The Ukrainian Weekly (https://www.ukrweekly.com/uwwp/2021/05/)
KYIV – U.S. President Joe Biden has defended the lifting of sanctions on the company that controls the Nord Stream 2 (NS2) natural gas pipeline whose completion will effectively eliminate Ukraine as a vital energy transit country and leave it vulnerable to additional Russian aggression.
KYIV – The oldest automotive importer owned by a Ukrainian American secured a 20-million-euro ($24 million) loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to expand operations in the country.
The Winner Group investment will be used to complete the construction of new Renault and Volvo dealerships, help the company transition to a green economy by investing in electric vehicles and expand its logistics, distribution and service capabilities, according to the May 25 EBRD news release.
KYIV – The electro-folk band Go_A took fifth place at Eurovision 2021 out of 33 participating countries. This was the first time that Ukraine’s entry had sung entirely in Ukrainian. The music contest was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, between May 18 and 22.
For Ukraine, which lost more than 70 percent of its naval assets after Russia’s forcible annexation of Crimea, the ability to effectively deter and adequately respond to further aggressive Russian actions at sea is extremely important. The crucial nature of properly addressing this threat was reconfirmed earlier this spring (March-April), amidst the buildup of Russian heavy military forces around Ukraine’s borders, which notably included the deployment of offensive units to Crimea as well as the strengthening of its naval forces in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov (see Eurasia Daily Monitor, April 13, 27 [1][2][3], May 3).
The following letter was issued by Ukrainian Americans for Biden on May 20. It was sent to U.S. President Joe Biden and signed by members of the organization’s steering committee. Copies of the letter were also sent to individuals listed at the conclusion of the letter.
The Congressional Ukraine Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Andy Harris (R-Md.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), released the following statement on May 20 in response to President Joe Biden’s decision to waive sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG and its CEO, Matthias Warnig.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on May 19 after Congress received a mandatory report from the State Department regarding entities involved in sanctionable activity by the builders of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Citing U.S. national security interests, the Biden administration announced it would waive mandatory sanctions on the company Nord Stream 2 AG and its CEO Matthias Warnig.
On May 13, the Congressional Ukraine Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Andy Harris (R-Md.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), sent the following letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing deep concern with the state of energy security in Ukraine and Central and Eastern Europe. In the letter, the members called on the Department of State to increase efforts to bolster energy resilience by fully sanctioning Nord Stream 2 as mandated by PEESCA as amended and consistent with Congressional intent, increase diplomatic action to counter the purging of Naftogaz leadership, and strengthen efforts to fulfill the U.S. pledge to invest $300 million of U.S. financing into the Three Seas Fund.
SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. – In its Spring 2021 Consistory Circular, the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. – Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel (president of the Consistory) – announced the initiative of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the United States of America for a Mental Health Needs Assessment Survey, which was launched on April 7.
Much has been written recently regarding the decision by U.S. President Joe Biden to waive critical sanctions tied to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The Biden administration did sanction several companies and ships that have continued to work on the project, but it decided to waive sanctions on the main company behind the project, Nord Stream 2 AG, and the company’s chief operating officer, Matthias Warnig.