The Ukrainian Weekly, 2020

THEHEpublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association, Inc., celebrating W its 125th anniversaryEEKLY Vol. LXXXVIII No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 $2.00 Verkhovna Rada again votes Latest prisoner swap for state support of Plast provokes heated exchanges

Eugene Zavhorodniy Presidential Office of Ukraine Plast members bring the Bethlehem Peace Light to the Verkhovna Rada on December A former prisoner of war is welcomed home. He was among the 76 detainees returned to 17, the same day the new law on state recognition of Plast was passed. Ukraine in a swap with the Russian-controlled occupation authorities in the Donbas. of the terms on which it was made. by Roman Tymotsko 30, 2019, members of the previous convo- by Bohdan Nahaylo cation of the Verkhovna Rada had voted in Seventy-six Ukrainian prisoners were KYIV – With 316 votes on December 17, favor of the earlier edition of this bill. But KYIV – Ukraine and the Russian- returned in a swap for 127 people handed Ukraine’s Parliament backed a law on the then, after more than three months, controlled occupation administrations in over to Russia’s proxies who, controversial- state recognition of Plast – National Scout President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the Donbas on December 29 carried out an ly, included five ex-Berkut officers suspect- Organization of Ukraine. This is the second exchange of prisoners. Welcomed by many, affirmative vote on the legislation. On May (Continued on page 26) it was strongly criticized by others because (Continued on page 22)

Celebrating 100 years of cultural diplomacy in Ukraine

by Marta Kolomayets KYIV – One hundred years ago, the Ukrainian Republican Capella, under the direction of the talented conductor Oleksander (Alexander) Koshetz, set out on a world tour to promote Ukraine as a newly independent state, to show the world who the Ukrainians were, and how they longed for a free and independent state. Commissioned by Symon Petliura, the head of the Ukrainian National Republic, and funded by his govern- ment’s Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs, the 100-member choir had a mission: to conquer the West through soft power, to tell the story of its emergence on the world stage through the melodies of such great composers as Mykola Leontovych, Kyrylo Stetsenko and Mykola Lysenko, through songs of the glorious Kozak past and hymns of Ukraine’s rich choral tradition. “The concept of cultural diplomacy refers to the exchange of ideas, information, art and other aspects of Sergy Gavrishevich culture among nations and their peoples in order to foster The Dnipro Choir of Taras Shevchenko National University, which debuted “Shchedryk” in the same location 100 mutual understanding. But cultural diplomacy can also be years ago, repeats history 100 years later. more of a one-way street than a two-way exchange, as To highlight Ukraine’s centenary triumph of cultural Over 500 guests, including U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission when one nation concentrates its efforts on promoting the diplomacy, and to observe its own 100th birthday, the in Ukraine Kristina Kvien, ambassadors to Ukraine from national language, explaining its policies and point of view Institute of International Education, which administers the Switzerland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovenia, Denmark, or ‘telling its story’ to the rest of the world,” wrote Milton C. Fulbright Program in Ukraine, organized a commemora- Finland, Argentina, Brazil and Canada, as well as cultural Cummings, a professor of political science and an expert in tive concert on October 9 at the Ukrainian National attachés and representatives from the Ukrainian govern- comparative cultural policy in an essay published at the Philharmonic, highlighting the music of Leontovych and beginning of this 21st century. his “Shchedryk.” (Continued on page 25) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1

ANALYSIS

Russia claims Ukraine promised to end trial Zelenskyy on swap of Berkut fighters a new survey. The poll published on December 26, 2019, by the Ilko Kucheriv of suspected Maidan killers freed in exchange A mass prisoner exchange of 200 prison- Democratic Initiatives Foundation and ers, which took place at a checkpoint near Razumkov Center said 44 percent of the separatist-held city of Horlivka in the by Halya Coynash run the case from the beginning were being Ukrainians responded positively when replaced by people who knew nothing eastern Donetsk region on December 29, asked about the country’s current path. Kharkiv Human Rights 2019, included military personnel, civilians, Protection Group about it. Since it became clear that the men That is up from 18 percent last year. Seven had been included in the exchange list and members of Ukraine’s disbanded Berkut in 10 Ukrainians last year thought the Boris Gryzlov, Russia’s representative at handed over, first Mr. Riaboshapka, then security forces, and two RFE/RL journalists. country was moving in the wrong direction. the Contact Group on Donbas, has asserted Mr. Zelenskyy have claimed that the men’s Ukraine handed over 124 prisoners, while More than a third think Ukraine’s economy that Ukraine agreed to not “persecute” trial will be continued in absentia. This the Russia-backed militants turned over 76 will improve in the next two or three years, those released as part of the December 29, already begs the issue of why the prosecu- prisoners as part of a deal negotiated during according to the survey. The survey comes 2019, exchange of prisoners. This would tors were changed. It is possible that this a meeting of the so-called Normandy Four – eight months after voters elected include the five former Berkut officers who was because the former prosecutors from Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France – in Volodymyr Zelenskyy president in a land- were charged with gunning down at least the now dissolved Special Investigations Paris on December 9, 2019. Ukrainian slide victory, won over by his promises to 39 Maidan activists on February 20, 2014. Department themselves refused to contin- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined fam- fight corruption, attract foreign investment, That directly contradicts what Ukrainian ue the trial in absentia, given serious con- ily members and supporters of the former boost economic growth and end the war in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the cerns about Ukraine’s legislation on such prisoners who gathered at Kyiv’s Boryspil the Donbas. Since his inauguration in May, Prosecutor General Ruslan Riaboshapka trials. There was nothing to stop this being Airport late in the evening of December 29 President Zelenskyy has taken steps to have claimed, and clarity from them on admitted in advance. to greet the returnees. “The people are reform the country’s agriculture sector and what exactly was agreed is urgently Given the lack of any openness, there home. We did what we said: [The prisoner sell off state assets, helping him secure a required. can only be serious concern when Russia swap took place] before the New Year,” Mr. new loan agreement from the International Russia has already gained a major victo- claims that a still further concession has Zelenskyy told reporters after the tearful Monetary Fund. Mr. Zelenskyy has also ry through its demand that the five Maidan been made, one that would undermine the welcoming. “So, they will celebrate New reached a deal on a new gas-transit con- suspects were included on the exchange assurances given by Ukraine’s President Year with their families, in their homes, with tract with Russia as well as an agreement list, and it is quite possible that it is now about the continuation of the trial. parents, with children. That is great. I am on an exchange of prisoners. (RFE/RL) seeking maximum mileage in fostering dis- It was known that Russia and the so- happy and – I am convinced – so are they.” trust of Ukraine’s leaders. called people’s republics had insisted that Mr. Zelenskyy also addressed the controver- New contracts for U.S. Javelins sial decision to hand over five Berkut mem- As reported, judges from the Kyiv Court all criminal charges needed to be wiped Deputy Defense Minister Anatoliy of Appeal were involved for two days in a from their candidates for exchange, and bers accused of killing participants of the 2014 Euro-Maidan protests that led to the Petrenko says Kyiv recently concluded con- staged performance of an appeal hearing that this had led to the December 18, 2019, tracts for the delivery of a second batch of with a politically commissioned conclusion, meeting of the Contact Group ending in fail- ouster of Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych. “If we hadn’t exchanged Berkut Javelin U.S. anti-tank missile systems. namely the release late on December 28 of ure. Since it was announced on December Speaking on December 26, 2019, Mr. all five of the ex-Berkut suspects. It is now 23 that an agreement had been reached on fighters, we would not have returned our people – living people,” Mr. Zelenskyy told Petrenko said three contracts had been reported that the release of three POWs an exchange before the end of the year, it signed in the past three months in connec- held by the Russian-controlled Donetsk seems likely that the release of the suspect- reporters after greeting the former captives upon their arrival at Boryspil Airport. “If I tion with the Javelins – two with the U.S. people’s republic since January-February ed Maidan killers was a part of that agree- government under the Foreign Military could give away 100 Berkut fighters in 2015 (Serhiy Glondar, Oleksandr Korinkov ment. Sales program and one with NATO’s order to return one of our scouts, I would and Bohdan Pantyushenko) was made con- So was wiping their slate clean also part Support and Procurement Agency. The U.S. do it.” Families of protesters killed by riot tingent on the release of the suspected of the deal? That’s what Russia is claiming. State Department in October 2019 police during the pro-Western unrest in Maidan killers. It is also suggesting that it now expects approved the sale of $39.2 million in mili- 2014 had publicly objected to any of the Mr. Zelenskyy himself has defended “progress” in Ukraine’s inclusion of special tary equipment to Ukraine, including a sec- police officers convicted in those killings what he admits was a political decision and status for the Russian-controlled republics ond batch of Javelins, the world’s deadliest being part of a trade, warning in an open has said that he would hand over 100 in Ukraine’s Constitution. This is something anti-tank missiles, to help Kyiv in its ongo- letter on Facebook that the release of the Berkut men to free an intelligence officer. that is totally opposed by a majority of ing five-year war against Russia-backed men could lead to a “wave of protests.” Mr. Glondar is now getting to know his Ukrainians. separatists. The deal reportedly included (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, with reporting second daughter who was born after he If the political decision which Mr. 150 Javelin missiles and 10 launch units, by Reuters, AFP, AP, DPA, UNIAN, and was taken prisoner, and all three men are Zelenskyy decided to take included a stipu- adding to the 210 missiles and 37 launch- Interfax) safely at home with their families. That is a lation that any waiving of criminal prosecu- ers that Ukraine bought from the United very big thing. tion would not apply to the Maidan sus- 44 percent approve Ukraine’s path States in 2018. The Javelin missile systems This being said, very many questions pects’ trial, he should clarify this immedi- are meant to be used in the event of a large- remain. ately. It would also be appropriate for him Nearly half of Ukrainians say the country scale escalation in the war and not for President Zelenskyy’s acknowledge- to indicate what red lines cannot be is moving in the right direction, more than ment that this was a political move should crossed under any circumstances, however double the number a year ago, according to (Continued on page 13) have been made before the families of the many imprisoned Ukrainians Russia uses slain Maidan activists were put through the as hostages. torment of a two-day farcical appeal hear- Given the certainty that the Kremlin will ing with a pre-determined conclusion. Nor not stop at any measures in order to deep- FOUNDED 1933 was it only the judiciary that was held hos- en divides and destabilize Ukraine, and that THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY tage to the situation. it will continue seizing prisoners in occu- Mr. Riaboshapka announced on pied territory, clarity on such red lines is An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. December 28 that the prosecutors who had imperative. Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. (ISSN — 0273-9348) The Weekly: UNA: Russia’s “all for all” prisoner exchange: Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900

Postmaster, send address changes to: About those not returned to Ukraine The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz by Halya Coynash 127 prisoners handed over to the so-called 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas P.O. Box 280 Kharkiv Human Rights republics. Frustration and anger over the Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] Protection Group release of suspected Maidan killers, ter- rorists and others were always tempered The exchange, originally agreed by awareness of the hell many of the hos- The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com between the presidents of Ukraine and tages were going through and the families Russia at the December 9, 2019, Normandy longing for their release. The Ukrainian Weekly, January 5, 2020, No. 1, Vol. LXXXVIII Summit, is over and the Russian-controlled Among those who have finally returned Copyright © 2020 The Ukrainian Weekly Donbas “republics” have handed over 12 home are Serhiy Glondar, whose wife Ukrainian prisoners of war and 64 civil- learned she was expecting their second ian hostages. (Four of the people released child the day he was taken prisoner, and ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA have families in the occupied Donbas and Oleksandr Korinkov, who was captured Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 chose to remain there.) after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Russia’s interpretation of the Minsk and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 deceit at Minsk over the Battle of e-mail: [email protected] demand that prisoners are released “all for Debaltseve. Both men had been imprisoned all” has always been highly specific, and the Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 e-mail: [email protected] 80 Ukrainians freed were in exchange for (Continued on page 23) No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 3

THE CRIMEA CIRCUMVENTION How EU firms are sidestepping sanctions and making money on the peninsula

by Kristina Zakurdaeva and ly offshore holding firms – have continued Crimea ahead of the annexation, is just one While TIS Krym is now fully Russian- Mikhail Maglov to do the same, according to a new joint firm in the empire of Aleksandr Annenkov, owned, company records show that Mr. RFE/RL investigation by Current Time, the Russian- a shadowy former Russian deputy minister Annenkov personally owns 1 percent of language network led by RFE/RL in cooper- of transport. AnRussTrans and the other 99 percent via In December 2014, Serhiy Khodko, a ation with Voice of America (VOA), and the Mr. Annenkov is the owner of Anrusstrans Limited, the Cypriot firm he local official under Moscow-installed anti-corruption project Municipal Scanner. AnRussTrans, a leading Russian transport controls through a nominal owner. authorities in Crimea, received a medal The multipart investigation has revealed group that has been in the maritime trans- Another Russian subsidiary ultimately from Russia’s Defense Ministry “for the that these include EU firms owned by port business for nearly 20 years. It works owned by Anrusstrans Limited transported return” of the Ukrainian peninsula to tycoons and former officials in both Russia with state agencies and large private com- people and equipment from Russia to Russian control. and Ukraine, many of which have invested panies, but neither the group nor its owner Crimea for a period of time between 2015 Khodko, who has since passed away, was and conducted business in sectors prohibit- are widely known to the public. and 2016 under a procurement contract not only a deputy in the City Council of the ed by EU sanctions, such as tourism and As this joint investigation discovered, from the Russian Defense Ministry. Public Crimean city of Kerch. He was also the transportation. Cypriot firms controlled by Mr. Annenkov records do not show the precise nature of director of a company called TIS Krym, Shares in one Cyprus firm that controls a operate on the peninsula to this day in sec- the cargo. which operates ferries from a Russian port hotel in Crimea are held by a British subsid- tors specifically barred under EU sanctions. Mr. Annenkov also controls a Cypriot across the Kerch Strait – and brought iary of the U.S.-based Bank of New York Neither the Cypriot nor Ukrainian authori- firm – Ugtrans Terminal Co. Limited – that Russian personnel and hardware into Mellon Inc., the world’s largest depository ties responded in substance to journalists’ is part of the businessman’s transport Crimea as it seized and annexed the penin- bank, with assets amounting to $33.1 tril- questions. empire. In the summer of 2018, it emerged sula in March 2014. lion as of December 2018. EU sanctions implemented five years that a ferry owned by the firm had its hull “We took the first, second and third Russian officials have claimed publicly ago this month specifically prohibit “all for- fractured during the unloading of railway waves, as we call them, of these mass trans- that both EU and U.S. companies are oper- eign investments” in Crimea, as well as ser- cars after crossing the Kerch Strait. ports. The guys [Russian servicemen] were ating in Crimea despite the sanctions but vices there “related to tourism activities, Dockworkers were able to prevent a brought across in organized groups, in that they are doing so under the radar. including in the maritime sector, and in the possible oil spill, industry publications plainclothes, but they had their uniforms “These are representatives of European sectors of transport, telecommunications, reported. AnRussTrans declined to com- and whips with them,” Khodko later boast- countries, Italy, Germany and Eastern energy, and exploitation of oil, gas and min- ment on the incident. ed in an interview with Kerch.net, which Europe. There are representatives of the erals.” Meanwhile, Mr. Annenkov’s wife and described the passengers as Cossacks from United States of America, as well. Not all of TIS Krym moved its incorporation from daughter are the owners of a Cypriot firm southern Russia. them would like to have their names made Ukraine – where it was owned by a Kyiv- called Sandray Trading Limited, which con- “Gradually,” he added, “the task was public” due to the sanctions regime, Andrei based company left untouched by trols a company also called Sandray that is completed. In the course of two to three Kulik, at the time a senior economic-develop- Ukrainian sanctions – to Russia a year after based in Sevastopol, the Black Sea port in days, a large number of human reserves ment official for the Russia-installed authori- the annexation. But beginning in March Crimea that Russia has designated a federal were transported across.” ties in Crimea, said in November 2018. 2016, a Cypriot company called Avimalink subject. Russia President Vladimir Putin later In June of this year, the Russian govern- Enterprises Ltd. gradually bought up nearly The Russia-incorporated Sandray states conceded that Crimea was secured thanks ment allowed information about Crimean all of the ferry company’s shares. that it is involved in a range of business to the surreptitious deployment of Russian businesses to be hidden in the official pub- Avimalink, in turn, was owned by anoth- spheres, including maritime passenger and soldiers – widely referred to as an invasion lic registry if they have been hit by foreign er Cypriot firm, Anrusstrans Limited, which freight transport, construction of port facili- of “little green men” – across the peninsula. sanctions or maintain branches or other Mr. Annenkov controls through a nominal ties, ship rentals, and storage of oil and gas The land grab subsequently triggered affiliated entities on the peninsula. owner named Christiana Savva, according products. waves of U.S. and European Union sanc- Petras Austrevicius, a Lithuanian law- to a document related to Mr. Annenkov’s In August 2017, Sandray purchased a tions, including prohibitions on doing busi- maker in the European Parliament, has pre- Crimea-based bank that was posted on the Crimea-based firm called Invest-Region ness in Crimea. viously criticized Cyprus – long an attractive Russian Central Bank’s website. Krym that sells fuel and crude oil. And until But nearly five years after Khodko offshore destination for Russian money – in It wasn’t until December 2018 – nearly May 2017, it owned the Crimean company received his medal from Russian Defense particular over what he has described as its four years after the EU sanctions prohibit- Sevastopol Transport Systems (STS), which Minister Sergei Shoigu, the TIS Krym ferry lax approach to sanctions enforcement. ing investment activities in Crimea’s tour- Mr. Annenkov’s holding describes as a com- company he ran continues to operate in In response to questions about numer- ism, transport and maritime sectors – that pany providing maritime transit for pas- Crimea despite an ownership chain that ous Cypriot firms doing business in Crimea, Mr. Annenkov transferred full ownership of sengers and vehicles. leads to a company in Cyprus – a European authorities in Cyprus said they were in full TIS Krym into his own name. STS was later bought by Mr. Annenkov’s Union member required to enforce the compliance with current sanctions-related After Current Time contacted Mr. Sevastopolsky Morskoy Bank, which was bloc’s sanctions legislation. legislation and refused to provide informa- Annenkov’s Russian-incorporated firm, hit by U.S. sanctions in 2015. At the time of And it’s not the only EU-domiciled com- tion about the companies in question. AnRussTrans, for comment, all information the acquisition, Cypriot companies con- pany that has operated and invested in about TIS Krym disappeared from the trolled by Mr. Annenkov were still the ulti- Cypriot ferries for little green men Crimea since the adoption of EU sanctions group’s official website. The company did mate owners of the bank through a chain of in response to the Russian land grab. TIS Krym, the ferry company that not respond to repeated requests for com- Scores of European companies – primari- brought Russian “human reserves” to ment. (Continued on page 21)

Venice Commission comments on language law

RFE/RL “the only official state language” in the coun- Ukraine’s almost 45 million population, language through the educational system, try. It adds that “attempts” to introduce while Russian is the native language of to organize free language courses, and to The Council of Europe’s constitutional other languages as the state language would almost 30 percent. Russian is spoken most- promote access to films and other cultural experts have criticized controversial lan- be considered an effort to “forcibly change ly in urban areas. Almost 3 percent of products in Ukrainian.” guage legislation adopted in Ukraine earlier the constitutional order.” Ukraine’s inhabitants are native speakers of However, it stated the need for “balance” this year and previous regulations regard- President Poroshenko signed the bill other languages. and urged Ukraine to consider postponing ing educational institutions signed into law into law days before he left office following The Venice Commission noted that the implementation of State Language Law by the country’s previous president, Petro his electoral defeat to rival Volodymyr transitional period for the implementation provisions already in effect until a Poroshenko. Zelenskyy. Previous legislation, signed by of an education law has been extended Minorities Law can be enacted to protect The Venice Commission on December 6 Mr. Poroshenko in September 2017, made from September 1, 2020, to September 1, other languages. said it specifically took issue with what it Ukrainian the required language of study in 2023, “but only for students whose native Separately, Hungary’s foreign minister sees as an extremely short transition peri- state schools from the fifth grade on. language is an EU language, and not for on December 4 said Budapest would block od for the converting of Russian-language The bill did not outlaw instruction in those with other native languages, includ- Ukraine’s membership in NATO until Kyiv schools into Ukrainian-language institu- other languages, allowing students to learn ing Russian.” restored the rights that ethnic Hungarians tions. The commission also said it consid- their native languages as a separate subject. The commission also said: “In view of had before the September 2017 language ers quotas for minority languages in radio Some native Russian speakers in Ukraine the particular place of the Russian language law went into effect. and TV programs to be unbalanced. claim Kyiv is deliberately curtailing the use in Ukraine, as well as the oppression of the With reporting by RFE/RL’s Ukrainian “To avoid the language issue becoming a of the Russian language. The Kremlin has Ukrainian language in the past, the Venice Service, Reuters, DPA and TASS. source of inter-ethnic tensions within also assailed the language laws. Commission fully understands the need to Copyright 2019, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted Ukraine, it is of crucial importance to Ukrainian speakers argue that the prom- promote the use of Ukrainian as the state with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ achieve an appropriate balance in its lan- inence of Russia is a legacy of the Soviet era language.” It added, “It is, therefore, com- Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, guage policy,” the commission said. “The that undermines Ukraine’s identity and cite mendable that the State Language Law pro- Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see authorities have so far failed to do so.” efforts to suppress the Ukrainian language vides for positive measures to this end by https://www.rferl.org/a/council-europe- The State Language Law, which went into during Communist times. Ukrainian is the obliging the state to provide each citizen of criticizes-ukrainian-language-laws/30 effect on July 16, declares that Ukrainian is native language of some 67 percent of Ukraine with an opportunity to master the 312541.html). 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1 Ukrainian eco-activists honored with Light of Justice award by Roman Tymotsko emphasizing the importance of the topic of environmental protection. KYIV – The Institute of Leadership and After the introductory words of Mr. Management of Ukrainian Catholic Marynovych and Metropolitan Borys, the University presented Dmytro Karabchuk audience enjoyed a documentary about the and Julia Melnyk with the Light of Justice late Anastasia Shkilnyk, a co-founder of the award for their impact on saving Ukraine’s Light of Justice award. The video depicted ecology and fighting against climate the life of her father and explained what change. The event was held on December inspired her to found this award. “This 13 at the National Museum of Taras award honors exceptional people for their Shevchenko in Kyiv. ability to ignite the light of justice in the The award is intended to draw attention dark crevices of the human soul and show to the value of leadership and the impor- the way to a more humane society,” she tance of moral principles in leadership, as noted. The second part of the film pointed well as to popularize examples of such out why the 2019 award focuses on ecology. leadership in Ukrainian society. When the film ended, Metropolitan Most of the leadership of the Ukrainian Borys, who leads the Ukrainian Catholic Catholic University gathered in Ukraine’s Church in the United States, presented the Institute of Leadership and Management/Ukrainian Catholic University capital that Friday night; some of them first laureate of the award. Ms. Melnyk is an Metropolitan-Archbishop Borys Gudziak presents Julia Melnyk with the Light of arrived especially for this occasion from eco-activist, and co-founder and head of the Justice award. Lviv. Among them were UCU’s rector, the Ecological NGO Ecoltava. According to the Rev. Dr. Bohdan Prakh, UCU Director of project’s website, it is an independent asso- Metropolitan Borys then announced the then rector of the Ukrainian Catholic Development Olha Zarichynska and ciation of experts and environmental activ- second award winner: Mr. Karabchuk, a for- University, in honor of Anastasia’s father, Institute of Leadership and Management ists, based in Poltava but operating est consultant, project manager of Forest Dr. Mykhailo Shkilnyk, a lawyer, and public Director Natalia Bordun, who is also a coor- throughout Ukraine, whose aim is to help Watch and expert advisor to the Danube- and political figure during the 1917-1920 dinator of the award. Myroslav Maryno­ build communities in which waste is sorted Carpathian Program of the World Wildlife liberation movement in Ukraine. vych, a human rights activist and former and recycled, and energy is consumed Fund (WWF) in Ukraine. Partnering with During the time of the Ukrainian Soviet political prisoner who is considered rationally. Ms. Melnyk is also an expert at environmental NGOs, Mr. Karabchuk National Republic, Mykhailo Shkilnyk first modern Ukraine’s moral authority, was a 350.org, which promotes the development worked with the U.S. Forest Service and worked in the Ministry of Economy and host of the event. The president of the of renewable energy in the countries of Interpol to identify and combat illegal log- Trade, and later headed the Consular Ukrainian Catholic University, Archbishop- Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central ging, develop public control over forestry Service Department in the Ministry of Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, a co-founder Asia. activities, improve communication between Foreign Affairs. After the overthrow of the of the Light of Justice award, flew in from “It is difficult to work in the climate foresters and the public, and implement UNR, he returned to western Ukraine, the United States. movement, because sometimes it is difficult modern foreign policies in Ukrainian legisla- where he worked as a judge in the city of The Light of Justice award committee to love people who are destroying nature. tive practices. His work was featured in an Peremyshliany. selected the laureates from among those Furthermore, the changes we try to make investigative film on the topic of illegal During the Nazi occupation, he was who have demonstrated moral leadership are slow – they take a lot of energy. That’s deforestation by Hromadske TV. The guests appointed mayor of Peremyshliany. In this in the areas of ecology, climate change and why we all often get burned out. But I see of the ceremony viewed a part of the film position, at the risk of his own life and the renewable energy. For the first time since activists as phoenixes who die and are born before Mr. Karabchuk’s speech. safety of his family, he saved the life of Rabbi the inception of the award in 2010, the again to bear their light of justice again,” “This award is not about my personal Aharon Rokeach, known as the Great Rabbi award was presented to two people, Ms. Melnyk said in her acceptance speech. achievements. I want to emphasize that this of Belz, the leader of Orthodox Jews in west- award is recognition of the importance of ern Ukraine. Thanks to Shkilnyk’s efforts, the topic of environmental protection and many families were rescued in Peremysh­ its rational use, not only for the present but liany. He later emigrated to Canada with his also for the future,”, said Mr. Karabchuk. family. His memoirs, “Ukraine in the The winners received a crystal statuette Struggle for Statehood in 1917-1921,” were made by the well-known master of glass published in Toronto in 1971. Stanislav Kadochnikov. The statuette In previous years, the Light of Justice depicts a person who reaches for light, award was presented to: sociologist and symbolizing the desire for the ideals of editor-in-chief of the publishing house freedom and justice. Dukh i Litera (Spirit and Letter) Leonid Following the official part of the ceremo- Finberg (2018); journalist and investigator ny, the guests continued networking with of corrupt schemes Nataliia Sedletska the Yakiv Tsvetinskyi Quartet playing in the (2017); former Ukrainian military service- background. member Nadiya Savchenko (2015); human The Light of Justice award, which is pre- rights activist from Luhansk Larysa Zalyvna sented for moral, spiritual and ethical lead- (2012); leader of the Crimean Tatar nation- ership, was founded in 2010 by Ms. al movement Mustafa Dzhemilev (2011); Shkilnyk, a Canadian of Ukrainian origin and publicist, philosopher and human Dmytro Karabchuk delivers remarks after receiving the Light of Justice award. (who died in 2014) and Father Gudziak, rights activist Yevhen Sverstiuk (2010). “Enduring Roots” sculpture unveiled in Kingston honors Ukrainian community

Ukrainian Canadian Club of Kingston remain on display until May 2021. Commenting on the unveiling, the club’s president, KINGSTON, Ontario – A stone sculpture by Nick Leniuk Prof. Lubomyr Luciuk, said: “Using as his model a real oak was unveiled at City Hall in Kingston, Ontario, on tree that my late father, Danylo, transplanted from the December 6, 2019, to honor the Ukrainians who made property of Mitch Andriesky, whose own father was one this city their home. of the first Ukrainians to settle here, Nick Leniuk’s sculp- Titled “Enduring Roots” and commissioned by the ture speaks to how our community put down deep and Ukrainian Canadian Club of Kingston, the sculpture viable roots in Kingston, from those confined at Fort depicts an oak tree, whose strong roots are nourished by Henry during the first world war, to the immigrants who the Christian faith and national identity of the Ukrainians arrived in the interwar period and worked hard in the of Kingston, represented symbolically by a stylized cross, city’s industrial North End, to the political refugees who the Ukrainian tryzub (trident) and a Canadian maple leaf. found asylum after the second world war and all those Mounted on an oak plank, the sculpture is bordered, who have joined us since.” yet not entirely contained within, a black wooden frame He continued: “Despite their different immigrations carved by an “enemy alien” during Canada’s first national and generations, they shared an abiding commitment to internment operations of 1914-1920. their Ukrainian culture and heritage, and not only Complementing the sculpture, mounted inside one of endured but overcame the historic injustices they experi- City Hall’s architectural casements, is a banner reminding enced, becoming proud Canadians while never forgetting passers-by of the history of Kingston’s Ukrainian commu- where they came from or who they were. We are very nity. pleased to highlight the many contributions our commu- Placed to commemorate the 50th anniversaries of the The sculpture “Enduring Roots” by Nick Leniuk with nity has made over more than a century to the social, reli- “Lviv, Ukraine” pavilion at the annual Folklore Festival and the accompanying banner highlighting the history of the gious, educational and political life of our hometown of of the Ukrainian Maky Dance Ensemble, this sculpture will Ukrainian community of Kingston, Ontario. Kingston, Ontario.” No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 5

UNA CELEBRATES 125 YEARS: A snapshot from history, 1935

Seen in this photo reproduced from the 1936 Jubilee Book of the Ukrainian National Association, which was published by the A photo archive of UNA histo- Svoboda Press to mark the UNA’s 40th anniversary (1934) are members of UNA Branch 23, the Zaporozska Sich Society, ry has been launched on the in Derby, Conn., gathered for a group photo taken in 1935. The branch was founded on November 21, 1915, with 12 mem- UNA website. It is a work in bers. Its founders and first officers were Ivan Mokrytsky, president; Illya Hupalo, secretary; and Franko Spivak, treasurer. As progress that will be expanded noted in the Jubilee Book, UNA Branch 23 was active in supporting Ukrainian causes in the U.S. (churches, schools, aid to and refined. To take a look, go orphans, various groups) and in “the old country.” The funds for this activity came from the profits of events and from dues. to unainc.org/una/the-una-is- The branch worked closely with the central leadership and local branch of the Organization for the Rebirth of Ukraine. 125-years-old/.

Life Insurance* is the ultimate selfl ess gift Ukrainian your family National truly needs Association, * Not available in all states. Inc.

2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 For instant General information – 800-253-9862 quotes call www.UNAInc.org facebook.com/ 888-538-2833 UkrainianNationalAssociation 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1

CHRISTMAS PASTORAL LETTER THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY Our “koliada” Today the heavens and the earth rejoice It’s that time of year: “koliada!” In our neck of the woods, carolers from various Nativity Epistle of the Permanent Apostle Paul writes: “He made Himself of no organizations visit the homes (and some offices) of their members and support- Conference of Ukrainian Orthodox Hierarchs reputation, taking the form of a bondser- ers with Christmas carols and best wishes for the New Year. For many, this kolia- beyond the Borders of Ukraine to the beloved vant, and coming in the likeness of man.” da is a major fund-raiser that goes a long way in helping to sustain their activity. Clergy and Faithful of the Ukrainian (Philippians 2: 7) Some organizations, like the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and The Orthodox Church beyond the Borders of Some people are born into riches, others Ukrainian Museum, do their koliada by mail; still others, including the Ukrainian Ukraine and on her native soil. are born in poverty; some people try to live World Congress, opt for e-mail. with God and in holiness; other people live The Ukrainian National Association, which publishes our community’s two Christ is Born! in sin and forget about God. Later, death most important newspapers, The Ukrainian Weekly and our Ukrainian-language Today, the Holy Orthodox Church radi- takes away one and all. Since the creation sister publication Svoboda, sends out Christmas cards to raise funds for the antly celebrates the Nativity of our Lord of the world, everything in it is repeated Ukrainian National Foundation (UNF), an affiliated company of the UNA that per- and Savior Jesus Christ and the hearts of all and there is nothing new under the sun. forms charitable activities on its behalf. This year, the cards feature the beautiful of us are filled with great and incomprehen- But today we are celebrating the birth of work of artists Iryna Korchuk and Volodymyr Petryshyn from Ukraine. Proceeds sible joy; God in the flesh appeared on our Lord Jesus Christ, the birth which St. from sales of the cards go to the UNF, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organiza- earth. All humanity had anticipated this John of Damascus spoke about. “This is the tion, and additional donations are encouraged toward the UNA Publications event since the time of Adam and Eve. As only new occurrence under the sun. The the prophets of the Old Testament pro- Son of God is born of the Virgin Mary.” This Endowment Fund and Soyuzivka Heritage Center, as well as the UNF’s general claimed: “Behold the Virgin shall conceive Divine providence for us people and for the fund, so they may continue their worthy missions in our community. (The 2019 and bear a Son, and you shall call His name sake of our salvation is wonderful and Christmas Card project was introduced to readers in our November 24, 2019, Immanuel” which is translated, “God is with incomprehensible because He is born. He, edition.) us”( Isaiah 7:14). The Lord sends redemp- Who created all things and has no begin- We’re grateful to the UNA and the UNF for their attention this year to the tion to His people (Psalm 110:9). The salva- ning or end, is born. The Son of God also recently established UNA Publications Endowment Fund, which aims to ensure tion of the human race cannot be achieved becomes the Son of man. The immortal and safeguard the future of publications of the Ukrainian National Association. As by human forces and for this reason it is unites with the mortal, the uncreated with noted in the November 10, 2019, report on the fund’s launch, our newspapers necessary for God to come into the world. the created, to save men from their sins and “have a long history of promoting the interests of Ukraine and Ukrainians Mankind, which had been dwelling in to grant them salvation. through the written word” and now do so not only in print, but also digitally via gloom and in the realm of sin, darkness and And how prepared was mankind to wel- their websites. despair, has received good news and is filled come and give gifts to the Newborn Savior? We hereby humbly ask our readers and subscribers to welcome us into your with joy because the Savior of the human We hear the answer in the words of the homes as koliadnyky and to help buttress our endeavors by contributing to the race is born – God is with us! The Son of God Kondak on Christmas Day: “the earth offers UNA Publications Endowment Fund, which is geared to securing this newspa- is on earth! He is born of the Virgin Mary as a cave to the Unapproachable one.” In the per’s future, as well as to The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund, which assists our city of Bethlehem there was no room for ongoing day-to-day operations. At the same time, we must emphasize that what Son of man and through the Incarnation the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; no hotel we most appreciate is your support in the form of subscriptions and gift sub- takesa little on Baby! human Тhe flesh Son inof theGod person becomes of the had taken in the Virgin Mary and the righ- scriptions. Please share with your family, friends and colleagues the importance newborn Christ. Divine and human nature teous Joseph for the night. The Little Jesus of subscriptions, which make this newspaper possible. (It may be hard to believe, are united unconfusedly, inconvertibly, indi- is born in a poor manger because He has no but we have found that many use our newspaper when they need it to promote visibly, inseparably. The Lord becomes like place among men. The King of the world is an event or cause, yet they are not subscribers!) After all, without subscribers, one of us, in everything like us, except He is not born in royal palaces, not in rich hous- there would be no paper. And, if you value our community, then you should also without sin. God is humbled in the person of value its most important vehicles of communication and networking. the newborn Christ the Savior. As the (Continued on page 20) As we begin 2020, a new year and a new decade, we offer sincere thanks to all who have backed and endorsed our work with their subscriptions and donations during 2019. With your patronage, we hope to continue our mission of keeping our Ukrainian community members in touch and of informing the world about Ukraine and Ukrainians. We wish all of you all the best in 2020 and beyond!

Jan. Turning the pages back...

Twenty-five years ago, on January 11, 1995, Ukraine’s former President Leonid Kravchuk, U.S. President Jimmy Carter and 11 prominent Kazakh author Olzhas Sulimenov, were invited by the 1995 Chechen national coordinating council, Maslaat, to serve as mediators in the armed conflict in Chechnya and the surround- ing region. Two of the invited leaders consented to attend, while President Carter had not indicat- ed his decision. President Kravchuk said, “We must do everything possible for the world to know the real tragedy of the Chechen people. Innocent people, civilians, are dying every day.” The events in Chechnya, “are not accidental,” he said. “This is real implementation of the new Russia policy, the restoration of a united and indivisible Russia, one that is resuming its expansionist aspirations.” Mr. Kravchuk described the conflict in Chechnya as a defeat for the Russian leadership and its policies. Mykhailo Ratushny, who was in Shali, on the outskirts of Grozny, said on January 9 that “the Russians are eliminating the Chechens as a nation.” His humanitarian aid delegation visited the Petropavlovsk regions, where Ukrainians have lived for centuries. “It is the civilians pollution that suffers first at the hands of the Russians,” he said, noting that there were “hundreds of [dead] Russian soldiers on the streets,” and the Russians refused to call a truce event for the Chechens to bury their dead. “The events in Chechnya will lead to Russia’s collapse,” he said, adding that Russia has proven that it wants to remain an imperialistic state. Mr. Ratushny noted that there were not many Ukrainian volunteers who were fighting on the side of the Chechens. He underscored that they were not mercenaries. Ukraine’s Parliament protested the events in Chechnya by sending a memo to the Russian Duma signed by 105 lawmakers, and appeals were sent to the U.N. General Assembly to review the situation. Mr. Kravchuk underscored that Chechnya would not receive fair treatment at the U.N., and cited the threat of separatism in many countries, including Ukraine, with Crimea in our backyard. He advised the Ukrainian state not to make public declarations about the Chechen situation. Source: “Chechen council seeks mediation by Kravchuk, Carter, Kazakh leader,” by Marta “Ukrainian Carolers” by Iryna Korchuk and Volodymyr Petryshyn, from a Kolomayets, The Ukrainian Weekly, January 14, 1995. Christmas card published by the Ukrainian National Association in 2019. No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

sive. Hopefully, the Ukrainian American Best interests of Ukraine establishment realizes that the designs of certain Western circles may not necessarily not always promoted by West promote Ukraine’s best interests. Dear Editor: Ihor Mirchuk Easton, Pa. Many Ukrainian Americans don’t remember when American academics and Speaking truth to power policymakers did not conceal their nega- tive stance to the idea of Ukraine’s inde- With all of the understandable focus on Despite the international and domestic pendence. Ukrainians tended to ignore that Speaking up in defense the more momentous and still, in many expressions of concern, the Kuchma regime antipathy, buoyed instead by declarations respects, ongoing Euro-Maidan Revolution did not listen, perhaps thinking it could fool of support from politicians, and thus were of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman of Dignity, the 15th anniversary of the both the Ukrainian people and the West or shocked when in 1991, after Ukraine Dear Editor: Orange Revolution has passed largely simply not caring – because the stakes unnoticed. And even though many of its were too high for the corrupt oligarchic declared its independence and held a refer- Letter-writer Jeffrey Ojeda Bellinger endum that overwhelmingly endorsed hopes failed to materialize, it remains a system if the reformer Mr. Yushchenko (December 15) reacted to the statement of highly significant event in the history of were to win. independence, the U.S. balked at extending the Ukrainian Congress Committee of recognition. Only Mikhail Gorbachev’s dis- independent Ukraine. The November- The election held on October 31, 2004, America in defense of Lt. Col. Alexander December 2004 Orange Revolution was a was criticized by the Organization for mantlement of Soviet state organs made Vindman and the UCCA’s condemnation of recognition inevitable. powerful expression of the Ukrainian peo- Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) “anti-immigrant voices” in the media who ple’s longing for dignity. Indeed, it was a for not meeting a number of democratic There was a lesson to be learned, which have questioned his character. Mr. Bellinger unfortunately was lost on many Ukrainian precursor of the Revolution of Dignity that election standards. As no candidate cited favorable coverage by The New York Americans. We prefer to focus on what is took place nine years later. received an outright majority, the two top Times, National Public Radio and The encouraging, pushing aside things that The Orange Revolution demonstrated to vote-getters, Mr. Yushchenko and then- Washington Post, among other outlets, to complicate the picture, however porten- the entire world that the Ukrainian people Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, faced support his conclusion that “Lt. Col. off in a runoff three weeks later. Despite the tous they may be. were willing to speak truth to power, to Vindman does not seem to be on the efforts of the U.S. and others to encourage a In his well-intentioned effort to hearten fight for their rights in a quiet, dignified, Endangered Species list,” but he completely clean run-off, the November 21 election Ukrainians by recounting pro-Ukrainian peaceful manner, and to live in a democrat- disregarded the right-wing media stories was fraught with violations and fraud. remarks recently voiced by U.S. diplomats ic, free and independent country. With about Lt. Col. Vindman having a dual loyalty. I have served as an international observ- at House Intelligence Committee hearings, Ukraine constantly on the front-pages now, Most alarmingly, on October 28, three er in dozens of elections in nine countries, letter-writer Andriy Ripecky (December it is easy to forget that it was the Orange Fox News personalities, host Laura and these were among the worst I have 15) does a disservice in omitting segments Revolution that first drew the world’s Ingraham, former Republican Congress- ever seen. I requested to observe in an area which are not what Ukrainians expect to attention to Ukraine. For weeks in late man Sean Duffy of Wisconsin and former expected to be especially problematic, hear. The citation of William Taylor’s con- 2004, Ukraine was a major story in the Justice Department lawyer John Yoo ques- Kirovohrad Oblast in central Ukraine – at cluding sentence to his opening statement news. tioned Lt. Col. Vindman’s loyalty to the that time, the equivalent of a “swing state,” drops a fragment that unwittingly reveals The backdrop to the Orange Revolution United States. so the stakes were high. And while the scale how many in our diplomatic corps may was the rule of Ukraine’s second president, Mr. Duffy surmised that Lt. Col. of violations was deeply maddening and view their mission in Ukraine. It begins Leonid Kuchma, whose regime was Vindman’s place of birth may have motivat- saddening, my fellow observers and I also with “This story describes a nation devel- increasingly engaging in corrupt practices ed him to report concerns about the witnessed numerous acts of courage by oping an inclusive, democratic national- and violating human rights and the rule of demands President Donald Trump made of poll workers, domestic observers and other ism,” then continues with the qualifier, “not law, including its involvement with and cov- Ukraine during his July phone conversation er-up of the murder of prominent journal- Ukrainian citizens that day, asserting their unlike what we in America, in our best rights and voicing their fervent desire “to moments, feel about our diverse country – with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “It ist Heorhiy Gongadze in 2000. It was dur- seems very clear that he is incredibly con- ing the Kuchma regime that the oligarchic live in a normal, civilized country.” They less concerned about what language we were speaking truth to power. speak, what religion if any we practice, cerned about Ukrainian defense. I don’t system that haunts Ukraine to this day took know that he’s concerned about American hold. There were also growing signs of The day after the runoff, having driven where our parents and grandparents came back to Kyiv, I witnessed a sight that nei- from; more concerned about building a policy... we all have an affinity to our home- Ukrainians speaking out, including the land where we came from... he has an affin- emergence of the Ukraine Without Kuchma ther I nor anyone else there will ever for- new country.” get: the streets of the capital filled up with ity for the [sic] Ukraine.” movement. For many Ukrainians this portends hundreds of thousands of men, women and Mr. Yoo suggested that Lt. Col. Vindman, Throughout 2004, it became increasing- building a Ukraine that is not really children bedecked in orange. It was a mas- a decorated Iraq war veteran and the ly evident that the presidential elections Ukrainian, where citizens hold a weak sive, peaceful and well-organized expres- National Security Council’s Ukraine expert scheduled for that fall were going to be sense of national identity, oblivious to their sion of support against corruption, and for who testified during the recent impeach- problematic. There were various attempts national heritage and estranged from human dignity, democracy, rule of law and ment hearings, might be guilty of “espio- by Mr. Kuchma and his oligarchic clan sup- Ukraine’s Christian spirituality. Ukraine’s Western direction. This was a nage.” (Later he wrote in an op-ed for USA porters to hold on to power and to neutral- A preceding statement about “a young vast and heroic display of people speaking Today that he meant to say Ukraine had ize the Verkhovna Rada’s democratic oppo- nation, struggling to break free of its past...” truth to power. engaged in “espionage”) sition leader and former reformist prime is equally puzzling since it’s not quite clear In the days and weeks following, the dig- It is disingenuous to argue that there is minister, Viktor Yushchenko. The run-up to which past is referred to. If it’s the Soviet nified presence and determination of the no need to defend the honor of Lt. Col. the presidential elections saw media past, then why was that not stated? But if massive numbers of people gathered in Vindman, if America’s most-watched cable harassment and censorship, including the it’s the past that is maligned by Kyiv – and elsewhere in Ukraine – provided news network is the venue for such a shutting down of Radio Liberty re-broad- Ukrainophobes, then this is troubling since the strength and freedom to seek freedom smear campaign against him. casts, and the issuance of directives called it means succumbing to distortions and and fair elections. In turn, that gave turning away from age-old traditions, aspi- Walter R. Iwaskiw “temnyky” sent to the media by the strength to Ukraine’s institutions, and on rations and national heroes. Arlington, Va. Presidential Administration to indicate December 3, 2004, the Supreme Court Ukrainians have a long tradition of what issues and events should be covered invalidated the November 21 election and openness to people of diverse backgrounds and how. There were disruptions of opposi- ordered a repeat of the runoff vote for who, sadly, reciprocated by doing their part tion congresses, tax police harassment of December 26. A few days later, the Rada in furthering the economic exploitation GUIDELINES FOR LETTERS the opposition, denial of equal access to approved a new law on presidential elec- and political oppression of Ukrainians. TO THE EDITOR candidates, violence and other abuses that tions, paving the way for a freer, more How many other countries can match raised serious questions both within transparent voting process. The Kuchma The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters Ukraine’s number of minority members Ukraine and in the West as to whether a regime had no choice but to listen. elected to top governmental positions? to the editor and commentaries on a vari- free and fair electoral contest could be held. ety of topics of concern to the Ukrainian Western governments and international My hunch is that my observations will American and Ukrainian Canadian com- The United States, which had been organizations such as the OSCE stood with be met with hostility by many readers. munities. Opinions expressed by colum- expressing consternation following the the peaceful protesters, pressing the Many couldn’t fathom how Ukrainians nists, commentators and letter-writers are Kuchma-gate scandals four years earlier, Ukrainian authorities to comply with stan- dared speak of betrayal when a few years their own and do not necessarily reflect became increasingly dismayed. In the years dards for fair and transparent elections. after the Budapest memorandum was the opinions of either The Weekly edito- leading up to the 2004 presidential elec- Europeans traveled to Kyiv to mediate rial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian signed Ukraine was “advised” to stand tion, both the administration and Congress between the parties. The United States was down as Russian units occupied its territo- National Association. were active in trying to keep Ukraine on the Letters must be signed (anonymous let- instrumental in ensuring that the Kuchma ries. Never mind how politicians and the ters are not published). The daytime phone path towards human rights, democracy and regime forestalled violence, of which there media don’t refrain from upbraiding presi- number and complete mailing address of the rule of law. There were numerous was a real danger. An important role was dents for policies which they represent as the letter-writer must be given for verifica- direct interventions, press releases, state- also played by thousands of international betraying America’s allies. tion purposes. ments, congressional resolutions, hearings observers from Ukraine’s far-flung diaspo- Certain aspects of the U.S.-Ukraine rela- Please note: The length of letters cannot and even modest cuts in some U.S. assis- ra, including the United States and Canada, exceed 500 words. Letters may be edit- tionship warrant critical evaluation. tance to signal displeasure – although more who also observed all three rounds of the Farmland privatization is one such issue. ed or abridged. Letters should be sent to assistance was given to democracy-build- [email protected] or to The Ukrainian election. The December 26 election that I Foreign diplomats are pushing it, though Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, ing efforts and Ukraine’s reform-minded Ukrainians are understandably apprehen- Parsippany, NJ 07054. civil society. (Continued on page 8) 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1

BOOK REVIEW Clerics, Cossacks and kleptocrats: Journalist exposes Moscow’s Fifth Column in Ukraine

“Russian Church in Hybrid War against Ukraine,” While the design is adequate, it hardly comes up to what by Tetyana Derkatch. Kyiv: Cerkvarium, 2019. 232 pp. have become the high aesthetic standards of Ukrainian book publishing. The layout has one flaw: the width of the by Andrew Sorokowski inside margins does not allow for the effect of binding, It is generally accepted that the Russian Orthodox resulting in a narrow gutter that makes reading awkward. Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is closely tied to the But these are merely technical faults. What makes this Russian government and, in exchange for its support, ful- book important and well worth reading is its thorough doc- fills a range of tasks for its benefit. What is less widely umentation of the role of the Moscow Patriarchate in known is that many of this Church’s hierarchs, clergy and Russia’s multi-vectored war against Ukraine. This is not a faithful in Ukraine work in the interests of Russia and thus scholarly study that tries to present various points of view in threaten the integrity of the Ukrainian state. That, at any a balanced discussion. It is, rather, an indictment – but one rate, is the thesis of Tetyana Derkach’s new book. painstakingly researched and meticulously documented. The somewhat awkward title spells out the author’s Would it persuade a non-Ukrainian Christian reader, chief contention: that the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), especially one who sympathizes with conservative political whether as the Moscow-affiliated “Ukrainian Orthodox values? Would it persuade an impartial observer? Its Church” (UOC) or under a more appropriate name, has polemical tone might forestall such a result. But pro-Rus- been aiding Russia’s multi-vector war against Ukraine. Ms. sian Evangelical Christians might have second thoughts Derkatch exposes a broad web of connections among the after reading about the successive ROC takeovers of the Kremlin, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Evangelical Christian-Baptist church in Antratsyt with the Moscow Russian Orthodox Patriarchate, the “Ukrainian help of militants in 2014 and 2015 (p. 203), not to mention Orthodox Church,” and various civic, military, political, the murders of Pentecostals during the military action in business and governmental organizations, as well as the Sloviansk (p. 211). Russian puppet regimes known as the “Luhansk people’s It is often stated that Russian leaders such as Vladimir republic” (LNR) and “Donetsk people’s republic” on the Putin, as well as lesser political actors, use religion to fur- occupied territory of Ukraine’s Donbas. ther purely political interests and lack genuine spiritual Organized by eparchy (diocese), the book supplies motives. The data on individual pro-Russian lay activists in ample internet references and QR bar codes that permit this book suggest that this is a simplistic and often inaccu- the reader equipped with a smart phone and QR reader rate view. In fact, there exists a widespread mindset in app to access the cited sources. It contains plentiful data in which genuine piety is fused with Russian nationalism. summary form, such as lists of Russian organizations active This should not surprise us; after all, many Ukrainians fol- in Kyiv (pp. 12-13) and of UOC hierarchs in Ukraine closely not pay much attention to a priest’s duty to provide spiritu- low slogans like “For God and Fatherland” and “for the linked to the ROC (p. 81). Charts illustrate, for example, the al care for anyone who seeks it, regardless of his political unity of Church and people.” The powerful combination of Bila Tserkva military school cadet network (p. 28), and the orientation. True, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish piety and patriotism has inspired men and women around connections of Russian billionaire Konstantin Malofeev (p. normal pastoral care from moral support for militants. the world for centuries. The problem in this case is that 149). The psychology of the pro-Russian activists merits Russian activists working for God and country, but operat- According to the Sofia Globe, Mr. Malofeev is wanted by attention. Their religious and national allegiance combine ing in Ukraine, conceive of their country as including Ukraine for financing illegal military groups in eastern naturally enough. As can be seen in the experience of other Ukraine – not as a separate nation, but as a historical Ukraine, was placed on an EU sanctions list in 2014, and cultures, including our own, the combination of religious region of Russia. They thus seek to undermine what they according to the U.S. Treasury Department was one of the and military habits and commitments is also common regard as a fictional state. Consequently, they pose a main sources of funds for Russians promoting separatism enough. But the gamut of their activities goes beyond the national security risk for Ukraine. in Crimea and the Donbas. Mr. Malofeev has also been religious, political and military, and raises questions about What will happen to them if the Donbas is returned to banned from Bulgaria for 10 years (Sofia Globe, 11 the mindset of this sociotype. Ukraine? One is reminded of the Russian occupation of September 2019). His connections stretch from the occu- What are we to make, for example, of the late DNR mili- western Ukraine in 1914-1915, in which Russophile clergy pied Donbas to the United States, including such respected tant Mykola Leonov, killed in the battle for Donetsk airport and laity collaborated with the invaders. After the return of American organizations as the Heritage Foundation, in 2014, described as a “kick-boxer, Orthodox rapper, grad- Austro-Hungarian troops, many fled to Russia or faced Freedom House and the World Council of Families. A par- uate of the Poltava seminary and reader of the UOC-MP” (p. prosecution for treason, internment camps and in some ticularly interesting document, dated July 11, 2013, lists 116)? Then there is the Orthodox priest Father Oleg cases the gallows. Today, however, one can expect more Russian Federation honors awarded by President Putin’s Trofimov, rector of St. Nicholas Church in Pryvillia near lenient treatment. office to ROC churchmen in Ukraine and Belarus (p. 73). Lysychansk, who joined the anti-Maidan in Severo-Donetsk The conduct on the part of both churchmen and laity Non-specialists will benefit from Ms. Derkatch’s expla- in 2014 and supported Novorossiya (the “New Russia” con- described in this book hardly reflects the best traditions of nations of the Romanov cult (p. 52), the ideology of the cept). Eventually moving to Russia, he cheerfully describes Orthodox Christianity, which speak truth to power rather Pochayiv monastic community (pp. 74-78), and the term himself as “the priest for vatniks, Colorados, Titushky, low- than speaking untruth in pursuit of power. What, then, is to “titushky” (p. 97). But they would also have benefited from lifes, Sovoks, fried Berkuts, katsaps, ‘drunkard’ coal miners, be done? One would think that Russia, a country where definitions of key terms like “Cossack,” “Black Hundreds” moskals, separatists…” (pp. 189-91). only a few percent of the population follow even the most or “vatnik.” The term “Cossacks” is especially important. The book has several flaws. There is no index, which basic obligatory practices of the Orthodox Christian, could While Ukraine looks to the tradition of the Zaporozhian would have been useful for looking up individual names. benefit from the services of these zealous, energetic and Cossacks (Kozaks) as a symbol of freedom, democracy and Perhaps unavoidably, the photographs are blurry – though patriotic bishops, pastors and laymen. Ukraine would sure- independence, Russia has been propagating a very differ- the shots of the activists seem to provide insight into their ly facilitate their departure for their beloved motherland. ent concept of Cossackdom, reaching back to its own mili- personalities. Moreover, while the translation is certainly Alas, they imagine that they are already there – or perhaps tary formations that served the imperial state. These adequate, with appropriate use of English colloquialisms, that it is still 1917 and Ukraine is part of Russia. When the “Cossacks,” with their strong Russian Orthodox ties, are the unnamed translator faces the unenviable task of ren- parties do not share a common view of reality, how is dia- adamantly opposed to the very existence of Ukraine. dering the peculiarities of the typically breezy Ukrainian logue possible? Separate chapters are devoted to Transcarpathia, where journalistic style, with its self-conscious cleverness, As a compilation of hard facts and sources, “Russian Russia has been attempting to exploit the Ruthenian strained irony and cute metaphors, into acceptable English. Church in Hybrid War against Ukraine” is an essential (Rusyn) movement for its own geopolitical aims, and to The names of churches should be translated, not transliter- handbook for anyone dealing with contemporary Ukraine, occupied Crimea and Donbas. To be sure, bishops and pas- ated: the non-Ukrainian reader is likely to find it easier to the Orthodox Churches and Russian nationalism. For the tors in occupied lands face a difficult situation. One need say (and understand) “Transfiguration of the Savior” than non-specialist, it offers striking documentation of the only recall the dilemmas faced by churchmen in Nazi- “Spaso-Preobrazhensky.” The text illustrates the principle unholy alliance between the Moscow Patriarchate and occupied countries during World War II. The author does that it is unwise for an author to act as her own editor. Russia’s subversion of a neighboring Christian nation.

of law and political dysfunction continued, seriously ham- ings in the U.S. Messrs. Kent and Taylor were among many Speaking... pering Ukraine’s progress and eventually leading to the principled and courageous public servants – along with dismal rule of the man that President Yushchenko had Ambassador Maria (Masha) Yovanovitch, Col. Alexander (Continued from page 7) defeated, the odious Mr. Yanukovych. It took the Euro- Vindman, Fiona Hill and others to offer eloquent testimony witnessed for the OSCE, along with the huge number of fel- Maidan to begin the process of putting Ukraine back on that in its own way spoke truth to power. If you do nothing low OSCE observers from North America and Europe who track – a process greatly complicated by Russia’s ongoing else, read their compelling opening statements that so spent their Christmas in Ukraine, could not have stood in war against Ukraine but one that continues to this day clearly demonstrate their strong support for Ukraine and sharper contrast to what I saw in Kirovohrad a month ear- thanks to those in Ukraine’s government and civil society their understanding of Ukraine’s vital role to our national lier – a free, fair, open transparent election that demon- dedicated to a brighter future for their country. interests. They, like many other dedicated and patriotic strated to the world what Ukraine is capable of. A footnote: writing this column reminded me that it was public servants in the executive branch and Congress, are Alas, the Orange Revolution did not fulfill all of its expec- in Kirovohrad, while observing those terribly flawed elec- Ukraine’s true friends. tations. On the one hand, Ukraine became freer and tions, that I first met George Kent, whose name you might Ukrainian identity was more firmly established, and civil recognize as he, along with Ambassador Bill Taylor, were Orest Deychakiwsky may be reached at odeychak@ society showed its power. However, corruption, weak rule the first to testify publicly in the recent impeachment hear- gmail.com. No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 9

Tourism development – a new priority for Ukraine

by Adrian Karmazyn advertising. Calendars of exhibits and major events need to be planned and coor- WASHINGTON – In 2020, the Ukrainian dinated. government plans to spend 240 million hrv Rather than thinking about all foreign (about $10 million U.S.) on developing tourists as one audience – and having the Ukraine’s tourism potential, a more than same standard Ukraine stand at all travel tenfold increase from current spending lev- shows around the world, for example – she els. Leading the effort will be a new tour- believes the strategy should be to develop ism development agency. tourism packages targeting five or six dif- Additionally, the national budget ferent priority audiences. includes 500 million hrv ($21 million) for a “For example, for Canada and the U.S. – youth mobility program – a new initiative focus on the diaspora,” she advises. “The promoting educational travel for school- diaspora is big, over a million people – but children within the country. a lot of its members have not been to Many Ukrainian travel industry policy- Ukraine even once. They love Ukraine, they makers and professionals are encouraged help, they sympathize, and they rejoice by the new national-level focus on this sec- with us when it comes to our victories – tor, among them, Dmytro Naliotov, chair of but they haven’t been here.” the Verkhovna Rada Subcommittee on Such a tourism package might include Tourism. In an interview with the Zruchno. visits to historic sights tied to Taras Travel website, summarizing the results of Shevchenko, Ukrainian cooking classes or a Kyiv tourism conference organized by the enjoying Hutsul culture, Ms. Romanova European Bank for Reconstruction and explains. (Readers in North America know Adrian Karmazyn Development, he said: “We’ve reached the this is something that some tour groups An exhibition visitor at The New York Times Travel Show discusses travel options with Olga Sansone (left) and Iryna Dudynska, representatives of Vacanture. stage when we need a reboot. Currently, I have been doing for years but, perhaps, not see all the conditions for this, considering on the large scale that the former Still, to enable greater numbers of for- and organizing visits of foreign tour opera- how much the president and prime minis- Samopomich party lawmaker envisions. eign tourists to enjoy Ukraine’s great histo- tors to get acquainted with Ukraine. ter are talking about tourism and taking Besides Canada and the U.S., Ms. ry, architecture, culture and cuisine, the Based on her company’s experience, into account the record budget for the Romanova says that Ukraine should proba- country will need vast improvements in its other factors influencing a person’s deci- development of tourism potential in 2020.” bly try to focus on attracting tourists from transportation and other tourism-related sion to travel to Ukraine include the avail- How should this surge in funding be China, Poland, Germany and Israel. Chinese infrastructure, she notes. ability of direct flights and their duration, best utilized? And what should be the pri- tourists are a highly sought-after group, Besides being a specialist on tourism, as well as visa-free travel or ease of obtain- orities of the State Agency for Tourism thanks to the significant sums of money Ms. Romanova is the author of a book ing a visa. Overall, Ms. Dudynska empha- Development that is being formed in con- they spend on travel to Europe. Polish tour- about her home town, titled “Chernihiv – sized that it’s important to think about the junction with the huge increases in fund- ists are interested in visiting historic sites City of Legends.” The city dates back to the things Ukraine has that give it an advantage ing? Up until now, Ukraine lacked a cohe- in Ukraine dating back to the period of Kyivan Rus’ but, as she recounts, a over other countries or, at least, make it sive national narrative and approach, and Rzeczpospolita era, with guides discussing few years ago she became keenly aware competitive with them. She says potential individual cities have borne the responsi- the accomplishments and contributions of that its residents were not well-versed in visitors are asking themselves: “Why bility of promoting themselves and their Poles who lived in these lands. German Chernihiv’s amazing past. She decided to should I choose Ukraine as my travel desti- attractions. tourists have been known to flock to collect stories, myths and legends about nation? What unique thing will I see in In an interview for this article, Mr. Ukraine for championship soccer games. Chernihiv, illustrating them with the art- comparison with other regions of the Naliotov’s predecessor in the parliamenta- Many citizens of Israel have roots in work of an impressive team of artists and world?” ry subcommittee, former National Deputy Ukraine. designers. At the recent “Win with the Lion” tour- Anna Romanova, said that the mission of A particularly unique destination in Ms. Romanova says she wanted to “raise ism forum in Lviv, Deputy Mayor Andriy the agency should be to first of all develop Ukraine is Chornobyl – site of the world’s awareness that every day people walk by Moskalenko reminded participants about a strategy and provide guidance and coor- worst nuclear catastrophe – made even buildings where remarkable people from the tremendous progress Lviv has made in dination: more popular by the award-winning HBO our history lived,” including figures like recent years, attracting 2.2 million tourists “I think the first step is a matter of strat- series. When she traveled there for an Kozak Hetmans Ivan Mazepa and Pavlo in 2018 – more than half coming from egy, and the government should create a excursion, Ms. Romanova says she met a Polubotok, “so that people know that the abroad. strategy with the participation of represen- retired couple from Texas who said the everyday things that surround us are As reported by the City Council’s web- tatives of the tourism business, tour opera- tour was interesting for them because “we wrapped in legends, in the grand life of site, he said: “Twelve years ago, we had tors, representatives of those countries that remember when we were young and it was great people and that we are surrounded fewer than 100,000 tourists. We did not we are interested in, plus media.” Funding, the Cold War and we remember how we by incredible wonders.” have the beautiful airport we have today, Ms. Romanova says, should go toward heard about it on the other side of the Ms. Romanova believes that the 500 mil- which is rapidly growing. Ploshcha Rynok engaging experts and conducting surveys ocean. And now we are here. Chornobyl for lion hrv budgeted for the youth mobility was packed with automobiles, there were about the interests of tourists and their us is a museum of the Cold War, a museum program – a sort of domestic educational not so many hotels and restaurants. But a spending habits. Another key issue is pro- of those times. Like landing back in time 35 travel program for Ukrainian schoolchil- synergy of government and business devel- motion of travel to Ukraine through exhibi- years ago – and it’s very interesting.” dren – is crucially important: oped, and gave a push for major develop- tions and various entertainment and infor- And another promising sector is medical “The [program of] mobility of school- ment. Now Lviv is an example of a certain mation platforms, including broadcast tourism, based on already popular mineral children will fulfill three powerful goals: strategy. It’s very important to create such giants like the Discovery Channel and and health spas like Truskavets, as well as First, it will unify the country. Secondly, it a strategy at the national level.” National Geographic as well as social media relatively inexpensive medical services. will educate the younger generation in a Also speaking at that conference, Serhiy national-patriotic way, creating an under- Kiral, the mayor’s adviser on international standing of how interesting Ukraine is, how cooperation, said that, “for a long time, multi-colored it is, how rich it is in tourist tourism was not a priority for Ukraine, but resources and how hospitable its people that is changing.” are in every corner – in the east and west, While discussing what measures and in the north and south. Third, it’s Ukraine needs to take regarding national developing the habit of travel… You can tourism development, Lviv Oblast travel and see something new and expose Governor Markiyan Malsky said Ukraine yourself to new horizons. So, in any event, “needs uninterrupted promotion by the developing the habit of travel is a plus for government: nice slogans, major events, the economy and the country.” things that will stick in people’s memo- For a business perspective, this writer ries!” turned to Iryna Dudynska, executive man- Ukrainians already have great slogans ager of Vacanture, a tour operator with like “Ukraine Now!” and “Ukraine Wow!” In offices in Ukraine and France. 2020, this branding will have the financial Her wish list for the projected 240 mil- backing as well as the national-level strate- lion hrv tourism development budget gy and coordination that may genuinely includes promoting Ukraine on digital plat- help bring millions more travelers from forms, participating in international travel around the globe to Ukraine. exhibits, inviting travel industry experts from abroad to Ukraine to share their Adrian Karmazyn is a communications expertise, offering English-language narra- advisor at the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, tives for items displayed in Ukrainian which organizes a Travel to Ukraine booth U.S.-Ukraine Foundation museums, improving the look of tourism at The New York Times Travel Show held Adrian Karmazyn and Anna Romanova at The New York Times Travel Show. infrastructure that has fallen into disrepair, annually in January. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1 No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 11

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Ohio Ukrainians meet Bishop John Bura welcomed at former parish with Sen. Sherrod Brown

WILMINGTON, Del. – Recently retired Bishop John Bura concelebrated divine liturgy at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Wilmington, Del., on Sunday, Walter Ciszkewycz December 8. Bishop John is a former pastor of the parish. Following liturgy, a lun- Ukrainian community leaders and activists at a meeting with Sen. Sherrod Brown cheon was held in the church hall and the children of the parish were treated with (second from right) held at the Ukrainian Museum-Archives in Cleveland. a visit from St Nicholas. by Andrew Fedynsky Scouting Organization and other organiza- tions, spoke about countering the perni- CLEVELAND – Sen. Sherrod Brown cious Russian propaganda that is permeat- (D-Ohio), a vice-chair of the Senate Ukraine ing some American media and political cir- New Haven schoolkids decorate Christmas tree Caucus, on December 13 met at the cles. Ihor Kowalysko, a volunteer at the UMA Ukrainian Museum-Archives (UMA) in and vice-president at a leading advertising Cleveland with 15 leaders of Ohio’s Ukrainian firm in Michigan, suggested measures the organizations. U.S. should take to counter those measures. Marta Liscynesky-Kelleher, president of Paul Burlij, UMA board president and a the United Ukrainian Organizations of veteran of the U.S. military, advised on con- Ohio, welcomed the senator on behalf of tacts between the U.S. and Ukraine, particu- more than 40 member organizations and larly on strategic-military issues. Others thanked him for his long-standing support encouraged the senator to support U.S. of Ukraine. diaspora efforts to assist internally dis- In his remarks, Sen. Brown said he had placed refugees, and to promote education requested the meeting to gather informa- about Ukraine among the general public in tion about Ukraine and to assert his firm America and support institutions like Ohio support during this trying time for State University’s Slavic Studies program Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. (which encompasses Ukrainian studies), As ranking member of the Senate Banking the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, Committee, he said he oversees sanction Oberlin College in Ohio and others. policy against Russia over its illegal annex- Sen. Brown assured the Ohio leaders of ation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent his firm support for Ukraine and showed a invasion of the Donbas. After a brief state- nuanced knowledge of Ukrainian history ment, he turned to the representatives of and current cultural/political affairs, asking Ohio Ukrainian organizations for their well-informed and pointed questions reports and recommendations. regarding issues about which he was not NEW HAVEN, Conn. – On Saturday morning, December 7, after Ukrainian class, Drs. Maria Strus and Yuriy Jaskiw, as sure and requesting recommendations on students of the Ukrainian School decorated the Christmas tree at St. Michael well as Nadiya Petriv, head of the Cleveland how to coordinate action across the aisle, Ukrainian Catholic Church in New Haven, Conn. The students had a lot of fun par- Maidan Association, informed the senator specifically mentioning his colleague Rob ticipating in this annual tradition with their teacher, known as “Pani Halia.” about community efforts over the past sev- Portman (R-Ohio), chair of the Senate – Halia Jurczak-Lodynsky eral years to provide medical support for Ukraine Caucus. Ukraine’s military, wounded veterans and The meeting ended with Sen. Sherrod families of fallen soldiers. inviting the community to keep in touch Oksana Shevchuk, head of the Ohio with his foreign policy staff on issues relat- chapter of the Ukrainian National Women’s ed to Ukraine so that he might be informed St. Nicholas visits preschoolers in Newark League of North America, spoke of local of developments and community concerns. and national efforts to support refugees, He then took a brief tour of the UMA and promote education about Ukraine among said he was impressed with the size, scope the general public in America who are and quality of the UMA library holdings. unaware of Ukraine’s tragic history, and Later that day, the UMA had its annual engage in community activism. Christmas party and Sen. Brown’s Ohio Cleveland elder statesmen Vasyl director, John Ryan, attended and stayed for Liscynesky, a former long-time president of about two hours, mingling with many par- the United Ukrainian Organizations, and ticipants and gathering further information Nestor Shust, a leader of Plast Ukrainian about Ukraine.

TO ALL MEMBERS OF UNA BRANCH 434 As of December 1, 2019 the secretary’s duties of Branch 434 were assumed by Marta Bilyk. We ask all members of this Branch to direct all correspondence regarding membership and insurance to the address listed below: Mrs. Marta Bilyk 7065 22nd Ave. Montreal, QC H2A 2H2 CANADA Oleh Kolodiy NEWARK, N.J. – St. Nicholas visited some of the pupils at St. John’s Ukrainian 514-582-8089 • [email protected] Montessori Preschool in Newark, N.J., on December 6. They are seen above with their teacher Olenka Kolodiy. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1 No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 13

combined with an earlier U.N. resolution NEWSBRIEFS adopted on Russia militarizing the Crimean It is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of my sister peninsula, adds to Kyiv’s political and diplo- (Continued from page 2) matic toolbox for restoring Ukraine’s terri- Tamara (Woshakiwska) Vasilaki offensive purposes, U.S. and Ukrainian offi- torial integrity, Oleh Nikolenko, spokesman cials have said. The Javelin missiles were for Ukraine’s U.N. Mission, said on She passed away on Monday, December 9, 2019 at 1:45 pm mentioned in a controversial July 25 tele- Facebook. “Whatever they want in Moscow, on the way to the Nyack Hospital. phone call between U.S. President Donald the Crimean issue is not closed and will be I am deeply grateful to all - nurses, aides, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr kept on the international agenda,” Mr. therapists, and others, who knew her and tried Zelenskyy that was at the center of a whis- Nikolenko said. “We have a clear under- very hard to help to get her onto her feet. tle-blower complaint against the U.S. lead- standing among partners that Russia’s ille- She had suff ered many many health er. In the July phone call, according to White gal activity in and around Crimea concerns problems for the last 35 years. These last 6 House notes of the conversation, Mr. not only Ukraine’s interests but also their weeks she was in excruciating pain. A deeply Zelenskyy said he wanted “to buy more national security. Therefore, the pressure religious person, she always prayed to God to Javelins” before Mr. Trump asked the will remain.” The core elements of the most take her to be with Jesus. Everybody who met Ukrainian president for “a favor, though.” recent U.N. resolution on Crimea reinforced her and knew her, loved her for her kindness, The sale of the Javelins had been finalized the body’s definition of “aggression,” which sympathy and her radiant smile. before the call. But Democrats accuse Mr. states that “no territorial acquisition or spe- Tamara Vasilaki was born in Ukraine on Trump of pressuring Mr. Zelenskyy to cial advantage resulting from aggression is February 8, 1943, the third child of Simon and investigate former U.S. Vice-President Joe or shall be recognized as lawful.” It “strong- Maria, paternal grandfather of Greek descent. Biden and his son Hunter, who had busi- ly condemns mass detentions on terrorism She left Ukraine in 1944 to Germany, father ness dealings in Ukraine, by threatening to grounds and other forms of repressions trying to escape from communist persecution. hold up military aid to Kyiv. (RFE/RL’s against human rights defenders, including Parents immigrated to USA on August 14,1950 Ukrainian Service) against” Crimean activists. The resolution with siblings, Switlana (Lana b.1936), brothers condemns Russia for changing “the demo- Walter (b. 1939) and Yuri (George b.1946). U.N. adopts updated resolution on Crimea graphic structure of the population of Tamara was a scholarship student at Julliard School, dance deptartment, The United Nations General Assembly on Crimea” and urges Moscow to “stop trans- studied ballet and modern dance. She graduated in, I believe in 1963 and December 18, 2019, adopted a draft resolu- ferring its own civilian population to was invited to join Jose Limon Dance Co., who was one of her teachers. tion seeking protection of human rights in Crimea.” (RFE/RL) Her other teachers were Anthony Tudor and Martha Graham. Russian-occupied Crimea, according to Rada lifts immunity for national deputies She performed with three partners from Julliard at the opening of Ukraine’s Permanent Mission to the inter- NYS Theater, Lincoln Center. She also performed as a guest artist with national body in New York. Sixty-five coun- The Verkhovna Rada, on December 18, Pearl Lang Co. on television. Her performances with Limon Co. took her tries voted in favor of the resolution, 23 2019, passed a bill in its final reading that throughout US, including Washington DC, San Francisco, San Diego, against, and 83 abstained. Among the coun- cancels immunity from prosecution for Connecticut and many other places. She taught ballet at University of tries that opposed the document’s adoption lawmakers. A solid majority of 291 national Michigan and later at her own ballet studio in Michigan. She said: «I were Russia, Belarus, Armenia, China, dance for God», and that is why she was radiant on the stage and off . She Venezuela, Syria and Iran. This resolution, (Continued on page 16) loved to dance with Jose Limon, because he choreographed his dances on religious themes and Greek mythology. Tamara is survived by: On the fi fth anniversary of the passing into eternity sister Svitlana with daughter Margarita Asayag and grand daughters, on December 30, 2014, Lilia, Sophia and Aleksandra; brother Dr. Walter with wife Dr. Ludmila of our beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather Vasilaky, niece Dr. Katia and nephew Dr. Daniel; brother Yuri with wife Dr. Linda Vasilaki, nephew Andrew and niece Maria; stepson Thomas. Myroslaw Shmigel ..Hundley we honor his memory and remember him in our prayers.

Remaining in deep sorrow: wife - Nadia daughter - Christina son - Peter grandchildren - Tymish and Andrea У глибокому смутку ділимося болючою вісткою extended family in the US and Ukraine з рiдними та знайомими, що в суботу, 28-го грудня 2019 року, відійшов у вічність після довгої недуги наш найдорожчий Вічна Йому пам’ять! Чоловік, Батько і Дiдо Monument at St Andrew’s Ukrainian Cemetery, South Bound Brook, NJ св.п. д-р Юрій Перфецький філолог славіст син Богдана та Наталії (Чолій) Перфецьких, народжений в ПйотрковІ Трибуналськім, Польща, 27-го травня 1940 року. Похоронні відправи відбудуться в суботу, 11-го січня, о годині 11-ій ранку в церкві Благовіщення Божої Матері в Melrose Park, PA. Відвідини від години 10-ої до 10:45 ранку. Залишилися у глибокому смутку: дружина - Христина з дому Конашевич доні - Таня Перфецька Гарві - Марта Нювенгавс з чоловіком Давидом внучка - Софія Нювенгавс стриянка - Марія Перфецька кузини - Андрій та Уляна Перфецькі KULINSKI MEMORIALS родини: Дицьо, Книш, Базарко, Мельник, Головнич, Гошовські 809 SOUTH MAIN STREET • MANVILLE, NJ 08835 Замість квітів на свіжу могилу Покійного просимо складати TEL. 908-722-3130 FAX 908-253-0027 пожертви на: TOLL FREE 800-458-5467 [email protected] • Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center 700 Cedar Rd., Jenkintown, PA 19046 • Serving Ukrainian families for over 60 years • United Ukrainian American Relief Committee • Over 40 granite colors to choose from 1206 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia 19111 • Custom etchings • Annunciation of the BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church • House appointments available 1206 Valley Rd., Melrose Park PA 19027 • Serving the tri-state area • 5 minutes from South Bound Brook, NJ Вічна Йому пам’ять! 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1 No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 15 All Saints Camp launches capital campaign by Matthew Dubas PARSIPPANY, N.J. – With the approaching 50th anniver- sary of All Saints Camp in Emlenton, Pa., in 2028, the time is now to improve on the foundation laid by the current leadership’s predecessors. Upgrades are planned that will allow the camp to grow, while continuing to offer a safe and fun encampment facility for programs of all ages. “All Saints Camp (ASC) is an integral part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. (UOC-U.S.A.) and its role preserves continuity of the community,” said Michael Nakonachny, chairperson of fundraising commit- tee. “The targeted donors include what we call ‘friends of ASC,’ focusing on ASC alumni and campers.” Mr. Nakonachny invites those able to join for monthly work weekends by contacting him at Michael@all- saintscamp.org or 440-503-3151. Its Christmas e-mailed newsletter reported a new stor- age system was designed and installed in cabin four by Mr. Nakonachny and Hans Harasimchuk. Josh Oryhon, All Saints Camp manager, explained how ASC can better meet expectations of parents and campers, ensure child safety, improvements to the facility as well as fostering a sense of commitment to the camp. Mr. Oryhon said the camp aims to provide clergy on-site, with the assistance of Natalie Kapeluck Nixon, Office of All Saints Camp, as seen from an aerial drone, shows the 90-acre campus that includes cabins, a rustic dining hall, Youth Ministry. A sense of solidarity among campers devel- tennis and basketball courts, beach volleyball courts, sports fields, swimming pool, auditorium and campfire area. ops over those few weeks because of the camp experience, he said. It is these lifelong youth friendships in the floor, state of the art multi-use space, new roof and rain raphy and chapel appointments. Ukrainian Orthodox community that develops leadership gutters, expanded kitchen with food prep areas and a more This year, the lower level of the Millennium building was roles, which have been a visible part of the regular Sobors efficient HVAC system), equipment acquisitions, road renovated to included new ADA-compliant restrooms and through the participation of more young adults. resurfacing and a restoration of the amphitheater area. shower facilities, climate controlled heating and cooling, Among the goals, Mr. Oryhon highlighted that ASC is For the new wash houses, the major improvements and an expanded lounge. looking to host a Youth Sobor at the camp. Other programs include individual showers, built-in laundry room, water The future hosted at ASC include the Kobzarska Sich bandura camp bottle filling station, changing stations, low maintenance and its choral workshop (led by the Ukrainian Bandurist materials, ADA accessible, ability to provide men’s and The work of the founders of All Saints Camp was vision- Chorus), as well as the People of God, an ecumenical women’s facility out of the same washhouse when needed. ary for its church youth to have a place of their own. That Christian religious community serving the needs of the work continues today to ensure that the camp remains not Early history Pittsburgh area for 45 years. only a vital part of the Church, but that it also stays rele- What many people don’t realize, Mr. Oryhon added, is all All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Camp originated in the vant. of the hard work that goes on at ASC during the eight early 1970s when the western Pennsylvania region of the Since the ASC Capital Campaign was launched in August, months of the year so that the summer season at ASC (only Ukrainian Orthodox League (UOL) was renting outside more than $73,000 in contributions and pledges have been seven weeks) runs smoothly. facilities to host retreats and other events. The UOL recog- collected, including a $25,000 pledge from the Ukrainian During this year’s Sobor for the UOC-U.S.A. on October nized a need for its own facility and a property approxi- Orthodox League. 16-19, 2019, nearly two-thirds of those present had been mately 80 miles north of Pittsburgh was located. With the For the 2020 season, programming includes: St. former campers, staff members and volunteers at ASC, blessing of Metropolitan Mstyslav and the approval of the Nicholas Special Needs Family Camp (all ages), June 13-16; underscoring the crucial role the camp plays in the devel- 1977 Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., Diocesan Church School Camp (ages 9-13), June 21-July 3; opment of church leaders and Orthodox Christians. a comprehensive fund drive was launched. Teenage Conference (ages 13-18), July 5-18; Mommy/ Maintenance and upgrades will be the main focus of the The drive was bolstered by $100,000 raised by the UOL Daddy + Me (ages 4-8), July 23-27; and Family Fest (all All Saints Camp while volunteer efforts will remain essen- and an $80,000 mortgage provided by the Ukrainian ages), September 4-6. tial to this work. To supplement this work, a capital fund- National Association. The purchase was finalized on April For information on programming, job opportunities and raising campaign has been launched by the camp commit- 20, 1978. Additional support in the realization of this goal registration, visit www.uocyouth.org or www.all- tee, with projects aimed for the next 50 years and beyond. came from the planning and work of the devoted faithful of saintscamp.org/50. ASC Booster Club Calendars are set for Among the planned improvements are: new wash hous- the UOC-U.S.A., as well as the encouragement of clergy, par- 2020, contact Chris Mills ([email protected]) es (two), garage expansion, pool area expansion (piping ishes and UOL chapters. for more information and to purchase. Readers are also and water filtration system, new concrete deck and pavil- Since its dedication in 1978, the facility has grown to encouraged to follow the UOC Office of Youth Ministry All ion), path and trail upgrades, sports courts redesign (to include the current buildings and structures. A very gener- Saints Camp on Facebook. The camp committee members include other sports like street hockey, lighting system, and ous anonymous donation fully funded the construction of are available to visit parishes throughout the U.S. (by con- secure storage space), new volunteer lodging (off-season All Saints Chapel, which was consecrated in 2008 by tacting [email protected] or 724-867-5811) to monthly work weekends, but especially for summer pro- Metropolitan Constantine. Leadership of the UOL, its chap- explain the different camping options for children and gram), Millennium Cultural Center renovation (second- ters, parishes and individuals raised funds for the iconog- staffing opportunities for adults.

Diocesan Church School campers take to the field for some action on the softball Mommy/Daddy and Me campers and staff go for a hike to visit the various shrines on diamond. the Prayer Trail. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1

“In addition, the draft law doesn’t specify nalists in Parliament can report multiple taken part in a ceremony officially opening NEWSBRIEFS how investigators should transmit informa- voting violations to the parliamentary a controversial bridge from mainland tion to the prosecutor general to initiate an administrative office. The law passed in its Russia to the Russian-occupied Crimean (Continued from page 13) investigation,” NABU said. According to the first reading on October 29, 2019, and was Peninsula to rail traffic. Ukraine, the United deputies voted for the bill, which was a key Anti-Corruption Action Center in Kyiv, the one of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s States and the European Union have con- feature among President Volodymyr bill strengthens selective immunity for cer- campaign promises this year. Given its demned Russia’s construction of the bridge, Zelenskyy’s campaign promises. It essen- tain lawmakers because the power to open prevalence in the legislature, journalists calling it a violation of Ukraine’s sovereign- tially simplifies the procedure for prosecut- a criminal case lies with one person. attending plenary sessions seated on the ty, with the Western powers imposing sanc- ing corrupt lawmakers, allowing law “According to this draft law, the prosecutor balcony with a bird’s eye view of the cham- tions on firms associated with the building enforcement to bypass Parliament when general receives a monopoly to initiate ber have labeled the practice “piano vot- of the 19-kilometer-long structure. Flanked requesting permission to detain or arrest criminal proceedings against members of ing.” Lawmakers have been filmed numer- by local government officials, Mr. Putin them. It also contains a disputed rule that Parliament,” the corruption watchdog said ous times using their colleagues’ parlia- thanked the workers for their efforts to gives the prosecutor general the sole power on its website. “That means that only one mentary registration cards during plenary build “this huge project,” in a ceremony to initiate criminal proceedings against person in the country can submit informa- sessions and voting on their behalf. In broadcast live on state-run Russian TV. In members of Parliament. President tion to the ERDR, which means the initia- September 2019, journalists filmed two November 2019, the privately owned Grand Zelenskyy signed the bill, and the law will tion of an investigation against members of lawmakers from the pro-presidential Service Express railway company go into effect on January 1. Thirty-two par- Parliament depends on the integrity or Servant of the People party, Serhiy announced that the first train would depart tial or full changes were made between the availability of the prosecutor-general.” Lytvynenko and Olena Kopanchuk, voting from St. Petersburg for Sevastopol on first and second readings of the draft law. National Deputy Denys Monastyrsky of the for someone else. They later publicly apolo- December 23, 2019, and would travel 2,741 Two of them strike wording from the pro-presidential Servant of the People gized and promised to donate their month- kilometers in 43.5 hours. The segment from Constitution of Ukraine. One removes the party said the rule makes the chief prose- ly salaries to charity. (RFE/RL) Moscow to Symferopol, the peninsula’s cap- clause that says national deputies are cutor more accountable. “A vote of no confi- Details disclosed of Russia-Ukraine gas deal ital city, a distance of 2,009 kilometers, was “guaranteed parliamentary immunity.” Also dence can be personally taken regarding to take 33 hours. The bridge cost $3.7 bil- taken out was language that lawmakers the prosecutor general,” he told Current Officials from Russia and Ukraine have lion to build and is Europe’s longest, sur- “cannot be prosecuted, detained or arrest- Time, the Russian-language network led by given details on a new five-year deal to passing the Vasco de Gama bridge in ed without the consent of the Verkhovna RFE/RL in cooperation with Voice of transport Russian gas to Europe via Portugal. The railway section of the bridge Rada of Ukraine.” The bill stipulates that America. “So, in order for him not to trans- Ukraine. News of the deal was first report- marks its expanded use after Mr. Putin the prosecutor general is the only person fer responsibility to his subordinates and ed late on December 20, 2019, ending wor- opened the connection on May 15, 2018, who can open a criminal case and has the other participants in criminal proceedings, ries that Europe could be without a large for vehicle usage. Crimea is connected to right to enter data on offenses committed the Verkhovna Rada decided to concentrate amount of Russian gas, which it relies on the mainland in Ukraine only, so the bridge by deputies into the Unified Register of these powers with this person.” (Current for heating and industry. Russia ships about is the sole link between the peninsula and Pretrial Investigations (ERDR). The chief Time, with reporting by RFE/RL’s 40 percent of its European gas deliveries Russia. Ukraine has condemned the project prosecutor also files motions to detain law- Ukrainian Service, Hromadske, and through pipelines that cross Ukraine. The not only for violating its sovereignty and makers. This particular rule was the most Ukrayinska Pravda) current contract was due to expire at the territorial integrity but also for its low controversial. Two graft-fighting agencies end of the year and delays in concluding a clearance, which has encumbered maritime Lawmakers to be fined for multiple voting asked Mr. Zelenskyy to veto the bill because new one caused concern in Europe. shipping traffic for Ukraine. A spokesman Officials in the Russian and Ukrainian capi- of it. The Special Anti-Corruption The Verkhovna Rada, on December 19, for EU-foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell tals said they plan to have the new contract Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) and National 2019, passed a law in its second and final further criticized the opening of the trans- signed before New Year’s Day. Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) in sepa- reading that makes it a criminal offense for port link. “This constitutes another viola- Energy Minister Oleksiy Orzhel said on rate statements said the rule infringes on a member of parliament to vote for one or tion of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial December 21 that the agreement foresees their respective agencies’ independence. In more lawmakers. The crime is punishable integrity by Russia,” Peter Stano said, shipments of 65 billion cubic meters a statement, NABU said the rule compels it by a fine that ranges between $2,180 and according to DPA. “The European Union through Ukraine in 2020 and annual ship- to convince the prosecutor general to regis- $3,640, but could rise because it is pegged expects Russia to ensure unhindered and ments of 40 billion cubic meters thereafter. ter a criminal case each time they want to to a multiplier of the monthly minimum free passage through the Kerch Strait, in Those amounts are smaller than what initiate an investigation into a lawmaker. wage. According to the law, accredited jour- accordance with international law,” the Russia has sent through Ukraine in previ- statement added. (RFE/RL, with reporting ous years. Russia has been working inten- by DPA, Interfax, Reuters, and The Moscow sively to build new delivery networks that Times) bypass Ukraine. Those networks include the under-construction Nord Stream 2 Criminal probe of Russia’s railway bridge undersea pipeline between Russia and TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 Germany, whose immediate future has Kyiv has launched a criminal investiga- or e-mail [email protected] been thrown into doubt after the company tion after a Russian passenger train arrived laying sections of the pipeline said it is sus- in Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula using a controversial, Russian-built bridge. SERVICES PROFESSIONALS pending work because of U.S. legislation threatening sanctions. The Ukraine-Russia Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office said deal also includes payment by Russia of in a statement on December 25 that it had $2.9 billion to settle an arbitration claim “opened a criminal case in relation to the arising from previous transit disputes and illegal crossing of Ukraine’s state border by waives new claims, said Aleksei Miller, head a passenger train.” The Russian train, of Russia’s state natural gas monopoly, owned by the private Grand Service Gazprom. Ukraine stopped importing gas Express railway company, departed from directly from Russia in 2015 after Moscow St. Petersburg on December 23, 2019, and sent troops into Crimea the previous year, arrived in Sevastopol on December 25. eventually taking it over while backing sep- Grand Service Express said that it plans to aratists in two eastern Ukrainian regions. launch eight new routes to Crimea in May Instead, Kyiv gets Russian gas indirectly 2020, according to the Russian state-run through reverse flows from neighboring EU TASS news agency. Among the Russian cit- SERVICES countries, namely Slovakia, Poland and ies being considered for the routes are Hungary. An additional reverse-flow point Murmansk, the Urals city of Yekaterinburg is expected to open with Romania on and the southern mountain resort town of January 1. (RFE/RL, with reporting by Kislovodsk. Sanctions imposed by the TASS, AP, AFP and Reuters) European Union and the United States have targeted those involved in the bridge’s con- Putin opens Crimea bridge to rail traffic struction. (RFE/RL, with reporting by AP Russian President Vladimir Putin has and TASS)

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The Executive Сommittee of the Ukrainian National Association and its newspapers, Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly,

extend best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the leaders of Ukrainian Churches, Ukrainian organizations, the UNA General Assembly, District Committees, Branches and members, readers of the UNA’s publications, as well as Ukrainian communities in the diaspora and Ukraine.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Радісних Свят Різдва Христового і Щасливого Нового Року родині, приятелям, знайомим, Головному Урядові УНСоюзу, працівникам та всім секретарям Відділів щиро бажають СТЕФАН і СВЯТОСЛАВА КАЧАРАЇ з родиною

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

to family and friends, members of the UNA General Assembly, Branch Secretaries, and all UNA employees.

Yuriy and Nataliya Symczyk with children Victoria and Diana 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1

May peace fi ll your home, may joy fi ll your heart, Wishing everyone and may God’s love fi ll a Joyous Christmas your life this Christmas. and a Happy New Year!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas Irene Jarosewich with husband Oleksandr and a Healthy and Happy New Year.

John, Olya and Marko Czerkas

З Різдвом Христовим, З Новим Роком З Різдвом Христовим i Святим Йорданом! і Новим Роком Рідних, приятелів і друзів поблагослови, Боже, пересилаю сердечні поздоровлення усім здоров’ям, радістю, любов’ю, добром – зичать моїм друзям, приятелям та знайомим, усьому дорогому українському народові ФЕРЕНЦЕВИЧІ в Україні та у всьому світі. Христина, Ксеня, Тарас, Люба, Лев, Бажаю кріпкого здоров’я, щастя, сили Ярина з чоловіком Адріяном та синами та Божого благословення у праці на добро Доріяном і Юліяном Ланспері. і процвітання рідної України.

МИРОСЛАВА МИРОШНИЧЕНКО

СТАНИЧНА СТАРШИНА ПЛАСТОВОЇ СТАНИЦІ Головна Управа „Самопоміч“ В НЬЮ-ЙОРКУ Об’єднання Українців в Америці бажає вітає УКРАЇНСЬКІЙ ГРОМАДІ, ПЛАСТОВІЙ ФУНДАЦІЇ, СВОЇМ ЖЕРТВОДАВЦЯМ ТА УСІМ ПЛАСТУНАМ І Відділи і все членство ПРИЯТЕЛЯМ ПЛАСТУ з прийдешніми Святами ВЕСЕЛИХ СВЯТ і бажає ТА Веселих Свят ЩАСЛИВОГО НОВОГО РОКУ Різдва Xристового та www.plastnyc.org щасливого і повного успіхів Нового Року

KРАЙОВА УПРАВА СПІЛКИ УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ МОЛОДІ В АМЕРИЦІ ХРИСТОС РОЖДАЄТЬСЯ! бажає Ієрархам Українських Церков, За дирекцію ОУА, Світовій Управі СУМ, всім Управам Осередків Олег Лопатинський, голова та Булавам Відділів Юнацтва СУМ, членам і прихильникам та Українському Богдана Курчак, скарбник Народові в Україні і в діяспорі мирних і радісних свят РІЗДВА ХРИСТОВОГО та ЩАСЛИВОГО НОВОГО РОКУ ХРИСТОС РОЖДАЄТЬСЯ! СЛАВІМ ЙОГО!

За Крайову Управу СУМ, Адріан Длябога - Голов а Оля Тимош - Секретар No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 19

Main Office Botany Village Office 851 Allwood Road 237 Dayton Ave Clifton, NJ 07012 Clifton, NJ 07011 973-471-0700 973-772-0620

Warmest Wishes for a Joyous Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year to all our Members, their Families and our Friends from the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Institute of America

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NOTES ON PEOPLE

21 SILAS DEANE HIGHWAY, WETHERSFIELD, CT 06109-1238 PHONES 860-296-4714 • 800-405-4714 FAX 860-296 3499 Luciuk honored with Cross of Ivan Mazepa

Ukrainian Selfreliance New England Federal Credit Union wishes you a Merry Christmas and a New Year ‚ lled with peace and happiness!

Megan Mason KINGSTON, Ontario. – Prof. Lubomyr Luciuk was honored by Ukraine with the Cross of Ivan Mazepa, which was presented on December 6, 2019, by Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada, Andriy Shevchenko. Prof. Luciuk says he first learned he had been awarded this medal on August 23, 2019, when he received information about Presidential Decree No. 622 signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The Chancellery of Honors announced that the government of Canada had approved Prof. Luciuk receiving this medal through a notice in the Canada Gazette on October 26, 2019. The medal recognizes Prof. Luciuk’s contributions to the strengthening of Ukraine’s international authority, development of interna- tional cooperation and effective community activity. A historian, researcher and WESTFIELD BRANCH •103 NORTH ELM STREET, WESTFIELD, MA 01085 • PHONE 413-568-4948 FAX 413-568-4747 community leader, the honoree is a professor at the Royal Military College of NEW BRITAIN BRANCH • 270 BROAD STREET, NEW BRITAIN, CT 06053 • PHONE 860-801-6095 FAX 860-801-6120 Canada. VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT: WWW.USNEFCU.COM “Notes on people” is a feature geared toward reporting on the achievements of members of the Ukrainian community and the Ukrainian National Association. All submissions should be concise due to space limitations and must include the person’s UNA branch number (if applicable). Items will be published as soon as possible after their receipt. Федеральна Кредитова Кооператива СУМА в Йонкерсі, Н. Й. Today the heavens and the earth rejoice; разом зі своїми філіями Today the heavens... the angels in heaven declare: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill (Continued from page 6) towards men.” (Luke 2:14). The poor shep- вітає herds were the first to honor, to worship es, but in poverty and humility, in a cave Всіх своїх шановних членів, приятелів та українську громаду the Newborn Savior. We shall also send our where animals are kept. The Lord came hearts and prayers to the cave of в Йонкерсі, Н. Й., Спрінґ Валі, Н. Й., Стемфорді, Кон., into this world not just so we could serve Bethlehem, so that the little Christ will also Ню-Гейвені, Кон. та околицях Him, but so He could serve all of us. He was bless us, fill us with His abundant graces not interested in political power, nor and generosity, with peace and joy, and wealth, nor glory; He remained untouched grant us spiritual and bodily powers to live З Радісним Святом by all the temptations and benefits of this with and for Him. world; He did not come here to possess We sincerely greet the pious Ukrainian РІЗДВА ХРИСТОВОГО і them. He came to conquer this world with people in Ukraine and all those dispersed all its corrupt values, to overcome sin and throughout all the corners of the earth – in з НОВИМ РОКОМ death. And He has conquered these, con- the United States, Canada, Western Europe, quered them with the greatest power that Australia, New Zealand and South America no one, except the fullness of God, will ever – with a joyous Nativity Feast, and we Бажаємо усім доброго здоров’я, миру і спокою, have. This power is love. His love for us prayerfully wish that the New Year, 2020, успіхів у житті та праці на добро українського народу. even overcame death. The Son of God will be peaceful and blessed by the Lord. descends to the earth because God so loved With Archpastoral blessings, us all “that He gave His only begotten Son, + Yurij that whoever believes in Him should not ХРИСТОС РОДИВСЯ! СЛАВІМ ЙОГО! Metropolitan, Ukrainian Orthodox Church perish but have everlasting life” (John of Canada Члени Дирекції, комісії та працівники Федеральної 3:16). In our time, very often there is no place + Antony Кредитової Кооперативи СУМА. for the Lord in the lives of many people, in Metropolitan, Ukrainian Orthodox Church families, in society, in nations and states. of the USA, South America and Diaspora Creation does not need its Creator; humans + Jeremiah SUMA (YONKERS) FEDERAL CREDIT UNION build paradise on earth without God, but in Archbishop, Ukrainian Orthodox Eparchy 125 Corporate Blvd. the end, without God, human life becomes of South America Yonkers, NY 10701 hell, dominated only by sin, hopelessness, + Daniel and death. But the Son of God is born to give Archbishop, Ukrainian Orthodox Church 914-220-4900 us hope that we are not alone, we are not of the USA and Diaspora www.sumafcu.org abandoned, we are not orphans, but that God is with us! The heart of every faithful + Ilarion believer is filled with great joy because the Bishop, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Savior is born. He came into the world to Canada sacrifice Himself for us. He alone can bring + Andriy salvation to all humanity and cleanse us Bishop, Ukrainian Orthodox Church from our sins and overcome death. of Canada No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 21

A W!nestyle customer-service representative assured based TMM Real Estate Public Limited incorporated and How EU firms... reporters that the wine was produced in Crimea. invested nearly $1.2 million in the Russian firm Pansionat “It’s probably a marketing ploy. In general, we have very Sevastopol in 2016, neither Ms. Chyvurina nor Mr. Isayev (Continued from page 3) little from Ukraine in particular. ... It’s all from Crimea,” the responded. Crimea-based companies. However, he transferred owner- representative said. A 13 percent stake in a Cypriot firm in the hotel’s own- ship of the Crimean companies directly to himself in ership chain is held by the British firm BNY (Nominees) Welcome to the Hotel Sevastopol November 2018. Limited, a subsidiary of Bank of New York Mellon. After Current Time contacted AnRussTrans for comment, In the resort of Yalta in southern Crimea, the Hotel BNY Mellon told Current Time that it managed assets on all information about STS disappeared from the company Sevastopol offers guests an outdoor swimming pool, a gym behalf of its clients and refused to comment on the issues website. and rooms with views onto the Black Sea. A video posted related to TMM and possible violation of EU sanctions. on YouTube last year showed a Russian tricolor affixed to “BNY (Nominees) Limited holds assets purchased by cli- A rosé by any other name the balcony of one such room. ents on their behalf. We employ rigorous checks and The owners of well-known wine and spirit brands have But while the direct owner of the hotel is a Russian- screening to ensure we comply with international and local also continued operations in Crimea using EU companies registered company, its main beneficiary is a Ukrainian regulations wherever we hold assets on behalf of clients after the 28-member bloc imposed sanctions in 2014 fol- businesswoman who controls it via a chain of companies and, where necessary, raise any concerns with the relevant lowing Russia’s takeover of the peninsula. in the EU, which specifically prohibits opening new busi- authorities,” BNY Mellon spokeswoman Sorrel Beynon After the annexation, one of Ukraine’s largest alcohol nesses and investing in Russian-controlled Crimea’s tourist said. producers, Alef-Vinal, divided its business into Ukrainian industry. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets and Russian segments. The company sends its wines to the The firm that owns the hotel, Pansionat Sevastopol Ltd., Control (OFAC), which monitors and imposes U.S. sanctions, Russian market from four facilities, all of which are located was incorporated in Russia in August 2016, well after the did not respond to a request for comment on potential sanc- in Crimea, while the Ukrainian division says its products EU sanctions were implemented. That firm, however, is tions violations, nor did Britain’s Office of Financial are sold outside Russia. ultimately controlled by a Cyprus firm called TMM Sanctions Implemen­tation. The person behind these companies is Vadym Holdings Limited, owned by Larysa Chyvurina. Erich Ferrari, a Washington-based lawyer specializing in Yermolaev, a Ukrainian businessman from the city of Ms. Chyvurina owns a large share of a Ukrainian con- sanctions law, said BNY Mellon’s connection to the Dnipro. In 2018, Focus, a Ukrainian weekly Russian- struction and development company called TMM, where Crimean hotel’s ownership chain through its British sub- language magazine, estimated his assets to be about $100 she serves as chief financial officer. Her husband is comedi- sidiary did not necessarily put the bank in violation of million and ranked him the 64th richest Ukrainian. an Andriy Chyvurin, who once told the online newspaper Washington’s Crimea-related sanctions. The press service of the company’s Ukrainian division – Segodnya that he had never returned to Crimea after it was “It might not be a violation. It’s very fact-specific, so I Alef-Vinal Private JSC – said that it didn’t have any assets in seized by Russia. cannot for certain say, ‘Yes, this is a violation’ or, ‘No, it’s Russia-controlled areas of Ukraine and did not conduct any “To be honest, I would feel uncomfortable even thinking not.’ It would be determined by OFAC whether or not they business there. of a trip there. I’m not sure if I will keep calm seeing numer- believe they have a jurisdiction to impose a penalty, but not But the investigation by Current Time and Municipal ous tricolors,” said Mr. Chyvurin, chief editor of “League of necessarily by a court,” Mr. Ferrari said. Scanner tells a different story. Laughter,” a comedy show produced by current Ukrainian There is no longer any mention of a hotel called The Ukrainian company – owned by firms incorporated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s production company. Sevastopol on the TMM website. But the site does mention in Cyprus and the British Virgin Islands – is part-owner of Ms. Chyvurina confirmed to Current Time that she a project called TMM-Yalta. a Crimea-based grape supplier called PJSC Burlyuk, which owned the Cypriot companies that control the hotel, and Photographs for the project show the same building as counts three Cypriot firms as its other main shareholders. another TMM executive – Yuriy Isayev – also confirmed his the Hotel Sevastopol. PJSC Burlyuk, in turn, controls a Crimea-based spirit small stake in the Cypriot firm that controls it. producer called Alef-Vinal-Krym, which was incorporated But they denied conducting business in Crimea, saying With contributions from Grigoriy Pyrlik and Roman in Russia in November 2014, a few months after the EU they had to open the Russian firm Pansionat Sevastopol in Sukhan. introduced sanctions prohibiting a range of business and order to keep the property after their Ukrainian holding Adapted from the Russian by RFE/RL’s Carl Schreck. investment activities in Crimea. lost control of its asset due to the Russian annexation. Copyright 2019, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with the permis- Cypriot authorities responsible for the implementation “The Ukrainian company is not in violation of either EU sion of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut and enforcement of EU sanctions declined to provide infor- or Ukrainian sanctions regarding the conducting of busi- Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see https:// mation about Cypriot companies involved in the Alef-Vinal ness in Russia. We aren’t [doing business],” Mr. Isayev said. www.rferl.org/a/crimea-how-eu-firms-sidestepping-sanc- ownership structure. After Current Time produced evidence that the Cyprus- tions-making-money-on-peninsula/30303687.html). A similar split into Ukrainian and Russia-oriented branches was launched by the famous Ukrainian winemak- er Inkerman. Inkerman brand wines are bottled at a plant This limited-time offer in Crimea’s capital, Sevastopol, for export to Russia. Wines for the Ukrainian and other markets, meanwhile, are bot- is available now through tled in the mainland Ukrainian city of Nova Kakhovka. January 18, 2020, For nearly five years after the EU adopted its Crimea for new subscriptions. sanctions, however, both companies were controlled by the same Swedish company headed by the Ukrainian million- aire Valeriy Shamotiy. In 2013, Forbes estimated his assets at nearly $77 million, placing him 99th in its rating of Ukraine’s richest people. Mr. Shamotiy’s Swedish firm, Inkerman International AB, is formally owned by three companies based in Cyprus, Finland and Hong Kong, respectively. Sweden’s Foreign Affairs Ministry referred questions on potential sanctions violations to prosecutors and the Finance Ministry. Officials there declined to answer ques- tions about Inkerman International and referred questions Get 15 months of back to the Foreign Ministry. Larisa Shimchuk, current director of Inkerman’s Russia- incorporated firm – Inkerman Vintage Wines Factory Ltd. – declined to comment. The company was formally sold by THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY the Sweden-based Inkerman International AB in October for the price 2019 to a St. Petersburg-based company called Optima JSC. For shoppers perusing the website of German retail of a year’s subscription. giant METRO, the largest supermarket chain in Ukraine, the first wine displayed under the Inkerman brand is one $90 for our print edition ($80 for UNA members) called Bastardo Old Crimea. A closer inspection of the label $40 for our online edition ($35 for UNA members). shows that the wine was produced in Sevastopol, despite Ukraine’s ban on imports from Russia-controlled Crimea. Want to get An employee in METRO’s customer service department told Current Time that the label might show a “legal a subscription for BOTH print and online? address” but that the wine was bottled in Nova Kakhovka. Add only $5 to the price of a print subscription. When Current Time inquired with the supermarket chain about the wine’s origin, it was told that the wine was bottled in Nova Kakhovka, and that the label was probably a mistake. In an online listing of the Inkerman wine brand Old Bastardo Crimea, the label states that the wine was pro- duced in Crimea An identical bottle of Bastardo Old Crimea can be found Act now by contacting our Subscription Department: on the website of W!nestyle, a Russian chain of wine shops. The bottle’s label is exactly the same as that seen on the 973-292-9800 x 3040 • [email protected] website of Ukraine’s METRO. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1

Presidential Office of Ukraine Family members with a released prisoner. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greets one of the prisoners released in the prisoner swap.

different from the “all for all” formula. “All that Ukrainians fought for” was being The president also gave assurances that Latest... At this stage Moscow had ruled out undermined, he stated. the transfer of the ex-Berkut officers will handing back more of the prisoners it is Mr. Zelenskyy acknowledged that the not undermine the investigation of the (Continued from page 1) holding in Russia and Crimea. Moreover, it decision to make an exchange on such Maidan case. “Why there were no sentenc- ed of mass killings of protesters during the had also made the freeing of Ukrainian terms had been a “difficult” and “political” es [for the ex-Berkut officers] – we will fig- Revolution of Dignity in 2014, as well as prisoners of war and detainees incarcerat- one. He said he was well aware that it ure it out and it will not affect the Maidan three pro-Russian militants convicted of a ed in the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk involved freeing the killers of “the victims issue… we’ll complete the Maidan matter,” deadly terrorist attack in Kharkiv in people’s republics contingent on Kyiv of the Kharkiv terrorist attack” and those he said. February 2015. releasing individuals convicted or suspect- suspected of shooting down the activists on President Zelenskyy’s partners in the Ukraine’s President Volodymyr ed of political killings. the Maidan. But, as he put it, “the heroes we Normandy Four format, the leaders of Zelenskyy has defended his decision to That Kyiv had agreed to these terms lost, unfortunately, can’t be returned. And Germany and France, both welcomed the “return our heroes” even at such a cost, and became evident as, on the eve of the returning the living heroes is my duty as prisoner swap as a positive step, as did a numerous Western leaders and institutions exchange, in quick succession, Ukrainian president of Ukraine.” He reiterated that number of other foreign leaders. have supported his actions. At home, how- courts freed a number of such suspected this remained a priority for him. “That is Nevertheless, the European Union empha- ever, he has been accused by political oppo- killers. On December 28, a court in Kharkiv why, in particular, I went to Paris” [for the sized: “We take note of the exchange of peo- nents and civil society activists of conced- sentenced three men to life imprisonment Normandy Four summit], he explained. ple related to the tragic events on Maidan ing too much and undermining ongoing for a terrorist attack but promptly released The exchange of detainees between the in 2014. We expect all accusations will con- criminal proceedings. them from custody. And in the capital, the Ukrainian side and Russia’s proxies tinue to be investigated and the parties Mr. Zelenskyy has made the freeing of Kyiv Court of Appeal freed from custody occurred at the Mayorske checkpoint in the concerned to ensure that those responsible Ukrainian prisoners a priority and he man- three former Berkut officers charged with Donbas. Curiously, representatives of the are brought to justice.” aged to secure a swap on September 7, shooting down 48 Maidan activists, and Ukrainian media were not allowed to After the swap, Ukrainian officials, 2019, of 35 Ukrainian prisoners held by freed from house arrest two other defen- report directly from the site, and coverage including the president, noted that the gov- Russia, including filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, dants. was provided by the website of the ernment will continue to work for the for 35 people detained by Ukraine. A fur- Representatives of the families of the Presidential Office of Ukraine. The freed release of other Ukrainian citizens held in ther exchange of prisoners by the end of victims and civil society activists were prisoners were then flown to Kyiv. Crimea, Russia and the occupied Donbas. appalled. They stressed that the ex-Berkut 2019 on the basis of “all for all” was agreed Speaking at a press briefing at Boryspil Latest estimates indicate that their number officers, all Ukrainian citizens, were not to at the summit in Paris on December 9 of Airport after the plane with the released might still be as high as 300. The problem the Normandy Four countries – Ukraine, involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine Ukrainians had landed, Mr. Zelenskyy is complicated by the fact that there is con- Russia, Germany and France. The four lead- and should not be included in the swap. In expressed gratitude to the Normandy Four firmation about 100 people held in the ers also agreed that a general ceasefire a joint statement addressed to President leaders, “because everything agreed on occupied parts of the Donbas and little or would be established along the entire Zelenskyy, they warned that it would mutual release has been done. Eighty-one no documentation on around another 200 frontline in eastern Ukraine by the New undermine “trust in the justice system in Ukrainian men and women have been believed held in captivity. Year. Ukraine,” and lead to “division in society…, freed. Five remained in the temporarily On December 31 President Zelenskyy However, these hopeful achievements a wave of protests and social upheaval.” occupied territories for the sake of their followed up by raising this issue in his tele- were soon placed in doubt. When the As the exchange began, scores of people Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) consisting protested at a detention center in Kyiv loved ones. Seventy-six returned to a free phone discussion with Russian President of Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for where three of the ex-Berkut officers were and safe Ukraine. They will celebrate the Vladimir Putin. According to a statement Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held. Political opponents, most notably for- New Year with their parents, families, chil- from the Presidential Office of Ukraine, the met in Minsk on December 18, 2019, no mer President Petro Poroshenko’s dren and friends,” he said. two presidents exchanged New Year greet- agreement was reached on a prisoner European Solidarity party also joined in the Mr. Zelenskyy stressed that the release ings. Apart from welcoming the conclusion swap. The Ukrainian side announced it condemnation. of the ex-Berkut officers was a precondition of a contract for the continuation of would keep pressing for the negotiations Significantly, Mr. Sentsov also spoke out. of the “all for all” exchange. In order to Russian gas transit via Ukraine, they agreed on this delicate issue to continue. Evidently, Kyiv was giving up “real murderers,” while return “our heroes… a difficult decision, a to immediately start coordinating the lists they did. There was a breakthrough five other Ukrainians remained in captivity in political decision” had been required. He of Ukrainians, including Crimean residents, days later, but what emerged was rather Russia, Crimea and other occupied areas. had met with families of the Heavenly incarcerated in Crimea and Russia, as well Hundred who had been slain on the as Russians incarcerated in Ukraine. They Maidan. “Our fighters, our military, our also expressed hope that the complete ФЕДЕРАЛЬНА КРЕДИТОВА journalists, they are all heroes. And I’m ceasefire along the demarcation line in the КООПЕРАТИВА „САМОПОМІЧ“ sure that our priority is to return our peo- Donbas agreed to in Paris will be imple- ple,” he argued. mented as soon as possible. у Клівленді, Огайо Referring to the ex-Berkut officers who Later that day, in his first New Year’s Eve had been swapped, the president noted: address to the nation, President Zelenskyy CSFCU з радістю вітає “They look different from our guys. They pleaded for understanding and unity Український народ у вільній Україні, Ієрархію і Духовенство aren’t emaciated, they haven’t been beaten around the issues of war, peace and the Українських Церков, Проводи українських організацій в Україні up by other people – over these five years return of captives and territory. He remind- та в діяспорі, Українську світову Кооперативну Раду та their life was pretty much tolerable.” He ed his audience that “when our sailors and Централю Українських Кооператив Америки, всіх своїх suggested that if they had been found captives came back home, we cried with членів, їхні родини та все українське громадянство guilty, they could have been sentenced to happiness – Ukrainian speakers and five or six years in prison, meaning they Russian speakers, ordinary housewives and З РІЗДВОМ ХРИСТОВИМ І НОВИМ РОКОМ might be eligible for release because of the successful lawyers, as well as the president time already spent in custody, during which of Ukraine.” ХРИСТОС РОЖДАЄТЬСЯ! for some unexplained reason they had not “Our national idea,” he proposed, should actually been convicted. be “to learn to live together with respect, “If I had another 100 Berkut men and for the future” of the country, around a Cleveland Selfrelianc FCU was offered one [captured] intelligence shared vision of “a successful and prosper- 6108 State Road, Parma, Ohio 44134 (440) 884-9111 operative, I’d swap these 100 Berkut men ous country where there is no war, a coun- 3010 Charleston Ave., Loraion, Ohio 44055 (440) 277-1901 and bring back our intelligence officer who try that has brought back its people and its 5553 Whipple Ave., # F, N. Canton, Ohio 44720 (330) 305-0989 survived,” he added. territories.” No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 23

confiscation of his property, after around Russia’s “all for all”... 18 months’ imprisonment and after the militants also seized his father for some (Continued from page 2) time. Now 31, he is a Krasnodon entrepre- Veselka Restaurant since February 2015, with Bohdan neur whose problems began soon after he Pantyushenko, another military man, held refused to sell his part of the business to his Wishes all its patrons even longer. then business partner, Oleksandr Ryasnoy. Among the civilian hostages released are The latter had offered a very bad deal and, according to his sister, Mr. Sahaidak was two journalists – Stanislav Aseyev and Merry Christmas also wary of Mr. Ryasnoy, in part for his Oleh Halaziuk. Both men were clearly willingness to denounce people to the so- imprisoned, and Mr. Aseyev was sentenced called LPR ministry of state security. They and a Happy New Year to 15 years, because of their honesty when had apparently agreed, around two weeks writing about life in the self-proclaimed before Mr. Sahaidak was seized, that they “Donetsk people’s republic” (DPR). would no longer work together. According to the Security Service of Mr. Sahaidak was stopped on June 30, Ukraine (SBU), 17 of the hostages had been 2017, by armed men in military gear who held prisoner since 2015-2016. forced him into their car. It seems that Mr. Moscow is illegally holding at least 87 Ryasnoy had a relative in the so-called LPR political prisoners in occupied Crimea and ministry to whom he turned after not get- Russia, the majority of whom are Crimean ting his way regarding sale of the business. Tatars. Since 2017, the Russian occupiers The militants first tried to charge Mr. have been systematically persecuting Sahaidak with a terrorist act that took place Crimean Tatar civic activists and journal- a week after he was seized. Here, as over ists, and at very least 35 activists have his initial disappearance, it was the publici- either received or are facing monstrously ty that made the LPR ministry understand long sentences, essentially for their civic that such charges were too hopelessly position. flawed. They later began accusing him of Since the previous exchange of “fraud” or, alternatively, “extortion” with For 65 years we have treated our guests to the most delicious Ukrainian political prisoners, Russia has respect to Mr. Ryasnoy. seized at the very least two more hostages: traditional Ukrainian cuisine. If you cannot visit Ukraine, Oleh Prykhodko and Denis Kashuk. Hryhoriy Sinchenko, a 28-year-old about visit us in New York’s East Village, sample our dishes, and Ukraine’s representative on Crimea has whom• The nothing most has chilling been heard silence since is overDPR enjoy the past and present of our neighborhood. stated that none of these political prison- militants brought him, covered in blood, to ers are forgotten and that efforts to release his grandmother’s home and carried out a them are under way. Nonetheless, opti- search, supposedly for explosives. None We are awaiting you! mism is difficult, especially since the were found, however Mr. Sinchenko was Traditional Ukrainian dishes Kremlin openly uses prisoners as hostages taken away again and his mother has no and demands a huge ransom. It is becom- information as to where the militants are in the center of the East Village ing difficult to see whom Ukraine can still holding him. It is believed that the DPR’s so- hand over. called ministry of state security suspects Mr. There are also a very large number of Sinchenko of involvement in blowing up a Veselka Restaurant 144 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003 twitter @veselkanyc hostages in the occupied Donbas who have Donetsk radio tower on October 27, 2019 . 212-228-9682 F 212-505-6950 instagram #veselkanyc not been returned. According to Valeria www.veselka.com facebook /veselkanyc Lutkovska, Ukraine’s representative in the not released. These were named in media Contact Group on the Donbas, there are at reports• At least as: Vitalyeight military Chmil, Yuriservicemen Hordiychuk, were least 300 people awaiting release, of whom Mykola Hrynenko, Andriy Kachynsky, Pavlo only 100 have been confirmed by the mili- Korsun, Stanislav Panchenko and Viktor tants and have documents. They include Shaidov. the following. One of the hostages just freed, Vasyl Щиросердечні побажання Savin mentioned Mr. Korsun as one of the men he had left behind in the Makiyivka declared a political prisoner by the РАДІСНИХ СВЯТ maximum security prison. Others were renowned• Oleksandr Memorial Marchenko Human Rightswas recently Center. Serhiy and Dmytro Karaberyush, Serhiy He is imprisoned in Russia after the DPR РІЗДВА ХРИСТОВОГО Mazurov, Oleksandr Shelest, Volodymyr militants closely collaborated with Russia’s Sinyukov, as well as Maxim Timofeyev. The та FSB (security service). He is charged in the latter, who has second group disability sta- Russian city of Krasnodar with illegally ЩАСЛИВОГО НОВОГО РОКУ tus was not released, though his mother, transporting military items from the who is in a wheelchair, was. Mr. Savin also Russian Federation, which is especially cyn- mentioned Hennady Matviychuk, a miner ical since the 48-year-old Ukrainian was для української громади who, he says, has a broken back, with a savagely tortured after returning to metal insert for a part of the spine which is Donetsk to try to retrieve the car he had left з а с и л а є missing. He mentioned three other names, when they fled in 2014 and then forcibly though only their surnames: Tverdy, abducted from Ukrainian territory. Samdurov and Matyushenko (see above). DNIPRO LLC. Some of the men had been on the exchange imprisoned in the DPR since July 15, 2017. list, yet were suddenly removed. Tel.: (908) 241-2190 • (888) 336-4776 • Valery Matyushenko, 54, has been His family had never concealed their pro- Mr. Savin also confirmed what the mili- Ukrainian views, and shortly after Mr. tants deny, but many other witnesses have Matyushenko disappeared, his wife, also spoken of: the existence of secret pris- Tatyana, was directly warned that she ons. He said that it’s like in the Middle Ages, would be next, and their son would end up with torture and confessions beaten out of in a children’s home. people. “When Putin lies that they don’t ХРИСТОС РОЖДАЄТЬСЯ! East Human Rights have their prisons there, I feel like spitting Group, Serhiy Rusinov, a young student at the screen,” Mr. Savin commented. Веселих Свят from• According Luhansk, towas the seized on August 24, He mentioned also that the information 2018, and, at least in August 2019, was blockade is another instrument for influ- та Щасливого Нового Року imprisoned in the self-proclaimed ence that Russia uses and says that the б а ж а є “Luhansk people’s republic” (LPR) with the prisoners try to listen to Ukrainian media. charges against him and his sentence prob- He stresses how important it is that the УКРАЇНСЬКОМУ ГРОМАДЯНСТВУ ably due to his pro-Ukrainian views. It was Ukrainian media mention them and the fact asserted by the so-called LPR ministry of that there are hostages in the occupied state security that Mr. Rusinov was the Donbas every day. The prisoner get beaten ЛИТВИН І ЛИТВИН organizer of a pro-Ukrainian terrorist for it, but they do hear this, he explained. group and actively supports pro-Ukrainian Mr. Savin had been in captivity since May УКРАЇНСЬКЕ ПОХОРОННЕ ЗАВЕДЕННЯ views. Human rights activists believe he 2015. was targeted because he often clicked “like” The above are only a few of prisoners UNION FUNERAL HOME on posts expressing pro-Ukrainian views still being held. It is important to bear in 1600 Stuyvesant Ave. (corner Stanley Terr.), Union, NJ 07083 on social media. mind that in both Russian proxy “repub- lics” and in Russian-occupied Crimea, per- (908) 964-4222 Roman Sahaidak had been sentenced in the secution is ongoing and new arrests can LPR• Itto was 13 reportedyears’ imprisonment in December 2018with thatfull certainly be expected. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1 No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 25

touring Europe, Koshetz wrote: “The critics are unanimous Celebrating 100 years... about this musical miracle, about the new musical world, and in connection with this about Ukraine, its people and (Continued from page 1) our matters. In our concerts, we embrace all circles of soci- ment, toasted the double anniversary celebration with ety, beginning with kings and presidents, and ending with champagne and hors d’oeuvres at the magnificent National workers and children. Whenever possible, we give lectures Philharmonic Hall, the site where in 1916 the uplifting mel- about Ukraine and its current situation.” ody of “Shchedryk” was first performed by the Dnipro However, by 1924, Koshetz and his choir members put an Choir of St. Volodymyr’s (Taras Shevchenko) University. At end to their exhausting tour, settling in the United States and that time, the National Philharmonic was known as a pri- Canada, as émigrés. Ukraine was no longer independent; it vate club, the Kupetsky Gathering Hall. was now overtaken by the Soviets and ruled by Communists. “Our event tonight is celebrating two important centen- Upon hearing the chorus sing, Robert Nathaniel Dett, a nial anniversaries this year. First, the U.S. Institute of black American composer, remarked: “Their mission has a International Education, IIE, a key partner in the Fulbright very deep meaning especially for America,” referring to the Program in Ukraine and around the world – they have been Ukrainians’ struggle for independence. promoting international exchanges since 1919. And, of “In everything they sing, one hears a particular national- course, 1919 was the year the world heard the ‘Shchedryk’ istic spirit, which has nothing at all in common with so- composition by Leontovych,” noted the diplomat from the called Russian music,” wrote The Michigan Daily, based in U.S. Embassy in her opening remarks. Ann Arbor, on February 14, 1923. “One hundred years ago, the Ukrainian song became the “They showed our country not only the best singing we voice of Ukraine in the world, and these days it comes back have ever heard but put Ukraine on the artistic map of the to us as a part of world culture. This soft power is truly song world,” wrote playwright Clay Greene in the San Francisco power,” said Tina Peresuinko, the evening’s mistress of cer- Journal in February 1924. Sergy Gavrishevich emonies, who is the author and curator of a project on 100 “Not by the power of weapons, but through the enchant- Members of the Fulbright Jazz Group, pianist Fima years of cultural diplomacy in Ukraine that includes the ment of the arts do they aim to conquer the world – does Chupakhin and Yakiv Tsvietinskyi with Fulbright staff- book titled “The Cultural Diplomacy of Symon Petliura: The everyone understand how this is already a victory,” wrote the ers Inna Barysh and Olesya Kotsiumbas, share in the evening festivities. Mission of the Oleksander Koshetz Capella.” Nuewe Courant from The Hague on January 1, 1920. Even today, few people know that the popular Christmas A century ago, the Ukrainian choir had to confront the singing “Oy Khodyt Son,” a lullaby written by Leontovych, melody heard throughout the season as “Carol of the Bells” press, adamantly insisting that Ukrainians were not which she then masterfully evolved into Gershwin’s was composed by Leontovych and was the signature piece Russians. “Your newspapers refer to us as Russians, but “Summertime.” of the Ukrainian Republican Capella as it took Europe by they are wrong,” one choir member told the Dallas Morning Kyrylo Stetsenko, grandson of the composer Kyrylo storm, visiting 10 European countries in 1919-1921, before News on December 4, 1922. “We are Ukrainians, despite Stetsenko who often collaborated with Leontovych, pre- embarking on a tour of North America, South America and that the Soviets are currently ruling our land. America is sented Leontovych’s “Oy Didu,” and turned the number into Cuba in 1922-1924. very nice and we would like our country to resemble it. We an audience-participation event, as tap dancer Volodymyr “Shchedryk” (The Little Swallow) premiered in North hope that one day we will once again have our own govern- Shpudeiko stepped in tune with the violinist and the audi- America at New York’s Carnegie Hall on October 5, 1922, and ment and we will be like you.” ence sang the refrain of “Oy, dudaryku.” was met with rave reviews. Unfortunately, Leontovych did From “Shchedryk” to “Carol of the Bells” Intertwining American spirituals with Leontovych melo- not live to see this day, as he was assassinated by a Soviet dies, the popular Ukrainian bandura boy band Shpyliasti agent in 1921 for his Ukrainian patriotism and national On March 30, 1936, Peter Wilhousky, an American con- Kobzari entertained the audience with its rendition of activism. ductor of Ukrainian ancestry, presented his adaptation of “Shchedryk,” and “When the Saints Come Marching In.” Over the next two years, Koshetz and his choir per- Leontovych’s “Shchedryk” with English lyrics, performed by ManSound, Ukraine’s premier a capella group, per- formed over 200 concerts from New York City to San a student choir during the Convention of American Music formed its version of “Shchedryk,” which is a staple in its Francisco, from Terre Haute, Ind., to Waco, Texas, playing Teachers at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (More program as they travel around the world. ManSound was such grand places as Orchestra Hall in Chicago and the than 15,000 people participated in this convention.) joined by Ms. Chakhoyan, to perform the Gershwin classic American Academy of Music in Philadelphia, as well as high A year earlier, in September 1935, “Summertime,” from “They Can’t Take that Away From Me.” school auditoriums, including in Bayonne, N.J., and college the opera “Porgy and Bess” by George Gershwin, premiered Taras Kompanichenko and his Chorea Kozacka brought halls such as that in Columbia, Mo. in Boston. In the 1920s, Gershwin had heard the Koshetz the audience back to the era of Ukraine’s struggle for inde- In a letter to Petliura dated April 16, 1920, sent while Choir perform “Oy Khodyt Son” (The Dream Wanders), a pendence, 1918-1921, singing two numbers from that era lullaby composed by Leontovych in the 1910s, and adopted and featuring the music of Kyrylo Stetsenko. the melody for his opera. The concert concluded with the Fulbright Jazz Group – Now, in 2019, on the initiative of Ms. Peresuinko, the Fima Chupakhin on piano, Bogdan Gumenyuk on saxo- Institute of International Education and the Ukrainian phone and Yakiv Tsvietinskyi on trumpet – playing Fulbright Circle, the genius of Leontovych and his enchant- Gershwin’s “I’ve Got Rhythm” and offering its own arrange- ing “Shchedryk” once again came to life and the magical ment of “Shchedryk” as a final note in this tribute to 100 sounds of the sparrow chirping again filled the majestic years of cultural diplomacy. halls of the Philharmonic, as the Dnipro Choir performed The organizers of the event said they hope to bring this the song in the foyer, leading the audience into the hall, cultural happening full circle, to bring “Shchedryk” back to where they were met by rock star Oleh Skrypka, lead vocal- Carnegie Hall in the winter of 2022 – 100 years after the ist for VV, who popularizes the melody among Ukraine’s successful North American premiere of the classic melody, youth in an annual Christmas concert in Kyiv. once again using the power of the arts as a cultural and Throughout the evening, the “Shchedryk” was per- educational tool to spread the word about Ukraine. formed in various ways: The Kyivska Kamerata, a classical The commemorative concert was financially supported chamber orchestra, offered its rendition of the Leontovych by the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, as well as the Ukrainian Sergy Gavrishevich melody, arranged by contemporary Lviv composer Yuriy Fulbright Circle, the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, the U.S. DCM Kristina Kvien meets with Marta Laniuk and conducted by Valeriy Matiukhin. The orchestra Western NIS Enterprise Fund and Evrotek Business Group. Kolomayets, Fulbright Director in Ukraine for the also performed Scott Joplin’s “Ragtime,” in keeping with the To hear excerpts of the concert, readers may follow this Institute of International Education and U.S. Embassy spirit of the music of the 1920s. link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OoaZ-vV4BGFML Cultural Affairs Officer Sean O’Hara. Opera diva Susanna Chakhoyan joined the orchestra, OmYbLN64GIir5CMWNEE/view.

The First Ukrainian National Choir, which was later transformed into the Ukrainian Republican Capella in Kyiv, on January 1, 1919. Seen front and center is Kyrylo Stetsenko. Mykola Leontovych is in the third row, on the left. The announcement of the Ukrainian National Chorus’s American tour. 26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1

sentatives of Plast organizations voluntarily Verkhovna Rada... agreed to extend the originally proposed Plast law to one that includes scout organi- (Continued from page 1) zations in general. the law and returned it to the Verkhovna It is important to note that other scout Rada with his remarks. organizations are not as homogeneous in Now, after the Verkhovna Rada’s Youth their values as Plast is. “When hundreds of Committee backed the second edition with volunteer plastuny went to the front in Mr. Zelenskyy’s remarks and the Rada 2014, the leader of another Ukrainian scout voted to approve the law, it is up to the organization (which is officially recognized president to sign and enact the law on state by the World Scout Movement) disappeared support of Plast. in an unknown direction. And his father, the For 23 years now, Plast scouts have governor of one of the regions of the brought the Bethlehem Peace Light to Russian Federation, to which he had recent- Ukraine and spread this symbolic fire ly brought groups of Kyiv scouts, organized throughout the entire country. They share groups of volunteer fighters in the so-called it with Ukrainian soldiers in the east, peo- LDNR” [the Luhansk and Donetsk people’s ple in hospitals and orphanages, churches. republics], recalled Mr. Yuzych. They organize public events and share the “It’s hard to believe now, but in 2009- Peace Light with the people of Ukraine, and Plast members who are national deputies with young Plast scouts after the Bethlehem 2013 some scout leaders tried to affiliate they also bring it to Ukraine’s officials. Peace Light ceremony in the Verkhovna Rada. Plast into a structure whose parts were Plastuny have also brought the Peace Light the agenda. The expectation was that the had raised the pressure on the national dep- quietly working on the money of a member to the Verkhovna Rada for five years in a vote would take place that evening or even uties, most of whom publicly backed the of the [Russian] State Duma. He later voted row, and this year was no exception. the next day. But Ruslan Stefanchuk, first new Church and its leader. Nonetheless, the for the occupation of Crimea. That is why, Parliament officials confirmed that on deputy chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada, president did not sign the bill. in the updated law, the terms ‘Plast’ and the morning of December 17, young Plast proposed that the vote on state support for This time, nothing stands in the way of ‘scout’ are not considered synonyms. That scouts could come to the Rada. Members of Plast be held immediately. President Zelenskyy’s signature. The bill is why it was important for Plast organiza- Ukraine’s largest youth organization The 316 votes cast in favor of the Plast was revised according to his comments and tions around the world that the law recog- entered the main hall after the start of the law are far beyond the minimum 226 need- was backed by the Rada’s Youth Committee, nizes the historical contribution of the Plast sitting. A group of Plast members in scout ed for a bill to pass. The Parliament’s major which is probably the reason the Servant of movement to the achievement and estab- uniforms sang the traditional Ukrainian faction, Servant of the People, gave 215 the People faction voted in favor. lishment of Ukraine’s statehood. And that is Peace Light song and passed the light to votes for the legislation with only one “As a result of the revision, this law has why the law has added new notions that members of Parliament. The head of Kyiv’s against. Five other factions, European even changed its name. It is now called: ‘On the ‘Plast, scout movement’ should take Plast branch, Ivan Bratsiun, gave a speech Solidarity, Batkivshchyna, For Future, Voice the recognition of the Plast movement and care of the European and Euro-Atlantic at the Rada and emphasized the symbolic and Trust, voted for approval, while the the principles of state support for Plast, integration of Ukrainian youth,” he related. meaning of the tradition. Verkhovna Rada pro-Russian Opposition Platform voted scout movement.” Just as in the title, there This new law supports the Plast move- Chairman Dmytro Razumkov accepted the against. One of the Opposition Platform’s were changes throughout the text of the ment and is not limited to Ukraine. Plast Peace Light and placed it at the presidium. national deputies, Yuriy Pavlenko, ex-Minis- bill,” explained Yurko Yuzych, head of organizations outside of Ukraine can also Formation of the voting agenda in the ter of Youth and Sport, voted in favor of the Ukraine’s Plast Board. count on a separate state social program Verkhovna Rada is an unpredictable pro- new law on recognition of Plast. “The law now does not mention ‘the that will finance the implementation of cess. The vote on the Plast law had been Perhaps it was the Peace Light that pro- Plast organization,’ or any other organiza- specific key performance indicators (KPIs), predicted to be held a few weeks earlier, pelled members of Parliament to make a tion. Instead, the new definition, ‘Plast which according to this law may be agreed but it was postponed. At the time of the decision, but a similar episode had occurred movement (Plast),’ which is a Ukrainian by the Ukrainian government and Peace Light ceremony in the Rada, there on May 30. On that day, words of support scout movement, was introduced. And next Parliament. The bad news is that, at this was information that the debate and voting for Plast by the primate of the Orthodox to it is the definition of ‘Scout Movement point in time, this is only a theoretical on state support for Plast were No. 18 on Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epifaniy, (Scouting).’ Instead of the wording option, and no mechanisms have yet been ‘Ukrainian Plast (scout) movement’ pro- proposed. Furthermore, it might not be posed by the president, there appeared to possible to use this law in seeking financial be some confusion throughout the text – at state support even for Plast in Ukraine in first glance, the expression: ‘Plast, scout 2020. The program of support could movement’ (using commas, not the word become possible for 2021. ‘and’). The president’s proposal was quite “2020 will be a year of financial surviv- satisfying to Plast because it was the word- al,” said Mr. Yuzych. It is hard to predict ing of dozens of independent Plast organi- when exactly President Zelenskyy will sign zations operating around the world – from the Plast law. Furthermore, there is still the Sydney to Edmonton, and from Avdiyivka slightest chance that he will not. But it is to Berehove,” Mr. Yuzych noted. highly unlikely that the president will reject The official reason for the law’s rejection the decision made by his parliamentary four months ago was that the legislative faction. preference for an NGO (in this case, Plast – In the meantime, Plast in Ukraine isn’t National Scout Organization of Ukraine) waiting for the final signature and contin- would violate the Constitution of Ukraine. ues its campaign to raise 10.5 million hrv to Therefore, changing the wording to “Plast not only survive in 2020 but to develop and movement (Plast)” would make it constitu- strengthen its presence in the eastern and tionally acceptable. southern regions of Ukraine. (Additional However, not everyone was happy with information on Plast programs and finan- this decision. And it did not suit some scout cial plans, as well as an option to support leaders in Ukraine, because their role was the organization, may be found at donate. in brackets. After tough negotiations, repre- plast.org.ua)

Dmytro Razumkov, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, places the Peace Light at the presidium. No. 1 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 27

January 7 Radio broadcast of Christmas divine liturgy, St. Vladimir January 18 Malanka celebration, Tavria Ukrainian Folk Dance Parma, OH Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 440-885-1509, Regina, SK Ensemble, St. Athanasius Parish, www.tavria.org https://praisecleveland.com or www.stvladimirs.org January 18 Malanka celebration, Ukrainian American Society of January 9 Book discussion, “Stalin and the Fate of Europe: The Postwar Dallas/ Texas, Nuvo Room, www.uast.org or Stanford, CA Struggle for Sovereignty,” by Norman Naimark, Stanford Fort Worth, TX [email protected] University, https://tec.fsi.stanford.edu/node/232675 January 23 Alexander Dallin Lecture by Steven Hall, “Putin the January 10 Concert, “Home for Christmas: Trioda Christmas Stanford, CA Chekist: Intelligence and Decision Making in Russia,” Chicago Concert,” Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Stanford University, https://creees.stanford.edu or https://moloko.ticketleap.com/triodachicago/ [email protected]

January 11 Malanka Dine and Dance, Lloydminster Ukrainian January 25 Presentation of Debutantes, Plast Ukrainian Scouting Llyodminster, SK Cultural Association Malanka Dancers, Stockade Whippany, NJ Organization (Newark Branch), Hanover Marriott Hotel, Convention Center, 306-821-1642 www.plastnewarkdeb.com or 908-448-6389

January 11 Ottawa Malanka, League of Ukrainian Catholics (Ottawa January 25 Winter Ball and Presentation of Debutantes, Ukrainian Ottawa Branch), Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Dearborn, MI Engineers’ Society of America, Dearborn Inn Marriott, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, www.ukrainianorthodox.info [email protected] or 586-801-8905

January 11 Benefit Malanka, supporting soldiers at Lviv Military January 26 Christmas concert, with Maestro Ihor Bohdan, Carnegie, PA Hospital, Ukrainian American Citizens’ Club, Buffalo, NY Ukrainian Free Kozatsvo, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian www.PittsburghUkrainians.com or 412-215-3303 Catholic Church, 716-873-5011

January 11 Malanka celebration, with music by Svitanok, Ukrainian January 31 “A Tribute to Mark L. von Hagen (1954-2019),” Webster, NY Cultural Center, New York Harriman Institute, Columbia University, www.uccofrochester/org/malanka.html https://harriman/columbia.edu or 212-854-4623 February 7 Performance, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, January 12 Gallery talk, “Wild Fragility,” Ukrainian Institute of Richmond, VA Carpenter Theater, 804-592-3330 Chicago Modern Art, www.uima-chicago.org or [email protected] February 8 Chervona Kalyna Cotillion Ball, Plast Ukrainian Scouting Pearl River, NY Organization, Hilton Pearl River, 845-735-9000 or January 12 Koliada Caroling in Ukrainian Village, St. Vladimir Ukrainian www.kalynadeb.org Parma, OH Orthodox Cathedral, https://ukrainianvillageparma.org

January 16 Photo exhibit, “Frontline-Peace Life: Ukraine’s Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events through Revolutionaries of the Forgotten War,” by J.T. Blatty, advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions March 8 Ukrainian Institute of America, 212-288-8660 or from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors New York www.ukrainianinstitute.org and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected].

National Board of ODFFU, Inc. Announces 31st National Convention

New York, December 27, 2019

ORGANIZATION FOR THE DEFENSE OF FOUR FREEDOMS OF UKRAINE

TO: Local Boards and Members of ODFFU, Inc. REF: 31st National Convention ODFFU, Inc.

Dear Members!

National Board of the Organization for the Defense of the Four Freedoms of Ukraine, Inc. (“ODFFU, Inc.”) notifi es its local boards and all members that the 31st National Convention of ODFFU, Inc. will take place Sunday the 29th of March, 2020 at:

St. Vladimir Ukrainian Parish Center 226 Uniondale Avenue Uniondale, NY 11553.

Financial reports and summaries of activities will be presented.

The conference is scheduled to begin at 9 am.

Interested parties may obtain a copy of the notice, the bylaws and the agenda on our website at www.od u.org, by requesting a copy by email to od [email protected] or by calling (917) 794-5226 and leaving a message with your name and email or mailing address.

With respect and best wishes! Слава Україні – Героям Слава !

For the National Board of ODFFU, Inc. :

Alex Striltschuk John Yaworsky President Executive Secretary 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 No. 1