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The Ukrainian Weekly, 2020 INSIDE: l State in a Smartphone app is launched – page 3 l ‘Peripheral Visions’ exhibit by the Yurchuks – page 11 l Community: Alberta, New York, New Jersey – pages 16-17 THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association, Inc., celebrating W its 125th anniversaryEEKLY Vol. LXXXVIII No. 7 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2020 $2.00 NEWS ANALYSIS Yermak replaces Bohdan Zelenskyy, with Yermak in new role, as the head of Presidential Office emphasizes continuity in foreign policy by Bohdan Nahaylo understood that it is necessary to change the Minsk accords of 2014-2015 because KYIV – When President Volodymyr they are not working, and he sensed that Zelenskyy fired the controversial head of even “Russia is preparing to think this his Presidential Office, Andriy Bohdan, and over.” This recognition of “Minsk flexibility” replaced him with Andriy Yermak, a non- was a step forward. In his view, the staff close adviser who has become increas- achieve ment of peace remains the goal, for ingly influential in recent months, the move in the end it will be not about winners and suggested a change in style and approach in losers but “a victory for everyone.” the domestic sphere. But the appointment Turning from the Donbas to Crimea, also reaffirmed Mr. Yermak’s position as the President Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukrainian president’s chief negotiator with this issue was “even more complicated.” He the Kremlin and his stewardship over added cryptically: “But we are also working Ukraine’s foreign policy in general. on it. I cannot say more so far.” On the same day as the personnel The following day, at his first press con- change in Kyiv, Moscow confirmed that ference as head of the Presidential Office, or Dmitry Kozak had replaced Vladyslav chief of staff, Mr. Yermak reaffirmed that “ending the war in the Donbas in the inter- Surkov as President Vladimir Putin’s point Presidential Office man for Ukraine. Mr. Yermak has dealt with ests of Ukraine” remains the priority. He both Messrs. Surkov and Kozak and told carefully stressed that President Zelenskyy Andriy Yermak holds his first briefing as head of the Presidential Office. Ukrainian TV on February 10 that, in his and his administration will continue to conversation, which allegedly ended with view, this was a change for the better. adhere to the principles they have enumer- by Roman Tymotsko Mr. Bohdan offering to write a letter of res- These developments have fueled specu- ated from the outset in this regard, and KYIV – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ignation, to which Mr. Zelenskyy replied, lation that prospects for dialogue between respect the “red lines” that have been drawn. dismissed the head of the Presidential “Go ahead and write it.” By that evening, Moscow and Kyiv will be enhanced, but at In order to pre-empt possible new fears Office of Ukraine, Andriy Bohdan, and sources in the Presidential Office shared the same time renewed questions about about official Kyiv’s intentions, Mr. Yermak appointed presidential aide Andriy Yermak the information that Mr. Bohdan was the degree of compromise the two sides addressed a sensitive issue generating con- in his place on February 11. resigning. The next morning, an official might be willing to make. cern: the conditions under which elections Mr. Bohdan served as chief of staff and statement was released confirming this Before leaving for the Munich Security could be held in the territories currently Mr. Yermak worked as an aide to President information. Conference in Germany, President occupied by Russia’s forces. “I want to reit- Zelenskyy beginning on May 21, 2019. On On February 12, Mr. Yermak held his Zelenskyy commented candidly on how he erate,” he stressed, “that in accordance with Ukrainian legislation, elections are impos- February 10, according to Presidential first briefing in his new role as chief of staff views the current state of Russian- Office insiders quoted by the news media, Ukrainian relations and the Normandy for- the president and Mr. Bohdan had a tough mat process. On February 11, in an inter- (Continued on page 4) (Continued on page 4) view for Interfax-Ukraine shown on Ukrainian TV, he suggested that his first meeting with President Putin at the Normandy four summit in Paris in Olympic Market closes after 68 years in business December 2019 had been an ice-breaker. “When you have eye-to-eye contact, you by Matthew Dubas immediately realize who is front of you, IRVINGTON, N.J. – Among the sparsely stocked what kind of person,” he explained. “I think grocery shelves, the writing was on the wall – he understood me. And he understands “You’ve had the rest, now try the best!” – as an that this war must be finished.” end of an era was drawing nearer. On February For the first time, Mr. Zelenskyy also 15 Olympic Community Market on 40th Street offered his view on what Russia risks if it (on the corner of Leslie Place) closed its doors for continues its aggressive course towards good. An institution founded in 1952, known Ukraine: “dissolution in the form in which then as Bundziak and Lazirko Meat Market and it exists today.” It is clear to all, he said, that located at 615 Springfield Ave. in Newark, Russia wants to rebuild a latter-day version Olympic Market, or simply “Lazirko’s,” the busi- of the Soviet Union through territorial ness has been run for two generations by the expansion. If Mr. Putin persists, “Escalation Lazirko family. Son Oleh Lazirko says it is a bitter- and seizure of such a large country as sweet moment leading to his retirement. Ukraine is, I am sure, the only really dan- This writer was standing in line on Friday gerous step for Russia, which may result in afternoon, February 7, as many of the regular cus- a bitter domestic conflict in Russia.” This tomers were ordering lunch sandwiches, while consideration, the Ukrainian president others placed their last orders of homemade believes, should be a restraining factor for meat products – the familiar Ukrainian classics, his Russian counterpart. including kovbasa, kabanos, liverwurst (“pashte- Mr. Zelenskyy also indicated that he was tivka”) and kyshka, as well as modern spins on encouraged that in Paris all the parties – Matthew Dubas the leaders of France, Germany, Ukraine Oleh Lazirko poses in front of Olympic Community Market, as his father (Continued on page 11) and Russia – to a greater or lesser extent had in front of B&L Meat Market. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2020 No. 7 ANALYSIS Russian-Ukrainian gas transit deal: A collapse President fires chief of staff compromises during the negotiations,” Mr. Yermak said. “But we have talked about this Ukrainian President Volodymyr many times, and I also want to add that I am of Putin’s gas strategy or a temporary retreat? Zelenskyy has dismissed the chief of his ready and will continue to do this: speak administration, Andriy Bohdan, and same time, Ukraine does not relinquish with all patriotic, competent, reasonable by Alla Hurska replaced him with Andriy Yermak, an aide future claims on the Naftogaz’s illegally lost forces in this country.” Mr. Yermak’s appoint- Eurasia Daily Monitor whose name has been linked to U.S. ment raised some eyebrows in Ukraine from assets in annexed Crimea (5.ua, December President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, PART I 30, 2019). those who fear he may soften Kyiv’s position Rudolph Giuliani. The presidential decrees toward Russia, especially amid the current The new gas transit deal has strategic on relieving Mr. Bohdan from his duties and On January 1, the Gas Transmission meaning for Ukraine. According to thaw in relations that included major prison- System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU) LLC appointing Mr. Yermak were signed on er swaps late last year that Mr. Yermak was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, February 11 and placed on the presidential began transporting Russian natural gas to this agreement will bring more than $7 bil- involved with in his role as an aide to Mr. Europe under a new five-year transit agree- website. Evidence and testimony gathered Zelenskyy. Looking to allay those concerns, lion in revenue. And, as a result of the nego- during Mr. Trump’s recent impeachment ment (Gordonua.com, January 1). This con- tiations, for the next five years the the 48-year-old former film producer and tract (consistent with European Union reg- hearing shows Mr. Giuliani met with Mr. lawyer stressed at the news conference that Ukrainian gas transit system will operate Yermak to “strongly” urge an investigation ulations) was signed by representatives of without loss, guaranteeing energy security Crimea, which was forcefully seized and the Ukrainian energy firm Naftogaz, GTSOU Mr. Trump wanted of Democratic rival Joe annexed by Russia in March 2014, and the and welfare for Ukrainians (Pravda.com.ua, Biden and his son’s ties to Ukrainian energy (established in line with Kyiv’s commit- December 30, 2019). Donbas were “Ukrainian territories” and ments to implement EU energy market firm Burisma. Mr. Bohdan’s appointment to that elections in the areas controlled by the The president’s statement was support- the post in May last year, after Mr. Zelenskyy “unbundling” legislation) and Gazprom on ed by Naftogaz’s business and development separatists scheduled for October “must be won the presidential election, sparked con- held under Ukrainian legislation.” He com- December 30, 2019, just one day before the director, Yuriy Vitrenko, who stated that the troversy as Mr. Bohdan used to be a lawyer mented on the appointment of Dmitry previous 10-year gas supply and transit deal is worth over $7.2 billion. Mr.
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