INSIDE: l Remembering the Crimean Tatars’ Genocide – page 3 l Our community copes with COVID-19 – page 4 l The generation of 1919: three scholars – page 9 The Ukrainian Weekly Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association

Vol. LXXXVIII No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 $2.00 NEWS ANALYSIS World remembers Genocide Assessing a year of Zelenskyy and foreign policy developments of Crimean Tatar people

Presidential Office The Crimean Tatar flag with a black mourning ribbon is displayed in Kyiv.

by Roman Tymotsko for raising the Crimean Tatar flag with a Presidential Office of Ukraine mourning ribbon and urged the public to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during his press conference on May 20. KYIV – On May 18, Ukraine remembered light candles in their windows on the night the victims of Joseph Stalin’s genocidal of May 17-18. by Bohdan Nahaylo Ukraine made no mistake in making the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people President Volodymyr Zelenskyy European choice. After all, a friend in need from Crimea. On that day in 1944, the first addressed the nation on May 18. “We believe KYIV – While attention in Ukraine has is a friend indeed,” President Zelenskyy trainloads of Crimean Tatars were forcibly that the day will surely come when Crimea remained focused on coping with the coro- emphasized. He elaborated that the EU resettled from the peninsula to Central Asia will return to Ukraine,” he said. “Crimean navirus pandemic and meeting the condi- funds will also help guarantee Ukraine’s and Siberia. In total, about 200,000 people Tatars and Ukrainians will return to their tions to secure further financial support macroeconomic stability. were deported via cattle cars by the Stalin native homes, gather at the same table to say from the International Monetary Fund and On May 20, the Ukrainian president con- regime. Thousands died en route, and tens of others, there have also been some notable vened a press conference to discuss his thousands more died due to the harsh condi- developments in the foreign policy sphere. first year in office. It turned out that the tions of exile. together:On the “Bizimnight of ve May siziñ 17-18, azatlığıñız a light içün! projec For- The occasion of the first anniversary of journalists were more interested in his per- In 2015, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine yourtion ofand Crimean our freedom!” Tatar and Ukrainian flags Volodymyr Zelenskyy assuming office as formance on the domestic front than in the had declared May 18 as the annual Day of was placed on the Presidential Office build- president has also encouraged both the foreign policy sphere. The obvious excep- Remembrance of the Victims of the Crimean ing, symbolizing the solidarity between the president and the press to reflect on his tion, as could be expected, was the impasse Tatar Genocide. Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar peoples. performance in the area of external rela- The Mejlis, the highest executive-repre- (Continued on page 14) tions – and especially those concerning sentative body of the Crimean Tatars, called (Continued on page 15) Russia. The president has provided his own thoughts on what has been achieved and where things stand. CORONAVIRUS UPDATE In recent weeks, Ukraine has assumed the revolving chairmanship of the Ukrainian government introduces adaptive lockdown until June 22 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Forum for Security KYIV – The Cabinet of Ministers has one person per 10 square meters of floor “Some 354 persons have fallen ill over Cooperation, and has been preparing for approved a decision introducing an adap- space. the past day. During the entire period of both the EU Eastern Partnership summit in tive coronavirus lockdown until June 22, Beginning on May 25, the government the pandemic, 19,230 people have fallen June and a new meeting in the context of while the second stage of the easing of plans to allow the operation of kindergar- ill, including 1,376 children and 3,757 the Normandy Four format involving the lockdown restrictions will begin on May tens, as well as the operation of subways health-care workers,” Mr. Stepanov leaders of Germany, France, Russia and 22, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys in cities where the epidemiological situa- reported at a briefing on May 20. Ukraine. Shmyhal said at a government meeting on tion is favorable. According to the health minister, 28 Kyiv’s main attention has been focused May 20. Mr. Shmyhal said that the third phase children and 61 health workers contract- on securing critically needed financial As part of the second phase of eased of eased lockdown restrictions would ed COVID-19 over the past day. Ukraine assistance from the International Monetary restrictions, it is planned that public include the start of training activities, the recorded 323 recovered cases and 16 Fund (IMF), the European Union (EU) and transport, and urban and suburban land opening of gyms and fitness centers deaths related to the coronavirus during other donors and creditors. While it awaits transport will be resumed. Authorities (without swimming pools) and the that same period. The largest number of confirmation of the amount of support will permit sports competitions (limited resumption of interregional traffic. Air coronavirus cases over the past day were from the IMF, the European Commission to 100 people and without spectators) travel can also be resumed in June, how- reported in the Chernivtsi region (54), announced last month that it will provide and the operation of hotels (though not ever, this is dependent also on how other Kyiv city (51) and Volyn region (41). 1.2 billion euros to counter the coronavi- hostels). At the same time, the operation countries resume flights. In total, 5,955 people in Ukraine have rus. of restaurants and swimming pools in The number of Ukraine’s COVID-19 recovered and 564 people have died since “This is an unprecedented amount of hotels will continue to be banned. cases grew to 19,230 as of May 20, the start of the pandemic. macro-financial assistance. The EU’s deci- It will also be possible to hold services according to Health Minister Maksym sion is not only a manifestation of solidari- in houses of worship, with a maximum of Stepanov. Source: Ukrinform. ty in difficult times. This is a testimony that 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 No. 21

WINDOW ON EURASIA

2020, intended to be Putin’s triumph, U.S. on suffering of Crimean people weapon, and financing to the separatists, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. The acting U.S. ambassador to Kyiv, It also claims that the referendum in becoming instead his Waterloo Kristina Kvien, has called on Russia to “stop Crimea was legitimate, and has ruled out its legacy of inflicting suffering on the peo- from this, springs the decision to declare handing control back to Ukraine. Mr. by Paul Goble ple of Crimea,” as Ukraine commemorated the epidemic over, when in fact it is still Razumkov said Kyiv would not abandon the victims of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin’s This year was supposed to be the far from its peak.” efforts to return Crimea to Ukrainian con- mass deportation of Crimean Tatars from Kremlin’s “year of triumph,” one in which The Kremlin feels compelled to do this trol, nor efforts to regain control of separat- their homeland in 1944. The chargé the life rule of Vladimir Putin would be because it wants the referendum that ist-controlled areas of the Luhansk and d’affaires issued a video statement on confirmed, but instead, Liliya Shevtsova would allow Putin to remain in office for Twitter on May 18, which since 2016 has Donetsk regions, also known as the says, 2020 is rapidly becoming his life to take place.But popular anger is been marked in Ukraine as the Day of Donbas. “It is a difficult and slow process, Waterloo – a time when both he and his such that this effort may fail, and no one Commemoration of Victims of the Genocide but at the same time we can take this issue system have sailed into disaster. in the regime seems yet to have asked the of the Crimean Tatars. The Crimean Tatars off the agenda and [cannot quit] trying to All the plans he had only a few months even more profound question Russia will were deported en masse from the Black resolve it in all sorts of ways on various lev- ago must now be “thrown in the trash,” face: “Then what?” Sea peninsula in May 1944, after Stalin els and neither can we lose means of com- the Russian commentator says. The coro- The international environment is yet accused them of collaborating with Nazi munication with the occupied territories – navirus pandemic has proved fatal “not another place where the hopes Mr. Putin Germany. Seventy years later, in March both the Donbas and Crimea,” Mr. only for the individual but also for his had for 2020 have turned to dust. The 2014, Russia seized Crimea after sending in Razumkov said. Ukrainians in occupied construction which was erected for United States is no longer a suitable troops and staging a referendum boycotted areas of the Donbas who have accepted another time” (kasparov.ru/material. enemy given its own leadership problems. by many Crimean Tatars. In her statement, passports offered by Russia often had no php?id=5EBBBB4744 968). “But where is a new enemy to be found, an Ms. Kvien said that the deportation of the choice, Mr. Razumkov explained. “There are “The Russian state, directed toward enemy which is categorically necessary to Crimean Tatars 76 years ago “caused many – very many – people who were, are, great power status via militarization, us? The Poles and Ukrainians in this role unimaginable trauma, suffering, and the and will remain citizens of Ukraine. The expansion and the nuclear death of thousands.” She added, “That trau- conditions they find themselves in force fist, now looks helpless to ma and suffering is only deepened by them to take steps you are referring to [tak- defend human life, even the In this new post-2020 Russia’s modern-day occupation of ing Russian citizenship]. But, you know, life of its ruling class.” Mr. Crimea.” The United States “does not and God forbid we ever had to find out what it Putin stopped giving orders, world, Russia has little will not recognize Russia’s purported is like in their shoes,” Mr. Razumkov said. leading to chaos and in the or no chance to become a annexation of Crimea,” and will keep its U.S. and other Western officials have con- process destroying his verti- Crimea-related sanctions in place until demned Russia’s move to fast-track the cal: “the center won’t take magnet for one of the poles Russia returns control of the peninsula to granting of citizenship to all residents of responsibility, and those in a multipolar world. Ukraine, she said. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Donetsk and Luhansk as running counter below cannot take it because Service) to efforts to achieve peace. (RFE/RL’s they lack the means and will.” Ukrainian Service) Razumkov on ‘difficult’ return of Crimea For the moment, because Zelenskyy: IMF memorandum will be signed of the severity of the pandemic, the full are too small for great power pride,” the The chairman of the Verkhovna Rada consequences of this are not yet seen, Ms. analyst points out. says efforts to return control of Crimea to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Shevtsova suggests. “But what if [the “This vacuum is provoking China to Kyiv are part of “a difficult and slow pro- Zelenskyy, says he is certain a memoran- regional elites] don’t want to take the test its muscles. But the Chinese are not cess,” that Ukraine is determined to resolve. dum with the International Monetary Fund blame for the failure of the center when Americans.” They take a longer view and Dmytro Razumkov made the remarks in an (IMF) will be signed by the end of May to they are up against a despairing popula- they are clearly aware that, “sooner or interview with RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service bolster the country’s finances. “We have tion?” What then? The answers cannot be later,” the Russian bear and the Chinese that was published on May 16. Russia forci- large debts to international entities. We are encouraging to the Kremlin. dragon won’t be able to live together as bly took over Crimea in March 2014 after a serious nation, but we are a poor country. “Autocracy presupposes the unique Mr. Putin had hoped would be the case. Russian forces seized control of strategic We are paying off billions of U.S. dollars position of a single leader standing above Last year, Ms. Shevtsova says, “Russia sites on the Black Sea peninsula and orga- annually to international organizations,” the people,” she argues. “But the leader was pleased that the world was following nized a referendum that was not recog- the 42-year-old former comedic actor told must be present, consolidating the nation along its path and recognizing the values nized by the international community. a press conference on May 20 to mark his with courage and conviction about his of sovereignty. But the world will defend Shortly thereafter, Russia began supporting first anniversary in power. “We will sign vision. He loses magnetism and strength its sovereignty against Russia as well. militants in two eastern Ukrainian regions, this memorandum, I am sure that we will when he hides behind the curtain How will Russia deal with that, having Donetsk and Luhansk. The West has sanc- sign it in May. It cannot be delayed,” he because that is viewed as flight.” been deprived of the resources of the tioned Russia for its seizure of Crimea and added. Ukraine has been in talks with the “All-powerfulness is thereby trans- developed countries?” its support for the “separatists” in eastern (Continued on page 10) formed into powerlessness,” she notes. In this new post-2020 world, Russia Ukraine. Moscow denies supplying fighters, Mr. Putin’s current format of communi- has little or no chance to become a mag- cating with the Russian people via video net for one of the poles in a multipolar conferences “looks like a caricature.” world. There is no guarantee anyone is What it shows is a lonely and isolated old going to want to be part of that project. The Ukrainian Weekly FOUNDED 1933 man, afraid of what is going on, and that Even Belarus is showing that it isn’t inter- is not enough to prevent people from ask- ested in playing second fiddle to Moscow, An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., ing where is a real leader who will in fact Ms. Shevtsova argues. a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. take the lead and take charge. Who could have imagined that a dis- Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. Moreover, and making the situation ease which began with a bat bite in a Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. still worse for Mr. Putin, the Kremlin has Chinese province could bring down such (ISSN — 0273-9348) walked away from any notion that Russia ambitious plans? “Our dreadnought con- The Weekly: UNA: is “a social state” which “guarantees tinues to sail. [But] the captain has left Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 equality and justice in the distribution of the bridge, the command doesn’t inspire economic benefits.” As a result, “the pow- trust. [And] it is uncertain where we are Postmaster, send address changes to: ers have destroyed the new contract sailing to.” The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz between Putin and society: I give you But one thing is already very clear, the 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas P.O. Box 280 social guarantees, and you give me life- commentator writes: “the past isn’t going Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] time rule.” to return in the near future.” Further weakening Mr. Putin and his The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com regime has been the collapse of oil prices, Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on given that the Kremlin had relied on them ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia The Ukrainian Weekly, May 24, 2020, No. 21, Vol. LXXXVIII to finance its imperial projects. Now, who has served in various capacities in the Copyright © 2020 The Ukrainian Weekly there are doubts as to whether, with less U.S. State Department, the Central income, it can even maintain the notion of Intelligence Agency and the International Russia as “a fortress” standing alone Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice against the rest of the world. of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA “The powers need a victory over the Liberty and the Carnegie Endowment for Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 International Peace. The article above is e-mail: [email protected] continues. “The powers understand that reprinted with permission from his blog Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 thecoronavirus. policy of Immediately!” ‘no work, no Ms. money’ Shevtsova will called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- e-mail: [email protected] provoke a collapse and an explosion. And woneurasia2.blogspot.com/). No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 3

NEWS ANALYSIS The E40 waterway: Economic and geopolitical implications for Ukraine and the region

by Alla Hurska ers (see Eurasia Daily Monitor, February 18, ble and, thus, the least expensive to com- portation corridors. Namely, the Ukrainian- Eurasia Daily Monitor April 28, May 4). plete, requiring only $35.6 million to mod- Belarusian-Polish route could link to the This project will permit the maritime ernize some existing infrastructure (Cfts. European E70 waterway, thus connecting On April 24, the Ukrainian Parliament transport of oil and oil products, fertilizers, org.ua, September 16, 2019). the Black Sea with Western Europe adopted a first reading of the bill “On wood, grain, metal and metal products, as The Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure (Ukurier.gov.ua, May 12, 2016). The E40 Inland Water Transport,” finally codifying well as other cargoes to Europe, Africa and is considering several sources to finance the might also be integrated with the Trans- important planned reforms pertaining to Asia via the Baltic-Pontic Isthmus (between project. The government is ready to allocate Caspian International Transport Route riverine transportation in Ukraine – in par- the Baltic and Black Sea). It has been esti- 500 million hrv ($18.6 million) annually (Ukraine has been a part of this trans-Eur- ticular, on the Dnipro River (Mtu.gov.ua, mated that the waterway could add anoth- during the next four years, which should be asian transit corridor since 2015). The April 24). This new law creates a frame- er 7 million tons of cargo shipped up and enough to conduct all the necessary project, connecting the Baltic, Black and work regulating the functioning and devel- down the Dnipro River annually (Mtu.gov. upgrades. With proper dredging works, Caspian Seas was already discussed with opment of domestic riverways as well as ua, April 24). Moreover, the waterway could barges with carrying capacities of 5,000 to Chinese officials (Investinkherson.gov.ua, launches a liberalization of this sector. If the be integrated with current freight flows 6,000 tons would soon be able to navigate accessed May 12). bill passes its second reading (following across regional/trans-regional railway and the Ukrainian section of the waterway (Biz. In this regard, the Ukrainian port of additional input from interested businesses road corridors. Greater use of riverine liga.net, February 13). Additionally, the Kherson (at the southern end of the E40) – UNIAN, April 24), Ukraine will come into transport would also reduce road repair European Investment Bank (EIB) and the could be developed into a key node of compliance with the obligations found in costs for Ukraine by 1 billion hrv (over $37 European Bank for Reconstruction and transcontinental trade. Plans are already its Association Agreement with the million U.S.) over the next four years (Mtu. Development (EBRD) are tentatively ready under way to transform the city into a river European Union, at last opening its river gov.ua, April 24). to invest in the project. Since the E40 fits in logistics hub with a modern year-round transportation market to foreign compa- The idea to link the two seas via the with planned trade routes connecting the navigable river fleet (including small river nies, external investments and foreign- Baltic-Pontic Isthmus is hardly a novelty Netherlands and Turkey, Dutch companies icebreakers). Cargo flows via Kherson are flagged ships (notably, including military (see EDM, April 28). Ancient history aside, are willing to participate as well. Cumula­ expected to reach 2 million to 4 million vessels) (Rada.gov.ua, January 17). the first contemporary idea on the matter tively, the potential amount of European tons by 2030 (Cfts.org.ua, February 6). Also, According to Vladyslav Krykliy, Ukraine’s appeared in 1996 and was supported by investments is estimated at over $100 mil- Nibulon, the only Ukrainian agricultural minister of infrastructure, the law is instru- the United Nations Economic Commission lion (Pik.ua, November 22, 2019). company with its own fleet, is ready to mental for Ukraine’s economy as well as for Europe (UNECE). These plans were Notably, the E40 could be integrated into invest in the port, which may upgrade general compliance with European infra- again front and center in the “European the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), a coordinat- annual trade between Ukraine and Belarus structure norms and principles. Apart from Agreement on Main Inland Waterways of ed collection of intra-regional infrastructure to 10 million tons (Ukrinform.ua, October the restoration of domestic shipbuilding International Importance” (AGN) multilat- development projects that involves 12 3, 2017). Additional plans include construc- enterprises and the creation of new jobs, eral treaty, joined by Ukraine in 2009 (Cfts. European Union members in Central and tion of a dry port and a potash fertilizer the new law will importantly allow Ukraine org.ua, September 16, 2019). Between Eastern Europe (YouTube, September 17, granulation plant, which will serve freight to proceed with the realization of the so- 2017 and 2018, the project became part of 2018). With Poland a part of the 3SI, and between the Middle East and Ukraine and called E40 waterway project. This more- bilateral Ukrainian-Belarusian negotiations Ukraine and Belarus members of the EU’s Europe (Tavrianhorizons.in.ua, October 10, than-2,000-kilometer-long route aims to (Gazeta.ru, July 22, 2017). European Neighborhood Policy and Eastern 2017). connect the Black and Baltic seas, effective- Perhaps, the most discouraging aspect of Partnership, this project shows promise. Apart from its geo-economic implica- the project is its cost, said to reach over $13 The E40’s value also comes from its tions, the E40’s geopolitical and military- Ukrainian Kherson via the Vistula River, billion. The Ukrainian portion of the three- numerous potential linkage options to Buhly bridging Canal, andthe thePolish Prypiat port andof Gdańsk Dnipro andriv- country route is presently the most naviga- other regional and transcontinental trans- (Continued on page 5)

Remembering the Genocide of the Crimean Tatar people

The Ukrainian World Congress released the following The Ukrainian Canadian Congress issued the statement Center will hold an online rally in memory of the victims statement on May 18. below on May 18. of the genocide. The event will take place on Monday, May 18 at 9:00 EDT, streaming on the YouTube channel and The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) pays tribute to This year marks the 76th anniversary of the Genocide Facebook page of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center. the innocent victims of the deportation of Crimean Tatar of the Crimean Tatar people. The Ukrainian Canadian May the Memory of the Victims Be Eternal. Vichnaya people in 1944 and supports the call of the Mejlis of the community joins the Crimean Tatar people in mourning, Pamiat. Crimean Tatar people to the United Nations to recognize grief and solemn remembrance. it as an act of genocide of totalitarian Soviet regime. The entire Crimean Tatar people, the indigenous peo- The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America pub- Seventy-six years ago, on May 18, the Soviet authori- ple of Crimea, were exiled to the Soviet east by the totali- lished the following statement on May 18. ties began the planned deportation of over 200,000 eth- tarian Soviet Communist regime in 1944. Hundreds of nic Crimean Tatars from Crimea. The majority of these thousands of men, women and children were forcibly and This May 18, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of victims were women, children and elderly people. Almost violently deported – almost half lost their lives during the America (UCCA), the representative organization of over half of them perished during the forced deportation first year of exile – for no crime other than their language, 1 million Americans of Ukrainian descent, joins with because of starvation, illnesses, torture and slave labor in culture and traditions. They were not allowed to return to Ukrainian World Congress, the worldwide assembly of exile in deserted parts of Central Asia. The material and Crimea for almost 50 years. Ukrainian organizations representing over 20 million spiritual heritage of Crimean Tatars in Crimea had been In November 2015, Ukraine’s Parliament recognized people, and the government of Ukraine, to pause in a destroyed. Libraries, schools and mosques had been this crime as an act of Genocide against the Crimean Tatar moment of remembrance for the innocent victims of the closed, thousands of historic names were changed. people and established May 18 as the Day of In 2019 the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people addressed Remembrance of the Genocide of the Crimean Tatar committed by Joseph Stalin’s soviet henchmen in 1944. world parliaments and governments calling on them to rec- People. Last year, the Parliament of Latvia also recognized Sürgün (or “violent expulsion”), the crime of genocide ognize the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people as geno- this crime as an act of genocide. The Ukrainian Canadian Crimean peninsula of its population of approximately cide. The Ukrainian World Congress supports this call and Congress will continue to work to ensure that Canada’s 238,000The Sürgün indigenous was people, an inhuman the Qirim attempt Tatar toMillet. rid the70 welcomes the 2019 Statement of the Latvian Saiema on Parliament recognizes the deportation of the Crimean years later, Vladimir Putin staged Russia’s military inva- commemoration of the 1944 deportation victims, non-rec- Tatar people as an act of genocide. sion and current illegal occupation of Crimea, and today ognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and recognition Today, the ancestral home of the Crimean Tatar people, seeks to erase any semblance of the indigenous Crimean of 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars as genocide. the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine, is illegally occupied by Tatar identity from their homeland, including shutting “Today we unite in solemn commemoration of the the Russian Federation. The Mejlis, the representative down the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, replacing Crimean Tatar Crimean Tatars who perished, forced to leave their native assembly of the Crimean Tatar people, has been banned place names, and further removing opportunities for the land by the Soviet regime. Today the Russian Federation by the Russian occupation authorities. Crimean Tatar language and culture to be taught and continues the oppression and violence, having occupied The Crimean Tatar people, bravely resisting this cruel passed on. Crimea and openly persecuting the Crimean Tatar people, occupation, are once again subject to brutal violence, Whatever attempts Russia makes to legitimize the blatantly violating human rights and freedoms,” stated repressions, arrests and attacks on their unalienable occupation of the peninsula, the fact remains indisput- Paul Grod, UWC president. “The UWC urges the global rights and freedoms by the Russian occupation authori- able: Crimea is Ukraine. community to pay tribute to the victims of the atrocious ties. We join all civilized nations in condemning the On this 76th anniversary of the Deportation-Genocide crime of the totalitarian Communist regime and recognize Russian Federation’s occupation of the Crimean peninsu- of the Crimean Tatar people, the UCCA continues to voice the 1944 events as genocide of the Crimean Tatar people. la of Ukraine. our support for the Crimean Tatar people in their strug- At the same time, the world must not let the painful les- On May 17, the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba gle for their rights, and again calls on the governments of sons of history be repeated. We call for increased pressure raised the flag of the Crimean Tatar People to honor the the United States and European Union member states on the Russian Federation until it fully de-occupies Crimea victims of the Genocide. - and the Donbas, and releases political prisoners.” On Monday, May 18, the Crimean Tatar Resource nic genocide of the Crimean Tatar people. and the United Nations to recognize the Sürgün as an eth 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 No. 21

OUR COMMUNITY COPES WITH COVID-19 UAYA cancels summer camps nationwide Plast moves its camp experience online NEW YORK – Given the health and safety National Educational Council of UAYA, NORTH COLLINS, N.Y. – Plast Ukrainian the Vovcha Tropa Facebook page (www. concerns related to the COVID-19 pandem- working with the Camp Committee, will be Scouting Organization in the U.S.A. and its facebook.com/VovchaTropa). ic, the National Executive Board of the organizing virtual summer camps for National Board of Directors announced on Pysanyj Kamin will be hosting a virtual Ukrainian American Youth Association “sumeniata,” as well as recreational (“vidpo- April 30 that its camps will be cancelled for camp on July 5-12, with registration open (UAYA, which is also known by its chynkovi”) and educational (“vyshkilni”) the 2020 summer season due to the coro- through its website (www.pysanyjkamin. Ukrainian acronym as CYM) said it had camps. The National Executive Board is navirus pandemic. org). The camp will also be hosting a made the difficult decision to cancel in-per- encouraging all members nationwide to In its statement, Plast stated that its pri- 5K-run, off-premises. Additional informa- son summer camps in Ellenville, N.Y. make CYM a part of their summer schedule. mary responsibility is to adhere to the rec- tion will be posted on its Facebook page Summer camps are also canceled at other Over the next few weeks, CYM will be ommendations of the Centers for Disease (www.facebook.com/PysanyjKamin). CYM campgrounds nationwide, including holding online Q & A sessions to answer Control and Prevention, to protect all of its The Plast board also announced the can- Beskyd in Baraboo, Wisc., Kholodnyi Yar in questions and listen to suggestions regard- scouting members and prevent the spread of cellation of other regular events, including Fillmore, N.Y., and Khortytsia in ing the virtual camps. “We look forward to the virus. The cancellation of the 2020 Plast its Memorial Day weekend camporee, Sviato Huntington, Ohio. working with all of you to create a unique camp season includes the camps at Novyi Vesny, and its educational camps for coun- At every step of this decision, the UAYA and memorable summer season. This year, Sokil in North Collins, N.Y., Pysanyj Kamin in selors. The organization’s regular meetings National Executive Board and Camp camps will be held in a different format, but Middlefield, Ohio, and Vovcha Tropa in East have been moved online, as have as its edu- Committee emphasized that they worked the goal will remain the same. Sincere Chatham, N.Y., as well as its leadership camps cational programs and examinations. to keep the health, safety and enjoyment of thanks goes to the counselors and educa- Lisova Shkola and Shkola Bulavnykh. The Plast board is working on other rec- campers and the community paramount. tors …for their diligent work with youth and Novyi Sokil will be hosting a virtual ommendations and means of allowing Plast This year has been unprecedented in the adjusting to these unusual circumstances,” camp online. Additional information will be scouts to advance their ranks without history of the organization and this pan- the National Executive Board noted. posted on camp website, www.novyisokil. attending camps this year. The Plast leader- demic has deeply affected the CYM commu- For additional information, readers may org. Readers may support the camp ship said it will continue to monitor and nity, the National Executive Board noted, visit the CYM website (http://cym.org/us/ through its online store. adjust to the changing conditions and will adding that it has been closely monitoring ellenville-camps-2020) or e-mail the CYM Vovcha Tropa also has moved its camp inform its members of any additional the news during this pandemic and has National Executive Board at ky-usa@cym. activities online as a virtual camp. changes. been in direct and regular contact with org. Readers are encouraged to follow the Additional information will be posted on Source: Plast. frontline health-care workers and physi- organization’s developments on Instagram cians. and Facebook (www.facebook.com/CYM. The camp experience is irreplaceable USA). and remains in our memories forever. The Source: UAYA. Philadelphia center stays connected PHILADELPHIA – While waiting for the classes from the comfort of their homes or green light to once again share the offices together with new friends from all Chornomorska Sitch announces Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center over the world. with all of its members and friends, the The School of Ukrainian Language and UECC is proposing that all stay connected Culture at the Ukrainian Catholic University cancellation of 2020 Sports School through Ukrainian music and film. Weekly has become closer thanks to the new tech- WHIPPANY, N.J. – The Ukrainian Sitch extended wishes for its members offerings include a music, theater and film nologies of the digital age. Registration for Athletic-Educational Association Chorno­ and partners to remain healthy and safe playlist, through an e-newsletter. the course may be completed online morska Sitch has announced it is cancelling during this time of uncertainty, and urged This is a token of thanks for community (https://docs.google.com/forms/ d/e/1FAI its annual Sports School held during the continued support of the organization by members’ support and simultaneously to pQLSdZAegt1jGinDR0Jx5K0RAvOWURx- summer camp season at Soyuzivka its members. Readers can make donations keep them involved with the UECC. Links F7ayFY4L_eK3RD5kPGpvA/viewform?fbc- Heritage Center in Kerhonkson, N.Y. through the membership page on the Sitch are provided on the UECC Facebook page lid=IwAR05Ll6I0KlG1BajWXK2oi33BPXo The Chornomorska Sitch executive website (www.sitchsports.com) or e-mail, (www.facebook.com/uecc.ukrainiancenter). mjNtL01Fory191OZxwhKcd2JVrCPqTk). board voted on the decision in April at its [email protected], for more informa- The UECC has partnered with the School Readers may also visit the UECC website monthly meeting (via telephone conference tion. of Ukrainian Language and Culture at the (www.ueccphila.org), to sign up for the call), and the organization has committed Readers may also follow developments Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. organization’s newsletter. its resources to the 2021 season, with on the organization’s Facebook page (www. Participants can enjoy online Ukrainian Source: UECC. hopes for the coronavirus pandemic to be facebook.com/chornomorskasitch). under control by that time. Source: Sitch. Information on this page was compiled by Matthew Dubas ([email protected]).

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The Ukrainian Weekly, founded in 1933, is published by the Ukrainian National Association. No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 5

FOR THE RECORD Toast #UCCA80 on Tuesday, May 26 The following release was issued by the and adjusting its strategy to celebrate this Ukrainian Congress Committee of America historic anniversary virtually. on May 18. Therefore, we hope the community will join us on Tuesday, May 26, at 7:30pm NEW YORK – The Ukrainian Congress (EDT) in commemorating the UCCA’s mile- Committee of America (UCCA), never stone anniversary. wavering in its commitment to represent To join the celebratory program, please the interests of the Ukrainian American log on to community and support the independence of Ukraine, will be marking the 80th anni- versary of its founding this month. www.facebook.com/pg/UCCA.org/videos• YouTube: https://bit.ly/UCCATube Although the original plans to celebrate • the UCCA’s Facebook Page: https:// this milestone had to be canceled due to and raise a virtual toast to the UCCA’s these unprecedented times of COVID-19, long• or history the UCCA’s and website: wish ourwww.ucca.org organized the UCCA is rising to the challenge, as it has Ukrainian American community many done throughout its decades-long history,

more years! result in adverse actions by Russia. The E40 waterway... According to Rostislav Ishchenko, the E40 (Continued from page 3) will directly challenge Russian trade across the Don-Volga route, potentially decreasing strategic importance should not be down- the latter’s importance (Zvezdaweekly.ru, played. In particular, the E40 could permit September 18, 2019). the passage of military vessels, including The E40 notably may lead to the revital- small-class North Atlantic Treaty ization of a centuries-old transcontinental Organization (NATO) ships, and thus over- transportation/trade corridor, connecting come certain limitation stipulated by the two important European seas and more 1936 Montreux Convention regarding deeply integrating Ukraine (and Belarus) international naval access to the Black Sea into the EU’s infrastructural and economic (Svpressa.ru, September 15, 2019). frameworks. Yet, given outstanding finan- However, some challenges may arise – cial, geopolitical and ecological obstacles to primarily related to the fact that Belarus is its completion, the concept of the E40 still formally a treaty ally with Russia. Yet, given requires deeper strategic analysis and high- Minsk’s behavior and recent steps, this er levels of agreement among all the parties could change: for example, on November involved. 12, 2019, the ministries of defense of Belarus and Poland (a NATO member) The article above is reprinted from notably discussed bilateral military cooper- Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from ation (Mil.by, November 12, 2019). its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, Development of the project is likely to www.jamestown.org. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 No. 21

COMMENTARY The Ukrainian Weekly The UCCA’s 80th anniversary 76 years after deportation, Crimean Tatars May 24, 1940, is a historic date in the history of the Ukrainian community in the are again being erased from history in Crimea United States. On that day, on the initiative of the four Ukrainian fraternal benefit societies – the Ukrainian National Association, Ukrainian Workingmen’s by Olena Makarenko tude, not allowing those who returned even Association, Providence Association of Ukrainian Catholics and Ukrainian National Euromaidan Press to buy back their old homes. The Crimean Aid Association – 805 delegates from 1,425 organizations, large and small, met in Tatars were forced to start from scratch. Washington to establish a broadly based representation of Ukrainian Americans. May 18 is commemorated as a memorial Today, thousands of Crimean Tatars The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America was born. Svoboda’s editorial com- day of the victims of the genocide of the were forced once again to leave the mented: “The Ukrainian community in America …passed an exam of its political Crimean Tatar people. On that day in 1944, Crimean peninsula due to Russian occupa- maturity. It manifested its relationship to America, the American government and Joseph Stalin began an operation to deport tion of 2014; hundreds of those who stayed its policies, as well as to the ideals that are the foundation of order in this country. the entire population of Crimean Tatars are persecuted. Similarly, the community demonstrated its relationship to Ukraine and to the who survived the German occupation of * * * Ukrainian nation in Europe.” the peninsula. Over 200,000 Tatars, base- Tamila Tasheva, the Crimean Tatar The new organization’s Memorandum stated in its preamble: “Having duly con- lessly accused of collaborating with the founder of the human rights organization sidered the plight of the Ukrainian people in their native but foreign-occupied and Nazis, were expelled in just two days. In Crimea SOS and deputy permanent repre- enslaved Ukraine, we, representatives of American-Ukrainian political, fraternal and packed and locked railroad cattle cars and sentative of the president of Ukraine to cultural organizations, convened in the Congress of American Ukrainians in with few provisions and water, they were Crimea, once told Euromaidan Press that Washington on Friday, May 24, 1940, do regard it our privilege and duty, at this time sent on an arduous journey to remote rural her family, as well as many others, decided when our kinsmen over there are gagged by their oppressors, to take a stand in locations in Central Asia and Siberia. Over to build their own home. However, due to defense of their right to free and independent national existence, and to declare that 46 percent of the Crimean Tatar people the lack of funds, constructions usually the Ukrainian people will never cease their centuries-old struggle until they have perished during the trip and in the first two dragged on for long years. achieved the establishment of a free, independent and democratic state of Ukraine.” years of the exile due to the harsh condi- “Many Crimean Tatars faced the same The UCCA, which today describes itself as “the largest organized representation tions. A year after the deportation, when situation in 2014. They had to leave of Americans of Ukrainian descent,” has many achievements to its credit. Among World War II ended, demobilized Crimean them are: establishment of the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee; U.S. Crimea, but they had just finished building Tatar soldiers were sent from the Soviet government recognition of Captive Nations Week; promoting passage of the public their house. I know that some sold their Army directly into exile too. law that allowed a monument to Taras Shevchenko to be erected in Washington; home with tears on their faces and were publication of The Ukrainian Quarterly; fighting against Soviet human and nation- Only in 1989 did the USSR condemn the forced to move here (onto the mainland) al rights violations; and relentless work on countless pieces of legislation passed deportation, after which the indigenous because it is virtually impossible to stay by the U.S. Congress, including the Ukraine Freedom Support Act. people of Crimea started returning to their there,” she said. Yes, the UCCA has had its ups and downs – the most recent among the latter homeland. The deportation was recognized Nowadays, visiting her home is danger- being its 1980 congress, which saw the walkout of 20 member organizations in as a genocide by Ukraine in 2015, and after- ous for Ms. Tasheva because of her activi- protest against one grouping’s heavy-handed tactics to seize control of the pro- wards by Latvia, Lithuania and Canada. ties; returning to Crimea became her life ceedings and the organization itself. Since then, of course, the UCCA has worked to The return from deportation did not go mission. reunite the Ukrainian American community, and many of the organizations that smoothly. Crimean Tatars, for whom their With the beginning of the occupation in had quit their membership have since rejoined the UCCA (among them our pub- land and their home have a special mean- 2014, about 25,000 Crimean Tatars had to lisher, the Ukrainian National Association). But some major organizations have ing, had to live in temporary shelters when leave their homeland. Among them is the not, opting to stay independent while working with the UCCA on projects of com- coming back to Crimea. The houses that famous Crimean Tatar singer and mon interest, such as the Holodomor Memorial in Washington, for the good of the belonged to them before the deportation Eurovision winner Jamala. entire Ukrainian American community. were occupied by other people. Most of Five years ago, on May 20, 2015, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America them met Crimean Tatars with an icy atti- (Continued on page 14) celebrated its 75th anniversary with a reception on Capitol Hill. Present were a large number of representatives of Ukrainian American organizations and clergy, as well as officials of the U.S. and Ukrainian governments, diplomats of foreign embassies and leaders of other ethnic American organizations. Significantly, among the participants were three former U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine, two for- Ukraine moves to fight Russia’s destruction mer presidents of the UCCA and the president of the Ukrainian World Congress. Our Washington correspondent, Yaro Bihun, reported: “As they praised and of cultural heritage in occupied Crimea thanked the UCCA for the positive work it has done since its founding in 1940 for the benefit of its community, Ukraine and the United States, much of the focus of by Halya Coynash the monitoring and protection of such plac- es on occupied territory. remarks by speakers, including five members of the U.S. Congress, was also on Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Elmira Ablyalimova, the former director what the United States and other Western countries are and should be doing to Group help Ukraine during its current crisis with Russia.” of the Bakhchysarai Historical, Cultural and To be sure, this year’s anniversary celebration is different – it’s virtual, another Ukraine’s lawmakers have finally ratified Archaeological Museum-Reserve, wel- example of the effect the coronavirus has had on our lives. (See the announcement an important international document that comed ratification of a document which she from the UCCA on page 5 of this issue that informs readers how they can partici- can help counter Russia’s barbaric and ongo- believes can radically improve the degree pate online.) The focus of the gathering, however, is sure to be the same as that five ing destruction of places of huge historical of protection of places of cultural heritage. years ago, with kudos for the UCCA and its achievements, as well as comments and cultural heritage like the Khan’s Palace, One of the forms of assistance that, accord- about Russia’s continued war on Ukraine, now beginning its seventh year. or Hansaray, in Bakhchysarai, Crimea. ing to Article 33 of the Second Protocol, The UCCA today continues to live up to its founding principles, representing the The bill on ratifying the Second Protocol UNESCO can provide is in compiling Ukrainian American community’s myriad concerns and serving as an advocate for to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the national inventories of cultural property. our ancestral homeland. On the occasion of its 80th anniversary, we salute the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event Article 9 of the Second Protocol express- Ukrainian Congress Committee of America for the leading role it has played of Armed Conflict 1999, was supported by ly prohibits “a. any illicit export, other through the decades. And, we will surely join others in raising a virtual toast to the all members of the majority Servant of the removal or transfer of ownership of cultur- UCCA’s illustrious founders on May 24, 2020. People party present, and passed with a al property; b. any archaeological excava- healthy 321 votes. Although no national tion, save where this is strictly required to deputies voted against it, the failure of safeguard, record or preserve cultural some deputies from other factions who property; c. any alteration to, or change of were present to vote at all is baffling, since use of, cultural property which is intended May Turning the pages back... the only question over this bill should real- to conceal or destroy cultural, historical or ly have been why it took so long. scientific evidence.” There is also the possi- Russia will doubtless dismiss this and bility of enhanced protection as long as the Five years ago, on May 27, 2015, U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden, sites are considered “cultural heritage of 27 in a statement at the Brookings Institution in Washington, said repeat its mantra that “Crimea is a closed the greatest importance for humanity.” the U.S. should pursue cooperation with Russia on areas of subject.” That is not the opinion of the 2015 International Criminal Court’s Office of the Ms. Ablyalimova notes that Article 9 is mutual interest as long as it is not “asked to back off matters of the only norm in international legal treaties Prosecutor, which confirmed in 2016 that principles” crucial to the “security and well-being” of that directly prohibits deliberate alteration Russia’s ongoing occupation of Crimea con- Washington and its allies. of a site to destroy its real historical value. stitutes an international armed conflict. In his prepared remarks, Mr. Biden was critical of President Vladimir Putin over This is not enough in itself, and Ukraine Nor is it the position of the United Nations Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in March 2014 and its involvement in should now introduce legislation to crimi- General Assembly or all democratic coun- the conflict in Ukraine’s Donbas region. Mr. Biden called out “Russian aggression” and how nalize violations prohibited by the Second tries which continue to insist that Crimea is it had “literally transformed the landscape of European security.” Protocol. This will make it possible to hold Mr. Biden said that it was “overwhelmingly in our interest to continue to cooperate” Ukrainian and that the occupation is illegal. proper court proceedings and to use these with the Kremlin on issues like counterterrorism and a deal to restrict Iran’s nuclear capa- The authors of the bill note that ratifica- as proof of Russian violations of Ukraine’s bilities. “[Putin] will push as far as he can, in my view, until he reaches resistance that in fact tion will mean that Ukraine can approach cultural heritage on international political says there’s a big price to pay,” he said. “And he may then make a mistake and continue.” He UNESCO for technical assistance in protect- and court levels. ing places of cultural heritage and will also (Continued on page 10) provide further instruments for organizing (Continued on page 12) No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR COMMENTARY

Unfortunately, Ukraine’s future is heavi- The consequences ly tied to President Zelenskyy’s hubris, and Ukrainians must now live with the conse- Putin woos Trump with WW II nostalgia, of a feckless choice quences of their feckless choice. Dear Editor: George Woloshyn but Russia’s hybrid war continues In Bohdan Nahaylo’s news analysis Cross Junction, Va. by Eugene Czolij In the military sphere, the post-2014 “After one year, is Zelenskyy running out of world has witnessed the rise of hybrid steam?” (May 3), there is no mystery. Mr. The upbeat joint statement issued by Russian forces operating without official Zelenskyy shares with both President The real costs U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian status. First used during Russia’s military Barack Obama and President Donald President Vladimir Putin on April 25 was interventions in Crimea and eastern Trump a serious flaw that is common to of health care both baffling and alarming. Released to Ukraine, these hybrid formations are close- democracies and revolutions. All three are mark the 75th anniversary of the meeting ly tied to the Russian armed forces and typ- products of social frustrations, anxieties Dear Editor: between Soviet and U.S. troops on the River ically include large numbers of former ser- and upheavals that are apt to bring to the When I hear that there’s a well-run gov- Elbe in the final days of World War II, the vicemen. This creates a veil of deniability fore inexperienced (though often well- ernment program, I become suspicious. And statement hailed the spring 1945 event as that allows the Kremlin to conduct an meaning) leaders who greatly overstate so it was when I read Marco Levytsky’s col- “an example of how our countries can put aggressive foreign policy without accepting their abilities to bring change and improve- umn “Canada’s publicly funded health care” aside differences, build trust, and cooperate legal responsibility for the actions of forces ment, and who fail to understand the com- (March 29). As Mr. Levytsky clearly states, in pursuit of a greater cause.” that remain under its control. Since 2014, plexities and difficulties they would face. Canada’s health care is paid for by taxes. Given the tense current state of bilateral hybrid Russian forces have appeared every- Stable societies with strong and well- What I find annoying though is the ubiqui- ties, the conciliatory tone of this statement is where from Syria and Libya to Venezuela established systems of checks and balances tous use of the word “free” in most publica- hard to understand, let alone justify. Indeed, and the Central African Republic. as well as powerful, trusted, and profes- tions when referring to a government-run it is difficult to see how Washington can Moscow does not admit to any of this hybrid aggression. Instead, Russia denies sional government institutions can with- health-care program. It’s a clever way of dis- “build trust” with Moscow, as suggested in the entire existence of a coordinated cam- stand erratic and inexperienced elected guising the fact that the consumer actually the Elbe statement, given the long and ever- paign against the West, with Kremlin offi- leaders for extended periods because they pays for this service via his taxes. expanding list of hostile actions undertaken by Russia over the past six years of hybrid cials dismissing each and every new accu- continue along an established course with That Canada’s health-care costs are warfare against the entire Western world. sation as yet another example of ground- only minor “corrections.” But Ukraine has much cheaper than in the U.S., as Mr. less “Russophobia.” This neither strong systems of checks and bal- Levytsky points out, is beyond dispute. Part makes it impossible to ances nor trusted and professional govern- of the problem here in the U.S. is that the Russia’s policy of issuing engage in the kind of trust- ment institutions. Inexperienced and administrative costs are ridiculously high, building referred to in the unqualified elected leaders find themselves accounting for 35 percent of health-care blanket denials despite the Elbe statement. Indeed, having to tame a “bucking bronco” though costs. In addition, Medicare is riddled with existence of overwhelming Russia’s policy of issuing they may not even know how to mount a fraud and waste. What the consumer cares blanket denials despite the horse. about, however, is what he pays for this evidence to the contrary makes existence of overwhelming Mr. Zelenskyy is a Grade B actor with no service in taxes, insurance or both. it unrealistic to take anything experience or knowledge of the institutions evidence to the contrary According to the Fraser Institute, a non- makes it unrealistic to take he promised he would direct and manage; partisan think tank in British Columbia, for Moscow says at face value. no idea of how he would bring constructive anything Moscow says at the year 2017, the average two-adult family face value. change; no trusted and experienced team paid more than $12,000 annually for of knowledgeable “game changers”; and Russia’s hybrid war is global in scale and The recent joint statement to mark the Canada’s “Medicare” coverage via taxation. diverse in form. The one common feature anniversary of the River Elbe meeting was only a shallow, sophomoric “vision” of The annual cost for the top 10 percent where he wants to lead the country. Yet, he uniting Russia’s activities is the overriding a clever ploy on Russia’s part that sought to income earners was over $39,000. objective of undermining the rules-based exploit American goodwill associated with was the runaway choice of Ukraine’s imma- In contrast, according to the U.S. Bureau ture and corrupt system of “democracy.” and Western-dominated international order the allied effort to defeat Nazi Germany. By of Labor Statistics, the average American that emerged in the 1990s following the reminding U.S. audiences of their wartime Having voted for a phantasmagoria created household spent $4,928 on health care in in the studios of Ukraine’s most reviled and Soviet collapse. It could be argued that this partnership with the Soviet Union, the 2017, $3,414 of which was spent on insur- campaign is really just a continuation of old Kremlin hoped to distract attention away predatory oligarch, what exactly did his ance. The U.S. also has employer-sponsored supporters expect? It is what it is. Cold War activities that never completely from the numerous very good reasons to health insurance, 82 percent of which is ceased. Nevertheless, there has clearly been be distrustful of today’s Russia. But history frequently comes up with paid by the employer. surprises, and, unlikely though it may a sharp escalation since the mid-2010s. The This cynical use of World War II for con- Finally, according to Peter St. Onge, Ph.D., watershed event was the Russian military temporary political purposes has been a seem, Mr. Zelenskyy may still surprise all of economist of the Montreal Economic us. First and foremost, he must recognize takeover of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in favored tactic of Mr. Putin’s for much of the Institute, care in Canada is rationed, with February-March 2014. From the moment past two decades. Domestically, he has used that he truly is alone in office and break waiting times running from months to free from the comfort of long-time friends Mr. Putin ordered his “little green men” to Russian reverence for the Soviet war effort years. A doctor in Ontario called in a referral seize Crimea, he was drawing a line under as a tool to bolster national pride and coun- and associates, or cunning manipulators for a neurologist and was told that there’s a and political patrons like Ihor Kolomoisky. more than two decades of uneasy co-exis- ter the feelings of shame and humiliation four-and-a-half-year waiting list for a tence and placing Russia in open opposition that followed the collapse of the USSR. This He must recognize that Ukraine’s citizens 16-year-old boy. Underinvestment in facili- are his only friends, and that Ukraine’s real to the democratic world. has led to cult-like celebrations of the Soviet ties has resulted in patients being treated in Within weeks, Mr. Putin had expanded victory that grow more frenzied and elabo- enemy is the system of oligarchic and crim- hallways. Canada has now fewer MRI units inal control of Ukraine’s politics and econo- his military campaign to mainland Ukraine rate with each passing year. It has also per capita than Turkey or Latvia. Every year, my. He must do all in his power to throttle and begun a war in the east of the country helped transform the way Russians relate to more than 50,000 Canadians come to the that system by bringing into his govern- that continues to this day, with over 13,000 their country’s troubling past. Mr. Putin’s U.S. to have surgery done because they can ment honest, fearless and experienced pro- killed and more than 1.5 million internally World War II victory cult has almost single- get quality care and fast treatment. fessionals like Gen. Ihor Smeshko. displaced persons. This campaign also led handedly “rehabilitated” the entire Soviet As Rudy Giuliani once quipped, “If the Ukrainians, for their part, must be ready to to the shooting down of flight MH17 in July era and served as the perfect antidote to the U.S. adopts socialized medicine, where will support him when he is doing the right 2014 by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine monstrous crimes of Stalin. The Russian Canadians go to get decent health care?” thing and rally against him – even by way – an atrocity that brought the horrors of the leader is now exploring whether the same of a third Maidan – when he is going in the Walter J. Dziwak war home to hundreds of families in the trick can help him improve ties with the U.S. wrong direction. Lake Hiawatha, N.J. Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia and a host We can only hope that from of other countries. Washington’s perspective, the recent U.S.- Beyond Ukraine, Russia has engaged in a Russian joint statement was a mere diplo- wide variety of aggressive actions. There matic gesture reflecting President Trump’s Opinions in The Ukrainian Weekly have been political assassinations, includ- oft-stated but largely unfulfilled desire for The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor that react to ing a failed attempt to deploy chemical warmer bilateral ties. With Russian troops weapons against a Kremlin target in subur- still occupying Crimea and a portion of east- articles published on its pages. Opinions expressed by letter-writers ban England. Russia has interfered in dem- ern Ukraine, and with Kremlin agents are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of either ocratic votes such as the 2016 U.S. presi- engaged in destabilization efforts through- The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian National dential election, fueled separatism in out the West, calls to put aside differences Association. Catalonia, backed far-right groups through- and work together have the ring of sarcasm Letters must be signed (anonymous letters are not published). out the European Union, and plotted the bordering on mockery. The daytime phone number, e-mail address and complete mailing violent overthrow of the elected govern- If Mr. Putin is genuine in his desire to address of the letter-writer must be given for verification purposes. ment in Montenegro. Cyberwarfare has “build trust,” he should forget about World reached new heights, with Russia accused War II nostalgia and address concerns over The length of letters cannot exceed 500 words. of attacking sensitive government systems the aggressive actions of today’s Russia that Letters may be edited or abridged. The Weekly reserves the right and hacking vital elements of infrastruc- blatantly violate his country’s international to edit for clarity, civility and accuracy. ture across the Western world. Meanwhile, obligations and threaten global security. Letters should be sent to [email protected] or to The Ukrainian coordinated Russian disinformation opera- Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. tions have become an everyday feature of Eugene Czolij is president of the non-gov- the online media landscape. ernmental organization Ukraine-2050. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 No. 21 No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 9

The generation of 1919: Pritsak, Luckyj and Rudnytsky

by Thomas M. Prymak The beginning of the 20th century was a turbulent time in the history of Ukraine, and indeed, all of Europe. The Great War of 1914-1918 convulsed the continent, and was followed by the nearly complete col- lapse of the Old Order. The German, Austrian and Russian empires were no more. The Ottoman Empire was soon to fol- low. New states and new nations were being born. Others were indeed born, but their statehood killed in their infancy. Revolutions and more wars followed. Nation fought nation, and one social class confronted another. Various forms of nationalism were opposed by various forms of socialism, and the new and fright- ening specter of militant Communism Omeljan Pritsak (1919-2006) George Luckyj (1919-2001) Ivan Lysiak-Rudnytsky (1919-1984) raised its scarlet head. Amidst it all, individ- uals and families strove merely to survive. tarian and militant nationalism of their par- or translating about 40 monographs, trans- came out much more regularly, with more Into this political and social chaos were ents’ generation and saw in the firmly dem- lations, or collections of materials, many of book reviews, and with far fewer delays born three children of the new age: ocratic principles of Pritsak, Luckyj and them in English. He was aided in this formi- and complications, than did Harvard Omeljan Pritsak (1919-2006), George Rudnytsky a new and more realistic way dable task by his talented English wife, Ukrainian Studies’. Luckyj (1919-2001) and Ivan Lysiak- forward. Moira, who checked his language and As to the next generation, Rudnytsky’s Rudnytsky (1919-1984). All three were Equally important, the three scholars grammar, and smoothed out his prose. Over born in the very same year into relatively most distinguished junior associate (if not the years, Luckyj trained a whole new gen- advantaged families in western Ukraine attracted the youth through their intellectu- exactly student) was the specialist in the eration of young Ukrainian Canadians in (formerly Austrian Galicia), and the latter al prowess and leadership in major North history of Galicia John-Paul Himka. the study of Ukrainian literature. His stu- two were also fairly well off for that time American universities. Pritsak, in many Rudnytsky also served as external critic of dents included the folklorist Robert and place. All three were privileged with a ways the foremost, was a medievalist, who the Ph.D. thesis on Mykhailo Hrushevsky by Klymasz (later) of the Canadian Museum of higher education in Europe before migrat- was brought to Harvard University by the the writer of these lines, who received his Civilization in Ottawa (who was a child of ing to North America, where they were to specialist in medieval Persia, Richard Frye. degree from the University of Toronto. the older, interwar immigration), the liter- make their careers and their indelible mark He made a special mark by founding the Moreover, while during the Cold War ary scholars Danylo Struk of the University upon the intellectual and political life of the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute HUS stressed primarily the less directly of Toronto and Myroslav Shkandrij of the Ukrainian emigration. (HURI) and its journal Harvard Ukrainian political (older medieval and Kozak) peri- University of Manitoba, and the profession- These three future Ukrainian intellectu- Studies (HUS), which won a coveted new ods of Ukrainian history and culture, the al editors Halyna Hryn of Harvard and als were all raised in the interwar Republic prestige for the field. In part, Pritsak JUS attacked all periods, while concentrat- Roman Senkus of Toronto and Alberta (all of Poland, which had annexed Ukrainian achieved this by keeping his institute as far ing upon the most contemporary. There can with post-1945 antecedents). Galicia that same fateful 1919. Pritsak was as possible from active politics and by be no doubt that Pritsak’s influence (and Rudnytsky’s destiny was again different. educated at the Polish University of Lwów, stressing that Ukraine was a definite “terri- partly that of his Byzantine-area colleague, Although he had completed his university while Luckyj and Lysiak-Rudnytsky were tory” as well as an aspirant nation. Ihor Sevcenko) was at work in this particu- education (receiving his degree in Prague classmates at an elite Ukrainian high school In this way, he could claim that his insti- lar aspect of Harvard’s interests, while with the Soviets already at the gates of the in that same city and later on also studied tute’s subject was not so much “ethnic” or Rudnytsky’s (and partly Luckyj’s) were pri- city) before both Pritsak and Luckyj, he elsewhere. Luckyj went to England, where national history as the history of a well- mary in the JUS. taught at various institutions in the U.S.A. he arrived as the second world war was defined territory, the existence of which As to the personal publications of these before winding up at the University of just breaking out, and Rudnytsky to Berlin, could not be disputed. Non-Ukrainians scholars, certain facts are beyond dispute. Alberta in western Canada. But once in where he studied history as the war pro- were welcomed into the work of the insti- Luckyj’s legacy is stamped by two out- Alberta, Rudnytsky’s ability to effectively gressed. Both Pritsak and Luckyj did fur- tute, and this included both Jews and Poles, standing titles. “Between Gogol and communicate complex political and ideo- ther studies during the post-war period: some of whom came from communities Sevcenko: Polarity in the Literary Ukraine logical positions, and his intellectual Pritsak in Germany, where he focused on that for a long time had been at logger- 1798-1847” (1971), which treated the sophistication and scholarly rigor, lent the Central Asian field, specializing in the heads with Ukrainians. Pritsak’s foremost Ukrainian national awakening of the 19th prestige to the effort of the Ukrainian history of the various Turkic peoples, and students or junior associates, all historians century, and “Literary Politics in the Soviet Canadian community to establish the Luckyj on Slavonic and Ukrainian literature in one way or another linked to America’s Ukraine 1917-1934” (1956), which mostly Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at Columbia University in New York City. So most prestigious university, included Orest dealt with the varied Ukrainian cultural (CIUS), which was founded by Manoly by profession, Pritsak was an “orientalist,” Subtelny (later) of York University, Zenon movements of the 1920s. By contrast, Lupul and others at about the same time as Luckyj a literary scholar and Rudnytsky a Kohut and Frank Sysyn of the University of Rudnytsky produced no big monographs. the HURI in the U.S.A. However, the historian of modern Europe. Alberta, and Victor Ostapchuk and, in He was, however, an influential essayist, Canadian institute soon went its own way. All three were politically speaking “dem- another way, Paul Magocsi, of the and his posthumous collection of essays So while the HURI mostly limited itself ocrats” with a small “d,” if not “liberals” in University of Toronto. So, all of the scholars titled “Modern Ukrainian History” (1987) to the study of Ukraine in Europe, especial- the American sense. For example, named here eventually immigrated to stands as his most important legacy in ly in the fields of history and literature, the Rudnytsky was a firm supporter of the Canada and taught at Canadian universities. English. (A two-volume edition came out in CIUS, from the start, also took seriously the Vietnam War, Pritsak an enthusiastic Luckyj took a different tack. Upon gradu- Ukrainian a few years later.) study of Ukrainians in Canada and else- admirer of Ronald Reagan, and Luckyj a ating from Columbia, he immediately got a Meanwhile, in even greater contrast, where. In fact, during Lupul’s tenure as fierce critic of the Liberal Canadian Prime job at Canada’s premier university, the aside from a few valuable but very special- director of the CIUS, Ukrainian Canadian Minister, Pierre Trudeau and his new policy University of Toronto, where he pioneered ized “Oriental” studies, Pritsak left no studies flourished as never before and were of multiculturalism. Nevertheless, through- the study of Ukrainian literature in the major respected monograph in the English quite the equal of Ukrainian studies out the Cold War, all three became inspira- Department of Slavic Languages and language. The first volume of his “Origin of focused on Europe. (The simultaneous tional to young folk with varied political Literatures. Luckyj actually chaired this Rus’ ” was weighty, but hard to read, and proclamation of “Multiculturalism within a views, who were of Ukrainian background department for many years and helped to was mostly panned by the critics, and his Bilingual Framework” as official Canadian or ancestry and wished to learn more found the Canadian Association of Slavists Ukrainian-area essays, some of which were government policy certainly played some about their national heritage in Europe. and its journal Canadian Slavonic Papers respectable, and documented the early role in the enthusiasm of CIUS scholars for Many of these younger folk, especially (CSP), of which he was the first editor. years of his institute, have thus far never this effort.) The Canadian field, however, among the children of the post-1945 immi- Of these three scholars, Luckyj was defi- been collected together and published in seems to have experienced a steep decline grants, had been turned off by the authori- nitely the most prolific, authoring or editing English in the way that Rudnytsky’s have. after what Lupul later called “the American (Pritsak did, however, publish a volume of takeover of the institute” by his successors his “Eurasian” essays in the Variorum series Thomas M. Prymak, Ph.D., a historian, is a research associate at the Chair of Ukrainian from the U.S.A., and neither Rudnytsky nor of reprints.) Studies, Departments of History and Political Science, University of Toronto. He is the author Luckyj ever took any interest in these Indeed, on occasion, Pritsak’s startling of over 165 titles, including four scholarly monographs, numerous research articles and Canadian developments. revelation that “history is an exact science” many lesser works of popularization. These include essays and articles on political and cul- On another level, over the course of sev- like the natural sciences, came as no little tural history, language and etymology, ethnic studies, folklore and art history. eral decades, the CIUS published a greater surprise to many of his learned peers, while This article was inspired by and written in response to the centenary discussion on “The number of titles than did the HURI, and his colleague at Harvard, Richard Pipes, Generation of 1919: Omeljan Pritsak, George Luckyj and Ivan Lysiak-Rudnytsky,” held at the most of them were more or less HURI’s marveled at how he urged his students to great American Slavic Studies conference (ASEEES) in San Francisco in November 2019. equal in scholarly rigor, if not in layout and study various languages that went far Frank Sysyn of the University of Alberta spoke on Omeljan Pritsak, Marko Stech of the physical beauty. Moreover, the Alberta/ beyond their major East European interests University of Toronto on George Luckyj and Yaroslav Hrytsak of the Ukrainian Catholic Toronto-based Journal of Ukrainian Studies University of Lviv on Ivan Lysiak-Rudnytsky. (JUS), the Canadian institute’s journal, (Continued on page 15) 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 No. 21

Interviews as evidence in MH17 downing minister of a Russia-backed group in the between 1924 and 1941, and between NEWSBRIEFS Donetsk region when MH17 was shot 1943 and 1961. On April 17 the so-called The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) (Continued from page 2) down in July 17, 2014, by a Russian-made Luhansk people’s republic controlled by says it will use a journalist’s interviews with Buk missile fired from separatist-controlled Russia said it will call occupied Luhansk IMF for months about a three-year, $5.5 bil- former pro-separatist figures as evidence of territory. In the interview published on May Voroshilovgrad on those three days each lion loan tied to reforms to help the country crimes committed during the war in the 18, Mr. Girkin said that, as the military com- year. (Ukraine Crisis Media Center) meet a spike in debt repayments this year. east of the country, including the downing mander in the area, he felt “indirect respon- Earlier this month, Prime Minister Denys of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17). The sibility” for the downing of the passenger One soldier killed, 11 wounded Shmyhal said that about $3.5 billion of the SBU announcement on May 19 relates to jet, but that his forces didn’t fire the missile Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported total expected from the IMF is intended to two interviews published by Ukrainian that killed all 298 passengers and crew on that during the week of May 8-14, one go directly into the state budget. journalist Dmytro Gordon on his YouTube board. Dutch investigators have linked Mr. Ukrainian soldier was killed and 11 Lawmakers approved banking legislation channel in which ex-separatist leader Igor Girkin and two other Russians and one Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action. on May 13 that paved the way for billions Girkin, also known as Strelkov, and the for- Ukrainian to downing the jet on its way During that week, Russian-terrorist forces from the IMF to flow. Though the legislation mer top prosecutor in Russian-annexed from the Netherlands to Malaysia. In March, opened fire on Ukrainian positions in the also has other implications for Ukraine’s Crimea, Natalia Poklonskaya, divulge infor- a Dutch court began criminal proceedings Luhansk and Donetsk sectors of the front 74 banks, analysts say its main purpose is to mation that prosecutors say could be used against the four separatist figures, who are times in total, including at least 29 times prevent one of Ukraine’s most powerful against them. “All the information voiced in believed to be in Russia. Dutch officials with heavy weapons – mortars and artillery. tycoons, Ihor Kolomoisky, the former co- these interviews is already being analyzed believe the missile was secretly transported Returning fire, Ukrainian forces killed five owner of PrivatBank, from regaining own- in detail by the [SBU] staff for its use as across the Russian border into Ukraine. and wounded 25 enemy combatants in the ership rights to the bank. The IMF is said to additional evidence of the Russian Russia denies any role in the tragedy. last week, the Ministry of Defense said. have insisted upon approval of the banking Federation’s seizure of Ukrainian territory Another interview Mr. Gordon published (Ukrainian Canadian Congress Daily law amid signs the government was consid- and the actual beginning of the war in the with Ms. Poklonskaya on May 11 may also Briefing) ering returning PrivatBank, which is in the east of our state,” the SBU said. Mr. Girkin, a be used by the SBU to build its case against midst of a major legal and political fight former colonel in Russia’s Federal Security the ex-prosecutor of annexed Crimea Grand jury investigates Kolomoisky between 2014 and 2016. Ms. Poklonskaya, involving Mr. Kolomoisky. (RFE/RL) Service (FSB), was the so-called defense BuzzFeed News reported it had learned now a deputy in the Russian State Duma, is that “One of Ukraine’s wealthiest oligarchs, wanted in Ukraine for “actions committed whose name emerged in the center of the with the aim of forcible change or over- Trump impeachment saga, is under investi- throw of the constitutional order or seizure gation by a U.S. federal grand jury for alleg- of state power.” Both interviews caused a edly laundering hundreds of millions of dol- stir in Ukraine, with some accusing Mr. lars in U.S. real estate.” BuzzFeed News said, TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 Gordon of spreading Russian and separatist “Billionaire Igor Kolomoisky is accused by or e-mail [email protected] propaganda. In particular, the European Ukraine regulators of orchestrating a Solidarity Party called on the SBU to launch scheme to siphon money from the country’s SERVICES PROFESSIONALS an investigation into Mr. Gordon “for incit- ing hostility, supporting terrorism, and largest bank and funnel it into prime prop- undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty.” In a erties, including landmark office towers and twist to the story, Mr. Gordon said in a video steel facilities across the U.S. The U.S. grand statement on May 19 that he had inter- jury is examining the finances of viewed Ms. Poklonskaya and Mr. Girkin “in Kolomoisky, a key supporter of President collaboration with the Ukrainian secret ser- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a probe that has vices.” The SBU responded that the inter- tracked the money from the Ukrainian bank views were conducted at Mr. Gordon’s “ini- through a maze of offshore companies to tiative.” Mr. Gordon said flash drives of the the US, according to two sources familiar interviews were sent to The Hague, where with the inquiry.” (Ukrainian Canadian the testimonies could be used in interna- Congress Daily Briefing) tional court cases against Russia’s illegal Senate committee issues subpoena in Biden probe annexation of Crimea and the war in the HELP WANTED east of Ukraine. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, A Republican-led U.S. Senate committee with reporting by UNIAN and Ukrinform) has voted to subpoena documents for an investigation into Hunter Biden, son of for- An elderly, single man, an Occupied regions to use Soviet names mer Vice-President Joe Biden, the pre- American citizen, is looking for a Russia’s proxies keep returning Soviet sumptive Democratic presidential nomi- lady to help with the housework symbols to the occupied territories in nee. The Senate Homeland Security and and for companionship. Donetsk and Luhansk regions. On April 24 Governmental Affairs Committee voted on If there is no answer, please leave the leader of the so-called Donetsk people’s May 20 along party lines to subpoena infor- a message on the answering republic, Denis Pushylin, signed an “order” mation from Blue Star Strategies, a lobby machine. SERVICES that allows to call occupied Donetsk by its firm that worked with Burisma, a gas com- Tel.: 919-233-4593 Roman. old-time name, Stalino, three times a year. pany in Ukraine that paid Hunter Biden to The name is to be used on Victory Day on serve as a board member. President Donald May 9, on June 22 when Germany invaded Trump was impeached on abuse-of-power OPPORTUNITIES the Soviet Union, and on September 8 and obstruction charges in the Democratic- when the city was liberated from Nazi occupation. Donetsk was called Stalino (Continued on page 11) EARN EXTRA INCOME! The Ukrainian Weekly is looking for advertising sales agents. and Ukraine’s success could serve as a cata- For additional information contact Turning... lyst for similar change in Russia, the vice- Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, (Continued from page 6) president noted. The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama added, “But I think if you look at his behav- met with NATO Secretary-General Jens ior over his career, he’s a practical guy.” Stoltenberg at the White House on May 26 Run your advertisement here, Citing Ukraine’s right to self-determina- and, from that meeting, President Obama in The Ukrainian Weekly’s tion, the vice-president underscored, “It’s issued a statement calling for Russia’s with- about the future of NATO, our collective drawal of support and “all its forces from CLASSIFIEDS section. self-defense, and our unity, our strength, eastern Ukraine.” our ability to deter aggression together.” The next day, Mr. Stoltenberg, in his However, Mr. Biden’s remarks offered lit- address at the Center for Strategic and tle new in terms of Washington’s position International Studies in Washington, said on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. NATO neighbors Georgia, Moldova and He did reiterate Washington’s position that Ukraine “…are not buffer zones, they are the U.S. and its NATO and European allies independent sovereign states. They have must remain vigilant in confronting what he the right to choose their own paths and we called Russia’s “hybrid warfare.” Moscow, he will help them on that path.” added, was effectively deploying propagan- Furthermore, Russia’s provocative rheto- da and sowing discord among European ric on nuclear weapons and the interception Union member states by backing right-wing of Russian warplanes by NATO member and left-wing movements to “create cracks” forces were “deeply troubling,” he stated. in European politics. Ukraine’s commitment to political, eco- Source: “Biden defends cooperation with nomic and anti-corruption reforms Russia amid Ukraine standoff,” RFE/RL, The requires support from Western countries, Ukrainian Weekly, June 7, 2015. No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 11

EU may break own protocol by participating in Russia-backed videoconference on Crimea

by Rikard Jozwiak As part of its response to the annexation, The EU will also be represented at the RFE/RL sought comment from the EU the European Union drew up strict guide- meeting, however, as will the German per- about its participation in the meeting but RFE/RL lines for all of its diplomats, as well as dip- manent representative. Belgium and France did not receive an answer. The European Union and several of its lomats of its member states, stating that have also signaled that they will attend, The two-page Russian concept note member states may break the bloc’s own there can be “no participation in, or atten- though it was not clear at what level. ahead of the meeting states that “after the guidelines on contacts with de facto authori- dance of any level at any event that could The levels and numbers of participating coup d’état in February 2014 in Kyiv, ties of the Russia-annexed Crimean be identified in advance as only aiming at EU member states varies, but so far only inhabitants of several regions of eastern Peninsula by participating in a Moscow- acknowledgment of Crimea/Sevastopol’s Bulgaria, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine expressed their disapproval of the backed videoconference on the situation in status and de facto annexation.” Romania and the three Baltic states had unlawful actions of the then-Ukrainian the region. An Arria-formula meeting, frequently stated that they will snub the meeting. Maidan leaders.” Two diplomats from EU member states, used by the United Nations, is an informal Some of the officials RFE/RL contacted It also notes that “today’s Crimea enjoys who were not authorized to speak on the arrangement that allows members of the voiced fears that the presence of EU diplo- all the rights and benefits of a Russian record, told RFE/RL that representatives at institution to be briefed about internation- mats will compromise the non-recognition region and all of its population groups enjoy various levels from up to 19 out of 27 EU al security issues. guidelines and be used for propaganda all the rights and freedoms of Russian citi- member states, as well as the EU’s delega- During the meeting, Russia’s U.N. purposes, even if they speak out against the tion to the United Nations, planned to par- Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya was to deliver annexation in the meeting. (Continued on page 15) ticipate in the event on May 21. opening and closing remarks, while propo- A concept note on the conference, nents of Russia’s annexation of the Ukrainian authored by the Permanent Mission of the peninsula were to make panel presentations. need to get to the truth about the Bidens’ Russian Federation to the United Nations These include Moscow-approved figures, relationship with Burisma. These hearings and seen by RFE/RL, welcomes all “New- such as Asadullah Bairov, the deputy mufti NEWSBRIEFS will provide the Senate with the full pic- York based representatives of the U.N. of Crimea; Anastasia Gridchina, the head of (Continued from page 10) member states” to an Arria-formula video- the Ukrainian community on the peninsula; ture.” Democrats say that the Republican conference on the situation in Crimea. This and Ervin Musaev, the deputy director-gen- led House of Representatives for improper- investigation into Biden and his son will aid included people at the level of permanent eral of the Crimean TV channel Millet. ly pressuring Ukraine to investigate the Russia’s disinformation campaign ahead of representatives, deputy permanent repre- The concept note claims that “in order Bidens. The president was acquitted by the the November election. Sen. Gary Peters sentatives and experts, as well as the press. for the participants to have comprehensive Republican-controlled Senate. Democrats (D-Mich.), the ranking Democrat on the In March 2014, Moscow seized control information, the Arria meeting will provide accuse the Republicans of seeking the committee, said the probe “risks amplifying of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula after send- an opportunity to listen and learn the real investigation in a bid to help Trump’s efforts of our foreign adversaries to inter- ing in troops and staging a referendum dis- picture of the situation on the ground from reelection campaign. Sen. Ron Johnson fere in the 2020 elections.” Biden campaign missed as illegal by at least 100 countries. those who currently reside in Crimea, (R-Wis.), chairman of the panel, has said spokesman Andrew Bates said in a state- Moscow is also backing “separatists” in a being at the same time representatives of the investigation is not designed to influ- ment that Johnson was “running a political war in eastern Ukraine that has killed more various national groups of the inhabitants ence the presidential election. His col- errand” for Trump. (RFE/RL, with report- than 13,200 people since April 2014. of the peninsula.” league, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said, “We ing by AFP, AP, DPA and Reuters)

Selfreliance Federal Credit Union мourns the passing of With great sorrow we announce Ihor Wyslotsky. the passing on April 4, 2020 of Ihor Wyslotsky passed away on April 12, 2020. Dr. Yurij Lubomyr Boszko Mr. Wyslotsky was an extraordinary man, interesting, perfectly acquainted with world a airs, a great Ukrainian patriot, son of Petro Boszko, Esq. and Olga (née Gut) Boszko who deeply cared for our native land and proved it with deeds born March 2, 1942 in Jaroslaw, Ukraine. and generous contributions to causes bene ting it. Parastas took place on April 8, 2020 in Clearwater, FL. I. Wyslotsky was a Member of the Board Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Ukrainian of our Credit Union in the early days of its growth. Catholic Cemetery, Elkins Park. PA. Remaining in deep sorrow: The Board of Directors of the Selfreliance Federal Credit Union wife - Maria (née Korzeniowski) expresses its deepest condolences to Ms. Marta Farion daughters - Ariadna, Alexandra, Natalia and her family in these di cult times. grandchildren - Alyssa, Ashton brother - Dr. Andrij Boszko with Oksana and children Goodbye friend! family in Canada, Australia, US, Ireland: Shudrak, Gontar, Goot, Korzeniowski, Antoniak, Kowal, Zajac, Blackwell, Pylyp Memory Eternal! Вічня пам’ять! friends in Ukraine, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, Spain and the US. Board of Directors and Management of Selfreliance FCU Eternal Rest

With deep sorrow we announce that On the 40th day of passing into Eternity of our mother our dear mother, grandmother and sister Nadia Shmigel Maria (Sawkiw) Lucyk a Divine Liturgy had been celebrated on May 19, 2020, passed away on April 16, 2020, in Jamaica, NY at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in New York City. at the age of 85. She was from the village of Rybnyky, Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine. May she rest in peace. Left in deep sorrow: Memory eternal. daughters: Chrystyna with husband Mykola Individuals or organizations wishing to commemorate the passing of Orysia with husband Peter Nadia Shmigel, are asked to send donations to: Motria with husband Sal brothers: Oleh with wife Lida • The Ukrainian Museum, 222 East 6th St., New York, NY 10003 Bohdan with wife Ellen grandchildren: Andre, Mark, Alanna, Adrian, Christopher • WFUWO, Ukrainian Women in the World Press Fund 145 Evans Ave., Ste 203, Toronto, ON M8Z 5X8, Canada Funeral took place on April 22, 2020 at St. Andrew Ukrainian Cemetery in South Bound Brook, NJ. • Ukrainian Institute of America, 2 East 79th St., New York, NY 10075 Memory eternal. Вічная пам’ять! 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 No. 21

Ukrainian-language video series focuses on effects of COVID-19

by Mariana Karapinka TORONTO – The global coronavirus pan- demic has created an urgent need to pro- vide information to the public regarding its effects and coping mechanisms. Although there is plenty of information circulating on the Internet about the effects of COVID-19 on people’s physical health and the econo- my, there is a lack of information in the Ukrainian language on how it may affect mental health. As a result, an online educational infor- mation series in the Ukrainian language has been created by Yana Kreminska and Adriana Luhovy. Focusing on the effects of COVID-19 and quarantine on mental health, the project is called “Coping with the effects of COVID-19.” Filming began on April 15, with the first video viewable online on April 29. Adriana Luhovy “We wanted to combine our skills and Co-director and editor Adriana Luhovy Yana Kreminska holds the clapboard indicating the filming of her interview with knowledge,” stated Ms. Luhovy. “We of the Ukrainian-language video series mental health expert Dr. Oleh Romanchuk of the Ukrainian Catholic University, part thought such a series was needed and about COVID-19. of the Ukrainian-language video series about COVID-19 edited by Adriana Luhovy. could be very effective.” Both Ms. Luhovy’s and Ms. Kreminska’s professional back- The videos created by Ms. Kreminska videographer and photographer. All public school- and exam-related stress as a factor. grounds lend themselves to this important and Ms. Luhovy are one way to push back gatherings have been put on hold indefi- However, “The unfortunate negative effects video project, which is quickly gaining a fol- against this stigma. “The more society is nitely, all contracts cancelled. “I was excited of the pandemic and quarantine on some lowing. exposed to the topics of mental health, the to be a part of this project idea from the children include a rise in child abuse: physi- Ms. Kreminska, originally from Ukraine, more it will become the norm. It is impor- very beginning. It is timely, and it is urgent- cal, sexual and emotional,” Dr. Ougrin states. is a psychologist and cognitive behavioral tant to always think of mental health as ly needed. We hope we can help others On April 16, the second interview was therapy (CBT) and schema therapy (ST) health,” Ms. Kreminska stated. through this initiative.” conducted with mental health expert Dr. psychotherapist by profession, currently Ms. Luhovy’s professional background The filmed interviews with mental Oleh Romanchuk whose topic was “How to working towards transferring her creden- helped make the project happen. She com- health experts were conducted in Develop Resilience.” This became the first tials to practice in Ontario. She worked as a pleted communication studies at Concordia Ukrainian. So far, two videos have been completed video of the series to be official- clinical practitioner for over six years at the University, digital design at Vancouver Film completed; one has been translated into ly launched online, on April 29. Mental Heath Institute at the Ukrainian School and design for social change at the English. Interviews last up to an hour, and Dr. Romanchuk is a psychiatrist and Catholic University (UCU) in Lviv and as the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She are then edited into approximately 10-min- director of the Mental Health Institute at the manager of the Psychological Counseling worked at a human rights organization in ute segments, with captions inserted to Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. In this Center at UCU. Her clinical practice experi- New York City, before embarking on the highlight specific ideas. Ms. Luhovy also 12-minute video, Dr. Romanchuk introduces ence also includes working at the Lviv- Canadian medical missions to Ukraine creates motion-graphic animations. “We try the subject and outlines the important ele- based Kolo Simyi, which focuses on mental organized by the Canada-Ukraine to complete the videos as quickly as possi- ments for developing resilience, including health in children and their families. Having Foundation. ble, however, they do take time and a lot of how to perceive your current situation in a moved to Toronto in 2018, Ms. Kreminska Ms. Luhovy’s documentaries include the work,” she pointed out. healthy and more adaptable way, creating completed a human resources manage- award-winning film “Recovery Room” The first interview was with Dr. Dennis resilient actions and behaviors that corre- ment program, and is currently with the about Canadian humanitarian medical mis- Ougrin, consultant child and adolescent late with a resilient mind-set, taking care of Department of Psychiatry at the University sions aiding injured Ukrainian soldiers in psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley ourselves, celebrating life and understand- of Toronto. the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine; NHS Foundation; course director for the ing what helps to live life to the fullest. After the initial shock of the reality of “Shores of Freedom” about the third wave Master of Science in Child and Adolescent The video with Dr. Romanchuk has been COVID-19 and quarantine, Ms. Kreminska of Ukrainian immigration to Canada; and Mental Health at the Institute of Psychiatry, viewed over 7,300 times, with over 216 noticed that there was a lack of quality “Second Chance” about Canadian volun- Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN), shares on the Ukrainian Institute of Ukrainian content online about mental teers aiding orphaned children in Ukraine. Kings College, London; and editor-in-chief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (UICBT) health. “Unfortunately, there is a lot of inac- “I have a passion for projects which can of the medical journal Child and Adolescent Facebook Page (https://www.facebook. curate and misleading information on the raise awareness about important initia- Mental Health. com/UICBT/). theme of the pandemic and mental health. tives, this is such a project,” Ms. Luhovy In the video titled “How quarantine Readers may follow the Ukrainian- There is an incredible team of professionals commented. “Everyone in the world is cur- affects mental health of children,” Dr. language online video series by visiting the in Ukraine, which does not have enough rently affected because of COVID-19, and Ougrin speaks about the positive and nega- “Week Five Productions” website (www. exposure to a larger audience,” she we all deserve to know from professionals tive effects of quarantine on children’s weekfiveproductions.com). explained. “There is still a strong stigma how to best cope and what to expect.” mental health. On the one hand, “There is a “Yana and I decided to call ourselves against mental health and psychology cur- Like millions of others in Canada and massive number of children, who feel much “Week Five Productions,” as the idea of this rently present in Ukraine.” worldwide, Ms. Luhovy has found that her better and their mental health is likely video series originated during the fifth Ms. Kreminska reached out to her col- work has been affected by the coronavirus improving,” he explains. He suggests some week of quarantine due to COVID-19,” leagues, who agreed to be interviewed and crisis. Quarantine makes it almost impossi- possible explanations can be related to chil- explained Ms. Luhovy, “We hope we can thus supported the project. ble to continue to find work as a freelance dren staying at home, and not experiencing continue working together in the future.”

the Crimean Tatar community until the col- was clear from the careful way the original Just over a year ago, in March 2019, Ukraine moves... lapse of the Khanate in 1783. tiles were being packed (in contrast to Edem Dudakov, the former head of the (Continued from page 6) The first sign that Russia was illegally other examples of wanton destruction) that Crimean Committee on Inter-Ethnic planning so-called “restoration” work came they were intended to adorn the roofs of Relations and Deported Peoples, posted It is not clear whether the Khan’s Palace in December 2016 with Russia’s Culture the occupiers’ villas. video footage showing new and shocking in Bakhchysarai will be given “enhanced Ministry announcing plans to construct a Attempts by activists and by lawyer details of the destruction. Ordinary work- protection,” although it certainly ought to canopy over the Khan’s Palace. There were Nikolai Polozov to obtain copies of the doc- ers could be seen carrying out “excavation” be. It was placed on UNESCO’s World warnings from the outset that the ground uments for this alleged “restoration” were work, around the Big Khan Mosque, the Heritage Tentative List back in 2003, underneath the planned shell and canopy repeatedly rejected. Late in 2018, however, Khan Cemetery and the Stables, without although the follow-up work had not been roof might not withstand the weight of this it became clear that a St Petersburg compa- any attempt to record and preserve arti- carried out at the time of Russia’s invasion construction. ny had also won a tender for the work. The facts found. Mr. Dudakov had no doubt that and annexation in 2014. The complex, The full scale of the danger to the com- company in question, called Meander, has the Moscow firm that had won the tender whose earliest buildings date back to the plex came just over a year later, as the first won a suspicious number of high-cost ten- for this illegal work was using cheap local 16th century, is a site of enormous histori- photographs emerged of what this Russian ders for supposed “restoration” of many labor, without any expertise. training or cal and cultural importance for Crimean “restoration” was all about. Parts of 16th places of cultural heritage currently under understanding of the significance of the Tatars and for Ukraine as a whole. It was century walls were found to have been bro- Russian occupation. The reason has noth- place they were digging up – with a spade, originally built as the main residence of the ken off, and authentic stones were left lying ing to do with expertise or experience, and as though it was a field of potatoes. monarchs of the Crimean Khanate – the about, as though they were rubble. All orig- is probably because the suspected real This is only one example of the appalling state of the Crimean Tatar people – and was inal tiles were removed and replaced with owner was Russia’s Culture Minister destruction that Russia, as an illegal occu- the political, religious and cultural center of some Spanish “old-style” and ersatz tiles. It Vladimir Medinsky. pying power, is wreaking on Crimea. No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 13 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 No. 21

Assessing a year... (Continued from page 1) with Russia, the ongoing war with it in the Donbas and the Minsk and Normandy Four processes, Russia’s occupation of Crimea and the critical question of President Zelenskyy’s personal interaction with President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Zelenskyy was asked if he regretted his optimism a year ago when, having promised to end the war with Russia, he had said that all that was necessary to start the peace process was to stop shooting. He explained that he had not meant that the Ukrainian army should stop firing, but that both sides should agree to a ceasefire. The new president had wanted the Ukrainian forces to set an exam- ple by not shooting first and be seen to be “provoking,” but this did not mean that they renounced the right to defend themselves and their positions when attacked. Unfortunately, the president continued, the Russian- backed forces had not accepted his conciliatory initiative and the war has continued. In his view, those fighting on behalf of Presidential Office of Ukraine Russia in the Donbas are nervous about their ultimate fate The outdoor press conference held on May 20 by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the occasion of his first year in office. and have continued to stoke the fires of conflict with their shelling and sniper fire. But, when pressed, President have received Russian passports makes it even more diffi- States. The only issue the president emphasized was the Zelenskyy also made it clear that there should be no doubt cult for Kyiv to accept their presence. importance of receiving further financial support at this about who is responsible for the continuation of the war, that Mr. Zelenskyy confirmed that former Ukrainian critical stage from the International Monetary Fund and Moscow bears responsibility for it and that its proxies in the President Leonid Kuchma remains as the head of the others, and hence the need to have met their conditions, breakaway quasi republics are under its control. Ukrainian delegation in the TCG, but that he has already most notably through the recent adoption of the so-called The situation in Mr. Zelenskyy’s view has been exacer- recommended that his colleague Oleksii Reznikov, a lawyer, “anti-Kolomoisky” banking law. bated by the deepening of the humanitarian crisis in the so- deputy prime minister and currently minister for reinte- Journalists did not press Mr. Zelenskyy on some of the called Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” (DNR and gration of the temporarily occupied territories, take over more contentious issues related to foreign policy and his LNR) as a result of the growing impact of the coronavirus from him. Both Mr. Kuchma and Mr. Zelenskyy regard him own behavior. He got off relatively lightly in dealing with pandemic. Russia, itself stretched in coping with this crisis, as a first-rate professional. implicit questions about why his chief of staff, Andriy has not provided the enclaves with the basic means to deal As for the Normandy Four talks, Mr. Zelenskyy said that Yermak, lacking in diplomatic experience, has been given with it, and the situation there is both serious and a threat the last summit of the four leaders in Paris last December responsibility not only for dealing with Moscow, but for- to areas controlled by Kyiv to the west. Ukraine has offered had been a significant step forward. True, it had neither eign policy generally, at the cost of effectively sidelining the humanitarian assistance for the population, but occupied assured a ceasefire nor a continued disengagement of armed Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The president described Mr. Donetsk and Luhansk have refused it. Nevertheless, some forces along the “Control Line,” as the frontline is referred to, Yermak as a trusted friend and a lawyer with a background basic aid is getting in from Ukraine via the Red Cross. but it had led to the release and return of a further 135 in international law. He neglected to mention that the head Mr. Zelenskyy was asked if there was any point in con- Ukrainian prisoners being held by the enemy side. It had also of his Presidential Office had in fact specialized in law deal- tinuing to rely on the existing negotiating mechanisms, the revamped the negotiations within the TCG in Minsk. ing with film production and sales. Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) consisting of the OSCE, At present, Mr. Zelenskyy said, all the parties were pre- The other matter on which the president sounded far Ukraine and Russia, which meets in Minsk, but recently has occupied with the coronavirus pandemic, but once the situ- from convincing was the reason for his discreet trip to been conducting its talks by video contact, and the ation improves, he said he hopes that another Normany Oman at the beginning of January that, when exposed in Normandy Four Format involving the leaders of Germany, Four summit would soon be held and produce further the media, he had described as a private one. On this occa- France, Russia and Ukraine. results. sion too he continued to be evasive, presenting it as a fami- The Ukrainian president acknowledged their shortcom- Asked about bilateral contacts with Moscow, Mr. ly holiday during which he also wanted to privately con- ings but said that for the foreseeable future Kyiv would Zelenskyy acknowledged that they are important and duct business on behalf of Ukraine with Oman’s leaders. “fight to the end” to preserve and energize these struc- should be kept open to the extent that it is politically feasi- Generally, observers have been in agreement that during tures. Breaking with them would undermine the entire edi- ble. He stressed several times that the situation remains his first year in office Mr. Zelenskyy has not deviated from fice on which the sanctions regime applied against Moscow “complicated” and that it is better to have direct contacts Ukraine’s pro-Euro-Atlantic integration strategy, nor given was based. Although Mr. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine with Mr. Putin, if the situation allows, than not. In support way to Russia. But, as Hanna Shelest, director of security has a Plan B, and even a Plan C, to fall back on, it prefers to of this, he cited the example of their direct cooperation in studies at the Foreign Policy Council Ukrainian Prism revamp these interconnected mechanisms and is willing to making the most recent exchange of prisoners possible. notes, “Throughout this period, there has been little give them a chance for a further year or so. Mr. Zelenskyy admitted that Crimea remains a particu- attempt to implement a more global foreign policy or For this purpose, the president elaborated, Kyiv has larly difficult issue, noting that it falls outside the purview develop individual regional strategies.” recently upgraded its representation in the TCG and hopes of the TCG and Normandy Four processes. For the moment, Writing recently for the Atlantic Council’s UkraineAlert, that Moscow will do likewise. The present Ukrainian even though at home he had just taken steps to bring great- she summarizes what we have seen as follows: “President administration remains determined not to deal directly er recognition to the plight of the Crimean Tatars, it appar- Zelenskyy has publicly confirmed his commitment to with the representatives of the DNR and LNR and thereby ently remains on the back burner. Ukraine’s European choice, but he is still finding his feet as bestow recognition on them. Formally, at the negotiations Surprisingly, neither Mr. Zelenskyy nor the press went an international statesman and has yet to lay out a coher- in Minsk, they remain the “guests” of the Russian delega- deeper into issues connected with foreign policy, such as ent foreign policy that goes beyond the basics of the Euro- tion. And the fact that some of them are now known to relations with the European Union, NATO or the United Atlantic pivot begun in 2014.”

What is the fate of Crimean Tatars who remained in the targeted by law enforcement. Out of 15 illegal raids police 76 years after... peninsula? undertook during this time, 12 took place in the houses of (Continued from page 6) Pavlo Kazarin, a Ukrainian journalist from Crimea, draws Crimean Tatars. Out of 25 people detained, 14 were attention to one detail. The day of deportation and May 9, Crimean Tatars. Out of 97 people under unlawful arrest, 85 “I can’t even tell you how much I want to go to Crimea – marked in Russia as Victory Day in World War II, are very are Crimean Tatars. Out of the 127 people denied the right especially in spring when you know that it is at this time close on the calendar. However, if May 9 in Crimea is cele- to a fair trial, 110 were Crimean Tatars. that it is even more beautiful. Now, as never before, I often brated with pathos and honor, as in Russia, May 18 remains Moreover, the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic travel in thoughts to my house, to the mountains, to the in the shadows. Mr. Kazarin says the reason for this is hid- exposed the unlawfully incarcerated Crimean Tatars – shore, where I dived, swam, walked,” she said in one of her den in the Soviet view of War II as the “Great Patriotic War.” most of whom were falsely accused of terrorism for simply recent interviews. “In terms of this myth, the entire history of the war was practicing their Muslim faith – to additional danger. Some In mainland Ukraine, a number of commemorative presented as a struggle between absolute Good and abso- have high temperatures and a cough but aren’t even being events were scheduled for the day. Crimean Tatars them- lute Evil. If you add the deportation of Crimean Tatars to given tests to see if they have the virus and need treatment. selves tell the tragic stories of their families. this uncomplicated concept, then it turns out that in Those held in prison colonies in Crimea “do not have This one is from Jamala: “On the morning of May 18, Crimea, Good defeated Evil and then, on May 18, 1944, it even elementary means of personal protection, masks or my great-grandmother Nazilkhan and her five young chil- itself committed an atrocity,” he said. disinfectants,” and “tests for the new virus are not conduct- dren were put in freight cars and sent to Central Asia. At Therefore, it was easier to erase the deportation, as well ed there” at all, as reported by Kseniya Kirillova. the time when my great-grandfather was at war. They as Crimean Tatars in general, from history; otherwise, it According to Estonian human rights activist and member drove in terrible conditions for almost two weeks. The would destroy everything on which the Soviet Union relied. of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous youngest child, a daughter, unfortunately, died on the way. As Soviet concepts and rhetoric became mainstream Issues Oliver Loode, the most effective method of countering The girl was not allowed to be buried, Soviet soldiers took again in modern Russia, Crimean Tatars living on the pen- the discrimination against Crimean Tatars is to accelerate the her from her mother.” insula were forced to accept them. processes of deoccupying Crimea, because under the Russian The Mejlis of Crimean Tatar People called for commem- Hundreds of those who decided to stay under the occu- occupation the discrimination will inevitably continue. orating the event in Crimea and mainland Ukraine. After pation became victims of repressions. the occupation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine started gradual- According to a monitoring of human rights violations in The article above is reprinted with permission from ly fixing the mistakes that arose from a lack of policy Crimea in the first quarter of 2020 by the Crimean Tatar Euromaidan Press. It is available at http://euromaidanpress. regarding the Crimean Tatars. Resource Center, Crimean Tatars, who make up around 12 com/2020/ 05/18/76-years-after-deportation-crimean- * * * percent of the population of Crimea, are disproportionately tatars-are-again-being-erased-from-history-in-crimea/. No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 15

Stalin’s totalitarian regime, continues its criminal policy in World remembers... the 21st century in the temporarily occupied Crimea: ban (Continued from page 1) [on] the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, systemic repressions, persecution and violations of the rights of “We all understand that deportation is one of the terri- Crimean Tatars, who opposed Russia’s armed aggression ble tragedies of the Crimean Tatar people, the people of against the territorial integrity of Ukraine. It forced thou- Ukraine and our land. Hundreds of thousands of Crimean sands of Crimean Tatars, indigenous people of Crimea, to Tatar families were forcibly expelled from their homeland. leave their homes and move to mainland Ukraine.” Eternal memory to the victims,” Mr. Zelenskyy said during The six countries condemned Russia’s aggressive policy the meeting with representatives of the Crimean Tatar peo- towards Ukraine and new repressions against the Crimean ple on May 18. Tatar people. Their statement demanded that Russia stop The president noted that Ukrainian children must know violating fundamental principles of international law, fully about this tragic page of history. That is why the educational implement United Nations General Assembly resolutions, project Nationwide School Online broadcasts lessons on the and comply with the calls of the international community deportation of the Crimean Tatars. “We want to build a state regarding the de-occupation of the Autonomous Republic in which everyone feels like a citizen of Ukraine. I want of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. everyone to feel like a full-fledged citizen – not forgetting “Whatever attempts Russia undertakes to legitimize its their people’s history and traditions. We want to support occupation of the peninsula, the fact remains undisputed: you not only in words but also in actions at the legislative Crimea is Ukraine,” the foreign Affairs ministers emphasized. level,” Mr. Zelenskyy told the Crimean Tatar representatives. The European Union also has called on the Russian Mustafa Jemilev/Facebook Mr. Zelenskyy said that, in the coming days, he plans to Federation to stop human rights violations in Crimea. “Today Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev­ said he hopes sign a decree declaring the Muslim celebrations of Eid al- we remember the Soviet deportation of Crimean Tatars from the topic of returning Crimea to Ukraine never disap- Adha and Eid al-Fitr as state religious holidays. He also their homeland. We remember all who suffered. The EU calls pears from Ukrainian leaders’ agenda. noted that the Crimean Tatar people should be represented on Russia to put an end to the human rights violations in trolled by the Ukrainian government. At the same time, at the highest diplomatic level, therefore, he approved Crimea and does not recognize the illegal annexation of the Russia is actively colonizing the territory of the peninsula. Emine Dzhaparova for the post of first deputy minister of peninsula by Russia,” reads the statement released by the During the occupation, the aggressor country directly or foreign affairs. Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine. indirectly moved almost 73,000 of its citizens from its ter- To resolve the Crimean Tatar people’s problematic According to the Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine ritory to the occupied territory,” Mr. Mammadov reported. issues, Mr. Zelenskyy initiated the creation of a working Gunduz Mammadov, since 2014 the persecution of the Canada calls on Russia to cancel its ban on activities of group in the Presidential Office that will include Crimean Crimean Tatar people on religious grounds, as well as in the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, said Minister of Tatars. Also, a large new mosque is planned in Kyiv. The connection with opposition to the peninsula’s annexation, Foreign Affairs Francois-Philippe Champagne. He added president explained that he is waiting for this mosque’s has resumed in Crimea. “Intolerable living conditions, that Canada will always stand up for Ukraine’s sovereignty project from the Crimean Tatars and is ready to support it. numerous illegal searches, detentions, imprisonment are and territorial integrity. A large hub will also be built on the border of the forcing the indigenous people of the peninsula to leave “Canada stands with the Crimean Tatar people in honor- Kherson region and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to Crimea,” he said. ing the memory of those killed and all who suffered. make crossing the checkpoint between the two regions “More than 48,000 citizens were forced to leave the Canada continues to be concerned by the ongoing human more comfortable for those entering Ukrainian-controlled occupied territory of Crimea and move to the territory con- territory. “So that those people, who live in the temporarily rights violations committed against Crimean Tatars in the occupied territory of Crimea, can see how we treat the Crimean peninsula under Russian occupation, including Crimean people, the Crimean Tatars. For them to come and the banning of the Mejlis – the self-governing body of the see a different look, a showcase of our country,” Mr. Crimean Tatars. We call on Russia to reverse this decision. Zelenskyy explained. Canada will always stand up for Ukraine’s sovereignty and “We are very grateful that today the 76th anniversary is territorial integrity,” he said in a statement. celebrated at such a level; installations with the Crimean “Canada does not forget this tragedy and the suffering Tatar flag will be seen on the premises of the Cabinet of endured by the hundreds of thousands of children, women Ministers and on the building of the Presidential Office,” and men forcibly deported from their ancestral homeland,” said the leader of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa he said. Dzhemilev. Singer Jamala, who is of Crimean Tatar origin, wrote on “We hope that the topic of Crimea, the topic of returning Facebook: “On the morning of May 18, my great-grand- to Ukraine and restoring the territorial integrity of Ukraine mother Nazilkhan and her five young children were put in will never disappear from the agenda of the leadership of freight cars and sent to Central Asia. They drove in terrible our state,” Mr. Dzhemilev underscored. conditions for almost two weeks. The youngest child, a On the 76th anniversary of the Crimean Tatars’ deporta- daughter, unfortunately, died on the way. The girl was not tion, the foreign affairs ministers of Ukraine, Estonia, allowed to be buried. Soviet soldiers took her from her Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland published a joint mother.” statement. A few days before that, on May 14, marked the fourth “Just in the first years of exile, almost half of all deported anniversary of Ukraine’s victory at the Eurovision song Crimean Tatars died. The period of the ban on return to the contest, where Jamala performed the song “1944” in mem- homeland, to Crimea, lasted until 1989 and was accompa- ory of the Crimean Tatar genocide. nied by purposeful linguistic and cultural assimilation,” the “I was lucky, I knew my great-grandmother, I talked to statement reads. “The tragedy of the Crimean Tatar people her as a child,” Jamala noted on Facebook. “Although I was repeated in 2014 when the Russian Federation seized and Jamala/Facebook too young to ask more. But I remember my grandparents illegally attempted to annex Crimea, an integral part of Singer Jamala posted on Facebook about the 1944 telling me the story that day. So that my sister and I can Ukraine. It is no coincidence that Russia, which glorifies deportation of her family and other Crimean Tatars. know and remember. The least we can do is remember.”

experienced and well-read Ukrainian scholars, and, as Dr. The generation... Stech pointed out, many of them lack the authority and EU may break... (Continued from page 9) depth of the great European Ukrainianist Dmytro (Continued from page 11) Chyzhevsky. and backgrounds. This bore some fruit when it came to However, they were indeed original to North American zens. Socio-economic situation has improved significantly – “Oriental” studies, where his effervescent intellectual per- scholarship in general and were well appreciated by many in fact, the peninsula has become one of the fastest develop- sonality and often bold hypotheses greatly inspired some Ukrainian scholars in the West throughout the Cold War. In ing regions of the country.” of his students. But in the eyes of other observers, this fact, it was Luckyj himself, who was primarily responsible RFE/RL contacted Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Serhiy appeared to miss the mark with regard to several of the for the translation of Chyzhevsky’s great “History of Kyslytsya for comment on the event. most burning questions of Ukrainian history. Ukrainian Literature” into English. Many of Luckyj’s books, While he didn’t give an opinion on EU countries partici- In this respect, the Cold War “Harvard Miracle,” as histo- written in plain English and with a personal, biographical pating in the meeting, he noted that participants were rian Frank Sysyn dubbed the Harvard project at San touch, addressed questions that were indeed terrae incog- unlikely to hear “anything new.” Francisco in 2019, while a very positive development, had nitae to the English-speaking world, and so they were orig- “The Russians and their actors will repeat yet another some real limitations. During the Cold War, the achieve- inal in their own way, as well as easily read. And unlike the mantra about the ‘voluntary reunification of the Crimean ments of Alberta and Toronto could in some ways be said case of Pritsak, their scholarly rigor and usefulness to the people with Russia,’ and the international community will to have been no less “miraculous.” field have never been seriously questioned. reiterate the basic truths,” such as the Crimean Peninsula But if Pritsak was criticized for his original but some- In sum, in spite of their limitations, Pritsak, Luckyj and being “temporarily occupied” with Russia as the “occupy- times far-fetched hypotheses and theories, and Rudnytsky Rudnytsky were all productive in their own special ways. ing power,” which Ambassador Kyslytsya said “must stop for the ostensible paucity of his scholarly output, Luckyj Pritsak was the great visionary, innovator and organizer of human rights violations.” too has occasionally come under some criticism. higher learning, Luckyj the great writer and author of For example, the Toronto scholar Marko Stech, speak- scholarly books, and Rudnytsky the great thinker, who Copyright 2020, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with the permis- ing at that same San Francisco gathering, considered could both clearly and concisely put it all together. Today, sion of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Luckyj’s books to have been “unoriginal” and perhaps more than 100 years after they were born in 1919, we may Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see https:// even derivative. Indeed, it is difficult to argue that the sub- safely conclude that the influence of all three is being wide- www.rferl.org/a/eu-may-break-own-protocol-by-participat- jects of all forty or so books were entirely new to the most ly felt to this very day. ing-in-russia-backed-crimea-event/30625838.html). 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 No. 21