s decision to flee Ukraine and gas. But Berlin, which has suggested the Crimea and elsewhere, but also with its move in with them. Russia may be dis- Crimea and other parts of the Ukraine; contact group could be composed of states Demands that the Russian government neighbors. That is why, when the current pleased with the new government, which and international organizations, is moving was approved by Ukraine’s Parliament by seriously engage with the Ukrainian gov- crisis began, the government sent its for- ahead slowly. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s an overwhelming majority, including mem- ernment in a political dialogue on a politi- mer chief of defense to the region to try to spokeswoman said on March 3 that the ini- bers of Yanukovych’s own party. Russia has cal and diplomatic path that respects defuse the situation. A second emissary tiative so far has been limited to just one every right to wish that events in Ukraine Ukrainian sovereignty and the Crimea’s was prevented from entering the Crimean phone call between the chancellor and Rada to engage in discussions. And it is why had turned out differently, but it does not complex historic and ethnic make-up; President Putin. European Union foreign Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly have the right to express that unhappiness Warns that failure to do so or any addition- ministers meeting in Brussels on March 3 reached out to Russia. Russia needs to by using military force or by trying to con- al military action against other areas of united over calls on Moscow to return its reciprocate and begin to engage directly vince the world community that up is down Ukraine will lead to swift and significant with the government of Ukraine. and black is white. Russia’s calls to turn troops to their bases and threatened to put consequences in Russia’s relations with the I note that Russia has implied a right to back time to implement the February 21 visa liberalization and economic coopera- United States and those nations which take military action in the Crimea if invited agreement ring hollow. It was Yanukovych tion talks on hold. But they made it clear share our values; Abhors Russian President to do so by the prime minister of Crimea. who failed to abide by the terms of that they wouldn’t go as far as the United States Vladimir Putin’s manipulation of the XXII As the government of Russia well knows, agreement, fleeing Kyiv and ultimately in terms of economic steps. German Foreign Winter Olympics in Sochi to present an this has no legal basis. The prohibition on Ukraine. Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for image of peace and brotherhood while the use of force would be rendered moot The United States categorically rejects the more diplomacy, saying “crisis diplomacy is secretly planning for the invasion of a sov- were sub-national authorities able to uni- notion that the new government of Ukraine not a weakness.” The Netherlands’ foreign ereign neighboring country; Urges the laterally invite military intervention by a is a “government of victors.” It is a govern- minister, Frans Timmermans, said “sanc- president to use all available economic and neighboring state. Under the Ukrainian ment of the people and it is one that intends tions are not in order today.” (RFE/RL) political tools, including asset freezes, can- Constitution, only the Ukrainian Rada can to shepherd the country toward democratic Senators support U.S. efforts celation of trade agreements, visa bans, approve the presence of foreign troops. elections on May 25 – elections that would denial of access to the U.S. banking system If we are concerned about the rights of allow Ukrainians who would prefer different WASHINGTON – In a February 28 letter of key Russian officials and anyone leadership to have their views heard. And Russian-speaking minorities, the United to President Barack Obama, Sens. Robert involved in the illegal seizure of Crimea, the United States will stand strongly and States is prepared to work with Russia and Menendez (D-N.J.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), and Russian exclusion where possible from this Council to protect them. We have pro- proudly with the people of Ukraine as they John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), international diplomatic and economic posed and wholeheartedly support the chart out their own destiny, their own gov- Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Ron Johnson ernment, their own future. bodies and forums; Supports timely eco- immediate deployment of international (R-Wis.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), John The bottom line is that, for all of the self- nomic and political assistance to Ukraine, observers and monitors from the U.N. or McCain (R-Ariz.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), OSCE to ensure that the people about serving rhetoric we have heard from including loan guarantees matched with Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) whom Russia expresses such concern are Russian officials in recent days, there is requirements of Ukrainian economic and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) – all members protected from abuse and to elucidate for nothing that justifies Russian conduct. As I reforms and transparency, to strengthen the world the facts on the ground. The solu- said in our last session, Russia’s actions of the Foreign Relations Committee – the Ukrainian economy. …” (Ukrainian tion to this crisis is not difficult to envision. speak much louder than its words. What is expressed support for U.S. assistance in National Information Service) Ukraine and warned of Russian interven- There is a way out. And that is through happening today is not a human rights pro- OSCE chair discusses crisis direct and immediate dialogue by Russia tection mission, and it is not a consensual tion that undermines Ukraine’s unity. “We with the government of Ukraine, the imme- intervention. What is happening today is a write in support of the administration’s BERN – Swiss Chairperson-in-Office diate pull-back of Russia’s military forces, dangerous military intervention in Ukraine. efforts to help Ukraine to consolidate dem- Didier Burkhalter of the Organization on the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial It is an act of aggression. It must stop. This ocratically elected government, preserve Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) integrity, and the urgent deployment of is a choice for Russia. Diplomacy can serve its territorial integrity, and enjoy the free- on March 4 discussed the Ukrainian crisis observers and human rights monitors, not Russia’s interests. The world is speaking dom to exercise a sovereign decision to with German Minister of Foreign Affairs through more threats and more distortions. out against the use of military threats and sign and implement an Association Frank-Walter Steinmeier. They emphasized Tonight the OSCE will begin deploying the use of force. Ukrainians must be Agreement with the European Union,” said the capacity of the OSCE in helping to over- monitors to Ukraine. These monitors can allowed to determine their own destiny. the senators in their letter. “We are pre- provide neutral and needed assessments of Thank you, Madam President. pared to work with your administration to (Continued on page 13) No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 13

Sikorski: use assets to support reforms Black Sea Fleet had trapped Ukrainian navy NEWSBRIEFS Russia: Yanukovych... vessels in the bay of Sevastopol, where the KYIV – Foreign assets and bank accounts Russian fleet has a base. (Continued from page 12) of ex-president Viktor Yanukovych and his (Continued from page 1) entourage should be frozen and used in U.S. prepares Ukraine support come the crisis. “We discussed the creation States and European Union. support of reforms in Ukraine, Polish In Washington, U.S. President Barack of a contact group which could support de- Western envoys to the U.N. rejected Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told Obama said Russia was “on the wrong side escalation,” Mr. Burkhalter said. “Time is of Russia’s justification, with U.S. Ambassador the Polish Radio, according to February 25 of history” on Ukraine and that Russian the essence now to launch a dialogue for- Samantha Power saying, “The Russian news reports. “The Ukrainian Parliament mobilization is a response to an imaginary actions violated international law. Mr. mat in order to rebuild confidence and has already nationalized the hideous villa Obama said Russia’s decision to deploy resolve the crisis by peaceful means,” he threat.” of President Yanukovych [Mezhyhiria] and, Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Yuriy troops in the Crimean Peninsula would continued. Mr. Burkhalter added that they I think, will want a closer look at other real Sergeyev said Russia had deployed some prove a “costly proposition for Moscow.” He also discussed other ideas such as the pos- estate of the people who ruled the country 16,000 troops to the region since last week. urged Mr. Putin to allow international mon- sibility to monitor the situation in Ukraine, and stole. And it should also be a source of Meanwhile, in Crimea, a reported ulti- itors to mediate a deal that would be which could help to re-establish trust in the support for reforms in Ukraine. This con- matum issued by the commander of acceptable to Ukraine’s people. long term by focusing on minorities and cerns both Ukraine and abroad,” Mr. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, Aleksandr Vitko, The Pentagon said it had “put on hold” human rights. The Swiss chair exchanged Sikorski said. In this context, he said, a huge for Ukrainian military forces stationed in all military-to-military engagements views regarding different possibilities for responsibility rests with some European Crimea to surrender or face attack has between the United States and Russia, the OSCE to help find a way out of the Union countries, whom Warsaw was urg- passed, with no signs of fighting. News of including exercises, bilateral meetings, port Ukrainian crisis with Russian Minister of ing for a few weeks to do something with the ultimatum – reportedly for 5 a.m. local visits and planning conferences. Foreign Affairs at the mar- the assets of Ukrainian officials kept in the time – came from Ukraine’s Defense The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign gins of the March 3 opening of the 25th West. “The argument was that it can be Ministry on March 3. But Russian Defense Relations Committee, Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), said the panel was preparing legis- Human Rights Council Session. (OSCE) done on the basis of an appeal by the Ministry spokesman Vladimir Anikin said lation to provide at least $1 billion in loan Ukrainian authorities about the crime. I am late on March 3 that no such ultimatum Ukraine envoy at U.N. Security Council guarantees to provide structural support to convinced that such requests will be made, had been issued, and Interfax quoted a Ukraine’s economy. Sen. Menendez said the UNITED NATIONS – Speaking during the which will serve as the basis for freezing Black Sea Fleet spokesman as saying such claims were “utter nonsense.” committee was also consulting with the March 4 session of the United Nations the assets,” Mr. Sikorski emphasized. He Obama administration on possible sanc- Security Council, Ukraine’s Permanent also expressed his belief that former Prime In Russia, President Vladimir Putin ordered all troops that took part in sur- tions against individual Russians, and Representative to the U.N. Yuriy Sergeyev Minister Yulia Tymoshenko should not prise military exercises near Ukraine to Ukrainians cooperating with them. said there is every reason to believe that hold senior positions. “She was to appear return to their bases. Russian news agen- Russia is preparing to intervene in other EU considers sanctions on the Maidan and express thanks for her cies quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry regions of Ukraine. He cited the mobiliza- release. However, I think that Ukraine is Peskov as saying on March 4 that the drills EU foreign-policy chief tion of Russian troops along the Russia- currently in need of politicians who can had been a success. Mr. Putin personally says European Union member states have Ukraine border and noted that nearly prove the honest origin of their property,” observed the exercises on the Kirillovsky agreed to consider targeted sanctions 16,000 troops were already on Ukrainian he added. (Ukrinform) training ground in the Leningrad region, against Russia if Moscow does not “de- territory, in particular on the Crimean pen- escalate” the threat of military action Presidents for end to Kharkiv accords together with Defense Minister Sergei insula. He said the Russian forces in Shoigu, on March 3. against Ukraine. Crimean were blocking military units and KYIV – Three former presidents of Mr. Putin ordered the drills across west- Ms. Ashton, speaking after an emergen- other strategic points, and were seizing and Ukraine have called on the government to ern Russia last week amid high tensions in cy meeting of EU foreign ministers on controlling military installations. terminate the Kharkiv agreements on the Ukraine following the ouster of pro-Russian March 3 in Brussels, said the EU strongly Ambassador Sergeyev underscored that presence of the Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, President Yanukovych. Moscow denied that condemned what she called the “clear vio- Ukraine’s armed forces were not giving in signed by Dmitri Medvedev and Viktor they were linked to the crisis in Ukraine. lation” of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territo- to provocations and were refraining from Yanukovych in 2010. A joint statement to The state of Ukraine’s armed forces on rial integrity by Russia. She called on Russia to withdraw its troops back to military actions, although they are in a this effect by Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid the Crimean peninsula is unclear. bases, and urged Moscow to agree to state of military preparedness. Mr. Kuchma and was pro- The interim government in Kyiv appoint- Ukraine’s request for consultations. Sergeyev noted that Russia is one of the vided to Ukrayinska Pravda on March 1. ed to be commander of the navy, but Rear Admiral Berezovsky Speaking at the U.N. Human Rights guarantors of Ukraine’s security, along with They noted that “for the first time in recent announced on March 2 he was supporting Council in Geneva, Russian Foreign Affairs the United States and the United Kingdom, history, the Ukrainian people are facing a in accordance with the 1994 Budapest the pro-Russian self-declared Crimean gov- Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized threats of crisis that threatens the unity, sovereignty “sanctions and boycotts” and urged them Memorandum. (Interfax-Ukraine) ernment. The commander was quickly dis- and independence of our country and that missed and as of March 3 naval officers “to show responsibility and to set aside Moldova concerned about Ukraine can escalate into a national catastrophe were reportedly backing Kyiv’s new selec- pure political calculations and put the that threatens to destroy Ukraine.” The for- tion for naval chief, Serhiy Haiduk. interest of the Ukrainian people above all.” WASHINGTON – Speaking before the mer presidents said they believe that “the Ukraine’s acting President Oleksander press in Washington with U.S. Secretary of people of Ukraine and Russia are being Turchynov said Russia’s military presence With reporting by the Associated Press, State John Kerry, Prime Minister Iurie pushed artificially towards a fratricidal was growing in Crimea and urged Moscow Agence France-Presse and . Leanca of Moldova expressed concern war.” Their statement notes: “Time is run- to halt what it called aggression and piracy. Copyright 2014, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted about events in Ukraine. He stated: “…since ning out fast. Ukraine, which is struggling Mr. Turchynov said the situation was dif- with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ Moldova is the neighbor of Ukraine – to make its way out of a political crisis, is ficult in the south and east of the country, Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, despite our small size we have a border the now on the brink of a conflict which bears where there are many Russian-speakers, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (for length of 1,242 kilometers common border all the signs of military aggression.” Messrs. but that the Ukrainian authorities had mat- the full text of this story, see http://www. with Ukraine – of course, everything that Kuchma, Kravchuk and Yushchenko say ters there under control. rferl.org/content/ukraine-diplomacy-rus- happens in Ukraine is extremely important they believe that Russia, “taking advantage He told a news briefing that Russia’s sia-consolidation/25283380.html). to Moldova, to the future of Moldova. The of internal political difficulties in Ukraine, problems Ukraine experiences is of pro- has decided to play the so-called Crimean the dispatch of international observers found concern to us. Moldova, unfortunate- card in its favor, ignoring its obligations to under the auspices of the United Nations ly, from the very first day of its indepen- Ukraine.” They also appealed to the North Atlantic... Security Council or the Organization for dence, has a secessionist movement on its Verkhovna Rada “to announce a mobiliza- (Continued from page 2) Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). territory, and we know exactly what appar- tion and to be ready to defend our lands. Ukraine is a valued partner for NATO OSCE, on which peace and stability in ently this means. And unfortunately, we Parliament must denounce the Kharkiv and a founding member of the Partnership were not able to find a proper solution to it, agreements. The Ukrainian government Europe rest. We call on Russia to de-esca- for Peace. NATO Allies will continue to sup- so what happens today in Ukraine is just a must [also] seek a decision on an immedi- late tensions. port Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, reminder to us in the first place, but then ate signing of the Association Agreement We call upon the Russian Federation to territorial integrity and the right of the show to our friends, that we need to do with the European Union.” The presidents honor its international commitments, Ukrainian people to determine their own much more in order to address this issue, also declared: “We also appeal to the inter- including those set out in the Budapest future, without outside interference. because if it’s not addressed in time, then it national community, the United States, the Memorandum of 1994, the Treaty on We emphasize the importance of an becomes very contagious. And what hap- United Kingdom, [and] the European Friendship and Cooperation between Russia inclusive political process based on demo- pens today in Crimea, in some eastern Union, which, in its time, provided Ukraine and Ukraine of 1997, and the legal frame- cratic values, respect for human rights, parts of Ukraine, are just a brutal reminder. with security guarantees, with a request work regulating the presence of the Russian minorities and the rule of law, which fulfills So Moldova is very much in favor of the ter- that they keep their word. What we need Black Sea Fleet, to withdraw its forces to its the democratic aspirations of the entire ritorial integrity of the Ukraine, and we now is your support, your help, and your bases, and to refrain from any interference Ukrainian people. hope very much that all international active participation in a dialogue concern- elsewhere in Ukraine. We urge both parties We met today, at Ukraine’s request, to mechanisms will be applied and a peaceful ing a peaceful settlement of the situation to immediately seek a peaceful resolution consult in the NATO-Ukraine Commission. solution to this conflict will be found.” (U.S. in Ukraine.” (Ukrayinska Pravda translated through bilateral dialogue, with internation- We intend to engage with Russia in the Department of State) by Lesia Stangret) al facilitation, as appropriate, and through NATO-Russia Council.

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up her sleeves. She served as commander Andrii Mokhnyk, 42, ecology minister, native of the village of Perespa, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine’s interim... of the October Palace overlooking the is a Kyiv native and nationalist activist who who gained national renown for serving as Maidan during the Euro-Maidan protest. gained his position exclusively as tribute to the Euro-Maidan’s medical headquarters (Continued from page 10) Yurii Prodan, 55, fuel and energy minis- the Svoboda party. “Batkivshchyna got gas coordinator, which included doctors and volunteers. An anesthesiologist by medical from the Ukrainian Free University in ter, is another native of Russia and another and oil, Svoboda got domestic resources,” specialty, he was president of the All- Munich and was a Fulbright exchange stu- controversial pick. He is also a strong ally of Mr. Karasiov explained. Before his political Ms. Tymoshenko. He spent his entire activism, Mr. Mokhnyk was a construction Ukrainian Medical Association and board dent at Ohio University in 2006-2007. Dr. chairman of the Kyiv Medial Association. Kvit has been an active proponent of giving career rising through the ranks of Ukraine’s engineer. His lack of experience drew criti- notoriously corrupt energy sector. He cism from the National Ecological Center of “The ministry will be based on the educational institutions more autonomy. demands of people and react to them, not He’s a native of Uzhhorod and a member of played a key role in signing the 2009 natu- Ukraine, which called his nomination a profanation. “What conventions does he to the demands of bureaucrats or the the Stepan Bandera organization, ral gas agreements for which Ms. know? Laws? Environmental programs?,” Cabinet of Ministers,” he said. which was among those in the Pravyi Tymoshenko was convicted and impris- the center’s head, Yaroslav Movchan, asked Sektor that led the armed defense and oned by the Yanukovych administration. , 35, youth and sports rhetorically. “He was in Chornobyl? So were counterattacks of the Euro-Maidan. Mr. Prodan was involved in the construc- minister, may be an active athlete and tion of the Dniprovskyi Hydro-Electric 800,000 others. Is that enough for a minis- father of three children, but nevertheless Liudmyla Denysova, 53, social policy Station, which was revealed by an audit to terial position? We don’t know of any of his he’s the recipient of another tribute posi- minister, is a Russian native and former have been plagued by corruption that cost conceptual achievements.” tion. Mr. Bulatov gained worldwide atten- Communist who came to the Autonomous the state millions of dollars. Ihor Shvaika, 38, agrarian minister, is tion when he was kidnapped, beaten and in 1989, where she Yevhen Nishchuk, 41, culture minister, another political appointee of the Svoboda tortured in late January by what’s widely built her million-dollar textile business and believed to be Russian agents. Before is the stage and film actor best known as party. The Kharkiv native is a lawyer by rose through the politics ranks. She’s been launching the Auto-Maidan protest move- one of the Euro-Maidan’s two emcees (the profession and has no agrarian back- associated with corruption, such as pilfer- ment, he worked as a business director in other being ), often pulling all- ground. “We’ll need to look at his deeds,” ing $7.5 million in a state purchase of various spheres, including food service, nighters to keep its activists alert and said Volodymyr Lapa, the general director wheelchairs, as alleged by the Security marketing and auto repair. Among the new awake. He was on the Euro-Maidan stage of the Ukrainian Agrarian Business Club. Service of Ukraine (SBU). She also arranged minister’s first decisions was that he, as throughout the bloody battles of February “We will evaluate his first concrete steps, for her 21-year-old daughter to gain a sports minister, will boycott the Paralympic 18-20, when the Trade Union Building was and then we can comment his work.” cushy government job in Crimea. set ablaze. He was also an emcee during Games in Sochi to protest the Russian inva- Ms. Denisova is a close ally of Ms. the Orange Revolution, becoming known as Oleh Musii, 48, health minister, is a sion of Ukraine. Tymoshenko, which is why she was grant- the “Voice of the Maidan.” The Ivano- ed a lucrative post despite her unpopulari- Frankivsk native has little, if any, adminis- ly vulnerable to any choice by the European ty with the common folk of the Euro- trative experience, prompting doubt as to Union to clamp down on its tax havens or Maidan. For instance, she is most known his ability to lead a state ministry. But he Putin’s... to use visa bans or freeze bank accounts or for having spent $600,000 on her daugh- seems to be off to a good start, stating, “All (Continued from page 3) restrict Russian companies’ access to its ter’s wedding. Nevertheless, her riches the current deputy ministers should go. stock exchanges or financial services. But didn’t prevent Ms. Denysova from rolling That’s not under discussion.” which began – or at least he recognized them – when he was booed [at a martial Putin is absolutely confident the European arts event in Moscow’s] Olympic [stadium] Union is not going to do that.” back before the last Duma elections,” Mr. “Half the Putin Cabinet has assets across Gozman says. “He’s a smart person and he Europe,” Mr. Judah says. However, most understands that his charisma is weak- European countries – particularly Britain ened. It happens – they loved him and and Germany, “have long ceased to be inter- TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 now they don’t love him. So he needs ested in taking any policies toward Russia or e-mail [email protected] some other foundation for his legitimacy. that would harm their [own] interests.” And another foundation for legitimacy is Analyst Mr. Techau agrees the West lacks victory.” the will and the unity to impose serious SERVICES PROFESSIONALS economic penalties on Russia, although it Dangerous precedent has the ability to do so. Both Mr. Judah and Likewise, analysts say the Ukrainian Mr. Techau say the United States has taken opposition’s successful overthrow of an a harder line against Russia in general – authoritarian government is a dangerous notably the so-called Magnitsky Act, which precedent for Mr. Putin. imposed targeted sanctions against Russian political columnist Yevgeny Russian officials believed to be involved in Ikhlov says Mr. Putin is acting because of human rights abuses – but that Washington the example of a democratic revolution in has limited leverage because Russian assets neighboring Ukraine “where there will be are overwhelmingly located in Europe. lustration, the exposure of corruption, free Mr. Putin understands, Mr. Judah says, elections.” He adds, “Such an example that the Cold War days – when the United would show the population of the Russian States could de facto order European coun- Federation how all that can be normal.” tries to impose various trade sanctions on Regardless of Mr. Putin’s motivations, is the Soviet Union – are over. “None of this, of there anything the West can do to counter course, is likely to happen because the very him? same European elite that funds political Valery Solovei, a Russian history profes- parties, that goes to cocktail parties with sor and political commentator, posted on European political leaders, the whole Facebook on March 3 that “well-informed” Davos elite, has made its fortune in the last sources tell him Mr. Putin made the deci- decade of slow-to-nonexistent economic sion to move into Crimea personally and growth off rents from oligarchs.” that he did so in part because he believes “he is opposed in the West by the weakest RFE/RL Russian Service correspondent political elite of the entire postwar period.” Mikhail Sokolov contributed to this story Prof. Solovei adds, however, the upper from Moscow, and RFE/RL correspondent echelon of the Russian political elite is Claire Bigg contributed from Prague. deeply split by the decision and that those Copyright 2014, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with economic assets in Europe are “scared with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ to death.” Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, SERVICES Indeed, author Mr. Judah says, the ruling Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see elite in Mr. Putin’s Russia is, theoretically, http://www.rferl.org/content/putins- extremely vulnerable to Western sanctions. ukraine-strategy-crazy-shrewd-a-little-of- “The Russian elite is theoretically extreme- both/25285106.html).

gas pricing for Ukraine. Turning... During a meeting between Presidents Viktor Yanukovych and Vladimir Putin on (Continued from page 6) March 4, 2013, in Moscow, the Russian OPPORTUNITIES Defense Ministry acknowledged that president offered an “ultimatum” to either Russia had requested to “modernize” the join the Customs Union with Russia, BSF, but Defense Minister Pavel Lebedev Belarus and Kazakhstan, or continue to Earn extra income! admitted that the legal procedure to allow seek a free trade agreement with the EU The Ukrainian Weekly is looking it had not been agreed on. and scrap plans for cheaper gas. for advertising sales agents. Kyiv has indicated that it wants Moscow Source: “Klitschko: EU should impose For additional information contact to pay more for leasing the Russian naval sanctions on Ukrainian officials,” (RFE/RL, Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. base at Sevastopol, and to rewrite the ITAR-TASS and Interfax) The Ukrainian agreement that regulates Russian natural Weekly, March 24, 2013. No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 15

we will continue to urge them to do so. The United States is prepared to partici- greater political and economic isolation. Obama and Putin... President Obama told President Putin pate. The people of Ukraine have the right to that, if Russia has concerns about the treat- President Obama made clear that determine their own future. President (Continued from page 2) ment of ethnic Russian and minority popu- Russia’s continued violation of Ukraine’s Obama has directed his administration to tary intervention into Ukrainian territory. lations in Ukraine, the appropriate way to sovereignty and territorial integrity would continue working urgently with interna- The United States calls on Russia to de- address them is peacefully through direct negatively impact Russia’s standing in the tional partners to provide support for the escalate tensions by withdrawing its forces engagement with the government of international community. In the coming Ukrainian government, including urgent back to bases in Crimea and to refrain from Ukraine and through the dispatch of inter- hours and days, the United States will technical and financial assistance. Going any interference elsewhere in Ukraine. We national observers under the auspices of urgently consult with allies and partners in forward, we will continue consulting close- have consistently said that we recognize the United Nations Security Council or the the U.N. Security Council, the North Atlantic ly with allies and partners, the Ukrainian Russia’s deep historic and cultural ties to Organization for Security and Cooperation Council, the Organization for Security and government and the International Ukraine and the need to protect the rights in Europe (OSCE). As a member of both Cooperation in Europe, and with the signa- Monetary Fund, to provide the new govern- of ethnic Russian and minority populations organizations, Russia would be able to par- tories of the Budapest Memorandum. The ment with significant assistance to secure within Ukraine. The Ukrainian government ticipate. President Obama urged an imme- United States will suspend upcoming par- financial stability, to support needed has made clear its commitment to protect diate effort to initiate a dialogue between ticipation in preparatory meetings for the reforms, to allow Ukraine to conduct suc- the rights of all Ukrainians and to abide by Russia and the Ukrainian government, with G-8. Going forward, Russia’s continued vio- cessful elections and to support Ukraine as Ukraine’s international commitments, and international facilitation, as appropriate. lation of international law will lead to it pursues a democratic future.

DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF UNA BRANCHES of NORTHERN NEW JERSEY and CETRAL NEW JERSEY announces that its DISTRICTS COMMITTEE MEETING will be held on FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014, AT 11:00 A.M. at the UNA HOME OFFICE 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Obligated to attend the annual meeting as voting members are District Committee O cers, Convention Delegates and two delegates from the following Branches: 25, 27, 37, 42, 70, 76, 133, 134, 142, 171, 234, 287 155, 269, 353, 372 All UNA members are welcome as guests at the meeting MEETING WILL BE ATTENDED BY: Members of UNA Executive Committee DISTRICT COMMITTEE Yuriy Symczyk, Northern New Jersey District Chairman Yaroslav Zaviysky, Central New Jersey District Chairman 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 No. 10

Canadian PM... Ukraine set to compete at Paralympic Games (Continued from page 2)

by Ihor N. Stelmach Torino Games. Her favored discipline is Nordic Skiing Worlds in 2013 Bui capital- nomic isolation that could well see Russia biathlon, where she ranked first overall for ized on her experience by picking up her exit the G-8 entirely. Canada has suspended Twenty-three Ukrainian athletes are par- the 2012-2013 IPC Nordic Skiing World first World Championship gold and silver our engagement in preparations for the G-8 ticipating in three sports at the 2014 Cup season. She goes into Sochi ranked medals. She went on to record four more Summit planned in Sochi. We have also Paralympic Games being held in Sochi, fifth for biathlon in her classification and top-10 finishes at the Worlds to solidify her recalled our Ambassador to Russia, can- Russia, from March 7 to March 16. At the ninth in cross-country. In the 2013-2014 case for a trip to Sochi. Her gold medal vic- celled any government representation at 2010 Games in Vancouver, 19 Ukrainians World Cup she missed out on a top-10 fin- tory was noteworthy as she defeated dou- the Paralympic Games, and I’ve instructed participated in three disciplines: alpine ski- ish in cross-country by only five points, but ble IPC Nordic Skiing Champion Anna officials to review all planned bilateral ing, biathlon and cross-country skiing. They finished in the top-10 for biathlon. Milenina of Russia by more than a full min- interaction with Russia. ranked fourth overall with 19 total medals: Ihor Reptyukh – He’s not even 20 years ute. Bui currently holds top-10 places in I would also note the resolution put five gold, eight silver and six bronze. old yet, but that doesn’t mean his opponents the overall standings for 2013-2014 with a before Parliament today and encourage its Ukraine’s Paralympic teams have experi- are taking him lightly. He finished 19th over- sixth in biathlon and 10th in cross-country. immediate passage by all political parties. enced a big boost in training and support in all in the 2011-2012 IPC Nordic Skiing Cross Iuliia Batenkova – The Sochi We will continue to work closely with our recent years as part of a spirited national effort Country World Cup. A year later he rose to Paralympic Games will be the third for G-7 partners and our allies. to give the country’s physically disadvantaged ninth place on the overall standings list. Batenkova, who has won five silver medals I’ve also spoken today with the prime athletes advantages on the world stage. The Reptyukh’s top success came in the 2012- and four bronze medals and will be in minister of Ukraine, and I’ve said the fol- transformation of Ukraine’s Paralympic team 2013 IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup in biath- search of a Paralympic gold medal to com- lowing to the people of Ukraine on behalf into a world leader is primarily due to the lon, rising to third place overall after placing plete her collection. She began skiing in of Canadians: Canada pledges ongoing efforts of National Paralympic Committee 15th a season earlier. He amazed at the 2013 2004 after losing her right arm in a car friendship and steadfast support for your Head Valeriy Shushkevich, himself a cham- IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships in accident at age 7. Representing Ukraine at efforts to defend your sovereignty, and to pion disabled athlete. Sweden, finishing with a gold medal in the Torino 2006 Paralympics, she won five restore economic and political stability. The International Paralympic Committee biathlon and two bronze medals in short- medals, following up with four more med- (Office of the Prime Minister of Canada) has identified 15 top athletes to watch at the distance biathlon and long-distance free- als four years later in Vancouver. Batenkova 2014 Paralympic Games. Four are Ukrainians: style cross-country. In 2013-2014 he stood has thrived at the World Championships, Olena Iurkovska – Since she took up on the World Cup podium six times and accumulating five medals in the past two skiing at age 16, Iurkovska has become one currently sits fourth overall in biathlon and IPC Nordic Skiing Worlds. At the 2012- of the most accomplished Nordic sit-skiers sixth in cross-country. 2013 Championships in Sweden she won in the world. Entering her fourth Iryna Bui – Born in 1995, the standing two gold, one silver and three top-10 fin- Paralympics, she is looking to add to her skier is one of the youngest athletes com- ishes. In 2013-2014 she finished fifth over- already impressive 15 medals, including peting on the international biathlon and all in the cross-country IPC Nordic Skiing five golds, four of them coming at the 2006 cross-country circuits. At her debut IPC World Cup and seventh in biathlon.

ПЛЕМ'Я ПЛАСТУНОК „ПЕРШІ СТЕЖІ“ влаштовує „ДЕННИЙ ТАБІР ПТАШАТ ПРИ ПЛАСТІ“ для дітей від 4 до 6 років, які володіють (розуміють і розмовляють) українською мовою

• Дитині до 31 серпня 2014 р. мусить виповнитись 4 роки. Вийнятків немає. • Дитина мусить мати усі приписані щеплення. • Дитина, яка склала Заяву Вступу до новацтва, не може брати участи в таборaх для Пташат. Табір відбудеться на Союзівці у двох групах: • від неділі, 22 червня, до суботи, 28 червня 2014 р. • від неділі, 29 червня, до суботи, 5 липня 2014 р. У справі кімнат просимо порозуміватися прямо з Адміністрацією Союзівки: SOYUZIVKA, P. O. Box 529, 216 Foordmore Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446 (845) 626-5641; www. Soyuzivka.com; Fax: 845-626-4638 • Tаборова оплата: $110.00 ($20.00 незворотні); оплата за два тижні 210.00 дол. • Зголошення і таборову оплату (чек виписаний на Plast – Pershi Stezhi) надсилати до: Mrs. Oresta Fedyniak, 2626 W. Walton Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 Tel.: 773 486-0394 (від 8:00 до 10:00 ранку) • Реченець зголошень: 1 червня 2014 р. • Після реченця не приймаємо зголошень.

КАРТА ЗГОЛОШЕННЯ НА ТАБІР ПТАШАТ-2014 Ім’я і прізвище дитини ...... по-українськи і по-англійськи Дата народження ...... Адреса ...... Телефон ...... E-mail ...... Просимо залучити посвідку дати народження дітей, що вписуєтe на табір перший раз ☐ від 22 червня до 28 червня 2014 р. ☐ від 29 червня до 5 липня 2014 р. Величина таборової сорочинки дитини: ☐ 6-8, ☐10-12, ☐14-16. ☐ Залучую чек на суму $...... ☐ Резервую кімнату на Союзівці

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March 10 Seminar with Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern, “Equal March 16 Lecture by Dr. Yohannan Petrovsky-Shtern, “A Right to Cambridge, MA Opportunity Violence: Everyday Life in the Ukrainian New York Drink: Inns, Taverns and Vodka Wars in the Ukrainian Shtetl,” Harvard University, 617-495-4053 Shtetls, 1790s-1850s,” Shevchenko Scientific Society, or [email protected] 212-254-5130

March 11 Concert, “Shevchenko and Shakespeare,” featuring March 16, 23, 30, Pysanka classes, Ss. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Cambridge, MA selections from the Ukrainian Arts Songs Project, April 6 Catholic Church, 570-383-0319 (reservations only) Swedenborg Chapel, Harvard University, 978-254-5070 Olyphant, PA or www.stcyril.maslar-online.com or 617-864-4552 March 18 Concert, “Starlight on Stage,” featuring pianist Laryssa March 12 Presentation by Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, “Ukraine: Morristown, NJ Krupa Slobodyanik and cellist Wanda Glowacka, New York Peril and Opportunity,” Columbia University, Mayo Performing Arts Center, 973-539-8008 or [email protected] www.mayoarts.org

March 12 Requiem service for “Heaven’s Hundred,” followed by a March 20-21 Exhibit, “Vasile Avramenko – Legacy of Ukrainian Ottawa talk with the Rev. Maxym Lyscak, “Processing ‘Maidan’: Jenkintown, PA Dance,” Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center, Grief, Repentance, Forgiveness and Justice,” Christ the 215-885-2360 ext. 293 Savior Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 613-723-7790 March 21 Varenyky dinner, Ukrainian American Youth Association, March 14-15 Symposium, “Ukraine: Lessons of the Past and Outlook to Whippany, NJ Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, Toronto the Future,” University of Toronto, 973-479-8715 or [email protected] [email protected] March 21 Concert, “a capella NEXT,” featuring the Chamber Chorus March 15 Presentation by Terrence Moore, “The New Educational New York of the University of California, Weill Recital Hall at Palatine, IL System Called ‘Common Core,’” Ukrainian American Carnegie Hall, 925-586-9348 or Carnegiehall.org Veterans 1st Lt. Ivan Shandor Post 35, Palatine Library, March 22 Workshop, Family History Group with Michelle Tucker [email protected] or 847-910-3532 Somerset, NJ Chubenko and Mike Buryk, Ukrainian Cultural Center, March 15 Concert, “Shevchenko 200 Concerts,” featuring www.ukrhec.org/events or [email protected] Edmonton, AB works by Mykola Lysenko and Mykhailo Verbytskyj, West March 22 Pysanka workshop, Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and End Christian Reformed Church, www.westendcrc.ca Winnipeg, MB Educational Center, 204-942-0218

March 15 Ping-pong tournament, Ukrainian American Youth March 22 Concert, Chamber Chorus of the University of Palatine, IL Association Oseredok (Palatine Center), New York California, Church of St. Luke in the Fields, 925-586-9348 www.cym.org/us-palatine or [email protected] March 15 Taras Shevchenko Bicentennial Celebration, featuring Cambridge, MA the Joint New England Church Choir, Bandurist Julian Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events Kytasty, Olga Lisovskaya and Antonio Stroud, Edward M. advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions Pickerman Concert Hall, Longy School of Music, from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors www.shevchenko200.org or 781-277-7037 and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 No. 10 UKELODEON FOR THE NEXT GENERATION Plast Ski Camp held at Gore Mountain

Andrij Zwarych The offi cial camp photo of the Plast Ski Camp held on December 25-31, 2013, at Gore Mountain.

by Xenia Zacharczuk The camp administration com- This year’s camp members came a gingerbread house-building prised: Danylo Zacharczuk, Marta from Plast communities in Albany, competition, a talent show, group NORTH CREEK, N.Y. – Of Cairns, Ihor Sydoryak, Andrea Kerhonkson, Syracuse and Yon- games and attending a minor league late, severe winds have blown and Zharovska, Andrij Zwarych, Sofi a snowstorms buried us in our homes. kers, N.Y.; Baltimore, Md.; Bos- hockey game. This was a big inconvenience and a Zacharczuk, Xenia Zacharczuk (all ton; Cleveland; Detroit; Hartford, The Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak, nuisance to us all, but for members of Plast Philadelphia) and Adrianna Conn.; Passaic and Newark, N.J.; chaplain of Plast U.S.A., visited of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organi- Knihnycky (New York). The camp and Philadelphia. Additionally, the the camp on December 29 and zation, and for the members of the physician was Col. Roman Bilyn- camp hosted visitors from Ukraine, celebrated liturgy. He stayed for a Burlaky Fraternity, such weather sky, M.D. Ihor Karabin and Oleh Zapadniuk. few days and enjoyed time with the reports were good news. Support for this year’s camp was The overarching theme of the ski campers. During the last week of Decem- provided by Ukrainian Selfreliance camp was the Euro-Maidan in Kyiv. Additionally, Tunia Bilyk- ber 2013, as in the last 53 years, Federal Credit Union of Philadel- The camp’s name, “Drops in the Shatynski, head of Plast U.S.A.’s Plast’s Burlaky Fraternity hosted phia in the form of a monetary dona- Ocean,” symbolized the idea that National Camp Committee visited the annual Plast Ski Camp for close tion and by Plast of Philadelphia. all of us, in our deeds and words, the ski camp and did an offi cial to 130 Plast scouts in upstate New The camp counselors were older together help in the joint social ac- review upon the completion of York. This ski camp began back in Plast members from various parts tion of supporting Ukraine. Campers which she commended the camp 1949 in Berchtesgaden, Germany. of the United States and Canada. each received ribbons and decals administration and leadership on an In 1954 this camp was fi rst orga- There was such overwhelm- brought back from Kyiv’s Maidan. extraordinarily well organized camp nized on Whiteface Mountain in ing interest from this age group They also heard a presentation and that benefi ts Plast’s youth. New York. Lately it is held at Gore in working as counselors at this took part in a discussion about the Alongside the ski camp for teens, Mountain in North Creek, N.Y. year’s camp that not all applica- current situation in Ukraine, which in the town of Glens Falls, N.Y., The commandant of the 2013 tions could be accepted. Rather was led by eyewitnesses who had campers’ parents enjoyed their own camp was Ostap Gladoun (of the than turn these enthusiastic young spent time at the Maidan. They had version of “camp.” This group is New York branch of Plast). Youths people away, the Burlaky Fraterni- the opportunity to see a slide show organized by Andrew Charchalis, age 11-16 comprised the younger ty, on the initiative of Alex Knih- of scenes from the Maidan. a member of Burlaky from Plast in camp; those age 16-18 were mem- nicky (Philadelphia) ran a simul- The general framework of a day Washington, D.C. bers of the “senior” camp. Evan taneous camp for 15 college-aged at camp was the following: wake-up The administration of Burlaky MacIntyre (of the Newark, N.J., Plast members, who not only were call, morning exercise, daily open- ski camp and the Burlaky fraternity Plast branch) was the head coun- members of this subdivision of ing ceremonies, ski lessons, time thanked the National Executive of selor for the younger campers and the general camp but also worked for campers to ski on their own, a Plast U.S.A. for their support and Christopher Krochak (Philadelphia) in planning and running nightly recreational period, group dinner, artist Orest (Gogo) Slupchynskyj for held that post in the senior camp. activities and information sessions evening activities and daily clos- his artwork, which was used for the The camp scribe was Katya Tomko needed for campers to earn merit ing ceremonies. Evening activities T-shirts and camp pins that each (Newark). badges in skiing. included building snow sculptures, camper received. No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 19 Hartford Plast holds “Svichechka” HARTFORD, Conn. – On Sun- day, January 12, the Hartford branch of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization cel- ebrated its annual “Svichech- ka,” a ceremony that unites Plast members throughout the world during the Christmas season. The Svichechka was held at St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Parish. Plast scouts and their counselors attended liturgy in the morning and afterwards congregated in the church hall to celebrate with nearly 100 guests and family. The Bethlehem Peace Light was present as seen in the photo above. – Christina Iwanik

Gregory Kulchyckyj, 16, is an 11th grade student at Kyiv International Time for the world to help Ukraine School in Ukraine and a member by Gregory Kulchyckyj This revolution is not about the most friendly, hospitable, entertain- of Ukrainian National Association European Union, and it is offi cially ing and warm people you will ever Branch 83. He is originally from Ukraine is a special place. It may no longer about joining Europe. It meet. But now they are out on the Philadelphia and has been living in not have the most beautiful apart- is now about saving a nation that is front lines, fi ghting for their dignity Kyiv for nearly seven years. This is an ment buildings, and it may not have collapsing by the day. and for their country. It’s time that edited version of what he posted on the smoothest roads, it may not have his Facebook page on February 20. the most advanced technology, and The peaceful approach has been we – the entire world – help them. it may not have the best economy. taken, but it has failed. Some Ukrai- But Ukrainians have things that nians woke up a month ago, and most countries dream of. They have decided to fulfi ll their civic duty Mishanyna spirit – one that is more unbreak- and support the people. With hun- able than diamonds, a spirit that has dreds dead, there is no going back. March 2014 brings us the 200th anniversary of the birth of Taras been passed on since the days of the Violence has struck the very heart Shevchenko, Ukraine’s national bard. Find these words relating Kozaks. Ukrainians have unity – a of Ukraine’s capital, and it contin- to Shevchenko, his life and his work in the Mishanyna grid. trait so evident that it burns brighter ues to spread furiously throughout the country. TARAS HRYHOROVYCH He spent many years in EXILE, than the summer day’s sun. Ukrai- SHEVCHENKO not in Ukraine. nians have hope – the only emotion Whether you are Ukrainian or that counters their long-awaited not, you must understand that what Shevchenko was a SERF, owned Shevchenko is buried at KANIV. by Mr. ENGELHARDT. death. Most importantly, Ukrai- is going on is indescribable. Seeing A monument to him is in nians have a nationalism that has the Maidan burn for hours without KOBZAR – a collection of WASHINGTON. lasted for millennia, through Peter end, seeing the Ukrainian fl ag being Shevchenko’s poetry. Some poems: KATERYNA, the Great, Lenin, Stalin, Putin and taken down by riot police, seeing Shevchenko not only wrote, he ZAPOVIT, HAMALIA, Yanukovych. black clouds surrounding a city with PAINTED. HAIDAMAKY Ukrainians are ready for a fi ght, so much culture and history, seeing or maybe even war. Their frustration motionless bodies covered, seeing and anger has been painfully passed police killing their brothers and sis- down generation by generation; but ters without a second thought, seeing it won’t be anymore. The people medical units and opposition leaders have collectively agreed to make the getting targeted and tortured, being ultimate sacrifi ce. They realize that told that we are terrorists, that we are it is better to die fi ghting for free- neo-Nazis and radicals... dom rather than die being slaves. We are not radical. No Ukrai- And these aren’t only the people nian whose aim is overthrowing in Kyiv, it is the tens of millions of the current government is radical. people in every corner of Ukraine. The [Yanukovych] government Even eastern Ukrainians, who were is radical – it is an institution of thought to be pro-Russian, have criminals and murderers. Ukraine come out and protested among the needs to be saved, its people do not masses. deserve this. Ukrainians are the

Let us hear from you! The next edition of UKELODEON will be published on April 13. Please send in your submissions by April 4 to [email protected]. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 No. 10

attention, PREVIEW OF EVENTS Saturday, March 15 Saturday, March 22 Sunday, April 6 NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Academy of Arts NEW YORK: The Chamber Chorus of the KYIV: “Shevchenko & Shakespeare” will fea- Debutante Ball and Sciences in the U.S. invites all to a lecture University of California, led by Marika Kuzma, tured world-renowned bass baritone Pavlo by Prof. Oles Fedoruk, academic associate of will perform at the Church of St. Luke in the Hunka and pianist Nadia Jacovchuk in a concert the Institute of Literature, National Academy Fields, New York City (487 Hudson St. at of Ukrainian Art Songs by Lysenko, Stepovyi, organizers! of Sciences of Ukraine, on “Shevchenko and Christopher Street) at 4 p.m. Their concert of Liudkevych and Turkewich based on Taras Kulish: Comrades or Antagonists,” and the colorful a cappella music will include works in Shevchenko’s poems. Also, hear the European opening of an exhibition related to the 200th English, Ladino, Spanish, Tagalog and premiere of contemporary Ukrainian compos- anniversary of Taras Shevchenko’s birth. The Ukrainian, including the Kyiv composer Lesia er Oleksandr Jacobchuk’s composition “Song of event will take place in the academy’s build- Dychko’s stunning “Vesna” from her “Pory Love,” a song cycle of Shakespearean sonnets. ing at 206 W. 100th St. (between Broadway Roku.” The chorus will accept suggested The concert will take place at 5 p.m. in the and Amsterdam Avenue) at 4 p.m. For addi- donations of $20 at the door. For more infor- Tchaikovsky Conservatoire, 1-3/11 Horodetsky tional information call 212-222-1866. mation call 925-586-9348 or e-mail univcho- Street, Kyiv, Ukraine. Sunday, March 16 [email protected]. Sunday, April 13 NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific Sunday, March 23 Society invites all to a lecture by Dr. Yohannan KYIV: The program “Kyrylo Stetsenko Liturgy Petrovsky-Shtern titled “A Right to Drink: CAMBRIDGE, MA: The Chamber Chorus of and Taras Shevchenko – From Poetry to Art Inns, Taverns and Vodka Wars in the the University of California, led by Marika Song Concert” will take place at 11 a.m. in the Ukrainian Shtetls, 1790s-1850s.” Dr. Kuzma, will perform at Memorial Church on Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Petrovsky-Shtern is the Crown Family the Harvard Campus at 7 p.m. Their concert of Christ, 5 Mykilsko-Slobidska St., Kyiv, Ukraine. Professor of Jewish Studies, professor of colorful a cappella music will include works in Liturgy will be officiated by Patriarch In keeping with Jewish history, Department of History, English, Ladino, Spanish, Tagalog and Sviatoslav and conducted by world-renowned Northwestern University. The lecture will take Ukrainian, including the Kyiv composer Lesia bass-baritone Pavlo Hunka. The service will our tradition, place at the society’s building, 63 Fourth Ave. Dychko’s stunning “Vesna” from her “Pory be followed by a concert highlighting The Ukrainian Weekly will (between Ninth and 10th streets at 2 p.m. For Roku.” The chorus will accept suggested Ukrainian art songs based on the poetry of publish a special section additional information, call 212-254-5130. donations of $20 at the door. For more infor- Taras Shevchenko and featuring the Bulava mation call 925-586-9348 or e-mail univcho- Chorus and students from the Royal Northern Friday, March 21 devoted to the Ukrainian [email protected]. College of Music, England. WHIPPANY, N.J.: The Ukrainian American community’s debutantes. Youth Association, Whippany branch, will host a varenyky dinner at 5-8 p.m. at the The 2014 debutante ball Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES section will be published Jersey, 60 N. Jefferson Road, Whippany, NJ Preview of Events is a listing of community events open to the public. It is a service 07981. Price is only $11 for a complete deli- provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian on April 6. cious dinner, which includes borshch, vare- community. Items should be no more than 100 words long; longer submissions are nyky, bread, dessert and soda or coffee. subject to editing. Varenyky will be available to take home. The deadline for Entertainment will be provided by some of Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of submission of stories and the UAYA’s young members. Door prizes will publication. Items will be published only once, unless otherwise indicated. Please be awarded every hour. For more information, include payment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in photos is March 28. call 973-713-6956 or 973-479-8715, e-mail which the item is to be published. [email protected], or visit the website www.uaccnj.org. This is an annual Information should be sent to: [email protected]; payment should be sent to Please e-mail materials to: dinner to raise funds for the UAYA so that the Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ [email protected] organization may continue to educate chil- 07054. NB: If e-mailing, please do not send items as attachments; simply type the dren in their Ukrainian traditions. text into the body of the e-mail message.