INSIDE:  UWC leadership meets with Zelenskyy – page 3  Lomachenko adds WBC title to his collection – page 15  Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations – pages 16-17

THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association, Inc., celebrating W its 125th anniversaryEEKLY Vol. LXXXVII No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 $2.00 Trump considers suspension of military aid Zelenskyy team takes charge to Ukraine, angering U.S. lawmakers as new Rada begins its work RFE/RL delay. Unless, of course, he’s yet again act- ing at the behest of his favorite Russian dic- U.S. President Donald Trump is consid- tator & good friend, Putin,” the Illinois sena- ering blocking $250 million in military aid tor tweeted. to Ukraine, Western media reported, rais- Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a member of ing objections from lawmakers of both U.S. the House Foreign Affairs Committee, tweet- political parties. ed that “This is unacceptable. It was wrong Citing senior administration officials, when [President Barack] Obama failed to Politico and Reuters reported that Mr. stand up to [Russian President Vladimir] Trump had ordered a reassessment of the Putin in Ukraine, and it’s wrong now.” aid program that Kyiv uses to battle Russia- The administration officials said chances backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. are that the money will be allocated as The review is to “ensure the money is usual but that the determination will not be being used in the best interest of the United made until the review is completed and Mr. States,” Politico said on August 28, and Trump makes a final decision. means that Mr. Trump is considering block- The federal fiscal year ends on ing the funding. September 30. “The president has made no secret when The United States has supported it comes to foreign assistance that U.S. Ukraine since Russia forcibly seized its interests abroad should be prioritized and Crimean peninsula in March 2014 and other foreign countries should also be pay- started backing militants in Ukraine’s east- Vladislav Musienko/UNIAN ing their fair share,” Reuters quoted one ern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in official as saying on August 29. April 2014 in a conflict that has killed more Ukraine’s new prime minister, Oleksiy Honcharuk (left), with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the first day of the new Verkhovna Rada’s work, August 29. The White House did not immediately than 13,000 people. comment on the reports. Washington has given Ukraine more by Bohdan Nahaylo removing the immunity from prosecution Responding to the reports, Dick Durbin, than $3 billion in aid, including $1.5 billion that national deputies had enjoyed and ini- an influential Democratic senator, said that in lethal and nonlethal military goods over KYIV – It has been a momentous 10 days tiating many other changes, some of which this will put “Ukraine’s long-term stability the past five years, and is advising the or so in Ukrainian politics, both within and will require amendments to the at risk.” country on the reform of its armed forces. around the Verkhovna Rada. The new Constitution of Ukraine. “President Trump must direct [the Parliament dominated by President A new government has been created – Defense Department] to obligate these Based on reporting by Politico, CNN, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Servant of People funds immediately – there’s no reason to Reuters and Interfax. party has gotten off to a frenetic start, (Continued on page 8)

Toronto boasts North America’s largest celebration of Ukrainian Independence Day

by Nadia Prokopiw TORONTO – North America’s largest cel- ebration of the 28th anniversary of Ukrainian independence, organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Toronto Branch, took place in Toronto at Centennial Park on Saturday August 24. The event was blessed with beautiful weather, attended by thousands, greeted by representatives from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, charmed by songstress Oksana Mukha – “The Voice of Ukraine” – and featured the country’s top dance and vocal ensembles. The crowds started pouring in at 10 a.m. to enjoy many vendors’ booths, displays, Ukrainian food and a succession of promi- nent entertainment. They watched as Ms. Mukha mesmerized the huge audience and then danced the night away under the stars to the music of the band Dunai. The UCC Toronto, together with its very generous sponsors, again had the pleasure Mykola Swarnyk (Continued on page 8) The crowd in Toronto is entertained by the “Voice of Ukraine,” Oksana Mukha. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 No. 36

ANALYSIS

Putin leans on Russian ‘grandeur,’ Pence: U.S. supports Ukraine from Crimea. (Rikard Jozwiak of RFE/RL) U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said the Senators blacklisted in Russia to visit Ukraine leaving Russian citizens vexed United States will continue to support Ukraine in the country’s conflict with Two U.S. lawmakers who Russia says are Idlib province was endangering Turkey’s by Pavel K. Baev Russia and its right to full territorial integ- banned from entering the country say they security interests and provoking a forceful will still join the same congressional dele- Eurasia Daily Monitor rity. Washington “stands with the people of response from his country’s armed forces gation that is going to the country but just Ukraine and most especially since 2014, we The end of summer 2019 found Russian (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, August 29). Mr. visit Ukraine, Serbia and Kosovo. Sen. Chris have stood strongly for the territorial integ- President Vladimir Putin busy with high Putin remained non-committal, looking for Murphy (D-Conn.) tweeted that “Russia rity of Ukraine,” Mr. Pence said after meet- international politics. He is no longer riding safe ground for Russian forces between wouldn’t let us in, but [Senator] Ron ing Ukrainian President Volodymyr with aging bikers in Crimea or making pil- Israeli air strikes on Iranian assets near Johnson (R-Wis.) and I will be visiting Zelenskyy in Warsaw on September 1. “And grimages to the Valaam monastery together Damascus and U.S. missile strikes on an al- Ukraine, Serbia and Kosovo this week to I can assure you that we will continue to with Belarusian President Alyaksandr Qaeda training camp in Idlib (Izvestia, demonstrate bipartisan support for the stand with the people of Ukraine on your Lukashenka. Instead, he traveled to France September 1). new Ukrainian government and continued security, on territorial integrity, including and Finland as well as met with Turkish Moscow’s military intervention in Syria dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.” Ukraine’s rightful claim to Crimea,” the U.S. was supposed to demonstrate the superior Sen. Johnson is co-chairman of the Senate vice-president said. The United States is an paring to greet prominent Asian guests at quality of modern Russian weapons sys- Ukraine Caucus, a group of lawmakers who thePresident Eastern Recep Economic Tayyip Forum Erdoğan, in Vladivostok while pre- tems; but the chain of accidents this sum- important ally for Kyiv, having imposed meet to pursue common legislative objec- later this week (September 4-6). mer, including the massive explosion in an sanctions on Russia for annexing the tives. Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry These high-level engagements are sup- ammunition depot in Achinsk, Krasnoyarsk Crimean peninsula in 2014 and backing spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told jour- posed to reaffirm Russia’s status as a major region, and the fire aboard the AS-31 nucle- pro-Moscow militants in Ukraine’s east. nalists on August 28 that the list was estab- international player, but the disgruntled ar submersible in the Barents Sea, has Vice-President Pence and President lished in response to the United States’ domestic audience is paying scant attention damaged this show of military prowess. Zelenskyy were in Warsaw for commemo- “unfounded restrictions against a signifi- to this new polish on the fading regalia of Moreover, the deadly accident with an rations to mark the 80th anniversary of the cant number of members of the Federation “greatness,” resentful of the Kremlin’s unidentified nuclear-powered missile near start of World War II. (RFE/RL) Council,” Russia’s upper house of insufficient attention to its grievances Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk region, on EU envoys extend Russia sanctions Parliament. Sens. Murphy and Johnson, (Rosbalt, August 27). August 8, has further amplified the impres- who are vocal Kremlin critics, in late Approaching the 20-year mark of his sion of reckless neglect and accumulating EU ambassadors on September 4 agreed August said Russia had denied them visas mastery over Russian politics, Mr. Putin reg- risks in the Russian Armed Forces to prolong the sanctions against 170 to visit the country. In a post on his website ularly behaves as if the problems he chooses (Svoboda.org, August 29). Russian officials and Russian-backed on August 27, Sen. Murphy, who is a mem- to ignore cease to exist; this approach at the Official efforts to cover up the circum- Ukrainian militants as well as 44 entities by ber of the Senate Foreign Relations top, in turn, undermines his subordinates, stances of the failed test produced a wave six months. The extension of the measures, Committee, commenting on Russia’s move who discover that they lack the authority to of concern and outraged revelations about which include visa bans and asset freezes, said it is a “shame that Russia isn’t interest- act (Republic.ru, August 30). the mishandling of the consequences of the to March 2020 will be formally approved ed in dialogue” at “potentially a perilous small but lethal release of radioactivity On August 24-26, U.S. President Donald next week, according to diplomats who moment for our two nations’ fragile rela- (Carnegie.ru, August 28). The high com- Trump off-handedly proposed to admit spoke on condition of anonymity because tionship.” The previous day, Sen. Johnson mand tried to erase the impression of gross Russia back into the Group of Seven at the they were not authorized to discuss the said in a statement that “the path meeting of this exclusive club in Biarritz, incompetence by staging a synchronized issue publicly. The sanctions list was estab- [President] Vladimir Putin has chosen for France. Official propaganda presented this launch of ballistic missiles from two strate- lished after Russia seized control of Russia is a tragedy of historic proportions.” as a great success of Russian diplomacy gic submarines exercising in the Arctic Ukraine’s Crimea region in March 2014 and The Russian Embassy in Washington called (RIA Novosti, August 30). But in fact, (Rossiiskaya Gazeta, August 24). But the has grown over the following years as Sen. Johnson “Russophobic.” (RFE/RL, Moscow was merely reminded that to again only noticeable public reaction has been a Moscow has continued to back forces in based on reporting by Voice of America) become a respectable party on the interna- significant increase in fears of a major war eastern Ukraine in a conflict that has killed tional stage, it must first discontinue its (Levada.ru, August 26). more than 13,000 people since April 2014. Cabinet strips Kyiv mayor of some powers aggression against Ukraine and annul the More demonstrations of military might People on the sanctions list include the annexation of Crimea (RBC, August 26). Mr. are scheduled for mid-September, when the Ukraine’s new Cabinet has decided to Russian ambassador to the United States, Putin cannot begin to contemplate the lat- strategic exercise Tsentr 2019 is due to strip Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko of his pow- ter, though he shows some flexibility unfold over a vast territory – from the Anatoly Antonov; Deputy Prime Minister ers at the head of the capital city’s state regarding the former in order to profitably Barents Sea to the Caspian (Nezavisimaya Dmitry Rogozin; the head of the Russian administration, ratcheting up a power bargain with key European stakeholders Gazeta, August 13). Commander-in-Chief Armed Forces, Gen. Valery Gerasimov; and struggle between the former world boxing (Meduza, August 30). Putin will oversee some carefully staged state TV presenter Dmitry Kiselyov. The champion and recently elected President The much-anticipated exchange of pris- mock battles, but the domestic audience is entity list is dominated by Russia-backed Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “The Cabinet of oners between Russia and Ukraine has, unlikely to respond with any surge of patri- battalions operating in Ukraine’s eastern Ministers of Ukraine has just decided to however, experienced another delay otic enthusiasm. Russia’s protracted eco- Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the because the Kremlin has added a new nomic stagnation continues to sour the pub- Crimean peninsula, as well as companies (Continued on page 12) demand for Vladimir Tsemakh to be includ- lic mood. Mr. Putin ultimately expressed dis- ed in the list. Mr. Tsemakh is a key witness appointment in the slow growth of personal in the case on the destruction of Malaysian incomes, but in fact they have been falling Airlines Flight 17, which was downed in for five years and are set to shrink further in HE KRAINIAN EEKLY FOUNDED 1933 July 2014 by a Russian surface-to-air mis- 2019 (Rosbalt, August 30). T U W sile (The Insider, August 30). Mounting poverty is exacerbated by the An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., The real reason for this setback may be escalation of neglected ecological prob- a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Mr. Putin’s reluctance to grant any success lems, which increasingly focus public anger Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. to his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr (Forbes.ru, August 27). Mr. Putin’s failure to Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. Zelensky, because he feels quite uncomfort- address the disaster of devastating forest (ISSN — 0273-9348) able with the youthful president in Kyiv, fires in Siberia this summer has raised who gained a strong mandate for charting a comparisons with Brazilian President Jair The Weekly: UNA: new course in free and competitive elec- Bolsonaro, who denies responsibility for Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 tions (Moscow Echo, August 30). the catastrophic blazing deforestation of Postmaster, send address changes to: Mr. Putin was much more in his element the Amazon (Greenpeace.ru, August 29). The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz Russian political elites are growing worried 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas ditional MAKS international air show (in about the deterioration of societal attitudes P.O. Box 280 Zhukovskyy),treating Mr. Erdoğan even if tothis ice delicacy cream at did the little tra- and the merger of various sources of public Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] to help reduce the differences between the discontent. But their feeble alarm signals mistrustful “strategic partners” cannot penetrate the bubble of autocratic The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com self-righteousness fixed over the Kremlin asked whether Russia’s most modern (Vedomosti, August 28). The Ukrainian Weekly, September 8, 2019, No. 36, Vol. LXXXVII Su-57(Kommersant, fighter was August fit to 28). fly andMr. inquiredErdoğan Mr. Putin may imagine himself to be a Copyright © 2019 The Ukrainian Weekly about the price – likely trying to use this restorer and a guarantor of Russia’s “gran- public inquiry as a bargaining chip to rejoin deur,” but he is notably out of touch with the U.S. F-35 stealth fighter program, from the concerns of his generation, worried which Turkey was suspended after pur- about meager pensions. At the same time, ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA chasing Russian S-400 surface-to-air mis- he seemingly does not comprehend the dis- Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 siles (RIA Novosti, August 27). satisfaction of the working-age population, and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 e-mail: [email protected] The main point of the Turkish leader’s which sees few prospects for a better life; emergency visit, however, was to impress Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 e-mail: [email protected] upon Mr. Putin that the Syrian offensive in (Continued on page 13) No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 3

NEWS ANALYSIS In occupied Crimea, Moscow accelerates slow-motion ethnic engineering

by Paul Goble Tatars and destroyed almost all of their cul- “deportation,” even though it has not been sula. While Rosstat does not specify the Eurasia Daily Monitor tural institutions in their centuries-old total or all at once. He said the situation is ethnic composition of these flows, most of homeland, effectively presenting them with “deteriorating and will deteriorate still fur- the former are likely Crimean Tatars and When a government engages in mass a Hobson’s choice of assimilation or expul- ther” (Yenicag, March 14). Remarkably, and Ukrainians, while nearly all of the latter are murder or forcible deportations, most sion. Few people are prepared to put the in contrast with the situation in Stalin’s ethnic Russians, a trend that has been true observers see that as a clear sign of ethnic issue so starkly, but one who does is Rafis time, official Russian sources provide a since 2015 (Windowoneurasia2.blogspot. engineering – even if there are unresolved Kashapov, the former leader of the All-Tatar kind of confirmation for his prediction. com, August 6) but is now becoming debates as to whether such actions fall Social Center and current émigré head of In its report for the first five months of increasingly dramatic. under the terms of the international conven- the organization Free Idel-Ural. In an inter- 2019, Rosstat, the Russian government’s Shortly after the Russians annexed and tion against genocide. Yet, when the powers view with the Yenicag online portal, he statistical service, gives figures for so-called occupied the Crimean peninsula, Rosstat that be change the composition of the popu- makes these parallels clear (Yenicag, March natural population losses in Crimea caused reported that ethnic Russians formed 68 lation of a region by encouraging the emi- 14). by migration flows and excess deaths over percent of the population, ethnic gration of some groups, the immigration of “We remember the deportation of the births (Gks.ru, accessed August 6). As ana- Ukrainians 16 percent and Crimean Tatars others, or a combination thereof, few see Germans, Kalmyks, Chechens, Ingush, lyzed by Tetyana Ivanevich of the Crimean 13 percent. Those figures already reflected this process for what it is: slow-motion eth- Karachays and Balkars, and that the Tatar QHA news agency, these numbers new arrivals of many of the first and the nic engineering in ways that approach (even Crimean Tatar people shared the same suggest a continuing and even growing flight of many of the latter two (Gks.ru, if they may technically fall short of) acts of tragic fate as they,” Mr. Kashapov said. decline in the numbers of Crimean Tatars accessed August 6). Since then, the occupa- genocide as defined by the United Nations “Many peoples experienced such a horrific and other indigenous groups on the penin- tion authorities have not released a new (Ohchr.org, January 12, 1951). tragedy [because] this was the continuing sula, and a continuing and even growing enumeration, but Ukrainian and Western In Crimea, one can see historical and practice of the Communist regime,” the influx of ethnic Russians from the Russian estimates suggest the share of ethnic contemporary examples of both. When activist noted. “Fifteen peoples and more Federation (QHA Media, August 2). Russians has risen significantly while that Soviet leader Joseph Stalin deported the than 40 nationalities were deported” in Between January and May of this year, of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars has fall- Crimean Tatars in 1944, he loaded all of Soviet times. “About 3.5 million people Ms. Ivanevich notes, the figures show that en, the result of Moscow’s support of the them on trains in the course of a few days were driven from their native places – in the number of deaths exceeded the number former and its attacks on the latter and sent them to Central Asia – an action fact, from their historical motherlands. of births in the Republic of Crimea by 4,407 (Ukrcensus.gov.ua, January 1). This act that is increasingly viewed by people Many of them died during the deportation,” – 13 percent higher than was the case in does not equal the cruelty of the deporta- around the world as an act of genocide. Mr. Kashapov continued. 2018. Indeed, she says, these losses were tion of 1944, but it should nevertheless be Earlier this year, for example, the Latvian “Tragically, that old wound has not yet “the highest over the last five years, with seen as a clear case of state-sponsored eth- Parliament formally recognized the 1944 healed; and it is being made worse by new the total for Crimea exceeding 4,000 for the nic engineering – a policy explicitly banned events as such (Saeima.lv, May 9). But over ones.” Now, “in Crimea, a new wave of first time, and that of Crimea and by international law. the past five years, since the restoration of widespread repression toward the Crimean Sevastopol together exceeding 5,000.” This Russian occupation of the Ukrainian penin- Tatars is going on. Since the beginning of development seems likely to continue The article above is reprinted from sula, President Vladimir Putin has been the annexation of Crimea, from 30,000 to because “the number of births is declining Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from doing much the same thing, albeit slowly 40,000 Crimean Tatars have left the penin- and the number of deaths is growing” (QHA its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, rather than all at once, thus typically escap- sula; and therefore, one cannot speak about Media, August 2). www.jamestown.org. ing criticism. Now, new Russian govern- the rehabilitation of the repressed,” he said. That, however, is only part of the slow- ment statistics suggest, the results of this And the occupiers have closed schools, motion ethnic engineering now taking illegal practice are accelerating. mosques, newspapers and governing insti- place in occupied Crimea that Rosstat fig- In the five years since invading and tutions (Yenicag, March 14). ures show. Over the same time period, Quotable annexing Crimea, the current Kremlin lead- According to Mr. Kashapov, the world is 12,740 people left Crimea to live elsewhere, er has expelled as many as 40,000 Crimean fully justified in speaking about a new while 15,329 moved to the occupied penin- notes “President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy asked me for my view of the subject of peace in the Donbas. I could see that this question is of concern to the presi- UWC leadership discusses key priorities dent, and that he believes the question of the war is his most important chal- for cooperation with president of Ukraine lenge. The question of war and peace is of concern to us as well, and we have UWC been speaking about it for these five TORONTO – On the eve of Ukrainian years, appealing first and foremost to Independence Day, the leadership of the the international community. ...We Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) met in understand that no matter how we try Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to heal the wounds of war, this will not of Ukraine to discuss continued coopera- have a definitive result until the aggres- tion in defending the interests of Ukraine sor stops inflicting those wounds. ... throughout the world, and further develop- “Peace cannot mean capitulation ing effective ties between the Ukrainian and consent to the conditions of the diaspora and Ukraine. aggressor. This would be an imitation Key priorities were agreed upon during of peace, and the effect would be even the August 23 meeting, as were the next worse than the effects of war. For peace steps in supporting Ukraine internationally, to be real, it must be just. Otherwise, securing its economic development and this will simply be a change in the growth in foreign investment, and improv- methods of how wounds are inflicted ing Ukraine’s legislative framework to on our people. strengthen the cultural, social and political “We know from history that appeas- rights of Ukrainians abroad and support ing an aggressor fuels his appetite. It is their return to Ukraine. Office of the President of Ukraine very important to speak about the pain The parties agreed on joint actions At the August 23 meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his staff with of our people and, even while we are related to the realization of the European a delegation of the Ukrainian World Congress led by President Paul Grod. Also part negotiating with the aggressor, to and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine, of the UWC delegation are Andriy Futey, UWC vice-president and Ukrainian remember the eyes of the mother who consolidation of the international coali- American Congress Committee president; Lenna Koszarny, UWC vice-president and lost her son in the war. We must be the chair of the UWC Committee for Ukraine’s Economic Development and Investment; tion in combating Russian aggression, fur- voice of the people who have suffered. and Serhiy Kasyanchuk, director of the UWC Mission in Ukraine. thering of reforms in Ukraine, reinforce- ...That is why I tried, in responding to ment of the positive image of Ukraine in ing cooperation between the diaspora and national sanctions and completion of the Mr. Zelenskyy’s request, to speak in the the world, protection and support of the Ukraine, and promoting international rec- Nord Stream 2 project.” name of those for whom this war is Ukrainian language in Ukraine and ognition of the Holodomor as an act of “There is currently a critical opportunity causing suffering, and to convey what a throughout the world, and furthering genocide,” stated UWC President Paul Grod. for improving the strategic partnership real peace must be.” international recognition of the “The UWC will continue to support Ukraine between Ukraine and the United States, – Patriarch Sviatoslav, head of the Holodomor as genocide of the Ukrainian internationally in strengthening relations and ensuring constructive dialogue Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, speak- people. with NATO and the EU, securing Ukraine’s between the presidents of the two coun- ing in an interview with censor.net, as “The Ukrainian World Congress is grate- economic, cultural and informational glob- tries,” noted UWC Vice-President and reported by the Ukrainian Canadian ful to the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr al positioning, and combating security President of the Ukrainian Congress Congress Daily Briefing on August 15. Zelenskyy, for his attention to strengthen- threats that include the weakening of inter- Committee of America Andriy Futey. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 No. 36 No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 5

UNA CELEBRATES 125 YEARS: A snapshot from history, 1959

Seen in the photo on the right are members of the Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Ukrainian National Association’s Branch 175 in Detroit. The dance group was organized under the auspices of the UNA branch’s Youth Department. The photo was taken in 1959, when the UNA was celebrating the 65th anniversary of its founding.

A photo archive of UNA history has been launched on the UNA website. It is a work in progress that will be expanded and refined. To take a look, go to unainc.org/una/the-una- is-125-years-old/.

Bonish Photo Studio 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 No. 36

FOR THE RECORD THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY Slow-walking military aid to Ukraine Speech by the president of Ukraine A worrisome headline in Politico on August 28 read: “Trump holds up Ukraine military aid meant to confront Russia.” The story went on to report that “The Trump during Independence Day festivities administration is slow-walking $250 million in military assistance to Ukraine, Following is the text of President Someone at the cost of one’s freedom, and annoying lawmakers and advocates who argue the funding is critical to keeping Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address on the occa- someone at the cost of one’s life. For the Russia at bay.” sion of Ukraine’s Independence Day, August sake of this one day. August 24, 1991. And This was the situation: President Donald Trump asked his national security team 24. The English-translation below appeared this day was inevitable. Because, as Levko to review the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which was created back in 2015 on the Official Website of the President of Lukianenko said, the desire for indepen- to help fight Russian-supported militants waging war on Ukraine; most recently Ukraine. dence is embedded in our genetic code. Congress had approved $250 million for that initiative. The ostensible reason: to Twenty-eight years have passed. ensure that the money is being spent in the best interests of the U.S. Since the move Fellow Ukrainians! Twenty-eight different years. Difficult, came soon after President Trump had argued that Russia should be reinstated in the My every morning begins with an SMS. stormy, thorny, yet our common. And we G-7, it raised numerous red flags. An SMS from the General Staff. Over the have lived through all these years together. The next day, August 29, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) tweeted: “Get this: In the past 24 hours there were seven occasions The whole country. same week that @realDonaldTrump absurdly proposed inviting Ukraine-invader of shelling and two casualties. Figures may The whole country has been pulling Putin back into the G-7, Trump is slow walking security assistance to Ukraine. The vary, but only one figure makes the morn- “kravchuchki,” cutting coupons, watching U.S. must stand should to shoulder with Ukraine & strong against Putin.” Sen. Robert ing good. Zero. Zero occasions of shelling. “Los ricos también lloran.” The whole coun- Menendez (D-N.J.) issued a statement in which he underscored: “Enough is enough. Zero casualties. try had vouchers, worn “malviny,” those President Trump should stop worrying about disappointing Vladimir Putin and And let us, first of all, express gratitude to who were lucky enough had pagers. stand up for U.S. national security priorities. We have a responsibility to help those thanks to whom we can be here today, The whole country has jumped to a Ukraine defend its sovereignty and deter Russia from further aggression. The under the bright sun and clear blue skies. So record height – 6 meters 14 centimeters. administration should stop playing games and immediately release these funds that our defenders, who are now defending The whole country has been the first to approved by Congress, which are supported by the State Department and Pentagon.” Ukraine in the east, can hear the applause. cross the pool in Sydney and Athens pools. Indeed, on August 30 Politico reported that the Pentagon had completed the review Thanks to you, we are celebrating the The whole country has been crying on the of military aid ordered by Mr. Trump and concluded that the aid should continue. 28th anniversary of Independence Day Atlanta Olympic pedestal as the Ukrainian Interestingly, on September 1, Vice-President Mike Pence delivered a message today. flag was raised. starkly different from that of the president, assuring Kyiv that the U.S. supports Although it is not quite correct to say that Ukraine’s territorial integrity, as it has done since Russia seized the Crimean penin- The whole country has forced the Ukraine is 28. After all, we have done a lot sula. He stated: “We will continue to stand with the people of the Ukraine on your European football giants to tremble. When by the 91st year. The Baptism of Kyivan Rus’ security, on territorial integrity, including the Ukraine’s rightful claim to Crimea.” He Luzhny from Lviv received a ball from took place, Ivan Fedorov [Fedorovych] pub- did not, however, mention anything about the U.S. military aid package. Holovko from Kherson, passed the ball to On September 2, the reactions to the president’s questioning of military aid for lished the Apostolos in Lviv, the Kyiv-Mohyla Rebrov from Horlivka who then passed it to Ukraine continued. The bipartisan Senate Ukraine Caucus – comprising Democrats Academy was founded, the Kozaks led by Shevchenko from Kyiv… “Goal” was then Jeanne Shaheen, Dick Durbin and Richard Blumenthal, and Republicans Rob Bohdan Khmelnytsky and Ivan Sirko con- cried out from Uzhhorod to Luhansk. Portman and Ron Johnson – said the aid is “vital to the long term viability of the quered the Dunkirk fortress, the The whole country, from Donetsk to the Ukrainian military” and pointed out that the funding “has helped Ukraine develop Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk was born. Carpathians, has been flying to the stars the independent military capabilities and skills necessary to fend off the Kremlin’s Ukraine was one of the founders of the U.N., together with Leonid Kadenyuk and was continued onslaughts within its territory.” In a letter to Office of Management and and Serhiy Koroliov made a significant con- happy to hear our anthem in outer space Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, they wrote: “We strongly urge you to direct the tribution to the conquest of space by for the first time. Department of Defense to obligate these funds immediately.” humanity. These are just a few of the high- The whole country has been standing in At last report, the funds were still on hold. Furthermore, if the funds are not lights of the vibrant history of our centuries- line to the first McDonalds and listening to released by September 30, they will no longer be available. Thus, we are left won- old and at the same time young country. “Tanets Pinhvina” by Kuzma. The whole dering: What is the true intent of this move by the Trump administration, which, And today we celebrate, perhaps, the country has been waiting for Armageddon admittedly had provided lethal weapons to Ukraine? What is behind the president’s most important day in the life of the state. when the year 2000 comes and was happy decision to single out Ukraine in this review of funding? In the meantime, the The day it gained independence. to survive the next morning. Ukrainian National Information Service has issued an Action Item encouraging Today, an entire generation, born in inde- The whole country conquered Europe friends of Ukraine to contact the White House (online via whitehouse.gov/contact or pendent Ukraine, has already formed. For with “Dyki Tantsi” and defended the demo- by calling 202-456-1414) to express disapproval of this slow-down of military assis- them, this is a normal state of affairs. It can’t cratic choice in 2004. The whole country tance to Ukraine and to urge its immediate resumption. Such funding is vital to be different for them. And that’s wonderful. prayed for the sailors of “Faina” captured Ukraine’s and Eastern Europe’s security. As Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Mike Because this generation is our mental foot- by Somali pirates and shed tears over min- Quigley (D-Ill), the co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, emphasized, “The hold. Foothold for freedom, democracy and ers in the Zasiadko mine. President of the United States should be a champion for liberty, not a pawn for dicta- development. They think differently, they The whole country rejoiced when a tors. This funding cannot be delayed.” think in a modern way, which means that wreath fell on someone. Ukraine will only move forward. The whole country tried to prepare for However, we should not forget that inde- the Euro 2012 in time and couldn’t under- pendence did not appear by magic. The stand how one couldn’t see the goal against active struggle for it began over 100 years England. Turning the pages back... ago. It lasted in times of the Soviet Union. Those were different years. Not easy, but Sept. Mykola Rudenko, Vasyl Stus, Petro now, looking back, we can say that they Grigorenko, Vyacheslav Chornovil, Levko were pretty carefree. As the year 2014 Thirty years ago, on September 9, 1989, during a three-day Lukianenko, participants of the Revolution congress (September 8-10) at the Polytechnical Institute in Kyiv, came then. 9 on Granite. This is an incomplete list of the establishment of the Popular Movement of Ukraine for those who fought for independence. 1989 Perebudova was formally declared, stirring a packed hall to joy- (Continued on page 18) ful tears and fraternal embraces as all present sang the words of Taras Shevchenko’s “Testament.” The formation of Rukh, as the movement was known, was seen as a threat to the politi- cal establishment in the Soviet Union’s Communist dystopia that was struggling to avoid internal collapse from the forces of economic and political stagnation and repression. At Remarks by U.S. secretary of state that time, propaganda was used to discredit the Rukh campaign. The congress body included 1,200 delegates, including Soviet and foreign media, guests on Ukraine’s Independence Day from all over Ukraine and other Soviet republics, Poland, Western Europe and North America. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo deliv- aggression. This year’s presidential and People in the congress hall waved blue-and-yellow flags and decorated the hall with ered the following remarks on the occasion parliamentary elections affirmed historic Ukrainian state emblems, including the trident, which was notable since these of Ukraine’s Independence Day. The state- Ukrainians’ desire for a peaceful, prosper- symbols were banned by the Soviet regime. Some speakers called for the resignation of ment was released by the State Department ous and democratic future. As President Communist Party of Ukraine head Volodymyr Shcherbytsky, and the restoration of the full on August 24. Zelenskyy has noted, by fulfilling its poten- sovereignty of Ukraine, some advocated for a confederation of free republics, while others tial, Ukraine can become a model for other argued for outright independence. On behalf of President Trump and the countries in the region and beyond. The Rukh’s ideological platform was similar to that of popular movements in the Baltic American people, I congratulate all United States stands with Ukraine at this states, guided by principles of “humanism, democracy, glasnost, pluralism, social justice Ukrainians on the 28th anniversary of your moment of historic opportunity, and we and internationalism,” as well as political and economic sovereignty, the reversal of nation’s independence. look forward to working with the new gov- decades of Russification in Ukraine, protection of the environment, and protection of the The United States remains steadfast in ernment and the people of Ukraine to rights of national minorities and ethnic groups living in Ukraine. its support for a prosperous, democratic advance reforms crucial to your country’s Ivan Drach, the Kyiv poet, was elected to lead Rukh, Serhiy Koniev of Dniproderzhinsk and free Ukraine, secure within its interna- success. was elected as vice-chairman, and Mykola Horyn of Lviv (of the Ukrainian Helsinki Union) tionally recognized borders including the Best wishes for a joyous Independence was elected to head Rukh’s secretariat. occupied districts of the Donbas and Day and a peaceful and prosperous year (Continued on page 13) Crimea, and resilient against Russian ahead. No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 7 WINDOW ON EURASIA PERSPECTIVES Stable Ukrainian-Russian peace impossible until Putin is convicted of war crimes by Andrew Fedynsky

by Paul Goble continued to remain a Muscovite political and economic colony.” Moscow “applied the A family snapshot from Many have been speculating about what doctrine of limited sovereignty” to Ukraine, steps Russia and Ukraine must make to and Kyiv had only as much authority as achieve a stable peace, but in nearly every Moscow wanted to give. a vastly larger picture case, they ignore the fundamental reality What this means, the Ukrainian analyst that Ukraine is a victim of Russian aggres- says, is that at least until 2014 with respect October will be my parents’ 80th wed- mander cum Nazi collaborator Nikolai sion and Moscow can’t be counted on to to Ukraine, “the USSR did not fall apart ding anniversary. Four people were at the Vatutin was killed in an ambush five years refrain from further aggression unless completely but only partially. The victory of ceremony: the priest, the diak (cantor) and later by Ukrainian Insurgent Army guerril- Putin is convicted of war crimes, says ana- the Euro-Maidan led to the exit of Ukraine the two of them: my father, Alexander las fighting for Ukrainian independence, an lyst Yuriy Shulipa. from under the colonial influence of (Liunyk), 24 years old and my mother, unintended and immensely consequential The director of Kyiv’s Institute of Moscow” and the resumption of its pursuit Alexandra (Lesia,) 23. Neither had any idea result of the pact. National Policy says that one must begin of a European future. what the near-term would bring, let alone History records how the agreement led any assessment of Russian-Ukrainian rela- Moscow couldn’t tolerate this and so what to expect with the rest of their lives. directly to tens of millions of deaths around tions with that fact and also that what is launched its war of aggression against Only that they would be together. the globe while changing the course of taking place now is “a continuation of the Ukraine under the pretext of “defending the Tato was an inveterate collector. After he hundreds of millions more. Situated existential struggle between Kyivan Rus’ Russian language population” of Ukraine, died in 1981 at age 66 and Mama four between East and West, Ukraine became a and the Golden Horde,” between a country Mr. Shulipa continues. “For the senior years later at 69, I discovered the letters prime killing ground for both military and looking toward Europe and one part of Asia Russian leadership, seeing next to it a flour- Liunyk received from Lesia, the first one civilians. The Soviets targeted Ukrainian (vestnikcivitas.ru/pbls/4228). ishing democratic state was equivalent to from 1932 when he was 17. She was 16. political and cultural figures. Polish leaders It is deceptive and wrong, Mr. Shulipa death.” Both attended the same academic gymna- there were similarly victimized. Two years argues, to describe the current situation as Vladimir Putin in particular was fright- sium in Stanyslaviv (now Ivano-Frankivsk). later, the Nazis targeted Jews. “a conflict” between the two countries. ened by the murder of Libyan dictator “Loving Liunyk… Correct this homework As a journalist and former political pris- “Legally and factually, Ukraine is a victim of Muammar Qaddafi and “really is afraid of for me, I ask you very much… I greet you oner, Liunyk would almost certainly have Russian military, political and other aggres- the overthrow of his regime as the result of sincerely and kiss you, Lesenka.” Amazing been deported to Siberia or executed. His sion, and Russia is an aggressor country.” a Russian Maidan.” And to prevent those that he kept this note, along with hundreds younger brother Myroslav, studying for the More specifically, he suggests, “the root outcomes, Mr. Shulipa says, the Kremlin of others for the rest of his life for his son to priesthood, was indeed arrested; he died of the current problem… is very simple… leader launched and continues his war of find decades later. somewhere in Siberia in 1940 – no one After the disintegration of the USSR, part of aggression against Ukraine. Two years after receiving the note from knows exactly where or when. And so, the citizens of Russia and a very small part As a result, the Ukrainian analyst says, Lesia, Liunyk was in prison – arrested for knowing the fate that awaited him in Lviv, of the citizens of Ukraine suffered phantom “Ukraine, the victim of Russian aggression, conveying revolutionary tracts for distribu- Liunyk fled from the Soviet occupation into pains from that event; and it seemed to and Russia, the aggressor, have nothing in tion among Ukrainians under Polish Nazi-occupied Poland, asking Lesia to go them that the USSR was alive and Ukraine common,” except their common state bor- administration. My mother sent him letters with him. They married days later. should thus remain up to now subordinate ders, which Russia continues to violate. which he also saved. They were heavily Shielded by the Non-Aggression Pact, to Moscow.” Peace between them can only be censored, but what is clear is my mother’s Hitler promptly conquered France, “Until the victory of Kyiv’s Euro-Maidan,” love, along with misgivings about linking Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Mr. Shulipa says, “Ukraine in large measure (Continued on page 19) her destiny to someone serving time in jail. Belgium while trying to bomb Great Britain They remained a couple after Liunyk into submission, even as Stalin supplied was released. Years later, my brothers and I Nazi Germany with food and raw materials. were amused when Tato asked Mama to On June 22, 1993, I was in Kyiv, part of a recreate the delicious soup he had in pris- U.S. Commerce Department delegation. Kremlin using archeologists in Karelia on. “Impossible,” Mama said. “They kept Watching the morning news in my hotel, I you on starvation rations and nothing I saw a Ukrainian military honor guard lay- to undermine truth, rewrite history prepare can measure up to the hunger you ing a wreath on a monument. “No one had then.” needs to be told what day this is,” the by Paul Goble but to disprove it (region.expert/sandar- But back to October 1939 and my par- announcer said without elaboration. “We mokh/). ents’ anniversary. It was clear they were all know.” Well, I didn’t. Later at lunch, Moscow has deployed archaeologists at On its webpage, the Society admits as committed to each other. We have photos: Deputy Prime Minister Mykola Zhulynsky Sandarmokh, the site in Karelia where much (rvio.histrf.ru/activities/news/item- young, happy and good-looking, enjoying a explained. Twentieth century Ukraine, he 6524); and now, working with the more than 10,000 of Stalin’s victims were summer’s day in a village in Podillia and a said, suffered two horrendous massacres: Investigative Committee, it says it is “test- buried, in a transparent effort to rewrite park in Lviv. I doubt they had any plans at the Holodomor in 1932-1933 and World ing the hypothesis” advanced by Moscow history a la Katyn by suggesting that those that point to get married. That all changed War II; that very day was the anniversary historians in 2016 that “at Sandarmokh are buried there were killed by the Finns dur- thanks to Hitler and Stalin. of the Nazi invasion in 1941. buried not only (or even not so many) vic- ing the Winter War rather than by the After two years in prison, Liunyk got a When the Wehrmacht invaded, tims of Soviet repressions as of ‘prisoners Soviet dictatorship throughout its history. job with a Ukrainian-oriented newspaper, Ukrainians welcomed them as liberators of Finnish concentration camps.” Sandarmokh attracted attention begin- Dilo, in Lviv. He knew shorthand, and even only to quickly realize that they had come Region.Expert points out that “what we ning in the 1990s thanks to the heroic kept a prison diary with hieroglyphic-like as conquerors and overlords. One of the are observing here is the open falsification efforts of investigators like Yury Dmitriyev script. His job was to monitor shortwave neglected and unappreciated aspects of the of history of the kind imperial propagan- and Sergey Koltyrin to call attention to radio, record the evening news and bring it war was the seizure of young people to dists love to accuse their opponents. This Stalin’s crimes. The authorities have locked to the office in the morning for publication. work in the German economy. Two million obviously is a direct order from the both of them up on faked charges, but that There was a whole lot of it – now history. of them were Ukrainian, replacing the sol- Kremlin to wipe out the ‘inconvenient’ hasn’t been sufficient to obscure what they He most certainly heard about the Munich diers who were laying waste to their land memory about Soviet terror and replace it proved. Conference in September 1938 when and killing their countrymen. After the war, Consequently, as the Region.Expert por- with ‘victorious’ myths.” most of the forced laborers were repatriat- “The empire can continue to exist only British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain tal reports, Moscow has brought in new ceded part of Czechoslovakia to Hitler and ed to the Soviet Union against their will, forces, in this case the Russian Military- with the help of these myths,” the portal but a good many others were welcomed to continues; “but when Karelia restores its the thrilling Carpatho-Ukrainian declara- Historical Society whose members are now tion of independence in March 1939 and the U.S. and elsewhere. engaged in further excavations of the site sovereignty, it will also restore an adequate Growing up, my closest friends were study of history.” how days later Nazi-supported Hungary not to provide additional confirmation of crushed the new republic. immigrant children like me, born in Austria what Messrs. Dmitriyev and Koltyrin found In the meantime, others are working and Germany. My mother and father were hard to do just that, not only by helping to But nothing was more stunning than the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Treaty of political refugees, fortunate survivors of defend Mr. Dmitriyev and his colleagues the war, but not without dire consequenc- Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on August 23, 1939, dividing Europe between against the false charges that Russian offi- es. Lesia, seeing Nazi soldiers rounding up ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia two dictators. A week later, Hitler invaded cials have brought against them, but also Jews in her village and then forced by who has served in various capacities in the Poland from the west, the country’s anach- establishing a Facebook page that keeps NKVD operatives to witness boyish guerril- U.S. State Department, the Central ronistic cavalry bravely and futilely defend- track of what these officials and their las being hanged, suffered Post Traumatic Intelligence Agency and the International ing against Wehrmacht tanks. On archaeologist co-conspirators are doing Stress Disorder. Liunyk’s health was under- Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice (facebook.com/groups/sandarmokh/). September 17, the Red Army invaded from the east, annexing western Ukraine. The mined by what he endured, including of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio That group now has almost 300 mem- months in a Nazi prison in Austria in 1943- Liberty and the Carnegie Endowment for bers, is updated almost every day, and is yet two armies celebrated with a joint victory parade. Ironically, the Soviet military com- 1944. International Peace. The article above is another example of the ways in which the The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, one of reprinted with permission from his blog Internet makes it far more difficult for the the most evil acts in history, is a taboo in called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- Kremlin to put out an unchallenged lie Andrew Fedynsky’s e-mail address is woneurasia2.blogspot.com/). about the past. [email protected] (Continued on page 18) 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 No. 36

effect constitutional changes, are the inde- The new Parliament also approved the had failed to deliver despite the apparent Zelenskyy team... pendent deputies elected in majoritarian president’s choices for the posts of minister general agreement among the country’s system constituencies. Twenty-three of them of foreign affairs, defense and internal political forces that the measure was (Continued from page 1) have united in a parliamentary group calling affairs, and General Prosecutor, something important in the fight against corruption the youngest in Europe, the prosecutor itself For the Future that is co-chaired by which the previous Parliament with its very and for the sake of political credibility: to general has been replaced and a civilian has Taras Batenko and Viktor Bondar. different political composition had stymied. lift the immunity of national deputies from been named minister of defense. On During the initial session of the new Diplomat Vadym Prystaiko has become the prosecution in matters concerning criminal September 4, the new Cabinet of Ministers Verkhovna Rada, which was extended into new foreign affairs minister, and another offenses. also endorsed President Zelenskyy’s earlier the following morning by the new speaker, leading diplomat, Dmytro Kuleba, the vice This historic change had to be carried request that Volodymyr Klitschko be it was clear that the Servant of the People prime minister for European and Euro- out in two stages. On the opening day of the removed from his post as head of the Kyiv party felt extremely confident and was Atlantic integration. Rada’s work, the bill to remove immunity City State Administration. As a result, he determined to push ahead very forcefully. Andriy Zagorodniuk, who headed a was adopted in its first reading with 463 will remain as mayor until the next local Their representatives were clearly deter- reform project within the Ministry of votes. To become law, it needed to be elections but will lose some of his adminis- mined to make the fullest use of the oppor- Defense, is now at its helm. Mr. Zelenskyy’s passed again in its second reading by a con- trative powers. tunities offered by the unprecedented situ- choice for managing and reforming the stitutional majority at the next parliamen- The initial signals from the new prime ation for independent Ukraine where one SBU, Ivan Bakanov, was elevated from first tary session, which was scheduled for minister, the prosecutor general, the head party and its parliamentary faction pre- deputy chief to head of the SBU. September 3. of the Security Service of Ukraine and the dominates. Keeping the problematic Arsen Avakov On September 2, President Zelenskyy defense minister indicate that far-reaching Messrs. Razumkov and Stefanchuk on as minister of internal affairs, however, met with the new Cabinet of Ministers and reforms will be attempted in all the spheres steered the proceedings calmly, though drew criticism from many quarters. Others provided it with a workplan, complete with for which they are responsible. occasionally, as newcomers, they slipped were quick to point out that the support of strict deadlines. Among other things, he The new-look Verkhovna Rada – of the up on procedural matters. But it was clear this strong political maverick with ties to insisted that the government should expe- ninth convocation since independence was that Mr. Zelenskyy, who sat in his presiden- oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky during the presi- ditiously adopt the 2020 budget, lower achieved in 1991 – convened on August 29. tial seat a few meters away, was in fact call- dential and parliamentary elections pre- credit rates, list state-owned companies up President Zelenskyy was present, and his ing the shots. His chief of the Office of the vented possible manipulation of the vote, for privatization, lift the land privatization overriding influence was evident to all. His President, the controversial Andrii Bohdan, and that his experience and influence is an moratorium and begin the process of legal- parliamentary faction with its 254 seats was also present and made no effort to important safeguard for Mr. Zelenskyy, a izing casinos and regulating amber mining. (out of 423 filled) had no problems getting mask his ebullience. relative political newcomer. The new minis- The second session of the Verkhovna its nominees for the speaker of the cham- During its initial session, the Rada’s dep- ter of infrastructure, Vladyslav Kryklii, was Rada on the following day saw another long ber and first deputy elected. uties proceeded to approve a new prime formerly Mr. Avakov’s adviser. and productive session. The crowning point As anticipated, these were Dmytro minister and Cabinet of Ministers, and Like the Parliament, the government is was the lifting of the immunity of parliamen- Razumkov, 35, the former “political techni- replace the prosecutor general. Oleksiy mainly composed of new faces. It includes tary deputies in criminal matters, particular- cian” turned politician and No. 1 on the Honcharuk, 35, a lawyer with right-liberal six women. The Ukrainian American acting ly corruption, while not undermining the Servant of the People party list during the leanings, was appointed prime minister. He Minister of Health Ulana Suprun who had protection of their independence as regards July 21 parliamentary elections. The new heads a revamped government, as the spearheaded reforms in the medical sector political views and actions. The measure speaker promptly switched from speaking number of ministers has been reduced has been replaced by Zoriana Skaletska, a was approved by 373 votes, with only the Russian to conducting business in from 25 to 17 and some of the ministries leading NGO activist in this sphere and a law Opposition Bloc – For Life opposing it. Ukrainian. He declared that the chief aims have been transformed. professor. Oksana Koliada, a reserve colonel, The Verkhovna Rada also agreed to sub- would include accelerating economic Among the more controversial changes, became the minister of veterans and tempo- mit various other proposed amendments to growth and intensifying the fight against the ministries of Culture, Information rarily occupied territories; Aliona Babak, the Constitution to the Constitutional Court corruption. “Our goal is to get the economy Policy, and Youth and Sports have been formerly with the Samopomich party, the for its vetting. These include drastically growing by 5 percent to 7 percent next merged into one general Humanitarian minister of community development; Yuliia reducing the number of parliamentary con- year,” he declared. Policy Ministry headed by Volodymyr Sokolovska, who headed a USAID health stituencies, from 450 to 300. Mr. Stefanchuk Backing him up is Ruslan Stefanchuk, 43, Borodiansky, a media specialist. Likewise, project, the minister of social policy; and subsequently announced that a bill defining a professor of law, regarded as the main the Ministry of Veterans Affairs was Hanna Novosad, a political scientist and pol- the grounds for impeaching the president ideologist of Servant of the People, who merged with the Ministry for Temporarily icy advisor, the minister of education and will also be submitted shortly. Both the issue also serves as the president’s official repre- Occupied Territories and Internally science. Oksana Makarova was retained as of parliamentary immunity and a law on sentative in the Rada. Displaced Persons. The Ministry of minister of finance. impeachment were election promises in Mr. The second deputy speaker was some- Agrarian Policy was liquidated and part of The key position of prosecutor general Zelenskyy’s election campaigns. thing of a surprise: a relatively unknown its functions transferred to the Ministry of was filled by Ruslan Riaboshapka, a former President Zelenskyy’s political force has deputy from Yulia Tymoshenko’s Economic Development. deputy minister of justice who later taken control of the executive and legisla- Batkivshchyna Party, Olena Kondratiuk. Another surprise, and a sign of the resigned from the National Agency for ture, and says it is poised to revamp the Her selection confirmed that Ms. changing times, was the creation of a Corruption Prevention (NABU) and has legal sphere and law enforcement and Tymoshenko’s faction, with its 25 seats, is Ministry of Digital Transformation. It is been working for Mr. Zelenskyy on judicial security institutions. The decisive manner for now the closest to Servant of the People headed by 28-year Mykhailo Fedorov, an IT reform. Among his first actions was to fire in which the drive to achieve results is from among the other four political forces entrepreneur, who is also the youngest the Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoliy being expressed has nevertheless raised that made it into the new Parliament by member of the Cabinet of Ministers. Matios, whom former Justice Minister Yuriy questions, just as it has fueled hopes. overcoming the 5 percent threshold. “Our goal,” Mr. Honcharuk announced, is Lutsenko had reportedly entrusted just Some see it as a dangerous re-shaping of The other three political forces are the “to increase economic growth to 5 to 7 per- before his departure with overseeing the the Ukrainian political system, concentrat- pro-Russian Opposition Bloc – For Life, cent next year,” and to let people feel the work of the Department of the Special ing power in the hands of the president and which has 44 seats, former President Petro results in their everyday life. Among other Investigations within the Prosecutor his closest colleagues. Others, as the mod- Poroshenko’s European Solidarity, with 27, primary tasks, the new prime minister has General’s Office. ernization, streamlining and opening up of a and rock singer Svyatoslav Vakarchuk’s mentioned removing the moratorium on The Verkhovna Rada approved an agen- cumbersome, obsolete and self-serving sys- Voice party, with 17. land privatization, tax reform, and stripping da based on the numerous priority bills tem that lost touch with the population it Another potentially important group, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) of its that the president had proposed. It also was supposed to represent and therefore especially when 300 votes are needed to power to investigate financial crimes. managed to do what previous Parliaments was rejected at the ballot box.

Wrzesnewskyj, James Maloney and Liberal Ukraine, “Voice of Ukraine” winner Ms. working volunteers spent six months plan- Toronto boasts... candidate Yvan Baker. A great friend to the Mukha, gave an unforgettable performance. ning the Ukrainian Independence Day Ukrainian community, MP James Bezan, The vibrant and colourful concert program event, then came on Friday to set up the (Continued from page 1) offered compassionate greetings and was and stage show included Toronto’s event, ran it all day Saturday and completed of hosting this special event that this year joined by conservative candidates Ted renowned dance ensembles, Barvinok, the take-down and clean-up on Sunday. fell on the exact anniversary date of Opitz, Krystina Waler, Barry O’Brien Desna, Kalyna, Ukraina and Vesnyanka; The Special thanks were extended to the Ukraine’s declaration of independence Candidate, Wladyslaw Lizon and Adam Regimental Band and Bugles of The Ukrainian Canadian Women’s Council, from the Soviet Union in 1991. As echoed in Pham. Queen’s Own Rifles; and vocalists Otava Toronto Branch, together with the the remarks given at center stage, the battle On the provincial level, Kinga Surma, and the duo of Ihor and Adrianna Artemiak. Ukrainian Women’s Organization of for freedom continues and the spirit of associate minister of transportation, greet- The shopping bazaar featured embroi- Canada, League of Ukrainian Women in Ukraine will never be weakened. ed the crowd along with Members of the dered blouses, jewelry and arts vendors. Canada, Ukrainian Catholic Women’s After prayers and blessings, UCC Toronto Provincial Parliament Christine Hogarth The Ukrainian Canadian School Board pro- League of Canada and Ukrainian Women’s President Taras Bahriy opened the ceremo- and Rasheed Kaleed. Deputy Mayor vided the Children’s Amusement Center, Association of Canada for their tireless nies and welcomed the crowd, introducing Stephen Holyday brought greetings from which included inflatables, games and work at the entrance and information gate. this year’s theme, “100 Years of Struggle for the City of Toronto, which now hosts the crafts. A large classroom bus displaying and The Toronto branch of the Ukrainian Freedom.” Holodomor Memorial Park at Exhibition teaching the history of the Holodomor was Canadian Congress thanked all sponsors, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada Andriy Place in the city’s downtown area. a moving attraction for those desiring to honored guests and the community for par- Shevchenko, delivered greetings; he was In her closing remarks, Alexandra learn about the 1932-1933 genocidal fam- ticipating in the day’s events. accompanied by Sviatoslav Kavetskyi, con- Chyczij, national president of the Ukrainian ine in Ukraine. All were invited to join the UCC Toronto sul general of Ukraine and Col. Victor Canadian Congress, thanked all levels of the The day was concluded with a lively out- in planning next year’s Ukrainian Siromakha, Ukrainian defense attaché. Canadian government for standing in sup- door “zabava” (dance) at the Carpathian Independence Day celebration. Kirsty Duncan, Canada’s minister of sci- port of Ukraine. Lounge, where a capacity crowd danced to ence and sports, spoke to the community The afternoon was expertly emceed by the music of Dunai. Nadia Prokopiw is director of media rela- and was joined by Members of Parliament Larysa Bajus and Myron Konyk. The UCC-Toronto Independence Day tions for the Toronto branch of the Peter Fonseca, Julie Dzerowicz, Borys The special guest performer from organizing committee and a team of hard- Ukrainian Canadian Congress. No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 9

HISTORICAL PROFILE Arnold Margolin: Ukrainian Jewish lawyer, diplomat and public official during Ukrainian Revolution

by Michael Buryk Menahem Mendel Beilis. The trial was overtly anti-Semitic and generated much publicity worldwide. Margolin was Much has been written about Ukrainians who played a active in politics and led the South Russian Branch of the major role in setting a new course for the Ukrainian prov- Union for Equal Rights for Jews in Russia (1905–1917) inces of the former Russian Empire during the period of and was a founder of the Jewish Territorial Organization 1917-1921. However, very little of the published history (JTO) (1906–1918). The JTO sought to find a new home- has focused on the significant accomplishments of the land for the Jews. Ukrainian Jewish lawyer, diplomat and public official Events moved rapidly in Kyiv after the fall of the Arnold Margolin. Russian Empire in February 1917. A Russian Provisional He actively participated in parties that helped shape the Government was established in March 1917 with the abdi- direction of political thought in the Ukrainian national cation of Tsar Nicholas II. Its purpose was to organize elec- movement. As a member of the delegation representing tions to a Russian Constituent Assembly to establish a new the Ukrainian National Republic (Ukrainska Narodnia government for the former Russian Empire. However, the Respublika, abbreviated UNR, and sometimes the rapidly deteriorating social and political situation in the Ukrainian People’s Republic) at the Paris Peace provinces eventually led to the Bolshevik Revolution of Conference of 1919, he tried to enlist the direct support October 1917. and military aid of the Entente Powers for the nascent In March 1917, Ukrainians established their own orga- Ukrainian state and to seek protection for the Jewish nization in Kyiv– the Central Rada, which became a minority from anti-Semitic pogroms. nascent parliament in Ukraine. The Rada had strong popu- Margolin was born in Kyiv, on November 16, 1877. His lar and political support and ultimately became the only father, David, was a prominent local businessman and a legitimate Ukrainian government by the late fall of 1917. leader in the Jewish community in Kyiv. Arnold graduated The proclamation of full Ukrainian independence in the from the faculty of law at Kyiv University and studied Fourth Universal on January 22, 1918, by the UNR necessi- abroad until 1900. He was directly involved as a defense tated the establishment of government bodies to act as the counsel in many political trials, including the 1913 trial of ultimate authority in the new state. In the spring of 1918, the All-Russian People’s Socialist Arnold D. Margolin, ambassador of Ukraine to the Labor Party nominated Margolin as a candidate for a United Kingdom 1919-1920. Source: Wikipedia judgeship in the new high court of appeals, the Supreme Court of Ukraine. He was elected by secret ballot on April In May 1919, Margolin agreed to do some work on 2, 1918, and enrolled as a criminologist in the Criminal behalf of the special Ukrainian Mission to the United Appeals Department. Although his native language was Kingdom for a short period of time in London. His role was Russian, Margolin devoted himself to the study of to meet with the Foreign Office assigned to Eastern Ukrainian. In order to play a greater role in the affairs of European Affairs and familiarize them with the situation the new Ukrainian state, in June 1918 Margolin left his All- in Ukraine and the interests of the UNR and Ukrainians. By Russian People’s Socialist Labor Party and joined the very the fall of 1919, he was completely a free agent again. popular Ukrainian Socialist-Federalist Party led by the After much discussion and personal concern on his part elite of the Ukrainian intelligentsia. He was asked to take about the fate of his family still living in the Kyiv region on a key role as a member of its Central Committee. and Yalta in Crimea, Margolin accepted a UNR appoint- At the end of April 1918, the government of the Central ment as head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Rada and the UNR was dissolved by the Germans, who had London in November 1919. He would serve in this posi- been invited into Ukraine under a February treaty to help tion until August 1920. Subsequently, he was appointed by with the fight against the Bolsheviks. The Hetmanate the Directory’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as their juris- headed by Gen. Pavlo Skorpadsky became the new govern- consult for the Ukrainian Embassies in London and Berlin ment. The political and social direction of the state and at the League of Nations. He served in this position changed radically from its previous popular-socialist ori- until February 1921. entation. Margolin continued his work as a judge in the It is best to sum up Marolin’s thoughts about Ukraine in Supreme Court, although it was re-named State Senate his own words. “…Retrospectively I feel no regrets for the under the Hetmanate. hard work of those three years of my life spent in the ser- By November 1918, the Germans were withdrawing vice of Ukraine. I feel that my duties were discharged, both their troops from Ukraine. Margolin was dispatched by his as a citizen of Ukraine and a son of the Jewish nation.…” Arnold D. Margolin in 1959 Source: The Annals of superior Senator Mankovskyi to a delegation that was In the fall of 1921, he came to the conclusion that the UVAN, Vol. VII, 1959, No. 1, 2 (23-24) tasked with securing the help of the Entente Powers. He Soviets would survive for many years and there was no was soon swept up in the wave of a November coup by the role for him in a Soviet Ukraine. He worked briefly as a Directory under the leadership of Volodymyr consultant for the Hamburg-American Line shipping com- Vynnychenko and Symon Petliura. That led immediately to pany, which hoped to establish a Black Sea and Baltic Sea the re-establishment of the Ukrainian National Republic. Steamship company. In this capacity, Margolin had an Margolin was appointed as deputy minister of Foreign opportunity to visit the U.S. He was impressed with what Affairs in the UNR early in January 1919. “…This assign- he saw there. ment was particularly welcome to me, because of my con- In 1922 he and his family emigrated to the United viction of the necessity of aid from the West…, ” he wrote States. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1927. in his 1922 memoir, “Ukraine and Policy of the Entente.” Margolin worked early on as a journalist, but later studied His tenure was short-lived. The Ukrainian army under American law and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar Petliura began to disintegrate as the Bolsheviks advanced. in 1929. He also lectured in history at a few universities Margolin resigned his position with the Directory as and was active in several Ukrainian émigré scholarly orga- deputy minister of foreign affairs on March 11, 1919, to nizations including the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and protest the inability of the government to stop Jewish Sciences in the U.S. pogroms that were engulfing the country. However, he did For all his life, Margolin worked tirelessly to promote not blame the Directory for the pogroms. “ … I know that Ukrainian-Jewish mutual understanding until his death in the government is doing everything in its power in its 1956. And, he played a key role in the Ukrainian national struggle against pogroms…,” he wrote in his resignation movement in the period 1917-1921 and the struggle to statement. Margolin sincerely believed that aid from the secure an independent and free Ukrainian state. West could still help end pogroms and the vicious down- ward spiral into anarchy. He decided to go to Paris to offer This is Arnold Margolin’s autobiography: Margolin, his own assistance to the Ukrainian delegation at the Arnold D. “From a Political Diary, Russia, the Ukraine and Peace Conference. America, 1905-1945.” New York: Columbia University Press, In the spring of 1919, Margolin was not an official rep- 1946. resentative of the Ukrainian mission to the Paris Peace Mike Buryk is a Ukrainian American writer whose Conference. His intention was to accompany the mission research and articles cover a wide variety of topics. He also to help protect the interests of the Jewish population. He hosts and produces two monthly podcasts. “Krynytsya”, Cover of the 1959 Annuals of UVAN, Arnold Margolin made his plea to the Entente Powers alongside the (https://soundcloud.com/krynytsya) and “Made in Ukraine issue. Source: The Annals of UVAN, Vol. VII, 1959, No. Ukrainian delegation’s entreaties for aid – but all of this Tech Startup Edition” (https://soundcloud.com/ukraine- 1, 2 (23-24) fell on deaf ears. tech). He may be reached at [email protected]. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 No. 36 No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 11

INTERVIEW Historian and artist Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern by Alexander Motyl Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern is a Chicago-based historian and artist, born and raised in Ukraine. He is the Crown Family Professor of Jewish Studies in the History Department, Northwestern University, where he teaches a variety of courses on European and East European history and culture, including that of Ukraine. He has published half a dozen books, four of which were translated into Ukrainian. As an artist, he appeared at the Spertus Museum Gallery and the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago, The Ukrainian Museum and Ukrainian Institute of America in New York, at the Voznitsky Art Gallery in Lviv and the French Institute in Kyiv. Presently, the Zorya Fine Art Gallery in Greenwich, Conn., offers his work for sale, while the Ukrainian Institute of America will feature his new artworks in October.

How does a nice Jewish Ukrainian boy from Kyiv wind up teaching, writing and painting in Chicago? In the Kyiv of the 1970s-1980, I was neither Jewish nor Ukrainian. But I rejected the assimilationist vector of my immediate environment from early on and was deeply involved in a religious quest. At the top of my career as an assistant professor in comparative literature at Kyiv Shevchenko University (with a Ph.D. from Moscow), I was busy introducing Jorge Luis Borges, G.K. Chesterton, A view of the exhibit at the Zorya Fine Art Gallery in Leonardo Sciascia, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Julio Cortazar Greenwich, Conn. “Jona” by Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern. and Jose Ortega y Gasset to Russian-language readers in Soviet Ukraine and beyond. My critical work on these arrest and emigration of Miretsky, I remained on my own. with the KGB and rejected Communist Party membership authors – and my translations – appeared with the most Weren’t you afraid you’d meet Miretsky’s fate? with disgust. Meeting Miretsky’s fate was not difficult, avoid- prestigious Soviet publishers. ing it – and preserving my own integrity – was not easy. But my long religious quest took me at that time from You should take into consideration the quality and the Which is your greater love – scholarship or paint- eastern Orthodoxy through Zen through Anglo-Catholicism level of talent. David Miretsky looked at the homo ing? to Judaism. The rediscovery – or, more accurately, the Sovieticus through a Breughelian prism. He is a genius of invention – of my Judaism made me switch from the “root- color. When he took part in his first group exhibit at the I cannot make do with one love (double entendre not less cosmopolitanism” of a homo Sovieticus to an obser- Kyiv Art Institute, Tatyana Yablonska looked at a couple of intended). I delve into art to distance myself from my vant Jew. A vigorous reassessment of my attitude to my dozen works by various artists, including Miretsky, and scholarship, to clear my mind for more complicated work Ukrainian connections followed immediately. A new identi- said: “I see only one artist here.” But for the Soviet authori- and, most importantly, to ponder in visual language what I ty required new intellectual endeavors – and I went to ties, Miretsky’s talent was a challenge and an affront. It was cannot or do not want to convey in words. That is to say, I Boston to do my second Ph.D., at that time in Jewish histo- quite different in my case. I was a person of much lesser begin as an artist exactly when I stop as a scholar. ry. Who knew I would be competitive on the U.S. market talent who came very late to maturity. Why make me into a Where do you draw inspiration for your images? and would be able to get to Northwestern University, revolutionary by harassing me? Perhaps they would be where I serve at present as the Crown Family Professor in able to harness me? I use what I have read and studied, from biblical and Jewish Studies? rabbinic stories to literary and political myths, to shape my Did you have any run-ins with the KGB? imagery. If some of my works could be considered a visual Writers, singers and poets are often painters. Unfortunately, my bad character came into play too often. midrash (medieval rabbinic narratives based around the Scholars rarely venture into that territory. How did you “Rabbi” Friedrich Nietzsche used to say, “Live dangerously!” verses from the Pentateuch), then that means that I have to become a painter? My friends and parents tried to protect me, instructing me know the real midrash to invent a new visual narrative. In 2009, at a school reunion, my classmates reminded how to keep my mouth shut and not to “tease the geese,” People falling from the Tower of Babylon and perishing is me that I was sketching and drawing during every lesson at meaning challenges to the Soviet authorities. Most of the an image from a famous rabbinic narrative. But, if you look school. Starting from the first grade. My parents seem to time, I listened to their warnings; sometimes I did not. closely, my Tower of Babylon is not necessarily a construc- have known that and sent me to an art studio at the local Finding a balance was not easy, because I did not want to tion site in Mesopotamia… Palace of Pioneers, where a mentor explained to students leave the USSR. Although my house was searched by the KGB Stylistically, your paintings strike me as having been how to draw a skull. Since I wanted to draw the May Day in August 1979 and I was the target of at least two major inspired by Marc Chagall and Maria Primachenko. demonstration, I did not stay there for long. My parents denunciations in my student years, I was no revolutionary. then asked the Kyiv-based artist David Miretsky to take me Yes, I was a pre-tenured assistant professor at the best I discovered Marc Chagall very late. There were no under his wing. I spent a year at his private studio. After the university in the country, but I refused (twice) to collaborate albums in the USSR with his artwork available and no works of his in Soviet museums. In addition, Chagall moved from Jewish themes to universal ones, from Vitebsk to Paris. He sought to universalize his Jewish experience. I am moving in the opposite direction, seeking to Judaize what- ever universalistic theme I touch. I consider myself a disciple of Maria Primachenko, whom I never knew. On leaving the USSR, my art mentor told me that I might become a graphic artist, but my sense of color is deficient. So, I turned to the work of famous female Ukrainian folk artists such as Halyna Sobachko, Kateryna Bilokur and, above all, Maria Primachenko to study color. There was a set of small palm-size postcards with Primachenko’s works in my parents’ library. I took her images and transferred them onto huge sheets of paper (55 x 45 inches), copying and learning color while copying. Then I used the folk-art vocabulary of Primachenko, pre- dominantly pagan in her imagery, to tell religious stories, mostly from the New Testament. Many of my works of that time ended up in private collections in Kyiv and Moscow. (A 1983 Primachenko-style image from a private Moscow collection appears on the left.) Who are your favorite painters? Robert Schumann used to say that the question about one’s favorite composer is not really a good question since Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern’s “Okozvir.” (Continued on page 13) 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 No. 36

governing of the capital region. Andriy up.” On August 1, Vasyl Ryabchuk, spokes- benefit of the country’s largest privately NEWSBRIEFS Bohdan, head of the Office of the President, man for former Prime Minister Volodymyr owned power and coal producer says he has accused the mayor of enabling graft and Groysman, said the “current” Cabinet decid- will stay away from the country. Dmytro (Continued from page 2) of not controlling the Kyiv City Council. ed not to be involved in the issue, though he Vovk, who headed the National Energy and approve the dismissal of Vitali Klitschko as Alleging that Mr. Klitschko turned a blind would not comment on whether a new Utilities Regulatory Commission for nearly the head of the Kyiv city state administra- eye to corruption in the city’s construction Cabinet would take the same stance. three years until May 2018, said in an tion. To me, this is an attack on local govern- industry, Mr. Bohdan said on July 30 that a Parliament approved a new Cabinet on the August 19 Facebook post that that “as long ment and a very wrong decision,” Oleksiy person speaking on behalf of the mayor same day it confirmed Mr. Honcharuk to his as the head of the Presidential Office con- Goncharenko, a deputy from the European called him to offer a $20 million bribe to let post. A December 2003 Constitutional trols” the country’s anti-corruption law Solidarity faction, said in a Facebook video the mayor stay on. Mr. Klitschko has denied Court ruling said that the mayor has exclu- enforcement agencies, as well as the judi- post on September 4. Prime Minister the allegations and in response said he had sive rights to select the city administration ciary, “I’m not ready to come” back to Oleksiy Honcharuk, Mr. Zelenskyy’s hand- asked the National Anti-Corruption Bureau head. In an earlier interview with RFE/RL, Ukraine. Mr. Vovk’s whereabouts are picked nominee who was confirmed by to investigate Mr. Bohdan’s bribery allega- Mr. Klitschko said that the actions of Mr. unknown. He said, “I would gladly come to Parliament on August 29, confirmed the tion. Mr. Klitschko has held the executive Zelenskyy’s staff “smell of authoritarian- court, but am not ready to participate in a move. While Kyiv citizens elect a mayor, the seat of Kyiv since June 2014, with his cur- ism,” adding that if he loses his city manage- kangaroo court.” The National Anti- president appoints and dismisses the head rent mandate expiring in October this year. ment powers, he’ll go to the courts, as well Corruption Bureau (NABU) earlier this of the Kyiv City Administration at the behest President Zelenskyy on July 24 asked the as to “the public” and will “take all the steps month accused Mr. Vovk and three regula- of the government. Traditionally, the mayor Cabinet of Ministers to dismiss Mr. to prevent this.” (RFE/RL) tors of colluding with several executives of has held both positions to allow smoother Klitschko, who has vowed he “won’t give electricity and coal producer DTEK to Dutch prosecutors want to question prisoner manipulate tariffs on electricity generated Dutch prosecutors say they want to from coal that forced consumers to overpay question a “person of interest” in Ukrainian by $747 million in 2016-2017. DTEK alleg- custody who they believe is directly con- edly benefited by $560 million in the nected to the downing of Malaysia Airlines scheme. In a previous Facebook post, Mr. TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 Flight 17 five years ago over eastern Vovk had dismissed the charges of abuse of or e-mail [email protected] Ukraine. The individual, Ukrainian national office as “a wild goose chase.” There is “no Volodymyr Tsemakh, reportedly oversaw legitimate basis for suspicions set out in the an air-defense unit among Russia-backed investigation,” DTEK said in an August 8 SERVICES PROFESSIONALS militants in a town near where the jet came statement. A Kyiv court on August 14 set down. He is currently thought to be among bail at $400,000 for one DTEK manager the prisoners being discussed in a potential who wasn’t named. Ukraine’s richest bil- prisoner exchange between Ukraine and lionaire, Rinat Akhmetov, owns DTEK, Russia. All 298 people on board were killed which is part of his holding company when MH17 was shot down by a Russian- System Capital Management. The so-called made missile from territory held by Russia- Rotterdam+ pricing formula that NABU has backed separatists as it was flying from been investigating since March 2017 was in Amsterdam to Kuala Lampur in July 2014. place from April 2016 until July of this year. “We would like to talk to Mr. Tsemakh and It based the wholesale price of electricity ask him questions, so we would rather have by Ukrainian thermal power plants on coal him available for the investigation in prices set in the Rotterdam port plus deliv- Ukraine,” Brechtje van de Moosdijk, a ery costs to Ukraine. NABU alleges that at spokeswoman for the Dutch-led MH17 certain times it has not seen documented SERVICES investigation, told AFP and the AP. proof that the purchased coal originated in Unconfirmed reports suggest the prisoner Rotterdam, maintaining that there was no swap has stalled because Moscow is justification for the price hikes. For more demanding Mr. Tsemakh’s inclusion. Kyiv is than a year, until December 2014, Mr. Vovk seeking the return of 24 sailors detained by was the national manager in Russia for Russia last year off annexed Crimea, as well Ukrainian-based chocolatier Roshen, which as filmmaker Oleh Sentsov and others is owned by ex-President Petro whom rights groups and the government in Poroshenko. He was a vice-president of the Kyiv say are “political prisoners” in Russia. Kyiv-based Investment Capital Ukraine OPPORTUNITIES Mr. Tsemakh is a Ukrainian citizen. “He is boutique bank from 2009 to 2013. (RFE/ now in Ukraine, in a Ukrainian prison cell, RL’s Ukrainian Service) and if he is being exchanged, of course it’s Earn extra income! hard to say that we can still question him,” Kyiv pursues additional reverse gas flows The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Ms. Van de Moosdijk said. An international Ukraine’s state-run gas-transport compa- Dutch-led investigation has already con- for advertising sales agents. ny, Ukrtransgaz, is preparing to open another cluded that the commercial airliner was For additional information contact reverse-flow point for the import of an addi- Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, shot down by a Russian-made Buk missile tional 1.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natu- The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. that was fired in territory held by Moscow- ral gas by January 1 in anticipation of Russia backed forces. Investigators maintain the halting gas transit through the country when missile system belonged to a Russian mili- their contract expires at the end of the year. tary unit and that it was transported from In an August 19 news release, pipeline oper- and back to Russia after being used. Three ator Ukrtransgaz said the fuel will come from Russians and a Ukrainian were indicted Romania via Ukraine’s shared border with over the downing of MH17, and court pro- Moldova, where gas-metering stations will ceedings in the Netherlands are scheduled be upgraded on both sides to accommodate for March, but the four suspects are most the expected volume of gas. “For Ukraine and likely to be tried in absentia. Mr. Tsemakh is Moldova, this project is of strategic impor- not one of the four indicted. The Security tance, because by diversifying the gas-supply Service of Ukraine (SBU) apprehended him routes, both states will increase their on June 27 in the Donetsk region city of dependability and the uninterrupted supply Snizhne, which is held by Moscow-backed separatists and is 20 kilometers from the of gas to their customers,” Ukrtransgaz said. Russian border. According to the Dutch-led The additional volume is the equivalent of 15 investigation, the Buk missile was fired 6 percent of last year’s total imports. However, kilometers south of Snizhne. TV footage the 50-kilometer stretch of the modernized obtained by Current Time, the Russian- gas line will cross the Transdniester, language network led by RFE/RL in coop- Moldova’s pro-Russian breakaway region. KULINSKI MEMORIALS eration with VOA, showed Mr. Tsemakh Ukrtransgaz didn’t focus on the issue of 809 SOUTH MAIN STREET • MANVILLE, NJ 08835 claiming that he was in charge of an anti- Russia possibly interfering with this gas flow. Since Ukraine’s gas-transportation system is TEL. 908-722-3130 aircraft unit and that he helped hide the FAX 908-253-0027 designed for output, pipelines need to be TOLL FREE 800-458-5467 [email protected] missile system in July 2014. He also shows the interviewer where the civilian airliner upgraded to open so-called reverse gas • Serving Ukrainian families for over 60 years fell. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, with flows. Ukraine already receives gas this way • Over 40 granite colors to choose from reporting by AFP and AP) from Slovakia, Poland and Hungary. Kyiv stopped importing gas from Russia in • Custom etchings Energy regulator faces price-fixing charges November 2015 after Moscow invaded • House appointments available Ukrainian territory and annexed its Crimean • Serving the tri-state area A former head of Ukraine’s energy regu- peninsula the previous year. Ukrtransgaz • 5 minutes from South Bound Brook, NJ lator accused of taking part in an alleged conspiracy to fix electricity prices for the (Continued on page 13) No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 13

Naftogaz Group, a vertically-integrated oil how I will live with this,” he said. The writer, been like eight or 10 years” and he “grew NEWSBRIEFS and gas company. (RFE/RL) who did tours of duty in Chechnya, boasted old, both physically and mentally” during his he could travel anywhere he wants in tour in the Donbas. However, if fighting esca- (Continued from page 12) Russian author boasts of ‘killing many’ Europe and that “I’ll never do jail time, no lates, “then I’ll return to the battalion,” he said it was currently in talks with its Best-selling, award-winning Russian court will send me to prison” for what he added. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, with Romanian counterpart, SNTGN Transgaz, as author Zakhar Prilepin has said the military did. The Digital Forensic Research Lab, a reporting by Deutsche Welle, the BBC, well as other countries to receive the gas unit in which he served in the Donbas con- project of the Washington-based think tank UNIAN, Novynarnia, Texty and Reuters) from the Trans-Balkan pipeline. In 2018, Atlantic Council, identified Mr. Prilepin’s unit flict of eastern Ukraine “killed many peo- Ukraine catches suspected online drug dealer Ukraine imported 10.6 billion cubic meters ple” and that he has no regrets having as the 4th Reconnaissance and Assault of gas, or one-third of what the country con- fought. Speaking to Russian TV journalist Battalion. “My battalion wreaked total may- The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) sumed. Fears that Russia’s Gazprom will Aleksei Pivovarov on August 15, Mr. hem,” Mr. Prilepin said in the interview. Its said it had detained an Israeli-American sus- completely stop gas transit through Ukraine Prilepin boasted that the battalion in which leader was another Russian, Sergei pected of heading a major online drug-deal- next year, when Moscow’s Nord Stream 2 he was the deputy commander killed the Fomchenkov, according to the Digital ing ring a day after he escaped while being pipeline network goes online, are forcing most people of any other unit. “When all the Forensic Research Lab. Messrs. Fomchenkov extradited to Israel. Amos Dov Silver was Ukraine to store higher volumes of gas in documents are looked over, they’ll see the and Prilepin were members of the banned apprehended “in one of the regions of our underground storage facilities ahead of win- most people died where my battalion was ultranationalist National Bolshevik Party. country,” the SBU said on its website. He will ter. Ukrtransgaz operates 12 gas-storage stationed,” Mr. Prilepin said. When asked if When it became widely known that Mr. be “extradited in the near future in accor- facilities, all located in western Ukraine, that he sees ghosts of the dead, Mr. Prilepin said, Prilepin was fighting in Ukraine’s Donbas dance with the current legislation,” the have a total capacity of 31 bcm. The compa- “I don’t agonize over anything.” However, region, Dmitry Peskov, the Russian presi- statement noted. Three SBU officers were ny has completed upgrading five gas com- Mr. Prilepin, 44, said he does ponder his dent’s spokesman, said on February 13, also detained on suspicion of helping the pressor stations that will allow them to combat experience in Ukraine. “I think 2017, that he wouldn’t comment on Mr. Israeli escape from Kyiv’s Boryspil Airport pump gas from reservoirs in western about how I will come to terms with this in Prilepin’s motivation for fighting. “Russian to “avoid extradition,” the SBU said. Mr. Ukraine to eastern and southern Ukraine. the future… because I led a subunit that citizens follow their hearts and go to these Silver was arrested in March for allegedly The pipeline operator is owned by state-run killed many people, so now I think about unrecognized republics. I can only state this running a network that spanned the United as a fact,” Mr. Peskov said. Officially, the States, Ukraine, Israel and Germany, using Kremlin denies involvement in the Donbas Telegram, a popular encrypted messaging experience the artificial famine in Ukraine, war. Mr. Prilepin also was listed as an advis- application. At the time, Israeli police said Turning... a most brutal second world war, the con- er to Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the former the network had a turnover of tens of mil- centration camps of the White Sea canal, Donetsk separatist leader, in December lions of dollars. The arrest came a day before (Continued from page 6) Vorkuta, Kolyma, Buchenwald, Maidanek, 2015. Zakharchenko was killed in an explo- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Crimean Tatars delivered greetings and in order to understand that the long-propa- sion in August 2018. Mr. Prilepin left the Netanyahu’s official visit to Ukraine on speeches at the congress, and Prof. Taras gated by totalitarian regimes philosophy of conflict and returned to Russia in the sum- August 18-20. (RFE/RL, based on reporting Hunczak of the U.S.A. and Chrystia Freeland hatred, the devaluation of the individual, mer of 2018, saying “these… years have by RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service and AFP) of Canada addressed the congress on the nation, their transformation into their behalf of the North American diaspora. instruments for achieving criminal goals, Kyiv writer Oles Honchar remarked: could lead humanity to catastrophe. In the and 17th centuries. Doesn’t that make “Gathered here are not those who are driven search for a way out of this crisis post-war Historian... you terribly old-fashioned? by ambition, as the bureaucrats attempt to democratic thought turned to a rebirth of assert. From this congress’s rostrum the the humanistic theory of the value of the (Continued from page 11) You asked about my favorite painters, truth of life will speak, as well as concern for individual as the crown of creation, and his but we have not yet discussed my favorite the fate of a perebudova, the fate of Ukraine. blossoming as its main goal…” there were many great composers whom genres and styles. Most of my work comes Only a tradition of labeling could treat the The undercurrent of the statements was one should know. I think that I am well in the form of poster-size black, red and totally natural activity of the Popular on maintaining unity in the face of so many acquainted with various trends in art. I white compositions. I use the visual ele- Movement in the rebirth of the Ukrainian sources of division. Lev Lukianenko, head spent days and weeks in the museums, par- ments of German Expressionism, the language and culture as aimed against some- of the Ukrainian Helsinki Union, called for ticularly the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Russian avant-garde, the Ukrainian school one. These are old tunes – sowing suspicion, the exclusion of Article 6 of the USSR Vienna, the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, the of the Boichukists, the English Pre- cultivating hatred, inciting one nation against Constitution that affirmed the dictatorship Gemäldegallerie in Berlin. There are hun- Raphaelites and, of course, Polish political another – a method well-known since the of the Communist Party, and he urged a dreds of artists from whom I learn. I like posters. I adore the avant-garde (particu- ancient Romans (‘Divide and conquer’). And push for full independence for Ukraine as a the hands on the canvases of Meister larly Mayakovsky’s “ROSTA Windows”), the bureaucracy continues to seek a picture legal right under the Soviet Constitution. Grunewald, the silhouettes of Toulouse- although I hate its message as it endorses of an enemy anywhere the universal stands Lautrec, the social themes of Boll and social violence. So, how could one speak of before the face of the future.” Source: “Popular Movement for Ostade, the minimalism of Utamaro and Mr. Horyn in his address stated: “It was Perebudova founded in Ukraine,” The favorite artists whose vocabulary one Hiroshige, the thick coloring of Guttuso, the adores but whose message one rejects? necessary for the nations of the world to Ukrainian Weekly, September 17, 1989. combination of avant-garde and folk tech- That’s what I do: I do not rank most of the nique of Goncharova and Siniakova, and, of avant-gardists (from Sedliar to Lissitzky) course, the floristic ornaments of Bilokur with my favorite artists, but I constantly pating despite the brutal aggressiveness of and the animalistic world of Primachenko. use their language in order to reverse, or at Putin leans... numerous riot police actions. And the more I can name many more, but let me get to that the right to vote loses any real mean- least challenge, their message. (Continued from page 2) your main question. Among my favorite ing, the right to protest is being reclaimed ones, I will name 15. No. 1 is Peter Breughel A final question. Unlike so many aca- and he fails to grasp the angst of the youth, with new determination. Mr. Putin’s cor- the Elder. He is also Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5. Then demics and artists, you have a wonder- prompted by the harshness of the illiberal rupt courtiers do not know what to expect comes Lucas Cranach the Elder, who is No. fully refined sense of humor and self- establishment. from the coming autumn of foreboding. 6. Then Rembrandt: he is Nos. 7, 8 and 9. irony. Where do they come from? Resorting to repression is a natural Otto Dix is No. 10, Egon Schiele is No. 11, response of the power-centric regime. But The article above is reprinted from From the great minds of past and present. Primachenko is No. 12, Van Gogh is No. 13, as this summer has showed, each success- Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from For example, from Robert Frost who said: Kustodiev is No. 14, and Malevich is No. 15. ful suppression of protests adds to the pool its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, “Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee, of discontent, while the fear factor is dissi- www.jamestown.org. Your top nine are all from the 16th And I’ll forgive Thy great big one on me.”

In Memory of In Memory of Benefactors, Donors and Volunteers Executive Board, Board of Directors and Employees of the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, of the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, a Divine Liturgy will be celebrated a Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 10:30 am. on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 10:30 am. at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church 1206 Valley Road 1206 Valley Road Melrose Park, PA 19027 Melrose Park, PA 19027

Kindly remember them in your prayers Kindly remember them in your prayers

Executive Board and Board of Directors of UUARC Executive Board and Board of Directors of UUARC 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 No. 36 No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 15

Lomachenko adds WBC title with victory over Campbell by Ihor N. Stelmach 2020 against the winner of a match between world titlist Richard Commey (29- Vasyl Lomachenko successfully defend- 2, 26 KO) of Ghana and mandatory chal- ed his two 135-pound (lightweight) title lenger Teofimo Lopez, Jr. (14-0, 11 KO) of belts and added a third (WBC) to his collec- the U.S.A., scheduled to meet on December tion by winning a lopsided, yet hard-to- 14 in New York. earn bout with Luke Campbell in a fight Firstly, the 31-year-old, a world titlist at between Olympic gold medalists before a featherweight and junior lightweight, had loud sold-out crowd of 18,000-plus fans. to battle Campbell, a fellow lefty with a The Ukrainian pound-for-pound king height and reach advantage. Campbell went moved one step closer to his goal of undis- the way of fellow-Brit Anthony Crolla, puted lightweight world champion with his knocked out by Lomachenko in the fourth action-filled unanimous decision victory on round last April. Saturday, August 31, at the O2 Arena in “Maybe it’s a lucky place for me. I like it,” London. Lomachenko said of London, where he won A one-sided 11th round saw his Olympic medal in 2012. Speaking with Lomachenko knock down Campbell, nearly the press after the bout, he said, “Of course, ending the fight, before going on to win I’m happy. In U.K. fans are the best fans in 119-108, 119-108 and 118-109, notching the world. Thank you. I appreciate it. Of still another significant achievement on his course, I want to fight [for the fourth belt]. resume. Of course, I want to fight with [Commey- “Loma is up there with Muhammad Ali, Lopez winner]. I want to fight with Teofimo Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Lopez, but I do not think he will win this Mark Robinson and Dave Thompson (Top Rank) Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny fight [against Commey].” Vasyl Lomachenko celebrates his third lightweight division title – the WBC – to add Pacquiao. He belongs with those fighters,” The fight started with a measured pace to his two other titles, the WBA and WBO. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said of the with the boxers sizing each other up. two-time Olympic gold medal winner in a Campbell’s left hand to Lomachenko’s head then a hard straight left which caught Loughlin, only to return to pounding post-match interview on ESPN+. Many in in the waning moments of the first round Campbell, his head snapping back. Campbell with so many clean shots the the sport consider Lomachenko the great- was one of his few significant landed blows. Loma’s jab continued to land in the Englishman was forced to grab on to est amateur of all time and now the class of Lomachenko returned the favor with a fourth, one snapping the challenger’s head Lomachenko’s waist to keep from falling, professional boxing. strong left in the final seconds of round No. back again, body punches doing damage, wrestling the Ukrainian down to the mat. Lomachenko is expected to get the 2 when he began establishing his jab. although Campbell bravely stood his Competitive in the first half of the fight, opportunity to win the fourth title belt to Round three saw a poised Lomachenko ground and tried to fire back. Campbell was overmatched in the second become the undisputed champion early in picking up the pace, landing several jabs, Making his third title defense, half. According to CompuBox statistics, Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KO) enjoyed a Lomachenko landed 211 of 527 punches strong fifth round, stalking forward, nailing (40 percent), while Campbell landed 131 of Campbell with a clean straight left hand 420 (31 percent). From the seventh late. When the bell sounded, Campbell was through 12th round, Lomachenko outland- hurt as Lomachenko pounded him with a ed Campbell 140-73. flurry of powerful body shots. Owning three of the four major belts, Wild action ensued in the seventh round Lomachenko will strive to become the fifth with Campbell hurting the Ukrainian via a boxer to win all of them in the four-belt era. left before Lomachenko came back to rock He hopes to join cruiserweight/close friend the Brit with a right hand and a series of Oleksandr Usyk (2018), who was ringside hard body shots. in London; junior welterweight Terrence Campbell (20-3, 16 KO) was game, earn- Crawford (2017); and middleweight ing high marks for effort, but Lomachenko Jermain Taylor (2005) and Bernard landed cleaner, harder punches in the ninth Hopkins (2004). round. The final rounds saw both fighters Arum, the promoter of Commey-Lopez, go at it before Lomachenko really dominat- plans to match the winner against ed the 11th. Lomachenko. “Obviously we’re looking to Campbell took a pounding, dropping to win the fourth belt to unify the title,” Arum one knee after absorbing a wicked right to said. “But Loma and [manager] Egis his body, followed by a right to his head. [Klimos] have told [us] they can’t wait to After shakily rising to his feet, he was come back to the U.K. to fight here again. nailed by Lomachenko with punches, push- The English fight fans are the best fans in ing Campbell into survival mode. The 11th the world. [Lomachenko] will fight the best round saw Loma outland Campbell 44-17. fighters at featherweight, [junior light- Vasyl Lomachenko lands a right against Luke Campbell on August 31 at O2 Arena in Lomachenko was warned for a low blow weight] or lightweight. Only the best. He’s a London. in the 12th round by referee Victor special, special fighter.”

Svitolina bests Yastremska in all-Ukrainian U.S. Open match

by Ihor N. Stelmach errors to rob her performance. pect of one of them advancing in to the sec- The fifth-seed held off her younger In the match against Yastremska, ond week of play. opponent, engineering two break points Fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina zoomed into Svitolina said: “It was a really solid perfor- Svitolina noted: “It’s always tricky and serving out the first set on her third the second week of the U.S. Open for the mance, I thought, for me. I didn’t give many because I think it’s different nerves. Each chance. third straight year rather emphatically, unforced errors. She’s a good player and can time you step on the court in a Grand Slam, Svitolina only gained strength in the sec- eliminating fellow countrywoman/No. 32 strike the ball very good, so I had to stay everyone has nerves. But I think when you ond set, which took a little over 20 minutes, seed Dayana Yastremska on Friday, August really focused from the beginning. For me, playing someone from the same country, speeding through without permitting 30, in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0. Svitolina won was important to stay solid from the base- and in our case from the same city, which is Yastremska either a game or break point, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinal against Johanna line, then take my chance which happened.” special, you have to handle it, you have to booking herself a slot in the fourth round. Konta of Great Britain on September 3 at The victory got Svitolina to within a win try to really be, I don’t know, just within She struck for seven winners versus only the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis of completing a boxed set of Grand Slam yourself.” 13 unforced errors with Yastremska ending Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Svitolina quarterfinal appearances (attained by Svitolina, coming off a quality win over with 36 unforced errors and 0 for 2 in is set to play the semifinal against Serena beating Madison Keys in a round of 16 five-time Wimbledon champion Venus break point chances. Williams as the tournament continues match on September 1), having reached the Williams (and two-time U.S. Open winner), “I feel good now. I’m enjoying playing on through September 8. semifinals of Wimbledon earlier this sum- jumped out to the stronger start, winning the court. Enjoying atmosphere maybe a Konta was the first British woman to mer. She demonstrated a very decisive ten- the initial two games at love as Yastremska little bit more. I have a little bit less pres- reach the U.S. Open quarterfinal round nis game to dispatch her young rival in a struggled to reign in her power game. sure now. That’s maybe what’s changed. since Jo Durie in 1983. Svitolina’s ability to scant 53 minutes at Louis Armstrong “She needs more experience in these I’ve been playing on Armstrong as last year keep putting the ball back into play proved Stadium. kind of matches, so that’s why it happened a lot, as well. That’s nice. I like that court. I to test Konta’s weaknesses, leading to The Ukrainian ladies, both born in my way today,” Svitolina said after the think I haven’t lost a match on that court aggressive returns by the Brit that allowed Odesa, were both enthralled with the pros- match. yet. I have a perfect record!” 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 No. 36

Beachgoers pause to honor Ukraine on its Independence Day

Andrij Wowk WILDWOOD CREST, N.J. – Crowds of beachgoers paused their vacation activities at 1 p.m. on August 24 to honor Ukraine’s independence. The commemoration, organized every year since 1992 by Michael Koziupa, concluded with everyone singing Ukraine’s national anthem.

Festival celebrates Ukrainian culture in northeastern Pennsylvania

by Paula Holoviak Saturday were violinist Innesa Tymochko- Dekajlo and accordionist the Rev. Volodymyr LEHIGHTON, Pa. – Over 800 people Baran. Ms. Tymochko-Dekajlo brought fel- enjoyed a weekend of Ukrainian music, low musicians Vladimir Holoviak (violin) dance and food at the annual Ukrainian and Michael Duda (guitar) on stage for a Festival at the Ukrainian Homestead of CEC wonderful but seldom heard Bukovynian ODWU Inc. on Saturday and Sunday, August musical number. Saturday’s show ended 17 and 18. with Ukraine’s national dance, the Hopak, The festival opened on Saturday with the performed by Kalyna. presentation of colors by Ukrainian American On Sunday, Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Veterans Post 42 from the Lehigh Valley. After Andrij Rabiy celebrated divine liturgy at St. the singing of the Canadian, Ukrainian and Andrew’s Chapel on the Homestead American national anthems by members of grounds. Concelebrants included the Rev. the Kazka Folk Ensemble, program emcees Baran and the Rev. Evhen Moniuk. The lit- Andrij Dobriansky and Paula Holoviak wel- urgy concluded with the traditional bless- comed guests to the festival in both the ing of herbs and flowers for the feast of the Christine Syzonenko Ukrainian and English language. Dormition of the Mother of God. The Kalyna Performing Arts Company of Toronto presents the Hopak. The Kalyna Performing Arts Company Sunday’s lively program included repeat from Toronto presented the traditional wel- performances by Kalyna and Kazka and Ms. pysanky, books, recordings, jewelry and Homestead, which is open year-round and come dance (Pryvit), followed by the tam- Tymochko-Dekajlo performing a Tatar song wood carvings. The Homestead kitchen fea- is available for weddings, reunions and pri- bourine Kozachok performed by the Kazka in tribute to this oppressed people of the tured Ukrainian favorites such as holubtsi, vate parties, can be found at www. Ukrainian Folk Ensemble from Crimean region of Ukraine. potato pancakes, borshch and varenyky ukrhomestead.com. The Homestead was Pennsylvania’s Schuylkill County. In addition to two days of performances, made by Homestead volunteers. founded in 1957 by the Organization for Musical performers for both shows on numerous vendors sold embroidery, Information about the Ukrainian the Rebirth of Ukraine (ODWU).

Ukrainian Independence Day marked in southwest Florida

by Vira Bodnaruk The front lawn of Oseredok was decorat- ed with small Ukrainian flags waving in the NORTH PORT, Fla. – The Ukrainian breeze, so one could not miss the entrance. American community of southwest Florida, Inside, guests were greeted by Daria with its center in North Port, celebrated the Tomashosky, president of the Ukrainian 28th anniversary of Ukraine’s renewed American Club, and invited to a delicious independence on Friday, August 23. brunch. The tables were decorated with The celebration began at North Port City sunflowers and Ukrainian flags in honor of Hall, where Ukrainian American Veterans Ukraine. Commissioners Mc Dowell and raised the American and Ukrainian flags in Luke attended and spoke briefly to the the presence of community members who assembled guests. sang the American and Ukrainian national Ms. Tomashosky thanked members of anthems. the United Ukrainian American North Port Vice-Mayor Debbie Mc Dowell Organizations of Southwest Florida for read the proclamation designating August helping her in organizing a successful cele- 24 as Ukrainian Independence Day. She was bration of Ukrainian Independence Day. accompanied by Commissioner Jill Luke, Special thanks went to Vira and Bohdan who wore a Ukrainian embroidered blouse. Bodnaruk (Ukrainian Language Society), Ms. Lesia Popel, president of Branch 56 of the Popel and Lieda Boyko (UNWLA Branch 56), Ukrainian National Women’s League of Eugene Tomashosky (Ukrainian American America (UNWLA), thanked the commis- Veterans), Halia Lisnyczyj (Ukrainian sioners of North Port for their support of the Congress Committee of America), Victor Ukrainian American community and invited Lisnyczyj, Olia Babchuk and Natalie Victor Lisnyczyj all present to a brunch at St. Andrew’s Newmerzycky (Oseredok), and Doris Community members in front of North Port City Hall. Religious and Cultural Center (Oseredok). Horbachevsky (Ukrainian American Club). No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 17 Ukrainian sailors celebrate Independence Day in Baltimore Eugene Z. Stakhiv BALTIMORE – Thirty-four Ukrainian sailors attended liturgy at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Baltimore on Sunday, August 25, in celebra- tion of Ukrainian Independence Day. The sailors are here for a month-long training session on the operation of the two coast guard cutters that were donated to Ukraine by the U.S. government. The service was followed by a joyous banquet at the church hall, hosted by Baltimore’s “hromada.” The Rev. Vasyl Sivinsky, pastor, warmly welcomed the sail- ors and the two military attachés from the Embassy, Col. Andriy Ordynovych and Capt. Oleksandr Korneichuk. The harmonious church choir sang many choruses of “Mnohaya Lita” for Ukraine, its armed forc- es, the parishioners, the sailors and their comrades who are still unlawfully impris- oned in Moscow. On Saturday, August 24, the sailors attended liturgy at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church to celebrate Indepen- Sailors at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in Baltimore [photo courtesy of Capt. Oleksandr Korneichuk, dence Day. That was followed by a picnic, Naval attache at the Embassy of Ukraine] hosted by Baltimore’s Ukrainian Orthodox community, on the grounds of Rocky Point Park and Beach. Andriy Chornodolskiy, a long-time lead- er of the Baltimore community, emceed an excellent program at the church banquet after the Sunday service. Several youth organizations were represented, including the Ukrainian American Youth Association, Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, and Plast’s Chornomortsi fraternity. The Carpathia Folk Ensemble provided the entertainment, performing a few tradi- tional dances which livened the atmo- sphere for the participants. The dining hall was packed with parishioners who came to celebrate this important 28th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence and to meet with the sailors. Col. Ordynovych, the acting defense atta- ché at the Ukrainian Embassy, noted that today’s Ukrainian Armed Forces are so much better trained, armed and prepared to fight than they were in 2014 – when only 6,500 soldiers had enough equipment to fully engage in combat. Today, Ukraine’s armed forces stand at 250,000 well-trained and equipped soldiers. Col. Ordynovych thanked the U.S. government for its strong and consistent support of Ukraine’s mili- tary needs, with over $1.2 billion of military aid, since 2014. Col. Ordynovych also remarked that most of the sailors present were not born yet when Ukraine proclaimed its indepen- dence on August 24, 1991, and that they represent a new generation of Ukrainians who only know of an independent Ukraine. Col. Ordynovych also stated that discus- sions were underway with the U.S. Department of Defense to acquire several more Coast Guard cutters in the next fiscal year [2020-2021], and that Ukraine now has the capabilities to refurbish and man these cutters on their own. Mr. Chornodolsky read greetings from Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Baltimore Mayor Jack Young. Also present were Karina Mandell, Chairperson of Baltimore Odesa Sister Cities Program and Fontaine Bell, Director of Baltimore’s Sister Cities Programs. They each gave a short overview of the various activities and exchange pro- grams underway between the two cities. The program ended with an enthusiastic encore performance of the “Hopak” by the Carpathia Folk Ensemble. A final official ceremony will take place on September 12 in Baltimore Harbor,

(Continued on page 18) 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 No. 36

with us. It doesn’t matter that it was at the Speech... point of a gun. This is his wish. And, by the Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival way, who told you that this is your child? (Continued from page 6) He has always been ours. Do not worry, it scheduled for September 13-15 Initially, throughout the country, we will be better here for him, we have a won- have proven that we have dignity. We were derful orphanage by the sea, under the sun. TORONTO – The 23rd annual Bloor soloist Auresia from Montreal, The Iskra not afraid of water cannons and batons. And now five years have passed. And West Village Ukrainian Festival takes place Ukrainian Dance Ensemble from New And someone was not afraid even of sniper those who were so worried say that every- on September 13, 14 and 15 on Bloor Jersey and the folk ensemble Korinya bullets. thing seems normal. Your child does not Street West between the Runnymede and from New York. Then, the whole country learned that a miss you anymore. And, in general, it is not Jane subway stations in Toronto. The OMNI-sponsored parade, with hundred could be heavenly. very similar to you. Why do they say that? More than 800,000 visitors are the Canadian Army Lt. Gen. Paul Wynnyk And then the war came to our land. And Because it’s not their child. expected to come to the festival to (retired) as parade marshal, will start on the whole country faced it. And your other child was locked in the immerse themselves in an all-Ukrainian Saturday, at 11 a.m. And here “the whole country” is not just nursery with armed guards. They tell you – experience – music, dancing, history, art, Besides the street celebration, a film an artistic technique. In the truest sense of what kind of guards? There is no one there. cultural fashions, embroidery and culi- festival will take place on Saturday and the word, the whole country has been giv- And you hear that right here, next to the nary delights. This year’s festival focuses Sunday at the Runnymede Library. ing money for bulletproof vests, medicines, wall, your baby is crying, but you can’t go on the central region of Ukraine, Dnipro On Sunday, September 14, begin- thermal imagers. there. (100 miles west of the war zone in east- ning at 10:30 a.m., an ecumenical ser- The whole country, online and near TV Every day it breaks our hearts. And any ern Ukraine), and an example of its vice will be held on the main stage on screens, has been closely monitoring the victories or achievements are incomplete, unique Petrykivka art is featured on the Jane Street. All three stages have per- news from the east. The news where the because our family is incomplete. But the festival poster. formances continuing up until 7 p.m., other words were meaningless. The only day will come and we will surely get There are three stages, each with a when the festival officially closes with things that mattered were the names of the together. For the voice of kindred blood will unique performance program. The festi- traditional Hopak performed by inhabited localities and the number of fall- prevail! val headliner this year is renowned Barvinok dance ensemble. en heroes. Fellow Ukrainians! We are different. But group – voted Ukraine’s best rock band – Jurij Klufas, chair of the Festival Paradoxically, we were born again at that we are united. We must be united, because Bez Obmezhen (Without Limits). Board, said: “We are very excited about time. As a country and as a society. We unit- only then are we strong. We should under- The long list of performers includes our 23rd year program with various lead- ed. We regained that forgotten feeling when stand that we have to count only on our- world-renown Canadian bandurist ing artists from all over Canada and the you are proud of your homeland. That is why selves. Not to quarrel over the past, but to Victor Mishalow, the Ukrainian Male United States, as well as Ukraine. We are Ukraine’s pride has gathered here today! unite for the future. Ukrainian-speaking and Choir from Edmonton, the Toronto- very happy to share our over 128-year- First of all, these are our warriors. Those Russian-speaking, regardless of age, gender, based electro-folk group Balaklava Blues, old Ukrainian Canadian culture with the who defended, and those who are now religion – we must be one people. Not on famous violin virtuoso Vasyl Popadiuk city of Toronto and its many visitors.” defending, our land. These are the families of posters, not on slogans, but here. In every- and his band Papa Duke, the fun polka More information is available at www. the military. Those who have lost a son, one’s heart. We must move forward, build band Those Idiots from Buffalo, N.Y., ukrainianfestival.com. father, husband or brother. These are volun- the country together, do the impossible teers. Those who help and sometimes give together and tell ourselves every morning: the last things they have. There are also “I am Ukrainian. And I can do anything!” and condemned. Otherwise the lesson is those who teach and those who save lives Our land is unique, lovely, unbreakable, A family... lost. daily. Those who glorify Ukraine in the incredible, amazing, fabulous, wonderful, sports arenas of the world. Our scientific and beautiful. If it was not for our homeland, (Continued from page 7) On a personal note: Mama used to say there’s nothing so bad that good can’t come creative potential. And of course – our future humanity might not even know these Russia today; indeed citing it is a criminal of it. The war gave me wonderful parents – our children. These people are not just par- words. After all, they were invented to offense. Which is why I’m writing this. and led to me becoming an American, from ticipants in the March of Dignity. These are describe Ukraine. Nazi-Soviet collaboration was shameful that safe haven, we supported Ukraine’s our thousands of reasons to love Ukraine. And today it marks the 28th anniversary and so is Russia’s whitewash of that crime. struggle for independence. You know, I was asked once why do I love of independence. Over the years we have Its horrific legacy must be remembered To be continued… Ukraine. Strange question. Why do you love done the most important thing. We have your mom? She gave birth to you, raised multiplied them. Preserved independence you. I love Ukraine because I was born here, and freedom. I love our flag and I rejoice when it is hoist- And we preserve it today. Some people ed triumphally. I love our anthem because it do so at the cost of their freedom, and oth- is our greatest hit! What other song does ers at the cost of their life. each of us know and sing in such a way? On this important day, we believe that I love our land because every corner of another equally significant date will appear Ukraine is a big family. in the Ukrainian calendar. The exact day And for those who do not understand and month are not important. today’s pain of Ukrainians, I will explain in For this will be the day when peace very simple language. comes. Imagine, for example, that a neighbor And my morning will begin with an SMS: took two children from you. The first child over the past 24 hours, 1,000 boys and was simply kidnapped and given a new 1,001 girls were born in Ukraine. birth certificate. And then they say, well, we Happy birthday, Ukraine! didn’t take your child. He wanted to live Glory to Ukraine!

Ukrainian Admiral Ihor Voronchenko. Ukrainian sailors... The two Coast Guard cutters have been renamed Sloviansk and Starobilsk. (Continued from page 17) Sloviansk is a city approximately 50 miles where the two Coast Guard cutters will be north of Donetsk, while Starobilsk is officially handed over to Ukraine’s naval approximately 50 miles north of Luhansk. forces. Presiding over the transfer will be All the sailors will be returning to their the newly appointed U.S. Chief of Naval home base in Odesa the following day, on operations, Admiral Michael Gilday, and September 13.

відбудеться 28-29 вересня 2019 року в Центрі Української Спадщини «Союзівка» в Кергонксоні, Н.Й.

Крайовий З’їзд УПС відбудеться в п’ятницю ввечорі, 27-го вересня 2019 року.

Реєстраційні матеріяли будуть вислані електронно і будуть доступні на пластовій мережі США www.plastusa.org. Picnic hosted by St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church (photo courtesy of Capt. Oleksandr Korneichuk). No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 19

Through October 27 Exhibit, “Ryshnyky: Ritual Cloths from the Cossack September 17 Fall Reception, Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, Somerset, NJ Lands of Ukraine, Ukrainian History and Education Cambridge, MA 617-495-4053 or [email protected] Center, www.ukrhec.org September 21 Potato Bake, Ukrainian Homestead, September 13-15 Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival, Bloor Lehighton, PA www.ukrhomestead.com or 610-377-4621 Toronto West, www.ukrainianfestival.com September 21 Ukrainian Festival, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian September 13 Art exhibit, “Petro Smetana. Aftereffect: Paintings Whippany, NJ Catholic Church, Ukrainian American Cultural Center of through October 6 and Still Lifes,” Ukrainian Institute of America, New Jersey, www.uaccnj.org or 908-759-1771 New York 212-288-8660 or www.ukrainianinstitute.org September 21 Forum, “Ukrainian Historical Encounters Series: New York Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Organized September 14 Twin Cities Ukrainian Heritage Festival, Ukrainian Ukrainian American Community,” Princeton Club of New Minneapolis, MN American Community Center, https://uaccmn.org/festival York (Dickinson Room), 212-228-6840 or [email protected]

September 14 Webinar presentation by Christian Raffensperger, “Ties September 21 Centennial concert, Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, Saint Online of Kinship: Genealogy and Dynastic Marriage in Kyivan Minneapolis, MN Constantine Ukrainian Catholic Church, www.bandura.org Rus’,” www.ukrhec.org September 27 Music at the Institute concert, “Poems and Dumky” September 14-15 Washington Ukrainian Festival, St. Andrew Ukrainian New York Ukrainian Institute of America, www.ukrainianinstitute.org Silver Spring, MD Orthodox Cathedral, www.ukrainefestdc.com or 301-384-9192 September 27-29 National Convention, Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, Kerhonkson, NY Soyuzikva Heritage Center, www.plastusa.org September 15 Concert, with soprano Tatiana Melnychenko and pianist New York Irena Portenko, Ukrainian Institute of America, September 28 Uktoberfest, Shrewd Fox Brewery, www.ukrainianinstitute.org or 212-288-8660 Glen Spey, NY www.shrewdfoxbrewery.com

September 15 Silent auction fundraiser, featuring works by Daria Sawka, September 28 Pig Roast, Ukrainian National Home, Syracuse, NY [email protected] or 315-478-9272 Montreal Josyf Slipyj Museum, [email protected] or www.sawkaphoto.com/daria September 29 Concert with Olena Karpenko (Solomia), The Washington Alexandria, VA Group Cultural Fund, The Lyceum, www.twgcf.org or [email protected] toward integration in European and inter- national institutions.” Stable... Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events Russia, in contrast, “is heading toward (Continued from page 7) advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions the past, toward a hybrid syncretic from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors approached if the Budapest Memorandum Stalinist-Nicholayevan empire” dominated and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. is enforced and if Russia is so weakened by a dictator and hostile to the values and that it heads toward collapse. norms of civilized countries. Ultimately, But even these things “will not provide a that isn’t sustainable and Russia will col- guarantee that Russia’s aggression in one lapse even as Ukraine strengthens econom- or another forms will end in the future.” ically and politically. That will require that Mr. Putin and his When the Russian Federation disinte- senior aides be tried and convicted in an grates, Rostov, Voronezh, Belgorod, Kursk, international court of crimes against Bryansk, Kaluga, Moscow, Yaroslavl, humanity and crimes of war. Only that will Smolensk and Tver oblasts, as well as oth- allow a rapprochement of the two coun- ers, may join Ukraine, while “the rest of tries. Russia’s regions, for example, Tatarstan, But even if that occurs, Mr. Shulipa con- Bashkortostan, Mordvinia and others” will tinues, it must be remembered that the two go their own way, Mr. Shulipa writes. countries are on very different trajectories. In sum, the Ukrainian analyst says, “the “Ukraine is moving in the future toward the stabilization of relations of Russia and construction of a law-based democratic Ukraine are impossible not only now but in state of the Central European type and the long-term perspective.”

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION announces that its PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT FALL ORGANIZING MEETING will be held on ursday, September 19, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center 700 N Cedar Rd., Jenkintown, Pennsylvania 19046 Obligated to attend the organizing meeting are District Committee O cers, Convention Delegates and two delegates from the following Branches: 10, 83, 116, 153, 162, 163, 173, 216, 231, 245, 247, 347, 362, 397

All UNA members are welcome as guests at the meeting

MEETING WILL BE ATTENDED BY: Members of the UNA Executive Committee DISTRICT COMMITTEE Luba Walchuk, Chairperson Roksolana Luciw, Secretary Jurij Fedorijczuk, Treasurer 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 No. 36

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Friday-Sunday, September 13-15 N. Jefferson Road, Whippany, NJ 07981, SILVER SPRING, Md.: Bring your family and holds its annual Ukrainian Festival at 11:30 friends to the 17th annual Ukrainian Festival a.m.-6:30 p.m. Admission is free. There will of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area, be two stage shows featuring the Kalyna held on the grounds of St. Andrew Ukrainian Performing Arts Company from Canada; Orthodox Cathedral, 15100 New Hampshire violinist Innesa Tymochko Dekajlo; the Iskra Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20905. Hours are: Ukrainian Dance Ensemble; the Ukrainian Friday, early bird dinner and happy hour, 5-8 folk dance groups Iskra Academy, Nadiya, p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday, Suzirya and Tsvitka, as well as more singers 11 a.m. to dusk. Admission and parking are and musicians. Savor homemade Ukrainian free. Featured will be wonderful Ukrainian foods and delectable desserts; visit the artists and dancers, crafts, children’s activi- international beer garden with live music; ties, delicious Ukrainian food and a Kozak and enjoy children’s activities. Vendors will beer garden. For more information visit offer jewelry, clothing, crafts, music and eth- www.UkraineFestDC.com. nic foods. For more information call 908- 759-1771; visit the website uaccnj.org or Saturday, September 14 the Facebook page Ukrainian American NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific Cultural Center of NJ. Society of America (NTSh-A) invites all to a Sunday, September 29 Donor Appreciation Reception, with the presentation of the society’s latest scholarly ALEXANDRIA, Va.: The Washington Group projects: results of the Special Scholarship Cultural Fund will open its 2019-2020 Program for the Victims of Maidan and the Sunday Music Series with a recital by singer, Russian-Ukrainian War; video of the NTSh-A composer, writer and social activist Olena Student Scholarship Campaign; NTSh-A’s Karpenko (stage name Solomia). Having latest publications dedicated to Taras studied voice at the National Academy of Shevchenko; NTSh-A-sponsored scholarship Music in Ukraine, she writes and performs and publication projects; digitalization of music in various styles, such as jazz, blues, Archives and Library materials; exhibit of rock, pop, classics and world in Ukraine and NTSh-A scholarly publications; selection of abroad. Ms. Karpenko is a winner and laure- NTSh-A-sponsored videos. Closing with a ate of a number of national and internation- performance by pianist Pavlo Gintov, the al vocal, literary and composition contests. A event will take place at the society’s build- reception to meet the artist will be held ing, 63 Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th immediately following the performance. Streets) at 5 p.m. For additional information The concert will be held at 3 p.m. at The call 212-254-5130. Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Suggested donation: $20; free for Saturday, September 21 students; unreserved seating. For more WHIPPANY, N.J.: The Ukrainian American information visit http://www.twgcf.org or Cultural Center of New Jersey, located at 60 e-mail [email protected].

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