INSIDE: l Plast in New York City kicks off $1.5 million renovation of its branch building – page 9 l Plast campground Vovcha Tropa seeks volunteers – page 11 l Hundreds gather for annual St. Thomas Sunday pilgrimage – page 13 The Ukrainian Weekly Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association

Vol. LXXXIX No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 $2.00 Latest Cabinet turnover sees two ministers Medvedchuk case ‘just beginning’ of cutting forced to resign, health minister fired oligarchs down to size, says Zelenskyy Rada names new ministers of health by Todd Prince and economic development Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty WASHINGTON – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the state’s case against Viktor Medvedchuk is “just the beginning” of a process of curtailing the power of a handful of tycoons who have dominated the country’s economic and political landscape for decades. In a statement published on May 18 on the website of the Washington-based think tank Atlantic Council and aimed at a U.S. audience, Mr. Zelenskyy said this “unelect­ ed elite has rigged the system” to preserve their power and wealth indefinitely to the Serhii Nuzhnenko/Radio Svoboda.org, RFE/RL detriment of the population. Viktor Medvedchuk in court on May 13 He claimed that Ukraine under his lead­ in Kyiv. ership was now making progress on bat­ tling the tycoons, pointing to the sanctions people are “toothless” when their media Serhiy Supinsky, AFP his administration imposed in February on assets and political protection are peeled away. Viktor Lyashko was named Ukraine’s new health minister on May 20. Mr. Medvedchuk, a Russia-leaning politi­ cian and businessman with assets allegedly The president promised to unveil “key legislation” with the goal to “destroy the by Roman Tymotsko on May 14, where he was given the option ranging from television stations to oil pipe­ of writing his own resignation letter. lines. oligarchic order” and create a more equita­ KYIV – In the latest shakeup of the gov­ Before he did, Prime Minister Denys “This is just the beginning. There will be ble Ukraine. ernment here, the Verkhovna Rada on May Shmyhal asked parliament that same day to many more such measures until all of Mr. Zelenskyy’s tough words come amid 18 fired Ukraine’s Minister of Health Mak­ fire Mr. Stepanov. The Rada took up Mr. Ukraine’s oligarchs are cut down to size Western frustration over his administra­ sym Stepanov, while two other ministers Shmyhal’s request and voted 292-1 to fire and reduced to the status of ordinary big tion’s commitment to crucial reforms, were forced to resign. Parliament voted to the health minister on May 18. businessmen,” Mr. Zelenskyy said in the including cracking down on the tycoons, approve each of the moves, with more than Mr. Stepanov, who was appointed to the statement. and his own sharply falling ratings. 280 deputies voting in favor of the reshuf­ position on March 30, 2020, was the third Mr. Zelenskyy said the state’s actions A former comic and antiestablishment fling out of 226 needed. health minister under Mr. Zelenskyy’s pres­ against Mr. Medvedchuk – who will go on candidate, Mr. Zelenskyy won the 2019 Mr. Stepanov visited the office of trial in July on charges of treason that he election in a landslide in part on a promise Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Continued on page 12) calls politically motivated – shows such to take on those tycoons. However, after two years in power, Mr. Zelenskyy’s administration has made little NEWS ANALYSIS progress on curtailing the biggest players. Other Targets Finally, the primacy of Ukraine’s oligarchs is in question Aside from Mr. Medvedchuk, who heads the second-largest party in parliament, Mr. Zelenskyy’s administration has launched by Bohdan Nahaylo spotlight. The notorious tycoon had the has remained an implacable political foe country’s largest bank, PrivatBank, taken of Mr. Zelenskyy’s. an investigation into Petro Poroshenko, the To the surprise of the sceptics, panic of away from him in 2016 because of brazen The moves against Mr. Poroshenko billionaire former president who is consid­ those targeted and a cautious thumbs up attempts at embezzlement. Mr. Zelens­ have included accusations of corruption, ered a competitor for the 2024 election. from those who domestically and exter­ kyy’s detractors have claimed that Mr. but also increasingly, if still implicitly, Mr. Zelenskyy has yet to go after Ihor nally had called for such developments, Kolomoisky was the president’s partner, treasonable activities while he was presi­ Kolomoisky, whom critics call one of the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reaf­ if not patron, during his accession to the dent through his cooperation with the most “notorious” tycoons for his brazen firmed his determination to end the oli­ presidency. principal tycoon and politician under fire tactics and who is under U.S. investigation garchic set-up in Ukraine that has domi­ When challenged by Mr. Zelenskyy, at the current moment, the chief repre­ for money laundering. Mr. Kolomoisky’s nated economic and political life for so Mr. Kolomoisky was initially very self- sentative of Russia’s fifth column in media companies backed Mr. Zelenskyy’s long. confident and even aggressive. But after Ukraine, Viktor Medvechuk. long-shot campaign for the presidency. Whatever the reasons and motives, the facing serious charges in both the United Mr. Medvechuk, who has flaunted his Nor has Mr. Zelenskyy taken on Dmytro Ukrainian leader has begun an unprece­ States and Britain, and with his remain­ close ties with Russian President Vladimir Firtash, whom the United States has indict­ dented shake-up of the system. For the ing assets, particularly in the energy Putin, has in recent months suffered the ed on bribery charges. A senior U.S. state first time in the history of independent sphere, threatened by legal authorities in shock and ignominy of having his propa­ department official last month raised frus­ Ukraine, a Ukrainian president has Ukraine, Mr. Kolomoisky has become con­ gandistic TV channels in Ukraine shut tration with Ukraine’s failure to investigate launched a broad offensive against the spicuously silent in recent months. down and a pipeline transporting Mr. Firtash. oligarchs – not against one, or even two, The former Ukrainian president and Russian oil products to Europe taken Ukraine, a nation bestowed with signifi­ but against almost half a dozen of the key oligarch Petro Poroshenko is also an away from him. cant natural resources and fertile land, is oligarchs all at once. obvious target of Mr. Zelenskyy’s efforts. Since then, Mr. Medvechuk has been among Europe’s poorest by average In this process, which is still unfolding, Mr. Poroshenko, who was not gracious in income because of the uneven distribution Ihor Kolomoisky has long been in the losing the presidential election of 2019, (Continued on page 11) (Continued on page 6) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 No. 21

NEWS ANALYSIS

Outreach to Putin, crackdown on Medvedchuk: Kyiv would ‘gladly’ swap Medvedchuk Medvedchuk as a hindrance. Mr. Zelenskyy, a political novice, came to power in May a hard stretch for Zelenskyy A top Ukrainian official did not exclude 2019 in part on a promise to end the war in the possibility of a prisoner swap with eastern Ukraine and free political prison­ Russia if a Kyiv court convicts a Kremlin- unlike many others – of the need to nor­ ers. He carried out three prisoner swaps by Vladimir Socor leaning politician of treason. Oleksiy malize and qualitatively improve Ukraine- with Russia and the Kremlin-backed fight­ Eurasia Daily Monitor Danilov, the secretary of the National Russia relations” (TASS, May 12). ers in eastern Ukraine within his first year Security and Defense Council, said in a TV Ukrainian law enforcement authorities Mr. Putin then heralded Russia’s forth­ but has made no progress since April 2020. interview that Kyiv would “gladly” hand have detained Viktor Medvedchuk, head of coming response to Kyiv’s move. Chairing Russia stills holds about 100 Ukrainians – over lawmaker Viktor Medvedchuk to the pro-Russia parliamentary opposition, a session of the Russian Security Council, including many Crimean Tatars – that Kyiv Moscow in exchange for Ukrainians held in to prosecute him on treason charges (see the Kremlin leader decried “Ukraine’s deems to be political prisoners. Mr. Russian prisons if the opportunity arises. Eurasia Daily Monitor, May 13). President slow but sure transformation into some Zelenskyy’s ratings have tumbled from However, he said such a decision can only Volodymyr Zelens­kyy has publicly hailed kind of antipode to Russia, an anti-Rus­ above 70 percent in 2019 to below 30 per­ be made by President Volodymyr (President.gov.ua, May 14) the move sia… A cleaning out of the political arena is cent this year amid disillusionment with Zelenskyy. Ukrainian Prosecutor-General against this personal protégé of Russian blatantly under way there. Mass media his leadership. (RFE/RL) Iryna Venediktova on May 11 charged Mr. President Vladi­mir Putin; it was Mr. with country-wide impact have been shut Medvedchuk, the leading figure in the Lawmakers sack health minister Zelenskyy’s hand-picked officials – down… Politically motivated accusations Opposition Platform – For Life party, with Security Service chair Ivan Bakanov and are being proffered selectively against Ukraine’s parliament has voted to dis­ three counts of treason. A Kyiv court placed Prosecutor-General Iryna Venediktova – someone [Mr. Medved­chuk] who does miss Health Minister Maksym Stepanov Mr. Medvedchuk under house arrest on who exposed Mr. Medvedchuk­ publicly on business with Russia […] and against over his handling of the coronavirus pan­ May 13 and set the start of his trial for July May 11, also implicating Mr. Putin’s top those political forces [Mr. Medvedchuk’s demic, and approved the resignations of in what could be the highest-profile politi­ aide Dmitry Kozak as an accomplice. party] that stand for peacefully resolving the economy and infrastructure ministers. cal case in Ukraine in years. Mr. Personality factors are thus further sharp­ the crisis in southeastern Ukraine, in Lawmakers ousted Mr. Stepanov in a 292-1 Medvedchuk has denied the charges and ening this new phase of political confron­ Donbas, and for good-neighborly relations vote on May 18, making him Ukraine’s third called them politically motivated. He has tation between Kyiv and Moscow. with Russia.” Without naming Mr. health minister to be dismissed since promoted closer ties with Russia, which At the same time, however, Mr. Zelens­ Medvedchuk or his party, Mr. Putin COVID-19 hit the country last year. Prime annexed Crimea and backed fighters in kyy persists with his quest to meet per­ accused the West generically of tolerating Minister Denys Shmyhal, who initiated Mr. eastern Ukraine following the overthrow of sonally with Mr. Putin in order to “end the and encouraging these “persecutions” in Stepanov’s firing, told parliament that the Kremlin-leaning President Viktor Yanu­ war and regain the occupied territories” Ukraine (Kremlin.ru, May 14). minister was responsible for the “unsatis­ as soon as possible. Mr. Zelenskyy and his This is guidance from on high, suggest­ kovych in 2014. The war in eastern factory pace of vaccination” against COVID- closest entourage seem to pursue two ing that Moscow will associate Mr. Zelens­ Ukraine, which continues to this day, has 19 and failures in vaccine procurement. divergent policy tracks: cracking down on kyy with a policy of turning Ukraine into a killed more than 13,000 people. Mr. Economy Minister Ihor Petrashko and Mr. Putin’s allies and on their business and civilizational alternative to Russia. The Medvedchuk is accused among other things Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Krykliy media assets in Ukraine, but nevertheless Kremlin will portray Mr. Medvedchuk’s of concealing his ownership of natural gas did not disclose reasons for their decision petitioning Mr. Putin to meet with Mr. indictment and the suppression of his assets in Russia-occupied Crimea with the to leave their jobs in their resignation let­ Zelens kyy­ . Moreover, Mr. Zelenskyy’s chief media holdings in Ukraine as anti-demo­ help of the Kremlin. Ukraine in February ters filed to the Verkhovna Rada last week. of staff, Andriy Yermak, is negotiating with cratic actions, and Russia will probably sanctioned Mr. Medvedchuk and three tele­ With more than 2 million registered coro­ Dmitry Kozak about the conditions for a appeal to Western organizations to inter­ vision stations believed to be owned by navirus infections and over 48,000 related Zelenskyy­ -Putin meeting, notwithstanding cede, not necessarily expecting them to do him. Ukraine has accused the stations of deaths, Ukraine is among the European that Kyiv has just exposed Mr. Kozak as so but mainly in order to attack them for promoting Russian disinformation. The countries most affected by the epidemic. complicit with Mr. Medved­chuk’s alleged “double standards” if they do not. 66-year-old Mr. Medvedchuk has close ties The country is also lagging in its vaccina­ treason of Ukraine. Mr. Yermak and, presumably, Mr. Zelen­ to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is tion efforts, with about 950,000 Ukrainians Ukrainian Security Council Secretary skyy behind him nevertheless insist on a the godfather of his daughter. Mr. having received their first vaccine dose as of Oleksiy Danilov is the statesmanlike driv­ meeting with Mr. Putin. In a calculated dis­ Medvedchuk has frequently traveled to May 18. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s economy ing figure behind the crackdown on Mr. closure to the media, Mr. Yermak con­ Moscow to discuss with Russian officials, shrank 2 percent in the first quarter of Med ­vedchuk’s clan and their media con­ firmed on May 13 that discussions are including Mr. Putin, peace in eastern 2021 year-on-year after contracting 4 per­ glomerate. Mr. Yermak, on the other hand, ongoing (between him and Mr. Kozak) to Ukraine, prisoner swaps, as well as natural cent last year. President Volodymyr caters to Mr. Zelenskyy’s instinct to deal agree on the conditions for a Zelenskyy- gas deals. Mr. Putin on May 14 accused Zelenskyy’s Cabinet of Ministers has experi­ with Mr. Putin. Incongruously, Mr. Zelens­ Putin meeting. This is needed “as fast as Ukraine of carrying out “anti-Russian” poli­ enced significant turnover since the former kyy is identifying himself vocally with possible, the situation requires prompt cies in a possible reference to the charges comic took power in 2019. (RFE/RL’s both policies. decisions.” Accor­ding to Mr. Yermak, “The against his friend Mr. Medvedchuk. Ukrainian Service, with reporting by The idea of exploring a deal with Mr. meeting’s main task would be to review Analysts say that Mr. Zelenskyy has grown Reuters, Bloomberg and AFP) Putin has marked Mr. Zelenskyy from the the execution of the [December 2019 frustrated with the lack of progress in the (Continued on page 10) start of his presidency and recurs periodi­ Normandy] Paris summit… Every initia­ peace talks with Russia and sees Mr. cally – the current phase since March 26 tive of ours is transparent and predictable, behind closed doors and since April 20 including that concerning talks between publicly. Suppressing Russia’s fifth column the leaders of Ukraine and Russia” (RBK under Mr. Medvedchuk, however, is a Ukraiyna, May 13). The Ukrainian Weekly FOUNDED 1933 novel, breakthrough initiative (see EDM, To pursue this pet but risk-fraught proj­ February 24, May 13), after two years of ect, Mr. Yermak is constructing some alibis. An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., tolerating its subversive activities (see On May 13, hosting the Kyiv ambassadors a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. EDM, August 5, 2019, September 10, 2019, of the G-7 countries and of the European Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. September 12, 2019, March 19, 2020). Union at his office, Mr. Yermak told them Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. The Kremlin’s reaction is only gathering that the Normandy and Minsk negotiating (ISSN — 0273-9348) steam. Initially, spokesperson Dmitry processes were in a “protracted stagna­ tion” (an accurate assessment) and asked The Weekly: UNA: Peskov ostensibly acknowledged that “this Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 is Ukraine’s internal affair, we are not all of their governments to collectively request Russia to support the holding of going to interfere. But we are, of course, Postmaster, send address changes to: watching carefully to make sure that this another Normandy summit (a fanciful The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Andrew Nynka is not a politically motivated persecution request) (President.gov.ua, May 13). This 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas to remove a political opponent, which eccentric approach being all but certain to P.O. Box 280 would be impermissible.” Mr. Medvedchuk fail, Messrs. Zelenskyy and Yermak could Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] is a “pro-Ukraine politician, conscious – invoke its failure to justify a redoubling of their own overtures to Mr. Putin. The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com Mr. Yermak also told that group of Correction ambassadors that “Ukrainian positions at The Ukrainian Weekly, May 23, 2021, No. 21, Vol. LXXXIX The article “Rep. Boyle meets with the demarcation line are every day being Copyright © 2021 The Ukrainian Weekly Ukrainian Human Rights Committee” (May fired at, Ukrainian soldiers are continuous­ 16) incorrectly stated that Rep. Brendan ly being killed and wounded, heavy artil­ lery is being used more frequently” Boyle represents Pennsylvania’s 13th ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA Congressional District. While Rep. Boyle (President.gov.ua, May 13). That situation did previously represent the state’s 13th also could justify (as it has repeatedly in Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 Congressional District, he currently repre­ this Presidential Office) pleading for relief e-mail: [email protected] sents the state’s 2nd Congressional through direct talks with Moscow. Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 District. The correction has been made e-mail: [email protected] online. (Continued on page 7) No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 3

FOR THE RECORD Nord Stream 2 and European energy security UWC calls for recognition of Crimean Tatar The following statement was released by Warnig, and Nord Stream 2 AG’s corporate genocide and de-occupation of Crimea U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on officers. May 19. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also anticipates issuing Today, the Department of State submit­ guidance allowing for the continuation of ted a report to Congress pursuant to the various transactions and activities involv­ Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act ing the Marine Rescue Service that are (PEESA), as amended, listing four vessels, unrelated to Nord Stream 2 construction – five entities, and one individual involved in including on a range of search and rescue, construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, environmental and other missions. including Nord Stream 2 AG and the com­ Today’s actions demonstrate the pany’s CEO Matthias Warnig. Persons iden­ administration’s commitment to energy tified in the report are subject to sanctions security in Europe, consistent with the pursuant to PEESA unless waived. As a president’s pledge to rebuild relationships The Ukrainian World Congress released back terror, intimidation and persecution result of such sanctions on the entities list­ with our allies and partners in Europe. We the following statement on May 18. of members of the Crimean Tatar and ed in the PEESA report, the four vessels list­ will continue to oppose the completion of Ukrainian communities for political rea­ ed in the report and nine additional vessels this project, which would weaken The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), sons and on the grounds of nationality and owned or controlled by the Federal State European energy security and that of together with the multi-million strong religion. On the basis of fabricated accusa­ Budgetary Institution Marine Rescue Ukraine and Eastern flank NATO and EU Ukrainian diaspora, joins Crimean Tatars tions, the activities of the Mejlis of the Service that are involved in the Nord countries. Our opposition to the Nord around the world in commemorating the Crimean Tatar people were banned and Stream 2 pipeline’s construction, will also Stream 2 pipeline is unwavering. Though anniversary of the deportation of the centers of cultural and religious life, along be subject to sanctions. we may not always agree, our alliances Crimean Tatar population from Crimea with independent mass media, were Furthermore, I have determined that it is remain strong, and our position is in line and remembering the many victims of closed. At present, over 100 Ukrainian in the national interest of the United States with our commitment to strengthen our this genocide committed by the Soviet political prisoners are illegally detained in to waive the application of sanctions on Transatlantic relationships as a matter of Union. Crimea and in other regions of Russia. Nord Stream 2 AG, its CEO Matthias national security. The deportation of Crimean Tatars, car­ Today, as in 1944, Moscow continues to ried out 77 years ago on the order of the grossly violate international rules of law bloodthirsty Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, and human rights for the sake of realizing became one of the most horrific crimes of its imperialist geopolitical plans that pose a the Soviet regime. Up to 40 percent of the serious threat to peace and security total population of Crimean Tatars died as a throughout the entire world. UCCA urges continued U.S. sanctions result of this deliberate act of hatred, while The Ukrainian World Congress calls the rest were forced to live in harsh exile upon governments and international orga­ against Nord Stream 2 pipeline conditions up until the late 1980s, humili­ nizations to recognize the deportation of ated and labeled by the Soviet authorities the Crimean Tatar people as genocide. We The Ukrainian Congress Committee of have to convince our friends and partners as a “nation of traitors.” The return to also call upon the international community America issued the following statement on including Germany not to move forward Crimea became possible only after the col­ to intensify pressure on Russia, including May 19. with it [the Nord Stream 2 pipeline].” lapse of the Soviet Union and the restora­ through heightened sanctions and support While every new administration looks to tion of Ukraine’s independence. for the Crimean platform initiative, to accel­ Following the 2020 U.S. elections, the take a fresh approach to foreign policy, In 2014, the Russian Federation invaded erate the de-occupation of Crimea and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America UCCA took Mr. Biden at his word when he and illegally occupied Crimea, bringing release of political prisoners. (UCCA), the nation’s largest representative described the Nord Stream 2 pipeline as a body of Americans of Ukrainian descent, “fundamentally bad deal for Europe,” spe­ issued a statement expressing to newly cifically because, in his words, it would elected officials that Ukrainian Americans “lock in great reliance on Russia [which] are united in their belief that a democratic will fundamentally destabilize Ukraine.” and independent Ukraine is in the national Therefore, when it was reported on May UCCA commemorates the victims security interests of the United States. 18 that the State Department, in listing to Included in that statement was the biparti­ Congress which entities involved in the of the Crimean Tatar genocide of 1944 san sentiment that any “retreat from cur­ construction of Nord Stream 2 deserve to rent sanctions against the Russian face sanctions, would instead “cite U.S. The following statement was released by Stalin’s soviet henchmen in 1944. Federation and its proxies, or from contin­ national interests,” and waive the applica­ the Ukrainian Congress Committee of The Sürgün (violent expulsion in ued military, political and economic sup­ tion of sanctions against the company America on May 18. Turkish) in May of 1944 was a purposeful port of Ukraine by the United States, would behind the project – Nord Stream 2 AG and action of the USSR’s antihuman communist entail terrifying consequences for Ukraine, its CEO Matthias Warnig – we must ask of This May 18, the Ukrainian Congress regime to rid the Crimean Peninsula of its our European partners and the global geo- this administration: Why is the United Committee of America (UCCA), the repre­ approximately 238,000 indigenous people, political security structure.” States not doing all it can to prevent sentative organization of nearly 2 million the Qirim Tatar Millet. The Crimean Tatars UCCA was therefore heartened to hear Russian President Vladimir Putin from Americans of Ukrainian descent, joins with were forcibly deported to other parts of the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at his accomplishing one of his biggest priori­ the Ukrainian World Congress, the world­ USSR, with no right to return until 1989. Senate confirmation hearing in January ties? wide assembly of Ukrainian organizations Finally, in 1991, the Qurultay of the Crimean speak unequivocally about stopping the Nord Stream 2 is a geopolitical scheme representing over 20 million people; the Tatar People convened in Crimea for only Nord Stream 2 pipeline. designed to provide Mr. Putin’s Russia with Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people; and the the second gathering in a century. “I’m determined to do whatever I can to additional malign influence on the U.S.’s government of Ukraine; to pause in a Twenty-three years later, Vladimir Putin prevent that completion,” Mr. Blinken said, European allies and partners. Instead of moment of remembrance for the innocent staged Russia’s military invasion and cur­ adding that U.S. President Joe Biden “would victims of the crime of genocide committed have us use every persuasive tool that we (Continued on page 12) against the Crimean Tatar people by Josef (Continued on page 12)

Sen. Portman opposes Biden administration decision not to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 holding company and CEO

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), co-chair and its CEO, Mattias Warnig. under U.S. law. In addition, the State pressure on Ukraine, we need to stand of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and member Department is on record saying that the with our ally and follow our own laws – of the Senate Foreign Relations “I am opposed to the Biden administra­ Biden administration believes the pipeline which call for sanctions, not waivers. The Subcommittee on European and Regional tion’s decision to waive the congressional­ is a bad idea, will hurt Europe, and is Biden administration must explain how Security Cooperation, issued the following ly-mandated sanctions against Nord against our U.S. national interests. I, and they will offset the negative strategic statement after Congress received the man- Stream 2 AG. This choice is contrary to our my bipartisan colleagues in Congress, see impacts of this policy to ensure security of datory report from the State Department national interests, and at an especially vol­ this project for what it really is – an our European partners and allies. It is concerning sanctionable activities by build- atile period, helps Russia while hurting attempt by Russia to gain control over its clear from this decision that it is time to ers of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The Ukraine and our European Union allies. European neighbors through the region’s support a NATO Membership Action Plan Biden administration has announced that it “There is clear and convincing evidence energy supply. for Ukraine.” will cite U.S. national security interests and that Nord Stream 2 AG and CEO Mattias “At a time when [Russian] President waive congressionally-imposed sanctions Warnig are committing sanctionable acts [Vladimir] Putin continues to place unre­ Source: The office of U.S. Sen. Rob on the Nord Stream 2 AG holding company and should be subject to these sanctions mitting military, political, and economic Portman. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 No. 21

OCU responds to attempts by Moscow Patriarchate to destabilize Ukraine

by Matthew Dubas law that forces the UOC-MP to change its name to more accurately reflect its subordi­ PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The Orthodox Church nation to the ROC. of Ukraine has made efforts recently to Additional external pressure has been counter an information campaign run by put on the OCU from Russia-friendly Serbia, the Moscow Patriarchate that seeks to dis­ where Bishop Irenaus (Bluovic) of the credit Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s Serbian Orthodox Church has called on upcoming visit to Ukraine in August to cele­ Patriarch Bartholomew to convene a pan- brate the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s Orthodox council to resolve the issue of the renewed independence on August 24. canonical status of the OCU. The move Moscow has claimed that the patriarch’s came after Serbia and Russia refused to visit to Ukraine would deepen the schism attend a 2016 pan-Orthodox Council in between the Russian Orthodox Church Crete, a meeting that was at least 50 years (ROC) and the Ecumenical Patriarchate as in the making. well as between the ROC and the Orthodox In response to the Serbian bishop’s com­ Church of Ukraine (OCU), following the ments, Archbishop Yevstratiy (Zorya), OCU being granted autocephaly by the spokesman for the OCU, on May 6 wrote on Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2019. his Facebook page: “The scandalous state­ Before the Tomos of Autocephaly was ment of Bishop Irenaeus (Bulovic) of Backa, Pomisna.info presented to the OCU, the decision of the hierarch of the Serbian Patriarchate, Unification Council of 2018 united the Metropolitan Epifaniy (right), head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, exchanges a regarding the proposals of the Ecumenical fist bump with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Ukraine on Patriarch to ‘withdraw’ the autocephaly of Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriar­ May 6. chate, the Ukrainian Autocephalous the OCU, as a prerequisite for the ‘powerful growth’ of the Patriarch’s authority in the Orthodox Church and some priests and Diocese of the UOC-MP) in Crimea to rally tional support for Ukraine, increasing pres­ world, is not really his personal opinion but bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church- Soviet nostalgia and to paint the OCU as an sure using economic sanctions aimed at originates from Moscow. Moscow Patriarchate to create the Ortho­ external threat within Russia’s “near further restricting Russia’s actions and “Just as the ‘Amman meeting’ was dox Church of Ukraine under Metropolitan abroad.” restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity, inspired by Moscow and continues to fuel Epifaniy, who was elected following the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s according to a May 6 report from the news this stillborn initiative, it also directly or decision of the Unification Council. visit to Ukraine on May 6 also sparked out­ site Pomisna.info. indirectly nurtured the statement of the The Moscow Patriarchate has issued rage from Bishop Viktor (Kotsaba) of the On December 11, 2020, Valentin Lukya­ Bishop of Backa in order to demonstrate reports of “persecution” and “oppression” UOC-MP, who on May 6, via his Telegram nik’s “All-Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood the direction of its own aspirations. of the UOC-MP, placing blame on the OCU. channel, said Secretary Blinken’s call to of the Holy Archangel of God Michael” “However, both the face of the hierarch It has also sought to create unrest following “remove obstacles” was a command for the attempted to pass off as representative of and the content of the statement are cho­ a pattern of behavior witnessed in OCU to seize more UOC-MP churches, esca­ the UOC-MP the actions of brotherhood sen such that they can only cause irritation Montenegro. The provocations have includ­ lating civil tensions and religious confron­ members who burned an effigy of Patriarch on the Phanar. ed staged rallies, religious marches and tations. Bartholomew on Sophia Square that same “It is well known that it was Bishop hoax “attacks” on Russian church parishio­ Bishop Viktor also criticized the move to day. Irenaeus (Bulovic) who actively tried to dis­ ners to create a pretext for public outrage prevent UOC-MP chaplains from serving in However, Metropolitan Onufriy of the rupt the participation of the Serbian Church against the OCU. Moscow, in an effort to the armed forces of Ukraine, per a May 8 UOC-MP issued a letter on January 28 that in the Pan-Orthodox Council of 2016. subvert the OCU, has relied on representa­ report by the Religious Information Service refuted Mr. Lukyanik’s, writing that, “We Perhaps among the various hierarchs of tives of the “Kyiv Patriarchate,” which was of Ukraine (https://risu.ua/en/uoc-mp- remind you that V. Lukyanik and the All- local churches, the attitude towards him in abolished with the creation of the OCU, said-that-the-visit-of-the-us-secretary-of- Ukrainian Orthodox Brotherhood have Constantinople in terms of diplomatic rejec­ according to an April 24 report by the news state-will-lead-to-a-new-wave-of-seizures- nothing to do with the [Ukrainian Orthodox tion can only be compared with the chief of agency Unian (www.unian.info/society/ of-their-churches_n118368). Church-Moscow Patriarchate] and do not ‘diplomacy’ of the Russian Orthodox orthodoxy-moscow-patriarchate-plotting- Mr. Blinken met with Metropolitan have our blessing for their activities… Church, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev). to-hinder-bartholomew-s-visit-to- Epifaniy at St. Michael the Golden-Domed Lukyanik’s behavior testifies that he is a “The very content of the statement with ukraine-11404468.html). Cathedral in Kyiv on May 6, where the met­ provocateur and a swindler who misleads the proposal to ‘withdraw recognition’ of Moscow has increased its efforts to ropolitan thanked the U.S. for supporting believers.” the OCU is generally absurd. Equally, he destabilize the OCU after the Ukrainian gov­ Ukraine’s effort to fight against Russia’s lat­ Moscow has also sought to influence the could have immediately called on the ernment shut down media outlets affiliated est aggressive military escalation along its proposed renaming of the UOC-MP to the Patriarch to transfer the title of ‘Ecume­ with Viktor Medvedchuk, who was recently land and maritime borders. Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. nical’ and the Primacy to the Primate of the accused of treason by Ukraine’s prosecu­ The Russian military continues to pose a Representatives of the UOC-MP delivered Russian Orthodox Church. This would be tor-general for working in Russia’s inter­ threat to Ukraine, where human rights vio­ an appeal to President Volodymyr Zelen­ the practical consequence of implementing ests in Ukraine. More recent provocations lations on Ukrainian territory in Russia- skyy that was reportedly signed by more the extravagant appeal of the Bishop of were reported in Russia-occupied Crimea occupied Crimea and the Donbas have con­ than 1 million citizens of Ukraine that Backa. following the May 9 Victory Day holiday tinued. The OCU leader stressed the role denounced what it said was the persecu­ that is used by the ROC (and the Crimean the U.S. can play in consolidating interna­ tion of the UOC-MP, and called to repeal the (Continued on page 15)

The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: April 2021 Amount Name City State Nebesny Michael & Stefana Clinton IN Krupa Borys Unionville CT $200.00 Kushnir Andrei & Raissa Bethesda MD Sopinka Iris Etobicoke ON Makar Michael Shoreham NY $160.00 Stecura Stephan Parma OH $20.00 Balko William Denville NJ Mysyshyn Maryann Springfield MA $120.00 Jakubowycz Alexander Brecksville OH Bohdan Michael Cranford NJ Samotowka Michael Jacksonville FL Dytiuk John Wethersfield CT $105.00 Chubaty Andrew Lawrenceville GA $10.00 Cybyk Martha Toms River NJ Geba Vera South Easton MA Kopystynsky Anna Norridge IL $100.00 Baltarowich Lydia Warren MI Klachko Luba Mendham NJ Kosonocky Anna Whippany NJ Pereyma Marta Arlington VA Krawczuk Anna Holmdel NJ Lasowsky Zorian Germantown WI Sydoriak Ihor Upper Montclair NJ Kulas Myron La Grange IL Vitvitsky Bohdan Summit NJ Luciw Wolodymyr Reading PA Leskiw Maria Philadelphia PA Mohuchy Wolodymyr Nutley NJ $70.00 Sowa Bohdan Branford CT Mutlos George Hollandale Beach FL Yaremko Mary Cape Girardeau MO O’hara Michael & Roma Long Island City NY Mykyta Roman Eatontown NJ Slysh Roman Raleigh NC $50.00 Ariza Olga Naples FL Poliszczuk Orest Ellicott City MD Zyruk Hanna Wilmington DE Derhak Martha W Hartford CT Prynada Christine Gaithersburg MD $5.00 Korkatsch-Groszko Dr Maria Glen Ellyn IL Drozd Taras Chicago IL Sich Dmytro Gaithersburg MD Kupiak David Herkimer NY Holowinsky-Chen Mary Belle Mead NJ Sokil Alexis Merion PA Lushniak Boris Rockville MD Staruch Theophil Springfield VA TOTAL: $2,345.00 Milstead Marlene Rock Hill SC Sydorak Oksana Hillsborough CA Perun Stefan Dundock MD Woloshyn Marion Whiting NJ Romankow Daria Berkeley Heights NJ Zachar Zenon West Bloomfield MI Sincere thanks to all contributors Trusewych Maria Downers Grove IL Zwarun Andrij Austin TX to The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund. $40.00 Hayda Roma Providence RI $15.00 Brenycz Ewhen Whitehouse Sta NJ $30.00 Balynsky Christine Monroe NJ Giffler Lydia Arlington VA The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund is the only $25.00 Bilynsky Mariya & Ihor Lehighton PA Gluch Petro Ivan W Hartford CT fund dedicated exclusively to supporting Kobryn Atanas North Port FL Huk George Montville NJ the work of this publication. No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 5 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 No. 21

COMMENTARY The Ukrainian Weekly A noteworthy investment Archbishop Daniel released from the hospital, in our community expresses gratitude for prayers and support A story on page 9 of this week’s issue of The Ukrainian Weekly provides yet My Dear Clergy, Brothers and Sisters, who treated him so thoroughly and suc­ another example of the amazing work that members of our Ukrainian diaspora Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! cessfully. Further, he expresses most sin­ continue to take on despite the difficult circumstances surrounding the ongoing Nearly a week ago, I asked you all to cere gratitude to all of you who not only COVID-19 pandemic. keep our God-loving Archbishop Daniel in prayed for him but reached out to him in The New York Branch of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization recently kicked your prayers over the following days many ways to express your love and sup­ off a $1.5 million renovation of its headquarters building (“domivka”) in the heart because he had been hospitalized with port during this difficult time. Although of the Ukrainian Village in Manhattan. That’s right - $1.5 million. It’s a massive severe pain in his abdomen. His Eminence he was heavily sedated during most of his investment. And while raising that amount of money is certainly an ambitious and had similar issues shortly after his arrival hospitalization, he certainly felt that love, noteworthy feat, it is telling that more than $700,000 has already been raised for in the United States of America nearly 25 support and especially your prayers the effort. years ago, when he developed serious expressing such to me during my visits While there is still a lot of work to be done to finish raising the funds needed to stomach pains because of the complete with him. complete the project, raising that amount of money is yet another example that, change of diet that he experienced at the I personally thank you all for your sup­ time. It seems that this condition has once port, your concern and your love exhibit­ even 30 years after Ukraine has become an independent nation, our diaspora is again occurred and had a serious effect on ed during this difficult week. May our still willing to support various Ukrainian causes and organizations. And it is a organs beyond just the stomach. The Loving Lord bless you and always enable great cause. The renovation includes a complete gutting of the building. wonderful medical professionals at St. your compassion to be manifested for all The renovation will include a major clean-up of the building. Historic docu­ Barnabas-Robert Wood Johnson who need it throughout your lives. May ments and other valuable materials will be archived, the walls will be reconstruct­ University Hospital in Somerville, N.J., the Grace of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, ed, an old elevator and shaft which were no longer functioning will be repurposed extended an incredible effort in quickly the Love of God the Father and the for more meeting rooms and the entire building will be equipped with 21st-centu­ diagnosing the problem and treating it Communion of the Holy Spirit be with ry technology, including a new HVAC system, as well as enhanced security and aggressively over the past week. you all. You are in my prayers daily. safety systems. Archbishop Daniel is discharged from The old domivka was also very cramped for Plast scouts and their families. the hospital today (May 12) and is recu­ + Antony, Metropolitan Many had to meet in different locations, and family members often had to wait in perating comfortably. He expresses his of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church cramped corridors for weekly meetings to conclude. As a result of the renovation, profound gratitude to the hospital staff of the U.S.A. and the Diaspora the number of meeting rooms will be increased from 8 to 15, and a café and two welcome centers (one on each floor), where guests can wait comfortably, will also be included. It is no small feat to raise $1.5 million for a community cause precisely at a time when many organizations are struggling as a result of the ongoing pandemic. Putin repeating Stalin’s deportation Getting even half way to that amount during the pandemic says a lot about the leadership of the Plast New York Branch and the community that has come togeth­ of Crimean Tatars in slow motion er to support the cause. As the story illustrates, the domivka, located on the cor­ by Paul Goble either within a secure and independent ner of 9th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan, has a long history and has Ukraine or self-standing among the coun­ undergone previous iterations, notably as a pool hall and earlier as a theater when Seventy-seven years ago on May 18, tries of the world. it was built in 1904. Stalin deported the Crimean Tatars from Across Crimea and despite the opposi­ We encourage our readers to help support the cause in any way they can. For their homeland in dramatic fashion, and tion of the illegal Russian occupiers, those who would like additional information about the project or who would like every year since Crimean Tatars have Crimean Tatars took part in a flash mob in to see detailed plans with room layouts, they can visit the website www.plastnyc. marked this anniversary. Now, Russian which they came out of their homes hold­ org. Donations to the renovation project can be made online at http://www.plast­ President Vladimir Putin is repeating ing signs recalling Russia’s annexation of nyc.org/renovation, or by check payable to Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization Stalin’s crime but in slow motion, raising Crimea in 1783, Stalin’s deportation in U.S.A. and sent to the following address: Lida Nolan, treasurer, 848 South Long the question of what the anniversary of 1944, and Mr. Putin’s Anschluss of their Beach Ave., Freeport, NY, 11520. his actions will be. homeland in 2014. But on this anniversary, the first since Others held up homemade signs declar­ the easing of the pandemic, Crimean ing, “No to the deportation of the Crimean Tatars both in the homeland and abroad Tatars into the Prisons of the Russian have stressed the commonality of the Federation,” “Rehabilitation is on paper May actions of Stalin and Mr. Putin and but prison is in practice” and “May 18 Turning the pages back... appealed for support from the interna­ (1944) continues to this day.” tional community. Ukrainian officials issued statements in 28 Fifty years ago, on May 28, 1971, Archbishop-Major Josyf They and their supporters have support and opened a photo exhibition on Cardinal Slipyj was set to arrive in Toronto, but was denied a per­ expressed confidence that what Stalin the deportation. Turkey, the EU and other 1971 mit by the Vatican. Reports of the Vatican refusal began to appear could not do, erase the Crimean Tatars countries also issued declarations on this nearly a week before the scheduled visit, and the story was car­ from history, Mr. Putin will not be able to date in support of the Crimean Tatars. ried by numerous newspapers in the U.S. and Canada. do either and that the day is not far off The statement of the Turkish foreign when there will be a Crimean Tatar state Msgr. Ivan Choma, the Cardinal’s personal secretary, made an affairs ministry is particularly noteworthy. official confirmation of the reports to the Associated Press, noting, “He was a prisoner in It not only condemned the 1944 deporta­ the Soviet Union [1945-1963] and seems to end up being one in the Vatican too.” Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on tion of the Crimean Tatars but also called Cardinal Slipyj was scheduled to give a series of sermons on May 31 through June 4 at a ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia. attention to the fate of the descendants of spiritual retreat for Ukrainian Catholic priests, as well as preside over a Ukrainian Catholic The article above is reprinted with permis- Caucasian peoples whose lands were congress in Canada in early July. It was also expected that the archbishop-major would sion from his blog called “Window on occupied 150 years ago by tsarist Russia convene an Archepiscopal Synod in June. In the U.S., he was expected to visit the Eurasia” (http://windowoneurasia2. and who like the Crimean Tatars were Archeparchy of Philadelphia. blogspot.com/). expelled from their homelands. Conflict between Cardinal Slipyj and the Vatican escalated when Msgr. John Stock and Basil Losten were named auxiliary bishops to Archbishop-Metropolitan Ambrose Senyshyn of Philadelphia over the head of Cardinal Slipyj. The archbishop-major suggest­ off judges. ed that the consecration of the bishops-elect should be postponed until after a convoca­ Zelenskyy... Despite years of prodding by the United tion of the Synod. The consecration went ahead on May 25 at Immaculate Conception (Continued from page 1) States and Europe, Ukraine’s leaders have Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Philadelphia. The Vatican’s refusal to grant a travel permit failed to challenge the tycoons. sparked demonstrations in Washington, Philadelphia and other centers of the Ukrainian of wealth following the collapse of the Mr. Zelenskyy said previous leaders con­ diaspora in the U.S. The protests were organized by the Society for the Promotion of the Soviet Union. sidered their existence “as a natural and Patriarchal System for the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Ad Hoc Student Committee During the 1990s and early 2000s, the profitable state of affairs that brought with for the Self-Governing Ukrainian Catholic Church. nation’s largest manufacturing and extrac­ it the promise of stability.” The move by the Vatican was seen by lay sources in the U.S. as an indication of the tion industries fell into the hands of a few Vatican’s attempt to smooth the way for better relations with the Soviet Union. Cardinal individuals like Mr. Kolomoisky, who Copyright 2021, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted Slipyj made his first visit to the U.S. and Canada in 1968. Hundreds of protests and peti­ transformed that wealth into outsized with the permission of Radio Free tions were sent to the Vatican to ask for reconsideration of its decision to bar the political influence that they continue to Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ukrainian prelate’s visit. exercise to this day. Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; www. The tycoons often block reforms that rferl.org (see https://www.rferl.org/a/ Source: “Vatican bars Archbishop-Major from Canada, U.S. visit,” The Ukrainian Weekly, would benefit Ukraine’s economy at the zelenskiy-oligarchs-medvedchuk/312624 June 5, 1971. expense of their personal fortunes and buy 32.html). No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 7

COMMENTARY Ukraine moves to abolish ‘free economic zone’ God broke the mold with Bishop Basil Losten with Russian-occupied Crimea by Askold S. Lozynskyj floor communicating personally with the average person. I have witnessed and expe­ carry out business with the Russian occu­ by Halya Coynash Fifty years ago, I was in the city of rienced his personal involvement in seem­ piers and, therefore, against Ukraine’s Kharkiv Human Rights Philadelphia on the other side of the fence ingly mundane matters because he recog­ interests. Protection Group of a special ceremony at the Ukrainian nizes that all matters, save one’s relation­ Mr. Umerov stressed that there are posi­ Catholic Cathedral there: the elevation of ship with God, are mundane essentially, but Three draft bills have been tabled in tive aspects to the law on a free economic two relatively young Ukrainian priests to often seem crucial to the average person. Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada to abolish the zone, and they are proposing that these be bishops. I did not know the two men, but I While his appointment was decried by so-called ‘Crimea’ Free Economic Zone that continued via other laws. They include the was opposed to their elevation because I ardent proponents of the Patriarchate of has, since 2014, discriminated against procedure for crossing the administrative felt, as did many others particularly of the the Ukrainian Catholic Church such as Ukrainians from Crimea while also provid­ border between occupied territory and patriarchate persuasion, that their designa­ myself, Bishop Basil (Losten) has worked ing mechanisms for collaboration with the government-controlled territory and some tion should have been made by the tirelessly in that regard with top officials of Russian occupation regime. Critics of the provisions regarding taxes. Patriarch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church the Church in Kyiv and Rome. There is no law, like prominent Crimean journalist The three bills tabled so far are No. at the time, Cardinal Josef Slipyj, and not one more pro-Ukrainian Catholic as a dis­ Valentina Samar, are convinced that the 5501 on amendments regarding taxes and the Pope. I still believe that but I have got­ tinct beautiful entity. Similarly, his ecumen­ law was pushed through to serve big busi­ excise; No. 5502 on cancelling the law on ten to know at least one of the men quite ism is unparalleled. He insists on a special ness, and it seems very likely that moves to creating the free economic zone and mak­ well. In fact, after only several years I work ethic with the Ukrainian Orthodox. remove it will encounter stiff resistance. ing relevant amendments to legislation; acknowledged that no better choice for the One of his closest friends was Bishop Vse­ The bills were registered on May18, the and No. 5503 on amendments to the Ukrainian people could have been made by volod (Majdanski) of the Ukrainian anniversary of the 1944 deportation of the Customs Code in connection with the abo­ the Ukrainian patriarch himself. Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. Perhaps few Crimean Tatar people and a day that for lition of the free zone. The man I’m referring to is Basil Losten. remember that Bishop Basil (Losten) initi­ very many Crimean Tatars is now associat­ The working group on these bills and He is the most devoted and selfless clergy­ ated the annual observances of the Holodo­ ed with the repression unleashed since others is made up of 17 central authorities, man I have ever known (sorry, Bishop Paul, mor at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York Russia’s invasion in 2014. The timing was including three ministries, the Tax you are up there but with some way to go, City in the early 1990s. That annual com­ quite deliberate, with Rustem Umerov, co- Administration and the president’s repre­ though you are still young). I am unable to memoration is still going strong today. And head of the inter-factional Crimean sentative office on Crimea, as well as civic comment upon Bishop Basil’s profound Bishop Basil insisted that the observances Platform and one of the bills’ authors, say­ organizations. A second major package of thoughts or deep prayers. I have never include the Ukrainian Orthodox, despite ing that Ukraine had thus taken an impor­ draft bills is planned for August 18, six days been with him at a retreat. Our active inter­ reluctance to his insistence from various tant step toward de-occupation and reinte­ before the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s action has been within the community with corners. gration of Crimea. He stressed that the independence. much personal contact. My adjudication Community events and observances three draft bills are the first part of the It is very much hoped that there is now and highest praise are predicated on his were not only endorsed and participated in Crimean Platform’s package of legislation. the will to change a law that should never interaction with people, his flock and oth­ but actually initiated by him. I have been to There has been protest since the law “On have been passed. It was only through a ers in general. He is the most people-ori­ meetings with the bishop where he was an creating a free economic zone for Crimea civic initiative by Crimean Tatar leaders ented of any clergyman I have ever known, obstacle to closing debate until such time and on the specific features of economic and various civic organizations that first and he is a sincere Ukrainian patriot. as a resolution had been reached. Naturally activity on temporarily occupied Ukrainian the flow of goods between mainland He is devoted to his flock. I have seen he abused his position since no one had the territory” was adopted in August 2014 and Ukraine and occupied Crimea, and then the him missing from the dais at events honor­ courage to call the question on him. The then came into force on September 27 of supply of electricity, were seriously imped­ ing him because he was out there on the result, however, was better than expected that year. The bill established a so-called ed. On September 20, 2015, a civic block­ in almost all cases. This abuse of his posi­ ‘free economic zone’ for 10 years; however, ade began at all three crossings into occu­ tion as presiding chairman or even simply Askold S. Lozynskyj is an attorney at law there have been persistent demands from pied Crimea (Chonhar, Chaplinka and an adviser with no vote was in fact availing based in New York City who served as presi- Ukrainians forced by Russia from their Kalanchak) with these blocked to trucks, himself of the power of his position and dent of the Ukrainian World Congress in homes, from the Mejlis, or representative although cars and individuals on foot were 1998-2008. (Continued on page 14) assembly, of the Crimean Tatar people; and allowed through. Mustafa Dzhemiliev, from human rights groups for abolition of Crimean Tatar leader and the then-presi­ the law. dent’s representative on Crimean Tatar LETTER TO THE EDITOR Key objections were cited by Mr. Umerov affairs, was present and stressed that the in his explanation of why the law as it now situation was unheard of where a country stands violates human rights. The law is whose territory has been occupied by an legality of the Crimean takeover (which discriminatory since Ukrainians with aggressor state continued to provide the A green light occurred after former U.S. President Barack Crimean registration who fled to mainland occupied territory with food, electricity, Obama gave Mr. Putin the “green light” by Ukraine are legally treated as foreign etc. There is no excuse for trade, he said, on Nord Stream 2 assuring Mr. Putin that the American response to his takeover would not be mili­ nationals. They have more restricted access which enables both the occupation regime Dear Editor: to bank services and have to pay inheritance and Ukrainian oligarchs to act as though tary. This “green light” came during the tax as though they were foreign nationals. nothing had happened. One might think that U.S. President Joe infamous 90-minute telephone call The law does not aid Ukrainian busi­ The same surely applies to the law on a Biden’s green light to Russian President between Messrs. Putin and Obama). nesses, but rather creates opportunities for free economic zone. An extremely impor­ Vladimir Putin to complete the Nord Jaroslaw Sawka shady schemes for collaborating with the tant addition in the bills now in parliament Stream 2 pipeline is a result of the recent Sterling Heights, Mich. occupation regime. For this reason, Mr. is a proposed ban on water supplies to computer terror against Colonial Pipeline. Umerov is convinced that abolition of the Crimea until its de-occupation, as well as a This cost a historical (and hysterical) gaso­ law will defend Ukraine’s national inter­ ban on trading with occupied territories. line shortage on the east coast of the GUIDELINES FOR LETTERS ests. Ukraine cannot continue asking other United States. It is reported that Colonial The new laws will invalidate licenses countries to prohibit their companies from Pipeline paid nearly $5 million worth of TO THE EDITOR and special permits issued before occupa­ doing business with the Russian occupiers bitcoin to recover its data. The spin is that The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters tion. At present such licenses are valid, if a Ukrainian law provides glaring loop­ the culprits are “Russian hackers” not Mr. to the editor that react to articles published with this effectively enabling people to holes for just such collaboration. Putin – certain “evil” propagandists, the on its pages. Opinions expressed by letter gullible and the useful idiots will believe writers are their own and do not neces- and push this scenario. Another cynical sarily reflect the opinions of either The view will distract by stating that this was a Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the with the goal of meeting Mr. Putin remains quid pro quo exchange of a pipeline for a Ukrainian National Association. Letters must be signed (anonymous let- Outreach... pipeline with the $5 million money transfer an unanswered question. ters are not published) and the city from (Continued from page 2) Not a word was said publicly during U.S. a mere cover for the billions that the Nord which they are sent will be published under Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Kyiv Stream 2 pipeline will enrich Mr. Putin and the author’s name. However, the daytime However, Mr. Yermak’s assessment of the visit (May 6) about a possible Zelenskyy- the Germans. phone number, e-mail address and com- military situation in this case contradicted Putin meeting. The Ukrainian Presidential However, it should be noted that Mr. plete mailing address of the letter-writer Mr. Zelenskyy’s. The president had just Office is bereft of necessary U.S. mentoring. Biden gave Mr. Putin the “green light” to must be given for verification purposes. declared, during the “Ukraine 30” Security Meanwhile, Mr. Yermak is handling both resume his pipeline as soon as he came THE LENGTH OF LETTERS CAN- Forum, that there was a “significant reduc­ the Russia and the U.S. track at the same into the White House, undoing many of for­ NOT EXCEED 250 WORDS. Letters may be edited or abridged. The Weekly reserves tion in the number of cases of firing against time – a problematic arrangement. mer U.S. President Donald Trump’s posi­ Ukrainian troops” (Ukrinform, May 11) – tions. Mr. Putin started rebuilding the pipe­ the right to edit for clarity, civility and accuracy. an assessment that concurs with the daily The article above is reprinted from line as soon as Mr. Biden came in to office. Letters should be sent to staff@ military communiques this month, thus far. Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Mr. Biden made tough, loud speeches ukrweekly.com or to The Ukrainian How Mr. Zelenskyy’s crackdown on Mr. its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, (impressing many gullible and useful idi­ Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Medvedchuk’s clan could be consistent www.jamestown.org. ots) about how he will never recognize the Parsippany, NJ 07054. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 No. 21 No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 9

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE

Olga Kovalenko/Bodnar Architecture, PC An artist’s rendering shows a planned meeting room (left) and a common area (right) that will be part of the renovated domivka building. Plast in New York City kicks off $1.5 million renovation of its branch building

by Talia Danysh numbers,” Ms. Zielyk said. But during meet, relax and enjoy a beverage or light “Our domivka is more than just Plast; it’s weekly meetings, “the building explodes snack at the new café. a part of our community life,” said senior GREENWICH, Conn. – Faced with the with children.” The cost of the renovation is estimated scout Sofika Zielyk. challenge of operating in a structure origi­ In an effort to address the situation and to be $1.5 million. As part of the initial Plast in New York City nally built to house a theater more than a to ensure there is space for the organiza­ planning for the project, the Plast New York century ago, the New York Branch of Plast tion as it grows, the New York Branch of Branch secured competitive construction That particular community of Plast in Ukrainian Scouting Organization recently Plast decided it was time to renovate the bids from four companies. The leadership New York City began after World War II, in kicked off a $1.5 million renovation of its historic building. Many long-time mem­ of the Plast New York Branch said that the the late 1940s and early 1950s, when thou­ headquarters building (“domivka”) in the bers of the branch said the situation had project estimate is based on firm costs for sands of Ukrainians traveled to the U.S. heart of the Ukrainian Village in Manhattan. become critical. architectural, engineering, construction Those who settled in New York City imme­ While the beloved domivka continues to “Without our domivka I’m not sure Plast and design services along with acquisition diately began to renew Ukrainian organiza­ host Plast scouts and their families, it has [in New York City] would still exist,” said of new furniture, electronics, security fea­ tions which existed in Ukraine and in dis­ grown weary. Its age and constant use are branch member Ihor Dekajlo. It became tures, lighting, etc. placed persons camps in Germany, among evident in inadequate rooms, deteriorating increasingly evident that “we must have an Initial steps have already been taken to them Plast. infrastructure, outdated systems and tech­ updated place,” Mr. Dekajlo said. clean and empty the building. Its interior The New York City Branch was estab­ nology, inefficient use of space and short­ As a result, the Plast New York Branch has been gutted; only studs remain. lished in 1949. Although members formed falls in meeting current building codes. leadership decided to begin a major over­ More than half of the total $1.5 million a branch, they did not yet have a building to Additionally, given the large member­ haul of the interior of the domivka. Plans needed to finish the renovation has already call their own. At the start of the 1950s, ship of the New York Branch of Plast, the include an industrial clean-up of the entire been raised. Many members of the branch branch leadership rented space in the cur­ domivka cannot accommodate all of its building, archiving valuable documents, have said they are excited by the prospect rent domivka building, located at the cor­ members during weekly meetings. For the wall reconstruction, the appropriation of a of having a newly renovated building. ner of 9th Street and Second Avenue in past several years, older scouts have non-functioning elevator shaft space for “I’m convinced this renovated domivka Manhattan. attended meetings separately and in differ­ more meeting rooms and outfitting the will attract more children and families to Originally built as a theater in 1904, the ent locations. Those parents whose chil­ entire building with 21st-century technolo­ Plast in New York City,” said Iryna building was turned into a commercial dren do meet in the domivka are often gy. The renovation will also include a new Hryhorowych, a senior Plast scout and space in 1928. It housed businesses, a forced to stand in very crowded rooms and HVAC system along with security and safe­ long-time member of the branch. dance studio and even a billiard parlor. In hallways while they wait for their children ty upgrades. As news of the renovation project spread 1954, a Ukrainian couple, Wolodymyr and to finish their weekly activities. Meeting rooms will be increased from 8 through the community here, many adult Olha Darmochwal, opened the restaurant “A renovated domivka is a must – for to 15 to enable all scouts to gather in the members of the New York Branch of Plast Veselka on the ground floor. meetings, events and for enhancing our domivka rather than being scattered in dif­ reflected on the time they spent as children Recognizing the need for a permanent community,” said Natalia Sonevytsky, a ferent locations. Additionally, parents and in the building. Other members noted the home, the leadership of the New York senior member of Plast and a member of guests will benefit from two welcome cen­ important role that both Plast and the the New York Branch. ters (one on each floor), where they can domivka have played in their lives. (Continued on page 14) Laryssa Zielyk, another long-time mem­ ber of the branch, said Plast’s success in New York City has come with the challenge of finding spots in the building where everyone can meet. “Domivka continues to embrace large

Talia Danysh The inside of the domivka has been gut- ted and currently only the studs remain. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 No. 21

with trying to bribe a witness into giving tial Russian-leaning party. The party’s most annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in NEWSBRIEFS false testimony. Mr. Tupytsky denied the prominent official, Viktor Medvedchuk, March 2014 and backed separatists in two (Continued from page 2) charges. The pressure on Mr. Tupytsky fol­ made his first appearance in a Kyiv court of its eastern provinces, sparking a war that lowed on the heels of a decision by the later that day in a separate case on charges has killed more than 13,000 people. Top Ukrainian judge’s home searched Constitutional Court in October 2020 to dis­ of treason. Mr. Tupytsky ignored his March Crimean Tatars, rights activists, and mantle most of the anti-corruption legisla­ dismissal by Mr. Zelenskyy, considering it Western governments say Russia has sub­ Ukrainian investigators have searched tion passed since the overthrow of Kremlin- unconstitutional, but security guards have jected Crimean Tatars and others who the house of Oleksandr Tupytsky, the for­ leaning President Viktor Yanukovych in refused to let him into the court building. opposed annexation to abuse, discrimina­ mer chairman of the Constitutional Court, 2014. Mr. Tupytsky was appointed by Mr. Judges can be dismissed for bad behavior. tion and politically motivated prosecution amid a battle with President Volodymyr Yanukovych to a lifetime tenure on the The Constitutional Court is now effectively on false charges. As Crimean Tatars marked Zelenskyy over control of the country’s court. The Constitutional Court’s ruling chaired by Mr. Tupytsky’s deputy, Serhiy the anniversary of the 1944 deportations, highest court. The State Investigation angered Ukraine’s Western backers, who Holovaty, who is seen as more loyal to Mr. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Bureau carried out the search early on May have provided tens of billions of dollars in Zelenskyy. Mr. Tupytsky told reporters his said in a statement: “We will not forgive 13 after Mr. Tupytsky failed to show up for critical funding to Kyiv on the condition it wife’s car and his mother-in-law’s summer that 70 years [after the deportations] you a bail hearing for the fifth time, citing health implement tough anti-corruption reforms. home were also searched on May 13, but were forced to leave your home again due reasons, Ukrainian media reported. Mr. The case to dismantle the anti-graft infra­ said that nothing had been taken. He called to the Russian annexation.” The Ukrainian Zelenskyy suspended Mr. Tupytsky in structure was brought before Mr. Tupytsky the search unlawful. (RFE/RL, with report­ president added, “And those of you who December and fired him in March after the and the court by lawmakers from the ing by the Kyiv Post) remain [in Crimea] are being persecuted Prosecutor-General’s Office charged him Opposition Platform – For Life, an influen­ Former officials living in state property and imprisoned by the occupation authori­ ties.” Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Ukrainian President Volodymyr Dmytro Kuleba said that Russia “continues Zelenskyy says former officials who served to systemically suppress the Crimean under his predecessors are still living in Tatars.” Russia denies carrying out repres­ elite, state-owned properties on the cheap sions in Crimea, but regularly announces TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 and promised to address the situation. arrests of alleged Islamist or pro-Ukrainian or e-mail [email protected] During a May 14 meeting of the National “terrorists” on the Black Sea peninsula. The Security and Defense Council, Mr. Zelenskyy Crimean Solidarity group said that prayers said he will investigate who lives in over and commemorations of the victims of the SERVICES PROFESSIONALS 100 state-owned recreation houses and cot­ 1944 deportations were held on May 18 in tages in an elite neighborhood outside Kyiv. towns and villages across Crimea, despite The president said former judges, prosecu­ ОКСАНА СТАНЬКО warnings by Russia-imposed authorities Ліцензований продавець tors, ministers and state officials continue to not to hold unsanctioned public events. Страхування Життя live in the homes and cottages on 400 hect­ Commemoration events were also held in OKSANA STANKO ares of land. He said they not only pay low the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Members of the Licensed Life Insurance Agent rent but also get reimbursed for up to 50 mostly Muslim, Turkic-speaking indige­ Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. percent of the cost of renovations. Under nous ethnic group of the Black Sea peninsu­ former President Petro Poroshenko, “the Tel.: 908-872-2192 la were deported en masse during World government legalized the stay on these War II, after Stalin accused them of collabo­ email: [email protected] lands and in these residences, for a very rating with Nazi Germany. Starting on May symbolic fee, for a number of obscure peo­ 18, 1944, some 250,000 people were put ple,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. He also said offi­ on trains – most of them in the space of two ХРИСТИНА БРОДИН cials who served under President Viktor days – and sent to Central Asia. Tens of Ліцензований Продавець Yanukovych, including former Education Страхування Життя thousands died during the journey or after Minister Dmytro Tabachnyk and former they were left on the barren steppe with CHRISTINE BRODYN Health Minister Raisa Bohatyryova, still use Licensed Life Insurance Agent few resources. Crimean Tatars were not state residences. Mr. Yanukovych was top­ Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. allowed to return to Crimea until the late pled in 2014 following street protests, with 1980s, when Mikhail Gorbachev conducted 187 Henshaw Ave. many of his closest advisers and ministers reforms in the years before the disintegra­ Spring eld, NJ 07081 fleeing the country. Officials from Mr. Tel.: 973-376-1347 tion of the Soviet Union. In November Poroshenko’s administration, including for­ 2015, the Ukrainian parliament passed a mer Deputy Prime Minister Hennady law declaring May 18 the Day of Comme­ OPPORTUNITIES Zubko, also live in state-owned homes, Mr. mo ­ration of Victims of the Genocide of the PERSONAL Zelenskyy said. Mr. Poroshenko is Mr. Crimean Tatars. (RFE/RL, with reporting Zelenskyy’s closest political rival, according by AFP, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service and EARN EXTRA INCOME! to recent polls. The two have a tense rela­ Crimea.Realities) tionship and the Zelenskyy administration A 35 y.o. highly educated and good Wooden synagogue unveiled at Babyn Yar looking man wishes to meet a lady The Ukrainian Weekly is looking has launched criminal investigations into for advertising sales agents. the former president and his associates. The Ukraine has unveiled a synagogue on the of Ukrainian descent for a long- For additional information contact term relationship. Please email: announcement appears to be the latest in a site commemorating Babyn Yar, one of the Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, series of populist moves in recent months [email protected] The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. biggest massacres of Jews during World by Mr. Zelenskyy to tackle low-hanging cor­ War II. “The symbolic synagogue is a big ruption in an attempt, analysts say, to boost step toward restoring the memory of all his sagging popularity. Mr. Zelenskyy, who those who died in this place,” Prime defeated Mr. Poroshenko in 2019 with more Minister Denys Shmyhal said during a cere­ than 70 percent of the vote, has seen his mony on May 14. The wooden synagogue, 1152 Route 10 West, Suite N, Randolph, NJ 07869 support dip below 30 percent. However, which is constructed like a pop-up book, is 862-219-5344 Western governments have been pushing decorated with patterns and texts of him to do more to improve the rule of law prayers that recreate the traditional interi­ and corporate governance. (RFE/RL, with ors of ancient synagogues in western reporting by the Kyiv Post) Ukraine. The unveiling coincided with com­ memorations of Ukraine’s inaugural Day of Ukraine denounces persecution of Crimean Tatars Remembrance for Ukrainians who helped Ukrainian officials have marked the 77th save Jews during World War II. About anniversary of the Crimean Tatars’ Stalin- 34,000 Jewish men, women and children era deportations from Crimea to Central were killed at the Babyn Yar ravine on the Asia by denouncing what they called their ongoing persecution by Russia. Russia (Continued on page 11)

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finally begun to speak clearly and forcefully. Finally... Understandably, U.S. support for Ukraine’s (Continued from page 1) fight against the oligarchs is crucial, so Mr. Plast camp ground Zelenskyy has simultaneously pitched his charged with treason, raising the ire of messages in this regard to his constituency Moscow. Under house arrest, he is now in Ukraine and Washington. Vovcha Tropa seeks volunteers forced to follow the news as more and Mr. Zelenskyy has also made his case pub­ more purported secret recordings of his licly in the Atlantic Council’s influential telephone conversations in 2014-2015 Ukraine Alert publication. In a May18 story, with Russian officials and their proxies in titled “De-oligarchizing is the key to occupied areas of eastern Ukraine have Ukraine’s future success,” the Ukrainian been made public. Many of these record­ president made clear his intention to fight ings implicitly implicate Mr. Poroshenko, against an entrenched system in which oli­ with whom Mr. Medvedchuk has had both a garchs control much of the power in Ukraine. political and business relationship. “Since the 1990s,” Mr. Zelenskyy wrote, But two other unsavory oligarchs have “a small handful of Ukrainians have domi­ also been targeted and are feeling the pres­ nated the economic and political life of the sure. Both have made fortunes exploiting country… Ukraine’s unelected elite has Ukraine’s natural resources and economic rigged the system and established a set of potential and have built up considerable rules designed to perpetuate the current Larissa Popel political clout as a result. status quo indefinitely.” Vovcha Tropa’s brand new pool is located just beyond the pavilion. The first is Dmytro Firtash, who made a But, Mr. Zelenskyy stressed, “Two years huge fortune as a corrupt gas middleman on, we are now making progress in the by Larissa Popel “One of our biggest labor initiatives is between Russia and Ukraine. He was quest to transform Ukraine.” Mr. Med­ putting up tents for our campers,” said Orest indicted in 2014 on U.S. federal foreign vechuk has been stopped. “This is just the EAST CHATHAM, N.Y. – After an unprec­ Pencak, head of inventory for OTK at Vovcha bribery charges and he has spent the last beginning. There will be many more such edented yet successful online summer Tropa. “We put up over 60 big tents in all of seven years fighting extradition to stand measures until all of Ukraine’s oligarchs are camp season last year, members of Plast our tabory. As you can imagine, this is quite trial in a Chicago federal courtroom, though cut down to size and reduced to the status Ukrainian Scouting Organization are eager a daunting task that requires a lot of help.” he has nonetheless retained considerable of ordinary big businessmen.” to return to the open air, get reacquainted The work is completed by a small team of business interests in Ukraine. Mr. Zelenskyy has instructed the with sleeping in a tent, and, of course, volunteers. In addition to the set-up, wood­ The second is Rinat Akhmetov, the ener­ National Security and Defense Council reunite with their friends in person once en beams, metal stakes and the tents them­ gy giant, who with his very dubious and (NSDC), the Antimonopoly Committee and again. Campers and counselors returning selves first have to be brought in from stor­ politically ambiguous background from the President’s Office to draft a law on oli­ this year will be greeted by the sight of age and distributed to the respective camps. Donetsk, has for long enjoyed the position garchs. The NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Dani­ Vovcha Tropa campground’s brand new “We usually look to complete this within of Ukraine’s wealthiest oligarch. lov has since announced it has confidential­ pool located just beyond the pavilion. the last few weeks before tabory start,” Mr. Mr. Poroshenko, while president, also ly classified 13 Ukrainians as oligarchs. Summer “tabory,” or camps, will take Pencak said. seems to have colluded for mutual benefit Mr. Zelenskyy is no longer mincing place from July 10-24, and the Vovcha With all the jobs to be done, OTK is look­ with Mr. Akhmetov in dealings concerning words about what is at stake. Tropa Operating Committee (known by the ing for volunteers to help with the labor. the lucrative energy sector. “The example of Mr. Medvedchuk offers Ukrainian acronym OTK) is anticipating Membership in Plast is not a requirement Until recently, Mr. Akhmetov appeared to insights into the substance behind oligarch approximately 200 campers. However, in and friends are welcome as there are jobs be politically untouchable because of his status in today’s Ukraine. If such people are order to prepare for the return of physical for everyone (though volunteers must be wealth and influence. He was said to have deprived of their media resources, denied camps along with counselors, kitchen staff over 21). Volunteers will be contacted by the new president’s ear and backing. But in dubious access to strategic state assets and and more, an ever-growing checklist of jobs e-mail for designated work weekends. recent months, Mr. Zelenskyy’s administra­ stripped of political protection, they become still needs to be completed. Preparing the Special skills are not required, but anyone tion has moved step by step to fight the oli­ toothless and are unable to weaken campground for the summer season takes having experience in carpentry, masonry, garchs, even Mr. Akhmetov. As a result, Mr. Ukraine further,” he wrote in the Atlantic more than 2,500 hours of work that begins electrical work, plumbing, painting, land­ Akhmetov’s golden days of getting away Council story. each year in April. scaping or cleaning should note this in their with playing the system to his personal “This is the purpose behind our policy of The Facilities Committee continuously e-mail. OTK will provide meals throughout financial advantage have been seriously de-oligarchizing. By curtailing the power of updates the list of jobs and prioritizes the the day and equip volunteers with supplies. challenged and are now in question. the oligarchs and preventing them from most critical needs. The list includes hun­ Lodging is available for anyone wishing to Both Messrs. Firtash and Akhmetov are blackmailing the state, we will create a fair­ dreds of tasks – some are as simple as stay overnight, but volunteers should bring clearly feeling the heat from Washington, er Ukraine that is truly competitive on the changing the batteries in smoke detectors, their own sleeping bag. Kyiv, and possibly Brussels, among others. global stage and able to defend its sover­ planting flowers, sweeping out barracks Readers who would like to volunteer can The indicted Mr. Firtash issued a rare state­ eignty effectively,” Mr. Zelenskyy wrote. and cleaning up the kitchen, while other e-mail Irka Pawliczko for more informa­ ment at the end of April denying any “Our goal is to prevent destructive concen­ tasks involve a little more elbow grease. tion: [email protected]. involvement in Rudy Giuliani’s attempts to trations of power and resources, while discredit U.S. President Joe Biden. guaranteeing the equality of all Ukrainian And the very crafty and affluent Mr. citizens before the law.” Qualifiers from May 18 also included Akhmetov has also been seeking to defend Furthermore, Mr. Zelenskyy also made it Norway, Israel, Malta, Lithuania, Cyprus, his image. He took the step recently of talk­ clear that he believes additional steps are NEWSBRIEFS Sweden and Belgium. Countries not advanc­ ing with, remarkably in his case, the U.S.- needed to win the fight against Ukraine’s (Continued from page 10) ing were Romania, Croatia, North funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s oligarchs. Macedonia, Slovenia, Ireland and Australia. Ukrainian Service. During that interview on “There are dozens of reforms required outskirts of Kyiv on September 29-30, The 2020 event was canceled because of the April 3, Mr. Akhmetov maintained that he is to achieve the necessary transformation. 1941, soon after the Nazis occupied the city. COVID-19 pandemic. The Netherlands won a businessman not interested in politics. He These include a fair judiciary, effective In the following months more than 100,000 the 2019 contest, giving it the right to host did not mention his television channel and decentralization, a modern financial sector, people, including Ukrainian nationalists, Roma, Jews and Soviet prisoners of war the succeeding event. The competition fea­ its political influence, nor his record of transparent privatization of state-owned were killed at the site. After World War II, tures contestants performing 39 songs from alignment with pro-Russian political forces. assets and the completion of land reform,” the site was used as a landfill and lagoon. nations across Europe as well as Australia Undoubtedly, the pressure on the Mr. Zelenskyy wrote. The unveiling of the synagogue is part of and Israel. The broadcast is watched live by Zelenskyy administration from the U.S., EU The proverbial die is now cast, and we the recent effort to shed more light on the tens of millions of people around the world, and others has had an impact on the will have to wait to see how this historic massacre. A monument was built on the many of whom will vote remotely on their Ukrainian president’s recent steps to com­ confrontation plays out. One thing, howev­ site in the 1970s, but it was dedicated only favorites. A crowd of 3,500 – tested for the bat corruption in the country. But it is also er, is clear – this is a defining moment of to Soviet victims. Following the fall of the coronavirus before the event – was allowed possible that Mr. Zelenskyy has realized truth for Ukraine. Soviet Union, a sculpture in the shape of a into the Rotterdam arena to watch the per­ that the Kremlin under Mr. Putin is not pre­ Mr. Zelenskyy has remained in a fighting menorah was erected nearby. The Babyn formances live. The second semifinal will pared for reasonable compromises. As a spirit. At his press conference on May 20 he Yar Holocaust Memorial Center, which was include Serbia, Georgia, Moldova, Bulgaria result, there is no point in skirting a fight declared that, “I will bring to an end the behind the effort to install the temporary and Poland. Also included are the Czech with the likes of Mr. Medvechuk. epoch of the oligarchs.” The battle against synagogue, has plans to build a major Republic, Albania, Estonia, Latvia, San Mr. Zelenskyy no longer pretends not to the oligarchs has been launched and there’s memorial at the site. (RFE/RL, based on Marino, Austria, Iceland, Portugal, Finland, see the issue, nor to understand it. He has no going back. reporting by Reuters and AFP) Switzerland and Denmark. Belarus has been excluded from the contest after failing to Ukraine in Eurovision final submit an entry that complied with the Ten of the 16 acts competing in the first nonpolitical nature of the competition. YAROSLAVA TKACHUK, Realtor semifinal in Rotterdam on May 18 advanced Minsk denounced the decision as “political­ to the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest ly motivated.” The European Broadcasting Real estate sale and purchase – including performers from Russia, Union (EBU) said in a March 26 statement in Hunter, NY, and surrounding area. Azerbaijan and Ukraine. A second semifinal that a second entry submitted by the took place on May 20, with 10 of those acts Belarus state broadcasting authority “was also advancing to the May 22 final, which in breach of the rules that ensure the con­ Cell: 518-653-7742 will include automatic qualifiers Italy, test is not instrumentalized or brought into Email: [email protected] France, Germany, Spain and Britain, along disrepute.” (RFE/RL, based on reporting by with the host nation, the Netherlands. AP, Reuters, and AFP) 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 No. 21

Latest Cabinet... (Continued from page 1) idency to be relieved of the post. Zoryana Skaletska and Illya Yemets also previously served in the position. Speaking in parliament, Mr. Shmyhal said the main reason for Mr. Stepanov’s removal was the slow progress with COVID-19 vaccinations and vaccine sup­ plies in Ukraine. Mr. Stepanov blamed “low-ranking polit­ ical forces” for initiating his dismissal. The www.me.gov.ua Holos (Voice) faction in parliament has for Ihor Petrashko submitted his resignation from the post of min- several months called for Mr. Stepanov’s ister of economic development, trade and agriculture. The Francois Walschaerts via RFE/RL resignation. move was approved by Ukraine’s parliament on May 18. Vladyslav Krykliy, the former infrastructure minister. The Cabinet shakeup also included Vladyslav Krykliy, who headed Ukraine’s benefited the country’s transportation sec­ the committee, at its meeting on May 17, were employed this year. We managed to Ministry of Infrastructure for more than a tor. agreed that members of parliament should stop the rise of unemployment,” Mr. Pet­ year and a half. Mr. Krykliy submitted his In a speech before the Rada voted to dis­ decide for themselves whether to remove rashko said. letter of resignation on May 14. Four days miss him, Mr. Stepanov acknowledged that Mr. Stepanov, which they did the following However, members of parliament criti­ later, 284 deputies in parliament voted to the pace of the country’s vaccination efforts day. cized Mr. Petrashko primarily because of accept his resignation. were unsatisfactory, though he also blamed The Batkivshchyna (“Fatherland”) fac­ the state’s regulation of fuel prices, a deteri­ Additionally, Ukraine’s minister of eco­ the issue on people who have refused to tion strongly opposed Mr. Stepanov and its orating investment climate in the country, nomic development, trade, and agriculture, take the vaccine in Ukraine. members left the Rada hall and did not par­ and losses of approximately $692 million at Ihor Petrashko, also submitted his letter of He said that his team did everything ticipate in the vote. Its leader, Yulia Naftogaz. resignation on May 14. The Verkhovna possible to provide vaccines in the country, Tymoshenko, said the move was a “show of On May 17, the Servant of the People Rada approved the resignation on May 18 but he noted that “vaccination failure has protection of the good tsar [referring to Mr. parliamentary faction approved the candi­ with 280 deputies voting to approve the occurred worldwide,” and he characterized Zelenskyy] and destruction of bad boyars dacy of Oleksandr Kubrakov for the post of move. Mr. Petrashko had served in the the global COVID-19 vaccination effort “a [referring to Mr. Stepanov].” infrastructure minister, Oleksiy Lyubchen­ position for 14 months. vignette of force majeure, politics, and out­ In a speech to members of parliament ko for the position of minister of economic Before the vote, Roksolana Pidlasa, dep­ right piracy.” prior to his resignation, Mr. Petrashko development and Viktor Lyashko for the uty chair of the Verkhovna Rada’s economic Prior to the vote that ousted him, Mr. called the stabilization of the economy in post of minister of health. development committee, said that the com­ Stepanov said had a clear plan on how to the conditions of the COVID-19 crisis the The Holos faction said it would not sup­ mittee did not support Mr. Petrashko’s dis­ completely overcome the pandemic and main achievement of his ministry during port the appointment of new ministers of missal. She recommended that the issue be build an effective Ukrainian vaccination the year. health or economy, according to the fac­ decided by a vote of the full Rada. program. “For the first time in history, we have tion’s head, Yaroslav Zheleznyak. Reporting on the resignation of infra­ “Time and your support,” he told mem­ gone through a crisis without drastic “The proposed candidates can be dis­ structure minister, the head of the parlia­ bers of parliament. shocks – in a stable exchange rate environ­ cussed,” Mr. Zheleznyak said. “But, for ment’s transport committee, Yuriy Kisel, Most parliamentary factions and groups, ment and with a simultaneous rise in both example, Viktor Lyashko as deputy health announced the decision to recommend Mr. in turn, sharply criticized Mr. Stepanov’s the minimum and average wages,” Mr. minister is also partly responsible for the Krykliy’s dismissal. He also thanked the tenure. Petrashko said. ministry’s failures in the year of the pan­ minister for cooperating with the commit­ The chairman of parliament’s health “The increase in wages was justified. It demic. The Holos faction, as the opposition, tee and making important decisions that committee, Mykhailo Radutskyy, said that contributed to GDP growth of 0.2 percent will not vote for these appointments.” in annual terms and increased consumer Despite the opposition, the Verkhovna demand,” Mr. Petrashko said, answering Rada voted on May 20 to approve both questions from members of parliament. Messrs. Lyashko and Lyubchenko to the “A new program on partial unemploy­ positions of minister of health and minister ment was initiated. Thus, 500,000 jobs of economic development, trade and agri­ were saved and more than 800,000 people culture, respectively.

support for Ukraine. Instead of issuing UCCA urges... waivers, the United States should be (Continued from page 3) strengthening sanctions and ratcheting up the pressure on Russia to leave Ukrainian standing by Ukraine, these proposed waiv­ territory. The UNA ANNoUNces ers contradict in letter and spirit the intent As a strategic partner of Ukraine, the behind the bipartisan sanctions regime United States should further demonstrate passed by Congress: preventing the com­ leadership among allies by supporting a ScholarShipS and awardS pletion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Membership Action Plan for Ukraine at this for StudentS attending college In light of Defense Department officials summer’s NATO Summit. Following 13 reporting this month that close to 80,000 years of bureaucratic stalling in Brussels, in the 2021-2022 academic year. Russian troops remain on the border with the time has come for the United States to Ukraine (the biggest force Russia has clarify if it still upholds its commitments Students wishing to apply for a UNA scholarship or award must meet amassed there since 2014), Mr. Biden made in Bucharest in 2008, when NATO the following criteria: should maintain the commitments made made clear that Ukraine would become a to the U.S.’s allies in Eastern Europe, and signatory member of the transatlantic alli­ l Have been an active, premium-paying UNA member for at least continue America’s bipartisan record of ance one day. two years by June 1st of 2021; l Have had a life insurance policy or an annuity, valued at a minimum of $5,000 during the last two years (term policies excluded); ing at traditional commemorative events l Be enrolled in an accredited college or university in USA or Canada. UCCA commemorates... such as the anniversary of the genocidal The application for a UNA scholarship or award must be postmarked no (Continued from page 3) deportation of the Crimean Tatars. The later than June 1, 2021. Representative Assembly of the Crimean rent illegal occupation of Crimea, and today Tatar People, the Mejlis, has been illegally For complete details and applications, please call the UNA Home Office seeks to erase any semblance of the indige­ banned. The Crimean Tatar people are once or visit the Our Benefits page on the UNA website at: nous Crimean Tatar identity from their again the victims of a cruel and ruthless www.UNAInc.org homeland, replacing Crimean Tatar place occupation regime, and the language, rights names, and further removing opportunities and culture of the Crimean Tatar people for the Crimean Tatar language and culture remains as much under threat today as they Ukrainian National Association, Inc. to be taught and passed on. were during Soviet and Tsarist regimes. 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Once again, the indigenous Crimean On this solemn anniversary of the depor­ Tatar people of Ukraine are forbidden from tation-genocide of the Crimean Tatar peo­ 800-253-9862 ext. 3035 gathering at traditional commemorative ple, UCCA continues to voice support for the events in their native land. In Russia- Crimean Tatar people in their struggle for occupied Crimea, severe restrictions have their rights, and again calls on the govern­ been placed on the freedoms of expression, ments of the free world to recognize Stalin’s association and peaceful assembly, includ­ actions as crimes of genocide. No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 13

Hundreds gather for annual St. Thomas Sunday pilgrimage

by Deacon Mykola Zomchak UOC-U.S.A. SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. – Hundreds of pilgrims vis­ ited the Spiritual Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. (UOC-U.S.A.) for the annual St. Thomas Sunday weekend pilgrimage on May 8-9 at the Metropolia of the UOC-U.S.A. in South Bound Brook, N.J. Visitors come every year to St. Andrew’s Cemetery, on the weekend following Easter according to the Julian cal­ endar, to pray at the gravesites of those buried there. This year restored the tradition that was unfortunately unable to be held in 2020 due to the pandemic restrictions in place at the time. With restrictions relaxed this year, the annual pilgrimage took place. Divine liturgies were celebrated at St. Andrew the First- Called Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church. The service on Saturday was led by the Very Rev. Yurij Siwko, parish priest at St. Andrew Church. The prime hierarch of the UOC-U.S.A., Metropo­litan Antony, was present and presid­ ing during the service. The Very Rev. Siwko was the prima­ Subdeacon Yaroslav Bilhoan ry celebrant of the liturgy and was joined by the Very Rev. Metropolitan Antony leads a memorial service on St. Thomas Sunday in front of St. Andrew the First-Called Ioan Proteasa, St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Memorial Church. Jamaica, N.Y.; the Rev. Milorad Orlic from the Serbian Orthodox Church; the Rev. Vasyl Pasakas, Nativity of the Mykola Zomchak and Ihor Protsak of the Metropolia buried at St. Andrew’s Cemetery or anywhere else in the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in South Center of the UOC-U.S.A. The St. Sophia Seminary­ Student world. The Metropolitan also spoke about the first Prime Plainfield, N.J.; the Rev. James Cairns, St. Demetrius Choir sang the responses during the liturgy. Hierarch of the Church, Metropolitan John (Theodoro­ Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Carteret, N.J.; the Rev. In his sermon, Metropolitan Antony noted the impor­ vych), who fell asleep in the Lord on May 3, 1971, and was Richard Jendras, Protection of the Mother of God tance of taking the faith seriously, approaching with open interred in St. Andrew Cemetery, immediately behind the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Allentown, Pa.; the Rev. hearts and souls the principles of the Christian faith given Memorial Church, on May 8, 50 years ago to the day. Sviatoslav Hot, Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Parish by Christ Himself. The hierarch urged everyone to reflect Metropolitan Antony recalled Metropolitan John’s loving in Maplewood, N.J.; and Deacons Myroslav Mykytyuk, and pray for those who have eternally departed and are spiritual guidance and credited him as the reason he stood in church at the 50th anniversary as a priest and bishop. Metropolitan John, he added, will be remembered as a loving bishop who was able to embrace all the faithful Reflection on 50th anniversary of the repose of the Church, regardless of their origin or the language they spoke and still remains a worthy example of hierar­ of Metropolitan John (Theodorovych) chical and priestly ministry. Following the conclusion of liturgy, Metropolitan Below is an excerpt from the article The Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Antony, joined by the clergy, served a memorial service “50th Anniversary of Repose of Metro­ the USA had its beginnings in 1915, over the grave of Metropolitan John. politan John” by Metropolitan Antony when it was decided that the On the same day, a large number of people were at the of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Orthodox Ukrainian American popu­ cemetery, where they together with the priests had the U.S.A. from the May 2021 issue of lation had reached significant enough memorial services over the graves of their loved ones. The the UOL Bulletin (Vol. 67, No. 6). numbers as a distinctive ethnic group sunny weather made it not only possible but also very Metro pol­ itan John died on May 3, and it should have its own jurisdic­ pleasant to hear the many versions of “Christ is Risen” 1971, marking 50 years since his tion. Eventually, in 1918, the group repeated throughout the day. repose. The entirety of the article can sought and received spiritual protec­ On Thomas Sunday, Metropolitan Antony celebrated an be viewed on the UOC-U.S.A. website, tion under the omophor of Bishop archpastoral divine liturgy, assisted by the Very Rev. www.uocofusa.org. Germanos (Shehadi) of the Syrian Siwko; the Rev. Volodymyr Muzychka, St. Volodymyr Orthodox Church. Bishop Germanos Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in New York; the Very Rev. “On the third of May 1971, the provided the necessary guidance for Todor Mazur, Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral First Primate of our Church of the the new jurisdiction until the need for in New York; as well as the Rev. Pasakas, the Rev. Hot, and U.S.A., His Beatitude, John, its own Bishop became obvious to all. Deacons Mykytyuk, Zomchak and Protsak of the Archbishop of Phila­delphia and The jurisdiction requested the Metropolia Center of the Church. The choir of St. Andrew’s Metropolitan of the Ukrainian appointment of one from the Autoce­ Memorial Church, under the direction of Michael Andrec, Orthodox Church of North and South phalous Church. Because of his prov­ complemented the archpastoral liturgy with beautiful America, fell asleep in the Lord. en exceptional organizational and singing. Metropolitan John (Ioan Theo­ administrative skills, Bishop John was Metropolitan Antony spoke of faith in his sermon, say­ doro ­vych) was born in the town of elevated to the rank of Archbishop ing that when the Lord spoke to Apostle Thomas, He was Krupets, Ukraine, on October 6, and assigned by the All-Ukrainian and is also speaking to each of us: “Do not be unbelieving 1887. Here his father served as a Church Council to Archpastoral duties but believing.” (John 20:27) And further: “Thomas, priest and others of his ancestry also in the U.S.A. Archbishop John arrived because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are served the church. Here in this com­ in the United States in 1924 and those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (Jn. munity, he began his studies and immediately called for a Sobor, which 20:29). Metropolitan Antony stressed the need for faith in later entered the Seminary would formalize the establishment of the path toward salvation. Belief, faith and trust in the Preparatory school in the city of the Archdiocese as the American- Metropolitan John Lord and the grace He has inspired us with can carry us Klevan. Upon graduation there, he Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the (Theodoro­vych) worthily through our life, he said. enrolled in the Zhytomyr Theological USA. This Sobor elected Archbishop Following liturgy, Metropolitan Antony was joined by Seminary, from which he graduated with high honors. John as its first Primate. Bishop Germanos officially relin­ clergy and all the pilgrims in front of the Memorial Church Following graduation, he continued his studies and quished his authority over the Church to Archbishop for the Memorial Service dedicated to all those who have received his teacher’s certificate, which he utilized by John. Following the Sobor, under the guidance of died. In particular, during the memorial service, teaching for five years in the schools of the Dubno and Archbishop John, the life of the American-Ukrainian Metropolitan Antony commemorated all the departed Ostroh Districts. It was during this time that he married. Orthodox Church of the USA truly began to blossom. Orthodox patriarchs, metropolitans, archbishops and He was ordained a Deacon, in 1914, and as a priest on The important event that took place in the life of the bishops who are buried at St. Andrew’s Cemetery, all May 10, 1915. This was during World War I and, tragical­ UOC of the USA was the unification of the two Ukrainian those who gave their lives for the freedom and indepen­ ly, Fr. John’s wife suddenly reposed in August of 1915. He Orthodox Churches: all the parishes of the American- dence of the United States and Ukraine, as well as all those served as a Chaplain and later was assigned to a parish Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA under who died during Holodomor and the Chornobyl disaster. in Mitintsi, in the district of Starokostan­tiniv. Later, dur­ Archbishop John and the majority of the parishes of the Although the pilgrims were not able to visit all of the ing one of the Sobors he became one of three candidates Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America united by signing buildings of the Spiritual Center due to this year’s pan­ who were elected to become Bishops of the Ukrainian an Act of Unification. It was a great joy. demic, such as the Ukrainian Cultural Center, St. Sophia Autocephalous Orthodox Church. And so, he was conse­ It was a great tragedy that struck the life of our crated Bishop by the Metropolitan of All-Ukraine, Wasyl Church in that May of 1971 with the repose of His Seminary, the Mausoleum of the Holy Resurrection or the Lipkiwsky and Archbi­shop Nestor Sharaysky on October Beatitude Metropolitan John Theodorovich, our prime Consistory Building, they were able to come and pray over 26, 1921. At this time, he became the Bishop of the hierarch from 1924 through 1971 – 47 years of love and the graves of their loved ones, to greet them during the Podil’ska Eparchy. closeness to the children of the Church.” joyous time of Pascha as everyone continues through the difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 No. 21

Ukrainian Hanchuk’s mound dominance continues in college softball

by Ihor N. Stelmach Ukrainian lady had a master four-year plan to capably prepare herself for professional All Mark and Christine Hanchuk’s adult life, while also making the most of a youngest daughter wanted was to continue college experience. her softball pitching career at the college Yes, 2020 was setting up to be a most level. She also very much wanted to pursue special year, until the COVID-19 pandemic a degree in her chosen fields of marketing, changed the world. communications and advertising. Maria Maria decided to attend Endicott College Hanchuk was also very attracted to for several reasons, including that her older Endicott College’s internships, which the sister Julia studied there and she really school offers to select students all four liked the softball program. Freshman year’s years of their undergraduate study, and she realization that softball is a year-round was enraptured by the university’s beauti­ commitment on top of a full load of classes ful campus and its proximity to the histori­ was an adjustment she easily adapted to cal metropolis of Boston. and actually enjoyed. With all of these considerations in mind, In mid-March of 2020, however, Endicott it could seem as though the young and its conference, the Commonwealth Coast Conference, canceled all sports for David Le, Endicott College the spring season. The only good to come Maria Hanchuk pitches during a softball game for the Endicott College Gulls. from the move was that spring athletes were granted an extra year of collegiate earned run average (0.29) and strikeouts their ticket by winning the Commonwealth sports eligibility. Maria spent the year prac­ (72). She was selected the Commonwealth Coast Conference tournament. ticing, scrimmaging and working on the Coast Conference’s pitcher of the year and Maria Hanchuk’s long-delayed, first year mental and physical aspects of being a earned All-CCC first team status. She excellent performance in college softball pitcher. Last summer she practiced with ranked first in the conference in strikeouts, was merely a continuation of her outstand­ her father, sneaking onto the South strikeouts per game (10.29), opposing bat­ ing high school achievements. In 2019 she Windsor, Conn., softball field where she ting average (.144) and ERA, and was sec­ was Connecticut’s Gatorade Player of the starred for four years as a high school ath­ ond in wins. Her top individual perfor­ Year, High School Coaches Association lete. The plan for her included intense pro­ mances were a 13-strikeout, complete Pitcher of the Year, Hartford Courant Player grams of weight-training, conditioning and game, 4-0 win over Wentworth (the 13 of the Year and four-time All-Conference pitching lessons with the goal of contribut­ strikeouts tied for fifth all-time in a single selection. ing to the team in 2021, and winning the game), and a 10-strikeout, complete game, There is little doubt this young lady is CCC championship. 13-0 masterpiece over Wentworth. destined to win more accolades and set Mission accomplished! Following a lost Endicott won the CCC with a conference additional milestones as she plays out the freshman year where she never appeared record of 11-1 and an overall mark of 19-2. remaining three years of her collegiate eli­ in a game, Maria Hanchuk proved to be They were awaiting details on their immi­ gibility. She will keep on perfecting her dominant in her debut season facing colle­ nent participation in the 2021 NCAA pitching prowess, striving to be a key con­ Endicott College giate hitters. Division III softball Championship tributor to her Endicott squad, ever domi­ Maria Hanchuk She led her Endicott Gulls in wins (8), Tournament as of May 17, having punched nant on the mound.

welcomed people from Ukraine who Plast... recently immigrated to the United States. (Continued from page 9) “I am very grateful for the ‘new wave’ of Ukrainians who add new perspectives and Branch of Plast purchased the building in enrich our programs,” said Ms. Ferencevych. 1964, and by 1968 its interior was rebuilt Year after year, the domivka has wel­ from a few very large rooms to multiple comed families from all over the world who smaller rooms to better suit the growing seek to educate their children in the Plast organization’s needs. spirit and way of life. Over the past 15-20 Over nearly 70 years, multiple genera­ years, the New York Branch of Plast has tions have passed through the domivka’s seen an influx of people arriving from doors. Scouts gather for weekly meetings Ukraine that have become members of our with counselors and peers to learn about branch. Plast history and scouting. They develop Many long-time members of the branch lifelong friendships along the way. said they were excited to see the organiza­ “My years in domivka have given me a tion in New York thrive. sense of self-worth. It is here where I learned “I’m thrilled our domivka is full,” said the foundational principles of Plast and how senior scout Taras Ferencevych. “It’s fan­ to become a leader,” said senior scout and tastic this place exists and that so many long-time branch member Lesia Magun. children attend every week.” In addition to weekly scout meetings, the And as the branch has grown, so too has building also welcomes a variety of commu­ the need for a renovated building that can nity activities and events. It hosts visits Plast New York Branch archive accommodate the branch’s newest mem­ from St. Nicholas, as well as film screenings, The Plast New York Branch building located on the corner of 9th street and Second bers. egg decorating lessons, dances and Christ­ Avenue in Manhattan as seen in a photo from the branch’s archives. For additional information or to view mas bazaars. Ballet and drama rehearsals detailed plans with room layouts, readers as well as ballroom dancing classes in prep­ The domivka continues to play a large er Adia Magun, referring to the yearly com­ may visit the website www.plastnyc.org. aration for the annual Plast debutante ball role in the daily life of its members, from petition for Plast scouts age 11-18 that Donations to the renovation project can be have all been held in the building. It recently “ptashata” (boys and girls under age 7) to takes place at the Soyuzivka Heritage made online at http://www.plastnyc.org/ hosted celebrations of the 100-year Plast their parents, from junior scouts to senior Center. “It provided a safe place for us to renovation, or by check payable to Plast Jubilee and the 70-year anniversary of Plast members who have been involved in Plast work together late on weeknights and have Ukrainian Scouting Organization U.S.A. and in New York City. It has been both a place of for decades. free reign to create what we thought was sent to the following address: Lida Nolan, learning and recreation. “We loved preparing for competitions best for our projects.” treasurer, 848 South Long Beach Ave., “We liked playing ping pong in the very like Orlykiada in domivka,” said scout lead­ The New York Branch of Plast has also Freeport, NY, 11520. large third floor room,” said senior scout and branch member Andrij Lastowecky, recalling the time he spent in the building him to express best wishes, but I did so a This is not hyperbole. When God created as a young scout. “Playing the drums was God broke... month later. I genuinely believe that the Bishop Basil Losten, he either broke the also popular.” (Continued from page 7) bishop was not offended as I commented, mold or set it aside in a special place for a Another branch member, Olha Gnoj, also “better late than never.” This year he called time when there would be an exceptional recalled her time in the building. personality to bring people together even me exactly on my birthday, which was not a need for another individual like Bishop “If the walls could talk, they would when they did not want to be brought milestone, and said that he has a calendar, Basil. describe our domivka as a place with inter­ together. It seemed that there was a special unlike me. We both laughed and then pro­ Mnohaya Lita, Vladyko! Often, we fail to esting meetings, happy memories, wonder­ presence in the room but it did not look like ceeded to discuss the needs of the commu­ show it or do so in tardy fashion, but we ful friendships and a place where girls and a dove. In fact, it had a beard. nity structures with which we are jointly thank or should thank God for you and all boys could meet,” Ms. Gnoj said. Last year on his 90th birthday I called involved. of your work. No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 15

they expect this process to become avail­ OCU responds... able,” Metropolitan Epifaniy said. “For (Continued from page 4) example, not a single crossing has been registered in the Kyiv region in two years. “Judging by the ‘Amman’ initiatives and Despite the fact that many communities similar statements, Moscow continues to have a desire to move. But they see that May 26 Webinar with Lucas Makowsky, “Sports, Education and Life remain disconnected from reality and is the regional state administration does not Online Aspirations: An Evening with Lucas Makowsky,” Ukrainian trying to drag other churches into its fan­ consider their appeals and does not take National Federation Ottawa-Gatineau Branch, tasy world. But no matter how nice such legal actions regarding re-registration.” www.facebook.com/UNFOttawaGatineau worlds may seem, they are not able to According to Metropolitan Epifaniy, it is substitute reality. Which is that the OCU is necessary that the state at the level of May 26 Genealogy webinar, “Nashi Predky at Home Virtual Office and will be a diptychial autocephalous regions and regional state administrations Online Hours,” Ukrainian History and Education Center, church. And everyone needs to proceed does not block these processes and that [email protected] from this constant, so that because of the courts make fair decisions. exorbitant ambitions, in the end, they He also noted the importance of the May 29 Graduation commencement, St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox don’t end up at a broken trough, like the high-profile decision of the Supreme Court Somerset, NJ Theological Seminary, [email protected] haughty old woman from Pushkin’s fairy regarding the community of the village of tale,” Archbishop Yevstratiy wrote. Sutkovtsy in the Khmelnytsky region. June 3 Online presentation by Maria Rypan, “Ukrainian Beaded Patriarch Bartholomew, in an interview “...in the case of the village of Sutkovtsy Online Adornments Past and Present,” Ukrainian Museum of on Georgian state television TVFormula on in Khmelnytsky, where the priest of the Canada – Ontario Branch, 416-923-9861 or May 2, asserted the primacy of the UOC-MP allegedly won in the courts. But [email protected] Ecumenical Patriarchate when it comes to when the community appealed to the decisions on granting autocephaly. The Supreme Court, the Grand Chamber recog­ June 5 44th annual Tryzub golf tournament, Ukrainian American Moscow Patriarchate, he underscored, as nized the previous decisions of the courts Jamison, PA Sports Center Tryzub, The Bucks Club, 215-359-8688 in ideas such as the ROC granting auto­ as illegal. This makes it possible to form a cephaly to the Russia-grabbed Abkhazia certain legal practice, and lower courts June 6 Meet the author, Diana Stevan discusses her book “Lilacs region of Georgia, would overstep the should be guided by the decision of the Online in the Dust Bowl,” St. Vladimir Institute, exclusive prerogative of Constantinople. Supreme Court,” Metropolitan Epifaniy www.stvladimir.ca As reported by fanarion.blogspot.com, the said. Ecumenical Patriarch clarified that: “The He noted that the OCU abides by deci­ June 12 Beading workshop, “Ukrainian Netted Cuff Workshop,” with churches of Abkhazia and South Ossetia sions made in the legal field. Toronto instruction by Maria Rypan, Ukrainian Museum of Canada – are under the jurisdiction of the Georgian “We are moving only in the legal field. Ontario Branch, 416-923-9861 or [email protected] Orthodox Church. It is not right that the We do not want lawlessness. We want Russian Orthodox Church intervened.” The everything to happen peacefully and calm­ June 13 40th anniversary celebration, Ukrainian Educational and interview was conducted by Giorgi ly,” the head of the OCU said, per May 6 Online Cultural Center, www.ueccphila.org Targamadze and was broadcast on May 2. reports from the Religious Information A May 8 report in the Orthodox Times Service of Ukraine and Religiyna Pravda June 13 Online commencement greetings from Metropolitan Antony concluded that, “The fact that the Moscow (https://risu.ua/en/authorities-deliber­ Online and Archbishop Daniel, [email protected] or Patriarchate will recognize the autocepha­ ately-block-transitions-from-the-uoc-mp- [email protected] ly of Abkhazia if the Georgian Orthodox to-the-ocu-for-months---metropolitan- Church recognizes the autocephaly of the epifaniy_n118299; and https://religion­ Orthodox Church of Ukraine, it is black­ pravda.com.ua/?p=68001). Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submis- mail with no basis.” Metropolitan Epifaniy spoke further sions from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the Further complicating the situation and about the issue during a May 1 interview editors and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. restricting the Patriarchate of Constan­ on the program “Rendezvous with Yanina tinople’s role in world Orthodoxy, the Sokolova” on Ukrainian TV station Channel Turkish government, headed by President 5, according to Religiyna Pravda (https:// Recep Tayyip Erdogan, does not recognize religionpravda.com.ua/?p=67900) the “Ecumenical” status of the Ecumenical “For some reason, in [Russian President Patriarch and Ecumenical Patriarchate. Vladimir] Putin’s recent statement, we Turkish authorities do not allow the heard that the Russian Orthodox Church, use of the term or title “Ecumenical” for not the UOC [-MP], seems to be being per­ any religious activity whatsoever despite secuted in Ukraine. Mr. Putin clearly the fact that it has been used by Christians emphasizes and recognizes that this is the since the 6th century and recognized Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. If he throughout the world. Turkey regards the recognizes it as his part, then he also influ­ Ecumenical Patriarchate as an institution ences it. Because the Church, whose cen­ whose leader is seen as the spiritual head ter is located in the aggressor country’s of Orthodox Christians in Turkey alone heart, in Moscow, cannot serve the inter­ rather than the leader of 300 million ests of the Ukrainian people,” the hierarch Orthodox Christians worldwide. said. Metropolitan Epifaniy has responded Therefore, Metropolitan Epifaniy said, personally to Moscow’s misinformation the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine is campaign in an April 24 interview with operating outside of the law and religious Radio Svoboda’s Inna Kuznetsova, assert­ canons. ing that, per the terms of the Tomos of “Why aren’t they renamed the Russian Autoce ph­ aly for the OCU, all of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine? They occu­ Orthodox churches on the territory of pied our name – the Ukrainian Orthodox Ukraine belong to the OCU. (https://www. Church. It surprises me: you want to be radiosvoboda.org/a/epifaniy-vsi-pravo­ part of the Russian Orthodox Church, but slavni-parafiyi-v-ukrayini-nalezhat- in Ukraine, you are afraid to be called by ptsu/31219904.html) this name,” Metropolitan Epifaniy said In the same interview, the head of the during his interview with Religiyna OCU said that the Moscow Patriarchate Pravda. (https://religionpravda.com. did not recognize the historical timeline of ua/?p=67900) events from the Baptism of Rus’ in 988 by Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Grand Prince Volodymyr the Great. It was Affairs Vasyl Bodnar visited Ecumenical the Orthodox Church of Ukraine that is the Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul, Mother Church in relation to the Russian accompanied by the Consul General Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Epifaniy Oleksandr Gaman and the Consul of continued. Ukraine in Istanbul Serhii Revenko. Mr. The mass transition of parishes from Bodnar conveyed Easter greetings from the UOC-MP to the OCU will begin when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the state at the level of oblast, regional to the Ecumenical Patriarch. Afterwards, state administrations will not block these they discussed the schedule of the visit the processes, and the courts will make fair Ecumenical Patriarch will pay to Kyiv in decisions, said Metropolitan Epifaniy August. Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of according to a May 5 report in Religiyna Chalcedon and Chief Secretary of the Holy Pravda. Synod Grigorios Fraggakis also attended “I talked to representatives of commu­ the meeting, per a May 18 report in the nities that are ready to join the OCU. But Orthodox Times. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021 No. 21