Inside: l Everyone seems to have a peace plan – page 3 l Commentary: An agreement with the devil – page 6 l “Bitter Harvest” premieres in Canada – page 10

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXV No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 $2.00 Atlantic Council panel discusses Ukraine Canadian physicians return from the Holodomor to the Donbas war to Ukraine on fifth medical mission by Mark Raczkiewycz KYIV – In the summer of 2016, Serhiy Vovchuk suffered two bullet wounds to his left arm in the frontline town of Popasna in Luhansk Oblast from combined Russian- separatist forces. After undergoing four operations to restore functionality of his hand and fin- gers, Mr. Vovchuk, of the Kyivska Rus’ 11th Motorized Infantry Battalion, had his ten- dons repaired by a group of Canadian sur- geons on February 27 at the Defense Ministry’s Main Military Hospital. “They treated me like their own chil- dren, this was very apparent throughout the process,” he told The Ukrainian Weekly of the Canadian physicians who helped restore functionality to his left thumb. “After about eight weeks of exercising my Yaro Bihun left thumb, I should be able to restore at least Anka Wrzesnewskyj-Cottrell John Herbst, who served as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine in 2003-2006, describes 70 percent of my thumb’s movement,” Mr. Serhiy Vovchuk of the Kyivska Rus’ 11th Russia’s “brief flirtation with democracy” as sadly ending when Vladimir Putin took Vovchuk said. Use of the thumb and index Battalion smiles after his left hand was over that country’s leadership. Sitting next to him during the Atlantic Council’s panel finger in tandem account for approximately operated on February 27 to repair tendons discussion about “Connecting Ukraine’s Past and Present: from Holodomor to the 80 percent of hand motor movement. so that functionality could be returned to War in Donbas,” is Nadia McConnell, president of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation. Mr. Vovchuk is one of 42 patients that his thumb. He was wounded by gunfire while fighting near the Luhansk Oblast the 25 members of the Canadian medical by Yaro Bihun the Holodomor, the artificially created fam- town of Popasna in the summer of 2016. ine in the 1930s that killed millions of team – comprising surgeons, anesthetists WASHINGTON – For those in the U.S. Ukrainians. and nurses – are treating with their rocket fire while defending the Luhansk capital area actively interested in finding a He pointed out that members of the U.S. Ukrainian counterparts. The reconstructive Airport on July 17, 2014. resolution to the dire situation Ukraine and Congress and U.S. presidents had issued procedures they perform are part of their Canadian physicians had treated him other countries find themselves in because many statements on the Holodomor, and fifth mission to Kyiv in the last three years during their first mission in November of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s pur- the process culminated in 2008, when that started on February 24. 2014, and this week they conducted recon- suit of military aggression and an active dis- President George W. Bush declared that the Some are follow-up patients, like para- structive surgery on his jaw as part of a information policy, the Atlantic Council Holodomor was “a crime against humanity.” trooper Andriy Usach, who lost half his leg, process to improve speech and chewing think tank discussion “Connecting Ukraine’s and suffered severe shrapnel wounds to his Past and Present – from Holodomor to the (Continued on page 4) left arm and jaw from Russian-made Grad (Continued on page 15) War in Donbas,” was a great step forward to a better understanding of how and why that situation developed as it did and what needs to be done to resolve it. Conference in D.C. focuses on securing Ukraine’s sovereignty The panel and open discussion on February 21, moderated by Atlantic Council by Andrij Dobriansky Senior Fellow Timothy Fairbank, included Michael Sawkiw, director of the Ukrainian NEW YORK – “Securing Ukraine’s Sovereignty: The Road National Information Service; Naphtali Ahead” was the title of a daylong academic conference held on Rivkin, a research fellow at the Victims of February 15 at the U.S. Library of Congress that was organized Communism Memorial Foundation; Nadia by the Center for U.S.-Ukraine Relations (CUSUR) in collabora- McConnell, president of the U.S.-Ukraine tion with the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC) and the Foundation; and John Herbst, former U.S. Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA). ambassador to Ukraine and now director of Over two dozen leading voices on national security, interna- the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. tional diplomacy and government affairs spoke in a roundtable As Mr. Sawkiw pointed out in his open- format, discussing the damage done to European security and ing remarks, Russia’s use of disinformation international law by Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine, and is not something new. He noted that French debated what advancements had been made in the areas of writer Marquis de Custine, who traveled to diplomacy, economic reform and the military readiness to pro- Russia often in the mid-1800s, indicated in tect Ukraine from future attacks. his book “Letters from Russia”: “Russia lies, Conference attendees gathered in the historic Thomas UCCA Russia denies the facts, makes war on the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, where, prior to the evidence, and wins.” first roundtable, select government representatives arrived to At a reception held at the Embassy of Ukraine on the eve of a And that “informational war” continues offer greetings. The CUSUR team, led as always by Prof. Walter conference on securing Ukraine’s sovereignty, Ukraine’s today, Mr. Sawkiw said. The Soviets denied Zaryckyj, ushered in Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Rep. Foreign Affairs Minister Pavlo Klimkin is flanked by Dr. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), co-chairs of the Congressional Ukrainian Phillip Karber (left) and Gen. Wesley Clark (ret.), both of until the 1980s – about the time when whom were honored with Friends of Ukraine awards pre- Ukrainian Americans started raising the (Continued on page 14) sented by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. issue in this country – that Stalin launched 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 No. 10

ANALYSIS

Railway blockade wreaks havoc Russia warns of “new tragedies” their attacks on civilian infrastructure, including the Donetsk water filtration sta- MOSCOW – The Russian Foreign Affairs tion. We call on Russia and the separatist Ministry has raised the possibility of “new on economy of Ukraine’s Donbas forces it backs to immediately observe the tragedies” if Washington moves to supply and Cherkasy could be affected by sched- ceasefire, withdraw all heavy weapons, and by Oleg Varfolomeyev lethal aid to Ukraine, according to an uled blackouts from the end of March allow full and unfettered access to the Eurasia Daily Monitor UNIAN correspondent in Russia who cited (kmu.gov.ua, February 13). In the middle of OSCE monitors. (U.S. Department of State) Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei In late January, groups of self-identified February, the state energy company veterans and several controversial Ukrenergo predicted that if deliveries from Ryabkov as making the comment. The Avakov seeks to break up blockade Russian side will “explain” to the new U.S. Ukrainian people’s deputies began blocking the blockaded areas were not resumed, KYIV – Ukrainian Internal Affairs railways linking the territory of the Donbas administration “the history and status of Ukraine’s power plants would have enough Minister Arsen Avakov says he has request- (Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts) controlled the conflict in Ukraine,” Mr. Ryabkov said at coal to continue to operate for only 40 days ed permission for the police to break up an by Moscow-backed militants to areas con- the State Duma’s roundtable on U.S-Russia or so (UNIAN, February 13). activist blockade of the country’s transit trolled by the central government. They say relations. “The U.S. Congress demands that The government estimates that in order routes with areas of the east held by sepa- that it is wrong to trade with the rebels and to be able to do without coal imports from deliveries of the so-called lethal aid [to ratists. Ukrainian activists, including some that Ukrainian oligarchs enrich themselves across the frontline, Ukraine would have to Ukraine] start, therefore it is important that members of Parliament and many veterans from such trade – particularly pointing to invest $560 million each year, over the next the White House and the State Department of the conflict with Russia-backed forces in coal deliveries from the occupied areas (see three to five years, to adapt power plants to realize that this could result in new trage- eastern Ukraine, have been blockading Eurasia Daily Monitor, February 24). Over a use other kinds of fuel (liga.net, February dies, and feel the responsibility,” said Mr. train routes to the east since late January. month has passed, but so far Kyiv has not 14). This would be a heavy burden on Ryabkov. He said the Russian Foreign taken any steps to unblock the railways, Europe’s statistically poorest economy. Affairs Ministry will contribute to The blockade has cut off critically needed while the blockade threatens to wreak Coal imports from Russia could be a politi- Washington’s “adequate perception” of coal imports from eastern Ukraine that run havoc not only on the local, but also the cally costly alternative, Vice Prime Minister what is happening in the Donbas. As western Ukrainian power plants, causing national economy. Hennady Zubko warned (ICTV, February reported by RFE/RL earlier in February, power shortages and other harm to the Ukraine’s main high-energy coal (anthra- 27). In the meantime, Ukraine is increasing two U.S. lawmakers (Sen. Dick Durbin and national economy. The disruptions prompt- cite) and coking coal fields happen to be its reliance on nuclear energy, whose share Rep. Mike Quigley [see story on page 3]) ed Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko located in the part of the Donbas controlled of national power generation is approach- said the time had come for the United recently to declare an emergency. “A deci- by Russian and separatist forces. At the ing 60 percent. The country is also cutting States to supply Ukraine with lethal weap- sion needs to be made,” Mr. Avakov told a same time, most of the thermal power power exports to the European Union and ons to better defend itself against Moscow- gathering of metals industry representa- plants and steel mills in the region, which dropping plans to resume exports to backed separatists, saying that a “confron- tives in Kyiv, denouncing the blockade as heavily depend on coal, are in the govern- Belarus and Moldova (kmu.gov.ua, tational” Russian President Vladimir Putin having no positive result. “Let’s give powers ment-held areas across the frontline. The February 17). shows no sign of easing the pressure on to the law enforcement agencies to fix the blockade is thus breaking one of the last Among businesses, the power genera- Kyiv. In December 2016, the U.S. Congress situation.” Meanwhile, the pro-Russian forc- remaining links between the two parts of a tion, metals and mining companies of passed the consolidated National Defense es have threatened to stop supplying coal Donbas torn apart by war. As a result, Kyiv Ukraine’s richest oligarch, Rinat Akhmetov, Authorizations Act, 2017, boosting U.S. and to take over Ukrainian companies that is considering scheduled blackouts (UNIAN, have been affected most of all. His security assistance to Ukraine to $ 350 mil- do not pay a tax to their two self-pro- February 16), while steel mills, which are Metinvest company announced that the lion. (UNIAN) claimed separatist republics. They have a the backbone of the Ukrainian economy, are steel mill Yenakieve Steel and Krasnodon set deadline of March 1 for companies to U.S. condemns targeting of OSCE stopping production one by one. In the Coal Company halted operations. The two register with their so-called “tax authori- meantime, miners and metallurgists on the are located in the occupied area, but are WASHINGTON – The U.S. State ties.” (RFE/RL, based on reporting by DPA, other side of the divide are losing their jobs, registered in Kyiv and pay taxes to the cen- Department’s acting spokesperson, Mark Interfax, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service and thus potentially leaving them open to join- tral government, said Metinvest Toner, on February 26 issued a statement Ukrainian Channel 112) ing the rebel ranks for pay. Politically, this (Metinvest­holding.com, February 20). on the increasing violence in Ukraine’s east. situation has been turning the locals in Metinvest’s two biggest steel mills, Azovstal It read: “The United States is closely moni- Italy donates 1 M euros to war victims eastern Ukraine more off from Kyiv. and Ilyich, both located in the government- toring the growing violence in eastern KYIV – The government of Italy on Speaking on television, Prime Minister held port city of Mariupol, may follow suit Ukraine in recent weeks and the continuing February 23 donated 1 million euros to the Volodymyr Groysman said there is no alter- (UNIAN, February 17). Other steelworks failure of the combined Russian-separatist United Nations World Food Program native to coal from the Russia-occupied are also affected, not only by the coal short- forces to honor the ceasefire called for (WFP) and UNICEF to assist people affect- areas. He argued that the coal mines in age, but also, in the case of those located in under the Minsk agreements. We condemn ed by the conflict in eastern Ukraine in question are registered in Ukraine and pay the occupied territory, by the shortage of Friday’s targeting of OSCE Special 2017. “The Italian government continues to taxes to the central government, so it ores extracted in government-held areas. Monitoring Mission (SMM) monitors and support the non-stop and commendable would be unfair to leave them without a Among them, the steel mill in Alchevsk, the seizure of a SMM unmanned aerial efforts carried out by U.N. agencies in market (ICTV, January 30). Meanwhile, Kyiv Luhansk Oblast, was the first to stop opera- vehicle by combined Russian-separatist has been bracing for power shortages if the tions in early February. And most recently, forces. It is imperative that these forces halt (Continued on page 12) blockade continues. The government the Donetsk steel plant also stopped due to warned that such important industrial the ore shortage (Interfax, February 27). provinces as Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv and Zaporizhia, as well as Sumy, Chernihiv (Continued on page 16) The Ukrainian Weekly FOUNDED 1933 An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., Quotable notes a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. “Today no one has doubt in [the] crucial role of human rights as one of the main Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. U.N. pillars together with peace and security and development. Indeed, when all (ISSN — 0273-9348) three of these pillars are strong and coordinated, they form a solid safeguard for peo- ple. 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My country endures direct military aggression, with Crimea and part of Donbas being illegally The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com occupied by the Russian Federation. To date 10,000 have been killed and more than 22,000 wounded in Donbas, and Crimea has become a ‘grey zone’ marred by injus- The Ukrainian Weekly, March 5, 2017, No. 10, Vol. LXXXV tice, terror and repression. The occupying authorities commit systematic violations Copyright © 2017 The Ukrainian Weekly of human rights and they seek to destroy the identity of Ukrainians and the indige- nous people of the peninsula – the Crimean Tatars. ... “Today, global order based on the rule of law has reached a tipping point. There are two options: an ever-increasing destabilization or consolidation of the interna- ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA tional community around strengthening institutions and the U.N. 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NEWS ANALYSIS Everyone seems to have a peace plan for Ukraine by Christopher Miller “Minsk is unpopular, peace is not. People to ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian Right now, there is no dialogue between are fed up with the war and the corruption aid and work toward the socioeconomic Ukraine and the leaders of the separatist- RFE/RL [among government officials],” Mr. Jarabik reintegration into Ukraine of the separatist- held areas, Aleksandr Zakharchenko and KYIV – It seems that peace plans for said. held territories. Ihor Plotnitsky. Kyiv considers them “terror- Ukraine are everywhere these days. Some of the peace plans share similari- Ukraine must also change its ists” and Mr. Kilimnik said they “have blood Amid a recent surge in violence in east- ties, while ideas in others seem to come Constitution to allow for the “decentraliza- on their hands, [so] it will be very difficult ern Ukraine and yet another failed ceasefire from left field. Many of the new ones are tion” of its regions. In exchange, all “foreign- for Poroshenko and others to negotiate with in the nearly three-year-old conflict are a far-fetched or wholly unacceptable to armed formations” – for Ukraine, this them.” wave of new proposals to bring peace to either Kyiv or Moscow. means the Russian army – should leave and However, “in theory, a figure represent- the crisis-stricken nation – and from some In brief and collectively, they include: relinquish control of the border to Kyiv. ing Donbas, such as Mr. Yanukovych or unexpected places. But these agreements were hashed out someone else who has at least not killed The Ukrainian army has battled against Crimea to Moscow long-term, followed by a while Ukraine’s military was on its heels, people and can stop the war and fix the Russia-backed separatists in the eastern referendum• Ukraine to leasing decide the the Russian-annexedBlack Sea penin- forcing Kyiv to make several concessions. local economy, might be an option,” Mr. Donbas region since 2014, with more than sula’s fate once and for all; The Minsk agreements have also become Kilimnik explained. 9,750 people killed and more than 1.8 mil- unpopular because they have so far failed Many Ukrainians, though, believe the lion displaced in that time, according to the over Crimea and Kyiv’s continued integra- to bring a lasting peace. former president’s hands are dripping with United Nations. tion• withTemporarily the European setting Union aside and the flirtation dispute The Kilimnik plan blood as they hold him responsible for the More than 40 Ukrainian soldiers, sepa- with NATO membership to focus on stop- deaths of more than 100 protesters shot by ratists and civilians have been killed in an ping the conflict in the east; The most recent of the new peace plans riot police during the Euro-Maidan protests uptick in fighting just since January. came from Ukrainian-Russian political in Kyiv in 2014. Ukraine has charged Mr. The hostilities have continued despite an – the last time nationwide elections includ- operative Konstantin Kilimnik, the one- Yanukovych with treason – an allegation he official peace deal known collectively as the ed •areas Reinstating under theelected control officials of separatists from 2010 – time assistant in Kyiv to U.S. President denies. Minsk agreements, the first of which was and bringing in U.N. peacekeepers; Donald Trump’s former campaign chair- Peace in Ukraine “is up for Ukrainians to agreed in September 2014, followed by the man, Paul Manafort. figure out, and the only way to proceed is a second – a reaffirmation – in February Donetsk and Luhansk regions to be includ- Calling his plan the Mariupol Plan after national consensus and dialogue,” Mr. 2015 by Ukraine and Russia, as well as the ed •in Allowing Minsk negotiations separatist leaders with Ukrainian from the the southeastern Ukrainian city that is the Kilimnik said. Moscow-backed separatists. officials and reserving the option to hold a largest in the Donetsk region controlled by But the Minsk agreements have become referendum on the status of the Donbas if the government and which sits smack The Yanukovych plan unpopular and seem impervious to being Kyiv doesn’t fulfill its part of the Minsk deal; against the frontline – Mr. Kilimnik envisag- Mr. Yanukovych, in an interview with a implemented, leading to frustration and es it replacing the current Minsk agree- group of Western reporters on February perhaps a reason for the flurry of new peace Ukraine’s ousted ex-president living in self- ments and Normandy format talks between 21, shared his own 10-page proposal, proposals. imposed• Bringing exile in back Russia Viktor since 2014, Yanukovych, to head Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France. which he said he has sent to President Each new plan – made by a mix of a pro-Russian eastern region with more Despite his connection to Mr. Manafort, Trump and the leaders of Russia, Germany, known politicians and shadowy operatives autonomy. who lived in Ukraine and worked as an France, and Poland, according to The Wall – has sparked fierce debate in Kyiv political Here’s a closer look at each of the plans. adviser to Mr. Yanukovych for years, Mr. Street Journal and Der Spiegel. Kilimnik emphasized that the American circles and among the Ukrainian public. The Minsk agreements Der Spiegel said the plan has six points And the suspected motivations behind strategist has had no part in this plan, leading to a resolution of the conflict. the peace offerings run the gamut, from The Minsk agreements offer a detailed, which he says remains fluid. “Four relate to the ‘investigation into the personal ambition to a Kremlin plot to 13-point road map for settling the conflict. The plan, he said, was raised by “many crimes committed on the Maidan in February destroy Ukraine. It begins with a ceasefire and the with- people who are willing to start [a] dialogue” 2014,’ for which he proposes a special com- Balazs Jarabik, a nonresident scholar at drawal of heavy weapons from the front- between eastern Ukraine and the rest of the mission to be established by the Council of the Carnegie Endowment for International line, which is currently monitored by the country “and this should be one of the roles Europe,” the German news outlet reported. Peace, told RFE/RL that he thinks the main Organization for Security and Cooperation of the Opposition Bloc and other opposition Mr. Yanukovych also called for the sepa- reason for the peace plans seems to be to in Europe (OSCE). parties, which understand the necessity of ratist leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk to be weaken Ukrainian President Petro After that is an all-for-all prisoner bringing Donbas back into Ukraine.” The included in negotiations with Ukrainian Poroshenko, who remains in limbo exchange, followed by local elections and Opposition Bloc is the revamped, pro-Mos- officials. The sixth point outlines a plan for between the increasingly disparaged Minsk an amnesty for fighters who haven’t com- cow political faction once called the Party of agreements and “victory.” mitted heinous crimes. The sides are then Regions and led by Mr. Yanukovych. (Continued on page 16)

Interview: U.S. lawmakers call for lethal weapons for Ukraine

by Christopher Miller at the reality.” stance on Ukraine as “somewhat schizo- and what we’re prepared to stand up for.” RFE/RL “Putin continues to be confrontational,” phrenic,” adding that the president’s posi- On February 21, Ukrainian President he added. tion “depends who you are listening to and Petro Poroshenko called for Western states KYIV – Two U.S. lawmakers say the time Among other things, Sen. Durbin cited what you are watching.” to toughen sanctions against Russia in has come for the United States to supply President Putin’s recent order formally Senior U.S. officials including Vice- response to Putin’s order recognizing sepa- Ukraine with lethal weapons to better accepting “passports” and identity docu- President Mike Pence and Nikki Haley, the ratist-issued documents, which the U.S. defend itself against Moscow-backed sepa- ments issued by the separatists who con- U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Embassy in Kyiv said was “incompatible” ratists, saying that a “confrontational” trol parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk have both recently delivered strong state- with the goals of the tenuous peace deal Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no regions in eastern Ukraine. “That says to ments of support for Ukraine and called out known as the Minsk agreements. sign of easing the pressure on Kyiv. me he has no plans of leaving [Ukraine] Russia for its aggression here. Messrs. Durbin and Quigley said they In an interview in Kyiv on February 22, soon,” he said. Mr. Trump has spoken admiringly of Mr. would appeal to Congress, where they said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told RFE/RL that Russia denies involvement in the war in Putin and said he hopes badly strained there was bipartisan support for helping the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where gov- eastern Ukraine, despite what Kyiv and relations with Moscow will improve, and he Ukraine, to do so. ernment forces have been fighting the sep- Western countries say is overwhelming evi- had suggested during the campaign that he Sen. Durbin praised Ukraine’s fighting aratists for nearly three years, has “reached dence that Moscow whipped up separatist would consider lifting sanctions Obama forces for their “extraordinary courage on a point now where we have to be honest.” sentiment in 2014 and has sent substantial imposed on Russia over its interference in the lines resisting this Russian invasion” “What [the Russians] continue to do in numbers of troops and weapons across the Ukraine. and lauded the government in Kyiv, which eastern Ukraine, in Donetsk, gives no indi- border to support separatist forces. Since his inauguration on January 20, he he said was making progress on crucial cation they’re backing off,” he said. “We Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), who spoke to has said little about Ukraine beyond a reforms. have to give to Ukraine the tools and weap- RFE/RL along with Sen. Durbin, said that tweet saying: “Crimea was TAKEN by “There is still much work to be done,” he ons they need to protect their own people.” lethal arms were necessary “because it is a Russia during the Obama administration. said. “We hope they have equal commit- Sen. Durbin – who is the second-most- new world and there’s new technology out Was Obama too soft on Russia?” ments to stop the Russians in the east and to senior Democrat in the Senate and sits on there, and [the Ukrainians] are competing Sen. Durbin said the Trump administra- stop corruption in the rest of their nation.” the Senate Judiciary, Appropriations and against an advanced force.” tion was delivering “two different messages.” Rules committees – noted the reluctance of Sen. Durbin and Rep. Quigley, each of “We have the tweets of the president in Copyright 2017, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted former President Barack Obama’s adminis- whom stopped in Ukraine while on sepa- conflict with statements made by the secre- with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ tration to provide Kyiv with lethal aid for rate tours through Eastern Europe and the tary of defense, the vice-president, the sec- Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, fear of escalating the conflict. Baltics to voice support for the regions, said retary of state, the ambassador to the Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see The United States has provided nonle- they were not satisfied with President United Nations,” he said. http://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-us-con- thal assistance, including military training. Donald Trump’s position on Ukraine. He added, “We have to have consistency gressmen-durbin-quigley-lethal-weapons- But now, Sen. Durbin said, “We have to look Rep. Quigley described Mr. Trump’s of message so the world knows our values fight-russia/28325263.html). 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 No. 10 European Film Academy protests Demonstrators in Washington recall Sentsov’s imprisonment life and work of Boris Nemtsov European Film Academy Kaplan had no optimistic news to report, his lawyer Dmitrii Dinze stated that, if an BERLIN – On the occasion of a screening international campaign continues, “it will of “The Trial – The State of Russia vs. Oleg push the legal regime in Russia.” Sentsov” by Askold Kurov, Agnieszka To much applause, the EFA’s chairwom- Holland and Volker Schlöndorff, the an, Ms. Holland said: “Oleg needs us, but we European Film Academy and Amnesty also need Oleg. His courage is very relevant International protested against the incar- in times like these, maybe more so than ceration of the Ukrainian director Oleh two years ago!” Sentsov. In May 2014, the Ukrainian filmmaker, Presented by the Berlinale and the who was involved in supporting the Euro- European Film Academy as part of the Maidan protests in Kyiv and who has Berlinale Special Section, the premiere on opposed the annexation of Crimea by February 11 saw filmmakers team up with Russia, was arrested by the Federal Security 650 spectators holding up signs demand- Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation at ing the release of the director. his home in Symferopol, Crimea. Moderated by EFA Deputy Chairman Eventually, at the end of what Amnesty Mike Downey, the discussion after the International describes as “an unfair trial in screening heard Mr. Kurov point out, “The a military court,” Mr. Sentsov was sen- story of making this film is a story of soli- tenced to 20 years in jail for having com- Yaro Bihun darity” and expressing his hope that the mitted “crimes of a terrorist nature.” Oksana Osipova, vice-president of United Help Ukraine, addresses the demonstration film makes Mr. Sentsov less of an abstract In his documentary Mr. Kurov investi- held in remembrance of the late Borys Nemtsov. person. gates the truth behind this political show While the filmmaker’s cousin Natalya trial. by Yaro Bihun the Kremlin. The Magnitsky Act Initiative and the Free Russia Foundation have out- WASHINGTON – On Sunday, February spokenly stated that the Putin regime is 26, United Help Ukraine Vice-President responsible for his murder. Nemtsov had Oksana Osipova joined with U.S.-Ukraine compiled an extensive report detailing the Foundation President Nadia McConnell and takeover of Crimea by Russian troops and representatives of Russian, Belarusian, their participation with pro-Russian rebels Baltic and American organizations and in eastern Ukraine. He supported Ukraine’s addressed the group of people that gath- sovereignty, visited the Maidan in Kyiv and ered across the street from the Russian addressed at a mass gathering in Moscow Embassy in Washington to commemorate denouncing Russian aggression in Ukraine. the life and work of Boris Nemtsov, a The commemorative gathering in Russian politician, statesman, outspoken Washington was sponsored by at the critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin Magnitsky Act Initiative and the Free Russia and his undemocratic and authoritarian Foundation, whose leaders addressed the regime, and an outspoken supporter of event, along with the representatives of the

EFA/Sandra Weller Ukraine. Ukrainian and other groups. There were Audience members at the screening of “The Trial – The State of Russia vs. Oleg Two years ago, on February 27, 2015, also statements read from U.S. Senators Sentsov” hold up signs demanding freedom for Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov. Nemtsov was assassinated in Moscow near Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin.

Atlantic Council... (Continued from page 1) He noted that this genocide now has also found a place in American high school social studies curricula and has a memorial to its victims in Washington. Mr. Rivkin agreed that a factual high school curriculum is important. He said he checked a Russian high school his- tory textbook back in 2008, and this is what it taught about the Holodomor: “The famine was a result of weather condi- tions as well as the incompleteness of collectivization pro- cesses. Collective farms were not yet able to provide the required level of production of bread while the kulaks – the wealthy farmers – were liquidated as a social class and did not participate in the production.” Mr. Rivkin also noted that Walter Duranty, The New York Times Moscow correspondent from 1922 to 1936, may well have deserved the Pulitzer Prize he received for his work there, but for – as he phrased it – “Orwellian linguis- tic gymnastics” and not for journalism. Yaro Bihun This was how Duranty described what was happening Michael Sawkiw (right), director of the Ukrainian National Information Service, discusses Russian President in Ukraine then: “There is no actual starvation. But there is Vladimir Putin’s – and his predecessors’ – use of disinformation during a panel discussion at the Atlantic Council widespread mortality from the diseases due to malnutri- about Ukraine’s past and current problems with Russia. The other panelists are (from left): Timothy Fairbank, tion.” senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center; the center’s director, Ambassador John But Duranty was not alone in his misperception, he Herbst; Nadia McConnell, president of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation; and Naphtali Rivkin, research fellow at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. added. Many prominent leaders and experts were fooled by Moscow’s propaganda campaign. Even Arthur Kessler, (D-S.C.), who sponsored the Senate resolution that did so. Russian flirtation with democracy ended when you had the author of “Darkness at Noon,” one of the best books on But, as she noted, such things did not always work so handoff from President [Boris] Yeltsin to then Prime communism ever written, dismissed the dying Ukrainians smoothly. Back in 1934, U.S. Rep. Hamilton Fish II (D-N.Y.) Minister Putin, who became President Putin.” And Mr. as “enemies of the people who preferred begging to work.” introduced a resolution on the artificial famine in Ukraine. In Putin was a KGB agent, he noted, adding that one never Mr. Rivkin said that journalist Gareth Jones, who broke a later interview, she said, he “ranted and raved” about leaves the KGB. the story on the Holodomor, quoted then Russian Foreign President Franklin D. Roosevelt – who wanted to recognize As for the importance of remembering and honoring the Minister Maxim Litvinov as saying flat-out that there is no Russia – for letting geopolitics get in the way of the Holodomor, Ambassador Herbst said that it is important famine, but then tailoring his statement to: “You must take Congress officially recognizing what was taking place there. for Ukrainian national consciousness and for understand- a longer view. The present hunger is temporary.” “Does anyone see parallels to today?” she asked, adding: ing the horrors of communism not only in Ukraine but And today’s Russian propaganda about Crimea and the “Unfortunately I don’t think we see much changes in the elsewhere. Donbas is similar, Mr. Rivkin said. situation both in the playbook by the Kremlin or, unfortu- And he noted that the new film about the Holodomor, USUF President McConnell made the point that the nately, in terms of the politics here, in Washington.” “Bitter Harvest,” a trailer of which was shown at the begin- United States was the first government in the world to rec- Mr. Herbst, who served as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine ning of the Atlantic Council discussion and would open in a ognize that the Holodomor took place and that a caucus of from 2003 to 2006, noted that Mr. Putin’s Russia has seri- number of Washington area movie theaters on February Ukrainian Americans worked with Sen. Ernest Hollings ous political and human rights problems. “Sadly, this brief 24, can be an important event. No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 5 Christian Borys’s journey from Toronto tech to war correspondent in eastern Ukraine

by Christopher Guly Special to The Ukrainian Weekly OTTAWA – Many people likely would not give a second thought to leaving the relative comfort of life in Toronto for the deadly battleground of eastern Ukraine. But when Christian Borys decided to embark on a new career two years ago, he thought Ukraine – his father’s ancestral homeland – would be the place to give journal- ism a shot. The ethnic connection was only part of it, though. Few assignments test a reporter’s mettle better than covering a war, and Ukraine’s conflict with Russian-backed rebels – a major news story dominating global headlines in early 2015 – provided an irresistible pull for Mr. Borys. He understood it could be dangerous – and it has been for the Ukrainian Canadian journalist who quickly donned a combat helmet and bulletproof vest emblazoned with the word “PRESS” for both protection and identification. His laid-back manner undoubtedly helped him cope with some dicey situations. Mr. Borys has driven through battle zones with explo- sions going off around his vehicle, and was kept awake at night by machine guns firing in a room next to his in an apartment building, where he stayed with Ukrainian sol- diers in Maryinka last October. “I didn’t know what to expect, so it was a pretty eye- opening experience,” he recently said by phone from Kyiv. It has also been vastly different than his life back in Canada. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in polit- Anton Skyba ical science from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University, the now- Christian Borys in Avdiyivka in October 2016. 30-year-old Toronto native had desk jobs, working as a project manager for a construction company and later with on the ground and managed to take a position as a one-off “I spoke to a girl with a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering the e-commerce firm Shopify. land grab, and that sparked a reply from the separatists, who sees no prospects for a job in Ukraine – and neither It was a comfortable life for a young, athletic guy who which prompted a huge battle.” It was not likely, contrary do her friends, who are as highly educated, who cannot plays hockey and goes snowboarding in his spare time. But to global speculation, the result of Russian President earn the type of salaries they would like to make in it was clearly not enough to satisfy an adventurous spirit Vladimir Putin’s phone call with U.S. President Donald Ukraine,” said Mr. Borys, the child of Polish-born parents and feed off his love of writing to tell compelling stories. Trump late last month, he added. who learned to speak Polish from his mother and maternal And if you’re going to make a name for yourself as a However, there is no mistaking the fatigue Ukrainians grandmother in Toronto. freelance journalist in the increasingly competitive have felt about the war in the Donbas. “It’s not like Maidan was this magic pill able to fix every- mediascape, it’s best to go somewhere where there is a Despite the recent ceasefire between Ukraine and the thing. It’s going to be a long struggle for the country to demand for on-the-ground reportage. He chose to be in Russian-backed rebels, Mr. Borys said that it has “blown change.” Ukraine, to see a country “evolve through a war after a rev- everybody’s mind that this conflict has still been going on. He’s covering that journey as executive producer of “The olution.” No one expected it to last more than two weeks – not three Sunday Show,” a weekly English-language television pro- Clearly it was the right choice for Mr. Borys, who – given years.” gram for the Maidan-inspired and VICE-like Hromadske, a the breadth of his byline in recent weeks – could become “Those who live on the front line are just so …fed up Kyiv-based online media company co-founded and headed one of Canada’s best-known foreign correspondents. with it,” and most people don’t care if they live in Ukraine, by Ukrainian journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk. His reporting has appeared seemingly everywhere, from or the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, or some other Mr. Borys is also producing a short documentary for the The Washington Post and The Guardian to BBC News, VICE country. “They just want the war to stop and get back to Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) on a planned reunion News and Al Jazeera. When hostilities escalated earlier this living a normal life,” Mr. Borys noted. between two Ukrainian sisters, one of whom was adopted month between Ukrainian government forces and Russian- The misery in Avdiyivka was apparent when he was by a Canadian family three years ago. The mini-doc will be backed rebels in the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiyivka, there. More than 17,000 residents were without heat, shot in Toronto and Ukraine later this year, and appear on Mr. Borys was one of the few Western journalists there to water and electricity as temperatures fell below -20 CBC’s web service and TV network some time next year. cover the armed conflict for international media outlets. degrees Celsius. Some families had to again – perhaps for He misses his hometown – and his family and friends On the ground, he was able to bust through the wartime the second, third or fourth time – ship their children off to there, along with a favorite regular indulgence (“I really spin and witnessed the weaponry used on both sides, safety behind the frontline, according to Mr. Borys. like Tim Hortons donuts”). But reminders of Canada come including the multiple-launch Grad missile system and 152 A few women approached him when he was reporting often in conversation with Ukrainians. mm and 122 mm artillery, all of which were banned under from the battleground. “Canada is still a dream to most Ukrainians – and every- the Minsk II agreement, brokered by France and Germany, “They found out I was a foreign journalist and were yell- body here loves [Justin] Trudeau,” said Mr. Borys, referring which Russia and Ukraine entered into in 2015. ing at me, ‘Why don’t you tell [Ukrainian President Petro] to the Canadian prime minister. “My Ukrainian journalist “We saw burned out patches of ground in the fields Poroshenko to stop this war? We don’t need war.’ It’s really friends all admire what Trudeau is doing, especially behind Avdiyivka that would indicate firing positions from emotional for people there.” Canada taking in Syrian refugees, which is in stark contrast Grads for heavy artillery,” said Mr. Borys about what he Mr. Borys sympathizes with Ukrainians who have had to what the U.S. is doing.” witnessed along with Alexander Hug, head of the Ukraine their country invaded, with a part of it (Crimea) annexed to For now, Mr. Borys sees the world through a Ukrainian monitoring mission of the Organization for Security and Russia, and have a “right to their sovereignty and a right to lens. Cooperation in Europe, whom he interviewed during fight for their land” amid fears of further Russian He has found a place to live in Kyiv that he describes as heavy shelling. encroachment. looking “from the inside like any apartment you’d find in “So that was in the Ukrainian-held territory and it “It seems like Russia’s end game was to stop Ukraine Toronto, and from the outside, like a Soviet [era] …apart- doesn’t take a genius to realize that the Ukrainian army from progressing after the Maidan uprising. To make sure ment building.” was using banned weapons, but Ukraine doesn’t want to that Ukraine will never be able to get into NATO, which it He works out at a local gym and eats as healthy as possi- admit that,” said Mr. Borys, who doesn’t speak Ukrainian cannot join when it is actively involved in a war, and to ble. “It’s a really competitive business,” and you really have fluently and who also relied on a Ukrainian journalist as a destabilize any efforts for Ukraine to join the EU,” he to work extremely hard, explained Mr. Borys, who often “fixer” to help set up interviews and provide translation. explained. has to supply video and still images with the stories he “Everybody was breaking the peace agreement on all That, in turn, has slowly eroded a renewed sense of files. sides because Minsk is a joke and has been since day one. patriotism that Mr. Borys felt in Ukraine in 2015 – com- He has settled into Kyivan life, eager to indulge in the But nobody has a better alternative at this point,” he com- pared to what he experienced when he first visited the cultural expectations and the social possibilities for a guy mented. country 10 years earlier. with an easy laugh and an inquisitive mind. “Life is so simi- Ukraine, Russia and the Russian-backed separatists “There are huge barriers for Ukraine to overcome – and lar to Toronto that it’s kind of amazing,” said Mr. Borys. agreed on February 15 to withdraw their heavy weapons the biggest one is corruption,” he said. “Most people agree Still, the restlessness remains, and he’s already consid- from the front line as required under the Minsk peace plan that’s going to take another generation to solve.” ering his next move to another hotspot of humanity. as of February 20. [Editor’s note: reports since then indi- Meanwhile, highly skilled young Ukrainians are looking “I want to go to Iraq,” said Mr. Borys, who co-authored a cate that yet another ceasefire is not being implemented.] to advance their careers elsewhere, in such countries as feature that recently appeared in Foreign Policy Magazine. Giving his take on why eastern Ukraine became Poland, and some of them are already learning Polish with Titled “The Blackwater of Jihad,” the story is about a group embroiled in the worst fighting in two years, Mr. Borys an eye toward moving there to pursue greater employ- of elite fighters from the former Soviet Union who are said, “it seems like Ukraine had been pressing aggressively ment opportunities. training jihadis in Syria. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 No. 10

COMMENTARY The Ukrainian Weekly Ukraine’s suffering children An agreement with Putin is Last year in February, UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, reported that “The conflict in Ukraine has deeply affected the lives of 580,000 children living in an agreement with the devil non-government controlled areas and close to the front line in eastern Ukraine.” Of by Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thing: disrupting, manipulating and occupy- those, 200,000 – or one in three – needed psychosocial support. More than 215,000 ing the land that wasn’t theirs. were internally displaced. At that time, Giovanna Barberis, UNICEF representative in It has been mostly bad news for Ukraine We choked back then. Ukraine, stated: “Two years of violence, shelling and fear have left an indelible mark lately. Thousands of civilians found them- It took Ukraine three long months in on thousands of children in eastern Ukraine. As the conflict continues, we need to selves caught between frost and fire under 2014 – March, April, May – to overcome the reach these children urgently to meet their physical as well as psychological needs.” Vladimir Putin’s fierce onslaught in the shock and to start fighting back. Sadly, Now, one year later, the news is even worse: 1 million children are in urgent need Donbas – the worst since early 2015. The many in the West still seem choked. Russia of humanitarian assistance, according to UNICEF. “This is an invisible emergency – a Kremlin rubs its blood-smeared hands in messes with your elections, corrupts you, crisis most of the world has forgotten,” Ms. Barberis said. (See the story published in anticipation of a new division of the world – plays you – and you still plead. You still our February 26 issue.) Some 1.7 million people are now internally displaced anticipating that Ukraine is soon to be theirs. appeal to the good will of someone who according to the agency. “Hundreds of daily ceasefire violations put children’s physi- Meanwhile, many in the West seem to be made a habit of carving up his neighbors. cal safety and psychological well-being at risk. The situation is particularly grave for contemplating “all options” to make a deal Some of you probably think if you give the approximately 200,000 girls and boys living within 15 kilometers on each side of with Mr. Putin. Russia what they want, this nightmare will the ‘contact line’ in eastern Ukraine… In this zone, 19,000 children face constant They don’t believe in the “rise of the go away. You just can’t figure out what they danger from landmines and other unexploded ordnance, and 12,000 children live in West” combined with the “rise of the rest.” want. communities shelled at least once a month.” When did things become so bad? It didn’t Well here is a newsflash for you: they The result of all this violence: Teachers, psychologists and parents report signs of start in the last week or the last year. Partly, it don’t believe in the “rise of the West” com- severe psychosocial distress among children, including nightmares, aggression, started much earlier. And partly – in February bined with the “rise of the rest.” social withdrawal and panic triggered by loud noises, notes UNICEF. And hundreds 2014, when Russia invaded Ukraine. We all All they know is this: it’s their time to have been injured or killed in the war since it began in the spring of 2014. remember those days. Ukraine pleaded with rise and the West’s time to go down. While Russia’s war on Ukraine rages on, the “separatist” authorities do not allow Russia to stop. The West pleaded with Yes, this goes against logic. However, so Ukrainian aid into the region, and they have barred most international organizations Ukraine not to respond militarily. And Russia does Moscow’s whole zero-sum world pic- from operating there. To make matters worse, on March 1 we learned from wire ser- pleaded with no one – they just did their ture. Yes, this goes against everything we vice reports that Russian-backed rebels were taking over factories and mines in learned in the last 25 years. However, roll- eastern Ukraine – many of them belonging to oligarch Rinat Akhmetov, whose foun- ing back these 25 years stands atop their dation apparently is the largest provider of humanitarian aid to those affected by On February 10, the German newspaper to-do-list. war in eastern Ukraine. (That was the response of the combined Russian-separatist Die Welt published an article by Ukrainian Don’t fool yourselves – this didn’t happen forces to a blockade by some Ukrainian activists and war veterans that halted nearly Vice-Prime Minister for European because Russia misunderstood you. It hap- all rail traffic in the Donbas. The blockade is opposed by the government in Kyiv.) A Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze pened because we all misunderstood Russia. spokesman for Mr. Akhmetov said armed men took control of an arena in Donetsk about the West’s policy regarding Ukraine We thought the Soviet Union was dead all that had served as a staging ground for relief efforts. “At the moment, we’re unable to and the dangers that this brings. these years, but it wasn’t. It was re-grouping. deliver any humanitarian aid inside nongovernment-controlled territory,” Jock Euromaidan Press, with the permission Mendoza-Wilson told RFE/RL. of the office of the vice-prime minister, pub- It was getting ready for a revanche. According to the most recent (March 2) statements by the U.S. Mission to the lished the English version of the article (see “Houston, we have a problem.” And the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, “Continued clashes have put http://euromaidanpress.com/2017/02/ problem is the USSR 2.0, an FSB-run state, civilians at grave risk. … Ukrainians living in the conflict area need real humanitarian 10/an-agreement-with-putin-is-an-agree- capable of things that USSR 1.0 could only relief.” The missions underscored: “Restrictions on aid organizations in separatist- ment-with-the-devil/). It is reprinted here dream of: getting inside your political dis- held areas must also be lifted.” with the permission of Ms. Klympush- Thankfully, there are those who have not forgotten the people of occupied Tsintsadze’s office. (Continued on page 16) Ukraine. The government of Italy on February 23 donated 1 million euros (about $1.05 million U.S.) to the United Nations World Food Program and UNICEF to assist the people in the war-torn Donbas. Meanwhile, UNICEF said it is appealing for $31.3 WINDOW ON EURASIA million for 2017 to provide health and nutrition support, education, clean water, hygiene and sanitation, as well as protection for children and families affected by the conflict. We pray that the world will respond and that Ukraine’s suffering children Moscow deploys the most dangerous kind and their families receive the assistance they need. of disinformation against Ukraine

by Paul Goble may make those who do it feel better; but only the former can protect us against March Turning the pages back... Lies are one thing; disinformation quite those who deploy disinformation skillfully. another, as the late Nathalie Grant warned That makes a new article by U.S.-based Thirty-five years ago, on March 10, 1982, President Ronald decades ago. The first can muddy the Russian journalist Kseniya Kirillova espe- 10 Reagan issued a proclamation designating March 21, 1982, as waters but are typically quickly exposed by cially important. Indeed, in many ways, it is Afghanistan Day. An editorial in The Weekly at the time of the anyone who examines them. The second a model of the challenge the world faces in 1982 announcement stated: “…He [Mr. Reagan] was doing more than has a far greater and long lasting influence dealing with Russian disinformation and taking a measured swipe at Soviet aggression and reiterating because the lies are wrapped in facts. the care that needs to be exercised in American support for the cause of Afghan freedom fighters, who Indeed, one could say that the flood of exposing and thus countering it (ru.krymr. have been waging a valiant guerrilla struggle since the Soviet invasion [of Afghanistan] in lies is nothing but a means to make disin- com/a/28334404.html). 1979. Shrewdly, the Soviets seem to plan their moves to coincide with an ongoing interna- formation more effective, because those Last week, she notes, the Ukrainian tional crisis, or create their own diversions to draw the world’s attention away from their who recognize these falsehoods may media were filled with stories that global machinations.” deceive themselves when it comes to more Ukrainian defense plants were selling mili- The editorial noted that the Soviets invaded Afghanistan just two months after Iran carefully constructed narratives of disinfor- tary equipment to Russia. The reports took American citizens hostage and that leftist guerrillas in El Salvador increased their mation that are accepted because so many cited the conclusions of the distinguished offensive shortly after martial law was imposed in Poland. parts of them are true. Stockholm International Peace Research “Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week, Deputy Secretary Consequently, identifying such disinfor- Institute (SIPRI) and even appeared plausi- of State Walter Stoessel said that the administration has proof that Soviet forces are using mation and carefully sifting the lies it con- ble given that Ukrainian plants had sup- chemical and biological weapons against Afghanistan’s civilian population. According to tains that are surrounded by facts is a far plied Russian ones before 2014. intelligence reports, 3,042 civilians died horribly after being exposed to mycotoxins simi- more important but also far more difficult Such stories have two target audiences: lar to the ‘yellow rain’ used by Vietnam, a Moscow satrap, against the fiercely independent task than simply unmasking lies. The latter Ukrainians, who might conclude that their Montagnard tribesmen. Most had died from massive internal hemorrhaging, choking on elites were betraying them and their coun- their own blood,” The Weekly’s editorial read. Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on try out of greed; and Europeans, who might Vice-President George H.W. Bush condemned the Soviet violation of Afghanistan’s sov- ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia conclude that there is no reason to defend ereignty, adding, “But let’s not forget the other nations that have suffered the same fate, who has served in various capacities in the Ukraine or maintain sanctions on Russia both within and without the Soviet Union… countries from the Baltic states to Ukraine to U.S. State Department, the Central for its invasion if the Ukrainians aren’t will- Uzbekistan.” Intelligence Agency and the International ing to prevent such sales. Other issues facing the Afghan freedom fighters included the lack of a united front, Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice But the stories – however plausible and where the Soviets exploited divisions among the tribes and ethnic groups of Afghanistan of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio apparently fact-based they appeared to be to sow the seeds of disunity in order to weaken the response to Soviet actions. To this end, – were entirely false. Indeed, as experts at Liberty and the Carnegie Endowment for the Soviets even created a Lenin-inspired Afghan Ministry of Tribes and Nationalities. the Kyiv Center for Research on the Army, International Peace. The article above is Some of these tactics had spilled over into Pakistan, where the Pathan peoples had Conversion and Disarmament point out, reprinted with permission from his blog demanded their own homeland. those behind this disinformation did not called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- (Continued on page 13) woneurasia2.blogspot.com/). (Continued on page 13) No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 7

COMMENTARY The truth about Ukraine’s bitter harvest Elephant in the O.O. Yes, you read that correctly. My title is Western consensus) represents an assault “Elephant in the Oval Office.” on the traditional hierarchical organization Scan a recent photo of the Oval Office of the world…” The American empire is the and what do you see? President Donald leader of this consensus as well as the glo- Trump sitting behind his desk talking to balization movement. America needs to be staff. All are wearing a suit and tie – all but destroyed. Mr. Dugin proposes a kind of one. The elephant. Steve Bannon. “national bolshevism” for Russia based on Out of nowhere, it seems, Mr. Bannon the ideology of Moscow as the third Rome has become the senior policy advisor in the and other messianic Russian delusions. For Trump administration. Remember the Mr. Dugin, “the West is the realm of the Trump/O’Reilly interview on Fox News ‘Antichrist.’ ” Some commentators believe during the Super Bowl? Mr. O’Reilly that President Putin’s current efforts to reminded the president that Vladimir undermine the European Union, NATO and Courtesy of Roadside Attractions Putin was a “killer.” Mr. Trump shrugged it Western ideals reflect the Dugin formula Terence Stamp, as Ivan, the patriarch and leader of his Ukrainian community, in off with an Obamaesque response. “We’ve for Russia. Echoing Mr. Dugin, Russian “Bitter Harvest.” got a lot of killers,” he said. “What do you Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov recently called for a “post-West world by Lubomyr Luciuk Golgotha, a place of skulls. Can love survive think? Our country’s so innocent?” Where such corrupting foulness? I don’t know. did that come from? It didn’t originate with order.” My godmother told me the truth. When I Over 4 million people perished during Mike Pence who recently told President Despite their apparent disdain for the shared it with my history teacher, he said the Holodomor, the Great Famine of 1932- Petro Poroshenko that the U.S. does not existing world order, it would be a stretch she was mistaken, or had lied. 1933 – after Moscow’s minions stripped recognize Russia’s Crimea grab. Nor did it to suggest that Messrs. Bannon and Dugin I was upset. I asked my parents who was Soviet Ukraine of food, exporting grain come from Reince Priebus or any of his are soul mates. Mr. Bannon may have right. even as widespread hunger took hold, seal- staff. It certainly didn’t come from Nikki dreamt of a Leninist destruction of the They gave me a book, “Russian ing the borders to prevent anyone from Haley, our ambassador to the U.N., who Establishment, but it will remain just that Oppression in Ukraine.” I still have it. My leaving or aid getting in, while insisting openly excoriated Mr. Putin in her maiden for now, a dream. Our system of checks and there was no famine. first encounter with this green-covered vol- speech. So who’s left? The elephant. balance will make sure of that. Not so the Then Stalin’s shills buried the truth ume was brief. I slammed it shut, shudder- Who is Steve Bannon? In the February dreams of Mr. Dugin’s Russia, where checks about one of the greatest genocides to ing at the black and white photographs 13 issue of Time magazine, the cover story and balances don’t exist. inside – the remains of famine victims being befoul modern history, their dissembling – “The Second Most Powerful Man in the Will Ukraine survive during a Trump heaved into a cart, the bodies of raped- succored by scribblers like Walter Duranty World?” – was devoted to the man. administration? Absolutely. We have then-murdered women jumbled on a bed, a of The New York Times who claimed: friends in high places who know the truth “there is no actual starvation or deaths “Democrat by heritage and Republican by massacred community’s corpses exhumed about Russia’s designs on Ukraine – Vice- from starvation, but there is widespread choice,” writes the author David Von to identify their killers. Even though I President Pence, U.N. Ambassador Haley, mortality from diseases due to malnutri- Drehle, “Bannon had come to see both par- looked away quickly, it was too late – a and Sens. John McCain and Lindsey tion.” Privately, he told British diplomats “as ties as deeply corrupt…” and “seemed to Pandora’s Box of nightmares was freed. Graham to name but a few. The Trump Those images, glimpsed decades ago, bur- many as 10 million people” died. relish the opportunity to clean out the old Yet, London never exposed this great order and build a new one in its place.” administration is getting its bearings as I den me to this day. Only a few minutes ago I write this. President Trump himself has dared look again. They remain harrowing. Soviet lie. Why? In June 1934 the Foreign According to a number of sources, “Steve’s already made clear that Crimea belongs to The essay I penned got a poor grade. Office’s Laurence Collier provided a hum- not willing to take no for an answer. He’s a Ukraine. Ukrainian Democrats need to Defiantly, I presented the book to my teach- bug of an excuse for posterity: “The truth of sponge. He’s very bright. He listens. And chill. All will be well, especially if Mr. er. Disdainfully, he gave it back, dismissing the matter is, of course, that we have a cer- he’s a strategic thinker, about three or four Bannon is shown the door. it as “anti-Soviet propaganda.” tain amount of information about famine steps down the road…” He was right. It was. But it was also true. conditions... We do not want to make it Not everyone is charitable, however, Vigilance is required when it comes to It just took a half-century to confirm. public, however, because the Soviet govern- about Mr. Bannon, a Navy veteran, a con- President Putin, however. The New York What brought this high school reversal ment would resent it and our relations with servative radio show host, who holds a Times recently reported a back-channel to mind was the film “Bitter Harvest.” As it them would be prejudiced.” Harvard M.B.A. “He is legitimately one of plan for Ukraine and Russia courtesy of ended, I glanced around the screening No wonder my teacher knew nothing the worst people I’ve ever dealt with,” Trump associates. Mentioned are: Andrii V. room. Some cried quietly. Others seemed about this man-made famine. Many still declared one acquaintance. “He regularly Artemenko, an anti-Poroshenko gadfly don’t. Stalin’s successors in the Kremlin uncertain about how to react. I know why. abuses people. He sees everything as war. linked to the disgraced Paul Manafort; Felix remain Holodomor-deniers while fellow It’s beautifully filmed, a love story about Every time he feels crossed, he makes it his H. Sater, a Trump business associate; and travelers in the West call upon the world to Natalka and Yuri, set in an almost Edenic business to destroy his opponent.” Another Michael D. Cohen, the president’s personal turn a blind eye to continuing Russian impe- attorney. Included in the so-called “peace landscape saturated with colors evoking a colleague described him as “One of the rialism against Ukraine, lest we offend the plan” was a proposal to lease Crimea to verdant and fruitful life. Very soon, howev- worst people on God’s green earth.” Mr. “Great Russians.” This film challenges those Russia for a period of 50 years. Some er, almost imperceptibly, it begins to soil, Bannon allegedly told one person that he fake news peddlers. So I’d wager Vladimir Internet commentators have already inexorably, as the brutality of the Bolshevik was like Lenin, ready to “bring everything Putin won’t want you to see “Bitter Harvest.” labeled this “Trump’s plan.” Really? You occupation of Ukraine metastasizes crashing down, and destroy all of today’s I wish Donald Trump would. don’t think Mr. Putin had anything to do Europe’s breadbasket into a modern-day Establishment.” It’s haunting. Scenes portray doomed with this? Mr. Bannon reportedly played a major Ukrainian insurgents charging their The tragedy in all of this is that few Lubomyr Luciuk is a professor of political role in the first immigration ban roll-out, oppressors, a boy pawing desperately at American are familiar with Russian history. geography at The Royal Military College of one of the worst moments of Mr. Trump’s Since its founding in 1137, the raison Canada in Kingston, Ontario. (Continued on page 18) presidency thus far. How important Mr. d’être of Moscow has been expansion by Bannon will be in the future depends on aggression, occupation, oppression. Mr. Trump. Will Mr. Bannon morph into the Nationalism, Orthodoxy and autocracy White House Svengali, President Trump’s have been the guiding geopolitical princi- Rasputin? ples of Russia for centuries. Mr. Putin’s For Ukrainians, the big question is the behavior is not new. Every leader of Russia president’s relationship with Mr. Putin. In – tsar, commissar, president – has been an the past, Mr. Trump has been effusive in his autocrat. The Third Rome concept is centu- praise of the murderous dictator, and that ries old. So is the notion of a messianic troubles most of us. Does the Russian pres- Russia. ident have an elephant in his office? My It’s time Americans recognized the real choice is Alexander Dugin. In a column Russia. It’s time we remember that Mr. titled “Dugin’s Evil Theology,” which Putin is a former KGB agent and that his appeared in National Review Online, former employer recruited only the best Robert Zubrin wrote, “Dugin is the mad and the brightest to fulfill Russia’s mission. philosopher who is redesigning the brains of much of the Russian government and Courtesy of Roadside Attractions public…” Mr. Dugin’s core idea is that “‘lib- Myron Kuropas’s e-mail address is Max Irons as Yuri, a young artist who is the protagonist in “Bitter Harvest.” eralism’ (by which he means the entire [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 No. 10 No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 9

BOOK REVIEW A look at Ukrainian Catholic Church’s fractious past, formidable future “Ukrainian Catholics in America: A Greco-Catholic jurisdiction under Bishop Russian Orthodox sources, by 1914 some History,” by Bohdan P. Procko, edited by (later Metropolitan) Bohachevsky and his 43,000 Ruthenians had joined the Russian Ivan Kaszczak. Lanham, Md.: University successors. Although the succession of Church, thus constituting over 40 percent Press of America, 2016, second revised edi- hierarchs is the basic organizational princi- of its membership in America. tion. Xvi, 287 pages. $25. ple, this work devotes considerable atten- In the United States, misunderstanding tion to the activity of priests, monastics, and mistreatment by some members of the by Andrew Sorokowski and the faithful. Roman Catholic hierarchy was a major fac- It is startling to consider that in the last First published in 1982 and covering the tor in Galician and Transcarpathian decades of the 19th century and the first period from the 1870s to mid-1981, Dr. Russophilia. Back home, oppression by decades of the 20th, Greco-Catholics in the Procko’s history has been somewhat Polish and Hungarian Roman Catholics, United States were divided into five groups. revised and supplemented by the Rev. Dr. respectively, had nourished an image of The immigrants from Austrian Galicia were Ivan Kaszczak. In addition to a very brief Orthodox Russia – which after all, shared split between Russophiles and Ukraino- final chapter covering the period 1983 to the Ruthenians’ Byzantine rite and Church philes. The immigrants from Hungarian- 2016, Father Kaszczak has provided a Slavonic language – as their earthly savior. ruled Transcarpathia (Zakarpattia) com- detailed 76-page time line running from Some Americans, however, gave the prised Russophiles, Ukrainophiles and 1596 to 2016. This feature alone makes the Ruthenian Greco-Catholics a helping hand. Magyarophiles. Today’s Ukrainian Catholic volume an invaluable resource for anyone Dr. Procko renders due honor to attorneys Church in the U.S.A. can thus be said to rep- interested in the history of the Church. He Andrew J. Shipman and William J. Kearns, of European origin, to a celibate and resent only two of five factions. Thus, while has also contributed a wealth of sometimes as well as Roman Catholic priests J. X. American-born clergy.” More recently, how- in 1914, there were an estimated 500,000 rare illustrative material, mostly photo- Heally and Desmond A. Schmal, S.J. ever, the pendulum has swung back, with Ruthenian Catholics in the United States, in graphs and reproductions of documents In 1925-1927, Bishop Bohachevsky married priests from Ukraine taking over 1981 what was by then called the and publications, some from the Ukrainian faced new crises. Parishioners who had American parishes. Father Kaszczak notes Ukrainian Catholic Church, even after the Museum and Library of Stamford. The bought land and built their own churches other changes since Vatican II: the liturgical massive influx of politically conscious book contains lists and tables with useful were reluctant to turn them over to the use of Ukrainian and even English instead Galician Ukrainians after World War II, statistics, as well as an updated bibliogra- eparchy. The rise of a Ukrainian of Church Slavonic, the adoption of the counted only about 245,000. phy and index. Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Soviet Gregorian in place of the Julian calendar, In other words, had it not been for In view of the Greco-Catholic Church’s Ukraine, together with the arrival of its the celebration of a more authentically national, regional, and cultural conflicts, historical support of the Ruthenian (later Archbishop John Teodorovych in February Byzantine liturgy, the commemoration of there could have been a single Greco- Ukrainian) national revival, some may be 1924, convinced many Greco-Catholics to the major archbishop as patriarch, and the Catholic Church in the United States at least surprised by the success of the Russian convert. Defeat and persecution in now ordination of married men. twice as large as either today’s Ukrainian or Orthodox mission among Greco-Catholics Polish-occupied Galicia prompted calls for An academic reviewer might have some Ruthenian (Byzantine) Catholic Church. in America in the 1890s. Financed by the a more patriotic, “national” Church. In nits to pick about the forms of place names How this came about is the subject of tsarist treasury, the mission took advan- December 1926, dissident clergy and laity and other technical matters. We hope for a the first chapter of Bohdan P. Procko’s tage of the difficulties faced by the formed an Independent Ukrainian Greek- future edition in which the many typo- “Ukrainian Catholics in America: A History.” Ruthenian immigrants in order to sow pro- Catholic Church in Philadelphia. Bishop graphical errors will be corrected. One The next two chapters cover the brief but Russian sentiments. Since many intended Bohachevsky fought back, suspending could also wish for more commentary on foundational tenure of Bishop Soter to return to Austria-Hungary, this would priests and excommunicating parishioners, the American, and Catholic, context. This Ortynsky(1907-1916) and the interreg- help prepare the ground there for a future and finally prevailed. Fifty years later, would help explain some of the Greco- num between the latter’s death and the Russian annexation of “southwestern Rus’ ” Metropolitan Ambrose Senyshyn also faced Catholic Church’s ups and downs over its appointment of Bishop Constantine (as happened in 1914). By 1901, 13 opposition with the rise of the patriarchal century and a third in the U.S. For example, Bohachevsky for the Ukrainian-oriented Ruthenian Catholic congregations, with a movement. But as Dr. Procko points out, its successes in the post-war period coin- Galicians and Bukovynians in 1924. (This population of 6,898, had joined the Russian we should also remember his commitment cided with the “golden age” of American study does not deal with the temporary Orthodox Church. Among the renegade to the underground Church in Ukraine, as Catholicism in the 1950s and early 1960s, administration that the Holy See created priests were Svoboda founder the Rev. well as his public defense of Soviet while its more recent difficulties could be for the Transcarpathians in 1916, which Gregory Hrushka and the Rev. Alexander Ukrainian dissidents Valentyn Moroz and seen as part of the decline of American became a permanent exarchy in 1924, and Dzubay, who was consecrated a Russian Leonid Plyushch. Catholicism since then. its subsequent history as the Ruthenian Orthodox bishop in 1916. (Hrushka Meanwhile, the character of the Greco- In 1981, Metropolitan Stephen Sulyk Byzantine Catholic Church.) The rest of the returned to the Catholic fold in 1901, as Catholic clergy in the United States was stated that the Church’s most serious prob- book covers the history of the Ukrainian did, eventually, Dzubay.) According to changing, “from primarily a married clergy lem was the shortage of priestly and reli- gious vocations, which needed new solu- tions. Contrary to some predictions, the ordination of married men has not proved to be such a solution. In fact, vocations are always there, but they can only be answered in the fertile matrix of family, parish, school and society. The Ukrainian A memoir about a World War II childhood Catholic family is becoming a historical curiosity. The parish survives. As Dr. Procko “Borders, Bombs, and… Two Right refugee, the author stresses positive recounts, Bishop Bohachevsky’s greatest Shoes,” World War II through the Eyes of a aspects along her journey. Of special inter- achievement was his system of primary Ukrainian Child Refugee Survivor, by Larissa est is the emphasis she places on the kind- and secondary schools and two seminaries. Zaleska Onyshkevych. Charleston, S.C.: ness of many friends, as well as quite a few How is it faring today? CreateSpace, an Amazon.com company, strangers, who often went out of their way As for society, Father Kaszczak points out 2016. ISBN: 0692746544; ISBN-13: to help the refugees. certain changes since the publication of Dr. 9780692746547. 222 pp. $10. “Borders, Bombs, and… Two Right Procko’s first edition in 1982: “Many Shoes” will be of special interest to young upwardly mobile families became separated COLUMBIA, Md. – Dr. Larissa Zaleska adults and the general public, as well as from their communities and looked upon Onyshkevych has published a memoir of historians appreciating many historical their churches as interesting reliquaries of an World War II, as experienced by a child in details and war situations as experienced immigrant community. This Americanization Ukraine, and then as a refugee in Slovakia, by average individuals. tended to marginalize a Church that Austria and Germany. The book depicts The book contains 30 pages of notes appeared to be a relic of the past.” daily life under two dictatorial regimes, providing historical background related to Indeed, while Greco-Catholic leaders Soviet and then Nazi, with interrogations, the described events, as well as sketches, invariably praise American liberty and arrests and threats of executions, shelter- by the author’s friends, who had experi- democracy, the American socio-cultural ing of Jews, a Nazi internment camp and ences similar to hers. It includes five maps, milieu has proved corrosive. Orthodox post-war threats of repatriation. 78 photographs and documents, two time- theologian Thomas Hopko, descended Included also is a detailed description of lines (historical events and the family’s from Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants, once life in postwar displaced persons (DP) ref- odyssey), a glossary and an index of names. wrote that while he was grateful for living ugee camps and how this affected young “Borders, Bombs, and… Two Right in American society, “I also cannot imagine students psychologically, academically and, Shoes” by Dr. Onyshkevych may be particu- a way of life more insidious to Christian later, professionally. larly useful for classroom discussions with Despite the horrors of war and life of a young adults or book club members. (Continued on page 13) 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 No. 10 “Bitter Harvest” premieres in Canada at Ottawa’s Canadian War Museum UCC OTTAWA – The feature-film “Bitter Harvest,” which is based on the events of the Holodomor, the Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933 in Ukraine, premiered in Canada at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa on February 28. “Bitter Harvest” takes place in Ukraine during the geno- cide perpetrated against the Ukrainian people by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin and his regime. It is a powerful story of love, honor, rebellion and survival, told through the eyes of two young lovers caught in the Holodomor. Filmed in Ukraine, the film features a stellar cast, led by Max Irons and Samantha Banks and featuring Barry Pepper, Tamer Hassan and Terence Stamp. Director George Mendeluk co-wrote the screenplay with Richard Bachynsky-Hoover. “Bitter Harvest” was produced by Ian Ihnatowycz, a well-known Ukrainian Canadian community leader, philan-

UCC At the Canadian premiere of “Bitter Harvest” (from left) are: Member of Parliament Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Ukrainian Canadian Congress National President Paul Grod, Ukraine’s Minister of Culture Yevhen Nyschuk, the film’s producer Ian Ihnatowycz, Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij and Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko. thropist and patron of the arts. Mr. Ihnatowycz is vice-chair of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Advisory Council. Among those in attendance at the premiere were Holodomor Survivor Dr. Julia Woychyshyn; Ukraine’s Minister of Culture Yevhen Nyschuk; Member of Parliament Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Etobicoke-Center); Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko; Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij; George Mendeluk, director of “Bitter Harvest”; Mark O’Neill, presi- dent and CEO of the Canadian Museum of History; Andrew Hladyshevsky, president of the Ukrainian Canadian

The audience applauds the director of “Bitter Harvest,” George Mendeluk. (Continued on page 11) No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 11

hear and remember. It is considered one of “Bitter Harvest”... the greatest crimes against humanity.” “Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Ihnatowycz (Continued from page 10) and the cast and crew, millions of people in dozens of countries will be able to learn Foundation of Taras Shevchenko; Paul about the Holodomor,” said Mr. Grod. “For Grod, national president of the Ukrainian too long, this genocide was hidden by the Canadian Congress; as well as representa- Soviet regime from the world. This moving tives of many international diplomatic mis- and poignant film stands as a tribute to the sions in Ottawa. millions of victims of the Holodomor, and to “My desire in producing Bitter Harvest the Ukrainian peoples’ enduring struggle was to reach the hearts and minds of view- for liberty.” ers and draw attention to Ukraine and Ukrainian history,” stated Mr. Ihnatowycz. “Bitter Harvest” premieres in theaters “The scale and magnitude of the Holodomor across Canada on March 3. The film is dis- – where millions of innocent Ukrainians tributed in Canada by D Films; more infor- died in the famine genocide engineered by mation can be found on the film’s website by Joseph Stalin – is a story the world must visiting www.bitterharvestfilm.com.

Quotable notes “Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House about the long-awaited motion picture premier of ‘Bitter Harvest’ on February 28 at the Canadian War Museum. This film was inspired by one of the most harrowing genocides of the 20th cen- tury, the Holodomor, or genocide by famine, planned and executed by Soviet dic- tator Stalin against the Ukrainian people in 1932-1933. “ ‘Bitter Harvest’ is the compelling story of dignity, rebellion, and the power of love in the midst of horrific evil as seen through the eyes of a young couple caught up in the midst of Stalin’s genocidal policies. It features such talented Hollywood actors as Terence Stamp and Canada’s own Barry Pepper. It is direct- ed and co-written by Canadians George Mendeluk and Richard Bachynsky- Hoover. “The principal producer of this epic, Ian Ihnatowycz, is a constituent and suc- cessful entrepreneur, as well as generous philanthropist. “I encourage all members of the House to attend the premier of ‘Bitter Harvest’ on February 28. I congratulate Ian, without whom this motion picture would not have been possible.” – Member of Parliament Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Liberal-Etobicoke Center), speaking on February 16 in the Canada’s House of Commons.

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Director in Ukraine. “WFP greatly appreci- Ukraine. UNICEF provides life-saving mine so it’s not really quiet... And they have no NEWSBRIEFS ates Italy’s support at a time when commu- risk education to half-a-million children evidence of the withdrawal of weapons,” nities across Ukraine continue to experi- and caregivers. It also provides psychoso- Lamberto Zannier, the organization’s secre- (Continued from page 2) ence the negative consequences of the con- cial support to over 200,000 boys and girls tary-general, said at a press conference in Ukraine to assist the population affected by flict.” Since November 2014, WFP has pro- and their caregivers caught in the conflict, New York on February 21 after he briefed the conflict,” said Davide La Cecilia, Italy’s vided emergency food assistance to inter- rehabilitates schools damaged by fighting the United Nations Security Council on the ambassador to Ukraine. “Our contribution nally displaced people, returnees and resi- and provides 2.5 million people with access conflict. “We will have to keep pushing both to WFP and UNICEF operations will help dents in eastern Ukraine, distributing to safe water. In 2017, UNICEF is appealing sides” to secure compliance, he said. ease people’s suffering, in particular for the monthly food packages and food assistance for $31.3 million (U.S.) to meet the urgent Ukrainian government troops and Russia- most vulnerable, providing food assistance, through cash-based transfers or vouchers. health and nutrition, education, water, backed separatists had appeared to be increasing knowledge and building safe To date, nearly 850,000 of the most vulner- hygiene and sanitation, and protection respecting the new ceasefire attempt earli- behavior practices to deal with the risk of able conflict-affected people have received needs of the most vulnerable children and er in the week, with each side acknowledg- mines.” Italy’s contribution will enable WFP food from WFP, in spite of the ongoing con- families affected by the conflict. (U.N. World ing that the other was complying. However, to provide food to the most vulnerable peo- flict and a volatile security situation that Food Program, UNICEF) Mr. Zannier told the Reuters news agency ple who do not receive assistance from has restricted the movement of humanitar- that the situation remains “confused” and “Bitter Harvest” premieres in Kyiv other humanitarian actors. WFP will also ian staff. In 2017, WFP will continue to he sees the potential for a restart of anoth- use the funds to implement small-scale address the food needs of the most vulner- OTTAWA – The film “Bitter Harvest,” er intense phase of combat. Last week’s early recovery activities to improve local able people in eastern Ukraine while grad- produced by Ukrainian Canadian philan- ceasefire agreement was the latest effort to livelihoods. UNICEF will use the funds to ually bolstering recovery. WFP plans to pro- thropist Ian Ihnatowycz, premiered in Kyiv carry out the 2015 Minsk peace protocol, provide mine risk education programs for vide food assistance to 220,000 food-inse- on February 22. The film is the first which has failed repeatedly to bring about children and families living close to the cure people in conflict-affected areas of English-language feature film about the peace since it was signed two years ago. Mr. contact line, a line that divides government eastern Ukraine. “UNICEF is grateful to the Holodomor. Attending the premiere, Zannier said that, beyond the problems and non-government controlled areas government of Italy for their contribution Ukraine’s First Lady Maryna Poroshenko with getting a ceasefire to hold in Ukraine, where fighting is most severe. “WFP is supporting UNICEF’s mine risk education thanked everyone who took part in making “the larger picture remains problematic” in thankful to the government of Italy for program in eastern Ukraine. The funds will the film, and stated, “this film will become a Europe, with a new “Cold War mentality” help protect 500,000 children and their helping us provide much-needed food revelation for millions of viewers around setting in, but without the mechanisms for caregivers from dangers due to mines and assistance to vulnerable people affected by the world, because for many years this dealing with potential crises that existed other unexploded ordnance,” said Giovanna the conflict in eastern Ukraine,” said crime against humanity was concealed.” during the Cold War. “There’s no real rec- Giancarlo Stopponi, WFP Deputy Country Barberis, UNICEF Representative in (Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ukraine onciliation, no trust. Relationships between Daily Briefing) Russia and the West remain strongly vis- ceral,” he said. “There was dialogue during Kyiv’s ‘bridges’ with Trump administration the Cold War which resulted in a number of KYIV – Ukrainian President Petro things... Now this dialogue doesn’t really TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 Poroshenko said he was satisfied that he exist” and has been replaced by accusations or e-mail [email protected] has established a dialogue with U.S. being hurled from one side to the other. President Donald Trump’s administration “The tools we have are not really working despite concerns in Kyiv that Mr. Trump as well as they should to intervene in a cri- SERVICES PROFESSIONALS might sacrifice ties with Ukraine in favor of sis situation, to ensure potential crises a closer relationship with Russia. Mr. didn’t turn into conflicts,” he said. (RFE/RL, Poroshenko told a meeting of Ukraine’s top with reporting by Reuters) brass on February 22 that his conversa- Lavrov on neutrality of Sweden, Finland tions with President Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Vice-President MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Affairs Mike Pence have left him optimistic. “At the Minister Sergei Lavrov has said the military moment, I am happy how we are building neutrality of Sweden and Finland is funda- bridges, and how our dialogue is working mental to the security of the Baltic region. out for the best with the U.S. administra- Mr. Lavrov made the comments on tion,” he said. Mr. Poroshenko’s reassurance February 21 at a joint press conference over ties to Washington came as one of with Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Kyiv’s key European allies expressed con- Margot Wallstrom. “We have reiterated our cern over the failure of yet another attempt high opinion on the policy of Sweden and, HELP WANTED to halt the fighting in the east. A new cease- also, Finland that adhere to the nonaligned fire agreement was supposed to go into course in military affairs,” Mr. Lavrov said. effect on February 20, with Ukraine and “We see it as an important token of regional 42 year old Ukrainian woman Russia-backed separatists obliged to pull stability in the Baltic region and Europe in seeking a live-in position as heavy weapons back from the front line. general.” Ms. Wallstrom, for her part, said a caregiver for the elderly. “The truth is as follows: the ceasefire is not that “Sweden’s policy of nonalignment with Conscientious housekeeper, holding,” German Foreign Affairs Minister military blocs is solid.” Public support for very competent with excellent Sigmar Gabriel said, adding that is “alarm- Finland and Sweden to boost ties with FOR SALE ing.” He said, “Those who say something on NATO or even join the bloc has been rising recommendations and extensive Saturday [February 18] and several days experience with older people. amid growing tensions between Russia and later don’t keep their word are responsible Europe, particularly since Russia’s 2014 Please call 609-216-0239 FOR SALE $105,000 for the failure of the negotiation process.” annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region and Highly desirable, very clean , ground (RFE/RL, based on reporting by AFP and Moscow’s active political and military sup- level 2 bedroom apartment / condo Interfax) port for separatists in eastern Ukraine. In HELP WANTED With convenient parking in the OSCE: ceasefire not being honored January, Lithuanian Defense Minister Jonas Caregiver (P/T) for elderly woman Ukrainian Village, Somerset ,NJ. Vytautas Zukas announced that Sweden Weekend nights Phone # 908-642-8356 NEW YORK – The head of the and Finland were considering sending 856-904-5695 Organization for Security and Cooperation troops to train jointly with NATO forces [email protected] OPPORTUNITIES in Europe (OSCE) said there are still “signif- deployed in the three Baltic countries of icant” violations of the ceasefire in Ukraine Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia last year. and “no evidence” that either side is with- (RFE/RL, based on reporting by TASS and Earn extra income! drawing heavy weapons from the frontline The Baltic Times) as agreed last week. “There are still a signif- WANT IMPACT? The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Run your advertisement here, for advertising sales agents. icant number of violations of the ceasefire, (Continued on page 13) in The Ukrainian Weekly’s For additional information contact Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, CLASSIFIEDS section. The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040.

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on prosecution’s Russian translators “included end the fighting that has killed more than NEWSBRIEFS Twitter hailed the move as a “formal, but their own judicial opinions” in the transla- 9,750 people since April 2014. Following a important step on the road.” European tions they filed as evidence with the court meeting in December with separatist lead- (Continued from page 12) Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker rather than presenting a literal translation ers in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, Ukraine delegation for IJC hearings said earlier this month that visa liberaliza- of Mr. Semena’s writings. Ahead of the Savchenko was pushed out of her parlia- tion between the EU and Ukraine is expect- February 28 hearing, Mr. Semena told RFE/ mentary faction. Oleksandr Tkachuk, OTAWA – The press service of Ukraine’s ed to come into force this summer. The deal RL he would argue that there is no evi- spokesman for the Security Service of president reported that President Petro still has to be endorsed by the European dence a crime was committed because “the Ukraine said on February 24 that the agen- Poroshenko signed a decree to establish a Parliament as a whole and the EU states. status of Crimea is not clear, even within cy will look into Ms. Savchenko’s trip, which delegation of Ukraine for participation in The 26 Schengen area countries are Austria, the framework of the Russian Federation.” he said is causing “bewilderment.” (RFE/ hearings of the U.N. International Court of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Mr. Semena said Crimea “is a disputed ter- RL, based on reporting by AP, TASS and Justice regarding Russia’s violation of the Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, ritory which is the subject of an animated Interfax) International Convention for the Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, discussion all over the world,” and that he Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the has the right under international law and Dutch lawmakers for EU-Ukraine deal and the International Convention on the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian legislation “to participate in this BRUSSELS – The Netherlands’ lower Elimination of All Forms of Racial Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and discussion” and express his point of view. house of Parliament has voted on February Discrimination. Hearings will take place on Switzerland. (RFE/RL, based on reporting RFE/RL President Thomas Kent has 23 for the ratification of the European March 6-9 at The Hague. The delegation is by DPA, Interfax, and TASS) described the charges against Mr. Semena Union-Ukraine Association Agreement, headed by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs as “part of a concerted effort by Russian Crimean court sets date for Semena trial leaving a vote in the upper house, the Dutch Olena Zerkal and includes representatives and Russian-backed authorities to obstruct Senate, as a final hurdle before the deal, from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, SYMFEROPOL – A court in Russia- RFE/RL’s journalistic mission to provide an which was signed in March 2014, finally Prosecutor General’s Office, Presidential annexed Crimea has set March 20 for the independent press to residents of Crimea.” can enter into force. It has been expected Administration, Verkhovna Rada and start of a trial against an RFE/RL contribut- (RFE/RL, with reporting by RFE/RL corre- that the House of Representatives would Security Service of Ukraine. (Ukrainian ing correspondent who faces separatism- spondent Ron Synovitz and RFE/RL’s vote in favor of the deal, as the governing Canadian Congress, Ukraine Daily Briefing) related charges for one of his articles. Ukrainian Service) coalition enjoys a majority there. The Symferopol’s Zheleznodorozhny District Ukraine closer to visa-free travel in EU Savchenko visits areas held by ‘separatists’ Senate vote is expected to take place only Court announced the trial date for Mykola after the next month’s parliamentary elec- KYIV – Negotiators for the European Semena on February 28 at his preliminary KYIV – Ukrainian lawmaker Nadiya tions in the Netherlands on March 15, Parliament and European Union member hearing in a case that Moscow-installed Savchenko visited areas of eastern Ukraine despite the fact that the composition of the states have reached a deal to allow authorities filed against him after Russia held by Russia-backed separatists on Senate isn’t affected by the general election. Ukrainian citizens to enter Schengen zone seized and annexed Crimea from Ukraine. February 24 to meet with Ukrainian pris- The Netherlands is the only EU country countries without a visa. Ukrainian citizens The 66-year-old Mr. Semena faces a possi- oners there, irking many of her compatri- that still hasn’t ratified the Association who have biometric passports will be able ble five-year sentence on charges of calling ots in Kyiv. Ms. Savchenko, a former mili- Agreement with Ukraine after 61 percent to enter for up to 90 days during any 180- for “the violation of the territorial integrity tary navigator who was jailed in Russia for voted against it in a citizen-driven referen- day period, the European Parliament said of Russia” in a 2015 article he wrote for two years before her release last year, visit- dum in the country in April 2016. Although in a statement on March 1. The entry is RFE/RL’s Krym.Realii (Crimea Realities) ed a prison in Makiyivka. She said on the result was consultative, the Dutch gov- valid for business trips, tourism, or family website. Mr. Semena’s lawyer Andriy Facebook that her goal is to help free ernment decided to negotiate a legally stays. Ukrainians have eagerly awaited the Sabinin on February 28 filed a motion ask- Ukrainian prisoners. Following her visit binding supplement to the Association advent of visa-free travel after being stuck ing for the Symferopol court to return the with six prisoners, she told reporters that Agreement with the other 27 EU member in a conflict with Russia-backed separatists case to investigators because of what he her goal is to arrange an “all for all” states. The supplement, which does not in the east for three years. They see the visa said were “mistakes by the linguistic exchange of prisoners held by both sides. change the text of the actual agreement, deal as a symbol of closer ties to the EU. experts.” Mr. Sabinin told RFE/RL that the Ms. Savchenko was given a hero’s welcome was adopted at an EU summit in Brussels in Ukraine after being released from in December 2016 and outlined, among Russian prison, but she has since then other things, that the EU-Ukraine deal Demchenko, adds that the way in which become a controversial figure due to her doesn’t give Kyiv the right to EU member- Moscow deploys... SIPRI presented the data it has on criticism of the Ukrainian government and ship or guarantees of military support from Ukrainian arms sales further confused the (Continued from page 6) her calls for a dialogue with separatists to the EU. (RFE/RL) situation. The Swedish center based its report accurately even about what SIPRI findings not on data from the last year but did say. rather for a five-year-period, from 2012 to rial concluded: “They cannot let their Mikhail Samus, deputy head of the cen- 2016, which includes a time when Turning... Afghan identity be supplanted by ethnic, ter, notes that “it is important to under- Ukrainian firms did supply Russian ones. tribal or factional considerations. If they do, (Continued from page 6) stand that SIPRI did not publish precisely Moscow is only too pleased to use such we’re afraid that no amount of American the information” these stories contained. “inaccuracies” to discredit Ukraine in The editorial also underscored moral or material support would be able to Instead, the stories were based on its own Europe and to hide its own illegal supply of Ukrainian solidarity with the Afghan free- extricate them from one of the Kremlin’s collective summaries of materials rather weapons to its own forces and clients in the dom fighters. These poorly equipped fight- oldest and most sinister traps.” than on the actual evidence the Stockholm Donbas and to Russian-occupied Crimea. ers faced an uphill battle in defense of their institute gathered. By pushing the inaccurate story of own homeland from Soviet invaders, and Source: “Afghanistan: divide and con- For journalists who choose to rely on the Ukrainian arms sales at the same time and had to combat internal disunity that was quer?” The Ukrainian Weekly, March 21, summaries rather than on the report itself, with the same sources, Moscow at least in fomented by Soviet propaganda. The edito- 1982. the stories placed in the Ukrainian media part has achieved its goals. appear accurate, whereas those who exam- Exposing this kind of thing, as Ms. ine the SIPRI study will see that such con- Kirillova has done, is far more difficult and DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF UNA BRANCHES OF DETROIT, MI clusions are not only inaccurate but time-consuming than simply pointing to lies, designed to hide what SIPRI did highlight but it is also far more important. And as she announces that its in its latest report: Russian arms shipments notes, “this isn’t the first such case” since to its forces in the Donbas and Crimea. Russia invaded Ukraine. And it certainly ANNUAL DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETING And one Ukrainian journalist, Aleksandr won’t be the last either there or elsewhere. will be held on

Father Kaszczak, “Now it is time to think Sunday, April 2, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. A look at Ukrainian... globally.” Moreover, we should read the at the Ukrainian Cultural Center signs of Christian revival in both North (Continued from page 9) 26601 Ryan Rd. Warren, MI America and beyond. What the Greco- Orthodoxy and more potentially dangerous Catholic Church in America needs now is Obligated to attend the annual meeting as voting members to human being and life.” In this perspec- not caretakers, but visionaries. are District Committee O cers, Convention Delegates tive, the Church’s mere survival has been With its meticulous detail about people, and two delegates from the following Branches: no mean accomplishment. places and events, this book serves as a What does survival require in the handy reference on the history of the 82,174,175, 292,341 future? In times of decline, merger and con- Greco-Catholic Church in the United States. All UNA members are welcome as guests at the meeting. solidation at least offer stopgap remedies. It could also be used as the basic text for a Do we really need three seminaries in college or seminary course. It has laid the Meeting will be attended by : North America for a few dozen candidate groundwork for future, more in-depth and priests? If Ruthenian and Ukrainian Greco- analytical studies. For the general reader Yuriy Symczyk - UNA National Secretary Catholics share the same faith, rite, and interested in the Church’s American experi- Anatole Doroshenko - Honorary Member of the UNA General Assembly (increasingly) the same English language, ence and concerned for its future, it is shouldn’t they merge? indispensable. DISTRICT COMMITTEE Yet a strategy of mere survival is not * * * Dr. Alexander Serafyn , District Chairman enough. A new Ukrainian diaspora brings The book is available for $25, plus $5 for Olya Hnatievych, Secretary new challenges and opportunities for what shipping, from: The Rev. Ivan Kaszczak, 211 Olha Maruschak, Treasurer has become a global church. Hence, says Foordmore Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 No. 10

Conference... (Continued from page 1) Caucus, who both hailed the community for organizing an event of such importance. Taking over his brother’s seat in both Congress and the caucus, Rep. Fitzpatrick remarked on the incredible bipartisan sup- port for Ukraine he has already witnessed in Congress. As his first committee assign- ment will be to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, he implored the Ukrainian community to remain actively involved in advocating Congress in order to “better guide us.” Rep. Levin decided to speak “bluntly,” as he put it, recalling the history books of his youth that denied Stalin’s genocide of the Ukrainian people. In much the same way, he said, today’s propaganda from Russia is UCCA denying the Kremlin’s involvement in the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America President Andriy Futey (left) and Vice- thousands of deaths in Ukraine. As with the President Michael Sawkiw (center) with Gen. Wesley Clark (ret.) Dr. Phillip Karber Holodomor, today’s lies are being disproved Dr. Phillip Karber, president of the Russia, Russia will not be a credible partner stressing that any such assistance would be by the facts on the ground, such as the pres- Potomac Foundation, recalled his first visit for the United States.” Diplomatically, it was returned in the future in the form of a ence of Russia’s lethal munitions in Ukraine. to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of noted, the president could send no stronger strong alliance partner ready to assist its Shortly after both congressmen spoke, Crimea and said he had heard from military a signal to the Kremlin than by inviting friends. Pavlo Klimkin, foreign affairs minister of professionals that they did not give Ukraine Crimean Tatar leaders to the White House. Echoing this theme, Minister Klimkin Ukraine, took to the podium to hail Ukraine’s much of a chance to repel a sustained inva- Glen Howard, president of the reflected that occasions such as this recep- trans-Atlantic allies for their support. sion. In contrast, Dr. Karber noted, today’s Jamestown Foundation, discussed the new tion and the next day’s conference demon- Although the attention of the conference Ukrainian military is made up of a new gen- U.S. administration further with John Falk strate the value of friendships. Such reliance attendees may be on the war in Ukraine, eration of combat-trained professional sol- of Vigilent Inc, and Herman Pirchner, presi- of friend upon friend is best demonstrated Minister Klimkin said it was important to diers, not trained in the Soviet model, who dent of the American Foreign Policy by the patriots defending Ukraine today, the remind everybody that Russia has been wag- in many ways can inform the U.S. military Council. A steady stream of facts being minister said, in the faces of the soldiers, ing a hybrid war against the entire civilized shared with the White House will only volunteers, Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars world. By supporting fringe parties on the of lessons it had long since forgotten. grow support for increasing aid to Ukraine, “fighting for freedom together.” right and the left throughout the European James Sherr of the London-based said the panelists, as best evidenced in Thanking the conference co-organizers, Union, Russia has attempted to squeeze out Chatham House, the Royal Institute of recent fact-finding missions to Ukraine and CUSUR and AFPC, Minister Klimkin turned “reasonable people in the middle.” International Affairs, also recalled the dire the Baltic states by members of President the microphone over to UCCA President It is only through solidarity, said the picture of Ukraine’s military in the after- Trump’s national security team. Andriy Futey, while also thanking him and minister, that we can apply increased pres- math of Russia’s invasion, and the days, Anders Aslund of the Atlantic Council, the Ukrainian American community the sure on Russia, and see the return of weeks and months during which Russian Ariel Cohen of the Institute for the Analysis UCCA represents for all of the grassroots Crimea and the end of violence in eastern strike forces had been positioned to take of Global Security and Morgan Williams of support that has aided Ukraine throughout Ukraine. Ten days prior to the most recent over large tracts of Ukrainian territory, par- the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council departed the years. hostilities in Avdiyivka, Ukraine recorded a ticularly the “land bridge to Crimea.” The from military matters to concentrate atten- In advance of this conference, the UCCA fresh inflow of munitions from Russia, he key lesson learned from this war should be tion on economic and energy priorities for had prepared a new community award to noted. In response, the international com- that acting in fear of Russia is more danger- Ukraine. In a discussion led by former U.S. stand alongside its Shevchenko Freedom munity must unite to secure access for ous than provoking Russia; the Kremlin, Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Popadiuk Award, which has honored elected leaders, international monitors to Ukraine’s bor- after all, does not respect signs of weak- (now of the World Affairs Councils), the leg- diplomats and community leaders for their ders and the occupied territories. ness, especially those coming from superi- acy of Ukraine’s infrastructure and support of Ukraine. Inspired by the 20-year The rest of the conference was broken up or adversaries, Mr. Sherr stated. untapped economic potential was carefully partnership between NATO and Ukraine, into four subsections, beginning with former In assessing the diplomatic and political dissected for the benefit of the layman. and the development of U.S.-Ukraine mili- Ambassador John Herbst (now of the actions that need to be taken to secure Prior to the final panel, Rep. Brendon tary cooperation, the UCCA now honors Atlantic Council) moderating a discussion Ukraine, former U.S. Ambassador to Boyle (D-Pa.), another vocal member of the military leaders and national security pro- on “Ways to Strengthen Ukraine Militarily.” Ukraine William Taylor (now with the U.S. Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, arrived to fessionals with its Friend of Ukraine Award. Col. General Ihor Smeshko, an adviser to Institute of Peace) engaged Ukrainian greet the conference. He reminded the audi- This unique, fraternal bond between the president of Ukraine, gave a brief back- National Deputy Andrii Levus, the ence that a strong, bipartisan piece of legis- military professionals is best exemplified in ground on the beginnings of Ukraine’s Jamestown Foundation’s Vlad Socor and lation providing aid to Ukraine had been the life’s work of the initial two recipients armed forces following the break-up of the the Heritage Foundation’s Luke Coffey to passed by the House of Representatives in of the award, Gen. Wesley K. Clark (ret.) Soviet Union, and noted that Ukraine at the discuss what’s at stake when we talk about the previous year but failed to move any fur- and Dr. Karber. time had the world’s third largest nuclear Ukraine today. Notably, Mr. Coffey empha- ther. The STAND for Ukraine Act was recent- Presenting the award to Dr. Karber, Mr. arsenal. sized that, “as long as Putin is in charge of ly reintroduced, but it will need community Futey hailed his several dozen fact-finding support to get to the president’s desk. missions to Ukraine since the beginning of Legislative actions such as these represent Russia’s invasion, the results of which have support not just for Ukraine, but all United informed elected officials, as well as the States allies that border Russia, the con- general public, through an unprecedented gressman said. Rep. Boyle ended his level of reporting on Europe’s largest land remarks by calling for an “end to the occu- war since World War II. pation of Crimea and the rest of Ukraine.” Accepting the award, Dr. Karber shared William Courtney, former U.S. ambassa- that beyond the birth of his six children and dor to Georgia and Kazakhstan (now of the seven grandchildren, the conversations he’s RAND Corporation), led a final panel, tack- shared with today’s defenders of Ukraine ling Russia’s “Info War/War on History” have meant the most to him. He accepted against Ukraine. Stephen Blank of the the award in their honor. American Foreign Policy Council and In accepting his award, Gen. Clark Janusz Bugajski of the Center for European recalled that his first trip to Ukraine was as Policy Analysis presented the reality of a cadet in 1964. Back then, he had a Russia’s hybrid war from the European and Ukrainian American roommate traveling American perspectives, while Ukrainian with him, who introduced him to his family National Deputy Oleksiy Skrypnyk dis- behind the Iron Curtain. Sitting around the cussed the totality of the information war dinner table in a Ukrainian village was the within Ukraine. first time Gen. Clark said he remembered On the evening prior to the conference, hearing the Ukrainian language after arriv- all of the speakers and sponsors were invit- ing in Soviet-dominated Kyiv. ed to attend a private reception at the The Embassy of Ukraine also honored Embassy of Ukraine. They were greeted by Gen. Clark and Dr. Karber for their work, Ambassador Valeriy Chaly and Foreign presenting both with specially minted Affairs Minister Klimkin, who spoke about wristwatches produced by the Ministry of the seriousness of the diplomatic talks tak- Foreign Affairs to celebrate the 25th anni- ing place both in the United States and in versary of the establishment of diplomatic Europe. Ambassador Chaly reiterated that relations between Ukraine and the United Ukraine still needs international support, States. No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 15

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Vocal ensemble is celebrating 10-year anniversary by Christy Bohuslawsky-Brown CLEVELAND – The year 2017 marks the 10-year anni- versary of the Zorya Ukrainian Female Vocal Ensemble. Zorya plans to celebrate this significant occasion with sev- eral artistic events in Cleveland throughout 2017. Zorya, which means “star” or “glow,” was the brainchild of current musical director and conductor Natalia Basladynsky-Mahlay. The Ukrainian Cultural Arts Association of Greater Cleveland – the administrative orga- nization of Zorya and the Cleveland-based Kashtan School of Ukrainian Dance – hired Ms. Basladynsky-Mahlay in 2007 to be Zorya’s first and founding musical director. The ensemble held its first rehearsal on April 29, 2007, in the dance studio of Kashtan in Cleveland. Zorya present- ed its first independent concert – a program of Christmas greetings and carols – on December 30, 2007. The mission of Zorya is to promote and present high- quality and vibrant female vocal artistry through Ukrainian song. Zorya is made up of approximately 20 women, rang- ing in age from 12 to the more mature, whose voices come together to create a uniquely rich sound that has enter- tained audiences for a decade. Ms. Basladynsky-Mahlay stepped away from the group in 2010, and was succeeded by Olga Tchepak until her return in 2015. As the current director, Ms. Basladynsky- Mahlay enjoys working with the ladies, who she says are talented and hard-working. She looks forward to Zorya’s Alexander Fedoriouk future as she envisions a bigger ensemble and plans to The Zorya Ukrainian Female Vocal Ensemble in a photo from 2016. incorporate more interesting folk song arrangements into the ensemble’s repertoire. Zorya has showcased is Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus musi- [email protected] or 440-915-4691. Over the years, Zorya has primarily performed in its cal director and conductor Oleh Mahlay. The ensemble’s anniversary year will culminate in hometown of Cleveland. However, the ensemble has also On March 25-26, Zorya will host a Women’s Vocal December with a jubilee Christmas concert in Cleveland. entertained audiences in Chicago, Toronto and New York. Workshop with Mr. Mahlay in Cleveland. The workshop For more information about Zorya or any of these The ensemble has presented seasonal, folk and religious will feature folk and religious vocal works arranged by Mr. events, readers may contact Ms. Basladynsky-Mahlay by musical works by classical Ukrainian and contemporary Mahlay. Anyone interested in attending this vocal work- e-mail or phone (as listed above) or visit the Facebook Ukrainian composers. One such musician whose work shop should contact Ms. Basladynsky-Mahlay at page of the Zorya Ukrainian Female Vocal Ensemble.

Since April 2014, when Moscow engineered an armed “ego” found common ground with his counterpart, Dr. Ihor Canadian physicians... uprising in the easternmost regions of Luhansk and Fedirko, the head of the main hospital’s craniofacial Donetsk, more than 10,000 people have been killed, department, who “was always willing and interested,” she (Continued from page 1) according to data provided by the United Nations. said. capability, or what is commonly called improving “quality In February alone, 20 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and Following a needs assessment, and after choosing the of life.” 127 wounded in Russia’s undeclared war on Ukraine. main military hospital, the Canadians have also conducted “There is a plate in my jaw. My hand has two plates, and Overnight on March 1-2, one more soldier was killed and master classes for their medical colleagues. A Ukrainian I have a prosthesis on my leg,” the paratrooper said after nine were wounded. counterpart is always present in an operating room when a his February 27 operation. Dr. Oleh Antonyshyn, a craniofacial surgeon and profes- Canadian surgeon, nurse or anesthetist is present. Given the World War II-style battle conditions that sor of plastic surgery at the University of Toronto, has led The Ukrainians also have much to share, Ms. Waler said: Ukrainian forces face in the Donbas, many sustain wounds each of the five medical missions. “They have seen more trauma in the last three years than from conventional warfare like shrapnel during artillery “A major focus of this fifth medical mission will be estab- our doctors would see in a lifetime.” barrages in the trenches. lishing a learning partnership for years to come,” said the And to not drain the hospital’s already depleted surgeon, whose parents hail from the western Ukrainian resources, the Canadians always bring their own instru- city of Lviv. “Our goal is to provide our Ukrainian doctors ments, equipment and disposables. Whatever is not used with the knowledge and tools they need to treat patients gets donated to the hospital. between our medical missions, as the need continues to “Our goal is to make them self-sufficient after all of this,” rise.” said Ms. Waler, who is also the project’s manager. “We Canadian government, corporate and private donations always do cranial-facial reconstructive surgeries and the from the Ukrainian diaspora community, including Wayne upper arm. We try and choose surgeries that have minimal Gretzky, the Temerty and Ihnatowycz families, as well as complication risk. The last thing you want to do is come Ottawa Senators hockey team owner Eugene Melnyk, have into a foreign country and leave them with a bunch of com- funded the five missions. Stryker Canada once again pro- plications. We do surgeries that will have a high impact...” vided the group with virtually all surgical hardware and And if the group treats a patient outside the Defense implant materials for the medical procedures. Ministry’s purview, they pay for the room, bed and other Thus, in the previous four missions, 240 operations related expenses, she added. were performed on 127 Ukrainian activists and soldiers Wishing to build on the Canadians’ success is the U.S. wounded during the Maidan revolution in 2014 and the Army. Donbas war, according to a news release from the Canada A group of six American medical officers from two Ukraine Foundation (CUF), under whose auspices the mis- bases in Germany came as observers: Capt. Andrey sions were conducted. Sidorenko, physician assistant; Col. Sheri DeMartelare, “The success of these missions is based on the relation- oculoplastic surgeon; Maj. Justin Miller, nurse; Maj. Kyong ships we’ve built. Now, the Defense Ministry looks for Winkler, nurse; Lt. Col. Arthur Yeater, occupational thera- patients for us. We have total cooperation,” said Krystina pist; and Maj. Johnny Paul, physician’s assistant. Waler, director of humanitarian initiatives for UCF. “We want to collaborate with the Canadians and But the cross-Atlantic relationship, costing over $2 mil- Ukrainians and discover their lessons learned,” said Lt. lion (Canadian) to date, was jagged at first. Col. Yeager while customizing a fabricated hand device for For example, the Defense Ministry at first told the Oleksandr Popovych on his wounded right hand to help Canadians they didn’t have patients requiring reconstruc- him use a knife so that he could work as a cook in civilian tive surgery or that they had already been operated on. life. “Logistically, the Canadians now have a smooth opera- “Everybody was standoffish in the beginning,” Ms. Waler tion, they’ve built trust with their Ukrainian colleagues.” Anka Wrzesnewskyj-Cottrell said, noting that the team’s Ukrainian counterparts would The Americans want to focus on post-operative occu- Andriy Usach, a paratrooper wounded from a rocket only enter the break room in the surgery ward starting in pation and physical therapy, the American officer added, barrage while defending the Luhansk Airport on July 17, 2014, speaks to Canadian doctors prior to follow-up the fourth mission. both of which are in their infant development stages in surgery on his jaw in Kyiv. But Dr. Antonyshyn’s “humble” character and lack of Ukraine. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 No. 10

for a period of 50 to 100 years, but he told cutors even opened a “treason” case against exchange for peace in the Donbas. Everyone seems... the Strana.com news site the plan suggests Mr. Artemenko over the issue. “We should also make clear that we are a lease for 30 to 50 years. Since the revelation and the inquiry, Mr. ready to accept an incremental rollback of (Continued from page 3) “At the expiration of this period, in Artemenko has denied ever passing such a sanctions on Russia as we move toward a a referendum to be held on the status of the Crimea, a referendum will then be held and plan to Trump officials and threatened to sue solution for a free, united, peaceful and Donbas if Kyiv doesn’t fulfill its part of the monitored by international bodies, on The New York Times in New York for libel. secure Ukraine,” Mr. Pinchuk wrote. “The Minsk deal. which finally the question of the peninsula Ukrainian lives that will be saved are worth The Taruta plan may be solved,” Mr. Artemenko told Strana. The Artemenko plan the painful compromises I have proposed.” Mr. Artemenko’s plan calls for the return Serhiy Taruta, the Ukrainian billionaire Mustafa Nayyem, a lawmaker and vocal Another peace plan has caused a scandal of territories controlled by Russia-backed industrialist and former governor of critic of the proposal, said in doing this that in Washington and Kyiv. separatists to Ukraine and an amnesty to Donetsk Oblast, proposed at the end of “we will not save thousands of lives, but This one, proposed by Ukrainian law- all involved on the separatist side “except January his “three principles” plan to with our support and recognition, doom maker Andriy Artemenko, is the most those who have committed the most seri- restore legitimacy, security and trust. millions of people to legalized slavery.” detailed and is believed to have landed on ous crimes.” It calls for reinstating the last legitimate- the desk of Michael Flynn, who resigned as He said control of the Ukrainian side of ly elected Donbas officials from 2010 and Kyiv’s stance U.S. national security adviser on February the border with Russia must be returned to appealing to the international community Ukrainian President Poroshenko and top 13 after alleged misleading statements Kyiv, but not before a safe corridor is pro- to recognize them. A U.N. peacekeeping officials have thus far been resistant to or about conversations with the Russian vided for 72 hours for those who would contingent would keep the region secure else have condemned each of the proposed ambassador in Washington in December of prefer to live in Russia. while those officials work to reintegrate it plans, saying the Minsk agreements are the last year. After that, Mr. Artemenko said, the plan with greater Ukraine. only pathway to peace for the country. The New York Times, which broke the calls for a nationwide referendum on The plan has largely been ignored by the Western leaders have thus far agreed. story about the plan, cited Mr. Artemenko whether to grant the eastern regions a spe- greater Ukrainian public, but Mr. Taruta Against this backdrop of confusion, ana- as saying it had been approved by top aides cial autonomous status. If approved, the continued to push it during the Munich lyst Mr. Jarabik suggested, Ukraine risks of President Vladimir Putin – but the next step would be to begin revitalizing the Security Conference in mid-February. Kremlin on February 20 quickly denied any regions with funds from the lease agree- becoming even more unstable. such tacit approval. ment with Russia. The Pinchuk plan “All these internal struggles will weaken Ukrainian unity and may lead to [early] The plan calls for a “compromise,” such Once all of that is done, he said, then Billionaire oligarch Viktor Pinchuk as holding a national referendum on leas- sanctions against Russia could be lifted. elections, but the fault lines will not go caused a stir in Kyiv when he proposed a away,” he said. ing Crimea to Russia. Mr. Artemenko told Both Ukraine and Russia rejected the plan in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal The New York Times the lease should be conditions in this deal and Crimean prose- in late December. Copyright 2017, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted The article was headlined “Ukraine Must with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ Make Painful Compromises for Peace with Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Russia,” and the plan laid out in the paper Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see suggested that Kyiv set aside the issue of http://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia- Crimea and hopes of European Union and peace-plans-fighting-yanukovych-artemen- perhaps even NATO membership in ko-kilimnik/28327624.html).

nomic turnaround stemmed mainly from Railway... renewed increases in output in Ukraine’s vital steel industry, itself driven by higher (Continued from page 2) global prices and the (albeit fragile) cease- President Petro Poroshenko estimated fire in Donbas. The trend is likely to be that up to 300,000 people could lose their reversed this quarter because of the rail- jobs, and Ukraine could lose $2 billion in way blockade. As a result, the national cur- foreign currency revenue because of the rency may lose more of its value, disrupting blockade (liga.net, February 16). Those are the financial system after its relative stabili- big figures by local standards. Ukraine’s zation last year, again prompting Kyiv to labor force was estimated at 18 million last turn to the West for more assistance. year, and its GDP in 2015 was around $87 billion (cia.gov, accessed February 28). The article above is reprinted from National industrial output resumed growth Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from in spring 2016, after four years of decline its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, (see EDM, November 2, 2016). This eco- www.jamestown.org.

Mr. Putin – we can’t change it. But don’t An agreement... make a deal at the cost of the freedom of others. That would be a sleazy thing to do – (Continued from page 6) a sin that would haunt you forever. course and messing with it, de-valuing your Freedom cannot be a part of a geopolitical values, corrupting your elites, disrupting game. NATO, the EU, democracy, interna- your unions. tional law cannot be for sale. No, Russia’s rulers are no big thinkers. There can’t be any honest deal between They are just ordinary ex-KGB opera- the West and Russia without an honest deal tives with unlimited money and no scru- between Ukraine and Russia. And the only ples whatsoever. They have no grand ideas honest deal between Ukraine and Russia can of their own, but they are good at under- be based on restoring Ukraine’s sovereignty mining yours: the European Union, NATO, over its territory. Not under Russia’s condi- the American dream, the European home. tions, but under the conditions of interna- So, why indeed not give Russia what it tional law. Sadly, it doesn’t look like Russia is wants? Well, for one thing, because above all ready for that at this particular point. it wants Ukraine. And Ukraine won’t play It’s time to stand your ground. Not long along. It’s a basic contradiction: Ukraine ago, the West considered the whole world wants to be free, whereas Mr. Putin wants its “ground” – simply because it thought Ukraine to be on his leash. What kind of a democracy was essential to all human deal can come out of it, other than at a cost beings. This concept is being challenged of Ukraine’s core and legitimate interests? now by someone who doesn’t think much A deal with Mr. Putin can be like a deal of democracy. He suggests dividing the with the devil: he gives you something, and world anew – between those who live in you give him your whole belief system in democracy and those who can do without. return. He gives you something, and you If the West succumbs to it, time would put up with a new division of the world. He be rolled back to the pre-Reagan era. The gives you something, and you look away free world would become smaller. And when he destroys his neighbors. smaller. And smaller. In the end, it will be Ten thousand Ukrainians didn’t give smaller than the world of tyranny and on their lives so that Mr. Putin would get in the retreat. Keep in mind: if freedom dies in end what he wanted. Syria, if it dies in Ukraine – a part of it dies We made our choice as a free nation. in the West too. So, try to do the seemingly Now you in the West must make yours. impossible: stay strong in this time of trial. If you are tempted to strike a deal with History will measure you by that. No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 17 Yevhen Stankovych to appear at UIA Concert to feature composer’s works

Music at the Institute Winter Park and the Florida Chamber Orchestra, of which she is a founding member. Ms. Garcia has collaborated with NEW YORK – The celebrated Ukrainian composer some of the world’s finest performers, composers, and con- Yevhen Stankovych will be touring the United States in ductors, such as Michael Tilson Thomas, George Crumb, March with concerts in New York, Chicago, Detroit and Michel Debost, Philip Moll, Howard Buss and Gary Washington. On Sunday, March 19, at 5 p.m., his works will Schocker. Most notably, Ms. Garcia can be heard on the be performed as part of the Music at the Institute series at soundtrack for the Sony Pictures film, “The End of the the Ukrainian Institute of America with the composer in Spear.” attendance. The performance will be preceded at 3 p.m. by Hailed for her “crystal clear and noble sound,” violinist a question and answer session with the composer. Solomiya Ivakhiv is known for her work as a soloist and One of the central figures of contemporary Ukrainian chamber musician. She regularly appears in solo concert Yevhen Stankovych music, Maestro Stankovych is the author of six sympho- series in North America, Europe and Asia, and has been nies, six ballets, a large number of works in the choral, featured at prestigious chamber music festivals, including have taken him across his native United Kingdom, Europe, vocal chamber and instrumental genres, as well as inciden- Tanglewood, Ottawa Chamberfest and the Newport Music Africa and the United States. He has performed with the tal music to six music theater plays and over 100 films. Festival. Her performances are often broadcast on National Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Copenhagen The regime of socialist realism, enforced with greater Public Radio, Voice of America radio, WRTI, KUNR, Philharmonic, the Tampere Philharmonic, the Toledo fervor in the Soviet Ukraine of the 1970s than in Russia, Ukrainian National Radio and Television and Chinese Symphony and the Juilliard Symphony, and has worked attempted to create barriers to external influences. Mr. Hunan Television. Her debut solo album, “Ukraine: Journey with such renowned performers and ensembles as The Stankovych is recognized as the leader of the group of to Freedom – A Century of Classical Music for Violin and Brodsky Quartet, tenor Robert White, pianist Sara young Ukrainian composers who in the early 1970s Piano,” recorded with Ukrainian pianist Angelina Gadeliya, Buechner, and violinists Elmar Oliviera, Philippe Graffin brought down those barriers and introduced innovation in was released on Labor Records (NAXOS) on February 12, and Augustin Hadelich. His recent release on the Chandos their techniques and themes. By working within his own 2016, and was featured in the “Top 5 New Classical label, “Piano Works by the Mighty Handful,” was featured parameters, he fell out of favor with Soviet cultural authori- Releases” on the iTunes billboard. on Classic FM as John Suchet’s “Album of the Week,” as ties and was rarely given opportunities to have his works Yves Dharamraj has earned a worldwide reputation as a “Classical Album of the Week” in The Telegraph, and has performed or recorded outside the USSR. dynamic cellist who blends immaculate command of the been nominated in the “Best Solo Instrumental Album” cat- The collapse of the USSR gave him the opportunity to instrument with deep musical understanding to express egory of the International Classical Music Awards 2012. establish contacts with the world, which resulted in his fresh and elegant interpretations. As soloist, chamber Lauded by The Washington Post for playing “with intel- recordings of his music by various companies and the per- musician, teaching artist and composer, the Franco- ligence, poetry and proportion,” pianist Tanya Bannister formance of his works by performers in other countries, American cellist enjoys a multifaceted career that takes has triumphed at the Concert Artists Guild International bringing him wide recognition as one of the most individu- him to the major stages of the United States and abroad. As Competition and the New Orleans International Piano alistic and eminent composers of our time. an artist also dedicated to the performance of contempo- Competition, confirming her status among the leading pia- The selection of chamber works by Mr. Stankovych will rary music, he is a founding member of the genre-defying nists of her generation. Receiving further distinction as an be performed by five highly acclaimed artists. Bohemian Trio and indulges in the avant-garde as the cel- “Artist to Watch” on the cover of the January 2007 issue of Nora Lee Garcia is one of the most highly regarded flut- list of Ne(x)tworks. In 2013, he co-founded the New Docta Symphony magazine, Ms. Bannister has already appeared ists in the concert world today. A Powell Flutes Artist and International Music Festival in Argentina to mentor and in many of the world’s great concert halls, with recitals at associate professor of flute at the University of Central nurture Latin American talent. Mr. Dharamraj premiered the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Salle Cortot in Paris, Florida, she is in demand as an international soloist, cham- Valentyn Silvestrov’s “Drama” in North America. Teatro Communale in Bologna, Tokyo’s Nikkei Hall, ber artist and teacher. She has performed with the Pianist Philip Edward Fisher is widely recognized as a London’s Queen Elizabeth and Wigmore Halls, The Chautauqua Symphony in New York and holds the position unique performer of refined style and exceptional versatili- Kennedy Center in Washington and Weill Recital Hall at of principal flute with the Bach Festival Orchestra of ty. International tours as a soloist and ensemble musician Carnegie Hall. A Sweet Retreat for Body & Mind at Soyuzivka March 17-19, 2017 Join us for a weekend of R&R with yoga, healthy food choices, wine and creative activities, meditation, massage options, hikes, honey tasting and more.

Saturday, March 18 Friday, March 17 Sunday, March 19 7:00-8:00 Yoga Class - Gentle Morning Stretch - 2:00-3:30 Medi“create”tion - Tap into your playful 4:00 Your room is guaranteed 9:30 Liturgy for arrival TBA creative self & unwind with instant gratifi cation galore! 8:00- 9:30 Breakfast - gluten free alternatives 4:00-5:00 Tea with Honey tasting and garlic/ginger/ 9:00 - 11:30 Brunch 6:00-7:30 Dinner/Meatless Friday Main will be available honey juicing demonstration for seasonal health Dish - with delicious accompaniments 10:00 - 11:00 Cool Down 9:30-11:00 Guided Hiking - “A Meditation Hike 4:00-5:30 Movie - Road to Wellville with Gentle Yoga 7:15-7:30 Welcome Session/Orientation to the Cliffs” 6:00-7:30 Dinner - Wine Tasting Dinner: choices will 10:00 - 11:00 Meditative 8:00-9:00 Sweet Dreams: Gentle Yoga 10:00-11:30 Yoga for Beginner/Intermediate - include a savory mushroom and garlic recipe Main Ballroom Hike to Green Pool Relaxation/Meditation Class/Mainhouse 7:30-8:30 Sweet Dreams - Yoga Wine Down Lobby Fireplace 12:00-1:30 Lunch - organic healthy choices - 12:00 Checkout nutrient dense whole foods 8:00-10:30 Creative Crafts, Pysanky, Glass Painting

$190 inclusive per person based on double occupancy 216 Foordmore Road, $225 inclusive per person based on single occupancy Kerhonkson, New York 12446 $150 inclusive for one night pp/double occupancy (845) 626-5641 Please call (845) 626-5641 to make your reservations! www.Soyuzivka.com 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 No. 10

Program announced for 2017 Holodomor Education Conference TORONTO – The Holodomor Research Studies, will speak on the Holodomor with- resource project “Voices into Action.” head of the History and Social Sciences and Education Consortium (HREC) has in the history of genocide. Valentina Kuryliw, teacher, chair of the Department at the Toronto District School announced the program for the 2017 The conference’s multidisciplinary National Holodomor Education Committee Board, is discussing key themes in teaching Holodomor Education Conference: approach aims to extend attendees’ knowl- (Canada), and director of education at about genocide and the Holodomor. Lana “Education – Awareness – Action,” to be held edge base and provide strategies and meth- HREC, is speaking about the latest teaching Babij, librarian and coordinator of the May 5-7 at the Canadian Museum for Human odologies for teaching this significant world resources available on the Holodomor. Dr. Holodomor Education Network (Hartford, Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The confer- event. Teacher and music specialist Natalia Denis Hlynka and Dr. Orest Cap, professors Conn.), is addressing the challenges of ter- ence engages educators who are interested Onyschuk, Edmonton Catholic School of curriculum, teaching and learning at the minology and resources in teaching the in issues of human rights, social justice, District – Alberta, is addressing methodolo- Faculty of Education, University of Holodomor in the U.S. context. Lise Pinkos, democracy and the genocides of the 20th gies and approaches for teaching the Manitoba – Winnipeg, are presenting on manager of education programs at the century, as well as in the methodologies, Holodomor to primary grades. Lise Pinkos the use of technology in the teaching of Canadian Museum of Human Rights, and resources and technologies for teaching the and Ian Martens of the Canadian Museum human rights and the Holodomor. Dr. John Wiens, dean emeritus and profes- Holodomor - the murder by starvation of for Human Rights are presenting the A panel discussion on various aspects of sor, Faculty of Education, University of millions in Ukraine carried out by authori- Middle Years Lesson on the Holodomor fol- teaching human rights and the Holodomor, Manitoba – Winnipeg, will be discussing ties in the Soviet Union in 1932-1933. lowed by teacher Jeff Kozak of Springfield moderated by Dr. Richard Hechter, acting topics related to their disciplines. This is the second Holodomor Education Middle School, Sunrise School Division, head of the Department of Curriculum, The conference also includes a special Conference in Canada and its program high- Winnipeg. The presentation on senior Teaching and Learning at the Faculty of tour of the Canadian Museum for Human lights how far education on this genocide grades (high school), by Tamara Mischena Education, University of Manitoba – Rights, dinner at the Fort Garry Hotel, lunch has come. Keynote speaker Dr. Joyce Apsel, a of the Toronto Catholic District School Winnipeg, features six presenters. Tony on the legislative grounds and closing human rights activist and president of the Board, focuses on methodologies for teach- Tavares, diversity consultant at Manitoba remarks by Ms. Kuryliw and Val Noseworthy, Institute for the Study of Genocide at New ing the Holodomor within the context of a Education and Training – Winnipeg, is pre- middle years consultant for Manitoba York University, is presenting on the genocide course. Nadia Prokopchuk and senting on teaching sensitive topics at vari- Education and Training – Winnipeg. Holodomor as a case study in teaching David Katzman, educators from the ous age levels. Linda Connor, social studies The conference is co-sponsored together human rights and genocide. Dr. Norman Holodomor Education and Awareness consultant, Manitoba Education and with the Faculty of Education – University Naimark, author of “Stalin’s Genocides” and Committee of the Ukrainian Canadian Training – Winnipeg, will speak on teaching of Manitoba, Manitoba Education and Stanford University’s Robert and Florence Congress – Saskatchewan, are presenting human rights and the Holodomor within Training, Faculty of Education – University McDonnell Professor in Eastern European on the new Holodomor online teaching the Manitoba experience. Michael Anthony, of Winnipeg, Center for Ukrainian Canadian Studies – University of Manitoba, the Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Center –Toronto, the ПЛЕМ’Я ПЛАСТУНОК „ПЕРШІ СТЕЖІ“ National Holodomor Education Committee of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the влаштовує Holodomor Awareness and Education Committee of the Ukrainian Canadian „ДЕННИЙ ТАБІР ПТАШАТ ПРИ ПЛАСТІ“ Congress – Manitoba Branch, the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in Canada для дітей від 4 до 6 років, які володіють and the Shevchenko Foundation, and in (розуміють і розмовляють) українською мовою cooperation with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights – Winnipeg. • Дитині має виповнитися 4 роки до 31 серпня 2017 р. Вийнятків немає. The program, conference details, appli- • Дитина мусить мати усі приписані щеплення. cation form and travel grant information are available at www.holodomor.ca. • Дитина, яка склала Заяву Вступу до новацтва, не може брати участи в таборaх для Пташат. The Holodomor Research and Education Consortium was established through a gift Табір відбудеться на Союзівці у двох групах: of the Temerty Family Foundation (Toronto) • від неділі 25 червня до суботи 1 липня 2017 р. to the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian • від неділі 2 липня до суботи 8 липня 2017 р. Studies of the University of Alberta. HREC has as its mandate to promote research and У справі кімнат просимо порозуміватися прямо з Адміністрацією Союзівки: disseminate information about the SOYUZIVKA, P. O. Box 529, 216 Foordmore Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446 Holodomor, and to ensure it is represented in school curricula across Canada. (845) 626-5641; www. Soyuzivka.com; Fax: 845-626-4638 HREC may be reached at hrec@ualberta. • Tаборова оплата: $150.00 ($20.00 незворотні); оплата за два тижні 290.00 дол. ca or 416-923-4732. • Зголошення і таборову оплату (чек виписаний на Plast – Pershi Stezhi) надсилати до: Mrs. Oresta Fedyniak, 2626 W. Walton Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 The truth... Tel.: 773 486-0394 (від 8:00 до 10:00 ранку) (Continued from page 7) • Реченець зголошень: 30 травня 2017 р. • Після реченця зголошень не приймаємо. dirt barely covering his mother’s just-bur- ied remains, a fleeting shadow of self-doubt • Лікарську посвідку НЕ пересилати з анкетою зголошення. Просимо передати при on a Red Army soldier’s face in a firing реєстрації. squad executing innocents, desperate peo- ple doing whatever they must to live, even КАРТА ЗГОЛОШЕННЯ НА ТАБІР ПТАШАТ-2017 collaborating with the very Communists Ім’я і прізвище дитини ...... who were their killers. Millions of Ukraine’s по-українськи і по-англійськи best sons and daughters were disposed of unceremoniously, tipped into collective Дата народження ...... bone yards. The survivors were leavings, Адреса ...... entombed in a post-genocidal society, vic- Телефон ...... E-mail ...... tims of a crippling legacy still unexorcised. After Nina died, I helped clean her house. Every kitchen shelf was overstocked with Просимо залучити посвідку дати народження дитини, яку вписуєтe на табір перший раз non-perishable goods – bags of flour, sugar ☐ від 25 червня до 1 липня 2017 р. ☐ від 2 липня до 8 липня 2017 р. and canned preserves – supplies sufficient Величина таборової сорочинки дитини: ☐ 6-8, ☐10-12, ☐14-16. to sustain anyone for months. Dusk fell as we harvested. Her home slowly hushed. I ☐ Залучую чек на суму $...... ☐ Резервую кімнату на Союзівці grew disquieted in this silence, calling to mind her gentle whispering about the gluti- ...... nous human flesh eaten in her village dur- ім’я і прізвище матері (подати дівоче прізвище) ing the famine. Faced with this abomination she scavenged worms and weeds rather than sup on what others devoured. She Завваги ...... swore never to be without food again...... That’s how Nina saved her soul and came to ...... share the truth about Ukraine’s bitter har- vest. As for the food we took from her ...... Підпис батька або матері home, it went to feed the hungry. She would have liked that. No. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 19

March 6 Presentation by Victoria Khiterer, “Jewish City of Inferno March 11 St. Patrick’s Day Ukrainian Style, Syracuse Ukrainian Cambridge, MA of Russian Israel? History of Jews in Kyiv,” Harvard Syracuse, NY National Home, [email protected] or 315-478-9272 University, www.huri.harvard.edu March 12 Concert with violinist Solomia Soroka, pianist Arthur March 7 Presentation by Nazar Kozak, “How Can Art Fight Back? Alexandria, VA Greene and composer Yevhen Stankovych, The New York Refugee Artists and the Ukrainian Crisis,” Columbia Washington Group Cultural Fund, The Lyceum, University, 212-854-4697 or [email protected] [email protected]

March 8 Presentation by Aleksandr Boron, “Shevchenko Jubilee: March 12 Presentation by Alexander Motyl, Ukrainian Institute of Cambridge, MA One Year Later,” Harvard University, 617-495-4053 or Chicago Modern Art, [email protected] www.huri.harvard.edu March 12 Workshop, “Songs of the Borderlands: Jewish Songs March 8-9 Ukrainian Days advocacy events, Ukrainian National New York from Polesia with Zisl Slepovitch,” Ukrainian Village Washington Information Service, Ukrainian Congress Committee of Voices, Playwrights Rehearsal Studios, America, Capitol Hill, with ceremony at Taras [email protected] Shevchenko monument, www.ucca.org or [email protected] March 12 Presentation by Florica Zaharia and Lubow Wolynetz March 9 Film screening, “Women of Maidan,” Ukrainian National New York and film screening, “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” Ottawa Federation – Ottawa-Gatineau, St. Paul University, by Serrgei Parajanov, The Ukrainian Museum, [email protected] 212-228-0110 or www.ukrainianmuseum.org

March 10 Concert, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, March 14 Discussion, “The Challenge of Russian Active Measures,” The Kansas City, KS Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 816-994-7222 Washington Institute of World Politics, www.iwp.edu or 202-462-2101

March 10 Concert with Dakha Brakha, Johnson County Community March 15 Presentation by Viktoriya Sereda, “Goodbye, Lenin: Overland Park, KS College, 913-469-8500 Cambridge, MA Mapping Memory in Revolutionary Ukraine,” Harvard March 10 Book presentation, “The Man with the Poison Gun: A Cold University, 617-495-4053 or www.huri.harvard.edu War Spy New York Story,” by Serhii Plokhy, The Ukrainian Museum, March 16-19 Lenten retreat, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic www.ukrainianmuseum.org Ottawa Shrine, 613-723-1673 March 10 Legal Aid Clinic and Networking, with presentation by March 17-19 Sweet Retreat for Body and Mind, Soyuzivka Heritage Passaic, NJ Andy Semotiuk, Ukrainian Center, [email protected] Kerhonkson, NY Center, 845-626-5641 or [email protected] March 10-15 Film, “Bitter Harvest,” Bytowne Cinema, March 17 Art exhibit, “Mychailo Deyak: Recent Works,” Ukrainian Ottawa www.bytownecinema.ca/move/bitter-harvest Through April 2 Institute of America, 212-288-8660 or March 10-31 Photograph exhibit, “Celebrating Women of Courage,” New York www.ukrainianinstitute.org Chicago Ukrainian National Museum, 312-421-8020 Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events March 11 Lecture by Valentyna Bochkovska, “Ukraine’s Books advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions New York Published in the 16th-18th Centuries,” Shevchenko from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors Scientific Society, 212-254-5130 and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017 No. 10

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

ATTENTION, Friday, March 10 violin, from his early “On Verkhovyna” trip- NEW YORK: Join us at 7 p.m. for a book pre- tych to his reflections on events in Ukraine, sentation with author Serhii Plokhy, who “Fresca of Maydan.” The composer will be Debutante Ball Organizers! will talk about his latest publication, “The present to share the stories behind the Man with the Poison Gun: A Cold War Spy music. The newly recorded premier CD of Story” (2016), the story of KGB assassin his complete violin music for London’s Bohdan Stashinsky, who murdered Stepan record Toccata Classics will be available. The Bandera, among others. A thrilling tale of concert will be held at 3 p.m. at The Lyceum, In keeping with our tradition, Soviet spy craft, complete with exploding 201 South Washington St. A reception to parcels, elaborately staged cover-ups, dou- meet the artist will follow the performance. The Ukrainian Weekly ble agents and double crosses, Dr. Plokhy’s Suggested donation: $30; free for students; book offers unparalleled insight into the unreserved seating. For more information will publish a special section shadowy world of Cold War-era espionage. e-mail [email protected]. Admission (includes light reception) is $15; devoted to the Ukrainian $10 for members and seniors; $5 for stu- NEW YORK: Join us at 2 p.m. at The dents. Arrive early to view the current exhi- Ukrainian Museum for a lecture and film community’s debutantes. bitions. The Ukrainian Museum is located at screening. The closing lecture of the exhibi- 222 E. Sixth St.; telephone, 212-228-0110; tion “Carpathian Echoes: Textile Materials website, www.ukrainianmuseum.org. and Technology in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania and Ukraine,” with guest curator Saturday, March 11 Dr. Florica Zaharia, former conservator in NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific charge, textile conservation, Metropolitan The 2017 debutante ball Society invites all to a lecture “Ukraine’s Museum of Art, and co-curator Lubow Books Published in the 16th-18th Centuries” Wolynetz, folk art curator, The Ukrainian section will be published – in the context of the European history of Museum. Following the lecture, Ms. Wolynetz book printing and with a focus on collections will introduce the classic 1965 film by Sergei on April 2. of the Museum of Books and Printing in Parajanov “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” Ukraine, the Haiduk private collection and (Ukrainian with English subtitles). Admission collections in museums and libraries of (includes light reception) is $15; $10 for Chicago. Presented by Valentyna Bochkovska, members and seniors; $5 for students. Arrive director of the Museum of Books and Printing early to view the exhibitions. The Ukrainian in Ukraine and a 2016-2017 Fulbright Fellow, Museum, is located at 222 E. Sixth St.; tele- The deadline for submission the lecture will take place at the society’s phone, 212-228-0110; website, www.ukrai- of all materials – stories and photos building, 63 Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and nianmuseum.org. 10th streets) at 5 p.m. For additional infor- Friday, March 24 mation call 212-254-5130. (with captions and photo credits) – is WHIPPANY, N.J.: Join us for the annual vare- Sunday, March 12 nyky dinner at 5 p.m. at the Ukrainian MARCH 17. ALEXANDRIA, Va.: The Washington Group American Cultural Center of New Jersey, 60 Cultural Fund Sunday Music Series presents N. Jefferson Road, hosted by the local branch violinist Solomia Soroka and pianist Arthur of the Ukrainian American Youth Greene in a recital of the complete violin Association. Cost is $12. Doors open at 5 Please e-mail materials to: and piano music of one of the most celebrat- p.m. There will be entertainment and door ed Ukrainian modern composers, Yevhen prizes. For information call 973-919-1322 STAFF @ UKRWEEKLY.COM Stankovych. The program will feature the or e-mail [email protected]. Like us evolution of Maestro Stankovych’s works for on Facebook: CYM Whippany, NJ.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES Preview of Events is a listing of Ukrainian community events open to the public. It is a ser- vice provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. Items must be no more than 100 words long. Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of publication (i.e., they must be received by 9 am Monday morning). Please include pay- ment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in which the item is to be published. Also, senders are asked to include the phone number of a person who may be contacted by The Weekly during daytime hours, as well as their complete mailing address. Information should be sent to [email protected]. When e-mailing, please do not send items as attachments – simply type the text into the body of the e-mail message. Preview items and payments may be mailed to: Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.