INSIDE: l Light of Justice Award presented to Savchenko – page 3 l UCCA hosts luncheon with Mayor Klitschko – page 4 l “Petrykivka: The Soul of Ukraine” exhibit – page 11 THEPublished U by theKRAINIAN Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationEEKLY Vol. LXXXIII No. 19 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2015 $2.00 U.S. now sees Sen. Menendez honored as champion of Ukraine Russia as directing by Roma Hadzewycz rebels in Ukraine WHIPPANY, N.J. – Hailed as “Ukraine’s dedicated advocate in the Senate” and a RFE/RL “champion for freedom and democracy,” Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) was hon- WASHINGTON – The United States ored here on Saturday, May 2, at what was is changing its language to reflect the billed as a rally in support of Ukraine. depth of Russian involvement in the The New Jersey democrat, sponsor of conflict in eastern Ukraine. the Ukrainian Freedom Support Act of The Associated Press reported on 2014, received a plaque from the Ukrainian April 30 that U.S. officials briefed on National Association (UNA) and the Friend intelligence from the region say Russia of UNIS Award from the Ukrainian has significantly deepened its com- Congress Committee of America (UCCA). mand and control of separatist forces The UNA also presented the senator with a in recent months. That has led the United States to blue-and-yellow pysanka – the work of folk quietly introduce a new term, “com- artist Stephanie Hryckowian. bined Russian-separatist forces.” Organized by the UNA in conjunction Christine Syzonenko The State Department used the with the UCCA, the midday event at the Sen. Robert Menendez receives a plaque for his outstanding support of Ukraine from expression three times in a single state- Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey featured a keynote address by Mr. Ukrainian National Association officers (from left) First Vice-President Michael ment last week, lambasting Moscow Koziupa, President Stefan Kaczaraj and Treasurer Roma Lisovich. and the rebels for a series of cease-fire Menendez, the state’s senior U.S. senator, violations. who said his analysis of the situation in Mr. Symczyk introduced Sen. Menendez president to provide much-needed military AP says U.S. intelligence agencies Ukraine is this: “There are many experts by pointing out: “How fortunate we are that and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. And it signed off on the new language last who would contend that the complexity of he was appointed chair of the Senate imposes additional sanctions against Russia.” week, after what officials described as the geopolitics that led to the U.S.’s retreat Foreign Relations Committee in 2013. His He continued: “Frankly, I’m disappointed increasing evidence of the Russians from Europe created an opening for leadership role directly resulted in the that the administration, required [by the and separatists working together, [Vladimir] Putin in Ukraine.” He added, “We Senate adopting such a supportive role of Ukrainian Freedom Support Act] to report training together and operating under all want a diplomatic solution, but I believe Ukraine. It was he, along with Sen. [Bob] to Congress on its plan for increasing mili- a joint command structure that ulti- that this can only happen when Putin Corker [R-Tenn.] who introduced the tary assistance to Ukraine, was two months mately answers to Russia. believes that the cost of continuing to rav- Freedom Support Act for Ukraine. Without late in sending it. And when the report The shift in U.S. perceptions could age Ukraine is simply too high.” his leadership, our community’s voices may finally arrived, it did not include a section have wide-ranging ramifications, includ- The public meeting was opened and not have been heard.” on lethal defensive assistance – assistance ing making it harder for Russia to per- emceed by Yuriy Symczyk, the UNA’s frater- Sen. Menendez spoke of the “ongoing cri- the administration has not provided to the suade the United States and Europe to nal coordinator, who noted: “Right now… sis in Ukraine” and underscored that “the Ukrainian military in contravention of the scale back sanctions that are hurting its there are Russian troops on Ukrainian soil. United States must take the lead.” He will of Congress and the recommendation economy, and for Washington and There is war in eastern Ukraine. Every day explained: “The administration should fully of a cadre of current and former adminis- Moscow to cooperate on matters from there are weapons and Russian terrorists implement measures in the Ukraine tration officials and experts.” nuclear nonproliferation to counter- crossing the border into Ukraine. Innocent Freedom Support Act, which the president The senator went on to say that when he terrorism. people are dying. We are gathered here signed into law on December 18. The legisla- was in Ukraine last year, “I called the today as a sign of unity and to show our tion passed – with unanimous consent – in Based on reporting by the Associated support for Ukraine.” both houses of Congress. It authorizes the (Continued on page 4) Press. Firtash avoids U.S. extradition, faces more legal, political battles by Zenon Zawada Security and Defense Council of Ukraine on The president’s nationalization cam- financed recent protests in Kyiv by hiring May 6, Mr. Poroshenko warned the biggest paign began with its attempt to retake con- hundreds of demonstrators posing as coal KYIV – Dmytro Firtash, the Ukrainian nat- oligarchs – singling out Mr. Firtash in par- trol of Ukraine’s biggest oil producer, miners. Internal Affairs Minister Arsen ural gas trader who magnified his wealth ticular – not to fight his attempts to Ukrnafta, which is controlled by billionaire Avakov estimated that only half of the pro- with his tight connections to the Yanukovych enhance national security by nationalizing Igor Kolomoisky. The conflict escalated to testers were actual coal miners. administration, reportedly was smiling in strategic assets in the energy sector. involve armed men on both sides and was Mr. Firtash has also been on the presi- relief on April 30 when an Austrian court “I guarantee that no one will end up in reportedly resolved only thanks to a phone dent’s radar. [Forbes.com estimated Mr. denied an extradition request by the U.S. to the Forbes ratings anymore by skimming call from U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden. Firtash’s wealth in 2013 at $500 million.] try him on criminal charges that include off the top of state monopolies and the tra- Mr. Poroshenko is also waging a battle Parliament on April 9 passed the second bribery and racketeering. ditionally corrupt environment in the gas with billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, whose reading of a bill “On the Gas Market” that Yet all signs point to many more battles sector,” he said, pointing out that he had DTEK company is Ukraine’s biggest pro- requires private local gas distributors, ahead, and not only with U.S. prosecutors. signed a bill this week reforming the ducer of electricity and coal. The president known as “oblhazy,” to pay rent for using Mr. Firtash told reporters of his intent to nation’s gas sector. wants to resist hiking electricity rates for the transit infrastructure that is owned by return to Ukraine, though not specifying “The state won’t be a cash cow to anyone the public while also forcing DTEK to sell its the state. Mr. Poroshenko signed this legis- when, but Ukrainian President Petro anymore. The wild capitalism in this sphere coal at lower prices, thereby squeezing the lation on May 5. Poroshenko made it well aware that what should end with the passage of this law and company’s profit. Mr. Firtash is widely believed to control awaits Mr. Firtash upon his return is a cam- corresponding normative acts. I want to Like Mr. Kolomoisky, Mr. Akhmetov has the vast majority of the 60 oblhazy operat- paign to reduce the influence of oligarchs. this to be heard everywhere, in Kyiv and in fiercely resisted the government’s mea- During an address to the National Vienna.” sures and is widely believed to have (Continued on page 15) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2015 No. 19 ANALYSIS A sticky situation for Poroshenko Savchenko transferred back to jail Ukrainian pilot and Parliament member MOSCOW – Ukrainian pilot Nadia Nadia Savchenko. Speaking at a May 5 news Savchenko was transferred back to a deten- briefing in Washington, State Department as Russians seize candy assets tion center in Moscow on April 30, after spokesperson Jeff Rathke called on Russia to immediately release Ms. Savchenko and by Iryna Yakovenko, Investment Capital Ukraine (ICU), one of spending just two days in a civilian hospital. the financial management groups advising Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service said all other hostages. “We reiterate our serious Oleksandra Poloskova, Yevhen Solonina concerns over her treatment in detention and Daisy Sindelar the president on the sale of his holdings, Ms. Savchenko was sent back to prison after and reports that she is gravely ill while she RFE/RL declined to disclose the asking price for doctors in Moscow City Hospital No. 20 con- Roshen, which includes facilities in cluded that her health condition was “satis- remains a hostage to Russian authorities,” Candy is big business. Ukraine, Lithuania, and Hungary, as well as factory.” The announcement came hours Mr. Rathke said. (RFE/RL) The past year alone saw one of the con- the Lipetsk branch. after Savchenko’s lawyer, Mark Feygin, said More fighting reported in Ukraine’s east fection industry’s largest acquisitions, with ICU says the interest is there – buyers in his client wanted to go back to the detention the Swiss-based chocolatier Lindt & the United States, Switzerland, Italy and center as conditions in the “special ward” at KYIV – Ukraine’s military said on May 6 Sprungli spending more than $1.4 billion to Russia have all made inquiries in Roshen the hospital were “substantially worse than that five of its soldiers were killed and 12 purchase U.S.