Inside: l Poroshenko at Halifax Security Forum – page 3 l Apple’s apps show Crimea as part of Russia – page 4 l $500,000 raised for Ukrainian Catholic University – page 8

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association, Inc., celebrating W its 125th anniversaryeekly Vol. LXXXVII No. 49 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 $2.00 Chrystia Freeland begins her second act Zelenskyy’s approval ratings fall sharply, as second in command in Canada’s government yet president retains public support

by Bohdan Nahaylo While it was hard to test Mr. Zelenskyy’s sincerity in this regard, the easiest way for KYIV – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s his opponents to attack him, a Russophone rating has fallen sharply, according to the of Jewish origins who had made his name most recent surveys. It plummeted from 73 as a comedian and political satirist, was to percent in September to 52 percent at the question his patriotism and readiness to end of November. Nevertheless, he still defend Ukraine’s vital national interests. appears to retain significant backing and to This has remained the case and has enjoy impressive support for his attempts reached its apogee as Mr. Zelenskyy pre- to activate a peace process with Russia. pares to meet the Russian President As the end of 2019 approaches, several Vladimir Putin for the first time at the recent public surveys reveal what the key Normandy format summit in Paris on concerns and hopes are. December 9 of the leaders of Ukraine, The first half of the year was preoccu- Russia, Germany and France. pied with elections. First, the two rounds of So what have the surveys shown us? presidential polls, on March 31 and April First, what was the situation at the end 21, followed by parliamentary elections on of August after the first 100 days of the July 21. A political newcomer, Mr. Zelenskyy Zelenskyy administration? According to a UCC scored a landslide victory over the incum- poll conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv In 2015, at a pre-election meeting of Liberal Party candidates with the Ukrainian bent, President Petro Poroshenko, by a Democratic Initiatives Foundation along Canadian Congress (from left) are: James Maloney and Arif Virani (current MPs), margin of 73.22 percent to 24.45 percent of with Kyiv International Institute of Justin Trudeau (current prime minister), UCC President Paul Grod (now president of the votes, and his Servant of the People the Ukrainian World Congress), Chrystia Freeland (now deputy prime minister of Sociology, the majority of respondents, 71.5 party captured a majority of 254 of the 424 Canada), UCC Vice-President Renata Roman (now president of the Ukrainian percent, saw the achievement of a ceasefire National Federation of Canada) and Borys Wrzesnewskyj (now a former MP). seats contested. in the Donbas as the priority for the new Mr. Zelenskyy kept his program vague, presidential administration, with improve- but he promised change in two key areas: by Christopher Guly another Cabinet responsibility that is far ment of living standards second at 44.2 curbing corruption and opening up the sys- Special to The Ukrainian Weekly from ceremonial and which will keep her percent, followed by lowering utility bills, as busy as she was in the foreign-affairs tem, and making ending the war with 21.5 percent; punishing corrupt officials, OTTAWA – Arguably the most influential portfolio. Russia a priority. His victory, however bit- 18.1 percent; curbing the influence of the member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s She now also serves as the intergovern- terly resented by President Poroshenko’s oligarchs, 13.4 percent; improving health Cabinet as his foreign affairs minister dur- mental affairs minister entrusted with try- followers, was interpreted by most observ- care, 13.3 percent; unifying the country, 6.5 ing his Liberal government’s first term in ing to find unity in a country divided along ers as not simply a protest vote against the percent; and returning Crimea, 5.8 percent. office, Chrystia Freeland now serves as his regional lines, particularly in western old ways, but as a re-empowerment of the At this early stage, around 23 percent of the chief lieutenant following her November Canada, where the 51-year-old superstar of stalled reform process. The results respondents rated the first steps taken by 20 appointment as Canada’s deputy prime Prime Minister Trudeau’s Cabinet was born. appeared to reaffirm the ideals of the President Zelenskyy and his team as posi- minister – a role unlikely to dramatically Faced with an economy badly bruised by Revolution of Dignity that had become tive, 39.8 percent as mostly positive, and shift the Ukrainian Canadian parliamentar- falling oil prices, the resource-rich province obscured in a reform process that had only 3.5 percent as mostly negative. ian’s attention away from her ancestral increasingly appeared half-hearted and homeland, according to the Canadian- (Continued on page 18) even insecure. (Continued on page 4) based president of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC). “She understands Ukraine and Russia better than any Western politician globally, Youth of Ukraine seek action on climate change and is viewed by other foreign ministers as the key point-person on Ukraine,” said Paul by Roman Tymotsko Grod in an interview. “She has a deep inter- KYIV – On Friday, November 29, est in Ukraine, and has expressed to me passers-by near the Cabinet of Ministers that she will still have a role in the Canada- building saw a group of about 40 young Ukraine relationship – but to what extent, people with banners, signs and props we’ll see.” who were demonstrating to call atten- Only the 10th deputy prime minister in tion to climate change issues. “Change Canadian history (a position created in the system, not the climate,” read one 1977 by Mr. Trudeau’s father, then-Prime placard. These young Ukrainians are a Minister Pierre Trudeau) and the only Ukrainian Canadian to hold the post, Ms. part of the global movement Fridays for Freeland carries a largely honorary title, Future, and that day they were protest- which unlike the vice-president’s role in ing together with their peers in 159 the United States, does not give her the countries all over the world. automatic right of succession to the prime It was also the day of the fourth minister, should he leave office by choice or Global Climate Strike, a coordinated circumstance. She will, however, represent series of worldwide protests. This time, the Liberal government during the ques- some 3,500 events occurred on the Fridays For Future Ukraine tion period in the House of Commons when same day – at least four of them in Mr. Trudeau is absent. Young Ukrainians strike near the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as part of the glob- (Continued on page 12) al Fridays for Future movement. But Deputy Prime Minister Freeland has 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 No. 49

ANALYSIS

Th e Kremlin tries to exorcise Zelenskyy denies reports of quid pro quo (MH17) by not arresting him and letting him return to separatist-held territory in Ukrainian President Volodymyr eastern Ukraine. Moscow “willingly the memory of the Berlin Wall Zelenskyy has denied in an interview with allowed“ the suspect, Ukrainian national several magazines that there had been a sands of people come to the memorial Volodymyr Tsemakh, to leave Russia “and by Pavel K. Baev quid-pro-quo deal with U.S. President stone near the former KGB headquarters refused to execute” a Dutch extradition Eurasia Daily Monitor Donald Trump to investigate the latter’s to read aloud the names of people execut- request, the OM said in a December 2 news political rival, ex-Vice-President Joe Biden, The massive spontaneous eruption of ed during the Great Terror of the 1930s release. By doing so, the OM said Moscow and his son Hunter. “I definitely did not street protests in East Germany 30 years (New Times, October 29). acted in contravention of the European speak with President Trump in such a way, ago culminated in the breach of the omi- The National Guard (Rosgvardiya) riot Convention on Extradition to which Russia like, ‘you give me this, I give you that,’ “ Mr. nous Berlin Wall, and that breakthrough police is eager to demonstrate cruel is a party as a member of the Council of Zelenskyy said in an interview with Time determined the end of the Soviet system resolve; but the East German state security Europe, the continent’s top human rights magazine, Germany’s Der Spiegel, France’s and collapse of the Union of Soviet body. “The Russian Federation does not service (Stasi) was also supposed to be Le Monde, and Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza Socialist Republics (USSR) two years later. extradite its own citizens, but since Mr. supremely efficient in exterminating all on December 2. Mr. Trump is accused of Today, the Russian leadership is keen to discontent yet still failed to prevent the Tsemakh is a Ukrainian citizen, there were pressuring the Ukrainian president during a not impediments for his extradition,” the celebrate occasions that fit a new “patriot- political meltdown three decades ago July 25 call to investigate the Bidens for cor- OM said. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told ic” historical narrative – and the fall of the (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, October 28). The ruption. During the call, President Trump, a journalists on December 3 that the Kremlin Berlin Wall conspicuously does not fit. Communist-era Stasi was also far less cor- Republican, asked his Ukrainian counter- had “no relation” to the case and thus, “I Thus, Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei rupt than Mr. Putin’s marauding security part to look into 2020 Democratic front- can’t say anything here.” On September 7, Lavrov instead traveled to Kirkenes, in services (siloviki), which sometimes runner and former Vice-President Joe Ukraine handed over Mr. Tsemakh to northern Norway, to mark the anniversary expose vast fraud among competitors in Biden, and his son, Hunter, who had been a Russian authorities as part of a prisoner of the Arctic town’s liberation by the order to secure their own rackets hired board member of a controversial exchange involving 70 captives. He was the Soviet Red Army and to warn Oslo against (Kommersant-FM, November 2). This Ukrainian energy company. While asking for former commander of an air-defense unit of relying on North Atlantic Treaty unconstrained predation sharply aggra- the “favor,” according to a rough transcript the Russia-backed forces fighting in the Organization (NATO) allies for its defense vates public grievances regarding shrink- of the call made public, Mr. Trump was Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine at the – underscoring the current large-scale ing incomes and the decaying health-care withholding some $400 million in military time of the downing of MH17. All 298 peo- deployment of Russian submarines in the system. Selective repressions only produce aid to Kyiv. Mr. Trump has accused Mr. Biden ple aboard the Boeing 777 passenger jet North Atlantic (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, sparks that could kindle this smoldering – who oversaw Ukraine policy during the were killed when a sophisticated Russian- October 30). outrage (Moscow Echo, November 1). administration of former President Barack made missile struck it on July 17, 2014, a Meanwhile, Sergei Naryshkin, the Taking a stand against Mr. Putin’s Obama – of pressuring Kyiv to fire its prose- Dutch-led investigative team has concluded. director of the Russian Foreign regime today takes no less courage than cutor general in order to halt an investiga- While Mr. Tsemakh’s exact role in the attack Intelligence Service (SVR), published a the legendary Soviet-era dissidents had to tion into the Burisma gas company, on remains unclear, he boasted to a separatist rare article on the occasion of the 75th possess during the Cold War: any word of whose board Hunter Biden used to serve. news agency in a 2015 video report about anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade criticism can trigger a vicious campaign of The U.S. officials who have testified so far in how he helped hide the Buk missile system and expressed regret that, in 1999, Russia vilification by an eager crowd of pro- the impeachment probe have rejected that that was transported to and from Ukraine by was not strong enough to protect Serbia Kremlin “patriots” (Moskovsky theory. Mr. Trump tweeted his reaction to a Russian anti-aircraft missile brigade and against NATO’s bombing campaign (Grani. Komsomolets, October 30). One inspiring Mr. Zelenskyy’s interview with the maga- which was used to shoot down the airliner. A ru, October 23). example for the present-day rebels was zine. “Breaking News: The President of Ukrainian special-forces team apprehended In contrast, there was no space in the Vladimir Bukovsky, who died October 27 Ukraine has just again announced that Mr. Tsemakh on June 27 at his home in the official discourse to reflect on the spectac- at the age of 76 (Svoboda.org, October 28). President Trump has done nothing wrong part of the Donetsk region that Kyiv doesn’t ular wave of revolutions that liberated Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic leader of the with respect to Ukraine and our interac- control. Before Mr. Tsemakh’s release to Eastern Europe in the autumn of 1989. anti-Putin opposition who was assassinat- tions or calls,” he tweeted. “If the Radical Russia, Dutch prosecutors had questioned Mikhail Gorbachev, then the president ed on February 27, 2015, admired Left Democrats were sane, which they are him in Kyiv and asked Moscow to arrest Mr. of the USSR, found it impossible to order Bukovsky as the “conscience of our resis- not, it would be case over!” Mr. Zelenskyy Tsemakh on the grounds that he was a possi- the half-a-million-strong grouping of tance” (Nemtsov Most, October 31). said in the interview: “I do not want Ukraine ble flight risk. Later in September, according Soviet forces in East Germany to suppress The Putinist system has nobody who to be a piece on the chessboard of the great to the OM, Russia said it was considering the the uprising, and that indecision earned could possibly command equivalent moral powers.” (RFE/RL, with reporting by DPA) extradition request. However, on November him a prominent place in the history authority, so the Kremlin has been trying Dutch say Moscow let suspect flee 19, the OM received notification from the books (Novaya Gazeta, November 1). A to lionize the late Yevgeny Primakov Russian authorities that Mr. Tsemakh’s mid-level KGB operative named Vladimir (Carnegie.ru, October 30). What earned The Dutch Public Prosecution Service whereabouts were unknown, so the extradi- Putin was astonished, at the time, by the Primakov a newly erected monument in (OM) has accused Russia of allowing a sus- tion request couldn’t be fulfilled. His daugh- exhilarated crowds around his Dresden Moscow was his “shrewd political pect to evade its investigation into the office and would never forgive Mr. instinct” – he meekly stepped down as downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (Continued on page 14) Gorbachev that capitulation (Ezhednevny prime minister in 1999, thus allowing Mr. Zhurnal, November 1). Putin to begin his then-preposterous By a whim of fate, Mr. Putin’s until-that- claim for leadership (Newsru.com, point-undistinguished career took a series October 31). FOUNDED 1933 of miraculous turns, eventually landing Primakov was the topmost Soviet and The Ukrainian Weekly him in the Kremlin; but the shock of wit- Russian expert on the Middle East and a An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., nessing an entirely unpredictable explo- good friend to many regional dictators, sion of public anger against perfect a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. and his tradition remains very much alive Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. Socialist “order” never quite faded from in Mr. Putin’s cultivation of personal ties his psyche, despite his explicit shows of Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. with the likes of Egyptian President Adbel (ISSN — 0273-9348) confidence in performing his now-so- Fattah el-Sisi or in Russian support for familiar presidential role (Rosbalt, Libyan “field marshal”/warlord Khalifa The Weekly: UNA: November 1). Haftar (RBC, October 29). The main- Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 Mr. Putin is determined not to repeat stream Russian media completely avoids Mr. Gorbachev’s “mistake” and to crush the new waves of public protests in Postmaster, send address changes to: The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz any signs of budding protest, focusing in Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq, but it carries particular on destroying political networks 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas plenty of opinions about Russia’s further P.O. Box 280 built by his intrepid opponent Alexei strengthening influence in the Middle East Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] Navalny (Meduza.io, November 1). thanks to the recent deal with Turkey on a After a brief quasi-pause during the ceasefire and joint patrols in northeastern The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com summer, when Moscow witnessed a suc- Syria (TASS, October 21). That deal is cer- cession of street and virtual protests, tainly full of holes (see Eurasia Daily The Ukrainian Weekly, December 8, 2019, No. 49, Vol. LXXXVII repressions against the democratic oppo- Monitor, October 24, 28, 31), and Russian Copyright © 2019 The Ukrainian Weekly sition are again gearing up (Newsru.com, plans to legitimize the victory of Bashar November 1). Russian authorities have al-Assad’s Syrian regime by convening a decided not to stage nor allow any rallies constitutional committee in Geneva is far- ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA on the newly invented Day of National fetched at best (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Unity (November 4), fearing a sudden re- October 30). Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 energizing of apparently disheartened Any mention of mass public protests e-mail: [email protected] protesters (Republic.ru, November 1). upsets the Kremlin court, so Russia’s rela- Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Officials did not dare, however, to ban the e-mail: [email protected] annual October 29 ceremony, when thou- (Continued on page 4) No. 49 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 3

Poroshenko addresses Halifax International Security Forum

Former president emphasizes: ‘Don’t allow Putin to destabilize us’

by Christopher Guly sector, particularly in the area of digital security, following Special to The Ukrainian Weekly a massive cyberattack involving Russian-designed “NotPetya” malware that targeted Ukraine and resulted in OTTAWA – Ukraine will regain Crimea, which is tempo- disruption as serious as taking the radiation monitoring rarily lost to Russia, but needs global support in its fight system at the Chornobyl nuclear-power plant offline. against Russian aggression in the Donbas, former Moderator Robin Shepherd, vice-president of the securi- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told a recent inter- ty forum, then asked Mr. Poroshenko whether Mr. Giuliani, national conference on foreign affairs and defense held in President Trump’s attorney, sought anything in return – a Halifax, Nova Scotia. not-so-veiled reference to the now-infamous July 25 quid- “When Ukraine protect[ed its] territorial integrity and pro-quo Trump-Zelenskyy phone call that prompted the our sovereignty – and voluntarily gave up the third-biggest congressional impeachment proceedings against the U.S. nuclear arsenal in the world and expected global solidarity president. to protect our territorial integrity, nobody stopped Russia, “Look, I [was] president of Ukraine,” replied Mr. except Ukraine,” he said about the Russian war in eastern Poroshenko, who held that post from June 7, 2014, to May Ukraine, in which, he angrily noted, President Vladimir 20, 2019. “Definitely, I cannot imagine this type of talks Putin has denied any involvement. with me as president.” “Ukrainian people are fighting not only for our soil, but Mr. Shepherd pressed on: Did Mr. Giuliani ask Mr. for freedom, for democracy, for rule of law – for the values Poroshenko about former U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden which unite the whole world,” he underscored. and his son Hunter, or the Ukrainian gas company Burisma, Halifax International Security Forum But as the former leader of a country in the global spot- on whose advisory board the younger Biden served? Ukraine’s former President Petro Poroshenko with Canada’s Minister of Defense Harjit Sajjan. light because of contact his successor, Volodymyr “Definitely not – and it cannot be,” Mr. Poroshenko Zelenskyy, has had with U.S. President Donald Trump early responded. Halifax forum moderator Mr. Shepherd indirectly raised in his new administration in Kyiv, Mr. Poroshenko’s plea for In early November, The Wall Street Journal reported that the reversal with Mr. Poroshenko when he asked the for- world unity with Ukraine had to compete with questions two of Mr. Giuliani’s associates – Lev Parnas and Igor mer president, “You didn’t get any traction out of President about his relationship with the Trump White House. Fruman – had asked Mr. Poroshenko to launch an investiga- [Barack] Obama in terms of military hardware, did you?” During the November 24 English-language question- tion into the Bidens in exchange for a state visit to the U.S. Mr. Poroshenko’s reply: “Stop doing this – that we and-answer session at the Halifax International Security In Halifax, former President Poroshenko also spoke of received something from Trump and did not receive some- Forum, the moderator asked Ukraine’s fifth president his contact with President Trump. thing from Obama.” about meeting with President Trump’s then-cybersecurity U.S. Javelins for Ukraine Mr. Poroshenko said Ukraine received three tranches of adviser Rudy Giuliani. loan guarantees (of up to $3 billion) from Barack Obama’s “I met with Giuliani twice in my life. First, when he was “I was very much impressed – my first meeting was in White House, beginning in 2014, which the former presi- mayor of New York – I admired him and wanted to learn the White House and the president was well-briefed. We dent said was “vital” for his country. from him how to manage probably the best city in the talked about the global cooperation and security sector, world – the best after Kyiv. And the second [time] was in and support for [Ukraine’s] reform,” said Mr. Poroshenko, (Continued on page 14) October or November 2017,” said Mr. Poroshenko, the who also cited the Javelin anti-tank weapons Ukraine highest-profile speaker at the annual event hosted by received from the Trump administration in April 2018 and Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan. which have been stored in a military warehouse and have The 54-year-old former president explained that he and yet to be used. But they’ve served a psychological purpose. Quotable notes Mr. Giuliani discussed “solidarity” and increasing U.S. sup- The former president said the presence of Javelins on port in such areas as Ukraine’s financial sector and security Ukrainian soil have resulted both in an end to Russian “The situation that we are seeing around the prepa- tanks appearing on the control line and a decrease in rations for the Normandy format summit look unprec- Ukrainian casualties. edented from the diplomatic point of view. … “Just with this [Javelin] contract, we’ve saved a lot of “Volodymyr Zelenskyy needs the meeting to demon- Ukrainian lives,” said Mr. Poroshenko, who leads the strate to his voters that he is doing everything he can to European Solidarity party in Ukraine. achieve peace. Emmanuel Macron needs the meeting as Acquiring the Javelins was also the result of a charm a confirmation of his claim to be a European leader. It is offensive and an “elaborate campaign” by then-President less needed by Angela Merkel – although the chancellor Poroshenko, which included “trade deals that were politi- has an interest in the hope that the Normandy format cally expedient for Mr. Trump, meetings with Mr. Giuliani, will lead to peace – she is well aware that the summit in the freezing [by Mr. Poroshenko’s prosecutor general, Yuriy Paris will not bring peace any closer. Lutsenko] of potentially damaging criminal cases… relevant “Vladimir Putin does not need this meeting. At all. to the Mueller investigation, including an inquiry tracing The Russian president is not interested in peace with millions of dollars that Ukrainian political figures paid to Ukraine. He is interested in stabilizing relations with [former Trump campaign chairman] Paul Manafort,” report- the West, but not at the price of withdrawing from ed The New York Times. “Mr. Poroshenko’s aides also Ukrainian lands. And this stabilization of relations scrambled to find ways to flatter the new American presi- doesn’t depend at all on the results of the Normandy dent – advising their boss to gush during his first telephone format summit, and not even on the end of the war call with Mr. Trump about Tom Brady, the star New England against Ukraine, but on the results of the presidential Patriots quarterback whom Mr. Trump has long admired.” elections in the U.S.A. and the parliamentary elections According to The Times, “Mr. Poroshenko’s strategy in Germany. Unlike Zelenskyy and Macron, Putin is yielded results. The Trump administration reversed an capable of looking ahead – simply because he has a lot Facebook/Petro Poroshenko of time left. Ukraine’s former President Petro Poroshenko with Obama-era moratorium on sales of lethal weapons that “That’s why the Russian president is ‘squeezing’ as Cindy McCain, widow of Sen. John McCain, at the Ukraine sought for its fight against the separatists in the Halifax International Security Forum. country’s east.” much as he possibly can from the preparations of the Normandy summit. Pushing Zelenskyy to more and more concessions, Putin is counting on an intensifica- FOR THE RECORD tion of the confrontation between the Ukrainian head of state and civil society – independent of whether or not Zelenskyy himself will become the leader of U.S. reaffirms support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity Ukrainian collaborators or not. Putin is pushing The following press statement, titled “U.S. support for the full restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity with- Macron to pressure Zelenskyy. He’s seeking votes Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity,” was issued in its internationally recognized borders, including its favorable for Gazprom in the Bundestag. With his by U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus territorial waters. behavior, Putin is saying: ‘if you need this meeting, on November 27. In recent weeks, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has make concessions. And I will judge whether you’re taken prudent but difficult steps towards peace and doing it right.’ The United States reaffirms our unwavering support for reform, which include: engaging diplomatically to “And with his latest maneuvers he’s put his ‘part- Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the lead-up advance the peace process; furthering disengagement ners’ in an idiotic situation. But this is not evidence of to the December 9 Normandy Format Summit among along the line of contact; strengthening the rule of law; his strength. It is evidence of our weakness.” Ukraine, France, Germany, and Russia — the first since 2016. creating a healthier investment climate; and streamlining – Ukrainian political analyst Vitaliy Portnikov, writ- The United States is committed to working with our Ukraine’s defense sector. The United States commends ing on the espresso.tv website, as translated by the allies and partners to keep pressure on Russia to live up Ukraine for instituting reforms necessary for its long- Ukrainian Canadian Congress Daily Briefing. (The arti- to its commitments under the Minsk agreements and to term security and prosperity. cle is available in the original Ukrainian here: https:// begin the process of peacefully restoring Ukraine’s full The United States stands with Ukraine as it moves for- espreso.tv/article/2019/11/18/vitaliy_portnykov_gra_ sovereignty over the Donbas. This would be a first step in ward with peace negotiations. navkolo_samitu_svidchennya_nashoyi_slabkosti.) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 No. 49

Apple’s apps show Ukraine’s Crimea as part of Russia

Crimea Desk, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service of your heart are stolen by your worst enemy but then of the Internet in Russia as Russian territory, forestalling [somebody] ignorant doesn’t give a damn about your pain. plans to penalize the company for violating federal law. KYIV – Apple is showing Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula That’s how it feels when you call Crimea a [Russian] land,” With reporting by RFE/RL’s Russian Service, Todd Prince as being part of Russia on some of its apps, a move that he wrote in a separate tweet. in Washington, AFP, AP, Reuters, BBC and Interfax. lawmakers in Moscow hailed as correcting an earlier The U.S. State Department issued a statement on “error” by the U.S. technology giant but one that is sure to November 27 reaffirming “our unwavering support for Apple to re-evaluate policy anger Kyiv. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” without on mapping ‘disputed borders’ However, the display of Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula mentioning Crimea or the mapping controversy. as Russian territory on Apple Maps and Weather on Vasily Piskarev, who chairs the Russian State Duma’s RFE/RL November 27 appeared to occur only for users in Russia. Committee on Security and Corruption Control, welcomed Apple says it will re-evaluate how it identifies “disputed When using the apps from the United States, Ukraine and Apple’s move, saying: “They have brought [their services] borders” after receiving criticism for displaying Ukraine’s in parts of Europe, no international borders are shown in line with Russian law.” He told reporters: “The error Crimean peninsula as part of Russia on maps and weather around the peninsula. with displaying Crimean cities on the weather app has apps for Russian users. The same neutral appearance occurs when using been eliminated.” Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller told Reuters on Google Maps, which shows Crimea as neither Russian nor “With this action, the company has demonstrated a November 29 that the U.S. technology giant was “taking a Ukrainian. wish to preserve and develop its positions in the Russian deeper look at how we handle disputed borders.” Russia took control of Crimea in March 2014 after send- market,” according to Leonid Levin, head of the Duma’s Ms. Muller said Apple made the change for Russian ing in troops, seizing key facilities, and staging a referen- Information Policy Committee. users because of a new law that went into effect inside dum dismissed as illegal by at least 100 countries. It was not immediately clear when the decision was Russia and that it had not made any changes to its maps “We make every effort to objectively depict the disputed made to include Crimea as part of Russia on the apps. The outside of the country. regions, and where we have local versions of Google Maps, State Duma said in a statement that the change was made “We review international law as well as relevant U.S. we follow local legislation when displaying names and following a meeting between Mr. Piskarev and Apple’s rep- and other domestic laws before making a determination in borders,” a Google spokesperson told Tech Crunch maga- resentative in Russia, Daria Yermolina. labeling on our maps and make changes if required by zine. Russia and Apple had been in talks over the past few law,” she told Reuters. The Ukrainian Embassy in Washington told RFE/RL months over the matter. The U.S. company initially Ms. Muller added that Apple “may make changes in the that it had sent a letter to Apple explaining the situation in attempted to show Crimea as undefined territory by future as a result” of its re-evaluation of the policy, without Crimea and demanding that it correct the peninsula’s des- removing any mention of Ukraine. being specific. ignation. Earlier, the Russian Duma gave Apple a deadline of April It also said on Twitter that Ukrainians will not “be giv- 25, and then extended it until May 10 to “eliminate inaccu- With reporting by Reuters and the Crimea Desk of RFE/ ing any thanks to Apple this Thanksgiving! So let’s all racies in displaying the geographical location of Crimea RL’s Ukrainian Service. remind Apple that #CrimeaIsUkraine and it is under and Sevastopol in the application.” Copyright 2019, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with the permis- Russian occupation – not its sovereignty.” Competitor Google Maps has designated Crimea differ- sion of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut “Apple, please, please, stick to high-tech and entertain- ently over the years depending on the user’s location, list- Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see https:// ment. Global politics is not your strong side,” Ukrainian ing it as Russian for Russian users and Ukrainian for most www.rferl.org/a/apple-ukraine-apps-crimea-rus- Foreign Affairs Minister Vadym Prystaiko tweeted. others. sia/30295639.html and https://www.rferl.org/a/apple- “Let me explain in your terms, Apple. Imagine you’re Mr. Piskarev in June said Google had complied with reevaluates-map-policy-crimea-ukraine-russia-dis- crying out that your design & ideas, years of work & piece Moscow’s requirement that Crimea be designated to users pute/30300084.html)

12 percent from 8 percent, while the per- one, while 17 percent consider it less effec- Zelenskyy’s... centage of those who believe that the coun- tive. Only 27 percent think the current gov- The Kremlin... try’s incumbent leaders are no different ernment of Prime Minister Oleksiy (Continued from page 1) (Continued from page 2) from the former ones was up to 30 percent Honcharuk is more effective than that of his On September 17, the Razumkov Center from 27 percent. predecessor, Volodymyr Groysman; 30 per- tions with Armenia, where the “Velvet for Economic and Political Studies reported Nevertheless, according to this survey, cent of respondents saw no changes. Revolution” triumphed peacefully in 2018, even higher ratings for the Ukrainian presi- 37.5 percent of respondents believe But the biggest news came on November remain loaded with disapproval and sus- dent. According to its survey, almost 80 per- Ukraine is developing “in the right direc- 25 in a Kyiv poll carried out by the Ilko picions (Rosbalt, November 1). cent of Ukrainians trusted him and some tion” (the result was 57 percent in Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation The main irritant, however, is Ukraine, 62.1 percent of respondents believed the September and 45 percent in October), along with Kyiv International Institute of where the youthful and resourceful new government’s actions would improve while 35 percent say the direction is wrong Sociology. It revealed that Mr. Zelenskyy’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – an anti- the situation in the country. The president’s (17 percent in September and 29 percent rating had decreased by 21 percent in two pode to the seemingly irreplaceable Mr. performance was positively assessed by 70 in October). Forty-eight percent of respon- months, with a 12 percent fall during the Putin – defies heavy odds and keeps work- percent of respondents (negatively by 9 per- dents say that the situation in the country last two weeks of November. ing on rapprochement with NATO cent). The case of the new Cabinet of has not changed since the beginning of Nevertheless, according to the same poll, (Moscow Echo, October 31). Mr. Zelenskyy Ministers had a 45 percent positive rating (8 2019. A deterioration of the situation is on the eve of the Normandy format sum- has invested much effort in moving percent negative), and the newly elected noted by 26 percent of respondents, while mit, over two-thirds of respondents sup- toward a compromise solution on the Verkhovna Rada was rated positively by 44 15 percent see improvement. port Mr. Zelenskyy having direct talks with Donbas war zone, but Moscow remains percent (10 percent negative). Some 50 percent of those surveyed com- Mr. Putin if it helps resolve the conflict in highly reluctant to make any reciprocal A poll conducted in the second half of plained in particular about inflation and the Donbas. Meanwhile, 15.1 percent step (Kommersant, November 1). October by Ukraine’s Rating agency pro- rising bills. But respondents more fre- oppose this, 2.6 percent say they are indif- The Kremlin is worried any reasonable duced another surprise. Respondents were quently noted improvement rather than ferent, while 7.3 percent could not answer. compromise in defusing tensions with asked to name the main threat to Ukraine. deterioration in the following areas: free- A clear majority of 59.2 percent, support Ukraine or lifting the self-punishing coun- Some 36 percent cited a full-scale war with dom of speech (20 percent and 14 percent, the decision to withdraw troops from the ter-sanctions against the European Union respectively), democracy (17 percent and contact line. Russia, but 56 percent pointed to the mass would be interpreted by imaginary exter- outflow of Ukrainians from the country. 14 percent), defense capability (19 percent Separately, respondents were asked nal and domestic “enemies” as a sign of About 45 percent say that economic and 16 percent), and Ukraine’s internation- what priority actions should be taken by weakness. This intransigence, however, decline and impoverishment are the key al image (25 percent and 22 percent). President Zelenskyy and his team. Some does not make for a convincing show of threats. Much lower down the scale, the Paradoxically, although they are eager 73.7 percent believe a ceasefire must be strength, and the rejection of even cur- devaluation of the hryvnia, collapse of the for change, almost half of Ukrainians achieved in the Donbas; 13.1 percent sup- tailed democratic freedoms condemns Mr. state, dictatorship, anarchy and mass riots believe reforms should be gradual. port steps to return Crimea; 4.6 percent are were also mentioned. According to another survey conducted by in favor of establishing cooperation with Putin’s regime to paralysis. Russian soci- In November, new surveys appeared to the Rating group in late November, only Russia; 8.8 percent are for strengthening ety is fragmented and disoriented, but it is confirm that the honeymoon period for the around 30 percent of respondents are con- the Ukrainian Army; and 9.9 percent are in by no means archaic and stagnant; its Zelenskyy administration was coming to an vinced changes should be made quickly favor of the country’s unification. modernization continues no matter what end. Frustration with the fact that no quick and radically, 43 percent believe that Surveys conducted in November also ultra-conservative norms and values are results were being produced, emerging reforms should be implemented gradually, showed that around 57.9 percent of imposed by the official propaganda. scandals within the Servant of the People while another 18 percent of respondents Ukrainians do not support the privatization The Kremlin towers provide no better party and incessant fire from political oppo- are sure the reforms should be suspended and sale of farmland – one of the hottest defense than the Berlin Wall did against nents were all seen to be taking their toll. until the situation in the country stabilizes. topics of the day. They are also not in favor the students and teachers, professionals The signs were evident in the results of a According to this survey, over half of of legalizing gambling, though 48 percent and pensioners, who are becoming fed up new poll published on November 11 by the those asked believe Mr. Zelenskyy to be accept the preservation of classic numeri- with the corrupt self-serving rulers and Razumkov Center. The share of respon- more effective than Mr. Poroshenko. Fifteen cal lotteries. start chanting, “We are the people.” dents who consider the current govern- percent of Ukrainians are of the opposite Mr. Zelenskyy’s further ratings will ment better than the former one had opinion, while 22 percent said that nothing depend greatly on the results of the The article above is reprinted from decreased to 43 percent from 48 percent, has changed. Thirty-four percent of respon- Normandy format summit and on progress Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission of those who believe that the new govern- dents believe that the current Verkhovna in pursuing reform and combatting corrup- from its publisher, the Jamestown ment is worse than the previous was up to Rada is more effective than the previous tion at home. Foundation, www.jamestown.org. No. 49 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 5

UNA CELEBRATES 125 YEARS: A snapshot from history, 1980

Roma Sochan Hadzewycz The Ukrainian National Association was present on June 19, 1980, at a meet- Besides Mr. Flis and Mrs. Dushnyck of the UNA, noted Ukrainian community ing of Republican presidential hopeful Ronald Reagan with representatives leaders in attendance included Ivan Bazarko, UCCA administrative director, of 17 ethnic fraternal organizations. Held at the luxurious Halloran House in the Rev. Ivan Stevensky, spiritual leader of the League of Ukrainian Catholics, midtown Manhattan, the reception was sponsored by the National Republican Walter Dushnyck, editor of The Ukrainian Quarterly, Roksolana Stojko, presi- Heritage Groups Council. Gov. Reagan was greeted at the rostrum by master dent of SUSTA, and representatives from the Providence Association of of ceremonies John Flis, UNA supreme president, and Mary Dushnyck, UNA Ukrainian Catholics and other organizations. Also present were editorial staff supreme vice presidentess, a well-known Republican activist who acted as members of Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly. official hostess. Before any formal introductions were made, Mr. Reagan was given a traditional Ukrainian greeting with bread, honey and salt by students A photo archive of UNA history has been launched on the UNA website. It is a work from the New York School of Bandura. Of all the ethnic groups represented at in progress that will be expanded and refined. To take a look, go to unainc.org/una/ the reception, the Ukrainian contingent was the largest and the most visible. the-una-is-125-years-old/.

Young UNA’ers Mission Statement

The Ukrainian National Association exists: • to promote the principles of fraternalism; • to preserve the Ukrainian, Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian heritage and culture; and • to provide quality financial services and products to its mem- bers.

As a fraternal insurance society, the Ukrainian National Association reinvests its earnings for the benefit of its members Nicole D. Krawczuk, daughter of Michael and Natalia Dmytro Lupak, son of Iryna and Mykola Lupak of and the Ukrainian community. Krawczuk of Wilmington, Del., is a new member of Columbus, N.J., is a new member of UNA Branch 116 UNA Branch 42. She was enrolled by her father. He was enrolled by his grandmother Anna Lupak. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 No. 49

FOR THE RECORD The Ukrainian Weekly The Normandy format talks Stop Russia’s aggression against Ukraine! As the date of December 9 approaches, the anxiety in Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora grows. Why? Because on that date, the Normandy format talks aimed at UWC calls for peace – but not at all costs achieving peace in eastern Ukraine will take place in Paris. The talks will bring The statement below was released by the must continue to be strengthened and together Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France for the first time since October 2016. Ukrainian World Congress on December 2. expanded until Russia de-occupies the sov- It will also be the first time neophyte politician Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the comedian ereign Ukrainian territory of Crimea and elected this past April as Ukraine’s president, meets with Russian President Vladimir As the leaders of Ukraine, Germany, parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Putin, a former KGB intelligence officer who’s been in power since 2000. France and Russia prepare to meet on 4) There can be no negotiations with the Michael Carpenter, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense and a member December 9, 2019, in Paris for their leaders of the Russia-controlled terrorist of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation’s Friends of Ukraine Network, points out on justsecu- Normandy Format talks, the Ukrainian organizations of the so-called Donetsk and rity.org: “All four Normandy leaders want to show progress towards ending this trag- World Congress (UWC) reiterates its posi- Luhansk people’s republics (DNR and edy, …though each for his or her own particular reasons.” Mr. Zelenskyy, readers will tion that Russia must be compelled to end LNR). recall, ran on the pledge to end the war. France and Germany are interested in “nor- its military aggression against Ukraine. For 5) Russia bears full responsibility for malizing” relations with Russia for the sake of business and trade; they just want the more than five years, Russia and its proxies rebuilding war-torn Ukraine and paying Ukraine problem to go away. Russia has no real interest in peace; the goal is to con- have been waging a bloody war against reparations to all affected by their war tinue destabilizing Ukraine, to hinder its progress in all ways possible and to prevent Ukraine, having invaded and occupied against Ukraine and downing of Malaysian its integration with the West. parts of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, airliner MH17. A blunt assessment of the situation is provided by Stephen Blank, a former senior after annexing Crimea in 2014. Russia’s Any concessions on these “red lines” will fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, who notes on “Ukraine Alert”: “…there war in Ukraine has resulted in over 13,000 seriously impair the sovereignty of the is no sign that Russia’s determination to destroy the de facto if not de jure main- deaths, 30,000 wounded and 1.5 million Ukrainian state, security in Europe and springs of Ukrainian statehood has abated. Moscow still demands that Kyiv accept internally displaced people, and it contin- cause civil strife within the country – which formulas that would convert Ukraine into a confederation, whereby the currently ues to this day. is exactly Russia’s intent. A “peace at all occupied provinces of the Donbas could exercise a veto over central governmental The UWC calls upon Germany, France, cost” formula will legitimize the foreign initiatives, including efforts to combat the corruption that benefits Russia and Ukraine and its allies to maintain a clear occupying forces in Ukraine, create lasting erodes the foundations of Ukraine’s statehood. At the same time, Russia also refuses and unequivocal position that: divisions in the country, and divert Ukraine to discuss the status of Crimea.” 1) No elections can take place in the from its path to Euro-Atlantic integration. There is a very real danger in the Normandy four negotiations, according to Mr. Russian-occupied territories of the Donetsk “We are deeply concerned that the Carpenter: “…Ukraine’s Western partners might be willing to hand control of and Luhansk oblasts until all Russian upcoming Normandy Format talks in Paris Ukraine to Putin. If they do so, it will be under the guise of a ‘special status’ for the troops, mercenaries, weapons and materiel could be guided by the self-serving inter- Russian-occupied Donbas, a notion that President Zelenskyy’s diplomatic advisors are withdrawn from Ukrainian territory, ests of different parties. As such, we call on have openly discussed as they seek to deliver a peace agreement to a war-weary Ukraine regains complete control of the Ukraine’s peace negotiations to take place nation. Under the pretense of diplomatic progress, such a deal could prove deadly to Ukrainian side of the Ukraine-Russia bor- in a transparent manner with the participa- Ukraine’s sovereign statehood.” der, a reasonable normalization period will tion of all parties that will enable Ukraine Back home in Ukraine, in the face of nationwide “No to Capitulation!” protests, the allow for the re-establishment of democrat- to protect the best interests of its state and Zelenskyy team has tried to assure the public that it will not betray Ukraine’s inter- ic institutions and the displaced residents people,” stated UWC President Paul Grod. ests. But it has provided scant information about its position going into the of the Donbas region are allowed to peace- “We call upon the Normandy Four leaders Normandy talks. A December 3 post on the presidential website reported only that fully return to their homes. to establish a clear road map and timelines at a meeting held in preparation for the negotiations, “Volodymyr Zelenskyy clearly 2) Ukraine’s strategic course for Euro- for peace, and Russia’s liability to rebuild stated his position on the inadmissibility of solving the problem of the occupied ter- Atlantic and NATO integration, as set out in the war-torn region and pay reparations to ritories by military means and the necessity of achieving peace in the east of Ukraine Ukraine’s Constitution, is non-negotiable the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians by political and diplomatic methods.” The item also noted that “The parties and immutable. who have suffered from Russia’s senseless approved five scenarios for the reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories 3) International sanctions on Russia war against Ukraine.” of Donbas.” No further details were provided. Although no one, including Mr. Zelenskyy by his own account, has any illusions that the December 9 talks will end the war in Ukraine’s east, it is certain that Ukrainians in Ukraine and around the globe want peace. But, as the Ukrainian World Congress underlines in its resolute statement on this page, not at all costs. Ukraine and the West must not agree to Russia’s demands The following statement was released by internally displaced. the Ukrainian Congress Committee of Following the election of President Dec. Turning the pages back... America (UCCA) on December 3. Zelenskyy, the UCCA stated in an open let- ter the Ukrainian American community’s Thirty years ago, on December 10, 1989, nearly 10,000 people On December 9, 2019, the leaders of longstanding principle regarding the terri- 10 gathered for a commemoration of International Human Rights Ukraine, Germany, France and Russia will torial integrity of Ukraine, which includes Day in Lviv to mark the first ever officially sanctioned meeting of meet in Paris for the Normandy format the lawful return of territories occupied by 1989 the Ukrainian Helsinki Union (UHU). summit. As they prepare for the first such Russian forces. Following Ukraine’s agree- Led by Lviv UHU Vice-President Volodymyr Yavorsky, the meeting since October 2016, the UCCA, the ment to abide by the so-called “Steinmeier meeting was addressed by a number of speakers, representing largest representative body of over 1.5 mil- formula” in October, UCCA President mostly informal public organizations, including Rukh (the Popular Movement of Ukraine lion Americans of Ukrainian descent, Andriy Futey re-affirmed that “Russian- for Perebudova), the Ukrainian Association of Independent Creative Intelligentsia, the stands with the Ukrainian World Congress occupied areas of Ukraine, which include Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Association of Independent Ukrainian Youth as well as a (UWC) in reiterating our position that Crimea and regions of the Donetsk and Georgia unofficial group. Russia must be compelled to end its mili- Luhansk oblasts, were, are, and will be inte- Bohdan Horyn, head of the Lviv UHU branch, explained how every Soviet leader since tary aggression against Ukraine. gral parts of independent Ukraine.” Stalin, including current Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, had committed human rights Russia and its proxies continue to wage Therefore, together with the UWC and violations. Mr. Horyn asserted that Mr. Gorbachev was ultimately responsible for Soviet a bloody war against Ukraine, having ille- our international partners, UCCA calls upon violence from riot police against demonstrators in Georgia, Armenia and Ukraine. gally occupied Crimea and invaded parts of Germany, France, Ukraine and its allies to Mr. Horyn read aloud a fragment of an interview with a special riot police member who Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region for over maintain a clear and unequivocal position detailed the violent dispersal of a public gathering in Lviv on October 1, 1989. People in five years. This military invasion, and the [Here the UCCA repeats the five points that the crowd reacted with shock at the policeman’s testimony that revealed the deliberate subsequent armed occupation of Ukrainian appear in the UWC statement above – ed.]. nature of the violence against the demonstrators. sovereign territory, not only constitutes a The UCCA reaffirms that Ukraine must A union-wide two-hour strike was planned for December 11, 1989, and organizers daily violation of all international law and never agree to Russian demands regarding Viktor Furmanov and Andrei Sakharov urged those at the gathering to join. The strike was standards, but more importantly, has Ukrainian elections, and any elections held aimed at pressuring the USSR Congress of People’s Deputies, which was to convene on resulted in over 13,000 casualties, over in Ukraine must stand in accord with the December 12, to include in its agenda a discussion of Article 6 of the Soviet Constitution – 30,000 wounded and close to 2 million Constitution and laws of Ukraine. the statute giving the Communist Party a dominant role in society. On November 19 of that year, thousands came out for the burial funerals of late political prisoners Vasyl Stus, Oleksiy Tykhy and Yuriy Lytvyn at Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv after the bodies of the three Ukrainian Helsinki Group members were transferred from a cemetery Want to keep up to date on developments in Ukraine? near the former Perm Camp 36-1. A literary prize in honor of Vasyl Stus, selected by the Ukrainian Association of The Ukrainian Weekly Independent Creative Intelligentsia, was awarded that year to Tykhy, as well as Lytvyn and Valeriy Marchenko, all intellectuals who died in a Soviet labor camp. on Facebook to read the latest! (Continued on page 7) LIKE No. 49 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 7

A CALL TO ACTION UCCA Illinois sends letters to members of U.S. Congress The letter below was sent by the Illinois defending Europe from Russian encroach- Division of the Ukrainian Congress ment. Starting in 2014, Congress put sanc- Committee of America to the entire Illinois tions on Russia for its invasion and occupa- WWSD 2 delegation in the U.S. Congress – 18 mem- tion of Ukrainian territory and supported In our last column we considered which were combined in Byzantine culture. bers of the House of Representatives and two Ukraine through generous military and Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky’s econom- That culture developed further in Kyivan senators. The November 19 letter was signed civilian assistance. Ukraine purchases ic ideas and activities, asking “What Would Rus’. Just as the Union of Brest had joined by: Ihor Diaczun, president; Marta Farion, weapons from the United States and has Sheptytsky Do” (WWSD) in today’s world. the Kyivan to the Roman Church, so the Pavlo Bandriwsky and Dr. Maria Korkatsch- rebuilt a strong combat army that has We turn now to his relations with the Byzantine and Western traditions would Groszko, vice-presidents. The UCCA Illinois staved off further Russian attacks. We urge Ukrainian intelligentsia. By “intelligentsia” join in a new synthesis in Ukrainian culture encourages all branches of the UCCA and all you to continue this support and encourage we mean those engaged chiefly in mental – not just ecclesiastical, but secular as well. It Ukrainian Americans to use this letter as a you to increase it. work, whether as professionals (physicians, was Sheptytsky’s dream to bring this model for their own letter writing drives to Skeptics often ask why Ukraine matters lawyers, engineers), or as journalists, poets, Ukrainian culture onto the world stage. As encourage members of Congress of both to the United States. There are many novelists, painters, musicians and other Liliana Hentosh puts it, the metropolitan political parties to continue their support of answers. First, Ukraine gave away the artists (the “creative intelligentsia”). believed that “by way of a synthesis of the Ukraine. world’s third largest nuclear arsenal and its In his relations with the intelligentsia, ancient Byzantine and Rus’ cultural strata uranium stockpile in exchange for security Sheptytsky encountered widespread anti- (elements of which, Sheptytsky thought, On behalf of the Ukrainian American guarantees from the United States, the clericalism, agnosticism and even atheism. were still present in folk culture) with con- community in the state of Illinois, we want United Kingdom and Russia in 1994. In These trends came from different sources – temporary achievements of Western to thank you for your support of Ukraine other words, the United States is indebted Western European intellectual fashion European culture, one could create a con- and we appeal for your continued bipartisan to Ukraine. Second, Ukraine participates in (including materialism, socialism and temporary Ukrainian high culture.” He sup- Marxism) disseminated by Ivan Franko, support. The current depiction of Ukraine all NATO peacekeeping operations and has ported the development of Ukrainian secu- Mykhailo Drahomanov and others, as well as as a corrupt country is of great concern to spent more than 5 percent of its GDP on lar art insofar as it did not reject Christian currents from Russian-ruled Ukraine. Anti- us, as it does not present the full picture. defense since the war started. Third, the moral and ethical principles (Liliana clericalism reacted partly to the Russophile Hentosh, “Mytropolyt Sheptytsky (1923- Ukraine broke free from Soviet control United States has long supported the right attitudes of much of the Greek-Catholic cler- in 1991 and has been struggling to break of self-determination and Kyiv’s fight for 1939): Vyprobuvannia Idealiv,” 2015, pp. gy, which the Ukrainophile populists 270-271). Given his support of the painter from its past, building new institutions, freedom is just that. Fourth, Ukraine is a abhorred, and partly to economic conflicts. Oleksa Novakivsky, he must have been com- educating its young generation, and usher- U.S. partner in energy security and cooper- Sheptytsky sought to overcome these divi- fortable with contemporary trends like ing in a country independent from Russia. ation. Fifth, Ukraine has much to offer the sions. In his first pastoral letters as bishop of expressionism (though not some of their In 2013-2014, Ukrainians rose up and oust- United States and international investors. Stanyslaviv in August 1899, he took up the more scandalous manifestations). ed a corrupt, pro-Russian dictator, insisting Historically known as the “breadbasket of problem of the intelligentsia. In the letter What would Sheptytsky do in today’s on their right to join Western institutions Europe,” Ukraine is set to become the “food addressed to the faithful, he addressed the society, when both seminary and college as the surest path to security and economic basket” of the world. Ukraine fully cooper- intelligentsia directly (No. 14). In his letter to graduates, deprived of a classical educa- prosperity. The country that has risen since ates with the United States in hi-tech, space the clergy, he urged priests to work with the tion, often lack linguistic, philosophical, and then is inclusive and democratic; freedom exploration and defense joint production. intelligentsia. “…First of all,” he wrote, “we cultural depth and sophistication? No of speech and movement is the norm. Plus, Ukraine is the number one software ourselves have to know everything that they doubt he would welcome the recent revival Corruption remains a persistent problem, engineering force in Central and Eastern write, so that we can successfully refute their of the Greek and Roman classics in charter but one that the new government has Europe and the third global IT outsourcing errors.” “And then,” he continued, “we have to and private schools. In the Church, he pledged to curb. Since the Revolution of hub. get to know them” – explaining Christian would probably continue the peculiarly Dignity five years ago, corruption in the Finally, and perhaps most importantly, dogma clearly in private conversations as Ukrainian synthesis of Byzantine and Latin energy sector and in banks was significant- nearly 2 million Ukrainian Americans live well as in sermons (No. 8). Later, as metro- culture reflected in our ecclesiastical art. politan of Halych, he addressed a pastoral let- ly reduced. Ukraine’s courts remain the in the United States. We pay taxes and vote But he would surely criticize the artistic ter specifically to the intelligentsia (1901). and architectural hodge-podge and kitsch fundamental challenge. in support of American interests and On the 10th anniversary of the death of so common today in both Ukraine and the The United States has long viewed Ukraine’s freedom. anti-clerical (and reputedly atheist) writer diaspora. He would no doubt promote the Ukraine as strategically important. Its loca- We are grateful for Congress’s over- Franko in 1926, Sheptytsky had to decide current imaginative development of ico- tion, its embrace of democracy and its size whelming bipartisan support of Ukraine in whether to permit religious memorial ser- nography and sacred music. as the largest European country by territo- the face of Russian aggression and hope vices. Having already held a memorial ser- Beyond the Church, Sheptytsky would ry has made it the most important country that your support will continue. vice for the writer by request of his daughter likely wish to see “secular” Ukrainian art, in Kyiv in 1918, the metropolitan would not music and literature as developing in the forbid his clergy to do likewise. One can national tradition rather than separated compare his approach to that of Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky of Philadelphia, from it. In the 1930s, as Ukrainian painters New York Times adopts “Kyiv” spelling who forbade them. Sheptytsky focused on followed contemporary trends in France, Sheptytsky opposed the superficial imita- The “Morning Briefing” newsletter the city as Mumbai. Franko’s literary achievement and populari- ty as a patriot, considering his socialism and tion of European modernism (see e-mailed by The New York Times on “Craig Whitney, a former foreign corre- Myroslava Mudrak, “Sheptytsky as Patron November 22 reported: “This week, The spondent who went on to become our atheism less important (but let Bishop Constantine decide what was best in the of the Arts,” in Paul R. Magocsi, ed., Times adopted a new spelling for standards editor, recalled that airline flight :Morality and Reality: The Life and Times of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, the Romanization information had been listed as Mumbai U.S.). In a letter to the bishop, Sheptytsky observed that, in general, prohibitions were Andrei Sheptytskyi,” 1989). Today, one - for years. ‘Clearly,’ he said, ‘we waited not effective; the better approach was to would expect, he would engage with artists sion, Kiev, is a transliteration from the long enough to see if it was sticking.’ teach (Martha Bohachevsky-Chomiak, and writers, perhaps supporting them of the Ukrainian Київ. The previous ver “Most Americans were introduced to “Ukrainian Bishop, American Church,” 2018, financially, yet remaining critical of shallow The newspaper went on to say: Ukraine’s capital during the Soviet era, pp. 220-229). What Would Sheptytsky Do imitations of Western models in literature Russian:“The Times Киев.” is rarely an early adopter so they’ve seen ‘Kiev’ for decades. But with today’s agnostic or atheist Ukrainian as well as in painting, sculpture, music and in altering place names, waiting until the U.S. Board on Geographic Names and Ukrainian American intellectuals? Most film. While he would not approve of the there is a sense that most readers would switched to Kyiv in June, and U.S. diplo- likely he would engage with them, seeking occasional overtly anti-Christian work, his be familiar with the new word. For mats have been widely heard in the points of agreement and striving to over- intelligence would permit him to appreci- instance, the paper quit using Bombay impeachment hearings in Washington come their anti-religious prejudices through ate artists who engage with religious faith only in 2004, almost a decade after the using the Ukrainian pronunciation (or at reasoned argument and persuasion. in unconventional ways. Sheptytsky would, Indian authorities officially recognized least coming close with ‘Keev’).” A key segment of the intelligentsia are of course, welcome Christian public intel- writers, artists and musicians. The problem lectuals such as the late Orthodox thinker in 1900 was that there was practically no Yevhen Sverstiuk and the Catholic Myroslav adoption and proclamation on December support for this “creative intelligentsia.” Marynovych, promoting worthy Ukrainian Turning... 10, 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Sheptytsky understood that culture was not counterparts to such as Charles Taylor, Rod Human Rights. The establishment of (Continued from page 6) just an ornament of national life. “It is not Dreher, George Weigel, Patrick Deneen and Human Rights Day was set on December 4, external circumstances or the political situa- David Bentley Hart. Vyacheslav Chornovil, editor of the 1950, by the General Assembly. tion that places the fulfillment of great his- Asking “What would Sheptytsky do?” is Ukrainian Herald newspaper, reminded the Traditionally, the U.N. Prize in the Field of torical tasks in the hands of peoples, but the not an idle thought experiment. It is a way crowd of the importance of the upcoming Human Rights and the Nobel Peace Prize internal power of culture,” he wrote in his to get into the mind of this extraordinary March 4 elections in 1990, in which are also awarded on December 10. 1907 pastoral letter “The Times Are man – and a keen tool for grappling with Ukrainians had a choice for a new represen- Approaching.” Or as is sometimes said today, the problems that face our people. tative Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR. Source: “First sanctioned UHU meeting “politics is downstream of culture.” International Human Rights Day honors commemorates Human Rights Day,” The Sheptytsky saw Ukrainian culture as Andrew Sorokowski can be reached at the United Nations General Assembly’s Ukrainian Weekly, December 17, 1989. rooted in the Greek and Roman classics, [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 No. 49

$500,000 in support of UCU raised in New York City, Chicago

by Roman Vaskiv Regis New York, where $350,000 was raised for the univer- and Matthew Matuszak sity, while Chris Baker, CEO of the Lviv-based computer- consulting firm SoftServe, Inc., visited Chicago to help raise NEW YORK /CHICAGO – Guests in New York City and $160,000 for UCU. Chicago once again demonstrated their generosity in sup- “New York started it all,” Metropolitan Borys reminded port of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) at fund- guests at The St. Regis. The first banquet in support of UCU raising banquets held, respectively, on November 3 and 10. was organized by supporters in New York City. The first Archbishop-Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, president of Friends of UCU committee, of which there are now 21 glob- UCU, was the keynote speaker at the event held at The St. ally, was organized in New York as well. He spoke of the great accomplishments of UCU, especially “because of the banquet here in New York.” He mentioned that UCU attracts top students from Ukraine, in part thanks to com- petitive scholarships established by friends committees worldwide, and that the goal of attracting and expanding top-notch faculty members continues. Metropolitan Borys also mentioned new challenges before the university resulting from both need and rapid expansion. Two years ago, he explained, “we put a moratorium on new programs, because quality needs extreme vigilance, care.” He said that he was joined in this cautious approach by Ambassador Robert Brinkley, former envoy from the United Kingdom to Ukraine, a member of the UCU Senate (governing board) and the other speaker at the November 3 event. He thanked Ambassador Brinkley for his support in understand- ing the need to slow the university’s expansion in order to Roman Verhnyak ensure that high standards are maintained. Archbishop-Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, president of Recently, with the moratorium ended, the Senate dis- the Ukrainian Catholic University, speaks at a sold-out cussed the idea of establishing a full-fledged law school for banquet in New York City on November 3. UCU, incorporating a full bachelor’s degree program, as is Ambassador Brinkley, who spoke before the metropoli- standard in Europe. “I had questions about this law school tan, began his presentation with a recollection of his educa- program,” noted Metropolitan Borys. “How will we help tion at a Catholic school in the north of England. He law students grow in their spiritual life?” He added that he explained that at the school there were exhibits of artifacts believes such a program should not continue until this fun- from a period in England’s history when Catholics were damental question is answered adequately. strongly oppressed. When visiting Lviv, and viewing arti- Although he was willing to help develop a strategy to facts from “the Church in the Underground” – artifacts from answer this need, he was unable to do so at UCU in Lviv, a period from the history of the Ukrainian Catholic Church therefore two directors from the nascent law program trav- when it was heavily oppressed by the Soviet Union, “I real- Maksym Prokopiv eled recently to the United States for discussions. “We came ized that I had seen all of this before – the tiny crosses, the to a consensus,” noted Metropolitan Borys, “The law school Chris Baker, CEO of the computer firm SoftServe, tells small chalices. These reminded me of those I saw in his Chicago audience on November 10 of the great is going to go forward.” However, he added, no program England.” “investment” the Ukrainian Catholic University is for will go forward unless the program meets “the standards his company. that you [UCU’s donors] have set.” (Continued on page 9)

Boston Friends of UCU host young Ukrainian entrepreneurs

by Yarema Wolosenko who were the winners of the best business plan pitch competition that was held at BROOKLINE, Mass. – The Boston Friends UCU earlier this year. The students, smart, of the Ukrainian Catholic University spon- motivated nascent entrepreneurs, present- sored an innovative informational event on ed their business plan: a breakthrough October 16 at a private reception in wireless, AI based contact and motion- Brookline, Mass., hosted by Vera Trojan and sensing system for optimizing training and Mark Carthy. The evening, which attracted coaching of fencers, which is already being some 50 guests and UCU donors, featured a evaluated by the Ukrainian women’s forceful, dynamic presentation by Ivan national fencing team. The presentation Petrenko, executive director of the UCU was followed by very active discussions Center for Entrepreneurship, who outlined with members of the Boston business com- an ambitious program designed to teach and munity. promote entrepreneurial skills to UCU busi- The pitch competition at UCU, spon- ness school students to prepare them for the sored by Boston Friends of UCU member fast moving, competitive start-up world. Ms. Trojan, was organized to focus atten- Mr. Petrenko was accompanied by two tion on the entrepreneurship program. The students, Oleh Smolkin and Yaryna Lyba, winners were awarded a trip to Boston,

Roman Vaskiv At the informational event in Brookline, Mass. are: (top row, from left) Ivan Petrenko, executive director of the UCU Center for Entrepreneurship, graduate stu- dent Oleh Smolkin, event host Vera Trojan, Alicia Szendiuch, Christine Balko Slywotzky, Lilia Hrabowych, (bottom row) Adrian Slywotzky, Yarema Wolosenko, student Yaryna Lyba, Valentyna Zasadko, director of the School of Public Management at UCU, Tania Vitvitsky and Alexander Kuzma, chief development offi- cer at the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation. where they were hosted by a family of UCU lenges of initiating a new enterprise, and donors. During the week they were in they will be bringing that insight back with Boston, the Friends of UCU organized a full them to share with their fellow students at week of meetings and visits to start-ups, UCU. Mr. Petrenko was able to establish business accelerators like Harvard’s iLab, several connections with entrepreneurship and meetings with early stage and venture programs at Northeastern University and capital investors to give the students a other schools in the Boston area, some of close-up look at the start-up world in the best university-based entrepreneurial Boston. programs in the U.S. today, that will be very The group came away with important helpful in managing the evolution of the UCU students visit the Boston start-up Rise Robotics. information about the promise and chal- entrepreneurship program at UCU. No. 49 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 9 Ohio State University’s Slavic Center and Ukrainian Museum-Archives sign memorandum of understanding

by Walter Ciszkewycz the CSEES is looking to increase its partner- ships with Ukraine. The signing of the MOU, CLEVELAND – The Ohio State University she said, formalizes an ongoing relation- Center for Slavic and East European Studies ship between the institutions. Dr. Brint­ (CSEES) and Department of Slavic and East linger’s long-term goal is to establish an European Languages and Cultures endowed professorship at Ohio State (DSEELC) are academic and research lead- University in Ukrainian studies to perpetu- ers in a field that increasingly figures in ate scholarship in this vital area for decades American and global economic, geopolitical to come and on into the next century. and cultural interests. The Ukrainian Caryn Candisky from Sen. Rob Portman’s Museum-Archives (UMA) in Cleveland is a (R-Ohio) office attended the signing cere- leading repository of Ukrainian historical mony, and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and cultural materials. On November 15, and Rep. Kaptur conveyed greetings, as did CSEES and the UMA signed a memorandum several partners from the U.S. Holocaust of understanding (MOU) to formalize an Memorial Museum. already existing 20-year partnership. UMA board member Michael Dobronos, The ceremony took place at the UMA wearing his “Buckeye” shirt, represented with Dr. Angela Brintlinger, director of Ukrainian Ohio State alumni. Chatham CSEES and professor of Slavic and East Ewing, who launched a digital library of European languages and cultures at Ohio UMA Cleveland-Ukrainian photos and posters at State and UMA Director Andrew Fedynsky Dr. Angela Brintlinger, director of Ohio State University’s Slavic Center, shakes hands the Cleveland Public Library, also attended signing on behalf of their respective institu- with Andrew Fedynsky, director of the Ukrainian Museum-Archives in Cleveland, along with Dr. Anastasia Lakhtikova, a pub- tions. after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions. lished food studies scholar who happens to Mr. Fedynsky briefly related the history be his wife. Drs. Lakhtikova and Brintlinger of cooperation between the two institu- research on the UMA’s film, photo and post- Environmental Sciences, which sponsors recently co-edited a volume of articles tions going back to the late 1990s, begin- er collections. Mr. Fedynsky noted that, professors from Ukrainian agricultural uni- titled “Seasoned Socialism: Gender and ning with a course he and Prof. George over the past decade, the UMA has provid- versities for a semester funded by a U.S. Food in Late Soviet Everyday Life,” several Kalbouss co-taught in DSEELC on ed paid summer internships to more than a Department of Agriculture grant. As part of of which discuss Ukrainian culture. Ukrainian history and culture, typically dozen Ohio State University undergradu- that program, the Ukrainian Museum- Sean Martin, director of the Jewish attracting 50 or more students. This course ates, with support from the Nicholas Archives welcomes the Ukrainians and Archives at the Western Reserve Historical was offered in spring quarter 1999 and Suprenenko Memorial Scholarship Fund. their Ohio State counterparts for a tour of Society in Cleveland, was at the ceremony winter quarter 2000). Ukrainian language Dr. Brintlinger recounted the history of Cleveland, introducing them to the as well and related how OSU-UM’s courses were last offered at Ohio State in Slavic and East European studies at Ohio Ukrainian community and offering a round- Fulbright Fellow, Mr. Debych, guided him 1998. State, mentioning programs focused on table discussion with Rep. Marcy Kaptur through the cultural and tourist treasures The CSEES has sponsored numerous lec- Poland, Serbia, Slovenia and Russia. (D-Ohio) and a reception at the UMA facili- of Kyiv this past summer. tures devoted to Ukraine over the years and Ukraine, she said, has been part of that mix ty. Following the formal signing ceremony, DSEELC hosted Ukrainian Fulbright Fellow not only at the CSEES but also at other col- Dr. Brintlinger noted that the university attendees enjoyed a reception with deli- Oleksandr Debych (2017-2018) as a visit- leges and departments, such as the Ohio overall aspires to increase its international cious hors d’oeuvres prepared by UMA vol- ing scholar. Mr. Debych did substantial State College of Food, Agricultural and engagement. In cooperation with the UMA, unteer staff.

Manor College hosts Ukrainian Dialogue on the topic of emerging women in politics

by Mari Rogers ment corruption, was murdered in 2000 – women specifically. Ukrainian topics from abroad. “You want to an event that propelled her into the spot- “When you put women at the table, it cover Ukraine? Go to Ukraine. Don’t cover JENKINTOWN, Pa. – The Ukrainian light. changes the conversation,” she said. She Ukraine from Washington or Moscow,” Dialogue, recently hosted by Manor College, “I made the decision to speak up,” she noted that gender equality is now enshrined underscored Ms. Gongadze. proved especially timely thanks to recent said, and she used her knowledge to raise in the Ukrainian Constitution, something Rep. Dean noted that healthy diplomatic political developments. U.S. Congress­ awareness about corruption and fraud. Her that “we struggle with here in the U.S.” relations between the allied countries are woman Madeleine Dean, member of the fight for justice was one of several precipi- Not surprisingly, the conversation shift- valuable and necessary for maintaining Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, and tators of the Orange Revolution in 2004. ed to President Donald Trump’s phone call democracy: “Our president uses relation- Myroslava Gongadze, chief of the Ukrainian In her current role at Voice of America, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr ships with foreign leaders for personal Service at Voice of America, spoke to a full Ms. Gongadze advocates for a basic, yet Zelenskyy – a recent hot-topic issue. Ms. gain, for political gain, as a transactional house, with Manor College president, Dr. often ignored indicator of parity: equal rep- Gongadze brought the conversation back to method, instead of recognizing our friends Jonathan Peri, serving as moderator. resentation. She tells her reporters that representation, highlighting the issue of and how can we lift up your country, your The dialogue topic was “Emerging every story needs 50/50 representation of perspective. democracy, your sovereignty as we grow Women in Politics in, of, and for Ukraine,” men and women. “[When it comes to this controversy] our own.” and both Rep. Dean and Ms. Gongadze “There’s more than enough women Ukrainian voices are not there. Everyone is After Rep. Dean and Ms. Gongadze deliv- relied on their extensive knowledge in the qualified to talk about any subject. But talking about Ukraine, except Ukrainians. ered their remarks, moderator Dr. Peri field- field to inform the conversation. sometimes reporters need that extra push We don’t have a Ukrainian ambassador in ed questions from the audience. In response Ms. Gongadze opened the discussion on to reach out to them,” she said. “I think as Washington. I understand the [Ukrainian] to a question about which Ukrainian October 11 by explaining how women can women we have to support each other.” government, they do not want to be women in power the audience should be end up in politics: “Sometimes it takes a Rep. Dean opened by mentioning her involved in American politics… at the same taking note of, Ms. Gongadze explained that tragic life experience and a lot of courage to children and grandchildren: “Motherhood time, I think it would be very effective to sometimes the best way to lift women up is find one’s voice.” is a lens through which I shape my work.” have Ukrainian voices in American media.” to notice when they are reaching. “Look Ms. Gongadze’s husband, Herohiy, a jour- She discussed the importance of diversity Another problem, she said, is that around and support those who have not yet nalist who uncovered Ukrainian govern- in government, and how this is related to American journalists frequently cover revealed their strengths,” she advised.

Also part of the program in New York earn,” added the keynote speaker. At both events, a major contribution $500,000 in support... City was a captivating performance by The theme of “investment” continued that UCU has already made to Ukraine was vocal artist Oksana Mukha, who was a throughout the event in Chicago. John mentioned: seven UCU graduates were (Continued from page 8) recent winner of Ukraine’s “Voice of a Hewko, general secretary and CEO of Rotary elected to the Verkhovna Rada in the He continued that he was struck by the Nation” competition who in May was rec- International, and a great friend of UCU, was extraordinary July elections. similarity between the history of oppres- ognized as an Honored Artist of Ukraine. the event’s MC. He told the audience: “I went And the audiences at both events were sion experienced by Catholics in England A week later in Chicago, Mr. Baker, CEO to Harvard Law School. My dollar there captivated by a short video, “Good News several hundred years ago and that experi- of SoftServe, Inc., a technology company makes no difference at the margins. My dol- from UCU,” in which they learned what the enced by Catholics in Ukraine during the that specializes in consultancy services lar at UCU makes a huge difference.” university’s students, teachers and gradu- previous century, and with the persever- and software development, told the guests Lilia Karabinovich, who with her husband, ates have been doing recently. ance of all Catholics in their faith. Beginning present: “I see UCU as the best return on Nazar, gave a warm vocal performance at the Through local friends committees, the with his first visit to UCU, he noted that he investment that we can make.” The gradu- event, spoke briefly about the couple’s recent, Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation was not only impressed with the efforts of ates of UCU’s computer science program first visit to UCU. They found the atmo- (UCEF) was the organizer of both events. UCU, but understood the important role of are welcomed with open arms to Mr. sphere on the campus “like nowhere else in Further information about UCEF is avail- the university in forming a new generation Baker’s rapidly growing company, where Ukraine” and said UCU is “the best invest- able on the website www.ucef.org or by for Ukraine. “they earn 10 times what their parents ment the diaspora can make in Ukraine.” calling 773-235-8462. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 No. 49 No. 49 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 11 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 No. 49

SPORTSSHORTS by Matthew SOCCER Netherlands, on June 18 against the winner VOLLEYBALL Dubas Mahura with three assists in three minutes of Path D (Georgia, Belarus, North Shakhtar ties 1-1 with Manchester City Josh Mahura, 21, a young Ukrainian, Macedonia or Kosovo) of the Nations Ukraine upset by Serbia in quarterfinal spearheaded a spirited Anaheim Ducks vic- Shakhtar Donetsk tied 1-1 with League and on June 22 against Austria. Ukraine lost 2-3 against Serbia in the tory 7-4 against the Winnipeg Jets on Manchester City on November 27 as part of Group stage matches are to be played in co- quarterfinal of the European Champion­ October 29. During the second period, he the UEFA Champions League. Shakhtar is in host cities Amsterdam and Bucharest. The ships in Antwerp, Belgium, on September got an assisted goal after a long pass to second place with six points and is set to top two teams advance to the knockout 24. Ukraine won 3-2 against Belgium in the Troy Terry for a breakaway goal in the advance to the knockout phase (as the top phase and third-place finisher will advance round of 16. Serbia finished as the tourna- eighth minute. During the same period, he two teams advance, third-place finisher, depending on ranking. ment winner and Ukraine finished in sev- set up goals for Adam Henrique (6:18) and currently Dinamo Zagreb, is relegated to enth place. Europa League). Man City is in first place GYMNASTICS Derek Grant (9:10). Mahura is the fourth rookie (of seven) in Ducks history to record (11 points) and Shakhtar plays against Bronze medals at gymnastics Worlds HOCKEY three assists in a game. During his time Atalanta on December 11 in Kharkiv. Tkachuk signs three-year, $21M deal During the latest match, Man City midfield- Oleg Verniaiev won the bronze medal in with the Ducks in the 2018-2019 season, er Ilkay Gundogan scored in the 56th min- the men’s individual all-around (86.973 The Calgary Flames signed forward he had one goal and four assists in 17 ute, and Shakhtar’s Manor Solomon equal- points) at the Artistic Gymnastics World Matthew Tkachuk to a three-year bridge games. ized in the 69th minute. Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, on deal with an average annual value of $7 October 4-13. Igor Radivilov won bronze in million one week before the start of the CYCLING Dynamo in third, Oleksandriya in fourth the men’s vault (14.749). The tournament 2019-2020 NHL season. The extension Starikova wins bronze in Glasgow attracted 547 athletes from 92 countries. Dynamo Kyiv lost 3-4 against Malmo makes him the highest-paid Flames player Olena Starikova won bronze in the wom- for the upcoming campaign and keeps (Sweden) and is in third place in Group B Three spots for Tokyo 2020 en’s sprint (11:44.1 and 11:27.6 seconds) and Oleksandriya lost 0-1 against him with the team through 2021-2022. at the Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup Wolfsburg (Germany) on November 28 and Ukraine secured three licenses in rhyth- His contract is back-loaded in salary with race in Glasgow, Scotland, on November is in fourth place in Group I of the UEFA mic gymnastics after its first-place win at the third year paying him $9 million, 8-10. In the final race, Starikova won Europa League. Oleksandriya plays against the Rhythmic Gymnastics World ensuring his qualifying offer will be huge. against Lea Sophie Friedrich of Germany. Gent in Gent and Dynamo plays against Championships in Baku on September The restricted free agent has scored 71 Lugano (Switzerland) in Kyiv on December 16-22. Vlada Nikolchenko won bronze in goals and 174 points in 224 regular sea- BIATHLON 12. The top two teams of each group clubs and finished in fifth place in the indi- son NHL games since being drafted sixth advance to the knockout phase. vidual qualification (66 points total; hoop, overall by Calgary in 2016. He’s added Pidhrushna wins silver in Norway ball, clubs and ribbon) and Chrystyna two goals and one assist in nine playoff Olena Pidhrshna won silver in the wom- Ukraine draws Group C in Euro 2020 Pohranychna also qualified (59.950 points) matches. The son of former NHL-er Keith en’s 7.5-kilometer sprint at the IBU Cup in Ukraine will face the Netherlands and in 22nd place. Nikolchenko finished in fifth Tkachuk and older brother of Ottawa Sjusjoen, Norway, on November 28 through Austria, as well as the winner of the place in the all-around and Pohranychna Senators winger Brady Tkachuk put up December 1. Pidhrushna shot clean, with Nations League play-off. Ukraine’s matches finished in 12th place. Ukraine also quali- career highs in goals (34), assists (43) no errors, and finished with a time of are scheduled June 14 against the fied a team for group competition. and points (77) last season. 20:17.5 seconds.

together with climate experts, come up (IPCC) concluded, “It is extremely likely progress. The absence of legislation will Youth... with a plan to overcome it. The second that human influence has been the domi- prolong the situation in which this topic demand is that Ukraine make a statement nant cause of the observed warming since will remain on the activist’s shoulders. It’s a (Continued from page 1) at the COP25 (the U.N. Convention on the mid-20th century.” The largest human relatively small group of people. Finally, the Ukraine. Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv and Climate Change) in Madrid revising the influence has been the emission of green- third task is the development of opportuni- Odesa hosted climate strikes to send a mes- nationally defined contribution of Ukraine house gases, such as carbon dioxide, meth- ties for people who want to commit to solv- sage to the authorities. to the Paris Agreement on climate change. ane and nitrous oxide. Climate model pro- ing this issue, because without them every- Fridays for Future is a movement that This statement, Ukrainian activists say, jections summarized in the report indicate thing will remain on the level of chatting began in August 2018, after 15-year-old should include Ukraine’s pledge to not con- that during the 21st century the global sur- and posts on social media.” Greta Thunberg sat in front of the Swedish tribute to greenhouse gas emissions. face temperature is likely to rise a further In recent years, Ukraine’s attention has Parliament every school day for three The date for this latest Global Climate 0.3 to 1.7 degrees Centigrade in a moderate turned more and more in the direction of weeks to protest the lack of action on the Strike was chosen intentionally to be held scenario, or as much as 2.6 to 4.8 degrees ecology issues. With the painful experience climate crisis. She posted what she was before the COP25, which is taking place on Centigrade in an extreme scenario, depend- of the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear accident, doing on Instagram and Twitter, and soon December 2-13. The huge climate confer- ing on the rate of future greenhouse gas Ukrainians have personal stories of what her initiative went viral. In Ukraine, the ence was planned for Chile, but because of emissions and on climate feedback effects. could happen when ecological risks are movement began in March of this year. the massive wave of civil unrest, Santiago These findings have been recognized by the neglected. The television series “Chernobyl” “We are the biggest climate movement in was replaced by Madrid after the Spanish national science academies of the major turned the eyes of millions to this issue. On the world’s history – Fridays For Future. government stepped up to host the event. industrialized nations and are not disputed the local level, more and more public figures We realize the catastrophic consequences “The conference is designed to take the by any scientific body of national or inter- are speaking out in support of climate of climate change,” organizers of the Kyiv next crucial steps in the United Nations cli- national standing. Climate change will lead change prevention. The popular electro-folk strike say on social media. “Therefore, we mate change process. Following agreement to droughts, floods and, as a consequence, singer Onuka expressed her feelings on the demand from our authorities that they take on the implementation guidelines of the Paris the forced displacement, famine and death issue by releasing the music album “Vidlik,” all possible measures to keep global warm- Agreement at COP24 in Poland last year, a of millions of people, the report notes. which is dedicated to the 1986 ecological key objective is to complete several matters The Ukrainian NGO Ekodiya has con- catastrophe of Chornobyl. form of influence is the climate strike.” with respect to the full operationalization ducted a model projection of flooding in Another big step in climate change pre- ingUkrainian within 1.5 activists degrees have Сentigrade. two main Our of the Paris Climate Change Agreement,” Ukraine by 2100 if global warming keeps vention was made on the European level. demands of Ukrainian authorities. First of the U.N. says on its official website. rising at current levels. According to its pro- On the day of the latest Global Climate all, they are pushing the Verkhovna Rada to The 2013 report of the U.N.’s Inter­ jection, more than 75,000 Ukrainians will Strike, the European Parliament approved a legislatively address the climate crisis and, governme­ ntal Panel on Climate Change become climate refugees due to the rise of resolution declaring a climate and environ- the water level. Almost 1 million hectares of mental emergency in Europe as well as land could be flooded in the next 80 years. globally. Members of the European First of all, this will hugely affect Crimea. Parliament also want the European Notably, the Ukrainian government does Commission to ensure that all relevant legis- not have control over the ecological situa- lative and budgetary proposals are fully tion on the temporarily occupied peninsula. aligned with the objective of limiting global “All of us who work in the field of ecolo- warming to under 1.5 degrees Centigrade. gy in Ukraine agree with the statement that “Given the climate and environmental emer- climate change prevention is the number gency, it is essential to reduce our green- one priority,” said Eugeniya Aratovska, one house gas emissions by 55 percent in 2030. of Ukraine’s best-known eco-activists. “We It also sends a clear and timely message to have three main tasks in climate change the commission a few weeks before the prevention. First of all, it is an educational publication of the Communication on the campaign because sustainable changes are Green Deal,” said Pascal Canfin, chair of the impossible without the actualization of the EU Committee on the Environment, Public problem and teaching of a new way to Health and Food Safety. implement those changes. That is why we On its way to further European integra- conduct lectures, excursions; develop tion, Ukraine stands to join united Europe national educational campaigns. The sec- in its fight against climate change. But legis- ond task is to advocate for effective legisla- lative changes would no doubt be much tion. Without relevant laws which are long slower without the determination of young waited by Ukraine’s ecology – as well as the activists all over the world, including economy – there also won’t be massive Ukraine. No. 49 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 13 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 No. 49

Journalist attacked for third time death of the 3-year-old son of a regional ism in eastern Ukraine, where an armed NEWSBRIEFS Ukrainian lawmaker and businessman. The conflict with Moscow-backed separatists A Ukrainian journalist in the southern father, Kyiv regional council lawmaker has existed since April 2014. Citing court (Continued from page 2) port city of Mykolayiv on November 30 was Vyacheslav Sobolyev, was with his family documents, investigative journalism group hospitalized after a lone assailant sprayed a ter, Maria Levchenko-Tsemakh, said in leaving a restaurant he owns when an Slidstvo.info reported that the company and liquid substance into his eyes and hit him others to which Mr. Sobolyev had a direct September that her father had returned to unknown assailant approached the Range several times in the face and head while he Rover he was driving and fired at the mov- relationship were allegedly used through territory in eastern Ukraine that is con- was returning home. Oleksandr ing car. The child was shot inside the vehicle January 2017 to legalize proceeds from trolled by Moscow-backed separatists, Vlashchenko works for Novosti N, a local and died in an ambulance en route to a hos- business dealings in territories that Kyiv according to an interview she gave to media outlet in the city of 480,000 people pital, police said. Kyiv police chief Andriy doesn’t control in the easternmost regions Current Time, the Russian-language net- located some 460 kilometers south of Kyiv. Kryshchenko said at a news briefing in Kyiv of Donetsk and Luhansk. Another company work led by RFE/RL in cooperation with During the assault, the unknown assailant on December 2 that two unnamed suspects, mentioned in court documents is a super- Voice of America. The Netherlands on didn’t take the journalist’s camera, several “young men aged 18 and 19,” were market chain that Mr. Sobolyev established March 9 is scheduled to go ahead with mobile phones, or money he had on his per- detained. Investigators say they have also in 1997 but then sold in 2007. Mr. Sobolyev prosecuting four MH17 suspects in absen- son. Police are investigating the incident and found the weapons believed to have been was elected to the Kyiv Oblast Council in tia. A trial will be held for Russian citizens have classified it preliminarily as intentional used in the shooting. “Our specialists, our 2015 as part of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc. Igor Girkin, Oleg Pulatov, Sergei Dubinsky light bodily harm, which carries a punish- investigators and operatives, have found the Mr. Sobolyev was previously the deputy and Ukrainian national Leonid Kharchenko. ment of up to one year in correctional labor. weapons with which this murder was com- head of state-run oil-and-gas conglomerate All four are believed to be residing in Mr. Vlashchenko was diagnosed with a con- mitted,” Ukrainian National Police chief Ihor Naftogaz and a deputy mayor of Donetsk. Russia. (RFE/RL) cussion and had injuries to his lower lip. It Klymenko told the briefing .Mr. Sobolyev, a (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, with reporting Two Ukrainian soldiers killed in Donbas was the third assault on the journalist since businessman from the Donetsk region town by TSN, Censor, Slidstvo, UNIAN, Ukrayinska 2012, Novosti N Editor in Chief Anton of Yenakiyeve, the hometown of former Pravda, and Interfax) Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed dur- Onofriychuk told the Kyiv Post. Five years President Viktor Yanukovych, has been ing a combat mission in the eastern ago, a group of unknown people kidnapped investigated in relation to financing terror- (Continued on page 15) Donetsk region on December 1, the mili- him while covering his head with a bag, tary said in a Facebook post. They died drove him to the outskirts of the city, and from wounds inflicted by “unknown explo- threatened to kill him. He was eventually of President Trump. sive devices” while defending the rear of released. In 2012, Mr. Vlashchenko was shot Poroshenko... The one person pleased with that shift in the front line from a penetrating “sabotage in the head with an air gun. The pellet focus is Russian President Vladimir Putin, (Continued from page 3) and reconnaissance group.” Their deaths remains lodged in his head. None of the said Mr. Poroshenko. followed a November casualty report by cases were solved. Mr. Onofriychuk said Mr. “When I started to be president, we had “Who is interested that Ukraine appear the Ukrainian military, which stated that six Vlashchenko writes about corruption in the just $4,000 in our treasury – for the salary not as an object of Russian aggression, soldiers, including a colonel, were killed Mykolayiv City Council and also covers “soft” of doctors, for the salary of teachers, for the which is the reason for implementation of last month. More than 13,000 people have issues like municipal news and art shows. financing of [the] army,” he explained. “The sanctions against Russia? Now we switch been killed in the Donbas war, according to (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, based on country was absolutely bankrupt.” attention to ‘Ukraine-gate.’ Who is interest- United Nations figures. Four-way talks reporting by the Kyiv Post and Novosti N) However, Mr. Poroshenko said that with- ed in that? Ukraine? Definitely not. The between France, Germany, Russia and United States? Definitely not. One person – Lawmaker’s 3-year-old son is killed in 18 months, Ukraine began its economic Ukraine are planned for December 9 to end recovery and his government launched who sits in the Kremlin.” the conflict, which is in its sixth year. (RFE/ Ukrainian police have detained two men major reforms – “during the war” – cover- The former Ukrainian president’s mes- RL’s Ukrainian Service) suspected of involvement in the shooting ing various sectors, from health to educa- sage to the Halifax security forum was: “Don’t tion to pensions. allow Putin to destabilize us.” His advice, He added that Ukraine’s international based on what he said was his years of expe- partners, including the U.S. and Canada, rience “in communication” with the Russian praised him for conducting more reforms president was: “Please don’t trust Putin.” during the five years of his presidency than Yet as the House Judiciary Committee TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 at any other time since Ukraine gained its began hearings on December 4 in the next or e-mail [email protected] independence in 1991. phase of the impeachment proceedings “When I was elected president, Ukraine against President Trump, the spotlight shines was in 153rd place in the rating [of coun- not on Ukraine’s struggle with Russia, but SERVICES PROFESSIONALS tries with which to do] business by the with the role its leadership may have in the World Bank,” Mr. Poroshenko boasted. process of removing Mr. Trump from office. “When I finished, [Ukraine] was in 64th A day earlier, the House Intelligence place – the biggest progress any country Committee released its 300-page “Trump- demonstrated ever.” Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report,” which But he credited that performance to the concluded that President Trump used “the support of both the Obama and Trump powers of his office to solicit foreign interfer- administrations, as well as the Republican ence on his behalf in the 2020 election” – a and Democratic parties, singling out the “scheme [that] subverted U.S. foreign policy late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Sen. toward Ukraine and undermined our Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Sen. Amy national security in favor of two politically Klobuchar (D-Minn.) for their show of soli- motivated investigations that would help his darity when they joined him and Ukrainian presidential reelection campaign.” marines on a forward combat post in the “The President demanded that… OPPORTUNITIES village of Shyrokyne in Donetsk on [President] Zelenskyy, publicly announce December 31, 2016. investigations into a political rival that he Mr. Poroshenko also took no personal apparently feared the most, former Vice- Earn extra income! credit for the strong bipartisan support President Joe Biden, and into a discredited The Ukrainian Weekly is looking from both the U.S. and Canada – mention- theory that it was Ukraine, not Russia, that for advertising sales agents. ing by name former Canadian Conservative interfered in the 2016 presidential elec- For additional information contact tion,” the report read. Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, current The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and However, media attention is shifting to his “fantastic” former Foreign Affairs also examine the relationship between the Minister and now Deputy Prime Minister Trump and Poroshenko administrations – Chrystia Freeland, “a Ukrainian-origin lady and some Republican-driven claims that who [did] a lot to keep together the global Mr. Poroshenko actively worked for solidarity for Ukraine.” He underscored Democratic candidate Hilary Clinton during that such moral backing was directed to the the 2016 presidential election. “Ukrainian people who are fighting not As The New York Times reported in only for our soil, but for freedom, for early November, the White House saw its democracy, for the rule of law – for the val- relationship with Ukraine “as a transaction- ues which unite the whole world.” al one that could help Mr. Trump political- ly,” and “Mr. Poroshenko, so eager to gain Putin benefits from shift in focus favor as Russian-backed separatists were However, as Mr. Shepherd suggested, escalating a fight against the Ukrainian mil- international attention on Ukraine is not on itary, did his part to encourage this belief.” the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of The Times story went on to say: “He the country, which has claimed more than helped plant the seeds for Mr. Trump’s July 13,000 lives since the war between Kremlin- quid pro quo request” to President backed separatists and Ukrainian troops Zelenskyy – “a request that prompted the Run your advertisement here, began in 2014 following Russia’s illegal impeachment inquiry into whether he in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. annexation of Crimea. Rather, the focus is on manipulated American policy toward Ukraine’s role in the impeachment process Ukraine for personal gain.” No. 49 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 15

21st annual Chicago Plast Golf Classic benefits scout and youth organizations

Yurchyk Participants of the 2019 Chicago Plast Golf Classic.

by Roman Saldan good number of individuals who traveled from more dis- tant homes around the United States. HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Perfect sunny fall weather The 16 foursomes competed in a friendly best-ball team delighted all the golfers assembled for the 21st annual scramble format to see which group could combine forces Chicago Plast Golf Classic, which was held this year on to achieve the best score. The men’s foursome with the Saturday, September 7, at the beautiful and challenging lowest score of 7 strokes under par was recorded by the Highland Woods Golf Course in Hoffman Estates, Ill. team consisting of Walter Bratkiv, George Domino, Nestor Word has spread about this popular charitable event, Popowych and George Stankevych. The ladies’ foursome organized by the Plast Pobratymy fraternity, which raises with the best score comprised Mary Dykun, Areta Kuritza, funds to support Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization Kathy Saldan and Lydia Stankevych. and Ukrainian youth organizations. Attended in ever- The longest drive contest was won by Mary Mycyk in increasing numbers, this year’s outing hosted 66 golfers, the Ladies’ Division and Denis Pilecky in the Men’s mainly from the Chicago metropolitan area, as well as a Division. Honors for the closest to the pin contest went to Ms. Saldan for the ladies, and Danko Hryhorczuk for the men. The winner of the putting contest was Dalton Shust of Washington, Mo. After the last foursome had turned in its scorecard and the winner of the putting contest had been decided, every- one assembled for the traditional group photograph fol- lowed by a barbecue feast and award ceremonies. Some of the golfers were joined by family members and friends

who came to enjoy the social portion of the event. All the Yurchyk winners in the various categories of the tournament were Ladies’ winners (from left): Areta Kuritza, Lida awarded elegant engraved sets of glasses to memorialize Stankevych, Mary Dykun and Kathy Saldan. their achievements. Nobody walked away empty-handed, however, as there were raffle prizes for every participant, The foundation recognized and thanked all of the gener- including a wine refrigerator awarded to one lucky grand ous donors who contributed to make the golf classic a prize winner. hugely successful fund-raising event. (A list of the donors The event was an occasion for many individuals and appears in a separate advertisement in this issue of the corporations to make generous donations to The Ukrainian Weekly.) Pobratymy Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organi- The organizers of the event, as well as the entire board zation, the designated charity for the fund-raising event. Its of directors also thanked all the individuals who volun- purpose is to raise funds to support Plast Ukrainian teered time and effort to make the golf classic a fun and Scouting Organization all around the world, and in particu- successful event, including: Kathy and Victoria Saldan, lar in North America and in Ukraine, as it matures into a George and Areta Kuritza, Andrij Durbak, Andrew Ripecky, Yura free and democratic nation. The Pobratymy Foundation Oleh Sajewycz, Joe Mycyk and George Shepetiuk. For more Men’s winners (from left): Nestor Popowych, Walter now has a 26-year history of supporting Plast worldwide, information, readers may visit www.pobratymyfoundation. Bratkiv, George Domino and George Stankevych. and over that time span has distributed over $120,000. com.

outskirts of Lviv. Mr. Sadovyi said Lviv, west- NBU says Kolomoisky creates chaos that was funneled out of PrivatBank.” NEWSBRIEFS ern Ukraine’s largest city, with a population PrivatBank was nationalized against Mr. of approximately 800,000 people, received Ukraine’s central bank has accused Kolomoisky’s will in 2016 as part of an (Continued from page 14) the equivalent today of $2.25 million for the tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky of organizing an International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed Lviv mayor to appeal bail ruling land. However, the mayor said from the out- attack on it and spreading “lies” in the clean-up of the country’s financial system. set there was resistance toward the project media to “create chaos” at the institution. According to the NBU, rallies in front of its Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court on from the state government and prosecutor’s The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) said in central Kyiv building were attended by November 27 set bail at $44,000 for Lviv office. Prosecutors allege that the land allot- a November 27 statement that it had asked workers of Kolomoisky-owned companies Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, who is accused of ted for the project belonged to a neighbor- law enforcement to help prevent possible and organizations, “proving” that Mr. abusing his office in a case involving con- ing village, not the city, and was zoned as “illegal actions” by the oligarch toward its Kolomoisky was behind those rallies. The struction of an industrial park, dispossess- agricultural, not industrial. They allege that employees. “A coordinated attack targeting statement says that the main goals of the ing land and causing nearly $4 million in Mr. Sadovyi, along with several city-council the National Bank has been under way for campaign against the NBU are to discredit damages to the state. If found guilty of members, misappropriated the land in several weeks in the form of spreading the bank and change its leadership to be abuse of office, he could be imprisoned for Lviv’s favor although the city in 2017 signed ordered speculation and lies in media, ral- able to influence the NBU’s future. The up to six years. Mr. Sadovyi has five days to a memorandum with the village to resolve lies in front of the NBU building by people statement added that Mr. Kolomoisky post bail and said he will appeal the ruling. the land dispute. “The charges are pointless, who were paid to attend, and even an hopes the actions will help him avoid liabil- Prosecutors, who had asked for the bail the [city] budget received 52 million hrv, attempted forced entrance to the NBU by ity and the need to return to the state the amount to be nearly 50 times more, said what are the losses of 92 million hrv? The paid individuals,” the bank said in a state- funds withdrawn from PrivatBank, as well they’ll also appeal. The case originates from budget was filled, taxes are being paid. ment, adding that “this pressure on the as to meddle into Ukraine’s cooperation 2015, when Dutch developer CTP won Investments will be attracted,” Mr. Sadovyi National Bank is being imposed by the oli- with international financial institutions to rights from the city to build an industrial said in Kyiv after the bail hearing. (RFE/RL’s garch and former owner of PrivatBank, influence their opinions regarding park on 23 hectares of land located on the Ukrainian Service) Ihor Kolomoisky, who owes $5.5 billion PrivatBank’s nationalization. (RFE/RL) 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 No. 49

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Whippany youths support children in Ukraine

Chrystina A. Dolyniuk Members of the Ukrainian American Youth Association’s Whippany chapter collected, packed and sent 102 backpacks to children affected by war in Ukraine.

by Chrystina A. Dolyniuk have lost a parent due to war. In fact, accord- ing to the international organization UNICEF, WHIPPANY, N.J. – Members of the local 3 million people currently living in Ukraine chapter of the Ukrainian American Youth are in need of humanitarian assistance, with Association (UAYA) recently gathered at the at least 500,000 of those being children. Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Additionally, the United Nations High Jersey to make a difference in the lives of Commission for Refugees recently reported children in Ukraine. that the government of Ukraine has identi- The feast of St. Nicholas the Miracle fied at least 1.5 million internally displaced Worker is one of the most highly anticipat- persons since the start of the conflict. ed holidays for children of Ukrainian heri- Since Russia illegally annexed Crimea in tage. It symbolizes the start of the holiday 2014, and subsequently invaded the season and is the day when Ukrainian chil- Donbas and Luhansk regions of eastern dren traditionally receive gifts. Ukraine, members of the Ukrainian Youth For children living in today’s war-torn Association have been involved in a global Ukraine, giving and receiving gifts during the effort to lessen the burden for Ukraine’s holiday season may be an elusive reality since children. Under the call “Warm the Heart of many have been forced from their homes or a Child,” members of the organization

Tanya Soltys UAYA educators, parents and youths enthusiastically join forces to pack 21 large boxes for shipping. across the globe have taken action at their ioners at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian local chapters to collect donations and pre- Catholic Church and members of Plast pare backpacks for children that include Ukrainian Scouting Organization. warm winter clothes, school supplies, small In total, the Whippany chapter collected PLAST- CHICAGO GOLF PATRONS 2019 toys, and handwritten holiday greetings. 102 backpacks this year, which were sent The Pobratymy Foundation would like to express enormous gratitude to This year, members of the Ukrainian to children in the areas of Kalush, Ternopil, all of our wonderful individual and corporate sponsors and volunteers American Youth Association (UAYA) chapter Kyiv and Khmelnytsky. Over the last five for their support, generosity, and commitment to the 21th Annual Plast in Whippany, N.J., participated in this effort years, members of UAYA Whippany have -Chicago Open Charity Golf Classic on Saturday September 7th, 2019. for the fifth year in a row. Families volun- donated, packed and shipped over 600 teered to sponsor children who were typi- backpacks to children in war-torn Ukraine. ADAC Inc. Drs. Roman and Mary Mycyk cally the same age and gender as their own The Ukrainian Youth Association was first Andy Chychula children, providing a teaching opportunity founded in Ukraine in 1925 and has estab- North Avenue Animal Hospital for both UAYA counselors and parents to dis- lished chapters in 12 different countries Dr. Bohdan and Roxanna Charkewycz Dr. Roman and Maria Tkaczuk cuss how Ukrainian Americans can embrace around the globe. The Whippany chapter of Charysh & Schroeder, Ltd. Mr. John Oharenko and support their brothers and sisters in the Ukrainian American Youth Association Michael J. Charysh Nestor and Olya Popowych their ethnic homeland. Additionally, mem- has been in existence since 1991 and oper- bers of the broader Whippany community ates under the Ukrainian Youth Association’s Ms. Valerie Chryniwsky PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in loving memory of Orest were invited to participate, including parish- motto “God and Ukraine.” REM Builders Cook Alex Ltd. Walter Bratkiv Andrew G. Kolomayets Dr. Andrew and Ruta Ripecky George and Bohdanna Domino Oleh and Maria Sajewych Dr. Roman and Mary Dykun Dr. Roman and Katherine Saldan Dynamic Electronics Myron Stasiuk Selfreliance Foundation Selfreliance Federal Credit Union Edgebrook Radiology Dr. George and Areta Kuritza Oleh and Luba Skubiak Lev and Halyna Holubec Dr. George and Lydia Stankevych Drs. Daniel and Christine Hryhorczuk Ms. Irka Tkaczuk Dr. Marko Jachtorowycz Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation Mr. George Lytwynyshyn Joe P. Solimini, CFO Metro Security Force Inc. Wasyl Mirutenko Pobratymy Foundation, founded by the Plast Pobratymy Fraternity in 1992, is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt corporation, which supports the ongoing activities Chrystina A. Dolyniuk of Plast-Ukrainian Scouting Organization and other similar tax-exempt Tanya Soltys 12-year-old Matviy delivers backpacks organizations. Youth members check addressed boxes he packed for 12-year-old Pavlo and before they are sent to Ukraine. 13-year-old Victoria in Ukraine. No. 49 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 17

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Philadelphia seniors visit Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

A group of seniors enjoying a ferry boat ride to Liberty Island.

by Myroslawa Hill was happening but having faith in their parents, made them feel safe. Some were even able to find their names in JENKINTOWN, Pa. – Fifty seniors took a sentimental manifests documenting their arrival in America. and emotional journey to the past on Tuesday, September Memories of the big hall, long lines and officials speaking 17. Visiting the Statue of Liberty brought back memories in an unfamiliar language were frightening. Soon, howev- of arriving in the U.S. and seeing this majestic and wel- er, they were admitted to America, found jobs, became cit- coming Lady for the very first time. This Lady embodied izens, embraced the new society while maintaining and freedom, safety, peace and a hope for a brighter future for never forgetting their heritage. thousands of immigrants, for whom it was bittersweet Ellis Island closed in 1954 but the spirit of those thou- leaving their ancestral homes and beginning a new life in sands of immigrants will linger forever. the unknown. The Philadelphia seniors thanked the Ukrainian For many in the group, the visit to Ellis Island brought Community Foundation of Philadelphia and Ukrainian back many childhood memories. The memory of tightly Selfreliance Federal Credit Union for partially funding Myrosia Hill and Lesia LaGioia visiting the Statue of Liberty. holding their mothers’ hands, not understanding what their remarkable trip to Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. Pittsburgh presents Ukrainian Film Festival

by Nikolas C. Kotow gets up, goes into another room and locks the door. The daughter bangs on the door, PITTSBURGH – The Ukrainian begging her mother to come with her. She Community of Western Pennsylvania knocks harder and screams louder, until (UCOWPA) in conjunction with the Center she becomes a raging beast from hell. The for Russian, East European and Eurasian mother stays put. Studies (REEES) at the University of In another scene, a captured Ukrainian Pittsburgh, presented another in its series volunteer is tied to a street lamppost by of Ukrainian Film Festivals on September two “separatist” soldiers, and the public is 21 and September 28 in the auditorium of invited to “talk” to him. A crowd gathers. the Henry Clay Frick Fine Arts Building. Four hooligans driving by stop and begin to The audience was welcomed by Bohdan hit the volunteer. One prods another to Czmola, Ukrainian Film Festival coordinator show his manhood by striking the volun- for UCOWPA. He explained that from 72 teer in the face. A matronly woman also hits titles, 12 were viewed by the committee and him in the face. An elderly woman strikes four films were selected for presentation. him with a pole. All are screaming “Fascist” “Donbass,” directed by Sergey Loznitsa at him. They ask, “Why did you come here? (2018) and “Breaking Point: The War for To kill babies?” In the occupied Donbas, Democracy in Ukraine,” co-directed by Mark defending one’s country from foreign inva- Jonathan Harris and Oles Sanin (2017) were sion is Fascism. This is the result of contin- shown on September 21. “The Guide,” direct- uous Soviet and Russian propaganda. ed by Oles Sanin (2014) and “Ukrainian “Breaking Point” follows the lives of (in Sheriffs,” directed by Roman Bondarchuk the film release’s words) “a children’s the- Mark Rogers (2016) were shown on September 28. Each ater director, a doctor, a rabbi, a TV journal- Bohdan Czmola introduces the Ukrainian Film Festival. film is in color and has English subtitles. ist, an investigative reporter, a lawyer- “Donbass” is composed of 13 vignettes turned-medic and her soldier husband,” as Ukrainization, gives the father a copy of the In the documentary “Ukrainian Sheriffs,” describing the degradation of society in the they live through the Orange Revolution, “Kobzar.” Concealed within the book’s front viewers follow them on their rounds and in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in eastern the Revolution of Dignity on the Kyiv cover are documents that detail Stalin’s their own personal lives in the small village Ukraine due to the invasion across the bor- Maidan, and the invasion in eastern true plans for Ukraine. He instructs the of Stara Zburyivka. We meet the wife beat- der by Russian troops and willing accep- Ukraine. They each come to their own father to give the book to Welsh journalist er, the town drunkard and the village thief, tance by Russophiles who want to establish breaking point, when they decide that they Gareth Jones in Moscow. and witness the funeral rites for the village a “Novorossiya.” should give up family, careers and their As the father and son are boarding a prostitute. As the war in eastern Ukraine In perhaps the most poignant scene, a own lives to fight in defense of their coun- train, they discover agents trying to break progresses, the sheriffs distribute notices to daughter, who has a position in the “sepa- try, the rule of law and democracy. The film into the father’s luggage to find the book. the village men of induction into the ratist” government brings food to her has unique footage from many sources that But the book is in the son’s travel bag. The Ukrainian Army. More and more notices “Mum,” who to escape the war is staying in has not been seen on the news. father is stabbed and tells his son to run. He arrive. The film ends on a sad and forebod- an underground facility with other The feature film “The Guide” relates the does, and is grabbed into a boxcar by the ing note. Ukrainian nationals. There, the cold, dark- story of Peter Shamrock, the son of Michael, blind kobzar Ivan. Peter becomes Ivan’s Campbell Robertson, a reporter for The ness and dampness permeate flesh, bone an American engineer. The father goes to guide. Vladimir, of the Secret Police, is New York Times, viewed the films shown and soul. The daughter asks her mother to Russia in the 1930s to design and build an obsessed with recovering the documents on September 28. He interviewed several leave and come live with her, but she refus- agricultural tractor for Joseph Stalin. He and pursues Ivan and Peter across Ukraine. Ukrainians and wrote the article, “They See es. The daughter asks, “Why do you want to “wins” a trip to Moscow. At the going away We learn the history and the ways of the No Downside for Their Homeland, Ukraine, live in this s**thole?” Her mother replies, party, Mykola Skrypnyk, a devout blind kobzars and of their opposition to the or Trump,” published on October 1 in the “You have a flat, but I have a home,” then Communist Party leader who supported oppressive government. New York edition. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 No. 49 Late 19th-early 20th century Ukrainian art, major gift to The Ukrainian Museum, on exhibit

The Ukrainian Museum Shust, director, expressed their deep grati- leading artists known throughout the tude on behalf of the museum for the gener- world are also included in the collection – NEW YORK – The new exhibition “The ous gift to its permanent collection of fine art. Sonia Delaunay, who moved to France, and Impact of Modernity: Late 19th and Early “The Impact of Modernity” will remain Vsevolod Nicouline (Nikulin), who went to 20th Century Ukrainian Art” opened to the on view through May 3, 2020. Italy – and others such as Alexander public on Sunday, November 17, at The The artworks in the exhibit range from Archipenko, Abram Manevich (Manevych), Ukrainian Museum. Nearly 100 guests classics of the late 19th and early 20th cen- Simon (Semen) Lissim, Louis Lozowick and attended the special event, at which guest tury to avant-garde experimental art of David Burliuk, all of whom immigrated to curator Myroslav Shkandrij, professor of 1910-1930, from works produced in the United States and made important con- Slavic studies at the University of Manitoba, Ukraine (some prior to World War I and tributions to sculpture, painting and the spoke about the never-before-seen works some during the interwar period) to others graphic arts. of art and their significance in Ukrainian art produced in the United States by artists Interwar Galicia (now western Ukraine) history in light of the world renown of sev- who emigrated from Ukraine. Dr. Rybak produced a number of important artists eral of the artists. and Ms. Ortynskyj assembled the collection such as Olena Kulchytska and Leopold Prof. Shkandrij has previously curated by visiting art dealers and auctions, by dis- Levytsky (Lewicki) who worked in graphic exhibitions of avant-garde art and written covering works in overlooked stores, or by art, and the naïve Lemko painter Nikifor extensively on 20th century Ukraine. The purchasing them from acquaintances. The (Nykyfor) of Krynytsia. Representing nearly 80 artworks and books on display historic avant-garde period became a par- Ukrainian artists of the 1910-1930s are were selected from a major donation made ticular interest for them. Kyiv painter Mykhailo Zhuk – best known to The Ukrainian Museum’s permanent col- Representing the modernist period of for his decorative designs and portraits – Prof. Myroslav Shkandrij speaks at the lection of fine art by Dr. Jurij Rybak and his the early 20th century are Oleksandr and by the Kharkiv avant-gardists Vasyl exhibit’s opening. wife, Anna Ortynskyj, who was present at Murashko and Heorhii Narbut, two great Yermilov and Maria Syniakova. Some of the the opening event. artists who left a rich legacy and continue most innovative and exciting work from Museum’s permanent collection with Adrian Hewryk, vice-president of the to exert a powerful influence on the devel- this period, however, was produced for the prized works of art. In 2013, they donated a museum’s Board of Trustees, and Maria opment of Ukrainian art. Works by several theater. The exhibition presents examples large collection of vintage posters, shown of costume art designed for avant-garde that year in the exhibition “Propaganda and performances by the most prominent Slogans: The Political Poster in Soviet avant-gardists: Alexandra Exter, Vadym Ukraine, 1919-1921” (also curated by Prof. Meller, Isaac Rabinovich, Anatol Petrytsky, Myroslav Shkandrij). The following year, Mykhailo Andriienko-Nechytailo (Michel the museum received from them a portfolio Andreenko), and Oleksandr Khvostenko- of books illustrated by Heorhii Narbut and Khvostov. These objects can be viewed a lithograph on paper (“Coquette”) by alongside those of designers like Serhii Archipenko, both of which are currently on Kuchynsky, Alexander Kachinsky, and display in “The Impact of Modernity.” Vladimir (Volodymyr) Bobritsky, who At the opening event, UM Director Shust immigrated to North America, where they underscored “the important role private also worked in theater and design. collectors have historically played in the “The exhibition presents a rare opportu- formation of museum collections.” As in the nity,” writes Prof. Shkandrij, “to take in the case of the Rybak/Ortynskyj gifts, they breadth and scope of modern Ukrainian art “preserve the cultural legacy of a nation.” within the context of international develop- Thirty-one artists are represented in ment. Previously unseen works by kindred “The Impact of Modernity: Late 19th and spirits – artists of different backgrounds Early 20th Century Ukrainian Art.” The who all originally came from Ukraine – exhibition is accompanied by a bilingual, offer viewers the opportunity to see some illustrated catalogue with an essay by the of the greatest artists of the last two centu- curator, as well as a brochure. ries and simultaneously to explore the The Ukrainian Museum is located at 222 unique homeland-diaspora relationship E. Sixth St., New York, NY 10003; telephone, that their creativity represents.” 212-228-0110; e-mail, info@ukrainianmu- This is not the first time that Dr. Rybak and seum.org; website, www.ukrainianmuseum. David Burliuk’s “Farm Scene with Red Chicken,” not dated, oil on canvas board. Ms. Ortynskyj have enriched The Ukrainian org.

“She has a lot to clean up. The confedera- different orders of government right across ernmental affairs, which makes a lot of Chrystia Freeland... tion’s a mess because of Trudeau and she’s the country. And I’m very much looking for- sense based on the current situation got to try to fix what he broke. She’s got to ward to doing that with Chrystia by my domestically,” said Mr. Grod, who noted that (Continued from page 1) be the anti-Trudeau,” he added side,” he said. he had to reassure members of the of Alberta has supplanted the French- “I know from working with her that she Ms. Freeland, who was unavailable for speaking province of Quebec as the has the ability to reach across party lines – an interview with The Ukrainian Weekly, (Continued on page 19) Canadian cauldron steaming with the senti- and being a Liberal growing up in a Tory will also continue to oversee the ratification ment of separation from the rest of the blue prairie region like Peace River, she’s process of the revised NAFTA, and was in country. one of those rare individuals who can Washington for talks on the trilateral deal Christina (Chrystia) Alexandra Freeland bridge that gap,” Mr. Bezan noted. before the American Thanksgiving holiday. Mr. Grod, past-president of the Ukrainian was born on August 2, 1968, in the north- Chrystia Freeland’s singularity western Alberta town of Peace River, the Canadian Congress (UCC), said he has wit- daughter of Donald Freeland, a farmer, law- Prime Minister Trudeau spoke to Deputy nessed firsthand the “very strong rapport” yer and Liberal, and the late Halyna Prime Minister Freeland’s singularity when between the prime minister and his new (Chomiak) Freeland, who was also a lawyer he addressed reporters following the deputy. and who ran as a candidate in an swearing-in ceremony of his Cabinet that “He respects her tremendously,” com- Edmonton riding for the left-of-center New includes 36 ministers (besides the prime mented Mr. Grod. “I’ve seen them on stage Democratic Party in the 1988 Canadian minister). together and on panels together, which is general election. “Chrystia and I have worked very closely quite unusual for the prime minister to James Bezan, a farmer and fellow on some of the biggest files facing Canada… share the podium as extensively as he does Ukrainian Canadian member of Parliament, and with great success on renegotiating the with Chrystia. That demonstrates that he is who represents a Manitoba riding in the North American Free Trade Agreement very comfortable with her, and she with House for the Official Opposition (NAFTA) with the challenges of the him. She’s very deferential and respectful to Conservatives, considers Ms. Freeland American administration,” Mr. Trudeau him, but he at the same time values her “another prairie farm kid” like him and who said. “Our ability to work well together on competence and her expertise.” has a “big task” ahead of her. these issues that quite frankly touch A close friend of Ms. Freeland’s, Mr. Grod “I hope that, because she has those prai- national unity, touch energy and environ- said she told him that she “wanted to stay rie roots, she will bring a level of under- ment, touch relations with all provinces in foreign affairs” after holding her House standing and respect to the concerns that and all regions of this country is going to be seat for the Toronto riding of University- are being raised by western Canadians over an extremely important thing at a time Rosedale in the October 21 federal election the policies of the Trudeau government,” when we see some very different perspec- that left the Trudeau Liberals with a minor- particularly through legislation that would tives across the country that need to be ity government. restrict the construction of pipelines and brought together.” “But she was prepared to serve in what- the transport of oil by tankers along the “We’re going to have to engage in a ever the most effective way that the prime Canadian west coast, said Mr. Bezan. strong and positive way with governments, minister thought, and he chose intergov- No. 49 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 19

December 11 Presentation by Timothy B. Erickson, “Response to December 15 Christmas Bazaar, Ukrainian Homestead, Cambridge, MA Conflict and Security Challenges in East Ukraine: Lehighton, PA www.ukrhomestead.com or 610-377-4621 Emerging Technologies, Countermeasures and Planetary Health,” Harvard University, December 15 Mykolai Show and Holiday Bazaar, Taras Shevchenko www.huri.harvard.edu or 617-495-4053 Washington School of Ukrainian Studies, Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family, December 13 Exhibit, “Wild Fragility” by Beth Shadur and Bonnie [email protected] Chicago Peterson, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, www.uima-chicago.org or 773-227-5522 December 15 Didukh-making workshop, Assumption of the Blessed Ottawa Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral hall, December 13 Exhibit, “Through the Lens: Unbending Life,” Rodovid [email protected] or 613-404-9868 Chicago Press photographers Sophia Jablonska, Sergey Melnitchenko and Yevgeniy Pavlov, Ukrainian Institute December 15 Ukrainian dance Winter Celebration, Ottawa School of of Modern Art, www.uima-chicago.org Ottawa Ukrainian Dance and the Svitanok Ensemble dancers, The School of Dance, [email protected] December 14 Presentation by Marianna Dushar, “Ukrainian New York Gastronomy Identity in Ukraine and Diaspora,” December 15, 17 Film screening, “Mr. Jones,” European Film Festival, Shevchenko Scientific Society, 212-254-5130 Silver Spring, MD AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center, 301-495-6700

December 14 Annual fund-raiser, featuring Orbert Davis, Ivan Shmilo December 17 Christmas party, Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Chicago and Lidia Lykhach, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Ottawa Business Association, League of Ukrainian Canadians, www.uima-chicago.org or 773-227-5522 Maclaren’s on Elgin, [email protected]

December 14 Traditional Christmas celebration of Yalynka, with December 19 Ukrainian dinner take-out and food sale, Assumption of New York performance by Promin vocal ensemble, Ukrainian Ottawa the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Engineers’ Society of America, Ukrainian Medical hall, [email protected] Association of North America, The Ukrainian Institute of America, 347-301-1612 or www.ukrainianinstitute.org December 19-20, 22 Winter theater performance, “Opera GAZ” Yara Arts New York Group, La Mama Experimental Theater, 212-352-3101 or www.lamama.org/gaz December 14 St. Nicholas Concert, Lesia Ukrainka Ukrainian School of Ottawa Ottawa, [email protected] December 21 Christmas at the Seminary, St. Sophia Ukrainian Somerset, NJ Orthodox Theological Seminary, www.stsuots.org or December 14-15 Workshop, Ukrainian Christmas Tree Ornaments, with 732-356-0090 New York instruction by the Verkhovynky Plast Sorority, The Ukrainian Museum, www.ukrainianmuseum.org or 212-228-0110 Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events December 15 Performance, “Koliada and Music from the Carpathians,” advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions Yonkers, NY Yara Arts Group, Koliadnyky from Kryvorivnia, Hudson from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors River Museum, 914-963-4550 or www.hrm.org and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected].

bilateral relationship and that, “because of can play a valuable role.” by [former Ukrainian President Petro] Chrystia Freeland... the respect that Chrystia’s earned around The UWC leader explained that one of Poroshenko, and not the point of contact the Cabinet table and within Parliament, the challenges for Canada is that “Ukraine defined by the OSCE [Organization for (Continued from page 18) she will still have major input, as deputy has always been enamored with the United Security and Cooperation in Europe] moni- Ukrainian diaspora that Ms. Freeland’s prime minister, into a lot of the official gov- States,” despite Canada being “Ukraine’s toring mission,” said Mr. Bezan, the appointment as deputy prime minister was ernment’s positions when it comes to best friend,” and brings to that relationship Conservative shadow minister for national a promotion that gave her a senior role in Canada’s diplomacy abroad.” “clean hands without other vested econom- defense. ic interests in Russia,” which he said both “My concern is that Zelenskyy is ready to the Trudeau Cabinet. Concerns about new foreign minister “She’s been a superstar with every Germany and France have. make a pile of concessions, and one of Ukrainian president and prime minister But Mr. Bezan has concerns about her “I think Canada should be leveraged in those may be on the line of contact,” he that she’s interacted with,” he said. “She successor in the foreign-affairs portfolio, order to build support among G-7 and added. walks on water – that’s the way she’s per- Quebec MP François-Philippe Champagne, NATO countries,” said Mr. Grod. In Ottawa for the UCC’s triennial con- ceived.” who previously served as international “I’ve seen very recently an interest by gress, Vasyl Bodnar, Ukraine’s deputy min- Immensely proud of her Ukrainian roots, trade minister following Ms. Freeland’s Germany and France to try to push Ukraine ister of foreign affairs, said that a Canadian- Ms. Freeland, who speaks the language flu- time in the portfolio. into accepting a bad deal because they led peace mission would be the second ently and is known to regularly take her “I’m worried that Champagne may believe President Zelenskyy is prepared to choice after Ukraine’s preference for the children Natalka, Halyna and Ivan to adopt Dion’s appeasement strategy that accept peace at all costs.” full implementation of the 2015 Minsk Ukrainian school in Toronto on Saturday could include Russia,” said Mr. Bezan, refer- peace agreement that would involve the Looking to the Normandy summit mornings, signaled that she won’t stray far ring to Stéphane Dion, a former federal withdrawal of Russian-backed troops from from her ethnic community less than three Liberal leader whom Ms. Freeland replaced Mr. Grod added that at the December 9 eastern Ukraine. weeks before the shift in her Cabinet duties. as foreign minister in Mr. Trudeau’s Cabinet Normandy summit in Paris involving But Canada has another opportunity to At the UCC’s triennial congress held in in early 2017. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, highlight its solidarity with Ukraine in light Ottawa in early November, where Ms. “I think he’s going to let the department French President Emmanuel Macron, of events playing out on Capitol Hill in Freeland was the keynote speaker on the run him, and all too often what we see from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Washington, according to Mr. Grod. first day, November 1, she said the diplomatic circles is that they’d rather go German Chancellor Angela Merkel, He believes that Ukraine has become Ukrainian Canadian community covers a along to get along – and appeasement is Germany and France are expected to press toxic in the U.S. as a result of the House of “regional divide in a way that is very pow- easier than taking principled stands,” Mr. Ukraine to hold early elections in the occu- Representatives’ impeachment proceed- erful” and could serve as a unifying force in Bezan commented. pied Donetsk and Luhansk regions, wheth- ings against President Donald Trump in a divided country. “Russia could be very happy, China could er or not Russian-backed troops are with- which he is accused of withholding $391 The connection to community has been be very happy,” added Mr. Bezan, who drawn. million in Congress-approved military aid a constant for Ms. Freeland since she left a hopes to meet with Minister Champagne That, to Mr. Grod, is a three-against-one to Ukraine until President Zelenskyy pub- successful career in journalism in 2013 to soon to discuss Ukraine. scenario in which Ukraine is left outnum- licly agreed to launch an investigation of become as successful a politician. UWC President Grod credited Mr. bered in the negotiations, and provides former U.S. Vice-President and Democratic “Chrystia’s always been prepared to pro- Champagne, as international trade minister, Canada – albeit on the periphery – a chance presidential candidate Joe Biden and his vide both unsolicited and solicited advice to for advancing the Canada-Ukraine Free to advance the idea of the country leading a son, Hunter. me and the leadership of the Ukrainian Trade Agreement that was finalized under peacekeeping mission in Ukraine’s Donbas “That’s why it’s so important for Canadian and global Ukrainian communi- Ms. Freeland’s watch on the trade file, but region that the Canadian opposition Minister Champagne – and quite frankly for ties,” said Mr. Grod, a lawyer, and president cautioned that Canada’s new foreign minis- Conservatives have been promoting and Minister Freeland – to go to Ukraine as and CEO of North American energy-man- ter “needs to understand the global Russian which Canadian Defense Minister Harjit soon as possible and show that Canada will agement company, Rodan Energy Solutions threat.” Sajjan supports. continue to play a prominent role in sup- Inc., headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario. Said Mr. Grod: “The challenge of any new “Canada should take the leadership role porting Ukraine,” said Mr. Grod. Mr. Bezan expects that Prime Minister minister in this file [is that he] has to in the U.N. peace mission in the Donbas, but “If there is a weakening of the U.S. com- Trudeau will still “lean very heavily on” Ms. understand China, has to understand it has to be on the international border mitment to Ukraine, it will only embolden Freeland for counsel on Ukraine and the Russia, and how Canada, as a middle power, between Russia and Ukraine, as visualized Putin to go further.” 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 No. 49

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Saturday, December 14 singers “Koliadnyky from Kryvorivnia.” Koliadnyky Ivan and Mykola Zelenchuk are NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific joined by the “troista” musicians Mykola Society invites all to a lecture, “Ukrainian Ilyuk, Vasyl Tymchuk and Ostap Kostyuk. Gastronomy Identity in Ukraine and Special guest is bandurist Julian Kytasty. The Diaspora,” by Marianna Dushar, a graduate event is at 2 p.m. at the Hudson River of Lviv University in biology and biophysics Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers, NY, and a Fulbright scholar for 2019-2020. The 10701. Tickets are included with museum presentation is dedicated to the distinct admission price. For advance tickets, visit Ukrainian culinary/taste traditions, which hrm.org. In Yonkers, the performance has serve as an instrument of ethnic identifica- been sponsored by SUMA Federal Credit tion, as well as intercultural communication. Union and public funds from the New York The lecture will take place at the society’s State Council on the Arts. building, 63 Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th streets) at 5 p.m. For additional infor- Thursday, Friday and Sunday, mation call 212-254-5130. December 19, 20 and 22 Saturday, December 15 NEW YORK: La MaMa Experimental WASHINGTON: The Taras Shevchenko Theatre and Yara Arts Group present the School of Ukrainian Studies will host a new theater piece “Opera GAZ” created by Mykolai Show and Holiday Bazaar. Students Yara and Nova Opera from Kyiv. This is the will present a Mykolai show at noon. Sviatyi American premier. “Opera GAZ” played at Mykolai will then meet with each grade/age the National Theatre in Kyiv and at a festival group (non-students are welcome). The in Vienna to great reviews. The event is at 7 “Heavenly Office” will be open at 9:15-11:45 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at 3 p.m. a.m.; only one item per child ($2 fee), labeled on Sunday. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 for with child’s name and grade/age. The students/seniors. For information call 212- bazaar/bake sale at 9:30 a.m.-noon will fea- 352-3101 or visit www.lamama.org/gaz. ture a variety of home-baked treats and holi- Saturday, December 21 day foods, books, gift items. Location: Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the NEW YORK: Yara’s new theatre piece Holy Family, 4250 Harewood Road NE, “Winter Songs on Mars” with Koliada and Washington, DC 20017. For further informa- vertep featuring Koliadnyky, Yara artists and tion, visit ukrainianschoolbazaar.weebly.com special guests will be presented at 7 p.m. or contact Galyna Franken at Mykolay There will also be a special school show at [email protected]. noon. Venue: La MaMa Experimental Theatre, 66 E. Fourth St., New York, NY YONKERS, N.Y.: The Hudson River Museum 10003. Tickets are $26 for adults; $21 for and Yara Arts Group present “Koliada and seniors and students, $10 for children. For Music from the Carpathians” featuring information call 212-352-3101 or visit Ukrainian winter solstice and Christmas www.lamama.org/gaz.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES Preview of Events is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. Items should be no more than 100 words long. Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of publication. Please include payment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in which the item is to be published. Information should be sent to: preview@ ukrweekly.com.

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