Ukraine Finally Comes into Its Own After Three Decades

Ukraine’s 30^th independence anniversary on August 24 was not merely a recognition of the passing of three decades as an independent and democratic country in Europe. This year’s commemoration was momentous on several plateaus each signaling to the nation and the world – friends and foes alike –  that Ukraine has genuinely come of age; that it is a political, military, commercial, technological, intellectual force to be reckoned with. However, tributes carry obligations.

None other than President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his anniversary address, summed up the national feeling in a simple manner that defused Moscow’s pointless though constant attempts at belittling if not erasing the memory of Ukraine and Ukrainians from civilization. President Zelenskyy poignantly proclaimed: “We are a young country with a thousand-year history.” Undeniably, the Ukrainian nation has existed, survived, endured and prevailed for 1,000 years ever since the reign of Grand Prince Volodymyr the Great, who baptized Kyiv-Rus in 988. Ukraine’s history has been filled with achievements and victories in everyday activities and numerous wars. They transpired long before Russia came into existence. Zelenskyy urged his fellow Ukrainians, who come from all regions of the country and from many ethnicities and religions, to take to heart his words: “Let’s remember the past, act today, think about the future.” Indeed, the Ukrainian nation has a long-standing documented bloodline of perseverance in the face of adversity. Ukrainians are acting today to improve their country and to safeguard it for future generations.

It was noteworthy that the president of Ukraine emphasized that the 30th anniversary of independence was not a sudden attainment, not an accomplishment without historical precedents. Ukraine’s commander in chief said, “And it is fairer, in my opinion, to say: the 30th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence! Because on August 24, 1991, Ukraine restored its statehood.” Indeed, as we have underlined in many blogposts, a century ago during independence war of 1914-19, Ukrainians declared their independence from tsarist and soviet Russia and then 80 years ago, in the throes of Nazi and Soviet invasions of World War II, they repeated the restoration of an independent state of Ukraine on June 30, 1941.

In line with this restoration, Zelenskyy rightfully paid tribute to all the men and women who through the ages fought and died for Ukrainian independence. “On this holiday, we must remember to whom we are thankful for being here. These are our defenders of Ukraine. Defenders of our independence. Heroes who gave their lives for it! Let’s honor their bright memory with a moment of silence!”

Internationally, Ukraine’s allies near and far welcomed its contemporary years of freedom. Ukrainians experienced conspicuous support of the free world for its efforts to preserve its independence in the face of Russia’s latest invasion and war. President Zelenskyy at last met with President Biden in the White House and signed on September 1 a joint statement that strengthened U.S.-Ukraine Strategic Partnership. In addition to recognizing the “restoration of independence,” the document formally called Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine a war – not a conflict, expressed opposition to Nord Stream 2, stated that the Washington, DC, does not oppose Ukraine’s accession to NATO but rather supports it, declared the US will never recognize Moscow’s occupation of Crimea, and detailed close cooperation in five vital categories.

“Thirty years after the restoration of Ukraine’s independence, the bonds between the United States and Ukraine are stronger than ever. Our shared values and commitment to a Europe that is whole, free, democratic, and at peace provide the basis for our strategic partnership. We are working together to address shared global challenges, including energy security and diversification, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our relationship serves as a cornerstone for security, democracy, and human rights in Ukraine and the broader region. We are committed to Ukraine’s implementation of the deep and comprehensive reforms necessary to fulfill its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We are also united in our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of continued Russian aggression,” the statement said in part.
Additionally, “Russia’s aggression, including the war in eastern Ukraine and its seizure of Crimea, has claimed more than 14,000 Ukrainian lives, destabilized Europe and the Black Sea region, and threatened the global rules-based order. The United States does not and will never recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea,” the statement emphasized.

Some four dozen countries joined the historic Crimea Platform that repeated the global community’s agreement that Crimea is Ukraine and demand that Russia evacuate from the Ukrainian peninsula. In no uncertain terms, the participants “condemn the continued violations and abuses and systematic undue restrictions of human rights and fundamental freedoms that residents of Crimea face, such as the right to peaceful assembly, the rights to freedoms of expression and opinion, religion or belief, association, restrictions on the ability to seek, receive and impart information, as well as interference and intimidation that journalists, human rights defenders and defense lawyers face in their work.”

They “reiterate their commitment to maintaining pressure on Russia to end the temporary occupation by Russia of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol and to restore Ukraine’s control over the territory.”

American lawmakers joined the pro-Ukraine bandwagon and recognized the importance of supporting Ukraine because of its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, the former captive nations of Russian aggression and the evil empire. The Congressional Ukraine Caucus (CUC) Co-Chairs Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Andy Harris (R-MD) offered their positive observations on these major bilateral events: “Ukraine is at the scrimmage line for liberty on the European Continent. Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations – free from Russian malign influence – are a noble and righteous cause. From providing security assistance that guarantees its defensive capabilities, to collaborating to rout the scourge of corruption, diversify its energy portfolio, and uplift its economy and its people – Ukraine has no greater friend than the United States House of Representatives.

“As it has done for nearly 25 years, the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus will remain a steadfast ally of these freedom-loving people, and looks forward to partnering with President Zelenskyy, civil society, and all Ukrainians to advance the solutions that ensure Ukraine’s well-being for all the generations to come.”

Their colorful usage of the football adage notwithstanding, we have said that Ukraine today stands as the bulwark of freedom, security and democracy of the free world against Russian aggression.

Ukraine’s precarious situation was a topic at the United Nations as well. The international body again adopted a resolution that said it will include Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea as an agenda item during the upcoming General Assembly session. The UN has already on several occasions condemned Moscow for invading and seizing the Ukrainian peninsula and called Russia an aggressor state for its illegal action.

While clearly Moscow opposes any public discussion of its occupation of Crimea – as it resisted all previous UN reviews of its unlawful activities going back to the early days of the cold war – Ambassador Serhiy Kyslytsya, permanent representative of Ukraine to the UN, eloquently observed on September 17, “Since the action of the Russian delegation started once again a kerfuffle, I have no other option but to try to make the best of it in order not to end up here, in the Assembly, in what the Russians call ‘balagan.’” Former US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, current administrator of USAID, also enjoyed poking fun of Moscow’s balagan – mess.

Kyslytsya continued: “It is very and ominously symbolic that on the 17th of September the Russian Federation once again desperately opposes that this democratic body considers the agenda item on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Let me remind to all in this chamber why:

“On this very day on the 17th of September 1939, implementing an agreement between Hitler and Stalin, signed by their foreign ministers in Moscow less than 4 weeks before that, the soviet troops moved in and occupied what was then the East of Poland, thus in alliance with Nazi Germany continued the invasion of Poland that started the World War II on the 1st of September. It is appalling that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its Twitter account this morning called the occupation of Poland a “liberating crusade”.

“Having never cut the umbilical cord from its parent – the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation continues being the genetic copy-paste of its evil progenitor. Having installed its name-plate in the UN Security Council chamber against the UN Charter, which until today in article 23 reads (and you can easily verify it) that it is the Soviet Union and not the Russian Federation, which is a permanent member of the Security Council.”

The Ukrainian official succinctly integrated the crimes of Nazi Germany, Soviet Union and today’s Russia into one irrefutable package.

Kyslytsya’s touching discourse continued with pithy quotes from America’s favorite author: “Perhaps, the best way to illustrate this creative mathematics of the Russian Federation is to paraphrase the famous line of Mark Twain: ‘there are three kinds if lie: lies, damned lie and the Russian statistics.’

“It is clear that only by blackmail, intimidation and harassment that the Russian Federation raises some support of its position against the will of the General Assembly that has been confirmed on many occasions. And that includes its General Committee where only two members supported the Russian Federation two days ago.

“I call on my respected colleagues in this Assembly to vote YES meaning in favor of the agenda as recommended by the General Assembly and its General Committee. Let’s do it and go to work.”

Fortunately, the resolution was adopted by the General Assembly. Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea will be on the agenda of the 76^th Session which gets under way this week.

The irony of jubilant celebrations and the accompanying well wishes and tributes is that after the hangover wears off the partyers must face the new day by taking responsibility for their euphoric words.

President Zelenskyy must formulate his administration and policies according to the words that Ukrainians are an ancient nation who persevered in safeguarding their independence and freedom for a millennia. And they were victorious in restoring the nation’s independence. The defenders of the nation are fighting and dying in a war launched against Ukraine by Moscow. Then he, the government and parliamentarians must devote their work to improving the lives of Ukrainians today by shackling all of the oligarchs.

Ukraine’s allies should likewise pay attention to the explicit and implicit words of their accolades. You called Russia an aggressor, a violator of human rights, then treat it as such. Sanction it, ostracize it until Moscow changes its policies.

Applauding someone and then dealing behind its back with its enemy is backstabbing.

Congressional Ukraine Caucus Reaffirms Strengthening US-Ukraine Relations & Combatting Russian Aggression

The Congressional Ukraine Caucus (CUC) Co-Chairs Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), and Andy Harris (R-MD) released the following statement reaffirming strengthening US-Ukraine relations after CUC members and allies met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on September 1.

During Zelenskyy’s first visit to the United States, the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, a group of ardent Ukraine supporters in Congress, committed its support for strengthening the U.S.-Ukraine relationship, combating Russia’s ongoing brutal aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories, countering corruption, and safeguarding Ukrainian and transatlantic energy security in light of the threat posed by the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

The statement said:

“We wish to thank President Zelenskyy and his delegation for today’s meeting on his first official visit to the United States.

“Ukraine is at the scrimmage line for liberty on the European Continent. Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations – free from Russian malign influence – are a noble and righteous cause. From providing security assistance that guarantees its defensive capabilities, to collaborating to rout the scourge of corruption, diversify its energy portfolio, and uplift its economy and its people – Ukraine has no greater friend than the United States House of Representatives.

“As it has done for nearly 25 years, the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus will remain a steadfast ally of these freedom-loving people, and looks forward to partnering with President Zelenskyy, civil society, and all Ukrainians to advance the solutions that ensure Ukraine’s well-being for all the generations to come.”

The congressional delegation attending the meeting with President Zelensky and his delegation also included Reps. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Garamendi (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Andy Levin (D-MI), and Doug Lamborn (R-CO).

Levin of Michigan Excited by Prospects For Expanded US-Ukraine Relations

Levin of Michigan Excited by Prospects For Expanded US-Ukraine Relations

Congressman Andy Levin of Michigan, member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, expressed support for expanded US-Ukraine relations in wake of the bilateral summit and presidential meeting yesterday.

“I left all excited to get to work to advance the US-Ukraine relationship,” Levin said in a statement after the meeting.

Levin said he emphasized during the meeting that his colleagues are “completely opposed to Nord Stream 2.”

Levin offered to work with Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to “partner with Ukraine to speed it towards renewable energy self-sufficiency.”

Washington & Kyiv Reinforce Bilateral Bonds; USA Commits to Ukraine’s Sovereignty & Territorial Integrity in Face of Russian Aggression

The long-expected summit between Washington and Kyiv took place today in the nation’s capital as President Biden and President Zelenskyy signed a historic statement that both leaders described as a U.S.-Ukraine Strategic Partnership.

The statement, which covered many aspects of their bilateral relations, emphasized that 30 years after restoring Ukraine’s independence, “the bonds between the United States and Ukraine are stronger than ever.”

It is noteworthy that the joint statement pointed out that Ukraine restored its independence in 1991, not an insignificant reference to Ukraine’s historic path to establishing an independent, sovereign state that has lasted a millennia. The last declaration of Ukraine’s independence, also one that restored national freedom, was made on June 30, 1941, in the face of Nazi German and Soviet Russian invasions.

The statement also emphasized that today Ukraine’s path to independent national existence is hampered by “continued Russian aggression.”

Nonetheless, “Ukraine’s success is central to the global struggle between democracy and autocracy. As we face this challenge together, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder, optimistic about our ambitious common goals to advance democracy, deliver justice, enhance prosperity, and bolster security for Ukraine.”

The two countries stated that they are “reinvigorating” the Strategic Partnership Commission that will be “reoriented and resourced to meet 21^st century challenges.”

As for Russian aggression, the statement noted that the United States supports Ukraine’s efforts to use the recently adopted Crimea Platform to focus international attention and action on the humanitarian and security costs of Russia’s occupation of Crimea with the aim of peacefully restoring Ukraine’s control over this territory in accordance with international law.”

It also states that Washington calls on “Russia to recommit to the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and engage genuinely in conflict resolution efforts to end the war.”

Again, note the use of the word “war” – not hybrid war or conflict.

The statement also expressed a negative view of Nord-Stream2, saying that it threatened European energy security.

As for Ukraine’s desire to join NATO, Washington supports Kyiv’s free expression to become a member of the alliance.

The full text of the statement follows:

Joint Statement on the U.S.-Ukraine Strategic Partnership

Thirty years after the restoration of Ukraine’s independence, the bonds between the United States and Ukraine are stronger than ever. Our shared values and commitment to a Europe that is whole, free, democratic, and at peace provide the basis for our strategic partnership. We are working together to address shared global challenges, including energy security and diversification, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our relationship serves as a cornerstone for security, democracy, and human rights in Ukraine and the broader region. We are committed to Ukraine’s implementation of the deep and comprehensive reforms necessary to fulfill its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We are also united in our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of continued Russian aggression.
Ukraine’s success is central to the global struggle between democracy and autocracy. As we face this challenge together, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder, optimistic about our ambitious common goals to advance democracy, deliver justice, enhance prosperity, and bolster security for Ukraine. Ukraine has achieved progress in building institutions with integrity and intends, with U.S. support, to continue to counter corruption, ensure accountability, safeguard human rights, realize the aspirations of its citizens, and create favorable conditions for attracting foreign direct investment and driving growth. 
The United States and Ukraine are reinvigorating the Strategic Partnership Commission (SPC), reoriented and resourced to meet 21^st century challenges. To memorialize the elevated status of our partnership, the U.S. Secretary of State and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister intend to approve a new Charter at the SPC’s meeting in Washington this fall.

I. Security and Defense
In the 21^st century, nations cannot be allowed to redraw borders by force. Russia violated this ground rule in Ukraine. Sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances. The United States stands with Ukraine and will continue to work to hold Russia accountable for its aggression. America’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering.

• Standing up to Russian Aggression:  Russia’s aggression, including the war in eastern Ukraine and its seizure of Crimea, has claimed more than 14,000 Ukrainian lives, destabilized Europe and the Black Sea region, and threatened the global rules-based order. The United States does not and will never recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea and reaffirms its full support for international efforts, including in the Normandy Format, aimed at negotiating a diplomatic resolution to the Russian-led conflict in eastern Ukraine on the basis of international law, including the UN Charter. The United States supports Ukraine’s efforts to use the Crimea Platform to focus international attention and action on the humanitarian and security costs of Russia’s occupation of Crimea with the aim of peacefully restoring Ukraine’s control over this territory in accordance with international law. Together, we call on Russia to recommit to the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and engage genuinely in conflict resolution efforts to end the war. 

• Deepening Strategic Defense Cooperation: The United States and Ukraine have finalized a Strategic Defense Framework that creates a foundation for the enhancement of U.S.-Ukraine strategic defense and security cooperation and the advancement of shared priorities, including implementing defense and defense industry reforms, deepening cooperation in areas such as Black Sea security, cyber defense, and intelligence sharing, and countering Russian aggression.

• Supporting Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic Aspirations: As the United States and Allies reaffirmed in the June 2021 NATO Summit Communique, the United States supports Ukraine’s right to decide its own future foreign policy course free from outside interference, including with respect to Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO. We also remain committed to assisting Ukraine with ongoing reforms.  

• Providing Ukraine with Security Assistance: The United States is announcing a new $60 million security assistance package, including additional Javelin anti-armor systems and other defensive lethal and non-lethal capabilities, to enable Ukraine to more effectively defend itself against Russian aggression. The United States has committed $2.5 billion in support of Ukraine’s forces since 2014, including more than $400 million this year alone.

• Cooperating on R&D: The United States and Ukraine have finalized a Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Agreement that provides a framework for pursuing bilateral armaments and military-technical cooperation.

• Enacting Defense and Security Sector Reforms: The United States welcomes Ukraine’s continued progress on defense and defense industry reforms, including the adoption of a new defense industry strategy. We intend to continue our robust training and exercise program in keeping with Ukraine’s status as a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner. Ukraine plans to continue taking steps to enhance democratic civilian control of the military, reform the security services, and modernize its defense acquisition process to advance its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. The United States supports Ukraine’s plan to reform the Security Service of Ukraine by streamlining and clearly defining its authorities and strengthening regulations that protect human rights and provide for effective public oversight.

• Collaborating on Cybersecurity: The United States and Ukraine prioritize cybersecurity issues at the leadership level. In October, the U.S. and Ukrainian governments plan to hold the 4^th U.S.-Ukraine Bilateral Cyber Dialogue in Kyiv to bolster bilateral cybersecurity cooperation, information sharing, and U.S. support for Ukraine’s cybersecurity capacity building, including in Ukraine’s financial sector.

• Increasing Situational Awareness in Space: The United States and Ukraine have signed a Space Situational Awareness MOU that enables more effective information sharing on space objects detected by satellites and ground sensors to facilitate space flight safety.

• Enhancing Risk and Cooperative Threat Reduction: The United States and Ukraine have reached agreement on maintaining a secure 24/7 communications link through the National and Nuclear Risk Reduction Center. We have also agreed to a seven-year extension of the Agreement Regarding Assistance to Ukraine in the Elimination of Strategic Nuclear Arms, and the Prevention of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, signed in 1993, to support mutual nonproliferation objectives and bolster regional and international security.

II. Democracy, Justice, and Human Rights
The United States and Ukraine are bound by the universal values that unite the free people of the world: democracy, human rights, the rule of law. We also recognize that living up to these values at home is essential to defending and advancing them around the world. Despite Russia’s continuing aggression, Ukraine has made progress in implementing comprehensive democratic and human rights reforms. With U.S. support, Ukraine is pursuing a reform agenda to transform the country in line with European and Euro-Atlantic principles and practices.

• Reforming the Judiciary and Combatting Corruption: Building upon the passage of judicial reform legislation, Ukraine plans to overhaul its judicial sector in line with international best practices. At the same time, Ukraine intends to build on the successful establishment of its independent anti-corruption infrastructure to implement critical initiatives that protect the independence and improve the effectiveness of these institutions in rooting out corruption and holding corrupt actors accountable. These steps include promptly selecting a new Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor consistent with international best practices, and passing legislation to safeguard the authority of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine director as well as ensure a transparent and credible process for selecting a successor. United States’ assistance and advisory programs support these strategic reform initiatives.

• Advancing Human Rights: With U.S. support, Ukraine will continue to advance respect for human rights, civil liberties, and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international standards and obligations, as well as to fight racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community. Ukraine plans to strengthen accountability for violence against all persons regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or political views, including through legislation. Ukraine and the United States intend to continue holding Russia accountable for ongoing systemic abuses in the territories of Ukraine controlled or occupied by Russia and to seek the release of political prisoners and hostages held in these territories. 

• Investing in Ukraine’s Reform Agenda: Governance reform is critical to ensuring democracy delivers for the people. Ukraine has committed to prioritizing reforms that strengthen its democratic institutions, bolster human rights, and deliver justice. To that end, Ukraine is developing an ambitious and comprehensive Plan of Transformation, which will be considered at the next SPC meeting. In support of Ukraine’s reform efforts, the U.S. government has provided Ukraine with nearly $2 billion in development assistance since 2014 and plans to allocate over $463 million in assistance this year, including for programs focused on democracy, human rights, local governance and decentralization, privatization, and judicial reform. 

III. Energy Security and Climate
The climate crisis has reached a critical point that demands urgent action, which we are both addressing. The United States and Ukraine are advancing Ukraine’s energy security through sustainable, effective, and long-lasting policy solutions backed up by ongoing corporate governance reform.

• Establishing a Strategic Energy and Climate Dialogue: The United States and Ukraine intend to bolster collaboration on shared energy and climate goals through a reinvigorated Strategic Energy and Climate Dialogue, which will provide a strong platform to advance energy security objectives, enhance economic ties, and achieve ambitious climate targets.

• Attracting Energy Sector Investment Through Reform: Ukraine and the United States intend to utilize their strategic energy dialogue to address systemic imbalances in the Ukrainian energy system, expand corporate governance reform at state-owned energy companies, increase the attractiveness of Ukraine’s energy industry, and attract the foreign investment needed to achieve energy independence, decarbonization, and clean energy goals.

• Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Promoting Innovation: Ukraine and the United States have both reaffirmed their intent to achieve ambitious reductions in their national greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as communicated through our respective Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Ukraine has joined the Agricultural Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate and intends to develop renewable energy in a financially responsible manner.

• Addressing the Impact of Nord Stream 2: The United States and Ukraine continue to oppose Nord Stream 2, which we view as a threat to European energy security. The United States intends to continue using measures envisaged in legislation and energy diplomacy, including through the recent appointment of a senior advisor for energy security, to maintain Ukraine’s transit role and security of supply during this period of energy transition and to prevent the Kremlin’s use of energy as a geopolitical weapon. The U.S. and Ukrainian governments support efforts to increase capacity for gas supplies to Ukraine from diversified sources.

IV. Economic Growth and Prosperity
Ukraine must be strong enough economically to choose its own future and to bend the arc of its national history toward greater justice and opportunity for the Ukrainian people. Ukraine’s continued adoption and implementation of reforms are critical to ensuring that its economy delivers for the people.

• Implementing Key Reforms: In alignment with Ukraine’s International Monetary Fund program, Ukraine intends to reform state-owned enterprises, protect central bank independence, strengthen financial sector supervision, and create a fair business and investment environment. The United States intends to continue working with Ukraine to support these efforts and promote robust and inclusive economic growth in both the U.S. and Ukrainian economies.

• Expanding Commercial Cooperation: The United States and Ukraine have finalized a Memorandum of Understanding on commercial cooperation, designed to promote commercial participation by U.S companies across the Ukrainian economy and by Ukrainian companies across the U.S. economy.

• Providing Sufficient Funding for Growth: The United States and Ukraine have signed an MOU, which may support future transactions in identified sectors, including several key projects under discussion. The initial amount of $3 billion in support from the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) of the United States for these potential transactions may be increased as the pipeline of projects in agribusiness, infrastructure, climate, and energy develops.

• Growing Trade and Investment: The U.S.-Ukraine Trade and Investment Council is holding its 10^th meeting this fall to confirm work plans to avoid regulatory barriers, eliminate the use of unlicensed software by Ukrainian government agencies, address other intellectual property issues, and cooperate on labor issues. Ukraine is also committed to passing legislation establishing a robust investment screening process. Ukraine and the United States plan to review the operation of the Trade and Investment Cooperation Agreement at the fall meeting of the Council.

V. Pandemic Response and Humanitarian Assistance
The United States has been a steadfast supporter of the Ukrainian people in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and humanitarian needs resulting from the war in eastern Ukraine.

• Fighting COVID-19: The United States has provided approximately $55 million in COVID-19 related assistance and donated nearly 2.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Ukraine. The United States intends to provide additional assistance to Ukraine, to include cold chain storage support and an additional $12.8 million in COVID-related assistance drawn from the America Rescue Plan Act.

• Humanitarian Assistance: The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has left 3.4 million people in need of humanitarian aid. Since 2014, the United States has provided over $306 million in life-saving assistance to help Ukrainians in need, spanning food, shelter, safe drinking water, and protection for the most vulnerable, including the elderly. The U.S. government will provide an additional $45 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine this year.

It can also be found here: Joint Statement on the U.S.-Ukraine Strategic Partnership | The White House

Ukraine – 30 Years of Independence

Despite internal and external enemies, cynicism and obstacles, the Ukrainian nation has withstood the odds and half-hearted international support to safeguard their country’s independent and free democratic existence for the past three decades.

The past millennia was not easy but the people passed numerous tests to finally regain their independence and sovereignty on August 24, 1991, to resume being masters of their God-given land and homes, and preserve their national history, cultural heritage, language, spirituality and religion.

The latest proclamation of independence in the halls of legislature of the Ukrainian SSR was a natural result of the historical national aspirations, a joint victory of many generations of the greatest sons and daughters of Ukraine, who won Ukraine’s independence in wars with numerous enemies. This is not just a birthday of the country. It is a celebration of the history of entire generations of today’s ancestors who created the nation and fought spiritually, intellectually and militarily for their sovereign statehood. It is also a day when Ukrainians would do well to ponder about tomorrow, about future generations, about their common responsibility to history.

Throughout its existence, from time immemorial, Ukraine has endured many hostile attacks and invasions thanks to its great leaders, such as Kyivan kniazi, Kozak hetmans as well as modern personages such as Mykola Mikhnovsky, Symon Petliura, Vyacheslav Lypynsky, Patriach Josyf Slipyj, Dmytro Dontsov, Yevhen Konovalets, Stepan Bandera, Roman Shukhevych, Yaroslav Stetsko and others. They stood at Ukraine’s threshold and guarded statehood. Next to them have been hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian patriots, heroes, known and unknown, ordinary men, women and even young people who laid down their lives for the country when the situation demanded it.

Freedom and independence were not given to Ukrainians in 1991 with the simple gesture of adopting a proclamation and entering the legislature’s hall with the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag though it was a powerful signal. Ninety-percent-plus of Ukrainians approved it.

Today, Ukrainians need to remember their centuries-old history of fighting for independence and protecting it in order to stop Moscow’s attempts to identify the country only as part of the post-Soviet space. Since there are hostile attempts emanating from Moscow to present Ukraine as an immature, vague country, it is vital to emphasize that 30 years ago Ukrainians did not attain independence but rather the nation returned, revived, restored it.

As proof of that, Ukrainians today are simultaneously paying homage to previous generations, members and leaders of the Revolutionary Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), who 80 years ago, on June 30, 1941, in Lviv proclaimed the Act of Restoration of State Independence of Ukraine in defiance to Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany as a sign of the nation’s long-term aspirations. The principles of the national independence of Ukraine and the yearning to perpetuate freedom and a democratic life today inspire valiant soldiers and officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in eastern Ukraine, who are shedding their blood in the Russo-Ukraine War of 2014-21. This invincible, eternal spirit will assure Ukrainians and Ukraine of an ultimate victory over Russian hordes.

Many generations of Ukrainian patriots have given their lives on the battlefront and at home for Ukraine to be a free, independent, sovereign Ukrainian state of the Ukrainian nation. Ukrainians today have accepted their great historical responsibility and mission to realize the dream of their ancestors – to have their own independent state. Ukrainians have paid an extremely high price for their freedom and independence. But let its enemies know that a nation that pays so dearly for its independence cannot be vanquished.

It is incumbent on the President and Government of Ukraine to prevent Russian revanchism, to provide the valiant Ukrainian armed forces with all the resources to win the war against bloodthirsty Russia, to preserve Ukrainian as the state language of Ukraine, to ensure a strong standard of living for all and to raise Ukraine to the highest level in the community of independent democracies.

Today, as never before, this holiday makes high demands of Ukrainians, encourages special responsibility to the country, future generations, because this is a difficult period of modern Ukraine’s history due lukewarm western support and the war in the east. Such is the price of Ukrainians’ aspirations to live a dignified, independent life in an indivisible, independent and prosperous, democratic European state.

Ukrainians are committed to the inevitable victory over one of the last evil empires on the planet – inhuman, belligerent imperial Russia. Ukraine has earned the right to be an independent, democratic European country in which citizens value their freedom, and has repeatedly proved this on the Maidan, Donbas and occupied Crimea. Yes, independence is a joyous holiday, but Ukrainians should not naively revel in the comfortable illusion that independence is guaranteed for future generations. It should not be taken for granted. It is not yet time for Ukrainians at home and in the diaspora to sleep soundly with the enemy at its gates.

Simultaneously, the free world must recognize – as the former captive nations of Russian subjugation have – the tenuous state of affairs in Eastern Europe with Moscow poised to rebuild its iron curtain. The free world is also responsible for preserving regional peace, security and sovereign independence otherwise it will face a re-armed Russia by itself.

The idea of ​​an independent Ukraine requires genuine devotion today no less than on the day when the patriotic deputies of the democratic wing escorted the blue and yellow flag into the hall of the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR in Kyiv or when the revolutionary leaders proclaimed the Act of Restoration of State Independence of Ukraine in Lviv. Ukrainians and their compatriots and supporters still need to carry the Ukrainian flag high.

American Civic Groups Join Global Parliaments in Denouncing NS2

American civic groups have joined the growing wave of national legislative bodies that have denounced the Russian Nord Stream 2 project as detrimental to regional and global peace and security as well as Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.

Nord Stream 2 is a 1,230-kilometer (764-mile) twin pipeline that will double the capacity of the existing undersea energy route from Russian gas fields to Europe – the original Nord Stream, which opened in 2011. Ukraine and the other former captive nations of Russian aggression have opposed this project because it would give Moscow undue power over regional geopolitics.

In the United States, bipartisan opposition to Nord Stream 2 has been the mainstay of America’s policy against Russian expansion and in support of Ukraine and its neighbors since the Obama and Trump administrations. It has served as Washington’s unambiguous response to Russia’s military annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea and Moscow’s record of using gas deliveries as a weapon of coercion in Eastern Europe.

At a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday, July 15, President Biden suddenly decided to reverse the policy of its predecessors despite his Administration’s promise not to do so. This reversal is regarded as a capitulation to pressure from Germany and a gift to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

Biden and Merkel pledged that they will oppose any effort by Russia to use the deleterious Nord Stream 2 pipeline as a weapon against neighboring nations such as Ukraine. They pledged to enact sanctions against Moscow if it harms Ukraine.

Despite these pledges, the damage to American national interest will be profound as the former captive nations will not view as credible Washington’s promises of support. As for Moscow’s assurances, well they were never sincere and believable.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is understandably disappointed by Washington’s change of heart. Zelenskyy said Biden had offered him “direct signals” that the U.S. was prepared to block the pipeline. Then he said he learned that Biden would be waiving the sanctions. Zelenskyy had observed that he understands the importance of that relationship, but he asked: “How many Ukrainian lives does the relationship between the United States and Germany cost?"

“This is a weapon, a real weapon ... in the hands of the Russian Federation,” the Ukrainian President commented. “It is not very understandable ... that the bullets to this weapon can possibly be provided by such a great country as the United States.”

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Polish America Congress issued a joint condemnation of what is considered a betrayal by Washington while expressing hope that it could still be rescinded.

The statement, signed by Andrew J. Futey, president of the UCCA, and Frank J. Spula, president of PAC, reads as follows:

“The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), which represents some 30 national associations of Ukrainian Americans, and the interests of nearly 2 million Americans of Ukrainian descent, and the Polish American Congress (PAC), an umbrella organization representing over 10 million Americans of Polish descent, stand united in the wake of the official announcement of an agreement reached between U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.

“Following the Biden-Merkel announcement on July 21, PAC and UCCA were distraught to discover that neither President Biden, nor Chancellor Merkel reached out to their respective legislative branches before entering into negotiations on this issue. For the German side, it was equally rash not to have consulted with the EU Council, which repeatedly has called for stepping back from the current over-reliance on Kremlin-dominated energy routes. In this respect, we commend and support Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s response to the EU, in which he pointed out that according to Article 274 of Ukraine’s 2014 European Union Association Agreement, the EU and its member states are obliged to ‘consult and coordinate’ with Ukraine on energy ‘infrastructure developments’ and ‘shall cooperate on matters related to trade in natural gas, sustainability, and security of supply.’

“In response to the Biden-Merkel announcement on July 21, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Polish American Congress strongly agree with the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Poland who issued a joint statement lamenting that: ‘the hitherto proposals to cover the resulting security deficit cannot be considered sufficient to effectively limit the threats created by NS2. We call on the United States and Germany to adequately address the security crisis in our region, that Russia is the only beneficiary to.’

“While every new administration looks to take a fresh approach to foreign policy, our constituents took President Biden at his word when he described the Nord Stream 2 pipeline as ‘fundamentally bad deal for Europe’ specifically because, in his words, it would ‘lock in great reliance on Russia [which] will fundamentally destabilize Ukraine.’

“The only certain financial beneficiaries in Russia are Kremlin insiders, Gazprom’s subcontractors and members of the European business and political elites who derive remuneration from their support for the project. Completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project will only serve to increase corruption in Europe and enhance Russian soft power inside the EU. A completed Nord Stream 2 pipeline would provide roughly 30% of Russia’s GNP – money that Putin’s Russia will undoubtedly use to continue its aggressive behavior and invasions of neighboring countries – not to mention their hybrid war tactics used against the west, including the United States.

“Any attempts to agree on the future of energy relations and security of Europe without the participation of Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, and the Baltic Nations, whose security will suffer first once the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project is completed, must not become the norm in international relations between our respective countries. Such attempts undermine the stability of the entire transatlantic region and hurt trust between transatlantic partners.

“The Nord Stream 2 project needs to be stopped. The United States should not only fully implement congressionally mandated sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, it should further sanction any of the subcontractors that work on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to ratchet up the pressure on Russia to finally leave Ukrainian territory. Together, we call on President Biden to maintain the commitments made to our allies in Eastern Europe and continue America's bipartisan record of support for Ukraine.”

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined on August 2, 2021, by his counterparts from Estonia, Czech Republic, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania in issuing the following joint statement in opposition to the recent agreement between the United States and Germany to allow the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline:

 “We, the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees of our respective national parliaments, continue to oppose the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project and with regret note the recent decision of the United States and Germany on Nord Stream 2, which entails resuming completion of the pipeline.

“We consider Nord Stream 2 a geopolitical project geared towards expanding Russia's influence on Europe by dominating the energy market. The completion of the pipeline will strengthen the impact of Russian gas in the European energy mix, endanger the national security of EU member states and the United States, and threaten the already precarious security and sovereignty of Ukraine.

“Moreover, the completion of NS 2 will give Russia yet another tool to pressure and blackmail Ukraine. It continues to face Russia's brutal aggression and military occupation of its territories because of its pro-European choice. As a result, over 14,000 Ukrainians have died, and every week, more Ukrainian soldiers give their lives to protect their homeland and entire Europe. The EU and United States must work together to increase sanctions pressure on the Kremlin to counter aggression in Ukraine.

“The likely repercussion of the completion and operation of Nord Stream 2 is to undermine the development of a single, liberalized, and open European market by consolidating sources of supply in the Nord Stream 2 system and deterring investment in alternatives. We expect a clear commitment from Germany to reduce dependency on gas imported from Russia and move towards green energy. We presume that Germany will handle its responsibility towards these goals with the utmost dedication. We need to make a collective commitment to increase support to the security and defense capabilities of Ukraine in order to prevent a deepening of the current security crisis, exacerbated by the threats created by Nord Stream 2.

“In the changing security environment in the region, we call for commitments from NATO to strengthen deterrence, especially on the Eastern Flank from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. We also need to commit to delivering a road map for Ukraine's path towards joining the NATO alliance, if Ukraine makes the necessary reforms and meets NATO membership standards. To consolidate the transformation efforts of the Ukrainian government as well as democracy and human rights in the region, we call for a European Union membership perspective to be agreed upon for Ukraine.

“We insist that any further agreements on Nord Stream 2 necessitate consultations across the transatlantic family. Moreover, such diplomacy should happen with the fundamental principle in mind - countering malign Russian aggression is in all of NATO’s, all EU members, and our partners in Central and Eastern Europe vital national security interests.”

It was signed by Sen. Bob Menendez, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, United States Senate; Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, The Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia; Ondrej Veselý, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, The Parliament of the Czech Republic; Pavel Fischer, chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security, The Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic; Charles Flanagan, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, The House of Oireachtas, Rihards Kols, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, The Saeima of the Republic of Latvia; Marek Kuchcinski, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, The Sejm of the Republic of Poland; Bogdan Klich, chairman of the Foreign and European Union Affairs Committee, The Senate of the Republic of Poland; Oleksandr Merezhko, chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, The House of Commons of the United Kingdom; Žygimantas Pavilionis, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

Nord Stream 2 shows that the x-captive nations’ quest to rid themselves of Moscow’s threats and subjugation is not yet accomplished. Moscow continues to wage a cold and hot war to re-subjugate the independent countries of Eastern Europe. Surprisingly and sadly the United States has abandoned its moniker as the bastion of the captive nations’ freedom and buckled under Moscow’s pressure and turned against the x-captive nations. Fortunately, at least, the free world recognizes Moscow’s ongoing danger and belligerence, and the righteous states stand with Ukraine and its independent neighbors.

#StopNordstream2 

White House Sells Ukraine down the Pipe

The White House saw the whites of Moscow’s eyes and it scurried away.

Despite assurances by key officials such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the United States does not favor construction of Nord Stream 2 pipeline and supports Ukraine’s position regarding the inherent danger posed by this project, the Biden Administration has suddenly switched sides and joined the dark side.

Was it the result of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s charm or Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s intimidation? Regardless, it shows that the White House can’t be trusted as a serious partner of the former captive nations, all of which oppose the pipeline. It reaffirms in Putin’s mind that all it takes is a few well-placed words and threats to demonstrate his superiority.

According to Politico, the White House yesterday asked Ukraine not to make waves and remain quiet on the Russian pipeline that when completed could suck the independence, sovereignty and freedom out of Ukraine.

Betsy Woodruff Swan, Alexander Ward and Andrew Desiderio wrote on July 20: “In the midst of tense negotiations with Berlin over a controversial Russia-to-Germany pipeline, the Biden administration is asking a friendly country to stay quiet about its vociferous opposition. And Ukraine is not happy.

“U.S. officials have signaled that they’ve given up on stopping the project, known as the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and are now scrambling to contain the damage by striking a grand bargain with Germany.

At the same time, administration officials have quietly urged their Ukrainian counterparts to withhold criticism of a forthcoming agreement with Germany involving the pipeline, according to four people with knowledge of the conversations.

“The U.S. officials have indicated that going public with opposition to the forthcoming agreement could damage the Washington-Kyiv bilateral relationship, those sources said. The officials have also urged the Ukrainians not to discuss the U.S. and Germany’s potential plans with Congress. A senior administration official disputed this reporting, noting that the situation is more nuanced than that, but declined to share further details on U.S. officials’ talks with their Ukrainian counterparts.”

This outlandish request will go down in history as a political spoiler between two friendly nations—the United States and Ukraine, in which Washington, Kyiv’s strategic partner, chose to side with the war mongering enemy Russia.

Bowing to Merkel and Putin’s complaints, the White House decided to contain the damage, to make nice with Germany, and to coax Ukraine to stop badgering Washington and other free world democracies that support Kyiv about the dangers of the pipeline, with which Moscow will control the European Union with a twist of the spigot.

Furthermore, the White House warned – perhaps threatened – Kyiv that if it didn’t stop opposing the pipeline, it would damage Washington-Kyiv bilateral relationship. Once that form of undiplomatic rapport between two countries is set in stone, Washington could bully or bribe Kyiv into replacing its independence for a repeated stint in Moscow’s prison of nations.

While not denying this line of thinking, the White House suggested that it’s not like you think, it’s “more nuanced.” The White House simultaneously urged Ukraine not to discuss its change of heart with Congress.

That should immediately inspire the Ukrainian American community, which has been in the forefront of defending subjugated Ukraine’s interests for more than a century and now independent Ukraine’s welfare for three decades, to raise hell on Capitol Hill about President Biden’s duplicitous policy toward Ukraine. Just recall that Ukrainian Americans were upset with President Trump’s unfriendly policies toward Ukraine.

The Governments of Ukraine and Poland jointly strongly protested this decision in today’s statement: “The decision to build Nord Stream 2 made in 2015 mere months after Russia’s invasion and illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory, created security, credibility and political crisis in Europe.”

The two allies said “This decision has created political, military and energy threat for Ukraine and Central Europe, while increasing Russia's potential to destabilize the security situation in Europe, perpetuating divisions among NATO and European Union member states.”

“We call on the United States and Germany to adequately address the security crisis in our region, that Russia is the only beneficiary to. Ukraine and Poland will work together with their allies and partners to oppose NS2 until solutions are developed to address the security crisis created by NS2, to provide support to countries aspiring to membership in Western democratic institutions, and to reduce threats to peace and energy security,” concluded the statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Zbigniew Rau.

Numerous lawmakers support Ukraine’s position on Nord Stream 2, such as Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Bob Menendez of New Jersey. Ukrainian American voters should contact their congressmen and senators about this sad two-faced situation in the Oval Office and point out that the White House sought to muzzle Kyiv but Americans on Ukrainian descent are mounting a second front to correct this misguided decision and split the pipeline project once and for all.

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and other community groups have begun calling on their memberships to contact Congress.

“The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the representative organization of nearly 2 million Americans of Ukrainian descent, agrees with the United States Congress, the White House and the US State Department in their estimation of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline: Nord Stream 2 is a geopolitical scheme designed to provide Putin’s Russia with additional malign influence on our European allies and partners…

“UCCA took President Joe Biden at his word when he described the Nord Stream 2 pipeline as ‘fundamentally bad deal for Europe’ specifically because, in his words, it would ‘lock in great reliance on Russia [which] will fundamentally destabilize Ukraine’…

“The United States should not only fully administer congressionally mandated sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, it should further sanction any of the subcontractors that work on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to ratchet up the pressure on Russia to finally leave Ukrainian territory. UCCA calls on President Biden to maintain the commitments made to our allies in Eastern Europe and continue America’s bipartisan record of support for Ukraine.”

We urge Congress to prohibit the White House from embarrassing itself, demonstrating weakness in the face of Moscow’s pressure and Germany’s egocentricity, and losing Ukraine on its watch.