Vitali Klitschko page Ukrainians are willing page Revealing page on his party to host Euro 2012 fans the truth about and a united opposition 12 in their own homes 30 the Death Match 42

№ 8 (31) may 2012

Playing with Europe using underhand rules, Yanukovych has led the country to an impasse. The threat of the loss of statehood in is greater today than at any time during its independence Featuring selected content f or r ee dis t ribu ion from The Economist www.ukrainianw ee k.com Open Letter from Ukrayinsky Tyzhden

Ukrayinsky Tyzhden will no longer take part in the MMI Ukraine and RMI Regions marketing research conducted by TNS Ukraine. A comparison of the analysis conducted by Ukrayinsky Tyzhden with the data in the TNS MMI 2011/4 report has revealed discrepancies between the indicators of its actual presence in specific oblasts and the estimates reflected by TNS Ukraine. For example, the actual readership of Ukrayinsky Tyzhden in , our key region, is 3.5 times larger than in TNS MMI 2011/4 research estimates. In our opinion, this proves that the market researcher is working incorrectly. However, even if professional standards should be improved, the assessment system itself will not allow advertisers to spend their advertising budget as effectively as possible. Given the specific nature of their survey questions, the research conducted by TNS Ukraine actually determines the number of people who know the brand, rather than the actual readership of the publication. As a result, publications with very limited print runs, particularly the ones that sell well, but invest into outside advertising, find themselves in top positions of TNS ratings, while publications with a popular content, that accordingly print and sell many copies find themselves in the bottom. International practice is based on providing advertisers with transparent information on the number of copies every publication sells on the one hand, and the quality of its audience on the other. Certified print runs help to determine the first indicator, while competition among companies conducting market research encourages them to research the second. In Ukraine, however, TNS Ukraine has a monopoly on market research. Moreover, with no requirements to certify print runs in Ukraine, the company also determines the readership of publications as a monopolist. Advertisers basing their decisions on TNS ratings alone, risk placing their advertisement in publications people hear about but do not read, thus overpaying for a non-existent readership, while mistakes in the measurement process could nullify the logic of the decisions theyhave approved. In our opinion, the establishment of transparent rules on the printed media market corresponds with the interests of both advertisers and publishers. With this priority in mind,Ukrayinsky Tyzhden will no longer use research that has been conducted by TNS Ukraine. Ukrayinsky Tyzhden Management Board |contents briefing focus Politics Replacing Victory A Taste of Isolation: Vitali Klitschko: Parades with ’s hopes to “The opposition Commemoration manipulate the EU have should unite in the crashed and Europe shows Parliament” Ukraine that it cannot integrate with its current 4 government 6 12 Security Questions without Black Sea (In)Security: Recent Giorgi Baramidze Answers: It is currently geopolitical transformations talks about Russia’s too early to talk in the Black Sea region and view of as about any strategic Caucasus present serious a dangerous role vision of the nation’s challenges, while offering model for other development in UDAR opportunities for Ukraine to post-soviet states 15 reinforce its national security 18 20 economics Lesson Not Learned: Continuing Piracy at Sea: A Tax Noose its cooperation with Russia James Greene for the Sick in nuclear engineering, the on its real Economy: What Ukrainian government is putting impact on is suffocating the country at risk and could Ukraine Ukrainian repeat the mistake of Chornobyl 22 24 business? 26 SOCIETY The Perils of Hospitality Triumphs Kitsch vs Authenticity: Panflation: A over Greed: Many Pseudo-Ukrainian virulent monster Ukrainians are souvenirs are flooding the is dangerously willing to host Euro 2012 market. The out of control. foreign football fans Ukrainian Week offers Let us slay it at their homes for tourists some tips to together 29 free 30 finding authentic products 32 history Culture Shock: Timo There Once Was A Continental Union: The Hellenberg talks about a Dog: Many Treaty of Rapallo between how Ukrainian laws, Ukrainians are willing the Weimar Republic and that allow people to to sacrifice their Soviet Russia paved the abuse animals, can careers and health to way to a revival of German destroy the image help abandoned and military power after the of the nation 35 crippled animals 36 First World War 38 culture & arts navigator The Death Age Means Nothing: Small City Lights: Match Artist and playwright Exotic and vibrant, Myth: Les Podereviansky presents Artistic talks about his a striking mix of its excuses for personal evolution multiethnic past twisting and people that and present history 42 never change 44 48

international monthly edition

The Ukrainian Week № 8 (31) May 2012 Mailing address: PO Box 2, Kyiv, 03067 Founder: ECEM Media Ukraine LLC Publisher: The Ukrainian Week LLC Publisher address: vul. Mashynobudivna 37, Kyiv 03067 Ukraine First published in January 2010 E-mail: [email protected], Tel.: (044) 351-1300 State registration certificate 16412-4884P of March 13, 2010 www.ukrainianweek.com Bohdan Andriytsev, Director, ECEM Media Ukraine LLC Print: ТОV SKIMP, TOV ART STUDIYA DRUKU; vul. Boryspilska 15, Kyiv Serhiy Lytvynenko, Editor-in-Chief, The Ukrainian Week Ordering number: 6917-12. Print run: 15,000 Natalia Romanec, Shaun Williams, Editors; Sent to print on 18 May 2012 Anna Korbut, Translator Free distribution № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|3 briefing| 3 May 7 May 8 May Ukraine and Belarus stop is inaugu- the trade conflict. Ukraine rated. Prior to the inaugura- cancels the Yalta renews the import of tion, there are mass skirmish- Summit, since most Belarusian milk and the es and arrests of opposition of those invited export of beer to Belarus members in refuse to come

Quotes Jan Tombinski is coming to Ukraine The Polish diplomat is appointed Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine after five years of representing Poland in the EU. He will replace Jose Ma­ nuel Pinto Teixeira who is leaving this summer

Štefan FÜle warns the government “We believe that the rejection of the association process would be a be- trayal of the people... But this does not mean that we will compromise on issues of democratic values”

Estonia commemorates those who died in WWII, as well as the victims of repression and the no more politics crimes of occupational regimes, The oligarch’s top managers ban on 8 May following the Western any political activi- European tradition ties in his compa- nies. Earlier, he announced that he would not run in the up-coming Replacing Victory Parades parliamentary election With Commemoration Nina Karpachova leaves Ukraine According to BYuT- he official soviet tradition of celebrating viving and widely entrenching the myth of the Batkivshchyna Victory Day as one of the greatest ‘red’ Great Patriotic War and the great victory of representatives, dates on the calendar was firmly en- the soviet nation. the ex-Om- trenched under . In For that same purpose, the soviet practice of budswoman T leaves Ukraine 1965, the Presidium of the celebrating 9 May was exported to FSU “because of issued a decree to announce 9 May a state countries. In 1951, Czechoslovakia intro- pressure from and a day-off for the first time after duced the Day of Liberation by the Soviet the Prosecu- 1946. The grand celebration with military pa- Army, which was celebrated with a flow of tor’s Office” rades and patriotic elements was aimed at re- appreciation to the USSR for liberating the The month 12 May 1954 16 May 1817 17 May 1887 in history The Ukrai- Mykola Kostomarov, Donbas miners go on nian SSR joins Ukrainian historian, strike for the first time UNESCO ethnographer, writer and public activist, is born

4|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 |briefing 9 May 10 May 16 May The Cabinet of Ministers declaresS hell The Court of stops the hunger and Chevron as the winners of the tender Appeal upholds strike and is exam- to develop the Yuzivka and Oleske shale the verdict in ined by a German gas fields in Ukraine with 4.05 and 3tril- the Yuriy Lut- doctor lion cu m respectively senko case

Czechs and Slovaks from Nazi oppression. the outside they perform the symbolic func- numbers From late 1975 until the end of the GDR, East tion of a historical curtsey to Russia as a stra- Germany celebrated Victory Day instead of tegic ally. However, the celebration and excite- Based on the Association of Outdoor Advertising estimates, Ukrainian Liberation Day, which was celebrated on May ment with aggressive anti-fascist rhetoric politicians will spend 8th prior to that, following the soviet tradi- overshadows the understanding of the real tion. Paradoxically, the Germans had to cele- human dimension of the last ‘Great War’ and USD 2bn brate victory over themselves. wipes out the possibility of asking whether on their election campaigns Shortly after the early 1990s transforma- Ukraine had any ‘victory’ of its own in WWII. tions, FSU countries dropped the Moscow- Commemoration of Ukrainians that were imposed interpretation of how the war with killed in the war should become an alterna- NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine records a Hitler ended. Czechoslovakia, for instance, tive scenario to the tradition of celebrating loss of changed Victory Day into the neutral Day of May 9th. A UN General Assembly Resolution UAH 4.1bn Liberation from Fascism, putting it off to 8 dated 22 November 2004 is specifically ori- for the period January-March 2012, May a year later, like in Western and Central ented at this interpretation of the defeat of which is almost three times higher Europe. Unlike in the era of socialism, they Nazism. It introduced commemoration and than Q1’11 losses quit pompous military parades replacing reconciliation days for the victims of WWII them with the placing of symbolic flowers at in the international calendar on May 8th and the graves and memorials of WWII victims. 9th. The resolution states that member-states EUFA reports that Ukraine, in contrast, has preserved the so- can have their victory, liberation and celebra- 50,000 tickets viet ideological burden of 9 May ever since tion days, yet it offers all member-states, UN 1991 as an integral part of the Victory Day organizations, NGOs and private entities to for Euro 2012 will be available in free celebrations organized by the government. commemorate WWII victims on one, or both sale while 95% were sold online ’s attempts to insert a na- of these days. tional statehood component into the celebra- Baltic States opted for this option to celebrate According to German tion by referring to the defeat of Nazism as the defeat of National Socialism. Estonia com- broadcaster ARD, “Our victory is the celebration of the Ukrai- memorates those who died in WWII, as well nian statehood”, was the peak of all efforts to as the victims of repression and the crimes of 53% of Germans integrate elements of the soviet story into a occupational regimes, on 8 May following the support political and economic national context. Mixing soviet rituals with Western European tradition. That is when of- sanctions against Ukraine all kinds of honours for war veterans and ficial events with the nation’s leaders and for- Ukrainian Insurgent Army fighters, coupled eign diplomats take place and flowers are car- Research by Transparency with calls on reconciliation and unity, not ried to the Holocaust Memorial in Klooga and International reveals that standard photo: A P photo: only brought no expected historical compro- the military cemetery of the Estonian Army. kickbacks in the Ukrainian public mise, but aggravated the confrontation in so- The new model of commemorating the day procurement sector are ciety on the ground of opposing WWII me- when the war with Hitler ended fits well into 60%. morial models. An obvious thing at that the European policy of reconciliation and uni- The rate has tripled over the past point was that a totally new vision of WWII, fication. In 2005, the Day of Europe, cele- eight years and Ukraine’s role in it, were the only things brated on 9 May, was declared as the day of that made transformation of the tradition to reconciliation and forgiveness. Attempts to celebrate 9 May possible. Mr. Yushchenko’s construct a new model of European memorial 82.2% eclecticism resulted in a defeat in the at- days based on the traumatic experience of to- of Ukrainians have not bought a tempts to walk away from the soviet histori- talitarianisms, 23 August, is entrenching it- single book by a Ukrainian writer in cal legacy. self in EU commemorative practice as the the past year, reports a survey by the After Viktor Yanukovych came to power, the Commemoration Day for the Victims of Total- Research & Branding Group pompous celebrations of the “common vic- itarian Regimes, allowing people to realize tory” in a typical Brezhnev style with parades that a victory of one tyrant over another in- Based on the Freedom House and soviet propaganda campaigns were rein- volving Western countries never gave ulti- findings published in late April 2012, carnated in a perfectly predictable way. Deep mate piece to the world. Ukraine plummets th inside, the propaganda campaigns were from 115th place in 2009 to 130 , aimed at the basic South-Eastern Ukraine Oleksandr Pahiria alongside South Sudan in the electorate of the party in power in, while on Freedom of the Press 2011 index

18 May 1944 21 May 1892 24 May 1882 25 May 996 Based on an order The first electric Kyrylo Stetsenko, The Church of from Joseph Stalin, tram in the Rus- Ukrainian com- Our Lady, the Crimean Tartars are sian Empire is poser, conductor first stone church deported en masse launched in Kyiv and public activist, in Kyiv Rus, is from Crimea is born consecrated in Kyiv № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|5 focus|dead end run A Taste of I solation Bankova Street’s hopes to manipulate the EU have crashed. Europe has let Ukraine know that it cannot integrate with its current government, but the issue of an efficient alternative remains open

Author: t is becoming increasingly possible to clearly and unambig- consistently ignored “non-bind- Oleksandr clear that the hopes of the uously show Ukrainians that ing European recommenda- Kramar Bankova Street, a common their current government is tions”) even earlier than could Iinformal name for the Presi- what is driving the country into have been expected. Moreover, dential Administration, to turn isolation. Kyiv has actively precipitated the Euro 2012 championship The Yulia Tymoshenko case the change by playing the all- into proof of its “European char- has finally forced Europeans to sides-are-equal game and pur- acter” and a trump card for its abandon their “diplomatic cor- suing what was essentially its election campaign are going to rectness” (for which Ukrainian own version of “sovereign de- fail. Europe will do everything leaders had much hope as they mocracy.” Ukraine’s State Peni- 6|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 dead end run|focus tentiary Service turned down a it was postponed indefinitely due have to explain why he has gone request from Francois Zimeray, to most presidents being unable to Ukraine rather than why he French ambassador-at-large for to participate.) refused to go. Sigmar Gabriel, human rights, to meet with Ty- the leader of Germany’s Social moshenko on 19 April, and Re- Euro boycott Democratic Party, has already becca Harms, co-chair of the President of the European Com- said that European politicians Group of the Greens/European mission José Manuel Barroso and that dare come to Ukraine dur- Free Alliance in the European a number of European commis- ing the Euro 2012 tournament Parliament, received a similar sioners have already refused to “must be careful not to become denial on 27 April. That same attend Euro 2012 matches in cheerleaders for the regime… If day she and the other co-presi- Ukraine. NATO Secretary Gen- you have any doubt, you should dent of the group, Daniel Cohn- eral Anders Fogh Rasmussen said not visit the country,” he said. Bendit, asked UEFA President he will not be able to come to His party is a member of a group Michel Platini to make a state- Ukraine during the champion- of European Socialists in the Eu- ment about the political situa- ship, and a scheduled visit of a ropean Parliament which was tion in Ukraine, arguing that “it NATO delegation to Kyiv was until recently partners with the Carl Bildt, Sweden's appears to be impossible to at- Minister for Foreign cancelled altogether. German and tried to de- tend the tournament … while Yu- Affairs Chancellor , repre- fend it in conflicts with Euro- lia Tymoshenko remains in "We are increasing sentatives of royal families and pean institutions. pressure on President prison and while she is being re- Yanukovich of governments of Sweden, Bel- fused access to medical assis- Ukraine. He must un- gium, the Netherlands and Spain Denying the obvious tance provided by doctors she block the European said they could cancel their trips Employees of Ukraine’s Foreign can trust.” future of his country." to the European football cham­ Ministry had to make fools of However, what carries more pion­ship in Ukraine if there were themselves as they denied obvi- weight for Viktor Yanukovych, no positive changes in the Ty- ous facts, often causing even who after all heads the Ukrainian moshenko case. Prince William of sharper messages from the EU. state rather than Ukraine’s Foot- Britain, who is the president of For example, Oleh Voloshyn, ball Federation, are the de- England’s Football Association, chief of the Foreign Ministry’s marches by political leaders – announced his decision not to Department for Information Pol- presidents, heads of governments come to Ukraine. Spain’s Foreign icy, said that the refusal of Euro- and ministers of a number of Eu- Affairs Minister José Manuel pean politicians to participate in ropean countries, including the García-Margallo said in an inter- the Yalta Summit should not be key player Germany, and the view for ABC newspaper that the perceived as a demarche. Infor- leadership of pan-European and Spanish national team could re- mation about Merkel’s possible transatlantic structures. fuse to come onto the field in Kyiv refusal to come to Ukraine for if it makes it to the final. Accord- Euro 2012 was dismissed as a ca- A summit of empty chairs ing to him, this scenario is al- nard. In response, German gov- Invitations to participate in the ready being discussed with Ger- ernment spokesman Georg Stre- Yalta Summit of Central Euro- many and Poland, but it may only iter confirmed the information pean heads of state, which was be implemented as part of a con- on 30 April and emphasised that scheduled to take place on 11-12 “any visit to Ukraine will depend May, were turned down almost the EU is already on Tymoshenko’s future and at the same time by the presi- honouring human rights and dents of Germany, Austria, Slo- developing alternative freedoms.” venia, the Czech Republic and It- strategies that would On 1 May, Ukraine’s repre- aly. These officials were gradu- sentative to the EU Kostiantyn ally joined by the leaders of most show Ukrainians who is Yeliseev said calls to boycott of the other countries that have Euro 2012 “translate political di- traditionally participated in the the real barrier between alogue into the language of ulti- summit: Estonia, Latvia, Roma- them and the EU. Names are matums.” However, he left unan- nia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Alba- swered the question of what Eu- nia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and being called out openly ropean leaders are to do as the Croatia. current Ukrainian government As of 8 May, only four presi- certed boycott by all European has on multiple occasions dem- dents – of Poland, Slovakia, Mol- national teams. onstrated that it does not under- dova and Lithuania – had con- And this is just the begin- stand civilised language. Instead, firmed their participation. In ning. With the tournament just Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry pub- Lithuania, the prime minister weeks away, we are already lished statements in the style of met with the president and asked counting those “likely to not soviet propaganda: “An attack her to use the summit to openly come.” The situation may even- against a grand hope undermines criticise Yanukovych for the way tually change so drastically that chances of former members of he has handled Tymoshenko. we will be counting those “likely the socialist camp to prove that Subsequently, the Ukrainian gov- to come” – as was the case with in terms of economic, human ernment was forced to essentially the Yalta Summit. Now should and scientific potential they are admit its isolation and scrap the any influential European leader already prepared to turn from summit three days before its publicly choose to visit Ukraine Europe's debtors into new en- scheduled beginning. (Formally, during the tournament, he will gines of its development.” № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|7 focus|dead end run Official Kyiv has decided to go into attack mode, accusing Euro- Euro Boycott pean politicians of “disrespect for Presidents confirming attendance millions of Ukrai­­nians”: of the Yalta Summit Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry claims that calls to boycott the for Presidents of Ea ern championship will in practice European ates hurt the image of this grand Presidents rejeing invitation sports event and will damage the Sweden interests of millions of ordinary Presidents warning Ukrainians who support diffe­rent possible boycott Finland parties or take no interest in poli- of Euro 2012 tics at all. has tried to lay the Ukrainian govern- in Ukraine Norway ment’s fault at Europe’s door by arguing that Europeans “want to E onia Russia humiliate our entire people and our country.” Latvia However, the EU is already Lithuania developing alternative strategies that would show Ukrainians who Ireland Belarus Great Netherlands is the real barrier between them Poland and the EU. Names are being Britain Germany called out openly. Specifically, Belgium Czech Republic UKRAINE Carl Bildt, Foreign Affairs Minis- akia M Slov o ld ter of Sweden, a country that Au ria o France va joined Poland in lobbying for the Slovenia Croatia Romania initiative Serbia and the EU-Ukraine Association Bosnia and Herzegovina Agreement, said straightfor- Montenegro Bulgaria wardly: “We would like to appeal Italy to President Yanukovych to un- Albania block the European future of the Spain ortugal Greece Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian P Turkey nation. He is blocking it himself… We are interested in bringing Ukraine back to Europe, and this Cyprus is why we want to help Tymosh- enko.” Milosevic, Muammar Gaddafi Balancing the impossible At a meeting with Bunde- and Alexander Lukashenko. The impression is that Yanu- stag’s Christian Democratic MPs, Soon he will not be able to shed kovych’s inner circle is stubbornly Chancellor Merkel discussed the this negative image no matter ignoring the fact that it is impos- idea that instead of boycotting how much he wants to. The reac- sible to play the self-sufficiency the championship, European tion of European political elites game in the international arena politicians could come to to the Ukrainian government's when you are, in essence, the Ukraine but sit with ordinary refusal to release repressed poorest country in Europe and fans in the stadiums, avoiding members of the opposition and one whose government employs VIP seats. This would be a visible give them access to political life, Lukashenka-style methods and sign of distancing themselves enjoys the support of less than 20 from the Yanukovych govern- per cent of the population. Alter- ment and a symbol of union with Yanukovych's mindset is natively, someone in his inner the Ukrainian people. Wester- pushing him into the circle may be diligently working welle even warned that “politi- his tail off to earn a salary paid by cians, athletes, the mass media hands of Putin's inner Russia while skilfully pushing his and fans will not waste any op- circle, which is intimately formal leader into an abyss. The portunity to express their atti- championship will come and go, tude toward human rights viola- familiar with this type of while Yanukovych’s isolation and tions in Ukraine” during the Eu- world view leaders' reluctance to shake ropean football championship. hands with him will stay. (Inci- In any case, it is already clear albeit partly forced, has been un- dentally, Philipp Lahm, captain of that the hopes Bankova Street expectedly sharp and, most im- Germany’s national football pinned on Euro 2012 – macro- portantly, steadily growing. It is team, has already called on UEFA economic, advertisings and po- also a warning that “guided” par- President Michel Platini to clearly litical – are failing. Moreover, liamentary elections in autumn declare his position on the situa- the European public is beginning will be unacceptable and an indi- tion in Ukraine, because he him- to view Yanukovych as an odious cator of the scale of the EU’s pos- self would “do some serious figure alongside with Slobodan sible reaction. thinking” before holding out his 8|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 dead end run|focus hand to Yanukovych if the latter Under these circumstances, Soviet oligarchic-monopolist happened to appear at a match.) the growing isolation of the Yan- model of society together with the Attempts to manipulate Euro- ukovych administration by the unfair justice administration sys- peans through cynical claims EU and the United States will tem. Instead of raising the level of about “the independence of make it even more vulnerable to political culture, preparing peo- Ukrainian judicial and law en- Russian pressure, but this reali- ple for assuming responsibility forcement systems from the exec- sation is unlikely to influence the for their own future and fostering utive government” or by black- Western policy on Ukraine. The civil self-organisation and activ- mailing them with a possible reason is the same: the Ukrai- ity, the opposition is churning out change of Ukraine's foreign-pol- nian president is decreasingly populist slogans and messianic, icy course have proved to be un- seen as an acceptable partner. So paternalistic illusions: it only successful. The EU does not need Europe will provoke Ukraine's needs the right and good tsar on “its own Lukashenka.” President pro-Russian drift by searching the throne; as if a couple of ex- Yanukovych's authoritarian evo- for ways to dethrone Yanukovych traordinary personalities with lution has been so evident and as a barrier to EU-Ukraine rela- their professionalism and high even demonstrative that Euro- tions rather than by its competi- moral virtues are able to compen- pean politicians can no longer ig- tion with Russia over Ukraine. sate for inefficient mechanisms. , nore it. This is because in truly Germany's Minister Observers have increasingly The opposition lacks a clear plan democratic societies, in contrast for Foreign Affairs noted that the special psycho- of immediate steps to be taken in to Ukraine, public opinion nor- "Politicians, athletes, logical mindset of Yanukovych the first 10, 100 and 500 days af- the media and fans mally sways a political leader. In will not miss the op- and his inner circle prevents ter obtaining power. Further- light of this, more “practical” portunity during the them from coming to a rational more, opposition forces are not sanctions may ensue depending European Champion- decision to seek compromise prepared to support and fulfil a ship to make a state- on how the situation develops. ment against the with the civilised world. They plan regardless of who will lead Western isolation comes at a abuse of human are used to following "notions" the government, parliament and time when Ukraine’s relations rights in Ukraine..." (of the criminal world) and are individual ministries. with Russia are essentially frozen. afraid of appearing weak to their Moreover, Moscow has delivered own men: one who yields to Becoming involved several blows against Yanu- pressure and shows weakness, For their part, European leaders kovych. First, it has already con- can no longer be a leader. Euro- should not limit themselves to demned the way in which he has pean pressure is set to grow and statements that the Ukrainian handled his political opponents. the true correlation of forces elite is authoritarian and failing Moscow has pronounced it to be will stay the same, which will to meet their expectations or ful- too compromising even for a aggravate the inadequacy and fil the modernisation and Euro- country with “rich totalitarian psychological incompatibility of pean integration tasks the coun- traditions”, as Dmitry Medvedev the Ukrainian president with try faces. European politicians chose to put it. Second, Russia European politicians. ought to make a clear commit- has followed Germany in offering Yanukovych's mindset is ment to provide comprehensive to provide medical treatment to pushing him into the hands of support to politicians who prove Tymoshenko on its territory. Putin's inner circle, which is inti- they are mature enough to carry Moreover, the Kremlin insists mately familiar with this type of out fundamental transforma- that there was nothing criminal Philipp Lahm, Ger- world view. In the context of Pu- tions in Ukraine. This is needed man National Team in Tymoshenko’s actions when Captain tin's expansionist policy, Ukraine in order to avoid mistakes and she signed gas agreements with "In the current politi- may soon face the dilemma of waste opportunities, as was the Moscow and that her conviction cal situation in choosing between Putin and Yan- case in 2005-2006. They have to is unjustified. Ukraine, I don't find ukovych. And then the Russian realise that in a transitional so- things that reflect my Two years after the first views on basic demo- leader may prove to be a more ac- ciety that must constantly resist Treaties were signed, gas cratic rights, on hu- ceptable option to pro-Russian a force pulling it back to the man rights, on issues contracts have yet to be revised. such as personal free- Ukrainians. USSR, support for healthy forces Moreover, observers have reason dom or freedom of by the majority of a pauperised the press... I think he to expect Vladimir Putin to step (Michel Platini, UEFA The problem society is short-lived. If the new up pressure on Ukraine during President - ed.) of an alternative leaders fail to make irreversible his next presidential term. Given should take a posi- Therefore, it is vital for the oppo- changes quick enough, disillu- tion. And I'm curious the mounting discontent inside what he has to sition to fill the vacuum after the sionment may lead to a revanche Russia and the absence of pros- say...I'd have to give Yanukovych regime is deposed of reactionary forces, such as in it (... if the German pects for improving Russia's own team happens to play and do so by proposing a trans- 2006 and 2010. At the same socioeconomic well-being, for- in the match and formation of the country that time, if Ukraine is pulled into eign-policy expansion remains Ukrainian President meets Europe's expectations Putin's authoritarian project, Viktor Yanukovych the only possible argument that might offer to shake rather than by mechanically re- this will spell not only a fiasco the Russian president has in or- your hand on the placing the outgoing government. for the Eastern Partnership pol- winners' platform. - der to stay in power. At the same Spiegel question) Otherwise the edifice of the state icy but will also make the Rus- time, support for Yanukovych some serious may fall together with the Do­­ sian model more attractive to among the pro-Russian elector- thought." netsk leadership. certain formerly socialist coun- ate is constantly dropping, free- The problem is that the oppo- tries and further spur the Krem- ing up space for a new Moscow- sition is not up to the task at the lin to expansion, this time in oriented and Kremlin-controlled moment. It lacks an awareness of detriment to a crisis-stricken political project. the need to dismantle the post- . № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|9 focus|western media talk How to Save Ukraine The leading Western media have written much and mostly negative about Ukraine in the past few weeks, focusing on Euro 2012 boycott by European presidents for the bad treatment of Ms. Tymoshenko

Poland [German politicians] are afraid of the powerful Russia and will not get involved in an argument quoted by Spiegel Online, with it. But Ukraine is a border Germany country, a black hole in the heart Kyiv cannot afford to break with the Euro- of Europe. The boycott of the Euro 2012 will not bring democracy to pean Union, and especially not with . Ukraine, however it can convince the pro-European part of Ukrainian so- The question arises as to why Yanukovych ciety that Europe is leaving it to its own devices when it is in trouble. will not accept Chancellor Angela Merkel's peace offering: to allow the opposition leader to travel to Berlin to receive medical treatment. Not only would Yanukovych be praised for a humanitarian gesture, but it would also put an end to his international isolation. Yanukovych would gain latitude in Estonia dealings with Putin, whom he clearly does Sports and politics are intertwined in Ukrainian football… The cham- not like. The Russian Prime Minister is sup- pionship was designed as a prestigious project that the nation’s -po posed to have repeatedly uttered disparag- litical elite would benefit from. The Europeans’ decision to boycott ing remarks about the man from eastern the tournament was right. What other message could the European Ukraine. Altogether it is unclear to what ex- political elite send to the Ukrainian society when opposition leader tent Yanukovych has an overview of the po- Yulia Tymoshenko is being treated so badly? [...] A fair question now litical situation. It could be that the entou- would undoubtedly be, whether European politicians will be as criti- rage that he has built up around him shelters cal when looking at the Olympics in Russia’s Sochi in 2014 or the him from a portion of the media influence, 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship in Belarus ? which of course does not make him more in- clined to take on a bigger responsibility for the Tymoshenko case as well as other abuses. There is also an argument to be made that the eastern Ukrainian steel bar- UK ons have lost influence over the presidential Kyiv has pursued what office in Kyiv in favor of the pro-Russian gas it calls a "multi-vector" lobby. foreign policy: in effect, playing Moscow and Brussels off against each The German government has a huge psycho- other. The Kremlin wants Ukraine to join a customs union; Yanukovych logical advantage. Germans are traditionally has so far resisted. But the Euro 2012 fiasco leaves him isolated and looked upon favorably by Ukrainians, as weak, forced to look eastwards rather than westwards. The row isn't much in the Russian-influenced east as the about football but Ukraine's geopolitical destiny. Do its current rulers Catholic west of the country. If Merkel contin- want to adopt European values? Or is the aim of Yanukovych, an old- ues to place diplomatic pressure on Yanu- school apparatchik hewn from tough Soviet clay, to create his own mini- kovych, she can be assured of the support of version of Putinism? the Ukrainian press, which can still claim Tymoshenko has adroitly focused the west's attention on the dark things freedom of expression thanks in part to the that have been happening in Ukraine since she narrowly lost to Yanu- help of Tymoshenko's campaign during the kovych in the country's 2010 presidential election. During her election eight years ago. The campaign, she warned that Yanukovych would rip up Ukraine's nascent Chancellery is therefore doing well to put Ya- democracy; her aides talked condescendingly of Yanukovych's "Soviet nukovych under renewed pressure, while mental map". Not enough voters believed her. She was proved right more avoiding sharp words in public. quickly than anybody expected… Many Ukrainians are now dissatisfied with the country's entire political class, seeing it as venal and self-serving.

10|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 western media talk|focus How to Save Ukraine UK In some ways Mr Yanukovych is using similar tac- tics to those of his autocratic neighbour, Alyak- sandr Lukashenka, in Belarus. He has flirted alter- USA nately with Europe and Russia, in the hope of ex- “There are two models on offer, Ar- tracting concessions from both, yet yielding gentina in 1978 and Moscow in nothing serious to either. He wants the associa- 1980,” said an article in the German tion agreement and he needs Western support for another IMF bail-out this summer. weekly Die Zeit. In Argentina, the Should he get neither, he may turn to Moscow for help—which he would get only World Cup soccer championship with unpleasant conditions. “proceeded unhindered despite This probably will not end well for Ukraine. The unfortunate Ukrainians find them- many protests” against the junta in selves not only at the mercy of their predatory ruler but also cut off from Europe. power at the time, while the Mos- And it creates a headache for the West. The fear is that Mr Yanukovych could allow his cow Games were “boycotted by 64 country to fall under Russia’s sway…Such a setback for 20 years of Western efforts to countries including the United States bolster Ukraine’s independence is a grim prospect; EU countries should make clear to and West Germany after the Soviet Mr Putin that it would damage relations with Russia. Union invaded . Europe’s Fears of Russian influence must not be allowed to dictate a soft response Mto r Yanu- behavior in Ukraine “must probably kovych’s autocratic ways. He tends to treat friendliness as weakness, pocketing the pro- fall somewhere between the two. ceeds. Instead, the EU should tighten the screws on the president and hisD onetsk But, in another place and time, the business associates—while also finding ways to hold out hope to ordinary Ukrainians. sporting boycott of white-ruled High-level political boycotts are a good place to start. Several heads of state, including South Africa, which prevented for- those of Germany and the Czech Republic, are rightly refusing to attend an east Euro- eign teams from visiting the coun- pean summit with Mr Yanukovych [...]. The EU’s political leaders (but not its soccer try and hampered its ability to teams) should also boycott matches in Ukraine during the Euro 2012 football champi- send its players overseas, took a onships, which it is jointly hosting with Poland. cumulative toll on the apartheid Off the pitch, the EU should press for fair parliamentary elections in October, sending regime. as many observers as it can. Financial supervisors must apply money-laundering laws The South African sporting boycott, stringently to the huge sums flowing out of Ukraine to Austria, Britain, Cyprus and though, was matched for many elsewhere. EU countries should withhold visas from those directly involved in the years by a tightening array of other abuse of power. Yet at the same time they ought to make it easier for other Ukrainians penalties designed to squeeze the to visit the West for study, trade and tourism. And they should do more to explain to economy and turn the land into a Ukrainians the potential benefits of their association agreement, including the possi- pariah state. bility that it might ultimately lead to EU membership. The West’s quarrel with Ukraine No one is planning a comparable is with its president, not with its people. broadside against Ukraine. Since the Not all is lost. Ukraine’s political culture, and its press, remain vibrant and unpredict- days of the South African boycott, able. The next big test will come in October, when Ukraine is due to hold parliamen- moreover, much has changed in in- tary elections. Two opposition parties—Ms Tymoshenko’s Batkivshchyna and Arseniy ternational sports, notably the Yatsenyuk’s Front for Change—have said they will run as a united block. A Razumkov amount of money involved in spon- Centre poll puts their support at nearly 27%, against 23% for the Party of the Regions. sorships and broadcasting rights for Mr Yanukovych may find himself faced with a dilemma: does he act against his politi- events like soccer and motor racing. cal instincts and allow his party to lose seats, or does he double up on his Donbass The European tournament in Poland style and move the country one step further towards Belarus-like isolation? and Ukraine is to be broadcast live in more than 200 territories around the world. Even as protesters took to the streets of Bahrain last month in a Belgium renewed upsurge of protest, the Usually, it is American or Russian diplo- Formula One Grand Prix, canceled a mats using straight talk to make a point year earlier as the Arab Spring and have the full backing of powerful states behind. EU’s diplomatic modus operandi spread along the shores of the Gulf, is usually different. The EU has long been known for the fact that most of its diplo- went ahead as if nothing untoward mats are soft-spoken and controversy-shy project managers happily disbursing EU as- were happening beyond the race- sistance, but avoiding tough political issues. Not least because their backing from track. ‘home’ can be less straightforward since the EU itself is so affected by many different, Too much money and too much if not conflicting, member states preferences. In any case the EU has usually been a prestige were at stake to allow pro- nice diplomatic pet, much easier to ignore than US or Russia. But not anymore. test to sabotage high-ticket sports.

№ 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|11 Politics|opposition Vitali Klitschko: “The opposition should unite in the Parliament”

itali Klitschko’s Ukrainian lar candidates nominated by civil UW: Will other opposition parties Democratic Alliance for Re- society. support you? form (UDAR) refuses to The primitive mistakes we – Currently, the two leading Vrun under a single party list made in the Obukhiv mayoral elec- candidates are Vitali Klitschko and with Yulia Tymoshenko’s Bat- tion were a warning for us. So I , now Head of the kivshchyna and Arseniy Yatseni- hope we won’t repeat them in FPP Kyiv City Administration. Other uk’s Front of Change in the up- voting in the upcoming parliamen- candidates are over 15% behind. coming parliamentary election. tary election. It’s the people, not Any other candidate, self-nomi- From now on, it is the only opposi- party bosses like Klitschko, Yatse- nated or running from the opposi- tion political force other than the niuk, Turchynov or anybody else, tion, will work hand in hand with ‘united opposition’ that is confi- who should decide this. Only this the ruling party to steal my votes. dently crossing the 5% threshold. approach will give us the best pos- This will be a purely technical can- In his interview for The Ukrai- sible outcome. didate from the party in power. nian Week, Vitali Klitschko Let’s call a spade a spade here. shares his vision for processes UW: How will the single list with within the opposition, yet leaves Batkivshchyna and the Front of UW: Will there be any chance of some questions unanswered. Change affect your party’s pros- running under a single FPP list pects and the talk about a single from the opposition in the parlia- UW: Why won’t your party run list of FPP candidates? mentary election if other opposi- under a single party list with – Their merger is their inter- tion forces do not support you in other opposition parties? nal matter. I don’t want to com- the Kyiv mayoral election? – The opposition should win ment on it because we respect the – Consistency is what matters in the election. The only chance to win decision of these two parties. But politics. The public should know is to distribute our forces in the best I have made myself clear: we are people who declare one thing and do possible way. Some in the opposi- running separately. If somebody the opposite – and that is your task tion said that whoever is not with wants to join us, we’ll have a syn- as journalists to draw public atten- us is with Yanukovych. I think ergy that gives us a better result. tion to this. This signals that they are those statements were more popu- The people that join us have spot- false and will treat voters the same. list than sincere. Whoever is against less reputations, professional Yanukovych is with us, I would say qualities and moral values that UW: So, the Kyiv mayoral election instead. What we must seek today are in line with ours, and we’ll may be a Rubicon: if the opposi- is common ground rather than foes unite to win. tion does not support you, it will within the opposition. reveal how false its intentions are Our goal is to have a majority in UW: Will this decision make the and there will be no single list in the Parliament. Unification does talks on a common opposition the parliamentary election? not always result in synergy. In pol- FPP list any more difficult? – It makes sense to support one itics, 5+5 does not always make 10. – They have only merged at opposition candidate who is the We should unite in the Parlia- this point. We are in the process of most popular in a specific region. ment. For that we must win in negotiations. Hopefully, we will Faked polls aside, I am now nearly first-past-the-post (FPP) constitu- soon have some results to present 8% ahead of Mr. Popov. We will encies and protect our votes under to the public. avoid the mistakes Batkivshchyna party lists. At the same time, made in the 2008 mayoral election rather than decide who runs in UW: Are other opposition forces when it nominated Oleksandr Tur- specific FPP constituencies, we demanding any concessions in chynov and Leonid Chernovetsky should hold primaries. Politicians terms of candidate distribution in was ultimately re-elected. It’s up to have proposed to meet and decide the common list for the parlia- them to decide whether or not they whom we will nominate. The only mentary election in exchange for will do this again, but then every- thing they forgot was to ask the supporting you as candidate for one should know whom to blame voters: whom do they want to see? the Kyiv mayoral post? for the opposition’s defeat in the Only candidates with the most – Politics is a search for com- election. support in a given constituency promise. I believe we can find the can run as the opposition. More- golden mean in this matter that UW: Where does UDAR’s funding over, we all should support popu- will be good for all political forces. come from?

12|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 phl фото: opposition|Politics – A big portion of the funding is my money. Clearly, this isn’t not enough, but we also rely on middle and small business. Many people are reluctant to sit and wait until something better comes around. They are ready to strive for change. Business owners tell us they are not ready to declare themselves to the public because they risk their cause and the jobs they give to others. Notably, they are not oligarchs. These business owners mostly sup- port regional and local entities or projects, not the party on the whole. I mean, they support people they know personally who will protect the interests of Ukrainians in local councils and in the Parliament, and stand with the principles our party is committed to. UW: What are the chances for your campaign sponsors to act ar- bitrarily after the election, espe- cially if the candidates they sup- port in the regions get through to the Parliament under the FPP sys- tem, or if they themselves are elected as MPs? Could they re- peat the Kyiv Council scenario where some influential business- men quit your party, including Dmytro Andriyevsky, Lev Partskhaladze and Andriy Myrhorodsky, UDAR’s key spon- sors at that point, who left UDAR or were expelled from the party in 2010? – The party is about team play, not Klitschko alone. We unite around principles we commit to, not one person. The most impor- tant thing we have is independent decision-making. I will do my best to not become someone’s puppet or a prisoner of circumstance. A lot of people come to our party, but we don’t accept money and I’m not selling anything. I don’t want to make the same mistake other par- ties have made when a sponsor comes around to fund the party that gets through to the Parlia- ment, and begins to earn his money back immediately. Such po- litical projects have zero prospects. I want to build a party, not a proj- ect, with my team.

UW: Clearly, you’re not selling your party, but people can use your reputation and public confi- dence in you to get through to the Parliament. They can claim they share your values and do whatever they like once elected. № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|13 Politics|opposition – I’d like to stress once again while seeking to join the Euro- where every citizen feels confident that no person can buy anything pean People’s Party. about the present and the future. in our party. I don’t sell party list – What do you mean? The Eu- Ukrainian should be the only positions. If someone supports us ropean People’s Party also pro- official language. This is identity. financially, this does not guaran- motes a liberal economy. There is no question about it. We tee that the person gets into the can speak any language we like Parliament automatically. We UW: How will you present your- but speculation on this issue need the electorate in the regions self? Are you liberal or conserva- should stop. and FPP constituencies to vote for tive? What is your ideology? I really want UDAR’s platform us. For that, we have to provide – We’ve had many debates to be put into practice and we’re reputable candidates, not just rich about who we are. We should an- taking responsibility for that. It’s people. We scrutinize how our re- swer our voters on the interests, very important for us to communi- gional branches work and how ideals and principles we protect, cate our principles, who we are much support they gain from the on the criteria and values we pro- and where we are heading, why we public. We even hold a sort of a mote and on our objective. are here and what we want to do. competition for our oblast branches: whoever gains the most UW: So, what are they? UW: So how do you personally support will get to our party list – We are a right-centrist party. answer these questions? What which we will set up openly and European integration is our key should we unite around? transparently. The most impor- goal. Mentally, historically and – We are Ukrainians. tant thing is that they should have geographically, we are Europeans. high morals, and I’m responsible The only things that make us very UW: Who are Ukrainians? Are for that. distant from Europe are standards these all people living in the terri- of living and the rules of politics. tory of Ukraine or do they need UW: Who will be the top five in 32.2% Therefore, our goal is to change to have something in common? UDAR’s list? of voters in Kyiv are this in order to place the citizen, – Who are Ukrainians? Skin going to vote for Vi- – I don’t want to get ahead of tali Klitschko in the with his or her rights and free- colour doesn’t matter…. myself. We will set up the list at mayoral election. He doms, in a central place. is running slightly our party convention. This will all ahead of Oleksandr UW: We’re talking about self- be public information. Popov, currently UW: How do you view Ukrainian identification, not ethnic or racial We have many young well-ed- Head of Kyiv City identity? What should the na- things… State Administration ucated people with good principles tion’s integration and consolida- – …nationality, language and Source: tion be based on? How do you and a European vision for survey by the Social religion do not matter. It’s about Ukraine’s development. That’s our Monitoring Center see the need to shape national something different altogether. key motivation. These criteria are and O. Yaremenko history in contrast to the common Someone lives in Ukraine? Does Ukrainian Institute much more important than some- for Social Survey history of the , and this person love Ukraine? Does one’s celebrity status. Mine is quite the prospects of the Ukrainian this person see his or her future in enough for us. language? the country? That is much more – Ukrainian politicians are important. UW: This is not about celebrity used to taking the differences be- status. Responsibility is always tween Western and Eastern UW: What kind of future? personified.W ho, other than you, Ukraine as the starting point be- – We are building a country will be personally responsible for cause the issues of the language, with democratic standards where the party’s achievements or fail- 10.1% history, religion and NATO often a human with his or her rights of Ukrainians that ures? Is this going to be you are going to the par- raised by politicians are fueled and freedoms is top priority; this alone? liamentary election intentionally. In fact, we Ukraini- is the most important value. Then will vote for UDAR – No. Our party list will in- compared to 26.8% ans are much more interested in comes European integration. We clude people known regionally. for Batkivshchyna how confidently we can face the all realize that the path other They are not well-known at this and the Front of future and whether we have a Eastern European countries have Change and 23.3% point, but they are qualified in law for the Party of Re- chance to get a good education, chosen leads to political stability, and economy. These are people gions health care services, good jobs economic development, better who are ready to undertake re- Source: and salaries. For us, this is what quality of life and protection of sponsibilities. That’s how all par- 14-19 April survey by matters much more. rights. That is the main objective ties evolve in civilized countries: the Razumkov Center I agree that this should be an of our party. people obtain the initial party ex- identity matter because we all live perience in regions, progress as in Ukraine. But we should remem- UW: Are you ready to convince politicians and move on to nation- ber that we have over 70 ethnic society that unpopular decisions wide politics. groups in this country, and many should be made even if they put I realize I haven’t answered different regions, languages, reli- your popularity at risk? your question. But be patient, gions and histories. Playing games – If you make a necessary yet please. We can meet after our with these things will get us no- unpopular decision, you need to party convention1 and I will give where. We should be tolerant explain to people what benefits it you answers about everyone. 1Mr. Klitschko was about language, history and reli- will bring in the short-term that all interviewed before gion—it’s our future that should Ukrainians will see later on. As a UW: What is your ideological UDAR party unite us. It’s how we want to see politician, I am ready to make un- convention that took platform based on? UDAR de- place on 28 April our country, an economically pow- popular decisions but I need the clares itself a socio-liberal party in Zaporizhzhia erful and politically stable one voters’ support to do so. 14|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 an effort to please everyone|Politics QuestionsW ithout Answers Vitali Klitschko’s rapid political ascent is due to his readiness to say what most voters want to hear. Yet, it is currently too early to talk about any strategic vision of the nation’s development

itali Klitschko’s back- then support, when they had to cratic Union and the wish to join ground is a success story answer some tough questions, as the European People’s Party, of reputation gained in the novelty effect faded. Vitali UDAR’s platform documents de- Vsports converted into a Klitschko can count on proactive fine it as a socio-liberal party political asset with proactive support from the middle class whose key objective is to take civil activity in between. In and the youth who see him as a part in developing a social state 2000, Mr. Klitschko joined successful self-made man. and the implemention of the UNESCO’s Education for Chil- The main advantage of UDAR principle of social equality. dren in Poverty programme. In is the fact that it does not have a Clearly, this course would be 2003, he and his brother Volody- government-tarnished reputa- more in line with the Social myr founded the Klitschko tion, while Mr. Klitschko and his Democratic Party of Germany, Brothers’ Charity Foundation. team have no background in cor- not the Christian Democratic Mr. Klitschko often visited ruption. By contrast, Klitschko’s Union, if put in the German po- events arranged by Oleksandr Bloc often opposed the grabbing litical context. Omelchenko, the then Kyiv of municipal property by Leonid Mr. Klitschko speaks Russian, Mayor. He supported the Orange Chernovetsky’s “young team” in but he is learning Ukrainian and Revolution. On 12 December the . Many of now speaks it fairly well. He is 2004, he devoted his victory in a the bloc’s members who got into aware of the significance of an of- match to democracy in the Kyiv Council in 2006 and ficial state language as a symbol of Ukraine and raised an orange 2008 ended up as crossovers, national identity, but misses the flag. Since 2005, Vitali Klitschko but Mr. Klitschko insists that he point that it should be used as a has himself been involved in pol- has learned his lesson and will be basis for the real, albeit gradual itics, leading the Pora-Reform more cautious from now on. In consolidation of the nation, rather and Order Party (Pora-PRP) the spring of 2010, the mass me- than as a ritual attribute for pub- bloc. His bloc entered the Kyiv dia started buzzing that he was lic use on individual occasions, City Council after the 2006 elec- having talks about possible such as public administration, tion, but Mr. Klitschko lost the closer cooperation with the Party politics or education. UDAR’s subsequent mayoral election to of Regions, his election as Kyiv platform was essentially designed Leonid Chernovetsky. His bloc mayor or appointment as secre- to please everyone as it does not later failed to cross the 3% tary or head of Kyiv City State give a clear list of endangered lan- threshold in the parliamentary Administration. He himself de- guages while highlighting the election. In the early election in nied these allegations. In fact, he need to protect languages other spring 2008, Pora-PRP doubled is too European-oriented to lean than the official one in Ukraine. its seats in the Kyiv Council, but towards the post-soviet authori- Thus, it effectively creates an en- Mr. Klitschko lost the mayoral tarian Belarus-Russian model vironment for protecting the Rus- election once again – this time that the current Ukrainian gov- sian language that dominates the not only to Leonid Chernovetsky, ernment is continuing to de- media, mass culture and business, but also to . velop. It is doubtful whether Mr. and restricts the use of Ukrainian After Viktor Yanukovych Klitschko would taint his reputa- in these spheres. came to power in April 2010, Vi- tion by collaborating with a re- Given his personal and fam- tali Klitschko founded the Ukrai- gime that is ever more associated ily background, Mr. Klitschko nian Democratic Alliance for Re- with political repression by the honours WWII veterans while forms (UDAR). Over the past two international community. avoiding talk about UPA, the years, its popularity with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, as electorate has tripled, the sup- Vague identity something he is not familiar port of those who are going to Meanwhile, it is still difficult to with. Most likely, Mr. Klitschko vote in the election for its leader ideologically define Vitali does not know the history of the climbing to an impressive 10%. Klitschko and his party. In all national liberation movement in First and foremost, this is the re- likelihood, they are counting on Ukraine well enough, but cannot sult of a permanent need for new this so that every electoral group help but understand that the pic- faces and a new quality of politi- is able to find something to iden- ture of WWII painted by soviet cal forces in Ukrainian politics. tify with in them. propaganda is also far from be- Arseniy Yatseniuk and Serhiy Ti- Despite promoting itself as a ing true. He believes that all con- hipko benefited from this earlier, right-centrist force, comparisons troversial points in history and only to first lose momentum, to Germany’s Christian Demo- religion can be ignored as being № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|15 Politics|an effort to please everyone ments” rather than “to force a choice between two alterna- tives.” This essentially means balancing between different centers of influence, with the EU, Russia and USA being on an equal footing. Having said this, Russia appears to have an un- justified high status. All three are clearly recognized as global leaders, as opposed to regional leaders, while Ukraine’s rela- tions with Moscow are inter- preted as “vital for Ukraine”. At the same time, there is no clear position on the continued pres- ence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine while the plat- form only mentions a vague in- tention “to regulate the terms and the conditions of the pres- ence” of the Russian military base in Crimea. As a result, instead of a clear European and NATO choice, UDAR has taken on the concept of cooperation within the “Great Europe” supposed “to remove numerous challenges in Ukraine’s foreign policy orienta- tion and make them less urgent”. In fact, though, it is an attempt to fit in with Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical, strategy spelled out provocative, while joint projects, criticizes the current govern- in a special platform provision in in addition to the common will ment’s will to “review strategic his latest election campaign. It to join Europe (on which every- objectives and priorities based entails the deconstruction of the one has their own vision), such on circumstances and the will of Euro-Atlantic space, replacing it as the athletic achievements in- other countries on such impor- with a “Europe from Lisbon to carnated by tant issues as collective security Vladivostok,” in which Moscow among others, can consolidate and the dislocation of foreign is counting on a dominant role. the nation. Based on this, he military forces on the territory of For Ukraine, this will effectively hopes to become a compromise Ukraine, yet offers no reasonable mean a return of the “heading to figure for voters in different re- and clear alternative. Europe with Russia” concept. gions. The platform is actually a Even the European integra- In fact, though, it is hard to kind of remake of the infamous tion declared as UDAR’s strate- think about how national iden- multi-vector policy that UDAR gic objective actually boils down tity can be strengthened based proposes replacing with “multi- to the priority of “European on the “historical, value and lan- partnership” based on “effective standards” – a concept charac- guage diversity” of the regions multilateral relations.” At the teristic of United Russia and the and ethnic groups in the Ukrai- Party of Regions – while EU nian post-colonial reality, as membership or lack thereof, is UDAR’s platform suggests. The mr. klitschko believes that secondary. According to its vision of one big state with the all controvercial issues agenda, the European vector sets historical vision, value concepts the direction of transformations and language traditions of a can be ignored as being within the country, thus ensur- “common state”, still dominates provocative ing the integrity of state policy in in some oblasts, identifying with implementing European stan- the “Russian world” rather than same time, it puts organiza- dards of social, political and eco- with Ukraine specifically, and tions, the essence and role of nomic life and creating the nec- backing the revival policy of the which vary significantly for essary diplomatic background Russian leadership in the FSU. Ukraine, such as the UN, the for European reforms within Council of Europe, the EU, Ukraine. Meanwhile, the feasible Safety or reliability NATO and OSCE, on one prior- goal of EU integration outlined UDAR’s platform on geopolitical ity level. Its geopolitical strategy in the agenda only determines choice, national security and for- is “to simultaneously use all the ratification of the Associa- eign policy priorities is vague. It available cooperation instru- tion Agreement and the FTA. 16|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 the black sea region|security Black Sea (In)Security Recent geopolitical transformations in the Black Sea region and Caucasus have presented serious challenges while also offering many opportunities for Ukraine to reinforce its national security

Author: 23M3 bombers, must be re- Stroy (Special-Purpose Con- Oles Oleksiyenko turned to the Black Sea Fleet. struction Company), the builder Clearly, this is why the Krem- of the base. Regardless of n a series of articles pub- lin wants new concessions from whether the increased Sevasto- lished during Russia’s last Ukraine in terms of its Black Sea pol armaments lead to conces- presidential election, Vladi- Fleet and the green light to “up- sions from Kyiv, Russia will still Imir Putin outlined plans to grade” its weapons, which will in increase its military presence in increase the country’s energy, fact end up increasing in size and the region through its base in geopolitical and military impact, number as well. On 20 April, Novorossiysk. reclaim its status as a key link in Grigoriy Karasin, Russia’s Dep- Apart from the ambition to the future structure of Eurasia, uty Minister of Foreign Affairs, expand its influence in the Black and squeeze the US out of the mentioned that a series of new Sea region, Russia is motivated Eastern Hemisphere. deals had been drafted regarding by Georgia’s consistent move- the movement of Russian mili- ment toward intensified collabo- Path of least resistance tary units beyond their deploy- ration with the US and NATO in- Meanwhile, Russian foreign pol- ment areas and the crossing of tegration, as well as Turkey’s icy records show that given few Ukrainian borders by ships, sup- growing authority in the region. options for expansion westward ply vessels, aircraft and military Russia’s Blue Stream gas pipe- and over the Baltic States, the staff of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. line, as well as the yet-unfinished Kremlin has typically focused on The Kremlin is also developing a South Stream and Burgas-Alex- the region of least resistance to backup base in Novorossiysk androupoli pipelines will add to the south, including Black Sea that could become the key de- Moscow’s incentives, now eco- and Caspian Sea states and Cen- ployment point for Russian nomic, to increase its military tral Asia. None of those is yet able Black Sea Fleet reserve troops if presence. to compete with Russia in terms talks with the current Ukrainian of its military, economic or demo- government fail to achieve the Neo-Ottomanism graphic capacity. As resistance to desired results or if a new gov- Turkey’s growing influence in the growing impact of China in ernment revises the terms. the region and its intensifying Central Asia is an unrealistic ob- In 2005, the Russian gov- policy regarding its neighbour jective, the Kremlin is likely to ernment approved a federal pro- states, especially countries that see its increased presence in the gramme to develop the Black had once been under the control Black Sea region, including the of the Ottoman Empire, are plain Caucasus, as a priority. to see. Neo-Ottomanism is the In addition to the intensified As Turkey and Russia newly-coined term for this. Of activity in the Caucasus that ac- increase their influence in course, at this point, emphasis is companied Mr. Putin’s previous being placed on a new hegemony ascent to power, with Russia’s the region, the EU and based on soft power, trade and military intervention against the us seem less interested economic dependence, thus ori- Georgia in 2008 marking his enting the region toward Ankara. shuffle to the premier’s office, Turkey’s swiftly growing econ- preparations have been made for Sea Fleet on the territory of the omy, including the 16th fastest- an expanded Russian naval pres- Russian Federation from 2005- growing GDP worldwide, con- ence in the Black Sea. At this 2020. It will cost the govern- tributes to this. By now, Turkey point, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet ment nearly RUR 92 billion or has become the biggest market has only one submarine. Accord- over USD 3 billion. Given Mr. for some of its neighbours. ing to the Fleet’s Commander, Putin’s recently declared mili- Ukraine is no exception: it ex- Rear Admiral Aleksandr Fedo- tary ambitions, the programme ports more goods to Turkey tenkov, it should have seven by may eventually receive much (worth USD 3.95 billion in 2011) 2017. New naval ships are cur- more than that. In 2010, the than it does to any other Euro- rently being built at Baltic ship- Russian government spent RUR pean country. To boost its eco- yards. In summer of 2011, Major 2.8 billion (nearly USD 90 mil- nomic capacity, Ankara is work- General Aleksandr Ot­­rosh­­ lion) to set up the base in Nov- ing hard to liberate itself from chenko, Chief of Russian Black orossiysk. Funding for 2012 is energy dependence, including Sea naval aviation, stated that estimated at RUR 9 billion (USD dependence on Russia, as well as strategic aircraft, including TU- 300 million) according to Spets- on gas transported through № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|17 security|the black sea region Washington is unlikely to Balance of power 329 2,383 CSTO member- ates abandon support for Georgia and BELARUS 45.6 143 NATO member- ates 130 1027 the neutral buffer states that NATO candidates continue to resist Russia’s ambi- ODE 3.4 61.3 Neutral countries SA-BRO tions to absorb them, yet are not DY POLAND PI Key gas and oil pipelines PE UKRAINE ready for more intense collabo- LI (in operation and planned) 267 NE ration with the US. However, this will restrict the scale of US 19 MOLDOVA 12 79 support and the array of mea- 73.3 3.6 RUSSIA 7.1 sures used. In this case, the 2.1 6 40 24.5 A White House may actually bene- 0.2 E 0.9 4.5 S ROMANIA fit by counterbalancing the influ-

21 N ence of Russia and Turkey, sup- A

REAM 0,5 I SOUTH ST P

M porting the latter until a certain SERBIA A S

E

R GEORGIA A point in time, thus turning Tur-

T C

BULGARIA ЧОРНЕ МОРЕ S

ALB –TBIL AKU ISI–

E B CEYHA key’s focus away from the Middle

N PIP U MACEDONIA L ELIN ANIA

БОСФОР B E East to the Black Sea region to a

TANAP ARMENIA

AZERBAIJAN certain extent.

GREECE 18

Strengthening Turkey and

3.3 93 TURKEY cooling its relations with the rest 294 46.7 9.1 of the EU while reducing US at- 10.8 0.4 66.9 tention to the region could lead 177,6 21 101 1,070 1.4 to significant transformations in 9.4 2.1 7.4 74.7 PPP GDP (2011), USD bn Greece’s geopolitical objectives. 8 35 667 Population, mn Athens might have to look for a Servicemen, 000 MEDITERRANEAN 0.15 0.7 15.6 YRIA

S more effective “partner,” and Pu- SEA Spending on defense, USD bn tin’s Russia would make a plau- sible candidate. The issue was Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria Turkey is trying to restore its raised by a local pro-Russian that had once constituted a large status as a key state in the Is- party during recent elections in share of the goods it imported lamic world, at least in the Mid- Greece. Some say this might help and consumed. Meanwhile, Tur- dle East, while distancing itself Moscow negotiate the rental of a key will impose a similar depen- from Washington by supporting Greek naval base to replace its dence on itself among states in only US initiatives that it can base in Syria in the event that the region. In addition to at- benefit from. Meanwhile, it ap- Assad’s regime is overthrown. tempts to monopolize the flow of pears ready to get involved in an The base in Greece, however, gas and oil from the Caspian Sea open conflict with America’s could eventually have a much region, this includes the inten- strategic allies in the region. more powerful effect, aimed at tion to take over most transit of One example was the supply of not only increasing Russia’s Russian fuel to Europe and the “humanitarian aid” to Palestine presence in the Mediterranean Mediterranean. Firstly, South that brought Ankara and Tel and the Horn of Africa where the Stream, if eventually built, will Aviv to the brink of an armed Russian Navy is now performing operate exclusively in Turkey’s confrontation. anti-piracy operations, but also economic zone. Secondly, An- at becoming a significant factor kara keeps restricting the transit Between Moscow in keeping warships of unaffili- of fuel cargo, primarily tankers and Ankara ated countries out of the Black carrying Russian oil, through the As Turkey and Russia increase Sea. Moreover, Greece, which is Bosporus. their influence in the region, the now trying unsuccessfully to Moreover, Turkey’s leaders EU seems less interested, and clamber out of debt, could be the would like to completely take starting point for a renewed Rus- over maritime trade between the Kyiv could establish sian presence in the Balkan Black Sea states and the outside States including Serbia, Macedo- world. In April 2011, Turkey’s relations on an allied nia and Bulgaria. Pro-Russian Premier Recep Tayyip Erdoğan basis with Ankara unlike lobbyists are becoming more and voiced his intention to build a more proactive there. This could shipping canal between the with moscow lead Bulgaria to the group of Black Sea and the Sea of Mar- countries loyal to Russia given mara by 2023 and to relocate all more pre-occupied with its own Turkey’s growing ambitions and flow of cargo there from the problems. The region also risks its current joint economic proj- Bosporus. Unlike the Bosporus, losing its priority status for the ects with Moscow. which is regulated by interna- US as it plunges deeper into the If the presence of NATO and tional agreements, the new ca- confrontation with China in the the US in the region fades and nal will be owned by Turkey Asia - Pacific region. As a result, the EU Southern Gas Corridor alone, giving it the power to de- the presence of the EU and US in hinges on Turkey, then the geo- cide on tariffs and regulations the Middle East is likely to re- political split of the South Cauca- for foreign vessels. main soft, limited to the support sus into pro-Russian and pro- of consistent and voluntary allies. Turkish countries will center on 18|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 the energy factor. Moreover, the gional Black Sea security entity possible overthrow of the current possibly involving all Black Sea regime in Iran would wipe out states, excluding Russia and its the last remaining multi-vector determined allies. The best op- policy options for the Caucasus tion would be to set up an entity states. If that happens, they will supported by a nuclear power, have to choose between Moscow meaning the US, and involving and Ankara. Tbilisi and Baku will European countries that seek opt for Ankara while Erevan will real containment of the Kremlin grow even more pro-Russian in the region, such as the UK, Po- (the two countries agreed in land and the like. This would be 2010 to extend the lease of a a Baltic-Black Sea entity without Russian military base in Arme- a defined intra-regional leader, nian Gyumri until 2044). such as Turkey (which will hap- Nuclear weapons will remain pen if the scale of collaboration Russia’s key advantage over Tur- is restricted to the Black Sea re- key, but past decades have gion and the Caucasus). Thus, proven that a country of Turkey’s Kyiv would be left with some size and power has a good chance space to affect the decision mak- of catching up with its competi- ing process. tors by developing its own nu- After all, a Black Sea entity clear weapons. If that happens, it involving Turkey and Ukraine, may add some nuclear flavour to but not Russia, could become an the confrontation in the region. efficient tool in solving the re- gion’s energy security dilemma, In pursuit even if Turkey plays the key role of a perfect balance in fuel transit. Its army’s power In this Russian-Turkish model of would guarantee that outside the Black Sea region, it is impor- forces would not intervene in tant for countries that are the South Caucasus once again, equally disinterested in falling repeating the scenario of Rus- under Russian or Turkish influ- sia’s 2008 intervention in Geor- ence to find ways to keep outside gia. This would secure the key powers focused on this part of energy transit communications the world. This means either of the Black Sea and European maintaining a US presence or re- states with the Caspian region. viving Germany’s interest to Moreover, a possible US mil- counterbalance Russian influ- itary operation against Syria ence and the growing impact of and Iran could provoke a revo- Turkey, at least for some of the lution in the European energy Black Sea states, including market as the gas export poten- Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and tial of Turkmenistan, Iran and possibly Bulgaria and Georgia. the Persian Gulf Arab states is Otherwise, Kyiv and Bucharest considerably higher than that of will have to decide which of the Russia. Firstly, they have much two potential regional hegemo- larger reserves of gas, and sec- nies would be most acceptable ondly, Russia consumes much and tactically beneficial. Collab- more gas domestically, espe- oration with Turkey should be a cially in the cold winter months. clear priority for Ukraine as long At the same time, the natural as the biggest threats to its sov- conditions for gas extraction ereignty and national identity and transit in these states are no come from its northeastern more challenging than those in neighbour. This would allow Russia, while the distance to key Ukraine to walk away from Rus- consumers in Europe is compa- sia. In the current situation, Kyiv rable to the distance from Rus- could establish relations on an sia’s key gas fields in the Arctic allied, if not totally equal, basis Circle and remote parts of Sibe- with Ankara. Unlike Turkey, the ria. In contrast, the main factor best that Russia can offer restricting the export of Asian Ukraine is a satellite role, while fuels to the EU in recent decades the worst case scenario would be was almost exclusively the polit- a gradual loss of sovereignty and ical risk associated with strained dissolution under Mr. Putin’s relations between Western neo-imperial project. countries and dictatorships in Thus, Ukraine should focus potential fuel supply and transit its efforts on launching a re- states. security|georgia Giorgi Baramidze: “Russia believes that the Georgian factor should be eliminated”

eorgia is the most recent Interviewer: will be involved in any confronta- for Georgia and for many other example of the serious Oleksandr tion on either side. So, I don’t un- states. Yet, in Russia’s eyes, re- threats that the Black Sea Kramar derstand which conflict they are moving the “Georgian factor” is Gstates are facing. Its dy- referring to. Moreover, Moscow an absolute must. namic and successful domestic re- will hold the exercises on Rus- forms coupled with the intention sian territory near the Georgian UW: Georgia has recently be- to determine its own foreign pol- border, on Armenian territory, come a NATO aspirant country. icy prompted Russia to apply in- and on the occupied territories of What are the objectives of this formational and economic pres- Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South programme? Is it a sort of re- sure followed by direct military Ossetia). placement for the NATO Mem- assault in 2008. Russia seems to There has also been this bership Action Plan? view Georgia as a dangerous role strange interest in the Georgian – This is a purely de jure sta- model for other post-soviet states. election and the statement that tus. It’s more of a political decla- At the 5th Kyiv Security Forum ration. The term will apply to held on April 19-20, The Ukrai- Georgia has virtually Georgia as well as three other nian Week talked to Giorgi Western Balkan countries that are Baramidze, Georgia’s Vice Prime revived its status as the already NATO Membership Ac- Minister for European and Euro- central caucasus state tion Plan (MAP) participants. Atlantic Integration, about the Considering that the countries are current threats to Georgia’s secu- the Kremlin would coordinate all placed together with Georgia rity and its role in the region. some of its actions with a certain in the same format, naturally, the part of the opposition. Naturally, political context may provide UW: How has Georgia’s security we’re concerned by all of this. some signals about how the situa- status changed since Russian in- But don’t panic: we’re on the tion will evolve in NATO. tervention in 2008? alert! And it’s not just us. Our In fact, Georgia already has – Russia is now preparing for Western partners are all aware of much more than MAP at this large-scale military exercises cal­­ this. Unlike in 2008, there is the point. We have the annual na- led “Caucasus-2012” in addition Georgia's corruption EU Election Observation Mis- tional plan which is the only MAP to exercises under the Collective perception index was sion. The world gained some im- component used annually by ev- Security Treaty Organization 1.8 portant insight back then and ery country that commits to it. (CSTO). in 2003 with Russia’s aggression will no lon- Moreover, we have one mecha- 10 for zero corruption and 0 for total ger catch anyone by surprise. Be- nism and one political decision. UW: What does this signal? Is corruption. In 2011, fore August 2008, many couldn’t The mechanism is the “NATO – this an attempt to put pressure it soared to have imagined such a conflict; Georgia” Commission that doesn’t on Georgia before the upcoming 4.1 they didn’t believe that Russia provide any MAP, but it’s already parliamentary election using the would attack even though they operational in Georgia. The politi- In 2003, the average slogan “vote for peace,” mean- salary in Georgia was were warned of its consistent cal decision is a clear and under- ing voting against the party in preparation for the invasion. To- standable statement by NATO power that irritates Russian USD day, unfortunately, that has be- member-states that Georgia will leaders? 60 come reality and everyone is join NATO. That is an unprece- – Sadly, we cannot rule out per month compared watching the situation closely. dented declaration made in Bu- any of the possible scenarios. No- to Pressure from Russia could charest in 2008. tably, both the Caucasus 2012 USD also target the Georgian economy. It mentioned Tbilisi and Kyiv (that will have the same format as If there is any potential tension in but Ukraine is currently not mov- 400 Caucasus 2008, only on a larger in 2011 the air, investors will surely have ing actively in that direction. scale) and CSTO maneuvers will a harder time making the right Georgia moves independently, be held just a few weeks before In 2005, Georgia's decisions. Perhaps the Kremlin is and in this context, NATO aspi- PPP GDP was the October parliamentary elec- hoping to cripple Georgia because rant status can surely be seen as a tion in Georgia. USD it sees the country as an obstacle big step forward. We are also concerned by of- on the path to fulfilling its imperi- It is common knowledge that 3.500 ficial statements that Russia is compared to alistic ambitions. Specifically, Georgia is prepared for NATO ready to take part in an unknown these include plans to create a membership in many aspects, yet conflict if there happens to be a USD Eurasian Union, which we see as we realize that it has much farther confrontation between the West 5.500 an attempt to revive the USSR. to go compared to other recently and Iran. We don’t think Russia in 2011 This is totally unacceptable both accepted candidates. We know 20|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 georgia|security that this is achievable and Georgia their people. The two nations ernment threaten these re- is ready to wait a few years – not have close political and economic forms? too long, though. Naturally, we ties, a visa-free regime and elec- – The Georgian people have, will wait as long as needed, but we tronic ID cards for border cross- first and foremost, guaranteed the believe that the parliamentary ing. Turkey is among the top three permanence of the reforms, be- and presidential elections will investors in Georgia and the cause their mentality has changed help to pave the way. leader in terms of tourist inflow. dramatically. They are no longer a This shows that our relations are post-soviet nation. We have passed UW: Are you saying that you evolving in a civilized manner. that stage and are now building a don’t expect any changes after modern democratic state. The na- the Chicago Summit in May? UW: President Saakashvili has tion is making an intense contribu- – As you know, it will not be lately been promoting the con- tion to the process. about NATO enlargement. That is cept of a united Caucasus. What one point. As to other decisions, does he mean? How realistic is we believe that the key thing this given the conflicts between NATO can do for us there is to some countries in the region? properly assess the progress – He’s talking about the inte- Georgia has made in various as- gration based on the abundant pects, from the struggle against history of relations between Cau- corruption to reforms of the mili- casian nations rather than a polit- tary, law enforcement and secu- ical union or border removal. rity authorities. They’ve often had tough relations, Georgia has made significant yet they always remained inter- progress in all key spheres. We connected. Therefore, cultural in- expect this to translate into tegration, as well as economic and NATO’s clearer position on Geor- trade integration to some extent, gia’s membership prospects. That and an intensified dialogue in ed- would be progress for us. I would ucation, science and so on, are the like to stress once again that we crucial things to discuss. want to join NATO, but its mem- Georgia has always been the ber-states are going to decide on heart of Caucasus culture. Thus, that after the elections in Georgia. we want to make a good contribu- NATO member-states have al- tion to it. By now, Georgia has vir- ready decided that Tbilisi would tually revived its central status as be a member. a result of its developing infra- Of course, we wonder how structure, democracy and re- they view this and how they plan forms. The interest of representa- to implement their decisions since tives of all Caucasian states and it’s not Georgia alone that we’re nations proves this. And our talking about, but NATO as well – intention is to have a good to what extent it fulfills its signed impact on their lives. agreements. Therefore, the Chi- cago Summit will hopefully be yet UW: Everyone can now another step toward Georgia’s see how successful the membership – a real one, even if reforms in Georgia not final. And we’ll see what hap- have been. Could a pens next. change of gov- UW: How does Georgia see the growing impact of Turkey in the Black Sea region and the Cauca- sus that has virtually evolved into a kind of “neo-Ottoman- ism”? The two nations had trou- blesome relations until the early 20th century. – We see no threat in Ankara’s activity. What happened in the past is history. Modern Georgia and Tur- key are estab- lishing rela- tions based on the interests of

№ 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|21 security|nuclear power Lesson Not Learned Continuing its cooperation with Russia in the nuclear engineering sector, the Ukrainian government is putting the country at risk and could repeat the mistake of Chornobyl wing by ihor luki a nchenko wing by dr a

Author: n all the time that has passed light, that even third-world coun- cannot be eliminated without com- Anatoliy since the Chornobyl disaster, it tries would refuse to cooperate with pletely redesigning the entire reac- Hrytsak has not been legally recognised it in the nuclear engineering sector. tor, so all reactors of this type that Ithat the cause was the deficient continue to operate at Russian design of the RBMK-1000 (high- The danger is still there power plants, are operating in viola- power channel-type) reactor. The At the time of the Chornobyl disas- tion of the above- mentioned norm BIO Anatoliy Hrytsak court found only the operating staff ter, 14 RBMK-1000 reactors were in of nuclear safety. The last such reac- is a nuclear guilty in 1987, not the representa- use in the USSR: four each in Chor- tor in Ukraine was shut down in power engineer tives of higher bodies, such as the nobyl, Kursk and Leningrad and two 2000. However, the Smolensk Nu- who was on the Ministry of Energy and Electrifica- in Smolensk. Immediately after the clear Power Plant, which has three crew servicing tion, the Nuclear Supervision Chornobyl explosion, a complex of RBMK-1000 reactors, is located on the first power- Agency and the Igor Kurchatov In- mandatory measures to increase the Desna River, which flows into generating unit stitute of Atomic Energy (the chief their reliability was developed. This the , while the Kursk Nuclear of the Chornobyl designer of the RBMK reactor), is actually the key to understanding Power Plant (with four such reac- Nuclear Power without the approval of which, it the causes of the tragedy. The list of tors) stands on the Seym River, a Station at the was impossible to conduct any ex- the reactor’s deficiencies is very tributary of the Desna. In other time of the accident. He periments at the power plant. Rus- long: various experts have listed 15- words, until the last RBMK-1000 re- witnessed the sia has absolutely no interest in 32 flaws in the design and even de- actor is shut down at these nuclear catastrophe and studying the true causes of the acci- partures from nuclear safety norms power plants, they pose a potential was involved dent, because if the deficiencies of that were effective in 1986. The threat to Ukraine. in the clean-up the RBMK design are legally recog- main cause was a large positive Ukraine is now using 15 VVER effort. nised, it would be put in such a steam coefficient of reactivity. It (Water-Water Power Reactor) reac- 22|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 nuclear power|security tors at four of its nuclear power down. So exactly how were Russian build it, while Russia is nowhere in plants. Moreover, two more reactors nuclear power plants able to “theo- sight. To put it simply, have of this type are scheduled for con- retically” withstand such earth- understood that there is no way struction. Their design was made by quakes and tsunamis if such NPP that the designer of a Moskvich can Russian specialists working in the designs don’t even exist? It appears ever build a Mercedes. same entities that created the RBMK that this whole story regarding suc- reactor. Moreover, one of the lead- cessful stress test is simply lies on A “professional” approach ing nuclear design institutes of the the state level. The lessons of Chornobyl, and now RF in the field of nuclear technology Another example that suggests Fukushima, prove that nuclear en- was named after Nikolay Dollezhal, that something is rotten in the nu- ergy should only be approached one of the “co-authors” of the worst clear sector of Russia: the main Rus- professionally and that safety ecological disasters in the world. sian TV channels showed Rosatom’s should be of primary importance. This means that we are dealing with President, Sergey Kirienko, report- All factors have to be taken into ac- “companies” whose reputation is ing to the then Prime Minister, Vlad- count, from the human factor to tar­nished by the Chornobyl disaster. imir Putin, that nuclear power plants technical aspects. Meanwhile, the were being built in Russia that could commercial approach has prevailed Why Russia? withstand a plane crash. How can over the professional one in Our country can cooperate with and this be? In 1986, as helicopters were Ukraine. The desire of a group of purchase reactor designs and nu- dropping sand, lead, clay, etc. on the people to fill their pockets could clear technology from any devel- fourth reactor in Chornobyl, one pi- turn into a tragedy for the entire oped country in the world. But we lot missed and dropped a parachute, people and the state as a whole. have invariably chosen Russia: the The current state of affairs in design of their VVER reactor, the Ukraine's nuclear sector is cause for fuel it requires and the technology Cooperation in the nuclear serious concern. What immediately for the production of own fuel for a energy sector with the catches the eye is the lack of a com- nuclear power plant, etc. There is prehensive approach to solving only one explanation for this phe- technologically backward problems, such as the construction nomenon: the nuclear lobby in Russia is a threat to of a safe geological repository for Ukraine finds it easier to embezzle high-level waste (HLW) and HLW budget money together with Rus- Ukraine’s national security containing transuranic isotopes, sia’s nuclear lobby. Cooperation in the establishment of an infrastruc- the nuclear energy sector with the carrying a load of nearly two metric ture for taking nuclear power plants merely the technologically backward tonnes of sand, dolomite, etc. onto (first and foremost, the Chornobyl Russia, is a threat to Ukraine’s na- the roof of the central hall of the NPP) out of operation and so on. tional security, particularly in terms third reactor. It went through the Cadres are engaged in the manage- of the monopolization of this sector roof and, fortunately, fell next to the ment and control in this sector, by one country-supplier. reactor. The consequences of a who have little knowledge of nu- At the 26 April 2011 summit of crashing plane would have been clear issues. A person whom I have donor states in Kyiv, dedicated to much more serious. Russia is cur- known for 15 years as having very the 25th anniversary of the Chor- rently operating 11 reactors that are little to do with nuclear reactors re- nobyl disaster, Russia First Deputy similar to those in Chornobyl. cently spoke on TV about the ad- Prime Minister Igor Sechkin said This type of “advertisement” vantages of VVER reactors over that stress tests had been success- based on blatent lies must at the other types. It was with great sur- 11 fully carried out at all Russian nu- reactors similar very least be cause for concern. prise that I learned that he was the clear power plants following the Fu- to those at Moreover, we have already had the Executive Director at Ukraine’s En- kushima-2 accident. They were Chornobyl power bitter experience of such bluffing. ergoatom and was later promoted plant still operate in tested to see if they were able to Russia. Kursk Nuclear In the early 1980s, Academic Dolle- to a Cabinet of Ministers office. In withstand an earthquake with a Power Plant with zhal, one of the creators of the another example, on live TV, I four reactors stands magnitude of 10 points and a 14-me- on the Seym River, a RBMK reactor, gave his assurance heard a person with a PhD in phys- tre-high tidal wave. But there is no tributary of the that this reactor was completely re- ics, who is directly involved with Desna. Smolensk liable and safe, so much so that it nuclear reactors, confuse such fun- way that there can be such waves on Nuclear Power Plant any of the rivers – the Desna, the has three and stands could even be installed in Moscow’s damental concepts in the physics of Seym and the Don, all of which are on the Desna that Red Square. As it turned out, the nuclear reactors as prompt and fast 3-4 metres deep – on which the flows into the Dnipro opposite was the case. neutrons. In all likelihood, such Russian nuclear power plants are lo- An example of a thoughtful ap- “specialists” have been appointed cated! As far as earthquakes are con- proach can be found in Germany, to high offices with the help of cerned, not a single plant was de- which shut down the Nord Nuclear Ukraine’s nuclear lobby which signed to withstand tremors that ex- Power Plant in 1990, citing the fail- wants to push through its business ceed a magnitude of 6.0 points. ure of its VVER reactors to meet projects and needs people who are Proof of this is the Crimean Nuclear nuclear safety regulations. The EU easy to negotiate with. Power Plant: its launch, scheduled advises its new members to aban- We need to choose a reliable, de- for 1988, was scrapped when it was don Russian-made VVER reactors cent and tested partner in order to discovered that earthquakes mea- for the same reason. Poland re- avoid begging money from the en- suring 8.0 points on the Richter cently decided to build its first nu- tire world to build another “sarcoph- scale are possible on the peninsula clear power plant. France and two agus”. We cannot afford to imple- as opposed to the designated 6.0 American-Japanese companies ment technology, the safety of which points. The plant was simply shut have submitted bids to design and has not been conclusively proved. № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|23 security|sea piracy Piracy at Sea Has Real Impact on Ukraine Author: hat do Ukrainians James Greene think about Somali pi- Ukraine’s share of Southbound Cargo racy? For many, the natural answer might W 1 seem “Maya khata z kraiu…” Traffic through Suez Canal A scant two decades after the Soviet Union collapsed, Ukraini- ans can be forgiven for feeling iso- lated from far-away global events over which they feel little influ- ence. Their thoughts are under- standably closer to home, on get- Fabricated Oil ting (or keeping) a good job and Ores and Metals Cereals Fertilizers Metals & Oil Produs Chemicals good home, on their family’s safety, on building their and their 19.6mn tons 5.2mn tons 3.5mn tons 3.7mn tons 3.2mn tons 0.82mn tons children’s future. Talk of new se- curity threats – of terrorism, failed states, cybercrime, piracy – can 69.6% 29.5% 28.8% 24.7% 8.3% 8.7% seem like stories of a far-away land, detached from the realities of everyday Ukrainian life. Yet the real impact of Somali piracy shows that these phenomena, like a stone thrown in water, cause ripples that have an effect thousands of miles away. The impact of piracy on Ukrainians are the most frequent vic- Ukraine is real. On 26 March, a tims of assaults by Ukrainian crew member was Percentage sea pirate, being sec- ond only to the Filipi- among the 23 sailors taken captive Source: Suez Canal Authority Transit Figures for 2011; of total Southbound Traffic nos. Every fifth crew by Somali pirates when they seized http://suezcanal.gov.eg member kidnapped the MV Eglantine, a Bolivian- by sea terrorists is Ukrainian, says the flagged merchant vessel that had Ombudsman in a re- been sailing near the Maldives. He seafarers, Ukraine is the third undoubtedly bears a dispropor- port “On the Protec- tion of Seafarers' joined of five other Ukrainians in largest contributor of commercial tionate share of the estimated $7- Rights in Ukraine”. captivity – sailors captured on crews in the world, second only to 12 billion dollar annual cost of pi- The key challenges facing seafarers dur- board the Italian-flagged M/V En- Russia and the Philippines. Tak- racy to the world economy. In­­ ing their work in- rico Levoli last December. In 2011, ing into account demographics, surance costs and protective clude pirate attacks, six Ukrainians from the MV Blina Ukraine arguably has the world’s measures add over $300,000 to the lack of social pro- tection and unem- spent ten months in captivity; greatest concentration of mer- the cost of each voyage. For ships ployment. In addi- since 2008, over 140 Ukrainian chant sailors in its workforce. that re-route around Africa, the tion, the report high- lights that in 2011, sailors have been victims of pi- And thus the greatest exposure, cost is $1 - $10 million per trip – 323,750 people re- racy. Many have suffered brutal as a country and a society, to the and additional transit time that ceived a seafarer cer- torture and abuse; at least two human cost of piracy. reduces a ship’s annual cargo lift tificate in Ukraine. 112,691 are now em- have been killed. The Ukrainian economy also capacity by 17%. These costs are ployed on crews on Of today’s global security bears substantial costs from pi- passed on as increased transporta- Ukrainian and for- eign-owned vessels. challenges, piracy may have the racy. Ukraine is a maritime coun- tion fees, cutting into profits for "Failing to find a job most disproportionately large im- try, with 2,782 km of coastline, Ukraine’s exporters, shippers, and at home, seafarers are willing to work pact on Ukraine. Although one of the world’s best navigable producers – and raising prices for for foreign compa- Ukraine’s merchant fleet is rela- river systems, and substantial purchasers, thus lowering demand nies without initially tively small (900 vessels or 1.8% maritime trade. Much of Ukraine’s for Ukrainian products.2 asking about em- ployment terms and of the world total) the country has maritime export transits areas af- The only way that Ukraine can salary. They are between 80,000 to 100,000 mer- fected by piracy – through the counteract the human and eco- happy with little pay and are willing to do chant seamen – around 8-10% of Suez Canal and into the Red Sea, nomic cost of piracy on its citizens any work, therefore the world’s total. Supported by the Gulf of Aden off the Somali and economy is through the most people find more than twenty higher educa- coast, and the Indian Ocean. The themselves in trou- framework of multinational coop- ble, such as delays in tion establishments that train risk is particularly acute in key ex- eration. Of the international orga- the payment of sala- port areas (see table). ries and zero social guarantees," the 1 Literally, “my home is on the outskirts” – a Ukrainian With an outsized share of its 2 See The Economic Cost of Maritime Piracy, One Earth Ombudsman says. saying meaning “it doesn’t concern me.” goods exposed to piracy, Ukraine Future Working Paper, December 2010. 24|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 sea piracy|security Piracy at Sea Has Real Impact on Ukraine expert opinion

Ukraine’s share of Southbound Cargo Piracy on the seas illustrates the global and Traffic through Suez Canal extraterritorial nature of contemporary threats Oleksiy Melnyk, director for foreign policy and international security programmes at the Razumkov Fabricated Oil Centre Just like any other Ores and Metals Cereals Fertilizers Metals & Oil Produs Chemicals complicated is- sue, the fight 19.6mn tons 5.2mn tons 3.5mn tons 3.7mn tons 3.2mn tons 0.82mn tons against piracy on the open seas re- 69.6% 29.5% 28.8% 24.7% 8.3% 8.7% quires a compre- hensive approach. Attempts to sim- ply use force quickly backfire and merely lo- calise and reduce the threat while being unable to completely remove it. At the same time, this in no way diminishes the importance of in- ternational anti-piracy operations carried out by NATO, the EU and their partners. It is too early to report sig- nificant success, but military presence coupled with Percentage other measures to increase security and awareness of Source: Suez Canal Authority Transit Figures for 2011; of total Southbound Traffic crew members have removed the sense of impunity that pirates used to enjoy. http://suezcanal.gov.eg The problem lies not only in the absence of necessary re- sources, even though these limitations together with a nizations with which Ukraine In the ensuing seven years, common understanding of the threat are the main in- centives for international cooperation. Countries that works, only NATO (and increas- Ukraine has become an active have almost no cooperation in other areas have teamed ingly the European Union) has the participant in NATO maritime up to fight Somalian pirates. Malaysian, Saudi Arabian, capabilities to counter a piracy operations. Ukraine’s Navy has Pakistani and even Iranian military vessels serve on duty threat that covers an area of ocean deployed ships for extended op- next to NATO and EU ships. as large as Western Europe. erations with the Alliance’s Op- Piracy illustrates the global and extraterritorial nature of I witnessed the dawn of NATO- eration Active Endeavour in the contemporary threats. To Ukraine, it poses a large-scale Ukraine cooperation on countering Mediterranean on five occasions. threat of disrupting the security and reliability of sea piracy firsthand in October 2005, Based on that foundation built by transportation and is a direct risk to our citizens who when a friend serving as duty offi- joint efforts, Ukraine is currently seem to suffer from pirate raids more often than others. cer at Ukraine’s Ministry of For- preparing to deploy an An-26 pa- Ukraine’s own merchant navy was destroyed in the 1990s, but according to the sailors trade union, 50,000- eign Affairs called to request trol aircraft to participate in the 60,000 Ukrainians continue to go to sea under the flags NATO’s help in responding to the EU’s Atalanta anti-piracy opera- of various countries and thus there is a constant risk that capture by Somali pirates of tion this coming October. That they may be captured by pirates. MV Panagia, a Ukrainian-owned aircraft’s valuable sea surveil- Rescuing them is largely up to vessel owners, but the vessel with 22 Ukrainian sailors on lance capability will substantially state is sometimes forced to intervene. If an event board. While NATO did not yet increase the effectiveness of in- makes headlines, it turns into an extraordinary situa- have its own dedicated anti-piracy ternational anti-piracy patrols – tion, and often the government then steps in with mate- effort, the headquarters for NATO’s and in doing so, directly contrib- rial and nonmaterial help. Of course, this is a grand op- maritime Operation Active En- ute to protecting Ukrainian citi- portunity for some politicians to pose for photo-ops with deavor quickly put Ukrainian au- zens from the dangers of piracy, rescued crew members. But if the problem is ap- proached calmly and seriously, there is no alternative to thorities in touch with NATO and Ukraine’s economy from its active participation in international measures. member countries that had ships costs. A textbook case of how, in The armed forces will practice skills and adopt the best and aircraft in the area. These were today’s world, nations can only practices through participation in such operations as At- able to monitor the track Panagia, protect themselves by pooling alanta (EU) or Ocean Shield (NATO), while Ukraine will which was ransomed some five their resource and pulling to- make a contribution to increasing the security of sea weeks later, together with its crew. gether. navigation and the world in general. № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|25 economics|the things that are caesar's? Tax Noose for a Sick Economy crats have been winning this struggle as they continue to in- crease their impact on society and execute financial re-distribution persistently and steadily, intro- ducing new taxes and charges al- most every year as part of the strategy. According to the Paying Taxes 2011 report by the World Bank, Ukraine has 135 taxes in various forms, which is the high- est index in the world. Before 1992, it had 20-22. With this huge fiscal power in hand, officials con- trol a growing share of social funds and have the necessary tools to punish or show mercy to taxpayers. Government officials often say that the share of budget and pen- sion flows in Ukraine’s GDP is nearly 40%, no higher than that in Germany or Italy. What they leave out, though, is that this moderate burden on producers often leaves some paying just a few taxes, while others pay more than they should. If the rules were the same for all and were universally obeyed, the abovementioned tax and pension burden share would amount to 65-70% of the GDP. Therefore, most companies find paying taxes in full unaffordable as they often exceed business in- come. Businesses thus become tax debtors that face the threat of property seizure and the loss of wing by ihor luki a nchenko wing by ownership. Conducting private dr a business in this situation is a risky Author: he way the primary income and investment—in the GDP undertaking. Neither Germany Volodymyr of Ukrainians and Ukrai- through fiscal charges, as it did in nor other countries have tax rates Lanovyi, nian businesses is re-dis- 2010-2011 from 60-63% to 52- at 150-300% of the company’s in- President Ttributed through the alloca- 54%. Lending and tax aggression come, yet this is commonplace in of the Centre tion of tax, pension and social en- hits Ukraine’s unproductive busi- Ukraine. Meanwhile, privileged for Market titlement funds reflects the ness sector hard. corporations usually pay 10-12% Reform government’s indifference to their The local tax system largely of their net profit to the budget. needs. It goes beyond reasonable results from the struggle between As a result, some pay while others finance centralization and cuts bureaucracy and entrepreneur- stuff windfall profits into their the share of productive economic ship. It emerged from new capi- pockets, even if the average fig- spending—including salaries, in- talist-era taxes layered over old ures are the same as in Western dividual and corporate income soviet fees and charges. Bureau- Europe. 26|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 the things that are caesar's?|economics Actual tax rates are absurdly high in Ukraine, yet many compa- nies evade paying them by using political privileges, personal deals TAX BURDEN st or slipping into the shadows. Thus, ■ The World Bank ranked Ukraine 181 out of 183 in Paying Taxes 2011, a joint proje with PriceWaterhouseCoopers the total fiscal pressure goes be- ■ Ukrainian companies spend an average of 657 hours annually to keep tax records yond all reasonable limits. In prac- Place in the world: tice, the tax system is based on feu- Simplicity of tax rules 181 Number of taxes 183 R ecord keeping deadlines 17 4 To tal rate 14 9 dal rather than legal terms. Hours spent for record keeping per year The pressure on entrepreneurs Corporate income tax 112 Labour tax 364 Consumption tax 181 peaked when the Tax Code was passed in 2010. It neglects consti- tutional principles that protect in- dividuals, private ownership and the right of individuals to legal protection in dealing with law en- forcement authorities. Also, it made it possible for officials not to report to the public. Taxpayers were deprived of opportunities for timely judicial review of the ac- tions of officials and the ability to panies, it totals 39% of the payroll arov’s cabinet managed to do was make material or other claims varying by industry (45% in coal increase the retirement age and against them. At this point, bribery mining). This rate was effective in cut retirement benefits to some is flourishing. The seizures of busi- the soviet times. In Europe, the tax categories. The reason is plain to ness assets that paralyze day-to- ranges from 0.5% in Denmark to see: even MPs do not control the day operations have grown more 33-35% in France, Italy and Slova- Pension Fund and bureaucrats are frequent. Court appeals often end kia (see chart), with the average tempted by the opportunity to in favour of the government. The EU rate at nearly 22%. manage billions every year. Tax Code has virtually suspended Ukraine has to gradually cut Individual income tax is the effective laws of Ukraine that taxes on payroll to facilitate new the second component. used to regulate bankruptcy, bank- jobs in labour-consuming indus- Ukraine has only a vague principle ing and other activities as the fiscal tries. The average tax rate should of applying different tax rates to service now has the priority right be brought down to the European different types of income. Em- to manage the assets of debtor 22-24% diversified by industries, ployed taxpayers pay 17% to the companies. which means 4-5% lower for tex- budget, while the owners of profit- Using tax authorities to bully tile, engineering and service able assets pay only 5% of their in- entrepreneurs out of political bat- (household, hotel, restaurant, re- come that includes dividends and tles unless they are on the side of pair, legal and other) industries income from rent and royalties, the Party of the Regions is another and higher for raw material pro- while interest on deposits is un- big issue. This democratic country duction. taxed. Legal entities that own is sliding down into a semi-totali- The tax rate for corporations in small businesses pay a flat tax at tarian enclave. The economic con- Ukraine should be cut alongside two rates: 3% if registered sepa- sequences of these “reforms” won’t the implementation of individual rately as VAT payers and 5% for remain hidden for long: businesses retirement savings insurance to those who pay VAT as part of the will crumble, workers will leave cover employees of all categories flat tax. That is the percentage of the country, assets will flow out and age groups. Individual contri- their total income, i.e. all money and illegal deals will increasingly bution rates should be decreased and goods received free of charge. replace investment. These trends regressively for various salary and Thus the apparent discrimination: are already plain to see. However, income rates: low-income catego- unlike the owners of property as- this is a perfectly natural response ries should pay 25% or the highest sets, salaried workers and small from the business community sig- contributions, while the richest business owners pay a certain tax naling an inevitable economic should pay 5-6%. The average rate regardless of whether they have downturn. profits or losses. Moreover, the sal- International organizations ary tax rate was raised by 2% twice are right to list Ukrainian tax sys- The pressure on from 13% in 2006, while the tax on tems among the most burdensome entrepreneurs peaked dividends and other income from in the world. According to the assets has not changed since it was World Bank, only the Central Afri- when the Tax Code was introduced in 1994. can Republic and Belarus are passed in 2010 With this approach, the fiscal worse than Ukraine. burden on the owners of enter- Below are some of the unac­ of individual accumulation contri- prises, stocks and other assets ceptable components of Ukra­­­­ butions should amount to 17-18% seems lenient. Why is that? This ine’s tax system. of the earnings. category of taxpayers embraces big The first one is the tax The current government seems asset owners skilled at controlling businesses pay to the pension to care little, if any, about such in- government initiatives and the and social funds. For most com- novations. The only thing Mr. Az- voting of some factions in the par- № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|27 economics|the things that are caesar's? Average taxes paid to pension and social funds by companies The Total Tax Rate li s and individuals in the EU member- ates and Ukraine total tax burden in 45 Average taxes paid to public pension and social funds by companies Ukraine among the 40 as % of payroll highe in po -soviet 35 Average individual contributions paid by employees to public pension savings accounts as % of individual salary 30 republics 25 20 Georgia 15 15.3% 13.3% 0.0% 2.0% 10 10 5 Kazakh an 0

y 29.6% 16.2% 11.5% 1.9% 38 UK Italy Spain France Greece Au ria Ireland Poland Finland Ukraine Sweden

Slovakia Moldova Hungary Belgium Portugal German Denmark Luxemburg Netherlands 30.9% 0.0% 30.2% 0.7% 44 Czech Republic Czech Latvia liament to prevent the passing of depreciated item renewal. They In 2012, fiscal 38.5% 6.5% 27.2% 4.8% 81 inconvenient laws. charges lowered the look for forged breaches and errors Payroll taxes are clearly burden- share of productive in tax statements. All controversial some and raising them signals the economic expenses aspects are interpreted in favour of Lithuania in the GDP from neglect of average Ukrainians. This tax inspectors. They have many 60-63% 38.7% 0.0% 35.1% 3.6% 83 policy looks wrong and obsolete. in 2010-2011 to more similar tricks that look like The tax burden on small busi- traps created intentionally through Armenia nesses in Ukraine proves the in- 52-54% corrupt loopholes. tent to squeeze them out of the na- In this situation, companies 40.7% 16.6% 23.0% 1.1% 94 tional economic process more than that report legitimately and have anything else, while governments no administrative protection in Azerbaijan in civilized countries do their best fact pay 50% rather than 23% of to support their SMEs. Europeans their income to the budget com- 40.9% 13.8% 24.9% 2.2% 95 have developed a different model: pared to the corporate income tax small business owners often buy rate at 19% in Poland and Slovakia, Russia patents (the right to conduct busi- 17.7% in Hungary, 15% in Lithua- ness) and act freely with no state- nia and Latvia, 12.5% in Ireland 46.5% 9.0% 31.8% 5.7% 123 ments or taxes. Bigger business and 0% in Estonia. How can operates under unified rules that E onia provide for no special simplified 49.6% 8.0% 39.2% 2.4% 134 tax systems. Privileged corporations The third component of in Ukraine pay 10-12% Ukraine Ukraine’s tax system, unac­ of net profit as tax ceptable as it is today, is cor­ 55.5% 10.4% 43.3% 1.8% 149 porate income tax. The draw- back of the local practice of collect- Ukraine compete with them and Kyrgyz an ing this tax is frequent violation of how can it possibly draw invest- the taxpayers’ rights at the stage of ment? 57.2% 8.9% 21.5% 26.8% 152 calculating their income rate. This All this results in bribery, is the unique practice of the tax ad- wasted time and effort waiting in Belarus ministration that has nothing to do queues to visit tax inspectors, a with the rules and standards of lack of firm rules for financial 80.4% 22.0% 39.3% 19.1% 173 EU member-states civilized countries. They apply all have no taxes transactions making it nearly im- kinds of tricks to diminish gross that amount to possible for companies to plan Tajiki an expenditures and overstate income their development strategies far 150% 86.0% 17.7% 28.5% 39.8% 175 on the books of companies they in- of corporate income. ahead and increases risks, the de- However, spect. For this purpose, they re- this sometimes cline of private financial funds and move the costs of R&D, educa- happens in Ukraine the expansion of grey economy. Uzbeki an tional campaigns, written-off tech- The manipulation of laws and 95.6% 1.6% 27.1% 66.9% 176 nological deficiencies, promotions, selective taxation often used by tax the repayment of loans taken ear- inspectors can easily ruin the Total tax burden lier and payment for products ob- whole tax system. It will bring less Total income tax rate tained from flat-tax payers as ex- and less revenue to the budget, Total labour tax rate cessive expenses from the state- eventually leading the government Total tax rate on other payments ments. Also, they apply and its model to bankruptcy. The Place out of 183 in the world understated rates of capital depre- state will no longer be able to fulfill Source: 2011 udy by the World Bank and ciation and do not index the cost of its functions. PriceWaterhouseCoopers 28|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 the devaluation of everything|economics The Perils of Panflation A virulent monster is dangerously out of control. Let us slay it together

rable academic performance to be awarded higher grades over time. Women's clothing in Britain In Britain the proportion of A- Average wai measurement, inches level students given “A” grades has risen from 9% to 27% over the 38 past 25 years. Yet other tests find that children are no cleverer than 34 they were. A study by Durham University concluded that an A Size 18 In American 30 universities almost grade today is the equivalent of a C in the 1980s. In American uni- Size 14 45% 26 of graduates now versities almost 45% of graduates Size 10 get the top grade, now get the top grade, compared 22 compared with with 15% in 1960. Grade inflation 15% makes students feel better about in 1960 themselves, but because the high- est grade is fixed, it also causes 1975 2012 grade compression, which dis- torts relative prices. This is unfair to the brightest, whose grades are rice inflation remains rela- Inflation is also distorting the devalued against those of average tively subdued in the rich travel business. A five-star hotel students. It also makes it harder world, even though central used to mean the ultimate in lux- for employers to identify the best Pbanks are busily printing ury, but now six- and seven-star applicants. money. But other types of inflation resorts are popping up as new ho- are rampant. This “panflation” tels award themselves inflated rat- Fight the flab needs to be recognised for the ings as a marketing tool. “Deluxe” Employers are themselves distort- plague it has become. rooms have been devalued, too: ing the jobs market with job-title Take the grossly underre- many hotels no longer have “stan- inflation, which has recently accel- ported problem of “size inflation”, dard” rooms, but instead offer a erated because a fancier-sounding where clothes of any particular la- choice of “deluxe" (the new stan- title is cheaper than a pay rise. belled size have steadily expanded dard), “luxury”, “superior luxury” Firms are awash with an excess of over time. Estimates by The Econ- or “grand superior luxury”. Like- chiefs and directors, such as Di- omist suggest that the average wise, most airlines no longer talk rector of First Impressions (recep- British size 14 pair of women’s about “economy” class. British tionist) and Chief Revenue Protec- trousers is now more than four Airways instead offers World tion Officer (ticket inspector). This inches wider at the waist than it Traveller; Air France has Voya- is not just a laughing matter. Job- was in the 1970s. In other words, geur. Sardine class would be more title inflation has economic costs today’s size 14 is really what used honest. The value of frequent-flyer if it makes the jobs market more to be labelled a size 18; a size 10 is miles is also being eroded by infla- opaque and makes it harder to as- really a size 14. (American sizing tion: it is increasingly hard to sess the going pay rate. is different, but the trend is largely book “free” flights; they cost more Inflation of all kinds deval- the same.) Fashion firms seem to miles, and redemption fees have ues everything it infects. It ob- think that women are more likely increased. This was inevitable: scures information and so dis- to spend if they can happily airlines have been issuing so many torts behaviour. A former Ger- squeeze into a smaller label size. miles (for spending on the ground man central banker, Karl Otto But when three out of four Ameri- as well as in the air) that the total Pöhl, compared inflation to can adults and three out of five stock is worth more than all the toothpaste: easy to squeeze out Britons are overweight, the danger dollar notes and coins in circula- of the tube, almost impossible to is that size inflation reduces wom- tion. Central bankers would shud- put back in. The usual cure, en’s incentive to eat less. Mean- der at such reckless inflationary monetary and fiscal tightening, while, food-portion inflation has policies—were they not them- will not work for panflation. also made it harder to fight the selves earning triple miles up in Women will never squeeze back flab. Pizzas now come in regular, first class. © 2012 into their old clothes unless they large and very large. Starbucks Some other strains of infla- The Economist reject size inflation. Instead, it is coffees are Tall, Grande, Venti or tion have more serious economic Newspaper time for everybody to tighten (soon) Trenta. “Small” seems to be effects. One example is grade in- Limited. All belts (literally) and fight all sorts a forbidden word. flation, the tendency for compa- rights reserved of inflationary flab. № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|29 society|a home for euro 2012 KHARKIV IS LOOKING FORWARD TO EURO 2012: Viktoria Skliarova sees the tournament as a great opportunity to demonstrate Ukrainian hospitality

Hospitality Triumphs over Greed Many Ukrainians are willing to host foreign football fans at their homes for free

Author: otels in Ukrainian Euro and five-star hotels in Ukraine просимо до України” Facebook Anna 2012 host cities have represent big businesses that page allows Ukrainians to post Kalenska raised their prices three- sponsor the ruling party. The An- their offers and foreigners to find Hto tenfold leading up to timonopoly Committee promised hosts. It took just a few days for Photo: the tournament. In Kyiv, offers the public that it would impose nearly 500 members to take part. Olha priced at UAH 30,000 have be- fines worth 10% of annual in- Eventually, a new website called Ivashchenko come commonplace. A three star come on hotels whose prices sky- rooms4free.org.ua was set up hotel offers rooms for nearly rocketed. As the championship that offers lodging in other places €400 instead of the usual €80. draws closer, hotel prices have in addition to championship host Landlords have followed suit, indeed been reduced slightly. cities, and not only during the renting three-room apartments Yet, rather than resulting from a tournament. Community activ- in “Khrushchevkas,” fear of fines, this was influenced ists have been promoting the site low-cost concrete-block apart- more by a lack of demand for for- on European football fan forums. ment buildings, for €1,500. Even eign tourist lodging, which fell a suite at the famous Burj Al Arab drastically short of expectations. WELCOME TO UKRAINE in Dubai costs less. Outraged, the The hotel price gouging scandal Ihor Pylypchuk, a Kyiv resident Western media quoted UEFA prompted many fans to think and one of the movement’s initia- President Michel Platini as stat- twice before going to Ukraine for tors, volunteered to invite Euro- ing that “bandits and crooks” Euro 2012. pean visitors free of charge. His were the reason for soaring Unlike the government and 15-year old son, a true football prices in Ukraine. hotel owners, common Ukraini- fan, met a boy from Valencia on Until then, the government ans are willing to save Ukraine’s an online football forum. The had been reluctant to act. The image in deed rather than in Spanish team will play in Poland fact that hotel speculators have words, inviting foreign fans to but it is most likely to get to the been ignored for so long is be- stay at their homes for free. The semi-finals, therefore its fans will cause the owners of most four- “Welcome to Ukraine - Ласкаво have to go to Ukraine. The Valen- 30|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 a home for euro 2012|society

cia-based fan looked up hotel pher, Viktoria previously visited “Then we’ll go on a small shop- prices in Kyiv and found nothing the US through a cultural ex- ping tour or travel to Skovoroda’s cheaper than €300-400. “That’s change programme. She lived in well at the Babayiv Forest, and primitive speculation,” Pylyp- Kharkiv’s sister city, Cincinnati, watch the game that evening. On chuk laments. “The huge flow of for one month and stayed with the third day, we’ll have a cooking tourists just fuels the appetites of two families there for free. “I re- workshop. I’ll teach them how to Euro prices those looking for quick and easy Kyiv member that month as the happi- cook our authentic food—proba- money. What impression will this hostel $40-62, est time in my life,” she recalls. “I bly buckwheat and mushroom give foreigners? What will they hotel $400-3,169 learned so much about them and holubtsi (cabbage rolls).” think of us?” He did not hesitate Lviv told them about my country and tent for two $93 OPEN DOOR SEASON to invite the Spanish fans to stay hostel $45-100 our traditions. I taught them to at his place for the tournament. hotel $500-700 cook Ukrainian dishes.” She Some of the hospitable Ukraini- The German press has been Kharkiv joined “Welcome to Ukraine” im- ans willing to host foreigners at buzzing the most about problems cottage outside the mediately and volunteered to their homes have been less lucky. city $35-45 with the championship’s prepara- hostel $40-60 hold two free workshops. The Retiree Serhiy Ovcharenko goes tions. Jochen Gößmann of the hotel $500-700 first one will help people who online every day waiting for mes- Berlin-based B.Z. tabloid is inter- Donetsk learned English in the past to re- sages from European fans. He ested in Ukraine not only as a place at the fan member some language basics, lives in a four-room apartment journalist, but also as a fan of camping pavilion like giving foreigners directions with his wife, son and mother, in $164 football and Eastern Europe. His hotel outside the city to the stadium or interesting , a town 30-minutes wife is from Almaty, , $200-300 sights in Kharkiv. The other from Donetsk by bus. He plans to so she speaks Russian and Jochen hotel $1,180-1,966 workshop will be called “The Art give two rooms to European fans, is learning it, too. Given their lin- Source: of Hospitality.” “I want to teach although his worry is that one guistic trump card, they thought booking.com about how people communicate room has no television or air con- attending the championship in different countries,” Viktoria ditioner and Europeans might would be simple. While planning said of the class. dislike the living conditions. the trip, though, they found it dif- She and her husband spoke “Most Ukrainians are average ficult to find lodging. “It’s just in- with the Gößmanns on Skype re- hospitable people,” he says. “I sanely expensive,” Natalia shares. garding their travel plans. “We’ll don’t mind European fans com- “But our friends helped. We’ll stay show them around town on the ing and staying at my place. The at a colleague’s place in Lviv and a first day,” Viktoria explains. championship will last only two friend’s place in Kyiv.” The “Wel- weeks, anyway. They can stay come to Ukraine” community SUITE LIFE IN KYIV here, no problem.” Serhiy speaks helped them find a place to stay in “The bedroom has a king-sized bed and a large couch. Lo- a little French and German, but Kharkiv. cated on the sixth floor with a view of the national opera no English. His neighbor is a house, the suite features a skylight, a huge triangular bath- teacher of French so he can use tub and marble floor, and is soundproof. It is equipped with THE ART OF HOSPITALITY everything you might need, from a washing machine to a her as an interpreter if necessary. Viktor and Viktoria Skliarovy, teakettle. You can have English or continental breakfast “I’m embarrassed by the oli- the Kharkiv couple that invited served in your room, and a special vegetarian or diet menu garchs seeking to make a fortune the Gößmanns, have already cooked for you,” goes the apartment advertisement. On the off of everyone and everything. hosted the owner of a Dutch day of the Sweden-England game, it will cost UAH 13,000 I’m embarrassed for my country. tourist agency and a couple from (ar. €1,280 or $1,625) per night for two people or UAH I’m not a fan of football, I’m a fan Germany. A guide and ethnogra- 28,000 (ar. €2,760 or $3,500) for three. of my country,” he explains. № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|31 society|authentic souvenirs Kitsch vs Authenticity Pseudo-Ukrainian souvenirs are flooding the Euro 2012 market. Below are some tips to help tourists find authentic products instead Author: n army of matrioshkas, kiosk, says that many vendors pre- Anna ushanka hats and gaudy fer to not reveal the real origin of Kalenska head wreaths can be found their goods as they risk losing their Aeverywhere from Andriy- clients. “Tourists have become Photos: ivsky Uzviz to kiosks in under- pickier these days,” she says. “They Andriy ground passages and tourist fairs look for what’s written on the arti- Lomakin in Carpathian villages. Finding an cle. They won’t necessarily buy it if authentic Ukrainian gift to remind it says Made in China.” Those in- you of your trip is next to impossi- volved on the souvenir market, say ble. And how would a tourist know that the share of Asian produced what authentic Ukrainian souve- goods is often as high as 80%, al- nirs really look like? Foreigners of- though getting an exact figure is ten come to Ukraine after they difficult due to the large share of traveled half of the world, includ- no-name goods, says Natalia Vo- ing Poland. Warsaw souvenir loshyna, Executive Director of the stores display painted eggs, em- Association of Manufacturers and broidered shirts, wreaths and so- Importers of Advertising Souve- pilkas (wooden flutes), covering nirs in Ukraine (AMIASU). “These virtually the entire range of au- items of unknown origin have thentic Ukrainian souvenirs. Un- quality certificates that are forged like Ukraine, Poland has a clear or invalid in Ukraine, if any at all,” strategy to promote the Polska she expands. “Worst of all, the brand and the impact is already goods can be toxic and danger- showing, which is why Ukraine is ous.” According to Ms. Voloshyna, the one that has to fight for its for a long time now, Europe has place in the competition. It’s been calling on Ukraine to drop its doubtful whether football fans will uncertified products and focus on take time to conduct a detailed re- environmental and social respon- search of Ukraine’s history and sibility instead. Currently, souve- culture in guidebooks, because nirs made in Ukraine are losing frankly, they have different priori- out to cheaper Asian mass pro- ties: football, beer and women. duced copies, but their big com- Still, they will buy a few souvenirs. petitive advantages include good The only question is what culture quality and artistic value, notes it will represent: Chinese, Russian, Oksana Shevchenko, Director of Soviet or Ukrainian? Souvenir, a Kyiv-based workshop. Her company has been producing GOODS WITH souvenirs since 1968 focusing on NO BACKGROUND painted and lacquered wooden The handful of Ukrainian artists or Magnets, key rings, flags, matri- plates and boxes, and inlaid straw craftsmen cannot compete with oshkas and even Ukrainian dolls items. She works with wholesale China’s manufacturing capacity. mostly come to Ukraine from clients who sell her exclusive sou- Maryna Senchylo, the owner of China, Vietnam, Malaysia and the venirs on Andriyivsky Uzviz and in Mriyi Marii (Maria’s Dreams), a like. Volodymyr, a clerk at a souve- stores. But Chinese craftsmen are workshop/store that sells exclu- nir kiosk, says nearly 40% of his plaguing local souvenir makers, sive ethnic souvenirs, says that this goods are made in China. Others Oksana laments. “The Chinese is the effect of the underdeveloped swear that virtually all of their take pictures of our goods on An- souvenir market in Ukraine and goods are made in Ukraine. Nata- driyivsky Uzviz and glue the pat- the lack of effective management. lia, a vendor at another souvenir terns onto their cups and plates.” Moreover, craftsmen who work in 32|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 authentic souvenirs|society Kitsch vs Authenticity

spite of not having an official regis- ward to the tournament as well. MADE On the whole, European compa- tration, add to the challenge. Based on AMIASU estimates, the IN UKRAINE: nies see good prospects on the advertising souvenir segment of Hand-made Ukrainian market for promotional LOOKING FORWARD the entire souvenir market earned authentic souvenirs, although kickbacks TO THE EURO souvenirs are nearly USD 50m per year in 2010- more expansive and price dumping are currently According to the estimates of the 2011 with a projected 10-15% in- than the Chinese fueling competition therein. Still, Ministry of Economic Develop- crease in 2012. This is not simply run-of-the-mill Europeans claim this is just a ment and Trade, the inflow of because of the championship, but things, yet they stage that will end sooner or later. tourists for Euro 2012 will boost due to companies increasing their offer better Local businesses were earlier Ukraine’s real GDP by 0.8%. The budgets for the purchase of pro- quality and tempted by the prospect to earn a souvenir market is looking for- motional and business souvenirs. artistic value pretty penny on the production of № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|33 society|authentic souvenirs souvenirs depicting official Euro ing them as a sort of voodoo doll,” 2012 logos. Today, Warner Bros., she claims, proposing Cossack UEFA’s exclusive license holder, Mamay, painted eggs and Maria has all the rights. Oksana Prymachenko’s images as an al- Shevchenko says that it is doubt- ternative option. Oksana Tseat- ful that Ukrainian firms would sura, the owner of the Ukrainian buy the license. Some thought of Renaissance art workshop, be- buying one jointly but that also lieves that the sun, the moon and carries many risks. “The license to floral designs are the most apt im- produce goods with Euro 2012 lo- ages for national souvenirs, par- gos is very expensive,” the expert ticularly sunflowers, painted eggs explains. “So it only makes sense and the cross. “I give the Euro for big players that own extensive 2012 symbol, using a sunflower, retail chains to get one.” Based on having transformed it into a foot- experience with nation-wide ball with torn petals, a low grade events, souvenirs with national in terms of composition, colours symbols will be the most popular, and detailing,” she says offering no matter what. This offers good the easiest solution to the ethnic prospects for the producer of the souvenir dilemma. “The govern- unofficial symbol of the upcoming ment should offer a tender,” she championship – the zozulytsia (a claims. “The artists will come run- clay whistle, also known as an oc- ning. The best one will be selected arina). Souvenir designers believe and there won’t be any more fail- that it is next to impossible to ures like this one.” make a fake zozulytsia because it is always made by hand. It is al- GREETINGS FROM CHORNOBYL ready available online at around As long as the government fails to UAH 60 (€5.9 or $7.5). The Sou- conduct tenders to design and venir workshop does not intend to promote the “Ukraine” brand, the buy any licenses though, because market will continue to spontane- all producers will make souvenirs ously churn out its own priorities. with Euro 2012 logos anyway The newest products seem to without them. “I reckon that 70% have a nuclear Chornobyl face. of all souvenirs will come from Souvenir vendors sell Moroccan- China,” Ms. Shevchenko claims. made T-shirts with the Hard Rock “And the fans will mostly be Café Chornobyl slogan and a young people opting for cheap menu printed on the back that in- souvenirs rather than wealthy cludes cesium, radium and pluto- tourists.” nium. Vendors claim that there is A COCKTAIL OF CULTURES: great demand for them among The army of matrioshkas with Cossack batons and USSR caps chases tourists everywhere DERKACH VS VUVUZELA both foreign and Ukrainian buy- According to Maryna Senchylo, ers. Ms. Shevchenko is concerned the zozulytsia is not the best sym- about this approach. “Tourists bol for the tournament, since a buy souvenirs which are sup- national souvenir should be light posed to remind them how beau- and portable, not merely sym- tiful Ukraine is,” she laments. bolic. The best options are textile “Taking home a card with a burn- and print souvenirs. “Why does ing nuclear reactor is hardly the nobody care about people wanting best option.” Ms. Voloshyna to carry something light in their couldn’t agree more on that. “It’s luggage,” Ms. Senchylo wonders. not the case where you could ethi- “Can’t it be an article of clothing? cally earn a penny on it,” she says. Why does it have to be clay?” As At the same time, she assumes an alternative to the African vuvu- that such things could be made of zela, Maryna proposes the environmentally friendly recycled derkach, the Ukrainian folk ver- materials. This could inspire an sion of a ratchet or a rattle. The exciting project on an interna- wooden toy, consisting of two tional scale, if promoted effec- boards and a gearwheel makes a tively. So far though, few are con- loud and pleasant sound. Hoping cerned with this issue, since gov- for the motanka dolls, ethnic fab- ernment authorities are busy with ric dolls often used for ritual pur- other things, as always. The only poses, to sell well is less promis- hope is for the righteousness and ing, the expert warns, although socially responsibility of busi- they appear in stores and displays ness. But who cares about more and more often these days. Ukraine’s image somewhere in a “Foreigners don’t like them, see- Chinese or Moroccan factory? 34|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 protesting animal abuse|society Culture Shock How is it possible that Ukrainian laws and culture allow people to abuse animals and destroy the image of the nation?

oming from Finland and living in Kyiv is an authorities have not taken proper (or any) action interesting combination of two different against this sickening brutality? I have spoken to European cultures. When I ask my fellow several influential businessmen living and working Ccountrymen what they know about Ukraine, I in Kyiv. Something must be done, if not for the am often met with a pretty long silence. Then sake of the dogs (only), then for the sake of the somebody might come up with an honest answer, international image of Ukraine. There are already “hrmm…well…it´s pretty big”. Yes, the country is tens of thousands people in Europe who are actually enormous, comparable to France, I might boycotting the UEFA cup thanks to these few answer. Anything else, I ask? “There is the European sadists who have been allowed to practice their Football Championship, the Euro-2012.” Yes, torture of animals across the country. Is it worth correct. But then again, the debate could shortly it? Even if the Ukrainian authorities did not really turn towards something completely different, such pay attention the alarming problem of stray cats as “Hey, we lost that bloody battle something like and dogs, they should read their economics. Money 6-0 to the Russians there!” (10,000 Finns and talks, when somebody walks. Swedes were lost in Poltava in June 1709). It soon However, as we who live in Kyiv know, some steps becomes clear that other socio-political issues like have finally been taken. I and my spouse recently Chornobyl, the Orange Revolution, or Ukrainian visited Shelter for Animals at 2, Veteraniv St. in Author: Euro-integration, are not the hottest issues on the Nove Zalissya, a village in Kyiv Oblast. It protects Timo agenda when my countrymen are looking at Ukraine up to 500 dogs collected from the worst conditions, Hellenberg, from outside. Nor are possible corruption issues or either from households or the streets. Most of them Director of the never-ending pipeline policies vis a vis the EU have undergone medical treatment and surgeries to Hellenberg and Russia. What really comes up often, are more save their lives. One might expect that a shelter of International down to earth topics, such as the unique Ukrainian this size would have a solid public budget. The truth nature, the astonishing Ukrainian women who draw is completely different. I must say that it is easy to the attention of foreigners at , and be grateful to people who work there. Some of them another, less shining factor. Bad treatment of stray have left their regular work, just to do something dogshas has drawn the attention of half of Europe meaningful with their lives. We donated a modest in recent months, thanks partly to the attention on 60kg of dry dog food. That was just a drop in the UEFA preparations. bucket, which is sorely needed, as in Kyiv alone, When one thinks how the foreigners look at your there are up to 30,000 stray dogs. I promised to country it might be surprising for locals that issues continue donations and to talk to others about their that they think are important, are often not. None facility in order to generate more help for the dogs. of the friends I have spoke to In my home country, Finland, in China, Europe, Hong Kong Thousands of the number of strays is about or United States about Europeans boycott zero. The same goes for ordinary life in Ukraine have Sweden, Norway and mentioned, for instance, the Euro 2012 because of Denmark. There is no room in “hot topics” such as the the sadists that these societies for the idea that Tymoshenko trial or a dog would be running the corruption as their major tortured stray dogs streets without half of the city concern, even though these are being mo­­bilized and essential issues closely followed in this country. emergency response authorities (police, fire However, the way some young Ukrainian men service and animal rescue units) being activated have hunted and openly tortured animals, to save a dog, 24 hours per day. mainly stray dogs, have raised a strong dislike and One can recall the famous ancient Roman adage: feeling of sickness worldwide. Questions often the measure of a civilization is its ability to handle arise as to how it can be legal and culturally a disaster and to protect the weakest. So, let´s just possible for several young men to be allowed to admit it. It is high time for those in charge to take destroy the reputation of their native country by appropriate measures and not waste any more time torturing innocent and completely helpless dogs on this issue. Do it for the sake of the dogs, or for with the most brutal instruments and means in the sake of the country and its economy. It´s your modern times? How is it possible that relevant call. № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|35 society|stray animal savers There Once Was a Dog Apart from the known dog torturers in the country, many Ukrainians actually drop their careers and sacrifice their health to help abandoned and crippled animals

Author: he issue of stray animals has erate to keep animals, while we Anna never been more acute in find and treat them and then look Kalenska Ukraine. Dog hunters, mo- for new owners.” They eat six ki- Tbile crematoriums and poi- los of porridge and meat daily, son found in sandpits where chil- plus the sick animals need addi- dren play, result in the many on tional special food. This takes going protests of animal rights time and effort. Dogs come to the campaigners and the international shelter due to a variety of reasons. community, tainting Ukraine’s im- Lada, a German shepherd, was age abroad. On 31 March activists abandoned by her owners in in many cities of Ukraine, Russia, downtown Kyiv. The Yemelianen- Germany and other countries went kos picked her up, had her sur- on an international rally against gery done and took care of her un- the killing of stray animals before til she finally recovered after a the Euro 2012. Unfortunately, pre- long recuperation. They spent two sterilizing and vaccinating them. tending that stray dogs do not exist years searching for new owners Also, the government should raise is much easier than solving the but she had grown attached to the public awareness. “People have no problem. Yet thankfully, there are family over that time, so they have idea why animals need to be ster- still many Ukrainians who prefer decided to keep her. Newcomers ilized, they say it’s unnatural,” to help the animals instead of mis- to the shelter are all seen by a vet. Lilia comments. “Meanwhile, they treating them. They then go through quarantine, think it’s okay to drown or just are cleaned of parasites and vac- leave the new puppies from their PRIVATE SHELTERS cinated. After that, the Yeme- own dog out to die.” Four years ago, Lilia Yeme- lianenkos look for their old own- Counting all animal mini shel- lianenko moved to a private house ers and find new ones if the old ters in Kyiv and the suburbs is a near Kyiv with her husband and ones fail to show up. challenge. Some old ladies keep 15 daughter. “I used to work as a PR Back in Kyiv, Lilia used to dogs and tell no one about it. and key account manager,” says bring the dogs she picked up to so Most volunteers do not tell the ex- Lilia. “I have a lot of experience in called ‘mini hotels’ for animals. act number of animals they help, the industry. Now I work with They are kept there, for about even people they know, fearing dogs. That’s just what I do.” The UAH 10 per day, until their care- troubles with neighbours or utility family keeps over 30 stray dogs, takers find new homes for them. services. Anastasiya, another which are mostly German shep- Sometimes she would keep up to shelter owner, lives in Kyiv. Just herds. She has now spent the past 17 dogs at a time, paying all the like the others, she did not tell us 18 years rescuing animals. “It all expenses on her own. After the how many dogs she takes care of. started with the first dog we family left Kyiv, they built spa- Working as an illustrator, she found,” the owner of ‘Aviary No 1’ cious kennels for the German never thought she would have her recollects. “We talked to other shepherds outside and left four own shelter someday. It all started people who picked up stray ani- rooms in the house for small and for her when a friend once asked mals and asked them what else we sick animals. her to help take a sick dog to the could do. In 1999, I co-founded According to Lilia, there vet. It turned out that the dog’s the ‘Yasnohorodka’ shelter and should be a comprehensive way to back was broken and no shelter decided to open my own one at a solve the stray animal problem in would take it. The girls refused to later time. Big shelters mostly op- Ukraine which includes catching, put the dog to sleep and took it 36|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 stray animal savers|society happy life with me.” With time, more and more crippled animals appeared in his backyard. He saved them from the roads, wells or trees where their owners just hung the dogs up and left them. Mr. Bitner has saved hundreds of animals and has built homes for them. Three times a day, the dogs eat bread and ground up bones. This menu, along with the neces- sary medical treatment, costs UAH 3,000 monthly. Mr. Bitner’s pen- sion is only UAH 1,100 per month so he fixes sewage and gas equip- ment to earn an extra penny, and all this despite suffering from can- cer himself. He also has no family to support him, but he still refuses to give up. Mr. Bitner risks his own health and life for the dogs. Natalia Krymska, a volunteer at Fidelity, a Dnipropetrovsk-based animal pro- tection association, says that not all locals share his affection for dogs. They have tried to beat him several times to steal the money he spends on his dog kingdom. Fortu- nately, volunteers offer their sup- port to Mr. Bitner. They bring food and medicines for the dogs and also for Mr. Bitner himself. The funding comes through donations from people who learn about the mini shelter and its owner through

photo: a rsen fedosenko photo: the Fidelity community. Animal home. Thanks to social networks dogs are continually tortured and rights advocates drafted a pro- and special forums, they treated killed is so stressful,” she laments. gramme for the humane treatment Liubchyk, the dog, and bought a “It is a sad fact that we have to of animals and made many at- wheelchair for it in the US. By save someone virtually every day. tempts to submit it to the Dniprop- then, Anastasiya had already etrovsk City Council, but did not picked up a few more dogs. Even- SAVED ON THE ROADSIDE have much success. It was only the tually, the mini shelter called ‘Li- Pokrovske is a village on route upcoming Euro 2012 football ubchyk’s Home’ emerged where from Donetsk to Zaporizhzhia. No championship that finally made crippled dogs are now taken one can count exactly how many the Council accept it for consider- care of. animals are killed on the roads ation. Hopefully, it will be passed Some dogs stay with Anastasi- and implemented after all. ya’s parents but there is still too The people in Ukraine who little space for all newcomers. there should be a care about animals, then take up “People were happy to take the comprehensive way to solve the initiative to save them and set animals and we found new fami- up animal shelters, cannot dra- lies for many dogs before the cri- the stray animal problem in matically change the situation na- sis,” she says. “Then they stopped Ukraine which includes tion-wide. “This, first and fore- all of a sudden. That’s why our most, is the government’s task,” shelter is now overloaded.” Keep- catching, sterilizing and Lilia Yemelianenko says. “Volun- ing sick dogs is not cheap. Food, vaccinating them teers are an incentive, but not the treatment, surgery, animal hotel main driver in solving the prob- stays and paid announcements on there almost every day. Viktor Bit- lem.” These people should con- the Internet for 15 dogs cost over ner, a 78-year old villager, picks up tinue to put pressure on local au- UAH 8,000 per month. Fortu- dogs which have been injured on thorities and demand that they nately, most funds come from vol- the main road. Once, he was direc- find civilized solutions and provide unteers who donate to the mini tor of the local silicate plant. Com- affordable aid to stray and sick an- shelter. Yet, Anastasiya complains ing home from work one day, he imals that need a home. Ukraine that many people treat animals saw a car run over a dog. “I took it will then be a much nicer place for terribly in Ukraine, in addition to home and took care of it,” Viktor everyone, and especially for the the lack of funds. “Seeing how recalls. “The dog lived a long, animals themselves. № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|37 history|the treaty of rapallo A Continental Union The Treaty of Rapallo between the Weimar Republic and Soviet Russia paved the way to a revival of German military power after the First World War

A mutually beneficial partnership: German Chancellor Karl Joseph Wirth with soviet officials Leonid Krasin, Georgi Chicherin and Adolf Joffe in Rapallo on 16 April 1922

Author: fter Germany suffered a de- raw materials and a sales market concerning the West’s economic Andriy Rukkas feat in the First World War for Western goods. claims against the Kremlin. If and signed the humiliating At the same time, Bolshevik these issues were resolved, the Eu- ATreaty of Versailles in June Russia, also devastated by the First ropean countries involved prom- 1919, all of Berlin’s foreign policy World War and the civil war, sought ised to officially recognise the Bol- efforts were aimed at only one to revive its industry and was in shevik government. In April 1922, goal– breaking through interna- great need of equipment, new tech- the Genoa Conference, involving tional isolation and attaining com- nology and specialists. So it was no 29 states, including Russia, Great plete internal independence and surprise that cooperation with Ger- Britain, France and Germany, was self-determination of the country’s many was extremely fruitful and launched. foreign course. The Weimar Repub- beneficial to the Bolsheviks. Politi- Western governments set for- lic was weak after the war, which cally, it was a step towards ending ward their demands to Moscow: forced its government to seek allies international isolation for both sides paying off the debts incurred by in the international arena to realise and also a kind of trump card for tsarist Russia and later the Provi- its economic projects and diplo- Berlin in the grand game it was play- sional Government (18 billion matic plans for revising the Treaty ing against the victor states. roubles in gold), restoring West- of Versailles. After losing all of its ern property nationalised by the overseas colonies Germany turned A nosedive Bolsheviks within the territory of its attention to Soviet Russia, which In 1921, the Entente states invited the former Russian Empire, emerged after the fall of the Ro- Vladimir Lenin’s government to scrapping the monopoly on for- manov Empire and the following participate in an international con- eign trade, opening the way to civil war, as a powerful source of ference to settle contentious issues foreign capital and discontinuing 38|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 contacts. The treaty was open- ended. On 5 November 1922, it was extended to cover three other soviet republics – Ukraine, Belarus and the Transcaucasian Federa- tion, which soon joined Russia to form the Soviet Union. A measure of rapprochement The significance of the Soviet- German Treaty of Rapallo was ex- tremely great for both sides. It be- came one of the first international treaties signed by Berlin after the First World War based on princi- ples of equality, mutually benefi- cial cooperation and non-interfer- ence in domestic affairs. The doc- ument embodied the idea of peaceful coexistence between the two countries, thus laying the foundation for the development of their political and economic rela- tions in the interwar period. The sudden rapprochement with the Bolshevik government opened the prospect of rapid economic re- vival for Germany based on bene- ficial trade relations with Soviet Russia and “brotherly” soviet re- publics. Finally, the treaty ended Ger- many’s international isolation and enabled it to exert efficient pressure on the Entente states to make them revise their foreign policy regarding Berlin. Chancellor Karl Joseph Wirth, who would later receive Sta- lin’s award for strengthening peace, even announced a turnaround in Germany’s foreign policy. At the same time, soviet repre- sentatives in Rapallo succeeded in establishing a precedent of inter- revolutionary propaganda in lateral cooperation with the Bol- Heading for national recognition of their gov- Western countries. sheviks. On 16 April 1922, the So- Berlin: Georgi ernment by one of the leading On its part, the Red govern- viet People’s Commissar for For- Chicherin Western countries, which worked ment put forward its own counter- eign Affairs Georgi Chicherin and and Nikolai as a belt drive that put the diplo- claims: compensating the damage German Foreign Affairs Minister Krestinski in matic mechanism into motion, Berlin in 1925 caused by foreign intervention Walther Rathenau signed a treaty speeding up the recognition of the during the Civil War (39 billion in the town of Rapallo near Genoa. Bolshevik dictatorship by Western roubles), securing wide economic This document envisaged es- states and the end to Russia’s in- cooperation based on long-term tablishing full diplomatic relations ternational isolation. Western loans, adopting the soviet between Soviet Russia and the programme for the overall reduc- Weimar Republic. Both sides re- Breaking tion of arms and banning “the ciprocally withdrew their claims to the Versailles chains most barbaric methods of war- wartime damages and compensa- When all was said and done, many fare”. Finally, the negotiations tion for military spending. Berlin people in Germany itself did not stalled due to both sides being un- recognised the nationalisation of take the Treaty of Rapallo well. prepared for a political compro- German property in Soviet Russia Representatives of the biggest mise. and renounced any claims against concerns, the military lobby and However, a rift began to show Moscow. Both states recognised right-wing social democrats spoke in the Western camp during the the principle of maximum facilita- out against it. Foreign Affairs conference. As a result of its dire tion as a basis for their political Minister Walther Rathenau, who political and economic situation and economic relations and under- signed the treaty, was killed by Germany decided in favour of uni- took to actively develop economic terrorists from a rightist paramili- history|the treaty of rapallo from abroad.) Moscow counted An alternative base: on German subsidies to lay the Fokker fighter aircrafts purchased secretly from the Netherlands were foundation of its own aviation, used to train German pilots at the chemical and other sectors of the Lipetsk flight school defence industry. Meanwhile, the Germans had their own vision. Russia was not a signatory to the Treaty of Ver- sailles and hence was not inter- ested in keeping it, especially in terms of the military restrictions imposed on Germany. Russia’s tremendous natural riches and testing grounds, far-removed from the inquisitive eyes of West- ern observers, offered perfect op- portunities for training German officers and developing and man- ufacturing weapons prohibited by peace treaties. This made the Ger- mans especially interested in offi- cial negotiations with soviet rep- resentatives. Von Seeckt person- ally informed Wirth on their progress. The negotiations ended on 11 August 1922 resulting in a secret agreement. In November 1922, the Bolshevik government and the Junkers company agreed to build an aviation plant in Fili, a town near Moscow. In order to expand military contacts, Berlin sent a delegation headed by General Hass, chief of a Defence Ministry department, to Moscow in February 1923. As a result, the sides agreed to build a chemical plant to produce poi- sonous substances (the Bersol stock company). Two months tary organisation. The govern- Chemical garding both tsarist Russia and a later, another agreement was warfare ments of nine countries, including school: state headed by Kolchak or Deni- signed to upgrade Russian mili- Great Britain and France, said German kin would be the same. Now we tary plants and supply artillery they were against the Soviet-Ger- delegation need to put up with Soviet Russia shells to the Reichswehr. A rep- man treaty. However, Germany poses at Tomka, – we have no other way out.” In resentation of the Reichwehr, issued a statement in response Reichstag's one of his other speeches the gen- with the inconspicuous name saying it was unable to revoke the secret object in eral spoke even more straightfor- “Moscow Centre” and Colonel commitments it had undertaken Saratov Oblast, wardly and frankly: “If Germany Hans von Thomsen as its chief, before the soviet state. where chemical sides with Russia, it will become was launched to coordinate the This persistence and firmness warfare was invincible, because other coun- activities of German companies on the part of Berlin was ex- tested tries will then be forced to deal in the Soviet capital. plained, above all, by the great in- with Germany keeping Russia in In July 1925, a flying school terest German generals took in mind.” was set up in Lipetsk to train Ger- military cooperation with Soviet man pilots and parachutists. The Russia. General Hans von Seeckt, Friendship next year, two testing grounds for the first commander and de facto for the benefit of war gas shells, one near Moscow and organiser of the German Army In May 1921, nearly one year be- the other in the Saratov Oblast, as (Reichswehr), said at one point: fore the Treaty of Rapallo was well as a tank school in Kazan were “It is only in a close connection signed, Germany’s Ministry of De- built. Blohm und Voss, a German with Great Russia that Germany fence and the Bolshevik military ship-building concern, was ex- maintains a chance to revive its began secret negotiations centred pected to upgrade a submarine status of a powerful state… Eng- around Berlin’s aid in strengthen- plant in Mykolaiv. land and France are afraid of a ing the soviet military industry. Concurrently, regular ex- union between two continental (In order to build a modern and changes of military specialists took states and try to prevent it in ev- powerful army, the Bolsheviks place with Germans coming to so- ery way. Thus, we strive for it with badly needed large-scale technical viet construction bureaus in the all our strength… Our policy re- assistance and financial injections aviation, machine-building, artil- 40|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 the treaty of rapallo|history Lipetsk flight school lery, tank and chemical sectors. trained bilateral cooperation began moving the Treaty of Rapallo, thus forcing Conversely, noted Red Army com- to a new level as the Germans the Entente powers to first limit 120 manders, such as Mikhail Tukh- German fighter pilots started to exert more effort to have post-war sanctions and later revise achevsky, Ieronim Uborevich and and the maximum impact possible on them in Germany’s favour. Avgust Kork, received training in 100 the Red Army in terms of its organ- In its turn, Soviet Russia, Berlin. At the same time, German pilot observers isation, tactical training and so on. which was in international block- generals Walther von Brauchitsch over 1925-1933 ade and isolation, found an advan- (the future commander in chief of Reasons tageous economic partner in Ger- the Wehrmacht’s land troops), for rapprochement many. Berlin took successful dip- Walther von Reichenau (com- Before Hitler’s rise to power in lomatic steps to make the best use mander of the 6th army during the 1933, Soviet-German relations were of these relations, skillfully by- Barbarossa Operation), Wilhelm built on mutually beneficial and passing the Versailles limitations. List (participant in the blitzkriegs mutually necessary foundations. To the Weimar Republic, the against Poland and France in Soviet Union was the only equal 1939-40), Heinz Guderian (com- and fully-fledged partner with mander of the 2nd tank group dur- The Molotov-Ribbentrop which it was able to pursue its for- ing the attack on the USSR in 1941) Pact of August 1939 eign policy until 1933. The best completed training in the USSR. proof of it is found in the secret mil- High-ranking officers of the Wei- was a logical continuation itary cooperation which, on the one mar Republic, such as Hans von of the German-Soviet hand, prepared firm ground for the Seeckt, Kurt von Schleicher and revival of Germany’s military power Werner von Blomberg, were in- rapprochement of the after the First World War, and on volved in writing Red Army service 1920s the other, upgraded the Bolshevik regulations. defence industrial complex. The In compliance with the bilateral The two countries drew closer to Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of August agreements, Germany, and particu- each other, because together they 1939 under which two dictators, larly the Reichswehr, tried to be- could oppose the Western states. Hitler and Stalin, divided Central come the Soviets’ main supplier in Sensing the need to cooperate with and Eastern Europe and started the the aviation and chemical indus- the Bolsheviks, the Weimar Repub- Second World War, albeit not at the tries in 1922-23, thus securing a lic not only refused to attack Russia same time, was a logical continua- dominating influence on these in- in early 1920 but also strengthened tion of the German-Soviet rap- dustrial sectors. Starting from 1925, friendly relations with it through prochement of the 1920s. history|soviet propaganda in the 21st century The Death Match Myth

Author: kraine’s State Agency for myths which Russians are once track, and all these events enjoyed Oleh Cinema issued, with some again trying to spin in Ukraine. a relatively calm atmosphere. Slabospytsky restrictions, a distribution As always, all accusations of On 22 June 1941, a Dynamo- Upermit for the scandalous historical untruthfulness are re- TsSKA match was scheduled to $10-million-budget Russian-Ukrai- buffed by the producers with refer- open the Stalin Republican Sta- nian film ‘The Match’ in April this ences to the artistic component. At dium (now the ) year. The film caused a tsunami of the same time, the pre-premiere in Kyiv. However, war broke out criticism from the Ukrainian pub- viewings and individual frames against the USSR, and most play- lic, historians and independent from the film’s trailer suggest the ers volunteered for the Red Army, film experts due to its anti-Ukrai- exact opposite. For example, in the and only some stayed in Kyiv after nian character and the plot being film Ukrainian is spoken only by the Wehrmacht entered the city. built on a propaganda myth in- Kyiv policemen, while average Kyiv They had to earn a living under vented in the USSR. Several NGOs residents are all Russian-speaking. German occupation; so many even urged Ukraine’s Minister of All collaborationists carry blue- noted athletes took up jobs at the Culture to ban this film from dis- and-yellow bands, even though bread-baking plant owned by tribution in Ukraine altogether. In they were no longer used in 1942. Czech Josef Kordik (who was their turn, the producers accused Ukrainian actor Ostap Stupka’s recognised as a Volksdeutsche. – mythical Ukrainian “ultranation- character wears one of them. And Ed.). He was particularly keen on alists” of stirring up a campaign this is not the first time he has football, so the ‘Start’ team was against their film. played in dubious Russian films: he put together with eight Dynamo So what was all the fuss about? also played the part of a blood- and three Lokomotyv players who Well, it was the fact that a dubious thirsty UPA fighter in ‘My iz budu- practiced at the Zenit stadium. It is war episode was picked for the shchego-2’ (We Are from the Fu- sometimes claimed that they film’s plot: a game between Ukrai- ture – II) several years ago. played in red uniforms to empha- nian and German football teams in So what actually happened in sise their commitment to the So- Nazi-occupied Kyiv in 1942. The 1942? The fact is that Ukrainian viet Union, but this is nonsense filmmakers assert that their desire sporting life continued under Nazi and the claim was even later de- was to instill patriotism and pride occupation: over 150 football nied by the players themselves. for the historical past in Ukrainians games were played, and there are The team played a total of 10 prior to the Euro-2012 tournament. even known cases of boxing games: against the Ukrainian However, all attempts to find the matches being held during that Rukh on 7 June (7:2), a team of historical basis for the film’s plot time. The inhabitants of the city Hungarian soldiers on 21 June run up against a web of soviet were setting cultural life on its (6:2), a German artillery unit team 42|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 soviet propaganda in the 21st century|history The Death Match Myth

Es Lebe die Deutsche Armee: Is the wrong spelling of WWII slogans on the sets part of the artistic twisting of history, too?

on 28 June (7:1), Kyiv’s Sport (11:0) Playing the Ukrainian team then played located in Kyiv; others were shot on 6 July, the RSG team of Ger- a janissary: their next game on 16 August. for being NKVD agents, while two man railroad workers (6:0) on 17 Ostap Stupka’s Indeed, after the abovemen- (Heorhiy Tymofeev and Lev Hun- July, the Hungarian MSG Wal (5:1) involvement tioned victorious series of games, darev) even served in the German on 19 July, a rematch against the in Russian seven ‘Start’ members were actu- police for which they were later re- films with a Hungarian GK Szero (3:2) on 26 patently anti- ally put in the Syrets concentration pressed by the Soviets. July, the Flakelf team of German Ukrainian tone camp on 18 August 1942. The exact For some strange reason the antiaircraft gunners on 6 August has become a reason for their arrests remains un- Ukrainian government clearly en- (5:1), a rematch against Flakelf on tradition known. However, there are several joys such Russian films as ‘The 9 August (5:3) and a rematch versions as to why. Shvetsov, the Match’, with their updated inter- against Rukh (8:0). coach of the Rukh team, believes pretation of soviet myths about the And it was the particular game that the arrests took place after his Second World War. The “interna- on 9 August that officials oviet his- team played against Start. It was tional heroic-patriotic campaign” toriography built the myth about revealed at this time that Start in- under the title “St. George’s Rib- the Death Match around. Propa- cluded former Dynamo players who bon 2012” was launched by some ganda had it that the Ukrainians were NKVD agents. Another cited organisation called The General played against a specially trained reason is the theft of meal from the Military Union of Ukraine before 9 team of Germany’s Luftwaffe, bread-baking plant for which the May. In December 2011, the Ukrai- while in truth, it was actually football players were blamed. Six nian government said it was plan- Flakelf; a team composed of ordi- months later, on 24 February 1932, ning to show, free of charge, fea- nary antiaircraft gunners, pilots the Nazis began to carry out mass ture films and documentaries and mechanics. Eyewitnesses Ma- shootings in Kyiv after another at- about the Great Patriotic War in kar Honcharenko and a son of one tack by the communist under- state and community-owned cine- of the football players, Mykhailo ground, and three Dynamo players mas and cultural institutions. So it Putystin, negate testimonies about – Oleksiy Klymenko, Ivan Kuz- was expected that The Match Germans conducting themselves menko and Mykola Trusevych – would have no problems obtaining in a rough, provocative manner on happened to fall victim to this trag- a distribution permit. Despite an- the field. Moreover, both teams edy. other portion of social populism went home after the match. The The lives of other Start players the electoral support for the ruling main claim – that the Ukrainians took different paths, but they were party is still critically low, and thus won the game for which they were not directly linked to the 9 August it is forced to urgently mobilise, as later shot by the Germans – is very match and its result. Some of them it has done before, the “patriotic” much opposite to reality, because were forced to work at enterprises resource. № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|43 culture & arts|drama of the day Interviewer: Yuriy Makarov

etting an interview in the middle of a rehearsal was easy: the cult writer and Gartist does not live the life of a celebrity. Instead, he tries to enjoy the process, no matter what it may be. UW: This is not the first attempt to bring your plays to the stage. The first one failed. The second one, Pavlik Morozov directed by Andriy Kritenko, was staged a year ago. My impression is that your pieces are self-sufficient, and their image as theatre pieces is only a mask. What is it about the stage that lures you in? – Whatever should happen al- ways happens. These pieces have lived a long life and they will get to the theatre sooner or later. Ac- tually, I didn’t do anything to bring them there. It just hap- pened. I love theatre! I mean I love to work with Kritenko. This is not our first project. We staged The Orgy based on Lesya Ukrain- ka’s writing. I was involved as a stage designer. The joy of creative interaction is our key motivation. We both do what we like and radi- ate the energy that excites every- one else. That’s the law of art, I don’t know any others. UW: Aren’t you concerned about your popularity as a writer over- shadowing your fame as an artist? – There is no other way. Most people think in words. Only some think in images and they are painters. They, and a few others around them, are the only ones who understand all this. This is a self-contained system. Gaining fame as an artist is next to impos- sible. Why do people paint? Be-

photo: аndriy lom a kin photo: cause they cannot help but paint,

Artist and playwright Les Podereviansky talks about his personal evolution and people that never change 44|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 drama of the day|culture & arts that’s all! Words are easier to characters speak the language haven’t changed since the 1970s. grasp, therefore they’ll always they speak, no more and no less. They have the same jokes, the prevail. What is the worst ques- There is no scandal in it. As to the same swearwords, the same dirt. tion to ask an artist at an exhibi- attitude towards profanity in the And the same love. tion? “What were you trying to writing, civilized countries have say with your painting?” He said only two taboos: murder and child UW: No, people were afraid in what he wanted to say, but he pornography. the 70s… didn’t say it in words because it – They still are. didn’t translate into words. Actu- UW: Ok, does this signal that ally, I used this trick in my latest reaching out to today’s spoiled UW: People are less afraid to- exhibition at the Collection gal- audiences is becoming more day. I heard a great anecdote lery. I put an explanatory note challenging? about this. A guy bought an SUV next to every painting so that visi- – All we have to worry about and took his friend for a ride. tors would read it and leave me at this point is the quality of the “Why don’t you use your turn alone. But the painting always play. We’ve involved August signal?” the friend asked. “I comes first. I can write 100 ex- Birkle, a well-known avant-garde didn’t buy an SUV to use the planatory notes for each one. turn signal,” the guy answered. This guy who is afraid of nothing UW: I’ve recently learned that The author does not own at all has become the new pro- colleges offer separate courses anything in my plays tagonist. on your writing. What do you – They all come from that think about that? composer and performer. Andriy same time, the time of The Dreams – I hate it. People should hate Kritenko invited him from Ger- of Vasilisa Yegorovna. They are all everything colleges and schools many. Gortchitza will sing in it the same people. They would be stuck in their heads. I, for in- and Peter Mueller will arrange the different if they came from a Euro- stance, hated all the Russian and lighting. He was involved in Pav- pean environment. I see no differ- Ukrainian literature I was taught lik Morozov but he actually works ence at all. If we had given people in school. I only began to really at La Scala. SUVs in the 70s, they would have read books on my own when I done the same things they do now. grew up. Schools cultivate revolt, UW: Critics describe your writing The only difference was that they so I don’t want my writing to be in as the continuation of Sam Beck- had no SUVs. school programmes. ett’s and Eugène Ionesco’s line. You said in an interview that you UW: What about the younger UW: I don’t think there is a sin- strive for the quality of Ancient generation? gle journalist who hasn’t asked Greek drama. But that drama re- – It’s a great generation, actu- you about profanity in your flected reason, the plans of gods ally… pieces. Even 10 years ago, a or fate. That is something oppo- swear word spoken or written, site to the chaos of absurdity. UW: I don’t disagree. But they much less published, caught the How do you reconcile this? often use words that I have to eye for a moment. Now I see – Actually, I have been evolv- look up in online dictionaries. young people saying the ‘f’ word ing. I began to write in the army, Don’t you ever feel a bit behind with no hesitation at all. Does inspired by its environment of ab- the times when you talk to this mean that the profanity in surdity. My first play really was to- young people? your writing no longer serves its tally absurd. Then I began to write – You know, I never tied myself purpose? more realistic pieces. I was always to my generation. I never have any – You want censored words – interested in juxtaposing opposites, nostalgic feelings about “my time.” try reading Shakespeare’s origi- things of opposite textures: colorful I’ve seen old 30-year olds and nals in Old English. His poems and faded, glossy and matte, young 80-year olds. Generation were not something noble ladies smooth and rough. When opposite means nothing to me. Every gener- would read. A friend of mine, a textures collide, they sparkle. ation has stupid people and people UK literature expert, confirms who are able to think. The former this. This has never been an issue UW: Are you reacting to the always prevail. The only thing I for me. When I describe a charac- growing concentration of absur- don’t like about them is how they ter, he should speak the language dity in our lives over the past use the Internet. The web offers us he speaks. I never liked falsehood. year or two? huge opportunities for self-educa- Once when I was in the army I – I have never been tied to the tion and self-sophistication. Mean- went to the library and asked for a evils of the day. My art would while, they treat it like a public toi- book about the army. They gave grow outdated very quickly if I let at a bus stop somewhere in a re- me a book of short stories where a had been. I’m not interested in mote province. Whatever they used captain tells a private, “Mr. pri- newspaper satire. Instead, I’m in- to write on walls and fences, they vate, would you be so kind to…” terested in things that existed yes- now write on Facebook. We lived in Of course, I knew this wasn’t how terday, exist today and will exist a closed society with little access to captains talked to privates. In real tomorrow. Clearly, I can’t sepa- information, while they have access life, it was something like “You, rate myself from reality but I see to everything. They should have f....ing son of a b…tch, get over no big difference between the grown smarter and better educated there, fast!” The author does not pieces I wrote 20 years ago and than us, but for some reason they own anything in my plays. My the things I’m doing now. People haven’t. № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|45 navigator|reviews & event calendar films Bio Karl Markovics Karl Markovics, theatre and film actor, script- writer and director, was born in 1963 in Vienna. A Genuine Act His career as a film actor began in 1991. He gained recognition for playing Inspector Stock- inger in the Kommissar Rex series. He played in Austrian actor and director Karl Come Sweet Death in 2000. The Counterfeiters, a Stefan Ruzowitzky film in which Markovics played Markovics talks about intuitive play, the protagonist, won the Best Foreign Language honest films and life after an Oscar Film Oscar in 2008. He debuted as a director and scriptwriter with Atmen (Breathing) in 2011. In 2012, he played in Yedynyi shliakh (The Only Way) directed by Ukrainian Daria Onyshchenko arl Markovics first came to Kyiv as an honorary guest of the (Ukrainian-Serbian-German production). Week of Austrian Cinema festival. Atmen (Breathing), his debut work as a director, won the grand prix at the Molodist Kfestival last year. He is best known for The Counterfeiters where he played a Jewish fraudster from Odesa who found him- self in a Nazi concentration camp and was forced to forge the cur- rencies of the enemies of the Third Reich. In 2008, it won an Os- car for Best Foreign Language Film and brought world renown to director Stefan Ruzowitzky as well as to Markovics who played the main part.

I don't feel like there are any personalities who define the nature of European cinematography today. Maybe that was the case earlier when Pasolini or Truffaut were in vogue, but even then, you couldn't really say at that time that any partic- ular people defined European cinema. These things are said post factum, when people become classics. We may well find some people who have had a dramatic impact on European cinema in 10-15 years from now. I cannot name any names, because I'm not a typical filmmaker who constantly draws inspiration from his colleagues’ works. Ordinary life interests me much more than art.

I constantly study people, no matter where I am. I have watched very different types of people in the two days I’ve spent in Kyiv — absolutely ordinary people: street sweepers, parking atten- dants, policemen and taxi and bus drivers. I noted what they look Events 6 June, 4 p.m. 9 -30 June 12 June, 6 p.m. Ye Bookstore I Love Kiev festival Prosto Rock 2012 Talking About Borders: Life in Lavra Gallery, the Druzhby Chornomorets Stadium the Time of Change Narodiv Arch (1/20 Marzaliyevska vul., (3, Lysenka vul., Kyiv) (1, Lavrska, Kyiv; downtown Odesa) Supported by the Austrian Federal Kyiv) The fifth Prosto Rock has invited Ministry for European and Inter- This year, the urban fest will last Linkin Park, a popular US rock-band, national Affairs and the Austrian three weeks, not the usual few days. to play in Ukraine as a headliner International Association of Writers, It introduces those who live in Kyiv this year. Their much anticipated the Austrian Playwright Competition and city guests to modern Ukrainian performance will be the first time has been held in Eastern European art and all of its beauty. This year’s the band plays in Ukraine, and countries annually, initiated and programme is full of exciting events hopefully it will not be their last supervised by director Christian including concerts, fashion shows, time. Garbage, another legendary Papke, since 2005. It is aimed at exhibitions, films, workshops to make rock band, will play before LP. Ukrai- discovering talented playwrights in graffiti, collect nian fans have been Eastern Eu- bicycles and many waiting for Garbage rope and other things. I to visit Ukraine present- Love Kiev will have for years. Festival ing their free DIY space for organizers are not pieces representatives of disclosing who else to the various subcultures will play this year German- who will present but they promise speaking their specific activi- only good surprises audience. ties to the public. to the audience. 46|the ukrainian week|№ 7 (30) May 2012 reviews & event calendar|navigator like on the outside and how they stand. I pay attention to things like that. At the end of the day, I often ask myself about how much I have stored in memory and why I am so much into it. I study people this way or another all the time. So I rarely need to learn something new to play a particular part.

An actor is only an actor when he can imagine things well. I don't want to be an imitator. As I played Sig- mund Freud, I didn't want to imitate him. What I was inter- ested in was how I would have conducted myself if I had been him and what I would have done in a particular situa- tion having the notions of this person and his time.

My life changed very little after the Oscar. I still don't have an agent – just like before. I've got more invitations to castings and have played more frequently. The most impor- tant thing that the Oscar changed for me personally was in- creasing my internal confidence that I've attained some- thing in life. It has grown so much that I finally dared to do something I have always wanted – create my own film. Af- ter the Oscar (which was won by the film, not myself per- sonally, but it was still a production and part of the success), I felt I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore, in- cluding myself. Now as I make films, I feel like I haven’t done anything else before. I feel like I'd been preparing for this my entire life, and that's actually true.

There is no advice I would give to a beginner direc­ tor. I would make a poor teacher, and I’ve never studied myself: I did not go to acting or cinema school; I didn't need it. The only thing I would recommend is that you have to think twice before you do it. Don’t overestimate yourself. You shouldn’t think that if you have an idea, it is exactly what is needed, and you are already a director. If you’ve had serious doubts but are unable to think about anything else and this is all you can do, and there is nothing else in the world left for you to do, then you need to do it.

Interviewer: Inna Zavhorodnia Photo: Andriy Lomakin 13 June, 7 p.m. 22-23 June, 5 p.m. 29 June – 1 July Noel Gallagher's Krayina Mriy (Dreamland) The Best City.UA High Flying Birds Spivoche Pole Novoselytsia park International Showroom (Sichnevoho Povstannia vul., Kyiv) (12th km on the Dnipropetrovsk- (15, Brovarsky Prospect, Kyiv) Authentic and natural, the interna- Pavlohrad driveway) Godlike Genius, as Noel Gallagher tional ethnic festival indeed creates The Best City.UA is the first has been called since recently for a dreamland where music and live three-day open air music festival the NME Award he got, will soon communication take over state- in Ukraine. The organizers call visit Ukraine with his of-the-art technologies. The huge it a music explosion. They have rock band. As part of space of ethnic and world music invited many popular Ukrainian their big tour, Noel unites people into and foreign musi- Gallagher's High one stream of energy cians. By now, The Flying Birds will play bringing positive think- Rasmus, Apollo Everybody’s on the ing and a good mood. 404, -based Run, Dream On, The Apart from music, White Lies and DJ Death of You and Me, guests will see arts Joachim Garraud AKA… What a Life! and crafts, folk dance have confirmed and other songs from workshops and all their performance. their debut album. kinds of literature and Ukrainian VV, Vibrant tunes, deep theater performances. Boombox, Druha lyrics and godlike For the first time ever, Rika and Russian sound make their the festival will be an Bi 2, Splin and DDT style unique and im- official part of the Euro will join them on possible to imitate. 2012 programme. stage. № 7 (30) May 2012|the ukrainian week|47 navigator|uzhhorod Small City Lights Exotic and vibrant, Uzhhorod presents a striking mix of the multiethnic past and present

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Author: t first glance from the rail- STREET CONTRASTS waiting for their trains aren’t likely Oleh Kotsarev way station, Uzhhorod re- Uzhhorod is very compact. It takes to crowd around to see it. The rail- sembles a southern coa­ just a day or two to see all of its in- way square is also named after Photos: Astal town. The local teresting sites. The small city center Kirpa, who built the city’s glamorous Larysa plants, scents and colours have a urges tourists to walk rather than new railway station. Didenko slight southern flavour to them. drive, offering great opportunities to The next modern attraction is Uzhhorod’s latitude is virtually get some exercise in the fresh Car- not far. A huge newly built Orthodox identical to that of Northern pathian air. church in pseudo-Pskovsk style Crimea. By the time the first of The first site is located right at peeks out above the Carpathian Kyiv’s trees begin to blossom, the railway station. At this unex- foothills and delicate little houses. Uzhhorod is already full of green pected location, arriving visitors are Some locals call it Samarkand due to lawns, blossoming jasmine and greeted by a memorial to Heorhiy the distinctive shape of its domes. local sakura revealing its first Kirpa, the late transportation minis- The Moscow Patriarchate, though, petals. However, the city is also ter, including his bust and info seems to have little concern for aes- no stranger to the occasional about the railway guru’s life and thetics. Its only purpose is to make April snowfall. work—although bored passengers its voice heard among the patriots of 48|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012 uzhhorod|navigator UZHHOROD MENU 2 Bograch is a thick soup with meat, bell peppers, potatoes, carrots and spices Banosh is a porridge consisting of corn-flour boiled in sour cream Chovlent is meat with beans and hulled barley cooked in a pot. Young wine is easy to overdrink. If you do, your Uzhhorod friends will tell the next guest about your adven- tures in town before he drinks his de- ceptive dose Coffee – the locals are dead sure that the best coffee in Ukraine is served in Uzhhorod. Make sure you don’t com- pliment coffee from Lviv or elsewhere in front of them Lunch at Pid Zamkom café, Detsa u notaria (a shot at the notary’s) or Ruta, a soviet-looking café at the bus station. They have inexpensive and delicious food and decent visitors фото: олена максименко олена фото:

MUST SEE 3 Take a look at the local book store called Bovt Ivana Petrovtsia Fainy Knyhy (The Store of Ivan Petrovtsiy : Good Books). It offers books focused on Ruthenia and Zakarpattia, includ- ing interesting rare publications from different countries in different lan- guages. In 2005, I found the Ukrai- nian Futurism anthology there. Pub- lished in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, the book had long disappeared from other Ukrainian bookstores. Detsa u notaria translated as “a shot at the notary’s” is another display of local flair decorated with funny pic- tures, inscriptions and items.

Zakarpattia, often derogatively named banderivtsi, after Stepan Bandera, one of the leaders of the national movement in Western Ukraine. Just a few minutes walk from the railway station, Uzhhorod’s downtown is free from aesthetic dis- sonance. The historical heart of the city is very elegant and fairly well preserved (photo 1). Unlike many 4 other Ukrainian cities, it doesn’t look as if some wild strangers settled in and reduced everything to a post- war state. However, the city still boasts plenty of uneven pavement ARTISTIC LIFE and piles of litter to satisfy tourists Every spring, looking for a grittier experience. Uzhhorod hosts Elegant Secessionist buildings Bereznevi Koty line countless charming streets, the (March Cats), an erotic art festival, most beautiful of which is the pedes- Zakarpatska Hu- trian-only Corso St. Its name comes moryna (Zakar- from the Roman Via del Corso, once pattia Comedy a place for horse racing and other Festival) and entertainment. Built in the 17-18th Knyha-Fest, a centuries, St. George’s Cathedral book fair looks laconic and fits well into its № 8 (31) May 2012|the ukrainian week|49 navigator|uzhhorod

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Note: surroundings. The more pompous Make sure you buy sources, the rotunda-like church émigrés who ended up in Uzhhorod and monumental Holy Cross Greek your ticket to Uzh- was built in the 11th century. This after fleeing revolutionary turmoil in (photo 6) horod in advance. Catholic Cathedral and Virtually every place minimalistic and beautiful church Russia. In soviet times, military and Bishop’s Residence are located next in Ukraine has direct crowning a picturesque hill is not to border guard servicemen joined to St. George’s Cathedral. Indepen- transport connec- be missed. It is one of the few desti- them. tions to Uzhhorod, dent of the Ukrainian Greek Catho- but the inflow of nations in Uzhhorod that is not lo- Uzhhorod, the city on the Uzh lic Church, the Greek Catholic tourists can result in cated within walking distance. River, is unimaginable without the sold-out trains and Church of Zakarpattia was estab- buses. Roma. They live a more settled and lished after the 1646 Union of Uzh- MULTIETHNIC less criminalized life here than in horod. TRANSCARPATHIA other parts of Ukraine. Still, they are The local castle appears less im- Uzhhorod is among the most multi- segregated from other ethnic groups pressive than those in Lutsk or Os- ethnic cities in Ukraine. Its streets who tend to dislike them. Slovakians troh, yet it is charming and well pre- buzz with Ukrainian, Russian, Hun- can be seen driving cars with Slova- served. Within the castle, one can garian, Romani, Slovakian and Ro- kian license plates and listening to find a museum of local history and manian. The impression is that Slovakian radio stations. The border the ancient foundation of the castle’s Hungarian and Ukrainian have with Slovakia lies virtually within church. The observation platform grown more popular in public ven- the city’s limits, with Sobranetska offers a view of the entire city. Next ues over the past decade, although St. leading right to it. to the castle wall is the Museum of the locals speak their own dialect of The only traces of Jews and Folk Architecture (photo 3) featuring Ukrainian rather than the common , by contrast, are a few nice bell towers and houses with wood- language. Some refer to it as a sepa- synagogue buildings, including the shingled roofs. rate Ruthenian language while oth- Great Synagogue (now the Philhar- The pretty premises of the Zhu- ers think of it only as a dialect. In monic Society) (photo 4) built beside panat, formerly a local administra- any case, numerous borrowed words the Uzh in the Czech constructivist Dictionary tion building, host a church and Domú – home make it strikingly different from the style of the 1930s. The city’s name wine cellars next to an art museum Sio – hello literary . Even also bears a Czech trace. Prior to be- with paintings by Yosyp Bokshai, Aino – yes the local Greek Catholic church ing annexed to Czechoslovakia, Uzh- Adalbert Erdeli, Andriy Kotska and Levesh – soup masses sound exotic. horod was called Ungvar. The sakura other members of the Zakarpattia Shvablyky – Traces of Hungarian culture in trees were planted under the Czechs, School. They painted in unique vi- matches Uzhhorod are the most visible of all, too. And Czech signs, now rare, serve brant colours and combined Car- Krumpli – as Hungarians ruled the city for as another reminder of their former pathian folk elements with a soft potatoes most of its history. They left many rule. One is at the Pid Zamkom (“By mid-twentieth century modernism. Paradychky – names, monuments and buildings the Castle”) museum café decorated Lovers of earlier artistic eras will tomatoes as reminders, and the local cuisine with other rarities including old cam- Tengerytsia – learn from local guides that the corn has much in common with Hungar- eras, hundreds of old bottles, plac- Giotto-like Renaissance frescos on Poi hevka – ian cooking. ards, photographs, washstands, some walls of the St. Anna Church come here The Russian element is exotic newspapers and cameras. (photo 5) in Horiany, a village that is Ondyka – there and surprising for many in Uzh- And make sure you taste the now part of Uzhhorod, trace back to horod. The Uzh river bank (photo 2) misleadingly light young wine of Za- the 16th century. According to some 1 A Ruthenian writer hosts a small chapel built by Russian karpattia! 50|the ukrainian week|№ 8 (31) May 2012