The Ukrainian Weekly 2014, No.28
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www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE: l Artist depicts Ukraine’s “Revolution of Dignity” – page 4 l Election monitoring team leader reflects on experience – page 9 l Community: from New York to Tucson, and more – pages 18-19 THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationEEKLY Vol. LXXXII No. 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2014 $2.00 U.S. senators press Obama administration Poroshenko’s anti-terrorism operation makes gains by Zenon Zawada on Russia sanctions KYIV – Ukrainian President Petro by Luke Johnson Poroshenko achieved his biggest accom- RFE/RL plishment since taking office in early June when Ukraine’s armed forces liberated from WASHINGTON – Senior lawmakers pro-Russian terrorists their war-torn strong- on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations holds of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in the Committee have questioned Obama Donetsk Oblast on the first weekend of July. administration officials over sanctions The cities’ liberation involved the army against Russia. and National Guard volunteers, the presi- Senate Foreign Relations Committee dent said in a July 5 televised address to the Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) nation. That day, 10 soldiers were injured and ranking member Bob Corker and none killed, largely because the terror- (R-Tenn.) both asked during a July 9 ists willfully abandoned these cities and hearing on Ukraine why the Obama dispersed throughout the region, including administration had not pursued further the city of Donetsk. sanctions against Russia. “This is the beginning of a breakthrough Assistant Secretary for European in the struggle with fighters for the territo- and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland rial integrity of Ukraine and for a return to Facebook/Petro Poroshenko said the administration believed sanc- the normal life of Donbas, which is an President Petro Poroshenko visits Ukraine’s armed forces in Sloviansk on July 8. tions would be more effective with inseparable part of our large, strong, European participation and that more European country,” he said. operation to liberate the Donetsk and crowd Kyiv’s Maidan to protest his actions sanctions were being prepared. “I am far from euphoric,” he added. “The Luhansk oblasts.” just a week before the victories. She added that European leaders situation is very difficult. The terrorists are The success in retaking control of Even his controversial decision to allow were meeting on July 16, and further currently entrenching themselves in large Kramatorsk and Sloviansk has boosted the former Ukrainian President Leonid action could come after that date. cities. Quite a few challenges are in front of popularity of Mr. Poroshenko, who was Kuchma to represent the Ukrainian govern- us. My order is in force: tighten the circle under mounting criticism for acting slowly (Continued on page 17) around the terrorists and continue the in the Donbas, prompting thousands to (Continued on page 3) Anniversary of Shevchenko monument’s historic unveiling is marked by Yaro Bihun added. “After all, Taras Shevchenko is the same symbol of supreme ideals of freedom WASHINGTON – Ukrainian Americans, for the Ukrainian people as is George mostly from the Washington, Baltimore and Washington for the American people.” Philadelphia area, gathered at the Taras Minister Klimkin noted that the erection Shevchenko monument on June 28 to honor of the monument in the center of Ukraine’s poet laureate on the 50th anniver- Washington “was long and difficult,” and sary of his statue’s unveiling in the U.S. capi- was achieved only “due to joint efforts by tal. And, as they did, they were reminded the Ukrainian diaspora members, their about his hopeful views about his country- insistence and perseverance.” men’s future and about the recent develop- The monument became a “symbol of lib- ments in Ukraine vis-à-vis Russia. eration, freedom and independence of all Sponsored by the National Shevchenko captive nations,” he said, adding, “Now, when Commemoration Committee and the Ukraine is independent, but faces a threat to Embassy of Ukraine, the event included the its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the laying of floral wreaths at the memorial, monument gained a new meaning – it remarks by prominent government and proves the resilience of Ukrainians in the community representatives, and the recita- fight for their dignity and freedom. It tion and singing of Shevchenko’s poetry. became the symbol of their patriotism and Featured among the speakers were limitless love for their motherland.” Ukrainian Ambassador Olexander Motsyk, “Today,” Mr. Klimkin said, “we perceive who read a special message for this occasion Shevchenko’s words as prophecy: ‘Keep from Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Pavlo fighting – you are sure to win! God helps Klimkin (see page 6 for the texts of both), and you in your fight! For fame and freedom Dr. Paula Dobriansky, whose father, Dr. Lev march with you. And right is on your side!’ ” Dobriansky, then the head of the Ukrainian Ambassador Motsyk, in his statement, Congress Committee of America, was instru- expressed Ukraine’s special gratitude to the mental in getting the monument erected. Ukrainian community for performing the role Minister Klimkin pointed out in his mes- of the “people’s lobby” in building the monu- ment and especially to Dr. Lev Dobriansky. He sage that America’s first president, George referred to the monument as a “shining sym- Washington, was an inspiration for the bol of Ukraine’s love of liberty and bright evi- “great son of Ukraine” Taras Shevchenko. Yaro Bihun dence of the support for the people of Their coming together in Washington half The Prometheus Ukrainian Men’s Chorus of Philadelphia sings Taras Shevchenko’s a century ago carried a special meaning, he “The Mighty Dnipr’ Roars and Groans.” (Continued on page 11) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2014 No. 28 ANALYSIS Putin inflates “Russian World” identity, Kyiv rejects talks until rebels disarm that “a durable solution to the crisis in Ukraine can only be a political one.” In a KYIV – Ukraine has rejected any truce separate statement, the White House said claims right to protect various groups with pro-Russian separatists until the insur- the American and French presidents had gents completely disarm, amid a call by decided that Europe should impose further acquired right in Ukraine’s east. The Western leaders for Russia to intervene to by Vladimir Socor costs on Russia if Moscow does not immedi- German and French governments are sid- calm tensions. In a statement on July 8, Eurasia Daily Monitor ately take steps to de-escalate tensions in ing with Moscow on this issue. Berlin and Ukrainian Defense Minister Valeriy Heletei July 2 eastern Ukraine. The White House said they Paris have asked Kyiv to prolong the cease- said “negotiations are possible only after the agreed that Russia should stop “destabiliz- On July 1 in the Kremlin, President fire unconditionally – i.e., while pro-Rus- rebels lay down their arms once and for all.” ing activities” such as allowing and facilitat- Vladimir Putin addressed the annual con- sian forces dig in their heels in Ukraine’s Ukrainian military successes in recent days ing the transit of weapons and fighters ference of Russia’s ambassadors accredited territory – and to start negotiations with have forced most of the rebels to retreat to across the border and should cease its own to foreign countries and international orga- them in this situation (Interfax, June Donetsk and Luhansk. The rebels have military build-up near the Ukrainian border nizations, top Foreign Affairs Ministry offi- 27-July 1). vowed to regroup in Donetsk and Luhansk and its ongoing support for separatists. cials, leaders of both chambers of The Novorossiya project targets Ukraine’s after government forces retook Sloviansk, a (RFE/RL, with reporting by the Associated Parliament, government ministers and east and south as a component of the wider major rebel stronghold. Ukrainian President agency chiefs, representatives of think- “Russian World.” Unveiled on March 18 and Petro Poroshenko has ordered troops to Press and Agence France-Presse) tanks and Russian business organizations. April 17 by Mr. Putin, the Novorossiya proj- blockade the cities and cut rebels off from Metropolitan Volodymyr Sabodan dies The session was dedicated to “issues of ect has failed thus far in six targeted oblasts any further arms supplies. Civilians would protecting Russia’s national interests,” and of Ukraine, but is on the march in parts of be allowed to leave, however. The separat- KYIV – Metropolitan Volodymyr the most significant part of Mr. Putin’s own the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, where ists said attempts at a military blockade Sabodan, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox address dealt with Ukraine in the context of Russia’s armed proxies hold sway. would destroy any hopes for a political solu- Church – Moscow Patriarchate, died in Kyiv Mr. Putin’s “Russian World” (Russkiy Mir) On June 24 and 25, respectively, the tion. On July 7, reports said three bridges on at the age of 78. He was reported to be suf- project (www.kremlin.ru, July 1). “Parliaments” of the Donetsk and Luhansk roads leading into the separatist stronghold fering from cancer. Ukrainian President Mr. Putin provided his – and Russia’s – “people’s republics” adopted decisions to of Donetsk were destroyed by explosions, Petro Poroshenko said at a memorial ser- most sweeping definition yet of population merge into one “Federated Republic of allegedly by separatists. However, the rebels vice in Kyiv on July 5 that the Ukrainian groups deemed to belong to the “Russian Novorossiya” and approved a “constitution said the bridges – located in the villages of Orthodox Church has lost its leader and World” outside that country itself. By impli- of Novorossiya.” The Donetsk-Luhansk Novobakhmutivka, Zakitne and Seleznevka “Ukraine has lost a great Ukrainian citizen.” cation (see below), Russia is entitled to pro- “federation” declares itself open to acces- – had been blown up by pro-Kyiv “sabo- Volodymyr, known as the metropolitan of tect such population groups in countries sion by other Ukrainian oblasts.