Diaspora

On the first anniversary of the Maidan massacre of February 18-21, Ukrainians around the world gathered to mark one of the most tragic events in recent Ukrainian history. 

In Toronto, the Ukrainian community welcomed Andriy Parubiy, First Deputy Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament and Commandant of the Maidan Self-Defence Forces, as the keynote speaker for its commemorative event, A Tribute to the Brave Defenders of Ukraine.  The event –  which was put on by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), UCC Toronto Branch, and the EuroMaidan Canada Committee – also featured addresses by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Chris Alexander, and UCC National President, Paul Grod.  

Joined by Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre and Chair of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group Ted Opitz, Minister Alexander emphasized Canada’s continuing and unwavering support for Ukraine during these difficult times.  Halfway through his address and much to the delight of Parubiy, the Minister donned the famous yellow handkerchief of the Samo-Oborona (Self-Defence) units of the Maidan. 

“Canada was always a leader in the sphere of international relations with Ukraine,” Parubiy reinforced.  “During the hardest times, Canada would say something and the entire world echoed that which Canada said.  … A big thank you to the Government of Canada, the Parliament of Canada, and the nation from which we feel supported every day.”

A key factor to Canada’s leading role in the Ukraine crisis has been its large Ukrainian diaspora, which currently stands at over 1.2 million.  During the early days of the Euromaidan Revolution, the EuroMaidan Canada Committee was established to help co-ordinate and provide support and aid to those on the frontlines of the revolution in Kyiv. 

“I thank the Ukrainian community,” said Parubiy, “which to a large degree displays the position of Ukraine, and obviously [Canada’s] government orientates itself on the position of the community.”

Highlighted throughout the evening was the work and achievements of the EuroMaidan Canada Committee and the Ukrainian Canadian community.  Since December 2013, the Committee has organized numerous demonstrations, letter-writing campaigns, meetings with government officials, and the mailing of hundreds of cards of support to the defenders of Ukraine.  Thus far, EuroMaidan Canada has raised $262,000, and over $3 million has been raised across Canada via other EuroMaidan committees. 

During his keynote address, Andriy Parubiy spoke of his time on the Maidan as the Commandant of the Self-Defence Forces, as a Deputy in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (Parliament), and the state of affairs on Ukraine’s eastern front. 

“Many Ukrainians understood that Yanukovych not signing the EU Association Agreement…was essentially disengagement away from Europe and the pathway towards a new form of colonial Ukraine.  …We didn’t go to Maidan for abstract things; we went there for Ukraine…because at that moment we understood that Yanukovych is just a puppet [of Putin] whom he fully controls.  And we stood there to continue the exact same fight that our parents and grandparents fought.”

Parubiy, who has long been active in the Ukrainian political scene, played a crucial role in establishing and organizing the Maidan Self-Defence Forces, a key component of the Euromaidan Revolution.  “All different kinds of guys came,” he recalled, “But very few of them had military training, very few of them had some kind of specialized, even police training.  These were teachers, scientists, students, lawyers, businessmen, which came from all over Ukraine and built the barricades of the Maidan.”

On 22 January of last year the situation on the Maidan became even more dramatic when the revolution saw its first death.  “When I held the first fatality in my arms, Serhiy Nigoyan… I barely knew what to do; I didn’t know who to call, and what to say to who, because in my head I couldn’t imagine that in a European capital, in the twenty-first century, a person could be killed because they went to protest for their country,” said Parubiy.

As the Commandant of the Self-Defence Forces, Parubiy, perhaps more than anyone, was very familiar with those who made up its ranks.  “The guys on the barricades were full of life and energy,” he said fondly. “These truly are modern day heroes.”

When Russia invaded Ukraine soon after Yanukovych’s fleeing, thousands of those same volunteers signed up for volunteer battalions, including those in the newly formed National Guard. 

“I was in Debaltseve a few days ago, and during this military operation there, there was a battalion of the National Guard, the 25^th Battalion, and those boys which once walked with bands around their arms [to signify that they were Samo-Oborona] on the Maidan, without batons and without shields.  And today they were ready and seasoned, now not only in bullet-proof vests, but with tanks, artillery, BTRs, on the front lines continuing this fight for Ukraine,” said Parubiy.  “This is a huge miracle that we are witnessing,” he continued. “The Ukrainian army is being created before our eyes; the Ukrainian nation is being created before our eyes.”

The success of the Euromaidan Revolution brought with it early presidential and parliamentary elections, and the hope that the new government would finally be able to shed Ukraine’s infamous reputation for high levels of corruption.  But Ukrainians and international onlookers soon began to critically question the progress that has been made thus far by the Ukrainian government.

“Before us are many problems and challenges,” admitted Parubiy. “But when I hear people tell me…how little Ukraine has done, I tell them that’s not true.  Ukraine has accomplished more in the past year and a half than other countries have in ten years.”  Referring to the two national elections held this past year, in times of war nonetheless, the Ukrainian Member of Parliament continued, “There is a lot of positive – over half of the people in the Verkhovna Rada are new.”

“I’d like to remind you that not long ago we had the same parliament that Yanukovych created,” he pointed out. “That was until December 1 – barely three months ago.”  Before the new parliament came into effect, passing reforms was “almost impossible” Parubiy noted, adding that since December significant reforms have been passed, including laws to completely reform the justice system, the creation of an anti-corruption bureau, and the creation of a public portal where all government expenditures are to be reported and recorded.   

In addition to honouring the memory of the fallen heroes of Maidan, the evening served to raise funds for the Ukrainian forces currently fighting off the Russian aggressor in the country’s east. 

“The Ukrainian army, of course, is not as powerful as we would want, but we have to remember, we are waging war against one of the most powerful armies in the world,” said Parubiy, adding that the large number of volunteers from which they were able to build up the current Ukrainian army “are not just holding off the enemy, but are mounting counter offensives and … were able to free huge areas in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.” 

Ukraine’s First Deputy Chairman also took the opportunity to reiterate the urgent need to supply Ukraine with modern-day lethal defensive weapons. “Putin can only be stopped with strength.  … This is not a Russian-Ukrainian war.  Whoever sees it like this does not see the depth of the problem.  This is Putin’s challenge to the entire civilized world.  There are no borders or boundaries to this problem.”

“His goal is not to take a piece of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts,” Parubiy warned, “his objective is much more global than that...  And when our boys stand on the front line, they are standing not only for Ukraine, they are standing for the entire civilized world.”

After his visit to Toronto, Parubiy headed to Ottawa where he met with members of the Canadian Parliament, government, and representatives of the Ukrainian-Canadian community.  He then travelled to Washington to meet with US government officials and representatives – including Senator John McCain – to continue Ukraine’s lobbying efforts for specific lethal and non-lethal weapons. 

Kalyna Kardash

Toronto, Canada