Participants of the USUF Strategic Planning Session. Photo by Tanya Shea.
USUF Assesses its Mission and Goals, Discusses New Strategic Plan
The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation held a strategic planning session to discuss the mission and goals of the organization in the context of a continuously evolving partnership between the United States and Ukraine. The discussion, held in Washington on April 21st, was facilitated by Dr. Jonathan Peri, President of Manor College in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.
Members of the Board of Directors, Board of Advisors and staff of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation held a lively and thoughtful discussion that will inform USUF's strategy for supporting Ukraine's security and democratic and economic development-based on a vibrant U.S.-Ukraine relationship. Participating in the session (in alphabetical order) were: Vera Andrushkiw, Markian Bilysnkyj, Amb. Clifford Bond, Michael Buryk, Edward Chow, Orest Deychakiwsky, Olya Duzey, Adrian Karmazyn, Anizia Karmazyn, John A. Kun, Deanna McConnell, Nadia K. McConnell, Robert A. McConnell, George Masiuk, Jim O'Beirne, Jonathan Peri, Marilyn Pifer, Amb. Roman Popadiuk, Tanya Shea, Chrystia Sonevytsky, Michael Snytkin, and Amb. Temuri Yakobashvili.
In addition to being a college president - of America's only accredited Ukrainian heritage post-secondary institution - Dr. Peri also serves on five different education-related state boards. He has helped many nonprofit organizations to form their strategic plans.
NORD STREAM 2
Project could cause discord when Trump, Merkel meet on Friday ...
Proposed Russian pipeline polarizing the West
By Griff Witte and Luisa Beck, The Washington Post, April 26, 2018
" ... Ukraine has been particularly outspoken in its opposition to Nord Stream 2, which could cost the country up to $2 billion annually in transit fees as Russia shifts supplies away from Ukrainian pipes.
Merkel said this month that she had told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call that Ukraine must not be cut out of the transit business if Nord Stream 2 is built. Sefcovic, the E.U. official, said he was hopeful negotiations could yield a deal to protect Ukrainian interests.
But Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko - whose country was the victim of a stealth Russian invasion in 2014 - has expressed deep skepticism, saying that Nord Stream 2 represents a "serious danger" and that the pipeline's backers are complicit in Russian hybrid warfare aimed at weakening Ukrainian national security..."
CLICK to read
Countering the Nord Stream 2: the latest developments
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What may Ukraine lose? In 2017, Ukraine earned about $3 billion from the transit of Russian gas to the EU. Last year, Ukraine transported 93,5 billion cubic meters of gas to European consumers, which is a record figure in the past seven years. Ukraine's Naftogaz and Russia's Gazprom signed the contract for gas transit back in 2009. It expires on December 31, 2019. After the Stockholm arbitration court upheld the ruling not satisfying Gazprom's claims, the company initiated breaking of all gas contracts with Ukraine. It is a long-lasting procedure, most likely the contracts will stay in force until their expiration date. If the parties fail to prolong the transit contract on the terms beneficial for Ukraine and if Russia succeeds with building Nord Stream 2, Ukraine will be losing up to $3,5 billion annually.
Photo Credit: Ukraine Crisis Media Center
Why is it important for Ukraine to prevent the Nord Stream 2 construction? According to Ukrainian experts, it is important for Ukraine - from the political, economic, and security standpoints - to be the country transiting the Russian gas to the EU. It is not only about the money, but first of all, it comes as a powerful (and probably the only) lever Ukraine has got on the Kremlin. The transit of the Russian gas is a serious safety tool to prevent Russia's large-scale military aggression against Ukraine ....
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ISSUES
US calls for anti-corruption court, slams human rights violations in Ukraine
By Oleg Sukhov, Kyiv Post, April 23, 2018
Acting United States Secretary of State John Sullivan on April 22 urged Ukrainian authorities to establish a truly independent anti-corruption court, with the country having made no progress on the issue since the Verkhovna Rada
passed a bill on the court at first reading on March 1.
The Department of State also criticized alleged human rights violations by Ukrainian authorities in a country report on human rights practices.
"Today, Acting Secretary of State John Sullivan met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, (and) reaffirmed the United States' ironclad support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression," Heather Nauert, the Department of State's spokeswoman, said on Twitter on April 22. "Acting Secretary Sullivan urged Ukraine to redouble reform efforts and adhere to (International Monetary Fund) programs by adopting legislation to establish a truly independent anti-corruption court and raising gas tariffs to import parity levels."
11 politically exposed persons own a quarter of all permits for extraction of oil and gas in Ukraine - Report
Who owns oil and gas fields of Ukraine?
Anticorruption Action Centre, April 13, 2018
The US sanctions law against Russia passed back in July 2017 contains a special section on Ukrainian energy security.
The goal of this provision is to help Ukraine to decrease dependence on Russian influence, specifically on Russian sources of energy. Among other things American Congress tasked the Secretary of State to work closely with Ukrainian Government to "increase the amount of energy produced in Ukraine."
Development of domestic extraction of oil and natural gas is officially proclaimed by Ukrainian government as part of the state strategy on energy independence and security. This task is of particular importance during the war with Russia that blackmails Ukraine and the EU with Gazprom gas supplies.
In order to attract investments, Ukrainian authorities have to ...
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US imposes new sanctions against Russia
Ukraine Crisis Media Center, April 17, 2018
New sanctions against the "Kremlin report" list. The US imposed the sanctions against the Russian businessmen and officials listed in the "Kremlin report". The sanctions resulted from Russia's interference in the US presidential elections.
Photo Credit: Ukraine Crisis Media Center
Who's on the list? Among the sanctioned individuals are billionaire Oleg Deripaska, and Head of the Board of "Renova" group of companies Viktor Vekselberg who had been ranked Russia's richest person by Forbes. Sanctioned companies include En+, Renova, Rusal, Rossiyskie Mashyny (Russian machinery), Rosoboronexport - Russia's state-owned defense exporter; bfinance linked to Deripaska, as well as eight more Russian companies. Any business-related ties with them are now prohibited to US companies and citizens ...
Suntri Blockchain is aims to change Agro Sector of Ukraine and the world.
By Henry Shterenberg, Chief Executive Officer at Suntri Inc. - April 24, 2014
It's been very exciting time for me over the last 10 months since I became a CEO of start-up called Suntri. It is my view that Suntri Platform, version 1.0 will be released in early June of this year, will play a major role in digital transformation and blockchain industry on the global stage.
Suntri's vision is to promote trusted and transparent interconnectivity across all economic activity between individuals, businesses and governments through use of Suntri Blockchain integrated with other leading technologies and smart contracts ...
What can you say about the technology of blockchain?
Blockchain technology is a transformative technology, i.e. technology at equivalent to the industrial revolution, invention of computer, growth of internet and the creation of smartphones .... CLICK to read more
In what sectors should Chinese or American invest to get profit in Ukraine?
By Olesandr Honcharov, Director of the Institute for Economic Development of Ukraine
... It is high time to raise the financial literacy of a new generation of our leaders. The state regulator should hugely liberalize the entrance conditions of the Ukrainian market. Finally, Ukrainian business should learn from the Chinese how to sell the future and brands. It is high time for a real revolution in Ukrainian organized markets. After all, the onset of even greater shocks in trade and in the economy of Ukraine is only a matter of time.
Ukraine should take this challenge and be ready to realize smart and breakthrough solutions, especially in trade....
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Ukrainian and U.S. Officials Discuss Opportunities to Cooperate in the Field of Liquid Biofuels: Ukrainian Industrial Portal, by Maxim Ovcharenko, March 31, 2018
In Q1 2018, Ukraine Expands Renewable Energy Capacity by 2.4 Times Over Q1 2017 Level - Includes New Wind Farms (47.1 MW), Solar Plants (99.5 MW), Biomass Stations (5.1 MW), Biogas Plants (6.2 MW), and Small Hydroelectric Plants (1.5 MW):
In 2017, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Directed 70% of All Funds Provided to Ukraine to Energy Efficiency Projects
: Ukrinform, April 12, 2018
Ukraine, International Finance Corporation, European Union and Germany Sign Agreement Establishing Fund to Improve Energy Efficiency in Ukrainian Apartment Buildings - Fund Will Start with EUR 53 Million: Open for Business, April 23, 2018
Kyiv "WasteInForum 2018" Seeks to Improve the Waste Management System in Ukraine Where 11 Million Tons of Domestic Waste Were Created in 2017 But Only 3% Is Recycled or Composted: Nat'l Radio Company of Ukraine, Apr 21, 2018
Global Environment Facility Will Provide Ukraine with $350,000 in Grant Assistance to Improve Situation with Hazardous Chemicals: Open for Business, April 18, 2018
The number of electric cars imported to Ukraine in the first quarter of 2018 tripled year-over-year, to 1,744 vehicles, according to a posting on the website of the State Fiscal Service. The authority said that in January 2018, some 784 passenger cars and other vehicles with electric engines were imported compared with 132 in January 2017, in February 2018, some 413 vehicles were imported (181) and in March - 537 (237).
As reported, in 2017, some 2,700 electric cars were imported to Ukraine.
In 2018, electric vehicles and other vehicles equipped exclusively with an electric motor are exempted from taxation by excise duty and value added tax (VAT) when they are transported to the customs territory of Ukraine.
BUSINESS PODCASTS
MadeinUkaineTechStartupEdition is a monthly podcast series produced and hosted by Mike Buryk, a member of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation's Board of Advisors, a long-time Foundation supporter and business development advisor. Start listening today ... go to https://soundcloud.com/ukrainetech/ .
Senstone is wearable technology that serves as a digital recorder. The product is produced by Senstone Inc.
The Podcast:
Nazar Fedorchuk is the founder and CEO of the company. His product will be available for purchase in the Spring of 2018. In this podcast interview, Mr. Fedorchuk talks about how he came up with the idea for the product and his plans to market and sell it globally.
CLICK TO LISTEN
BrainBasket Foundation's Vision: Ukraine has always been associated with the world's breadbasket but now besides having a strong agricultural sector Ukraine has a chance to become a "brainbasket" by exporting results of intellectual activity of our IT professionals.
So, in April 2014 initiative group of leading Ukrainian IT companies with the participation of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and Kyiv City Administration has decided to create BrainBasket Foundation that will be responsible for facilitating the training of IT specialists and boosting the educational eco-system.
Hushme is a wearable technology device that improves the privacy of smartphone voice conversations. In this interview with Roman Sakun, CEO and one of the founders of Hushme, he talks about how the product was developed and when it will be available for purchase. CLICK TO LISTEN
Top-line revenue growth is considered an important benchmark for sustainable companies. And consideration of the overall revenue growth rate over time is also a key factor.
Ukrainian companies first appeared in the Inc. 5000 EU list in 2016 (1). At the time, there were a total of 20 in 11 industries. There were no companies in the IT Services or Software categories then, but one (Clickky) was in online Advertising/Marketing. In 2018, the list has grown to 32 companies with two in online Advertising/Marketing (Clickky, Netpeak), one in IT Services (Macpaw) and two in Software (Intellias and N-iX).
Outside of IT/Software, Manufacturing is the single largest category with five companies. The companies are spread geographically throughout Ukraine with the most in Kyiv (8), Lviv (3) and Odessa (3). The country dropped by five companies compared with the 2017 Inc. EU list ....
CLICK to read more
As part of its Biotechnology Initiative, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF) is currently accepting nominations for its
40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders in Biotech Awards Program. The Foundation seeks to recognize 40 innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs under the age of 40 in biotechnology, a cutting-edge field that holds much promise for Ukraine's economic future.
Through its Biotechnology Initiative, USUF aims to advance the state of biotech in Ukraine by fostering educational, research and business development in the sector and raising international awareness about biotech opportunities in Ukraine.
Nominations for the U.S. - Ukraine Foundation's
40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders in Biotech Awards can be submitted online by clicking the button below. Candidates for the awards may nominate themselves or be nominated by others. All nominations must be made via our online web portal (use the button below) and all submissions and supporting reference letters must be submitted via this portal no later than March 31, 2018. The Foundation's Biotech Advisory Board will review the applications and select the top 40 nominees on a competitive basis for their innovations or other contributions to the biotechnology field in Ukraine. USUF seeks to recognize the biotech achievements of the nominees based on such criteria as leadership in the field, entrepreneurial accomplishments, potential for commercialization of their research, current or future impact of their research or innovation, and/or overall benefit of their activity or innovation to Ukrainian society.
Honorees will be recognized at the Foundation's 40 Under 40 award ceremony and the top eight awardees within the group, as determined by USUF's Biotech Advisory Board, will receive a special prize: four of them will receive a cash award of $2500.00 and another four will have the opportunity to participate in a biotech forum in the United States, with travel and lodging expenses covered by The U.S. - Ukraine Foundation. Thus, a total of $25,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded by USUF in this award competition.
Eligibility: To be considered for this award, a nominee must be a citizen of Ukraine, currently residing in Ukraine, and working or studying in the Biotechnology field. Persons born before January 1, 1978, are NOT eligible to receive an award and will not be considered.
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Additional Application Guidance:
All application materials, including supporting letters of reference, must be submitted to the USUF IN ENGLISH electronically via our web portal no later than APRIL 30, 2018.
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All "self-nominating" applicants in this category must provide two (2) reference letters which must be submitted by the reference provider directly to the U.S. - Ukraine Foundation electronically via our web portal no later than March 31, 2018.
Persons nominating others for the award (i.e., "the proposer") must provide a letter of reference as well as contact information for a second reference along with the electronic application form. The second reference letter must be submitted by the reference provider directly to the U.S. - Ukraine Foundation electronically via our web portal no later than March 31, 2018.
All reference letters should describe the character and achievements of the candidate and the invention or other significant contribution made by the Nominee in the field of Biotechnology. Reference letters should not exceed 3500 characters in length.
Mr. Chair, violence in the Donbas - Russia-manufactured and Russia-perpetuated violence - continues despite the supposed "Easter ceasefire." While we commend the leaders of the Trilateral Contact Group for their determination to quiet the guns, we understand that these efforts will only work when Russia reverses its policy of aggression. Russia remains isolated within the international community for igniting and sustaining this conflict. Russia - and its proxies in eastern Ukraine - must enforce a true ceasefire, disengage from the line of contact, withdraw proscribed weapons, and begin to implement the commitments of the Minsk agreements.
Russia-led forces continue to inflict considerable harm on the civilian population of the Donbas. Although Russia portrays itself as the protector of the Russian-speaking minority of eastern Ukraine, these very people are the ones shouldering the burden of Russia's aggression, and the death, destruction and isolation it has brought, even though Russia cynically claims to be acting in their interests. The only place where Ukraine's Russian speaking people are suffering is in the areas where Russian soldiers and their proxies have instigated a conflict.
In the March 27 SMM weekly report, the Mission notes that since the departure of the Russian Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) contingent last December, repairs to essential civilian infrastructure have slowed, with only one quarter of the requested security guarantees receiving follow-up. Russia’s unilateral withdrawal from the JCCC also has exacerbated water shortages, ongoing disruption of mobile phone service, and electricity outages. To mitigate this suffering, the United States urges Russia to return to the JCCC and play a responsible role in brokering temporary "windows of silence" to allow repair of essential civilian infrastructure.
Russia asserts that it provides for Donbas residents by regularly delivering humanitarian aid through over 70 humanitarian convoys, including one that entered into the non-government controlled areas on April 3. The SMM, however, was again blocked from observing the content of the vehicles, leaving us to doubt what was really inside. If those convoys truly are carrying humanitarian assistance, why wouldn't Russia want such assistance to be seen by the international community? The United States joins other voices in this Council and calls for an end to these unverified, illegal convoys, which disrespect Ukraine's sovereignty and violate its territorial integrity. Aid should be delivered in accordance with internationally recognized standards, transparently and in full respect of Ukraine's internationally recognized border.
Harassment and threats against our SMM monitors also continue. On March 24, SMM monitors on patrol heard bursts of small-arms fire nearby, and rounds impacting five meters from their position. On April 6, a so-called "DPR" militant charged his weapon and threatened to shoot if an SMM patrol did not pack up its mini-UAV and leave the area. The harassment takes other forms, as well. Since March 20, SMM patrols have been restricted 43 times - all but three of those were caused by Russia's proxies, in what the SMM has labeled "systematic restrictions."
Violent actions have also been directed against SMM equipment. Since March 31, SMM patrols report small-arms fire being targeted against their mini-UAVs six times, with twenty such incidents this year. On March 30, Russia-led forces downed a UAV flying over a training area. Most regrettably, deployment of the SMM's new long-range UAV has been met with consistent jamming across the conflict area. Threats to the SMM, and the targeting of its technical monitoring assets, are categorically unacceptable. We view these actions as deliberate attempts to prevent the SMM from fulfilling its mandate, and we condemn such behavior.
Mr. Chair, Russian occupation authorities continues to harass Tatars and Ukrainian activists. We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating health of Volodymyr Balukh, who has been on a hunger strike in a Simferopol prison since March 19. He is serving a three year and seven month sentence on bogus terrorism charges in retaliation for flying the Ukrainian flag. We call on Russia to release him immediately. On April 6, two activists from the Ukrainian Cultural Center, Olena Popova and Olga Pavlenko, were interrogated by the occupying Russian prosecutor’s office for their activities. Also on April 6, FSB occupation authorities raided a mosque in the village of Pavlivka in what has become an increasingly common form of harassment under the false pretext of fighting so-called "extremism." Ihor Krynychny, a Ukrainian national in Russia-occupied Crimea who refused to give up his Ukrainian passport, was assaulted by unknown assailants on April 3 simply for displaying pro-Ukrainian stickers on his car. A recent media monitoring report by the respected NGOs Crimean Human Rights Group and the Human Rights Information Center concluded that "Russia is deliberately creating an atmosphere of fear and aggression in occupied Crimea, with Ukraine and Ukrainians pitched as "the enemy."
In closing, Mr. Chair, Russia's conduct in Ukraine violates the core principles, values, and ideals of the OSCE, and poses a threat to the OSCE, its participating States, and our common security. Let me reiterate that the United States fully supports Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We do not, nor will we ever, recognize Russia's purported annexation of Crimea. Crimea-related sanctions on Russia will remain in place until Russia returns full control of the peninsula to Ukraine. And we join our European and other partners in restating that our sanctions against Russia for its aggression in eastern Ukraine will remain until Russia fully implements its commitments under the Minsk agreements.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
UPCOMING USUF EVENT
The Soviet Story and the Unending History.
Can There Be a Resurgence of Totalitarian Evil?
In commemoration of Europe's VE-Day and Ukraine's Remembrance Day
the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation,
the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences,
and Slavic-American Sokol
invite you for a viewing of the award-winning documentary,
The Soviet Story, followed by an open discussion.
This film reflects on the tragic chapters of history when Europe was plagued by two totalitarian regimes, German Nazism and Soviet Communism. The fall of the Berlin Wall signified what appeared to be "the end of history" in 1989. Yet, three decades later the world remains threatened by a new "cold war" and a global military conflict. Can the Soviet story help us understand today's challenges for peace and unity in Europe?
Introduction by: Dr. Peter Voitsekhovsky, USUF Research Director and the author of
Emancipation from Doublethink. Essays on Post-Soviet Politics.
When: Friday, May 4, at 6 pm
Where: U.S.-Ukraine Foundation Conference Room
1090 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 600 (SIIA), Washington, DC 20005
Atlantic Council, 1030 15th St. NW, Washington, DC
The technological revolution has provided unique new economic opportunities worldwide, and Ukraine is rife with budding entrepreneurs who are fully embracing this new landscape. Ukraine is now home to dozens of highly successful domestic tech startups, along with research and development branches of hundreds of multinational companies. At this event, Dr. Tetyana Tyshchuk, project leader of Index for Monitoring Reforms (IMoRe) at VoxUkraine, an independent and non-partisan Ukrainian analytical platform, will present a report on the growth of the Ukrainian IT sector. This will be followed by a panel discussion in which leaders from Ukraine's technology sector and US-based experts will explore the current state of the high-tech industry in Ukraine and how the country is utilizing it to the benefit of the economy.
The largest, most influential biotech Convention in the world is coming to Boston, June 4-7, 2018. Experience powerful business partnering, benefit from invaluable education sessions and network with 16,000+ of biotech's best and brightest. See how the everyday becomes extraordinary - at BIO 2018.
Interested? ... Please contact us!
SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Internship Experience at USUF ...
Future Leaders for U.S.-Ukraine Relations
Ever since its founding in 1991, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF) has been providing an educational opportunity for young, talented men and women to plunge into the world of real policy-making and the promotion of democratic values in Ukraine through its Internship Program, an important component of its overall Youth Leadership Program.
Of course, university students benefit - they directly participate in the mission of the Foundation in working with other students and with USUF staff, meeting with government officials and other "stakeholders" from Ukraine and the U.S, and they get first-hand experience on the functioning of a non-profit organization in the U.S. capital. For every student, the time spent in an internship will impact future career choices. Many times, students develop friendships with other interns that last way beyond the time spent in Washington. And living in America's capital, enjoying everything it offers, is a unique experience as well.
The Foundation benefits, too! Every semester Foundation staff members get an "energy-boost" with the arrival of young individuals, ready to lend a helping hand. They are typically hard-working , professional and serious. Their service to USUF projects and activities is considerable.
The students are challenged while they are at USUF. The Foundation realizes their importance now and for tomorrow, as they represent the future leaders in U.S.-Ukraine relations. This is why the Foundation dedicates time to its interns ... it is an opportunity to help shape future leaders, those who truly love Ukraine and the United States.
If you are a college or post-graduate student looking for an internship with USUF, contact us at email: info@usukraine.org ... please refer to
https://www.usukraine.org/internships/ for more information, also.
ASK THE EGGHEAD
The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation's new website has been created by Steven May, Jr. and his talented team associated with Ask the Egghead. Steven May Jr., aka lead egghead at Ask the Egghead, has over 25 years of career experience that spans multiple business models and sectors. If you need website support, Ask the Egghead!