INSIDE: l New research examines ’s image in Europe – page 4 l Interview with Ukraine’s ambassador to Isreal – page 9 l Metropolitan-Archbishop Gudziak’s 60th birthday draws hundreds – page 10 The Ukrainian Weekly Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association

Vol. LXXXVIII No. 50 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 $2.00 Selfreliance N.Y. office closes Ukraine adopts key anti-corruption in aftermath of neighborhood fire law amid criticism that it is too weak by Mark Raczkiewycz did not restore some of the powers that the National Anti-Corruption Protection Agency – The of Ukraine lost after the ruling, Ms. Kaleniuk noted, fast-tracked the adoption of a bill on including “the ability to assess the veracity December 4 that reinstates an integral law of asset declarations” of public officials. designed to combat graft, safeguard finan- Combating graft on a systemic level has cial transparency and hold public officials been a precondition for Ukraine to receive and lawmakers accountable regarding their foreign lending and assistance from the asset holdings. IMF, the European Union, the World Bank, An uproar ensued as corruption watch- as well as bilateral funding from the United dogs and think tanks criticized the bill for States and other countries. being too soft on Ukraine’s international Hlib Vyshlynskiy at the Kyiv-based commitments to fight graft on a systemic Center for Economic Strategy told The level as Kyiv faces a budget deficit of more Weekly that the wording of the current law than $2.7 billion for the end of the year and brings into question whether “it’s a remedy questions regarding whether a stalled and whether it’s enough” to honor Kyiv’s FDNY multi-billion dollar lending program from previous commitments to the IMF to reju- Firefighters try to extinguish the fire in the Middle Collegiate Church and the adje- the International Monetary Fund (IMF) venate a $5 billion lending program to help cent building. The main office of Selfreliance N.Y. is located in the grey building on would be renewed. the country’s struggling economy. the right. The new version of the law does not Ukraine has promised to maintain the stipulate imprisonment for “falsifying or independence of its anti-corruption institu- by Matthew Dubas access the credit union’s roof in their effort not filing an asset declaration,” Daria tions, as well as the central bank’s, he to extinguish the six-alarm inferno, which Kaleniuk, the executive director of the added. NEW YORK – A massive fire that destroyed was first reported just before 5 a.m. Anticorruption Action Center, told The “It all depends whether the Ukrainian a historic church in the heart of the Ukrainian “The problem for us was that, while the Ukrainian Weekly. authorities provided enough critical mass neighborhood in the East Village here on building didn’t burn, the fire department President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has yet of actions that prove it will restore institu- December 5 also resulted in physical damage did have to break into our building,” said to sign the bill. tions that fight corruption and are under no to the Selfreliance New York Federal Credit Mr. Kurczak, noting that the credit union’s The previous law also made asset decla- risk for their independence to be under- Union’s main office at 108 Second Avenue. main branch suffered water and physical rations public, which the Constitutional mined,” Mr. Vyshlynskiy said. Bohdan Kurczak, president and CEO of damage as a result of firefighers running Court ruled to eliminate and which the When the new law was passed, Mr. the credit union, said that the fire did not hoses from the street up to the roof of the National Security and Defense Council Zelenskyy expressed disappointment in a spread to the building at 108 Second decided to keep in force. Avenue. However, firefighters needed to (Continued on page 5) Still, the watered down version of the law (Continued on page 5)

Kyiv-Budapest diplomatic spat escalates over treatment of ethnic Hungarians

by Mark Raczkiewycz Budapest subsequently summoned the Ukraine as the Day of Dignity and Freedom. Hungarians. In 2018, another video went Ukrainian ambassador on December 1 to On this day, Ukrainians commemorate the viral in which a Hungarian consular in KYIV – This week members of the Party protest the raid and Hungarian Foreign beginning of the Euro-Maidan protests, Berehove – a town that borders Hungary of Hungarians walked out of the inaugural Minister Péter Szijjártó raised the investi- which erupted in late 2013 and led to then- and whose population is 76 percent ethni- session of the newly elected Zakarpattia gations the same day during a videoconfer- President Viktor Yanukovych abandoning cally Hungarian, according to the Eurasia regional council in Uzhhorod over what ence with NATO foreign affairs ministers. office and fleeing to Russia the following Daily Monitor – is seen presiding over a they called political persecution. In response to the dramatic measures, year. swearing-in ceremony for Ukrainians to By doing so, they abstained from voting Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro In a Facebook post earlier this month, receive Hungarian passports. for a council in the westernmost Kuleba called for Hungary to avoid steps the Hungarian Embassy said the local “Don’t tell the Ukrainian authorities,” the Ukrainian oblast where some 80 percent of and statements that “don’t reflect reality councillors first sang the Ukrainian anthem Hungarian consul can be heard saying the 150,000 ethnic Hungarians live in the and create destructive emotional tensions and then sung “the national prayer” of while giving a champagne toast to the new country. in Ukrainian-Hungarian relations.” Hungary, which has been sung for centu- passport holders. It was the latest flare up of tension Prompting the investigations was a ries and only later became the country’s Dual citizenship is illegal in Ukraine and between Ukraine and Hungary, the latter of video that went viral showing elected national anthem. Hungary also has consulates in Zakar­ which took issue with a raid on a Hungarian councillors of the Siurte United Territorial Still, Kyiv has accused Budapest of med- pattia’s regional capital of Uzhhorod, the charity in the region late last month by the Community in the region singing the dling in Ukraine’s internal affairs, including western regional capitals of Ivano- Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Hungarian national anthem as their oath in the October nationwide local elections Frankivsk and Lviv, as well as in Kyiv, where The counterintelligence agency said on swearing-in session convened. for mayoral council seats in villages, com- its embassy is located. its website that the raid on the Hungarian National lawmakers from both the pro- munities, cities, towns and regional capi- The ongoing diplomatic spat between Cultural Association in Transcarpathia was presidential Servant of the People party tals. Kyiv and Budapest intensified in 2017 part of several investigations in the region and the opposition party Holos suggested Two Hungarian government officials when Ukraine enacted an upgraded educa- related to “information about the involve- the act was disrespectful and infringed on were barred from entering the country the tion law that elevated the status of the ment of foreign funding in activities aimed Ukraine’s territorial integrity. same month based on the Ukrainian and which Russia, at violating the state sovereignty of Ukraine.” Local council members in Siurte said the Foreign Affairs Ministry allegations that Romania and Hungary said restricted the The charity in turn called on authorities video did not accurately depict what hap- they had encouraged Ukrainians living in to end what it alleged was a “witch-hunt.” pened on November 21, which is known in Zakarpattia to vote for the Party of (Continued on page 2) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 No. 50

Ukraine celebrates Armed Forces Day

Prominent Crimean Tatar is sentenced in absentia and Kyiv have been tense since 2014 when Russia annexed Ukraine’s The Russian-controlled Supreme Court Crimean peninsula and began backing sep- in Crimea has sentenced the owner of the aratists in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, ATR Crimean Tatar television channel, which has left more than 13,200 people Lenur Islyamov, to 19 years in prison in dead. (RFE/RL, with reporting by RIA absentia. The court in the Russia-annexed Novosti and Interfax) Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula found Mr. Islyamov guilty on December 10 of organiz- Suspect in Sheremet’s case remanded in custody ing sabotage, creating an illegal armed group, and publicly calling for Russia’s ter- A court in Kyiv has upheld an extension ritorial integrity to be violated. He was sen- of the pretrial detention of one of the sus- tenced the same day. Mr. Islyamov’s lawyer, pects in the high-profile 2016 killing of Nikolai Polozov, told RFE/RL that his client journalist Pavel Sheremet in the Ukrainian does not recognize the court’s legitimacy capital. The appeals court on December 7 and added that the court’s ruling will be ruled that the decision of the Shevchenko appealed. Mr. Islyamov, who has resided in district court in Kyiv in October to hold Kyiv since 2015, told RFE/RL earlier that Andriy Antonenko in pretrial detention he would not take part in the trial, and until December 19 is valid. Dozens of Mr. Presidential Office rejected the charges against him while call- Antonenko’s supporters rallied in front of Ukrainian President Volodymy Zelenskyy honors servicemen killed during the ing the judicial process a mockery of jus- the court on December 7. Mr. Sheremet, a Russian-Ukrainian war. tice. The occupying Russian authorities Belarusian-born Russian citizen who had have refused to issue a broadcasting license made Kyiv his permanent home, was leav- tary personnel with state awards and hon- by Roman Tymotsko to Mr. Islyamov’s ATR television channel ing his apartment to head to the studio orary titles. after annexing Crimea in early 2014. In where he hosted a morning radio show KYIV – Ukrainians celebrated Armed “Every day and especially today, on your June 2015, ATR resumed broadcasting when an improvised explosive device Forces Day here on December 6, with holiday, on the day of the armed forces of from Kyiv via satellite throughout Ukraine, planted under his vehicle exploded on July President Volodymyr Zelesnkyy leading the Ukraine, we will remember all the sons and 20, 2016, killing him. Mr. Antonenko and daughters of Ukraine who gave their lives including in Crimea. Rights groups and commemorations and praising military Western governments have repeatedly two others, Yulia Kuzmenko and Yana personnel for defending the country’s for the sake of our future and protection of Duhar, were arrested as suspects in the the country from the Russian aggressor,” denounced what they call a persistent cam- soveignty and fighting for its territorial paign targeting Crimea’s indigenous people case in December last year. Ms. Duhar and integrity. the president said following a moment of Ms. Kuzmenko were later transferred to silence to honor soldiers who have died – the Turkic-speaking Crimean Tatars, the “You always defend Ukraine,” the presi- majority of whom opposed Moscow’s house arrest. The three suspects took part dent said during a ceremony in front of the fighting for Ukraine. in military operations in different capaci- The president stressed that a strong and annexation of their homeland. (RFE/RL’s Presidential Palace. “Ukraine and all our ties in Ukraine’s east, where government capable army guarantees the freedom and Ukrainian Service) people will always remember your feat, feel forces are fighting Russia-backed separat- independence of Ukraine. He noted that your protection, and bow to your strength,” Ukrainian national gets 12 years in prison ists. The Interior Ministry and the National defense funding would not be reduced, and Mr. Zelenskyy said before a military orches- Police said in December last year that the that he would push to ensure the country’s A Ukrainian national and former profes- group’s goal was “to destabilize the political tra performed the Ukrainian national military receives modern weapons and sional soccer player has received 12 years anthem and military personnel raised the and social situation in Ukraine” by killing equipment. in prison in Russia on espionage charges. Mr. Sheremet. Analysts said Mr. Sheremet’s Ukrainian flag. “We will never cut corners on our army, The Moscow City Court on December 7 killing underscored concerns of a climate of Despite restrictions implemented to and therefore on the security of our own found Vasyl Vasylenko guilty of spying and impunity for attacks on journalists and oth- address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, country,” said the president, who also noted sentenced him the same day. Mr. Vasylenko ers who challenge the authorities, while the Mr. Zelenskyy kicked off the official celebra- that, in gaining NATO’s Enhanced was arrested in October 2019 on suspicion government has faced persistent criticism tions in the city center before ending the Opportunities Partner status, Ukraine’s of smuggling unspecified dangerous mate- over a perceived lack of progress in solving day by visting Ukrainian soldiers fortifying efforts to reform its military have moved in rials, weapons, and valuable cultural items. military positions in the Donetsk region. the right direction. the case. Mr. Sheremet’s mother, Lyudmila The charge was later amended to espio- Sheremet, told RFE/RL in December last Standing in front of the Presidential Following the official ceremonies in Kyiv, nage. The materials in the case are classi- year that she does not know if the suspects Palace as members of the country’s armed Mr. Zelenskyy met with servicemen on the fied. No other details have been made pub- are guilty or not, but that she is afraid “that forces lined the sides of the square in front lic. Mr. Vasylenko has not commented pub- innocent people may be hurt” as officials of the palace, Mr. Zelenskyy presented mili- (Continued on page 3) licly on the case because of the classifica- try to show they’re making headway in the tion. Russia has arrested and convicted case. In January, the Ukrainian Prosecutor- several Ukrainian nationals on espionage ing cultural and social programs in Ukraine charges in recent years. Relations between (Continued on page 10) Kyiv-Budapest... since 2018. They include funding the (Continued from page 1) Ferenc Rákóczy II Institute and College, the Carpathian Hungarian Cultural Association, right of ethnic minorities to receive instruc- local Hungarian-language television broad- The Ukrainian Weekly FOUNDED 1933 tion in their native language. casting and the Egán Ede business develop- It stipulated that Ukrainian-language ment fund for local, Hungarian-owned An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., instruction would start in the fifth grade businesses, the Eurasian Daily Monitor a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. while allowing for the study of other lan- reported in June. Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. guages, including Hungarian, in separate After Ukraine enacted the education law, Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. classes. The row further escalated last year Budapest blocked Ukraine’s integration (ISSN — 0273-9348) with the passing of a separate law on the efforts with the North Atlantic Treaty cementing of the Ukrainian language in Alliance (NATO) through the NATO-Ukraine The Weekly: UNA: Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 society. It solidified Ukrainian as the princi- Commission and threatened to impede pal language of instruction yet allowed flex- Kyiv’s further integration with the Postmaster, send address changes to: ibility in its application, which likewise European Union. The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Andrew Nynka sparked the ire of Budapest. About 79 percent of residents in 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas Before the education law was adapted, Zakarpattia believe that Ukrainian should P.O. Box 280 there were 71 educational institutions that be the sole language of instruction either Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] offered Hungarian-language instruction in starting from the first grade or from the the 2016-2017 academic year, Ukraine’s mid-range of classes, a regional public The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com Ministry of Education and Science said. opinion survey found in September that Proponents of the new law have said it will was jointly conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv The Ukrainian Weekly, December 13, 2020, No. 50, Vol. LXXXVIII help minorities assimilate with the main- Democratic Initiatives Foundation and Copyright © 2020 The Ukrainian Weekly stream culture and become eligible for Center for Political Sociology. public-sector jobs. Nearly 54 percent of ethnic minority Since ascending to power in 2010, nation- respondents said that the overall situation ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA alist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Zakarpattia is either “happy” or “calm.” has supported ethnic Hungarians living Only 3 percent of residents and 5 percent Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 abroad through a network of charities, of ethnic minorities in the region support e-mail: [email protected] schools, media and libraries. federalization while 1 percent and 2 per- Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 In particular, he has charged senior offi- cent, respectively, are for separatism, the e-mail: [email protected] cial István Grezsa with the task of promot- poll found. No. 50 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 3

NEWS ANALYSIS The Belarusian-Ukrainian diplomatic row: What is happening and why now?

by Alla Hurska 2014 Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine, the On November 20, during his meeting need for decisive action in the form of seri- Eurasia Daily Monitor Belarusian side allegedly did not react to with the staff of the Belarusian agricultural ous sanctions against in order to provocations and unfriendly actions near machinery manufacturer Gomselmash, Mr. paralyze the country and its major busi- On November 26, the Ministry of the Ukrainian Embassy in Lukashenka noted that according to the nesses and industries (Belta.by, November Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (Eurointegration.com.ua, November 26). information provided by the State Security 27). summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Ihor Formally, this Belarusian diplomatic Committee (KGB) and Russian intelligence, Mr. Lukashenka’s latest attacks against Kyzym and presented him with a note of demarche was a reaction to the latest the United States’ special services, “the Ukraine continued a pattern that persisted protest, expressing strong concerns over actions of Ukrainian and Belarusian activ- most powerful in the world,” are currently throughout November. But it is notable the series of “anti-Belarusian actions” held ists. On November 20, a memorial cross to purportedly working against Belarus and that the new wave of censure and even near Belarus’s embassy in Kyiv and its the “victims of Lukashenka’s regime” was have created “a control center” in Warsaw sharper rhetoric coincided with Mr. honorary consulate in Lviv. The Belarusian erected near the Belarusian Embassy in and Kyiv to collect intelligence information Lavrov’s trip to Minsk. During his visit, the Foreign Affairs Ministry insists that those Kyiv. The next day, Anton Lukashuk, a and stir the Belarusian protests. According Belarusian authorities did their utmost to pickets in support of the protest move- 23-year-old Belarusian, who was forced to to Mr. Lukashenka, these special services, convince Russia of their determination to ment against President Alyaksandr leave his home country due to his collabo- with the help of modern technology and preserve steady relations with the “older Lukashenka and his political repression ration with one of the banned Telegram the internet, are trying to “shake up the sit- brother” (as repeatedly emphasized by Mr. pose a “direct threat to its functioning and channels in Belarus, knelt in front of the uation on the whole planet” (Belta.by, Lukashenka) and to support anti-Ukraini- the security of embassy employees and Belarusian Embassy for more than seven November 20). an sentiments. Mr. Lukashenka also tried their families.” The Ministry demanded hours in a sign of solidarity with his Moreover, in response to Ukraine join- to prove that the protests in his country that Ukraine ensure “the security of the repressed compatriots. According to the ing Europe’s anti-Belarusian sanctions, had nothing to do with innate desires of a diplomatic mission at a proper level, con- activist, the purpose of his action was to Minsk declared its intention to impose segment of the Belarusian people but were sistent with the norms of the draw Ukrainian President Volodymyr counter-sanctions on a number of being artificially staged from the outside. Convention on Diplomatic Relations” (Mfa. Zelenskyy’s attention to the human rights Ukrainian officials. This was stated by He called them “an ordinary rebellion” and gov.by, November 26). Moreover, the violations occurring in Belarus and to ask Belarusian Foreign Affairs Minister named three goals of the so-called “foreign Belaru ­sian authorities stated that Minsk him to simplify administrative procedures Vladimir Makei during a joint press brief- curators”: 1) returning Belarusian lands to “expects those acts of vandalism to be governing the stay of Belarusian citizens in ing with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Poland; 2) assembling a North Atlantic properly investigated as well as properly Ukraine (Nv.ua, November 22). Lavrov, on November 26. Mr. Makei noted Treaty Organization (NATO) military force assessed by Ukrainian law enforcement At the same time, however, the that the hostile move from the Ukrainian to realize the first objective; and 3) creat- agencies” (Eurointegration.com.ua, November 26 note of protest from Minsk side represented “yet another non-inde- ing a “cordon sanitaire” between the EU November 26). coincided with Ukraine’s decision to sup- pendent decision of the neighboring coun- and Russia (Pravda.com.ua, December 2). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of port the European Union’s sanctions try, which demonstrates the inconsistency All these steps demonstrate Mr. Luka­ Ukraine, in its official response, called the imposed against Belarusian officials of [Kyiv’s] policy” (Deutsche Welle— shenka’s apparent belief that his current summons and the note of protest an exces- involved in manipulating the presidential Ukrainian service, November 26). The fol- situation forces him to do what he can to sively “emotional and generally groundless election results and carrying out repres- lowing day, Mr. Lukashenka further amped foster support from Russia in resolving his reaction” of the Belarusian side. The sions and unlawful arrests against peaceful up the rhetoric, accusing Ukraine of joining domestic problems. And for now at least, Ministry in Kyiv highlighted that Ukraine protesters. On November 20, Ukraine, the fight against Belarus by becoming the criticism of Ukraine is deemed in Minsk to fully respects the Vienna Convention and along with other countries, aligned itself center of information influence operations be a part of that strategy. As for Ukraine – guarantees security to foreign diplomatic with the EU’s restrictive measures target- targeting the Belarusian people. He also which shares 1,239 kilometers of common missions on its territory and expects that ing 40 representatives of Mr. Lukashenka’s claimed that Ukraine is constantly encour- border with Belarus – the potential streng­ “the Belarusian side will also duly respect regime (Gordonua.com, November 20). aging and staging mass protests in Belarus. thening of Russian influence over Minsk’s its international commitments and not Even though Ukraine did not sign on to the According to Belarus’s embattled head of foreign policy presents a fundamental allow violations of diplomatic immunity, EU’s targeted sanctions against Mr. state, the information provided him by the challenge to Ukrainian national security. such as groundless checks of a diplomatic Lukashenka himself and 14 other top KGB contained part of a conversation vehicle of the Ukrainian ambassador to Belarusian officials, the decision to back between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of The article above is reprinted from Belarus when crossing the state border.” the EU’s overall punitive response pro- Ukraine and Germany, Dmytro Kuleba and Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry further voked a strong reaction from Belarus’s Heiko Maas, respectively. On the recording, its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, reminded Minsk that during the 2013- president and his administration. the two politicians supposedly voiced the www.jamestown.org.

U.N. General Assembly passes nonbinding resolution urging Russia to withdraw from Crimea

RFE/RL resolutions on Russia militarizing the impose sanctions on Russia. Russia is also aggression in eastern Ukraine and occupa- Crimean peninsula, and a year ago passed a backing separatists in eastern Ukraine in a tion of Crimea,” Mr. Biegun told the OSCE The United Nations General Assembly resolution seeking protection of human conflict that has killed more than 13,200 meeting, which was held by teleconference adopted a resolution urging Russia to end rights in Crimea. people since April 2014. due to the restrictions imposed by the its “temporary occupation” of Crimea and Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Tensions between Russia and Western coronavirus pandemic. immediately stop transferring weapons to Emine Dzheppar last week addressed a vir- countries over the conflict continue. Ukraine. tual event of the U.N. General Assembly on U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen With reporting by AFP The nonbinding resolution “urges the the militarization of Crimea, citing “signifi- Biegun last week used a meeting of the Copyright 2020, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted Russian Federation, as the occupying power, cant threats due to Russia’s growing mili- Organization for Security and Cooperation with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ immediately, completely and unconditional- tary presence as an occupying power on in Europe (OSCE) to slam Russia for violat- Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, ly to withdraw its military forces from the Crimean peninsula.” ing the sovereignty and territorial integrity Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see Crimea and end its temporary occupation of Moscow occupied and seized the of member states. https://www.rferl.org/a/un-general-assem- the territory of Ukraine without delay.” Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March “The most egregious violation of sover- bly-passes-nonbinding-resolution-urging- It also calls on Russia to stop the transfer 2014, a move that led the European Union, eignty and territorial integrity within the russia-to-withdraw-from-crimea/30989310. of advanced weapon systems, including the United States, and other countries to OSCE area remains Russia’s continued html). nuclear-capable aircraft and missiles, weapons, ammunition, and military per- sonnel “to the territory of Ukraine.” state protects the people who defend the have been recorded in the areas of respon- The resolution was supported by 63 Ukraine celebrates... state,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. “We are building sibility of Ukrainian units. There has been countries in a vote on December 7. (Continued from page 2) an army that will defend Ukraine on land, silence along the entire line of demarca- Seventeen countries voted against and 62 on sea, in the sky and in cyberspace. For the tion,” the president said. abstained. front lines of the war in the Donetsk region. sake of our future. For the sake of peace in “It is thanks to your endurance, resil- The resolution was put forward by 40 The president inspected fighting positions Ukraine.” ience, and wisdom that the silence in the countries, including Britain, France, occupied by the Ukrainian military and The president said that December 6 east has not only been declared, not only Germany, the United States, Australia, later honored fallen soldiers by laying flow- marks the 133rd day of a ceasefire in been enshrined in diplomatic documents, Canada, Turkey and the Baltic states. ers at grave sites near the front lines. Donbas, which he said was the longest peri- but has also lasted for more than four The 17 countries that voted against it Mr. Zelenskyy also thanked the families od of peace since the war began. During months,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. “Thank you were Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Cambodia, of the military for continuing to support this period, the president said that shelling for not giving in to provocations, for under- China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine’s armed forces, and he added that in the region decreased fivefold, while mili- standing why this is so important. For Laos, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Serbia, Sudan, the government is working to better sup- tary casualties decreased tenfold. showing the whole world how much Syria, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. port its soldiers and their families. “Since the beginning of the current day, Ukraine and its army do in their effort to The General Assembly has passed other “We are building an army where the December 6, no violations of the ceasefire end the war,” said the president. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 No. 50

New research examines Ukraine’s image in Europe

by Adrian Karmazyn WASHINGTON – As Ukraine pursues membership in the European Union and NATO, Ukrainians are often surprised by how little many Westerners know about their country. As a key step toward addressing this challenge, Ukrainian experts in the field of cultural diplomacy recently set out to assess how historic events and phenomena that have shaped Ukraine’s story and identity over the past century fit into contemporary news narratives. For example, what, if anything, do leading European media have to say about how Ukrainians have experienced the Holodomor, World War II, Chornobyl, post-Soviet democratization, and the Ukrainian avant-garde and Executed Renaissance? Some interesting insights are provided in a newly released study organized by the Ukrainian Institute in Kyiv and the One Philosophy consulting group. The research, conducted by Corestone Group, analyzed news coverage by 30 major outlets in Great Britain, France, Germany and Poland in 2018-2019, including such influential publica- Volodymyr Sheiko (right), director general of the Ukrainian Institute, presents research findings at the Ukraine tions as the Economist, the Guardian, the Financial Times, Crisis Media Center in Kyiv. Joining him on stage for the discussion were his colleague, Alim Aliev (left), and Le Monde, Le Figaro, Liberation, Le Parisien, Die Welt, Iryna Matviyishyn of Internews-Ukraine. Lyubov Tsybulska (Hybrid Warfare Analytical Group) and Nataliya Popovych (One Philosophy) participated via video link. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Der Spiegel, Suddeutsche Zeitung, Gazeta Wyborcza and Rzeczpospolita. the definition of the Holodomor as a genocide of the people abroad, we need to have a good understanding of The study generally confirmed a disappointing paucity Ukrainian people was absent from Polish media. …The the image of Ukraine that they grew up with and how it of Ukrainian perspectives in European news media cover- German media generally covered the Holodomor in a moder- was formed and the sources of that information about age of major events that have been commemorated in con- ate and cautious manner. It is also worth noting that among Ukraine,” he said. temporary European historical and cultural discourse. the European media analyzed in this report, only the German During his November 26 presentation at the Ukraine However, there are some encouraging signs regarding nar- media wrote about the Holodomor as a ‘central trauma to Crisis Media Center, Mr. Sheiko added that Ukraine did not ratives that reflect Ukrainian sensibilities breaking into the Ukraine’s national memory’ and a ‘central element of just appear out of thin air in 1991 and that the nation has a mainstream. Ukrainian national identity.’ …The British media mentioned long, distinct history and culture and must exercise its The study found that the Holodomor and Chornobyl and the Holodomor quite often. The authors wrote about the right to form its own historical narrative. That effort their impact on Ukrainians did, indeed, receive notable Holodomor as a phenomenon caused by Soviet politics, and should focus on proposing genuine, compelling stories and coverage in major European news media. The interest of referred to the event as a mass murder and/or genocide.” content and not just being in a reactive mode of countering journalists and editors in these historic topics can likely be Meanwhile, despite commemorations of the 80th anni- Russian depictions of events, he said. attributed, at least in part, to popular culture and non-fic- versary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Moscow’s campaigns of disinformation and dismissive tion works – namely the release of the HBO miniseries Germany and the Soviet Union, the devastation caused in treatment of Ukraine carried out in pro-Kremlin Russian about the 1986 nuclear disaster in Ukraine, Serhii Plokhy’s Ukraine during World War II and its geopolitical ramifica- media – and all-too-often disseminated in Ukrainian and “Chornobyl: The History of a Nuclear Catastrophe,” the crit- tions for Ukraine barely registered in the coverage of other European media – have been the subject of much ically acclaimed feature film “Mr. Jones” about the Welsh European news publications that were reviewed. research and analysis. The Ukrainian Institute study also reporter who witnessed the genocidal famine, and Anne Many Ukrainians express disappointment that their his- surveyed Russian media and, unsurprisingly, found Applebaum’s “Red Famine: Stalin’s War on Ukraine.” tory and culture is misrepresented, misunderstood or Ukrainian perspectives to be missing. The following excerpt provides a sample of the report’s ignored by foreigners. According to Volodymyr Sheiko, Joining the discussion by video link, Nataliya Popovych, findings: “All Polish media under study, in particular Gazeta director general of the Ukrainian Institute, this study will the founder of One Philosophy, explained that the study Wyborcza and Rzeczpospolita, described the famine of 1932- help inform Ukraine’s cultural diplomacy efforts moving also looked at news publications in Ukraine: “Analyzing 1933 in Ukraine as a genocide staged by Stalin and the Soviet forward. “In order to properly tell Ukraine’s story, in order Ukrainian media helps us better understand Ukraine’s authorities. In general, any other narrative that would deny to find the right key to capture the attention and hearts of internal efforts regarding inculcating a consolidated, col- lective memory.” Ukrainians shouldn’t be surprised when foreign coverage is lacking, since internal media often suf- fer glaring shortcomings when it comes to portraying Ukrainian history and culture, as in the case with materials UOC-U.S.A. commemorates Holodomor victims devoted to the Ukrainian avant-garde and cultural rebirth that was brutally suppressed in the 1930s, she said. Ms. Popovych also noted that when Ukraine’s leaders draw attention to historical and cultural events this helps stimu- late coverage in the media. The Ukrainian Institute project is not the only recent study examining foreign attitudes toward Ukraine. Last month the New Europe Center, headed by Alyona Hetmanchuk, released polling showing that the citizens of France, Germany, Italy and Poland are increasingly looking more favorably at the prospect of NATO and European Union membership for Ukraine. Over 4,000 people polled in these countries were asked if they think Ukraine should become a member of the EU and/ or NATO. As for Ukraine joining the European Union, 69.5 percent of Poles, 61.6 percent of Italians, 47 percent of Germans and 42.6 percent of French respondents supported EU membership for Ukraine. On the question of NATO mem- bership, 49.6 percent of respondents in Poland, 39.9 percent in France, 31.3 percent in Germany and 31.3 percent in Italy were supporters of Ukraine’s accession to NATO. At the Ukrainian Institute’s recent International Cultural Diplomacy Forum in Kyiv, Ms. Hetmanchuk shared her thoughts, based on anecdotal evidence, about the attitudes of Western elites and decision makers regarding Ukraine: “My work experience shows that in these circles Ukraine is associated, clearly, with ‘battle.’ It is a constant battle. Internally – a battle with corruption, and a battle with oli- garchs, a battle with many systemic problems. And exter- nally – a battle for its independence, for sovereignty, for the Subdeacon Myroslav Mykytyuk temporarily-occupied territories, for international support. SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. – Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church That is, a constant battle.” The prevalence of that particular of the U.S.A. lead the Holodomor commemoration at St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle Ukrainian Orthodox image of Ukraine both within the country and abroad, per- Memorial Church in South Bound Brook. N.J., on November 28. The hierarchs were joined by clergy of the haps, does not need to be confirmed by opinion polls. UOC-U.S.A. with the seminarians of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary and the faithful. The hierarchs stated that it is everyones responsibility to ensure that such a genocide never occur again. Adrian Karmazyn is a former chief of the Voice of America’s Ukrainian Service. No. 50 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 5

the right direction…[it] has several defi- who campaigned on a slate to uproot cor- undermine public trust in constitutional Ukraine adopts... ciencies and does not produce the neces- ruption as a newcomer to politics – is that justice in general.” (Continued from page 1) sary deterrent and corruption prevention the Council of Europe’s constitutional advi- Going forward, the Ukrainian president effect.” sory body criticized the October Constitut­ does not have “the will or momentum” to video address on social media, his pre- Timothy Ash, an emerging market sover- ional Court ruling that had undone much of push through more stringent anti-corrup- ferred mode of communication. He lament- eign strategist at London-based BlueBay the anti-graft architecture, which had been tion legislation, said Mr. Vyshlynskiy of the ed that offenses for violating the new law Asset Management, wrote in an email to in place since 2014. Center for Economic Strategy. were not more severe, while saying it was a The Weekly that he supposes “the EU is try- In an “urgent joint opinion” published on “He needs a strong will that is compati- “devastating blow.” ing to balance the desire to keep Ukraine December 9, the Strasbourg-based Venice ble to principles that Soviet dissidents had Most of his Servant of the People party engaged with frustrations on the anti-cor- Commission said the ruling was “regretta- and who fought the powers-that-be at all voted for the bill, as did members of ruption agenda.” He also said that the law ble and soft,” the commission’s president cost,” he said. “What I see is Mr. Zelenskyy European Solidarity, the party of former passed last week on asset declarations Gianni Buquicchio tweeted on December having no real competence in statecraft and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko; the “falls short of EU expectations.” 10. policies.” pro-Russian Opposition Platform – For Life; Additionally, the Organization for Mr. Buquicchio cited the commission’s On his part, Mr. Zelenskyy has said that and the opposition Holos party. Economic Cooperation and Development opinion, which concluded that the Constitu­ he will not let up on his pledge for sweep- The IMF has not publicly commented on (OECDO said in a report last month that “if tional Court’s ruling “lacks clear reasoning, ing political change to reduce the influence the bill, whereas the EU provided Ukraine Ukraine does not receive its second sched- has no firm basis in international law, and of vested interests and to combat graft. with $600 million of macro-financial assis- uled IMF tranche this year, and the corrup- was possibly tainted with a major procedur- “Criminal liability for evading filing a tance on December 9, which coincides with tion agenda further derails, even the mas- al flaw – an unresolved question of a conflict declaration and entering into it deliberately the United Nations’ International Corrup­ sive issue of international Eurobonds of interest of some judges.” false information” should be punishable tion Day. would not suffice to maintain the financial The commission’s opinion continued by with imprisonment, he said. “Corrupt offi- After a conference call with Prime stability, and the country may risk insolven- saying that “this is regrettable, not only cials should be held accountable under the Minister Denys Shmyhal on December 8, cy in the midst of a political crisis and a because of the immediate negative effect of law,” he stressed in a late November meet- the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell weak public administration.” this decision on the fight against corruption ing of the National Council on Anti- said that, “even if [the new law is] a step in Adding to the woes of Mr. Zelenskyy, in Ukraine, but also because such decisions Corruption Policy.

ed on the southeast corner of Seventh Street in Staten Island, said that “with people not gate any impact the fire might have on its Selfreliance N.Y. ... and Second Avenue. The Women’s Prison paying rent due to eviction moratoriums, I members, Mr. Kurczak said. (Continued from page 1) Association shelter, located south of the am pretty sure more of these types of acci- “All of our electronic services – home church, was also damaged by the fire, but the dents will occur, as many landlords will banking, bill payment, etc. – never went building in order to spray water onto extent of damage was not known at the time probably not have money to keep up neces- down,” he said, adding that the credit union Middle Collegiate Church, located just two of publication. The buildings consumed by the sary maintenance.” established a temporary office at 98 Second doors north of the credit union. fire were deemed by NYC Fire Department For the credit union, Mr. Kurczak said Avenue, where members can conduct their The fire destroyed Middle Collegiate Assistant Chief John Hodgens to be “total loss- that the two biggest issues as a result of the business in person. Church, which was built in 1892 and es,” and the cause of the fire was initially fire are extensive smoke damage through- Additionally, Mr. Kurczak said that all housed the New York Liberty Bell, which determined to be an accident from the vacant out the offices and an order to vacate the banking services of the credit union are oper- rang in 1776 to mark the birth of American apartment building next door to the church. building, which was issued by the New York ating normally at the Astoria, Uniondale, independence. The status of the historic That vacant apartment building, located at City Department of Buildings. During a Lindenhurst and Kerhonkson branches, bell was not clear, but the fire destroyed the 48 East 7th Street, was the site of a previous phone interview with The Weekly on which are open during their normal business church’s Tifanny stained glass windows. fire on February 10. Per FDNY Fire Marshals, December 10, Mr. Kurczak said that the hours. He encouraged members to use the The Associated Press reported that “flames the cause of that fire was found to be acci- credit union is trying to have the main Astoria branch, and said that additional shot from the roof [of the church] and the dental, and the fire at the same location on branch reopen as early as next week. updates regarding the status of the main stately front window glowed from inside.” December 5 was deemed to be unrelated. In the aftermath of the fire, the credit branch of the credit union can be found by Also consumed in the fire was an empty Michael Hnatyshyn, a Ukrainian landlord union “moved very quickly” to implement visiting the credit union’s website at www. apartment building, north of the church, locat- who owns property in Manhattan and lives emergency plans and worked hard to miti- selfrelianceny.org Life Insurance* is the ultimate selfl ess gift your family truly needs

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COMMENTARY The Ukrainian Weekly Our community events endure A post-Maidan tale of impunity

It should go without saying that organizing and running large-scale fundrais- by Halya Coynash land, which Mr. Bobov was allegedly using ing events and gala celebrations for our community organizations is a challenge Human Rights for his own private purposes. even in the best of times. But to hold these events virtually in response to the Protection Group On April 4, 2014, Mr. Serhiyenko was COVID-19 pandemic is a feat that deserves recognition and our kudos. abducted from outside his home, with the There are several recent examples that readily come to mind, although there The man accused of the savage killing in assailants beating him, as his elderly moth- are many more that deserve to be mentioned. 2014 of Ukrainian journalist and Maidan er pleaded for them to have mercy. His On December 6 the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America held a activist Vasyl Serhiyenko was released from body was found the following day in a for- custody on December 3 despite protests gala celebration to mark the organization’s 95th anniversary. That event raised est. He had choked to death on his own from both the public prosecutor and civic blood, following major blows to the head more than $36,000, and UNWLA officials estimate that more than 1,200 people activists. While it is certainly an indictment and 19 knife wounds. joined the live video feed from across North America to watch the festivities, of the Ukrainian justice system that Three of the suspected perpetrators – which were “a celebration of the generations of unique Ukrainia-American Volodymyr Vorontsov had been held for a Mr. Voronkov, Viktor Horbenko and women who, quietly and without much fanfare, have accomplished so much very long time without having been con- Valentin Zavrazhin – were caught in 2015 over the decades.” The money raised during the event will support educational, victed of a crime, his release seems part of in connection with another crime. The cultural and humanitarian initiatives spearheaded by the UNWLA. systematic obstruction to ensure that men were accused of trying to set fire to One such initiative, the “Spiritual Rebirth of Ukraine Fund,” which began in nobody ever answers for another killing of the equipment of a local farmer who was March 2019, provides financial support to two theological seminaries in a Ukrainian journalist. The case is particu- known to be in competition with Mr. Bobov. Ukraine: the Kyiv Three Saints Theological Seminary of the Ukrainian Greek larly shocking, and not only because of the The car they arrived in had bloodstains Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Volyn Theological Academy. Future significant amount of evidence backing the which proved to be from Mr. Serhiyenko. priests trained at these seminaries will then work in the eastern regions of prosecution’s charges. It is notoriously dif- The investigation concluded that Mr. Ukraine, where they can help Ukrainians heal from the impact of war and unrest. ficult to get those who commissioned a kill- Serhiyenko had been taken in that car to a More recently, the UNWLA held a fund raising drive called “UNWLA for USA” ing to face justice. In this case, however, it petrol station near the Modus holiday park, which raised $31,400. That money was donated to Feeding America, an organi- is increasingly apparent that there is no which is also linked to Mr. Bobov, before will to even convict the men suspected of zation dedicated to helping individuals in the United States who have struggled probably being transferred to another car. carrying out the crime. financially because of the coronavirus pandemic and, as a result, don’t have Two other men were arrested in 2017: Mr. Voronkov is the last of five men Roman Nedibalyuk and Vadim Melnyk. Mr. enough food to feed their families. These are truly wonderful causes and the charged over the abduction and killing of events which raise money for their support took place despite the current pan- Melnyk, who had earlier been the head of Mr. Serhiyenko to have been held in custo- Mr. Bobov’s guards, was reported by then demic. dy, doubtless because he is the only one Prosecutor General Yuri Lutsenko in May In another example of how our community life has endured recently, on apprehended who is accused of the jour- 2017 to have been captured after being in November 24 people from Ukraine, Western Europe and North America gath- nalist’s killing and of burying his body. hiding since the first arrests. He is accused ered virtually to celebrate and honor Metropolitan-Archbishop ’s Two men are in hiding: Andriy Inosov of having organized the abduction and kill- 60th birthday. The multi-media event, held via Zoom, included humorous slide and Valery Fedorov. While Mr. Inosov is, ing. The other three men are only charged shows, heart-warming reminiscences and greetings from friends and colleagues like the others, accused of involvement in with involvement in the abduction, all over the world. According to the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation, it the abduction, Mr. Fedorov is believed to have taken part in the killing and burying of although it is hard to believe that they did was estimated that nearly 1,000 people viewed the event on roughly 300 com- not know that the aim of their abduction, puter screens. What they saw was not only a celebration of the archbishop’s life Mr. Serhiyenko’s body, together with Mr. Voronkov. With Mr. Fedorov never caught which itself was carried out with brutality, and accomplishments, but they saw and participated in a technologically savy was the journalist’s murder. program that found a way to bridge the distance that separates people in (and it’s possible he was killed), Mr. Voronkov has tried to claim that he only On August 22, 2019, a panel of judges at Ukraine, Western Europe and North America. To cap off the birthday celebra- played a subsidiary role. During an investi- the Horodyshche District Court ordered that tion, organizers even went so far as to simultaneously present the archbishop gative experiment soon after his arrest, Mr. Mr. Melnyk be released under house arrest with identical-looking birthday cakes – one in Lviv and one in Philadelphia. Voronkov showed where he and Mr. and allowed to visit medical institutions. These are difficult times, indeed. Despite the challenges, our diaspora organi- Fedorov had buried Mr. Serhiyenko’s body. This first ruling was successfully challenged zations continue to do great work. They have found novel ways to keep us con- Yevhenia Zakrevska, the lawyer represent- by the prosecutor. Mr. Melnyk was, howev- nected and keep us engaged in our shared community life. We applaud the ing Mr. Serhiyenko’s family, points out that er, released again under house arrest on remarkable work they have done, and we look forward to all of the great things Mr. Voronkov’s evident attempts to present January 8. The prosecutor appealed imme- they will no doubt continue to accomplish. Kudos! himself as merely doing what Mr. Fedorov diately, though it is not clear whether the told him to do are largely meaningless appeal was rejected. Mr. Melnyk certainly since what Mr. Voronkov did admit to did not return to prison and on December 2, already falls under murder. his house arrest was changed from 24-hour The Horodyshche District Court on to an effective night curfew. Dec. Turning the pages back... December 2 did not release Mr. Voronkov Mr. Horbenko and Mr. Nedibalyuk were outright, ordering him to be placed under released under house arrest on June 27, house arrest. There are, however, stricter 2019, and are now under a night curfew. Mr. Twenty-five years ago, on December 19, 1995, Ukraine’s rules about how long a person can remain Zavrazhin is on bail. Mr. Horbenko’s release 19 Ministry of Health reported that more than 1 million of Ukraine’s under house arrest. Since there appear to under house arrest came shortly after shock- residents have come down with the flu, with the virus reaching be no regulations to prevent a trial being ing developments in court led to criminal 1995 epidemic proportions in the cities of Kyiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv, dragged out beyond all reasonable time- charges being laid against judge Lyudmila Chernihiv, Zaporizhia, Dnirpopetrovsk and Symferopil. frames, Mr. Voronkov will also be freed Synytsya from the Horodyshche Court. Sixty percent of flu cases in Ukraine were reported among from house arrest soon enough if the pros- In June 2019, the Special Investigations school children, which prompted the Ministry of Health to request that schools start ecutor’s promised appeal against the move Department wanted Mr. Horbenko trans- Christmas breaks 10 days early. The break was originally scheduled to start on December is not upheld. ferred to Kyiv for questioning in connection 29 and end on January 10. Mr. Voronkov was released from a prison with another case where the investigators Schools in Kyiv, Kherson, Khmelntysky and Donetsk had closed their doors on in Cherkasy at 8 a.m. the morning after the were trying to establish who had commis- December 20. Experts said the spike in flu cases was expected to peak on January 1, and Horodyshche District Court ordered the sioned a crime. Since there are strong more than 15 percent of Ukraine’s 52 million people could have potentially become ill change in preventive measure. There were grounds for believing that the defendants from the flu. Two children from Donetsk and Cherkasy oblasts had died from the flu, around 100 protesters outside the prison all worked for the same boss, Mr. Horben­ Kiyevski Vedomosti reported. who believe that Mr. Voronkov’s release is ko’s testimony could have been very impor- Health officials recommended that those who do contract the flu should get plenty of part of the general move toward impunity tant for the Serhiyenko case as well, and the rest, take aspirin and drink plenty of fluids, especially hot drinks with guilder rose, cran- for those involved in Mr. Serhiyenko’s mur- investigators clearly needed to separate berry or raspberry. der. Mr. Voronkov himself rushed into a car, him from the other men if there was to be The World Health Organization also reported that the flu had impacted Western which was supposed to take him to Kyiv to any hope that he would give such incrimi- Europe, including Switzerland, Portugal and France. Earlier in December, the flu had get an electronic bracelet fitted. nating testimony. Despite repeated warn- swept across Moscow, with 338,000 people (among them 200,000 children) contracting Few doubt that 58-year-old Mr. ings from the prosecutor that her behav- the virus. Schools were closed and a quarantine was declared in hospitals and clinics. Serhiyenko was killed because of his work iour in divulging confidential information In the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the WHO reports that, as of December as a journalist. During the months before carried criminal liability, Ms. Synytsya con- 2020, there are 832,758 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine and 13,928 deaths asso- his murder, he is believed to have been tinued to effectively inform everybody ciated with the virus. The measures taken to combat Covid-19 have been similar to those gathering information about the former present in the courtroom, including men in taken in 1995: school closures, distance-learning schedules and restrictions on public governor of the Cherkasy Oblast, Serhiy the same prison as Mr. Horbenko, that he gatherings and indoor dining have been imposed (in Ukraine, Canada and the U.S.) to miti- Tulub, and about Hennady Bobov, then a was about to be transferred to Kyiv where gate the spread of the virus, and it is recommended that people wear face coverings and member of parliament and a person with he could well give testimony against them. follow social distancing guidelines. considerable influence in the area. Mr. Mr. Horbenko promptly denied writing any Source: “Flu fells 1 million in Ukraine,” by Marta Kolomayets, The Ukrainian Weekly, Serhiyenko had, for example, been probing December 24, 1995. suspected illegal deals involving reserve (Continued on page 7) No. 50 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 7

OPINION ANALYSIS What Ukraine needs most? Survey shows how views Short term goals for American leadership of Ukraine are changing in the EU 29 NATO member states, only the following by Askold S. Lozynskyj Ukraine Crisis Media Center were “war” (49 percent), “Russia” (18 per- seven have more firepower: U.S., France, cent), and “poverty” (9 percent). The Pentagon recently announced that U.K., Turkey, Germany, Italy and Poland. Ahead of the seventh anniversary of the At the same time, views differ across at the request of the Polish government Ukraine is considered the 27th most pow- Revolution of Dignity, the Ukrainian think the countries. In Poland, views of Ukraine more U.S. troops would be deployed to erful state in the world with a standing mil- tank New Europe Center commissioned a are mostly linked to immigrants (25.8 per- Poland and at the request of Ukraine’s gov- itary of more than a quarter million sol- poll to survey public opinion of Ukraine in cent) and poverty (25 percent), followed ernment more military assistance would be diers. Of NATO countries, only the United four European Union member states: by the war. In France, Ukraine is primarily rendered to Ukraine, including missiles, States, Turkey and France have a larger mil- France, Germany, Poland and Italy. On associated with Russia (15.5 percent), the radar equipment as well as more joint mili- itary. Ukraine’s deficiencies are economic, November 18, the survey results were war and conflicts (13.1 percent) and tary exercises. All of these are positive steps which is understandable given its Soviet released in the presence of EU and Ukraine Eastern Europe (10.6 percent). In in the European and U.S. relationship. What legacy. NATO’s lack of firepower during the diplomats, including the Ambassador of Germany, the three immediate associa- is missing in these recent announcements halcyon relationship period with the France to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins, tions are with the war, intervention in Trump administration was a genuine cause by the currently rudderless Pentagon has Ukraine’s Ambassador to Germany Andriy Crimea and Russia (the latter cited by 47.5 for concern. European members of NATO been in fact on the table since the Melnyk, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Poland percent of respondents). In Germany and began forging a strictly European defense Bucharest Summit in 2008. Andriy Deshchytsia, and minister-counselor France, Russia’s war against Ukraine is a alliance. This period of uncertainty and rel- During his most recent visit to the United at the Embassy of Ukraine to Italy Dmytro more frequently discussed subject due to ative distrust not only emphasized the Kingdom, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Volovnykiv. Following are key data and find- the role of Berlin and Paris in the importance of American leadership, but the Zelenskyy raised this issue once again. ings of the research. Normandy Format. Ukraine needs a Membership Action Plan role that Europe would need to assume under exigent circumstances. In Italy, the Russian-Ukrainian war is (MAP) for NATO. In 2008 the U.S. under The survey aimed to discover the views almost unnoticed by the public – it was President George W. Bush was prepared to What does NATO offer Ukraine? It is not of Ukraine in four EU member states – mentioned by only 0.6 percent. Italian citi- make that happen. It was stymied by France an absolute defense, but rather the appear- Germany, France, Italy and Poland, as well zens have the most positive views of and Germany, two historically Russia- ance of security and, certainly, a game as trace the most common associations Ukraine among the respondents surveyed. friendly states. Eight months later in changer for Ukraine in its worrisome rela- that European citizens have for Ukraine. The top 10 most common associations for Brussels the issue was a mere mention in tionship with a historic enemy. There are Notably, the survey updates the results the country include just one that is partial- the final communique. Since then there has hurdles such as defense modernization and from a similar opinion poll from 2015, ly negative – “immigrants/unemploy- been an unnerving quiet. ending the current conflict, but a MAP for providing a basis for comparison of how ment”; the rest are either neutral – “gas/ A good portion of the blame lies with Ukraine would be a tangible step in the public opinion of Ukraine in the EU has energy resources” and “politics”, or posi- Ukraine itself, which was ruled from Feb­ right direction. U.S. President-elect Joe ruary 2010 to February 2014 by a Russian Biden stressed his desire to engage in the changed and noting the key trends of these tive – “culture/history” and “Ukrainian surrogate. NATO MAP was a non-issue. For peace process. He also stated that Russia is changes. friends.” the remaining two years of U.S. President the number one adversary of the United Commissioned by the New Europe Barack Obama’s administration the matter States. Russia is also the number one Center, the survey was conducted by the Europeans (23.6 percent) have no associa- • Terra incognita. Almost one-in-four lay dormant. Ukraine was digging itself out adversary of Ukraine. America and Ukraine market research company Kantar and its tions for Ukraine. That is seen as good from the Russian quagmire of influence are natural allies. Furthermore, America’s Profiles division. Over 4,000 respondents news, as these respondents can get infor- under former Ukrainian President Viktor involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict age 18 and older answered six questions, mation on Ukraine and create positive Yanukovych and the ensuing active hostilities would lend credence to NATO’s mission as including an open-ended one. In each of views of the country. a peacekeeping alliance, keeping Europe between the two countries. Mr. Obama decid- the countries, respondents proportionally - safe from Russian aggression. ed to lay low without direct involvement in represented various sex and age groups, asm to cooperate with Ukraine. Opinions Similarly to Mr. Zelenskyy’s inquiry on the conflict except through sanctions. U.S. and regions. Answers were collected of •how How Ukraine the coronavirus can be best affects supported enthusi in MAP in London, Ukraine needs to send a President Donald Trump’s administration through online polling held between times of the COVID-19 pandemic are diver- message to America’s new leadership as was at best lost time for Ukraine. September 22 and 29. gent. Roughly half of the citizens see the soon as possible that Ukraine wants What does Ukrainian membership in need to maintain the present level of coop- America at the peace table, whether it be in The survey’s 10 key findings NATO offer the alliance? Firepower! Of the eration or intensify it, while the other half Minsk or, preferably, elsewhere and that it would rather limit the cooperation and depends upon America’s sponsorship of its for Ukraine. Both in 2015 and 2020, have their governments focus on domestic Askold S. Lozynskyj is an attorney at law Membership Action Plan in NATO. Mr. Ukraine• War is is majorly a far less associated frequent with association the war. problems. based in New York City who served as presi- Zelenskyy has commenced the dialogue by At the same time, by 2020, war- and con- - dent of the Ukrainian World Congress in flict-related associations for Ukraine have tives on Ukraine have not taken hold. Only 1998-2008. (Continued on page 9) dropped. In 2015, 49 percent said they 0.8• percentIn countries said Ukrainianssurveyed, Russian are waging narra a associate Ukraine with the war, while in civil war, while those seeing Ukraine as an 2020, the number declined fourfold, to 12 extremist/fascist state trail by 0.2 percent. first three men arrested in 2015. That trial percent. Unchanged from 2015 is what is seen as A post-Maidan... had to be terminated for objective reasons the biggest obstacle on the road to (Continued from page 6) (the judge’s retirement), but this coincided association. In 2015, the number of Ukraine’s accession to the EU: corruption, with the arrest of Mr. Melnyk (and Mr. answers• “Immigrants” quoting rises this to association a more frequent was cited by 43.1 percent of respondents in application for a transfer, claiming his sig- Nedibalyuk) in 2017, and since then the insignificant. In 2020, it is the third most 2020 (as compared to 37.5 percent in nature to have been forged. Despite it being “trial” has scarcely moved. common association for Ukraine (men- 2015). abundantly clear why Mr. Horbenko would While prosecutor general, Mr. Lutsenko tioned by 10.3 percent of respondents). It now feel the need to lie, Ms. Synytsya chose once tried to get Mr. Bobov’s parliamentary illustrates the rising migration curve from percent) support Ukraine’s accession to to believe that the investigators had falsi- immunity removed, but over tax fraud. Ukraine in pursuit of better work pros- the• EU.A majority The country’s of European accession citizens to NATO (55 fied documents, ordered that Mr. Horbenko Rather questionably, the attempt was pects in the EU. also finds broad support (38 percent). not be transferred, and soon afterwards dropped after Mr. Bobov paid the money released him. The investigators thus lost a involved. Hopes that the investigation A majority of respondents have negative Ukraine with Russia – 9.1 percent as com- potentially crucial crown witness, who was might become more active after Mr. Bobov associations• Still, negative for viewsUkraine. of Ukraine The 10 prevail. most pared• In to2020, 18 percent fewer respondents in 2015. This associate reflects shortly afterwards released from custody. ceased to have parliamentary immunity in common answers are negative, citing war, a clear perception of Ukraine as an inde- On July 16, Ms. Synytsya was informed 2019 have proven groundless. In fact, on poverty, or immigration. Most widespread pendent state. Suggestions to support that she is facing criminal charges over her November 28, Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption associations concerned the “war conflict Ukraine in the face of the Russian aggres- behaviour in court that day. On August 12, Court revoked a ruling against Mr. Bobov with Russia” – 12 percent, “poverty/unem- sion ranged from extension of the EU Ukraine’s High Council of Justice rejected over his failure to list an incredible 124 mil- ployment” – 10.8 percent, and “immigra- sanctions against Russia (the most com- the application from the Prosecutor lion UAH worth of his own and his wife’s tion/seasonal workers” – 10.3 percent. mon answer, given by 21.5 percent or General’s Office to temporarily suspend Ms. assets. There was no option after the There is not much change from 2015, respondents) to arming Ukraine (the least Synytsya. Indeed, they went even further Constitutional Court’s judgment on October when the top three mentions of Ukraine popular option). and addressed an appeal to Prosecutor 27. This declared both the imposition (in General Iryna Venediktova that she identify Ukraine’s Criminal Code) of criminal liabili- and bring to account “people who carried ty for false declarations and public access OPINIONS out actions which violate the guarantees of to officials’ income declarations to be judicial independence.” “unconstitutional.” Opinions expressed by columnists, commentators and letter-writers are their Yevhenia Zakrevska, the lawyer repre- There is no noticeable motion at all on own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of either The Weekly editorial senting the Serhiyenko family, believes bringing the person(s) who commissioned staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian National Association. there is evidence to point to Hennady Mr. Serhiyenko’s murder to justice and the Similarly, paid advertisements do not reflect the opinions of either The Bobov’s involvement in the case, with this only movement in prosecuting the believed Ukrainian Weekly or its publisher. presented during the original trial of the perpetrators seems to be backwards. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 No. 50

The joy of ChrisTmas is in sharing... and in giving...

The Ukrainian National Association announces that Mr. Petryshyn is from Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, hav- your support maintains and sustains these entities. its ten 2020-2021 Christmas cards and one birthday card, ing graduated from Kosiv College with a focus on prac- This annual fundraising effort is crucial to ensure all of them featuring artwork by Ukrainian artists Iryna tical and decorative art. He is a member of the V.I. that the UNA publications Svoboda (Ukrainian lan- Korchuk and Volodymyr Petryshyn, are now available. Kasyan branch of artistic writing; and is studying at guage) and The Ukrainian Weekly (English language) Ms. Korchuk is an artist, illustrator and graphic the Lviv National Academy of Art in Lviv, with a major flourish and continue to be published far into the designer. She was born in Lutsk, lives and works in Lviv, in interior design. future. They are the premier news source about events and is a graduate of the Lviv National Academy of Art, Mr. Petryshyn has worked on monumental murals, and happenings in Ukraine and Ukrainian communi- with a masters degree in graphic design. In 2006, she often with religious or sacral themes. He is a specialist ties throughout the world. We encourage you to sub- organized and was a participant of an art exhibit, as in the Sgraffito techniques. He participated in the deco- scribe to the newspapers, which are available in both well as projects that create unity among young artists, ration of cathedrals in Ukraine, Romania, Poland and online and print options. divided into “10 platforms” in Lutsk. She has realized Slovakia. During the last few years, he has often collab- This fundraising effort also provides much-needed seven projects, including an international exhibit orated with Ms. Korchuk on creating illustrations. funds to further the mission of the Soyuzivka Heritage about easel graphics in 2017. Readers are encouraged to view the examples on Center, where people of all ages can celebrate their In 2016, with her friend and co-designer, Ms. the website, www.unainc.org where donations will be unique Ukrainian cultural heritage and where over Korchuk released a joint project “GRAFEZE,” that real- accepted via PayPal with designations for the UNA 500 children annually participate in its camp pro- ized her own ideas in the sphere of souvenir produc- Publications Endowment Fund, Soyuzivka Heritage grams. tion, from design to manufacturing. In parallel, with Center and the Ukrainian National Foundation We wish to thank you in advance design and illustrations, she is very busy developing General Fund. An order form for the cards is available for your generous gift. her own style in traditional folk art in preparation for as well. Your donations are tax-deductible as the UNF her own personal exhibit. is a registered 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, and Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

join the Una Christmas Card f und-raiser

Yes, I would like to join UNA’s Christmas Card Project and support Name ______the Ukrainian National Foundation. Suggested donation for 1 box of 10 cards ______is $30.00. Additional boxes available at $20.00 each. Orders and payments can be made online. Follow links on www.unainc.org. Address ______For more info call 973-292-9800 or email [email protected] ______Enclosed is my gift for the Christmas Card Project. (Please check) City ______1 box at $30.00 Additional Boxes at $20.00 each Qty:_____ State ______I would like to make Zip ______an additional donation of: $ 1,000 $500 $250 $100 Other $______to: Tel. ______UNA Publications Endowment Soyuzivka Heritage Center Ukrainian National Foundation - General Fund Email ______$______$______$______Please make checks payable to “Ukrainian National Foundation”. I will pay by Check Credit card Mail to: Ukrainian National Association, PO Box 280, Credit Card Type ______Exp. (MM/YY) ______/______Card #______Parsippany, NJ 07054. Donations CVN ______Signature______are tax-exempt as permitted by law. No. 50 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 9

INTERVIEW Ukraine’s Ambassador Hennadiy Nadolenko reflects on a decade of work in Israel

by Shimon Briman passed. Both sides did a huge amount of country and to love the work in which you Ukrainian Jewish Encounter work. Incidentally, Israel has these types of are engaged. Work correctly, so that people agreements only with six countries. need your work and to do everything for After 10 years of successful work in Israel, According to experts, this agreement will the good of people. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary double the trade turnover between Ukraine In the early and mid-1990s, the first Ambassador of Ukraine Hennadiy and Israel over three to four years. This ambassador of the USSR and Russia to Nadolenko has left Israel. The period of his year, our trade turnover will drop only by 5 work from 2010 to 2020 coincided with the Israel was the journalist Aleksandr to 7 percent, despite the general economic Bovin. After this posting, he wrote his terms in office of three Ukrainian presidents decline throughout the world. and numerous turbulent events in the life of memoirs titled “Five Years among the both Ukraine and Israel. In October, before What does Ukraine export to Israel? Jews and MID-men” [a play on words referring to the Russian term for the his flight back to Kyiv, Mr. Nadolenko gave Number one – grain, followed by metals, Ministry of Foreign Affairs]. Are you his final interview as ambassador to Israel lumber and agricultural produce. Ukrainian ready to write a book titled “Ten Years to Ukrainian Jewish Encounter. eggs went well. Ukraine helped Israel dur- Among the Jews and Diplomats”? ing Passover in 2020. When there was a Mr. Nadolenko, thanks to your length shortage of eggs because of the coronavi- You know, Bovin was the only ambassa- of service in our country, you have rus, 7 million eggs were quickly imported dor whom the Jewish National Fund become a doyen, the head of the diplo- Shimon Briman from Ukraine. We have just submitted a inscribed in its Golden Book. And I was the matic corps in Israel. You must have got- proposal to your government for a broader second such ambassador. Recently, I ten a grand send-off. Ambassador Hennadiy Nadolenko program to supply Israel with Ukrainian obtained a certificate about this from I only had time to say goobye to the Ukraine will start up again. food products. Ronnie Vinnikov, the deputy of the fund’s president [Reuven Rivlin], and I held a general director. In other words, the Jewish small send-off at Israel’s Ministry of Have Israelis grasped that Ukraine is Where did you like vacationing in Israel? National Fund evaluated my Ukraine-Israel Foreign Affairs. I didn’t even manage to say a separate state? work. That’s why I think I will have to write good-bye to many ambassadors whom I That is absolutely correct. We also made Our favorite place was the beautiful this kind of book. know because of the quarantine. northern part of Israel. We loved to relax at sure that Ben Gurion Airport is writing and Was there something unique in Israel Lake Kinneret. These beautiful spots will You arrived here with a certain set of announcing “Kyiv” instead of “Kiev.” Few that helped you in your diplomatic always remain in our memory. We traveled knowledge about Israel. Did your ideas people confuse Ukraine with the former work? about our country change over the last USSR. This understanding became espe- to Eilat and the Dead Sea, and I recommend 10 years? cially clear after the Maidan and the war in them to all tourists. And, of course, Some 500,00 to 600,000 natives of 2014. A wave of support for Ukraine came Jerusalem, which inspires and blesses. Ukraine live here; they are the hidden dip- They changed – and for the better. Israel from groups of volunteers. At the time, we Can you offer some advice to young lomats of Ukraine in Israel. Each of them is an eye-opener because of its people and were helped a lot by civic initiatives: Israeli transmits a particle of information about its determination, and the way it is building diplomats on how to remain in your Friends of Ukraine and the Canadian orga- post under three presidents? Ukraine. And this human exchange will its economy and international relations. nization Ukrainian Jewish Encounter. Huge only grow as soon as we beat the pandemic. We see that Israel is striving for peace and thanks to them for the work they were You simply have to work well, regardless an improved situation in the Middle East. doing then and still now. of presidents or changes [of power]. You Shimon Briman is Israel liaison for The development of medicine, start-ups simply have to work for the good of your Ukrainian Jewish Encounter. and innovations – all this compels us to In the past 10 years, the dynamics in learn and apply Israel’s experience at the relations between Ukraine and home, in Ukraine. Israel have had their ups and downs; In all these 10 years we did a lot, so that they have moved up and down... This limited-time offer people would communicate, so that busi- I don’t agree. In principle, the dynamics is available until ness would develop. Ukraine and Israel were always upward-moving, despite some have become not just partners but also crashes. And I am certain that our bilateral January 16, friends. There is general support in inter- relations will continue to develop this way. 2021. national institutions and in all spheres of business. I think that after the victory over Agreed. So, in looking at these COVID-19, we will become even stronger. dynamics, what do you consider your main achievement as ambassador in the Has Ukraine become better-known in last 10 years? Perhaps, the Israel- Israel? To what degree is it on the map Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, which among the general Israeli public? will come into force soon? I think that Ukraine has made a splash in I still consider my main achievement to Israel – and in a positive sense. We hear a be the cancellation of visas. In 2010 the lot of positive things about Ukraine in the trade turnover between Ukraine and Israel Israeli media. Much was changed by the reached $450 million; in 2011, it was cancellation of the visa regime between already $900 million. In 2012 it stood at Ukraine and Israel. This was my first agree- $1.2 billion, and in 2013 – $1.36 billion. Get a 12 month ment, which I prepared for signing in 2010. There was a threefold jump over a three- At the time, we had 24,000 tourists from year period, and it would have continued if online subscription of each side. But in 2019, 326,000 Israeli not for the war, which cut 20 percent of the tourists visited Ukraine! Israel became the Ukrainian economy and our trade turnover. second largest group of tourists to Ukraine. That is why I regard the cancellation of the The Ukrainian Weekly That year 186,000 people from Ukraine visa regime an important event, not only in traveled to Israel. human terms but also in the economic for only $30* This shows how much information sphere. Israelis have received about Ukraine. They We worked on the Free Trade $80 for our print edition ($70 for UNA members) like traveling there. We hear only positive Agreement for more than seven years. It $30 for our online edition ($25 for UNA members). things from Israeli tourists. Right now, has been slightly delayed. There remains tourism is severely affected, and I am con- one outstanding signature: ratification by Want a subscription for BOTH print and online? vinced that after restrictions are lifted on the government of Israel. But this is impos- Add only $5 to the price of a print subscription. flights, a tourist boom between Israel and sible without your state budget being * For new subscribers only. as America’s strategic ally, would assume What Ukraine... the mantle required both by American and (Continued from page 7) Ukrainian interests. In essence, these are short term goals congratulating Mr. Biden on his electoral which can be addressed in the very near victory. The Ukrainian-American commu- future. The message will be very clear to nity could be helpful in this, but at the pres- Russia and America’s allies that America is Act now by contacting our Subscription Department: ent time it lacks leadership. Nonetheless, back as the unquestioned leader of the America under Mr. Biden, who recognizes democratic world community. Ukraine 973-292-9800 x 3040 • [email protected] both Russia as an adversary and Ukraine would have an ally it can trust. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 No. 50

Metropolitan-Archbishop Gudziak’s 60th birthday draws hundreds for virtual celebration

UCEF CHICAGO – Hundreds of long-time friends and colleagues from Ukraine, Western Europe and North America joined together on November 24 for a free and fes- tive virtual gathering to honor Metropolitan- Archbishop Borys Gudziak on his 60th birth- day. The birthday celebration was initiated and coordinated by staff of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), where then- Father Gudziak served as rector from 2002 until his reassignment as to the of St. Volodymyr in Paris in 2012. The multi-media program was inter- spersed with often humorous slide shows and heart-warming reminiscences offered by friends who met the archbishop at vari- ous stages of his life, from his childhood in Syracuse, N.Y., to his teenage years in the Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, and his later years as a doctoral student at Harvard University and to his time as a seminarian in Rome. Other speakers reflected on his pioneering work in the Organizers of the birthday celebration displayed a collage of pictures which included Archbishop Borys Gudziak as well as his 1990s and 2000s as a co-founder of the friends and colleagues. Lviv Theological Academy and UCU and his six years of ministry in Paris where he The masters of cerenomies for the pro- bishop’s godmother, Stefania Szypula, who, start a university from scratch despite tre- helped to revitalize the Ukrainian Catholic gram were Olha Zarichynska, an early grad- along with their parents, has been a source mendous resistance from the Ukrainian Eparchy, serving parishes in France, uate of UCU who currently serves as the of great strength and inspiration for the government and skeptics within the Belgium, Switzerland, Luxemburg and the university’s director of development, and archbishop. Church. But, Mr. Hrytsak said, the arch- Netherlands. At the conclusion of the pro- John Kurey, the former president of the Dr. Boris Lushniak, the former acting bishop was blessed with a rare combina- gram, Bishop Andrii Rabiy shared his per- Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation, Surgeon General of the United States and tion of virtues. He is a bold dreamer and a spective of Bishop Gudziak’s new mission who joined the event from the archbishop’s the current dean of the School of Public fierce pragmatist and those characteristics as the metropolitan of Philadelphia. residence in Philadelphia. Health at the University of Maryland, enabled him to fulfill so many of his Although admission to the live Zoom Following introductory remarks and a shared a series of humorous anecdotes dreams, Mr. Hrytsak said. event was free of charge, many supporters brief slide show, Ms. Zarichynska and Mr. from the summers he spent with his friend Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York chose to make generous charitable contri- Kurey invited the archbishop’s brother, Dr. learning outdoor leadership skills at Plast and Bishop Hlib Lonchyna also extended butions in honor of the celebrant. In keep- Marko Gudziak, who is a physician based in summer camps. He and the archbishop their greetings and offered their prayers for ing with the archbishop’s wishes, dona- Michigan, to share his childhood memories. have continued their involvement in Plast Archbishop Gudziak’s good health and con- tions were designated for the Bohdan Mr. Gudziak shared stories from their ram- as members of the “Orden Khrestonostsiv” tinuing success. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy Solchanyk Endowed Scholarship Fund, cre- bunctious youth, including the time when fraternity. also joined the festivities while strolling ated in memory of the 29-year-old UCU his- the future archbishop broke his arm while Long-time friend Ilya (Iko) Labunka through the city center at night against the torian and graduate student who died on defending his younger brother from a gang recalled his years as the future archbish- backdrop of two of its most iconic medieval February 20, 2014, during the Revolution of bullies. He also conveyed an emotional op’s roommate during his years at Harvard, churches. He thanked the archbishop and of Dignity in Kyiv. greeting from his elderly aunt, the arch- and Fr. Michael Loza, pastor of St. Joseph’s his colleagues for the many ways in which Ukrainian Catholic Church in Oakville, he and UCU have helped to revitalize the Ontario, shared his experiences as a young city. seminarian in Rome in the 1980s when he At the conclusion of the program, and the archbiship drew inspiration from Archbishop Gudziak expressed his heartfelt Patriarch – a Cardinal who suf- thanks to the hundreds of supporters from TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 fered 18 years of imprisonment and tor- around the world who joined the telecon- or e-mail [email protected] ture in the Soviet Gulag before his release ference. (By some estimates, nearly 1,000 in 1963 when he was allowed to attend the people logged in on more than 300 com- historic conclave Vatican II. puter screens.) SERVICES PROFESSIONALS Renowned historian Prof. Yaroslav “Every breath we take, every beat of our Hrytsak offered his perspective on the heart is a gift from God,” Archbishop Gudziak МАРІЯ ДРИЧ early 1990s after Ukraine had regained its said. “So we should really live our lives in a Ліцензований Продавець independence and a young doctoral stu- perpetual state of profound gratitude.” Страхування Життя dent from Harvard (Archbishop Gudziak) After the archbishop concluded his МАRІA DRICH established the Institute of Church History remarks, Mr. Kurey and Ms. Zarichynska Licensed Life Insurance Agent to document the life stories of hundreds of simultaneously brought out identical-look- Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. Ukrainian Catholics who had endured per- ing birthday cakes – one in Lviv and one in 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 secution but kept their church alive in the Philadelphia. Many of the celebrants Tel.: 973-292-9800 ext. 3035 Soviet underground. He also recalled the remained on-line for an after-party with e-mail: [email protected] infant stages of the formation of the Lviv live performances and festivities led by the Theological Seminary in 1994, and, eventu- Ukrainian rock singer Taras Chubay, one of ally, the Ukrainian Catholic University in Archbishop Gudziak’s favorite Ukrainian musicians. HELP WANTED 2002 – a seemingly impossible task, to

Dental Receptionist wanted the democratic processes in the region, and Join our award winning team! NEWSBRIEFS of committing human rights abuses against Work at a beautiful place with (Continued from page 2) its own people. Addressing the first day of positive energy. Great opportunity an OSCE ministerial meeting on December for professional growth! Training on General’s Office said that additional evi- 3, Mr. Biegun also singled out Belarus for site. Immediate hire for P/T or F/T. dence was needed for the case to go to trial. “brutally” violating human rights by crack- Bene ts package. (RFE/RL, with reporting by Ukrayinska ing down on street protests calling on Please text us at 917-849-9311. OPPORTUNITIES Pravda and Ukrinform) authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka to resign following a contested presidential Russia blasted for undermining Europe’s security election in August. “The most egregious WANT IMPACT? EARN EXTRA INCOME! U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen violation of sovereignty and territorial The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Biegun has used a meeting of the integrity within the OSCE area remains Run your advertisement here, for advertising sales agents. Organization for Security and Cooperation Russia’s continued aggression in eastern in The Ukrainian Weekly’s For additional information contact in Europe (OSCE) to slam Russia for violat- Ukraine and occupation of Crimea,” Mr. Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, ing the sovereignty and territorial integrity CLASSIFIEDS section. The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. of member states, of seeking to undermine (Continued on page 11) No. 50 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 11

educational institutions, except for kinder- NEWSBRIEFS gartens, will be closed for vacations. Any Dearest Family and Friends, (Continued from page 10) entertainment, advertising, sports, cultural events will be banned during this period,” We would like to express our most sincere Biegun told the meeting in Albania’s capi- said Mr. Shmyhal, adding that cafes, bars gratitude to you all for your outpouring of support tal, Tirana. Mr. Biegun said it is “unaccept- and restaurants will be allowed to provide and kindness during this di cult time of losing able” that the OSCE mission monitoring the takeaway service and public transportation our beloved husband, father, grandfather conflict faces “daily harassment and restric- will continue to operate. Beauty salons, and great-grandfather, tions, largely in Russia-controlled areas,” gyms and fitness centers, however, will be according to a transcript by the U.S. mission closed, he said. DMYTRO PENCAK to the pan-European organization. The deputy secretary of state reiterated EU disburses 600 million euros to assist Ukraine Thank you for the generous donations, beautiful  owers, telephone Washington’s call on Moscow to implement The EU reported that “the European calls and sympathy cards. Your thoughts and prayers have meant so its commitments to the Minsk peace agree- Commission, on behalf of the EU, has today much to our family during the last few weeks. ments aimed at putting an end to the con- [December 9] disbursed 600 million euros With warmest regards, the Pencak family flict and insisted that Washington “will to Ukraine under its COVID-19 related wife - Larissa Holubovych-Pencak never recognize Russia’s purported annex- macro-financial assistance (MFA) program. ation” of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula, Ukraine is the seventh country to receive a children - Roksolana and Stephan Misilo where he said “Crimean Tatars, ethnic disbursement from the 3 billion euros Rostyslaw Pencak Ukrainians, and others opposed to the emergency MFA package for 10 enlarge- Orest and Darka Pencak occupation face cruel repression.” In his ment and neighbourhood partners, which Adrian and Dana Pencak address to the Tirana meeting, Russian aims to help them limit the economic fall- grandchildren - Malanka (Misilo) and Christopher Luangpadky Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “the out of the coronavirus pandemic. This dis- Katria Misilo unwillingness of Western countries to bursement will contribute to macro-finan- Ivanka Misilo abandon confrontational...approaches and cial stability in Ukraine while allowing it to Andrea Pencak an arrogant attitude toward the legitimate allocate resources towards mitigating the Mia Pencak interests of other states” have been pre- severe negative socio-economic conse- Maxim Pencak venting the OSCE from functioning as a uni- quences of the coronavirus pandemic. It Pavlo Pencak Alexander Pencak fied body. (RFE/RL, with reporting by AFP, represents a tangible demonstration of EU dpa, Die Presse, and Reuters) solidarity with its neighbour and partner. great-grandchild - Ava Stefana Luangpakdy Russian Invasion of Ukraine The disbursement follows the agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding When tomorrow starts without me please try to understand, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported (MoU) this summer and its ratification in that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand. December 9 that in the previous 24 hours, mid-September as well as Ukraine’s He said my place was ready in heaven, he knew I was in pain, no Ukrainian soldiers were killed or renewed engagement to continue coopera- he knew that I would never get well on earth again. wounded in action. During that same tion under the IMF program in recent I know how much you loved me, as much as I LOVE YOU, 24-hour period, Russian-terrorist forces weeks and commitment to the policy pro- if I could relive yesterday, just even for a while, I’d say goodbye and kiss you. opened fire on Ukrainian positions on the gramme agreed with the EU. Given the So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, Donetsk sector of the front one time. emergency nature of this support, the first for every time you think of me I’m right here in your heart. (Ukrainian Canadian Congress Daily disbursement is not conditional on the ful- Briefing) filment of any specific policy conditions. The 40th Day memorial services will be held at: The disbursement of the second tranche Quarantine in Ukraine to be strengthened will be conditional on fulfilling the eight St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Newark, NJ According to Ukrinform, “The Cabinet of specific measures laid down at the MoU. St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Hillsboro, NJ Ministers has approved the imposition of These include measures in the areas of strengthened quarantine measures in public finance management, the fight Ukraine from January 8-25.” Prime against corruption, improving the business Minister Denys Shmyhal said during the environment and the governance of state- Cabinet meeting on December 9 that owned enterprises. The commission is “strengthened quarantine measures will be working closely with the Ukrainian author- imposed in Ukraine from January 8-24 next ities on the timely implementation of the year. Let’s call them ‘winter vacations’ for agreed policy program.” EU Executive safety reasons. This is done to prevent a Vice-President Valdis Dombrovs­kis said new powerful prevalence wave,” he said, that “Ukraine remains high on the according to Ukrinform. Mr. Shmyhal also European agenda. It is our neighbourhood With sorrow we share with the community that presented the list of corresponding restric- country and it belongs to Europe. We are оur dearest brother and uncle tions. Over the period of stricter quarantine committed to offering political, financial measures, it will be prohibited to hold holi- and technical support, especially during day concerts and public events. Operation this time of crisis as response to COVID-19 GEORGE KEBALO of nightclubs, hostels, shopping and enter- pandemic and overcome the social and who was born in Kematen, Austria, on March 8, 1945, tainment centers, except for the purchase economic consequences.” (Ukrainian of basic necessities, will be banned. “All Canadian Congress Daily Briefing) passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully on Thursday, November 26, 2020, at the age of 75, at home in New York City. TO ALL MEMBERS OF UNA BRANCH 247 Please be advised that Branch 247 has merged with Branch 173 as of December 1, 2020. All inquiries and requests for changes Funeral services took place on Friday, December 4, 2020, at the St. should be sent to Mr. Eugene Serba, MBA. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ozone Park, NY. Eugene Serba, MBA He will be buried at St. Andrew’s cemetery in South Bound Brook, 507 Langham Road New Jersey, next to his parents, Myroslawa Kaczorowska and Dr. Wilmington, DE 19809 Constantine Kebalo. 856-802-9420 • [email protected] He leaves in grief: sister - Ulana Kebalo-George and husband, Dr. Michael George brother - Dr. Orest Kebalo and wife, Dr. Martha Kichorowska Kebalo nieces - Andrea and Olena Kebalo 1152 Route 10 West, Suite N, Randolph, NJ 07869 and extended family in the United States and in Ukraine: 862-219-5344 families Kekish (Chicago), Kmeta (New York), Huryn (New York), Sidlovych (New York and Lviv), Reshetylo (Lviv), Symonik (Lviv) and Kebalo (Lviv Oblast).

Donations in memory of George may be sent to: St. Basil Ukrainian Catholic Seminary 195 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06902-3099 May he be eternally remembered. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 No. 50

krainian ro PortS Pdate enniS by U P S U : t Ihor N. Stelmach

Nadia Podoroska is talk of the tournament at Roland Garros Ukrainian Nadia Podoroska made history ment, Podoroska seemed unfazed by her at the on October 6 by becom- opponent’s experience. Svitolina had been ing the first-ever qualifier to reach the wom- the only WTA title winner remaining in the en’s singles semifinals at Roland Garros. top half of the French Open draw. She had Ranked No. 131 in the world, the native reached the semifinals of both Wimbledon Argentine (Ukrainian on her mother Irene’s and the U.S. Open last year. side) had never beaten a top-50 player com- Svitolina showed glimpses of her ability ing into this tournament, only to stun fellow throughout the encounter, but never fully Ukrainian in straight sets, gained control of the match. The initial set 6-2, 6-4. Podoroska also became the first lasted only 37 minutes, prior to the second female qualifier in 21 years to reach the one becoming a more even affair. It was final four of any . Podoroska coming out on top, squandering The 23-year-old showed impressive effi- two match points before sealing a most ciency and nerves of steel throughout the memorable victory. quarterfinal match, joyfully celebrating her Podoroska’s run to the Roland Garros Jimmie48/WTA upset victory by tossing her racket into the semifinals matched Alexandra Stevenson of Nadia Podoroska stuns with her performance at the 2020 Roland Garros (French Open). air. the U.S.A. (1999 Wimbledon semifinal) and “It’s very difficult for me to speak after Christine Dorey of Australia (1978 Austra­ what easily, all in straight sets. fourth-round victim, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. These the match, but thanks everyone for your lian Open semifinal) as the best run by a She next had to go through four rounds wins set the stage for her ultimate triumph support. I’m very, very happy!” said qualifier at a Grand Slam in the Open Era. of opponents prior to engaging with over the third-seeded Svitolina. Podoroska, per the WTA. “I try to play every The road to the semifinals Svitolina in the quarterfinals. First was her Serving at 5-4 down, Svitolina saved two kind of shot. We did a good job with my victory over Greet Minnen, 6-2, 6-1. Round match points, the second with an audacious coaches during quarantine. I’ve been train- Before her match-up with Svitolina in two saw her bounce (23rd slice at the net to end a 27-shot rally. On the ing a lot with all of my team and I think what could have been deemed an all-Ukrai- seed), 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. The third round had her third match point, Podoroska hit a crisp that’s why I’m here today.” nian duel, Podoroska had to survive her matched up versus Anna Karolina forehand winner before chucking her rack- Despite never winning a main draw qualifying bracket. This involved beating Schmiedlova, who would go down by scores match at a grand slam before this tourna- three other qualifiers, which she did some- of 6-3, 6-2. Barbora Krejcikova became the (Continued on page 14)

SPORTSSHORTS by Matthew SOCCER (Shakhtar at -7 and Monchengladbach +7). off stage of the Europa League, with Dubas the (League A). Ukraine finished in fourth place Dynamo Kyiv, in Group G, finished in third draw for matches scheduled for December in Group 4, with six points after six matches Ukrainian teams in UEFA Champions League place in the group after six matches played, 14 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, played, to tie with Switzerland on points. with four points. Dynamo won 1-0 against Switzerland. Shakhtar is among the seeded Ukraine lost 1-3 against Germany on on December 9 against Inter Milan in Milan Ferencvaros (Hungary) on December 8 teams, and Dynamo in the unseeded group. November 14 in Leipzig, won 1-0 against to • finish Shakhtar in third Donetsk place played (eight a points) 0-0 draw in (with the lone goal scored by Denys Popov Matches are scheduled for February 18 and Spain on October 13 in Kyiv, and lost 1-2 Group B of the UEFA Champions League. in the 60th minute), lost 0-4 against 25 in home-away two-leg matches. against Germany on October 10 in Kyiv. Shakhtar won 2-0 against Real on on November 24 in Kyiv, lost 1-2 Winning teams will advance to the Round (Additional scores can be found in the December 1 in Kyiv, and lost 0-4 to in the away match against Barcelona on of 16, with the draw to be announced on Sports Shorts section of the October 4 issue Germany’s Borussia Monchengladbach on November 4, tied 2-2 with Ferencvaros on February 26. of this year.) November 25 at Borussia-Park in October 28, and lost 0-2 against Juventus Monchengladbach. Real Madrid finished (Italy) on October 20. In the playoff stage Ukraine draws Group D in 2022 World Cup Zorya Luhansk in UEFA Europa League the group in first place (10 points), fol- leading up to the group stage, Dynamo won lowed by Monchengladbach (eight points), 3-0 against Gent (Belgium) on September France, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina Greece’s AEK 3-0 on November 26 in Athens and Inter in fourth place (six points). 29 and won 2-1 against the Belgian club on and• KazakhstanUkraine has during drawn the FIFA Group World D with Cup in • the Ukr groupaine’s stage Zorya of Luhanskthe UEFA defeated Europa Although Shakhtar tied with the German September 23, with a 5-1 aggregate score draw on December 7 in Zurich. Each group League. Clinching the win for Zorya were club on points in the group stage, the to advance to the group stage. Dynamo and winner, out of 10 groups of European Artem Hromov (61th minute), Vladyslav German club was ahead on goal differential Shakhtar advance to the Round of 32 play- national teams, qualifies for the World Cup. Kabayev (71st) and Vladlen Yurchenko The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is (86st minute, penalty kick). AEK’s Yevhen scheduled for November 21 through Shakhov was sent off in the 49th minute. “The Primary Chronicle of Kyivan Rus’” December 18, 2022. Zorya is tied for fourth place with Athens, Ukraine forfeits match against Switzerland with three points each after four matches played. Zorya lost 0-3 against Leicester (England) on October 22 in England, lost A new English translation of the Nations League match between 1-2 against Braga (Portugal) on October 29 Switzerland• The UEFA and Appeals Ukraine, Body which has was declared to be in Zaporizhia, and lost 1-4 against Athens Ukraine’s ancient Chronicle played on November 17, as forfeited by the on November 5 in Zapo­rizhia. Zorya won usually known as “Povist Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF). 1-0 against Leicester on December 3 in The UEFA Appeals Body considered the Zaporizhia and played against Braga on Menulykh Lit” or “Nestor’s arguments of both parties and did not December 10 in Protugal, with scores to accept those from Ukraine. Ukraine is appear in the next installment of Sports Chronicle”. It is a history of deemed to have lost the game 3-0. UEFA Shorts. Ukraine’s ancient past and ruled that the Ukrainian side was responsi- ble for the match not taking place. UAF Women’s team in second place in EURO 2022 has been used in Ukraine Secretary General Yurii Zapisotskyi said the as a textbook for upper level ruling could be appealed at the Court of of the UEFA Euro 2022 qualifying round Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, after• Ueightkraine matches is in second played, place with in15 Group points. I classes. Switzerland. The match did not take place Germany tops the group with 24 points, fol- due to the decision by Swiss doctors to put lowed by Ireland (13 points), Greece the entire Ukrainian squad into quarantine (seven) and Montenegro (zero points). after several players tested positive for Ukraine won 2-1 against Montenegro on It is available now on line at: COVID-19. The UAF said it would not have Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and other book vendors December 1, won 4-0 against Greece on time to send a new team to play the match October 27 in Athens, won 1-0 against as well as the publisher’s web site, Xulonpress.com. on the next day. The ruling relegated Ukraine from the Nations League’s top tier (Continued on page 15) No. 50 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 13 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 No. 50

Plast Chicago holds 22nd annual charity golf event

by George G. Kuritza a free stretching session to all participants. The event used a team scramble format in HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Despite the ongo- order to engage the 62 men and women golf- ing COVID-19 pandemic with social distancing ers, which also gave participants an opportu- guidelines that have limited public gatherings, nity to enjoy friendly competition and great golfers from across the nation gathered on a camaraderie while being surrounded by the cool summer morning here for the very popu- beautiful natural surroundings here. lar and highly anticipated Chicago Plast Golf Afterwards, due to the strict COVID-19 social Classic held at the Hilldale Golf Club on gathering restrictions, the post-golf reception September 19. was limited and held onsite. For the past two decades more than a thou- As has become the tradition, all of the pro- sand people have taken part in the annual ceeds from this year’s event will provide con- event. This year, despite a two-week post- tinued financial support for Plast and The ponement because of a severe thunderstorm Pobratymy Foundation, a not-for-profit 501 that included tornado warnings, participants (c)(3) tax-exempt corporation established in nonetheless made the trip from all corners of 1992 by members of the men’s Plast the country. They came from California, Pobratymy fraternity. Over the past 28 years, Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, the foundation has raised over $300,000 to New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, further the principles of Plast and Ukrainian Virginia, Washington D.C., and Florida in order scouting. The proceeds are used to support to be a part of the 22nd annual charity golf Plast chapters in the U.S., Canada, Germany tournament and festivities hosted by the and Ukraine. Chicago-based Pobratymy fraternity of Plast The Pobratymy Foundation, its board of Ukrainian Scouting Organization. directors, and this tournament’s organizer, Dr. The lowest score tournament was won by Roman Saldan, expressed their gratitude to all the team of Nick Iwanik, Bohdan “Billy” of our volunteers who gave their time and Matusiak and George Petrasz, who finished effort to help plan and run the event, as well as with a score of 65. The men’s and women’s sponsors for their support, generosity and longest drive competitions were won by John commitment, as they are the life-blood of the Derkach and Kathy Saldan, respectively, while annual fund-raising event. Those individuals the men’s and women’s closest to the pin include the following people: Kathy Saldan, contest was won by Mykola Hryhorczuk and Katrusia and Ihor Hrynewycz, Andres Durbak Lydia Stankevych, respectively. Nicholas and George G. Kuritza. A list of the benefactors Sosenko and Oleh Hanowsky won the putting appears in a separate notice in this issue of contest. Roman Saldan The Weekly. For more information, readers Prior to the start of this year’s event, the Pictured from left to right are members of the winning team: Nick Iwanik, may visit the website PobratymyFoundation. company StretchLab of Park Ridge, Ill., offered George Petrasz and Bohdan Matusiak. com.

to hit through the court well, both off the Nadia Podoroska... forehand and , painting the clay 22nd Annual (Continued from page 12) with winning shots, amassing 23 during another typical performance at a tourna- Chicago Plast Golf Classic 2020 et toward the blue sky. Svitolina hit a mere ment in which she also snapped top seed Benefactors eight winners – the same number of times Simona Halep’s 17-match winning run. she lost serve – as she slumped to her Unable to put up much resistance, The Pobratymy Foundation would like to express enormous gratitude to worst defeat in a major in terms of her Podoroska decided to show more aggres- all of our wonderful individual and corporate sponsors and volunteers for opponent’s ranking. sion and started coming forward to cut their support, generosity, and commitment to the 22nd Annual Chicago Svitolina broke her serve in the first down the time for Swiatek to hit her big Plast Golf Classic on Saturday September 19, 2020 game, but then Podoroska turned on her shots. This strategy helped her hold two engine, bagging five consecutive games to service games, but was not enough to derail Swiatek, who faced just a lone breakpoint Todd Benigni Metro Chicago Surgical Oncology LLC, move up 5-1. Having converted all of her four break points while Svitolina converted in the opening set. Podoroska, who earned Dr. Marko Jachtorowycz Dr. Bohdan and Roxanna Charkewycz only two of six, Podoroska found herself up more than she had in her entire career by Charysh & Schroeder Ltd., Metro Security Force Inc., one set after 37 minutes. reaching these semifinals, would have Michael J. Charysh Wasyl Mirutenko Perfectly mixing power and a gentle hoped for the tide to turn in the second set, Park Ridge Pediatrics, touch with drop shots, Podoroska proved but there was no respite. Swiatek raced to a Cook Alex Ltd., Andrew G. Kolomayets 4-0 lead before a few nervous errors Dr. Maria Hrycelak too skillful for Svitolina, who did not resem- George and Bohdanna Domino ble the player who reached the semis at allowed Podoroska to avoid a second-set Nestor and Olya Popowych two majors a year ago. Six games in a row (zero points) with break of serve. Dynamic Electronics, Myron Stasiuk PwC, Lev Holubec went against serve in the second set until Swiatek immediately broke back, however, Bohdan Dziuk Podoroska held for 5-4 before wrapping it and ended the ordeal on the first match REM Builders, Walter Bratkiv up on Svitolina’s serve on her second match point with an unreturned serve. Edgebrook Radiology point with a forehand winner. and Dr. George Kuritza Dr. Andrew and Ruta Ripecky Svitolina makes quarterfinals A semifinal loss to Swiatek Scott Ellis Dr. Roman and Katherine Saldan Before being eliminated by the upstart After playing and winning eight matches Podoroska, 2-6, 4-6 in the quarterfinals, GolfTec & Personal Coach Selfreliance Foundation - Selfreliance Federal Credit Union in 15 days, Nadia Podoroska expended vast third-seed Elina Svitolina defeated Varvara - Tom Portera – Des Plaines, Illinois amounts of physical and mental energy, her Gracheva of Russia, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, Renata Roman B. Hirniak Oleh and Luba Skubiak streak far exceeding all realistic expecta- Zarazua of Mexico, 6-3, 0-6, 6-2, Ekaterina with Alex, Juliana, and Adriana Drs. Alexander and Maria Sosenko tions she and her training staff may have Alexandrova of Russia, 6-4, 7-5 and had entering this French Open. Her disap- of France, 6-1, 6-3. Dayana Drs. Daniel and Christine Hryhorczuk Dr. George and Lydia Stankevych pointing dismantling at the hands of Polish Yastremska (24th seed) lost in the first Stephan Iwanik StretchLab of Park Ridge, Illinois teenager Iga Swiatek, 2-6, 1-6, could easily round to of Australia, 4-6, 3-6. Likewise, was Gregory Kocko Agency LLC, Irka Tkaczuk and Family be explained as fatigue, aches and pains from her strenuous long run in the tourney, defeated in first round action by Paula Gregory Kocko Ukrainian Catholic Education severe nervousness from being on one of Badosa Gibert of Spain, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6 and Dr. Mykola Lisowsky Foundation - Joe P. Solimini, CFO ’ ultimate center stages, a superior Katarina Zavatska was bested by No. 5 Kiki George Lytwynyshyn opponent or a combination of all the above. Bertens of the Netherlands, 6-2, 2-6, 0-6. Podoroska had no answer for Swiatek’s Qualifier was ousted by Nao powerful groundstrokes and sleek move- Hibino of Japan, 4-6, 0-6. In doubles play, Pobratymy Foundation, founded by the Plast Pobratymy Fraternity in ment. Swiatek broke serve five times while the duo of Marta Kostyuk (Ukraine) / 1992, is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt corporation, which supports the ongoing finishing off the one-sided contest on Court Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Belarus) made it activities of Plast-Ukrainian Scouting Organization and other similar tax- Philippe Chatrier in 69 minutes. She looked into the quarterfinals, eventually losing to exempt organizations. to impose herself on the match early and No. 2 seeds Timea Babos (Hungary)/ jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Swiatek managed (France), 2-6, 5-7. No. 50 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 15

Champions League after the team won 2-0 Sports Shorts against Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina) on (Continued from page 12) November 19 in Zenica during the second qualifying round. Kharkiv won 9-0 against Ireland on October 23 in Kyiv, won 4-0 Alashkert (Armenia) on November 4 in against Greece on October 27 in Athens, Kyiv in the first qualifying round. In the December 13, 20 Wheat and poppy seed sale, Plast Ukrainian Scouting won 4-0 against Greece on September 22 in Round of 32, Kharkiv won 2-1 against BIIK- Ottawa Organization (Ottawa branch), St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Kyiv, and won 3-1 against Montenegro on Kazygurt (Kazakhstan) in Poltava on Catholic Shrine and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary September 18 in Podgorica. In 2019, December 9, and plays again against Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, [email protected] Ukraine lost 2-3 against Ireland on October Kazygurt on December 16 in Shymkent. 18 in Dublin, lost 0-8 against Germany on December 15 Webinar with iconographer Michael Kapeluck, “Icon of the Malinovskyi rated most-valuable player October 5 in Aachen, and lost 0-8 against Online Nativity: Image of Reality,” Ukrainian History and Germany in Lviv. The draw for the final Education Center, www.ukrhec.org tournament stage will be made in England, Ruslan Malinovskyi is rated as the most December 15-16 Conference, “Ukraine in Washington 2020 and Beyond…: • Ukraine and Atalanta (Italy) midfielder with the hosts England joined by 15 quali- valuable Ukrainian football player, according Online Advancing and Building Partnerships Through Innovation fying teams (thus far, Denmark, France, to rankings released by Transfermarkt. The and Reform,” U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and German-based website valued the 27-year- https://ukraine-in-washington2020.vfairs.com/ Sweden confirmed), and matches on July old at 21 million euros, which makes him 6-31, 2022. the most expensive Ukrainian footballer. December 16-17 Presentation by Lara Diamond, “Ukrainian Jewish Genealogy Malinovskyi climbed to first place after Online 101,” Ukrainian History and Education Center, www.ukrhec.org Ukraine in Pot 2 of Euro 2022 qualifying draw Manchester City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko saw his value fall by 4 million December 19 Christmas at the Seminary celebration, St. Sophia Ukrainian Online Orthodox Theological Seminary, www.facebook.com/stsuots 2022 qualifying round draw, awaits its euros, to 20 million euros. Dynamo Kyiv placement• Ukraine, in the in qualifyingPot 2 of theround. UEFA The Euro- draw midfielder Viktor Tsygankov is the third December 19 Virtual Christmas Concert “Koliada,” The Ukrainian Museum, is scheduled for December 7 in Zurich. most-expensive Ukrainian footballer. He is Online hosted via Zoom, www.ukrainianmuseum.org valued at 19 million euros. Two Dynamo U-21 team in third place in Group 8 players and three Shakhtar Donetsk players December 19 Christmas Dinner, Syracuse Ukrainian National Home, are in the top-10 of the rankings. Syracuse, NY 315-478-9272 or [email protected] (take-out only) the UEFA Under-21 Championships with FUTSAL December 20 Storytime with St. Nicholas and Christmas Stocking Craft, 16• points Ukraine after is 10in thirdmatches place played. in Group Ukraine 8 of Online Ukrainian History and Education Center, hosted via won 3-0 against Northern Ireland on Kherson advances to knockout round GoToMeeting, www.ukrhec.org November 17 in Kovalivka, won 4-1 against December 22 Online workshop, “Ukrainian Christmas Paper Crafts,” with Malta on November 13 in Ta Qali, lost 0-1 (Northern Ireland) on November 28 in against Northern Ireland on October 13 in Online instruction by Oksana Pasakas, Ukrainian History and Odesa• Kherson as part wonof the 28-1 preliminary against roundRosario of Education Center, hosted via GoToMeeting, www.ukrhec.org Ballymena, won 1-0 against Romania on the UEFA Futsal Champions League. October 9 in Kyiv, and won 2-0 against Kherson advances to the knockout round, January 16 Free Virtual Winter Gala, “Rekindle the Magic of Soyuzivka,” Finland on September 8 in Helsinki. After and on December 9 had drawn Shkupi Online Soyzuvka Ukrainian Heritage Center, hosted via Facebook, 10 matches played, Ukraine won five 1927 (Macedonia). Ukraine is among 32 www.soyuzivka.com or https://www.facebook.com/soyuzivka matches, lost 4 and tied one match. teams that will play single-leg matches on Kharkiv in Round of 32 of Champions League January 12-17. If Kherson wins from the Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events Round of 32, matches for the Round of 16 advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions are scheduled for February 16-21, and the from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors the Round of 32 of the UEFA Women’s final stage in April-May 2021. and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. • Ukraine’s women’s team advanced to UKRAINIAN FCU WE START & END WITH U Offering a Full Line of PERSONAL & BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES! ПЕРСОНАЛЬНІ ТА БІЗНЕСОВІ ФІНАНСОВІ ПОСЛУГИ n Checking accounts / Чекові рахунки n Savings accounts / Ощадні рахунки n IRA & Share Certificates / Сертифікати n Loans / Позики n Mortgages / Кредити на Нерухомість n VISA® Credit & Debit Cards / Платіжні Картки VISA® n Online & Mobile Banking / Онлайн і мобільний банкінг

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