The Ukrainian Weekly (https://www.ukrweekly.com/uwwp/tag/premium/page/10/)
Ukraine’s performances in the previous three Summer Olympic Games have been on a downward trend: 22 medals (seven gold) in Beijing (2008) with 243 participating athletes, 19 medals (five gold) in London (2012) among 238 athletes, and 11 medals (two gold) in Rio de Janeiro (2016) with 203 Ukrainian Olympians. Hopes of reversing the above trend will be quite challenging in Tokyo with Ukraine sending 155 athletes to compete in 22 sports.
KYIV – Arsen Avakov, one of the most powerful and independent-minded government officials, tendered his resignation as internal affairs minister on July 13.
As the nation’s longest-serving top cop overseeing personnel in various agencies numbering more than 300,000 people, Mr. Avakov, 57, is one of the last officials not perceived as part of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s inner-circle.
KYIV – Eleven days after Russian President Vladimir Putin held his yearly “direct line” call-in show with ordinary citizens during which he promised to publish an article on Ukraine, he delivered on the pledge and caused a stir on July 12 by calling the two nations “one people.”
KYIV – Nathan’s Famous, New York’s legendary hotdog vendor, made its way to Ukraine’s capital on July 14 with much fanfare.
In typical U.S. style complete with loud American music, muscle cars, beer and, of course, sausage links served in a bun with six topping choices, the once Coney Island nickel stand held a grand opening with U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires George Kent, American Chamber of Commerce President Andy Hunder and the company’s Senior Vice President for Restaurants James Walker among those in attendance.
During the final month before Ukraine will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its independence, the country is facing heightened anxiety and uncertainty in the external sphere.
CANNES, France – After a break in 2020, the 74th Cannes International Film Festival took place in France’s Cote d’Azur on July 6-17 with two Ukrainian films – “Olga” and “Babi Yar. Context” – premiering at the festival. Additionally, the State Agency of Ukraine for Cinema opened for the 15th time its pavilion that included the blue-and-yellow national flag and the hashtag #UkraineIsYourDestination in the heart of the festival’s International Village.
WINNIPEG – Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk), primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC), announced on July 10 via Facebook (www.facebook.com/UOCCanada) his retirement from his episcopal responsibilities.
There are various ways to interpret Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lengthy article “on the historical unity of Russians and Ukrainians,” as his story is titled. But to cut through the clutter of the nearly 7,000-word English version of Mr. Putin’s history lesson on Ukrainians and Russians constituting “a single whole,” and after having read the piece in its entirety, one thing strikes us as plainly evident. Mr. Putin is scared.
Fifty years ago, on July 18, 1971, thousands of events commemorating the annual Captive Nations Week were held across the United States, with Ukrainians making up the largest contingent of ethnic groups that were represented at parades, rallies and other events throughout the weeklong observances.
We are beginning a new stage in relations with the Ukrainian diaspora. At the very least, our program shall simplify the circumstances of living in Ukraine for “foreign” Ukrainians (those from outside of Ukraine’s borders). At best, our program will include them as investors or members of supervisory boards.