NEWS ARTICLES PAGE


PACE calls for charges against Ukraine's former government members to be dropped
27.01.12
Strasbourg

 The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called for charges against former government members in Ukraine, including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, to be dropped. It...
Ambassador's Blog - Freedom of the Media in Ukraine
26.01.12
Kyiv

 This post is also available in: UkrainianBack in July 2010 I wrote a blog called How to stop censorship in Ukraine.  Based on a discussion with journalists, I noted both areas for concern and...
Ryanair to fly to Ukraine?
25.01.12

Interfax News Agency has reported that Ryanair Holdings Plc (RYA) may begin flights to Ukraine in May.Citing the country’s Infrastructure Minister Borys Kolesnikov's comments following...
Ambassador's blog - Social entrepreneurship in Ukraine?
24.01.12
Kyiv

This post is also available in: Ukrainian On a deeply snowy winter’s morning I visit Pushcha-Vodytsya, on the outskirts of Kiev, to address the participants of a week-long training course on social...
Ambassador's Blog - Moldova overtakes Ukraine in Freedom House rankings
22.01.12
Kyiv

This post is also available in: UkrainianIn a recent blog “Is Ukraine democratic?” I noted an “Economist”, report, The Democracy Index 2011 (pdf file), which showed Ukraine’s...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Taxing Ukraine
22.01.12

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Paying Taxes 2012, the annual study from PricewaterhouseCoopers, the World Bank, and the International Finance Corporation, was released a few weeks ago. The study “measures...
Can you help?
21.01.12

 APPEAL:My father Peter Baczkur, is known in the Ukrainian community in Peterborough and recently has been having serious health problems. In 2002, aged 45, he was diagnosed with leukaemia, which...
"An extraordinary interview with former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma...", UPDATE
20.01.12

Apologies for the oversight in providing misleading info yesterday about the "Putin, Russia and the West" programme show last night.  Viewers will have quickly realised that it was episode 1 of 4...
Freedom HouseFreedom in the World 2012 - 'a series of negative developments' in Ukraine
20.01.12

Freedom House has published its 2012 report 'Freedom in the World'. This authoritative and independent report assesses 'freedom' in terms of significant respect for civil liberties, open political...
Younger members capture the heart of the Lord Mayor
19.01.12
Manchester

Two younger members of the Ukrainian community managed to get an autograph from the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Harry Lyons, at the Christmas Concert held in Manchester last Sunday.  It made...
BBC Radio Derby broadcasts local Ukrainian celebration of Christmas
18.01.12

The Ukrainian comminity in Derby celebrated Ukrainian Christmas with a special concert of carols and traditional Ukrainian dishes.  The event was attended by the Mayor & Mayoress of Derby and...
Ambassador's blog - Meanwhile in Antarctica
18.01.12

 This post is also available in: Ukrainian One hundred years ago, the great British explorer Captain Scott and his companions arrived at the South Pole.  To mark this occasion, British Prime...
Democracy watchSpecial Performance Report on Ukrainian Government in 2011
17.01.12

People First is a foundation dedicated to building democracy in Ukraine through dialogue and active communication with all the people of Ukraine and the monitoring of the development of democracy in the...
AUGB on Ukraine's World Service Radio
16.01.12

Ukraine's World Service Radio last week approached the AUGB for information about its work and history.  Fedir Kurlak provided an interview on behalf of the organisation, which will be aired as a...
Was Western Mail journalist Gareth Jones killed for defying Stalin?
13.01.12

By Aled Blake, WalesOnline He was the pioneering journalist who exposed the deaths of 10 million people at the hands of Stalin’s regime. Now, investigative reporter John Sweeney tells Aled Blake...
BBC broadcasts on the Holodomor
13.01.12

 BBC.  Truth-tellers and cover-up artists: John Sweeney takes a classic example from Stalin's great famine of the 1930s which killed up to 10 million peasants, with a famous and feted journalist...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Ukraine's Presidential Portraits and Newtonian Physics
13.01.12

WORLD AFFAIRS:  Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion—to every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction—has just been confirmed in Ukraine. President Viktor Yanukovych...
Ambassador's Blog - How to learn English
12.01.12

British diplomats spend a lot of time learning foreign languages.  Before each of my last four postings (in Vienna, Moscow, Berlin and Kyiv) I had the privilege of spending between four weeks and...
Ambassador's Blog - Helping Prevent Child Exploitation in Ukraine
11.01.12

People sometimes wonder what an embassy does; and what international co-operation really means.  By way of an interesting concrete example, the British Embassy organised a visit late last year by...
Ambassador's Blog - Is Ukraine Democratic?
06.01.12

 In January 2011, I wrote a blog called “Is Ukraine free?”  In it, I noted that for 2011, in the ranking produced by the US-based NGO Freedom House, Ukraine fell back into the “Partly...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Language Intolerance in Ukraine
06.01.12

The Ukrainian language is back in the news. The Venice Commission, the Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional matters, recently ruled on the Regionnaire-proposed draft law, On Principles...
Ambassador's Blog - Could Ukraine win the anti-corruption league?
04.01.12

Back in 2009 I wrote a blog entitled “How to win the anti-corruption league”. In that blog I lamented the fact that Ukraine now stood at place 146 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - An Unhappy New Year for Ukraine's Regionnaires
31.12.11

Expect 2012 to be a wild ride for Viktor Yanukovych and his merry band of Regionnaires. Indeed, they may even fly off the roller coaster.Consider the following likelihoods.For starters, the world will...
Ambassador's Blog - 12 Blogs of Christmas
30.12.11

With the New Year looming, here are 12 of my blogs from 2011:January: Is Ukraine Free? (Freedom House rankings)February: MI6, Art and Freedoms (“A Year with MI6”)March: Brilliant British Business...
Ambassador's Blog - BBC Book of the Year
29.12.11

One of my favourite events in Kyiv is the BBC Book of the Year Award, sponsored by the BBC Ukrainian Service.  I’ve presented the winner with the prize for the last four years, including in...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - The Yanukovych–Santa Letters
23.12.11

Dear Santa,I gotta tell ya, big guy, 2011 ain’t been a good year. This joint’s falling apart, everybody hates me, and the skirts in my life are driving me crazy. I mean, like, first there’s...
Ambassador's Blog - EU-Ukraine Summit interview
22.12.11

Ahead of the 19 December EU-Ukraine Summit in Kyiv, I did an interview on 15 December with the Levyi Bereg website.  It was published today.  You can read the full interview here (in Russian)....
European Court of Human Right to ‘fast track’ Tymoshenko arrest complaint
20.12.11

Kyiv Post.  The European Court of Human Rights will “fast track” a hearing based on an August complaint by Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko concerning her detention in Kyiv. ...
Ukraine pact with EU founders over Tymoshenko case
20.12.11
Kyiv

 Kyiv Post.  A summit intended to bring Ukraine into Europe's mainstream foundered on Monday after the EU said it would not sign a landmark political and trade deal until Kyiv resolves the case...
Ambassador's Blog - How the EU helps Ukraine: An Example
20.12.11
Kyiv

 Everyone knows that one of the benefits of Ukraine’s potential integration with the EU is that the EU will help Ukraine to adapt the quality of its administration to EU standards.  In...
‘Svyatyy Mykolai’ in Rochdale
19.12.11
Rochdale

The annual show commemorating St. Mykolai’ (St. Nicholas) was held at the Rochdale AUGB Branch on Saturday 17th December.  This year’s show was called “Nebesniy Mishok” (“The...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Putin’s Black Eye and Yanukovych’s Beauty Sleep
17.12.11

WORLD AFFAIRS. Regardless of how the current post-election protests in Russia turn out, the many thousands of ordinary Russians who took to the streets to demand their rights deserve three big cheers....
PACE committee calls for charges against former government members in Ukraine to be dropped
16.12.11

Strasbourg, 16.12.2011 – The Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called for charges against former government members in Ukraine, including former...
Ukrainian Christmas tree in Rome
16.12.11

 VATICAN CITY (AP) — Ukrainian pilgrims sang folk songs and carols and recalled the late Pope John Paul II's visit as the Vatican lit its Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square, a 25-meter (82-foot)...
Ambassador's Blog - British Ambassador Serves Ukrainian Wine
15.12.11

How good does wine have to be to be served at the residence of the British ambassador in Ukraine?  The answer is that taste in wine is a pretty subjective issue; but that I’m always on the look-out...
Ambassador's Blog - Britain – Open for Business
14.12.11

Several people have asked me this week what the outcome of last week’s meeting of EU Heads of State and Government, the European Council, means.  I can’t do better than point you towards...
Ambassador's Blog - Rule of Law in Ukraine: When More and More means Less and Less
13.12.11

‘Surely,’ my Ukrainian interlocutor says, ‘you must accept that Tymoshenko is guilty of something, even if it’s impossible to prove.  Everybody knows it.  Look how many...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Will Yanukovych Start Cracking Heads?
09.12.11

Many Ukrainians think so, and they may have a point.Here’s the way their argument goes. Start with the fact that President Viktor Yanukovych is so widely detested as to be bereft of the least shred...
Ambassador's Blog - Corporate Raiding a Serious Threat to the Ukrainian Economy
08.12.11

The UNIAN news agency interviewed me this week.  In case you have not seen it you can read the full interview here (in English) or here (in Ukrainian).Leigh Turner
Ambassador's Blog - Ukrainian Economy: How to be Optimistic
07.12.11

It’s often said that bureaucrats and businessmen do not mix.  But the opposite is true when I hold a reception at the residence to mark the national rollout of “Youth Business Ukraine”.I’m...
Ambassador's Blog - Donetsk, Ukraine and the EU
06.12.11

What would the great Welshman and founder of Donetsk, John Hughes, think of Ukraine today?I was privileged to be invited to Donetsk recently to give the inaugural John Hughes memorial speech. My audience...
Ambassador's Blog - The First Mosque in Kyiv
05.12.11

Shortly after I arrived in Ukraine in 2008, the Mufti of Ukraine, Sheikh Akhmed Tamim, invited me to visit him at the site of the proposed new Kyiv mosque, the first in the city.  I was pleased to...
Ambassador's Blog - Top-End British Design in Kyiv
02.12.11

 There are few things which make me happier than to see the ambassador’s residence here in Kyiv packed with British business types.  So I was delighted recently when the residence hosted...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - What Should Europe Do about Ukraine?
02.12.11

As the December 19th summit between the European Union and Ukraine approaches, the petulant President Viktor Yanukovych seems determined to thumb his schoolboyish nose at EU concerns about rule of law...
Ambassador's Blog - Triumphs and Challenges of Communism and Cossacks
01.12.11

Which Ukrainian city is famous both as a Cossack stronghold and as the home of one of the Soviet Union’s biggest electrification projects?The answer is of course Zaporizhia, a city of three quarters...
Journalism - a dangerous game
30.11.11

 The case of Georgiy Gongadze is well known, but attacks on journalists and murders are not a thing of the past.14 media-related organisations, including Reporters without Frontiers, the Ukrainian...
EU-US summitEU-US summit
30.11.11

At the annual summit of the Council of the European Union and the US Government, both sides once again reiterated their calls to the Ukrainian government to make good on their commitments to uphold democratic...
Ambassador's Blog - EU Help for Ukrainian Borders
30.11.11

Last year I wrote a blog about three big seizures of cocaine in Ukraine.  So I was interested when the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) held a seminar on counter-narcotics recently for Ukrainian...
Ambassador's Blog - Brilliant British Education #9
29.11.11

I always seem to be talking about education in these blogs.  That’s partly because the UKhas some of the best universities in the world as well as a schools sector which attracts people from...
Ambassador's Blog - London 2012: Counting Down with Prizes
29.11.11

What could be better than meeting famous Ukrainian Olympians Serhiy Bubka and Valeriy Borzov?  With 242 days to go until London 2012, I was delighted to welcome them, plus six winners of our Online...
Ambassador's Blog - Rugby: Building Character in Ukraine
28.11.11

The rain is pelting down and the temperature has sunk close to zero.  On the pitch, two teams of boys and, in some cases, girls, run, dodge and tackle as they dispute possession of an oval-shaped...
Ambassador's Blog - British Approach to Managing Migration: Tackling Problems at Source
24.11.11

Guest blog by Svitlana Yavorska, EU Co-ordinator, British Embassy KyivLast week I attended a seminar delivered by UKBA experts for their Ukrainian colleagues at the State Migration Service of Ukraine.Following...
Ambassador's Blog - Blogging about Blogging about Blogging
23.11.11

Back in March I wrote a blog which wasn’t really a blog at all.  Instead, it was a plug for an interview I’d done about blogging, for the Ukrainian weekly “Delo” (an interview,...
Holodomor Expo opens at Bolton Museum
22.11.11
Bolton

 The Bolton Branch of AUGB organised the showing of an Exhibition on the Holodomor in Bolton Museum.  It will be open to the public from 14-26 November. The exhibition, situated on the mezzanine...
Ambassador's Blog - UK-Ukraine Air Services Agreement
22.11.11

To the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sign, alongside Foreign Minister Hryshchenko, a new Air Services Agreement between the UK and Ukraine.  This is a formal ceremony: as ambassador, I...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Yanukovych: The Man Who Would Be King
22.11.11

Viktor Yanukovych owes African Americans an apology.Not for permitting his Regionnaire pals to devastate Ukraine. For that he should apologize to his own people, who elected him to improve the country...
Sad news
21.11.11

AUGB has received the sad news that Dr Margaret Siriol Colley passed away yesterday aged 86.For over a decade she worked tirelessly with her son Nigel to publicise some extraordinary previously...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - A KGB Assassin Speaks
21.11.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  One of the KGB’s master assassins reared his head in Kyiv this summer. Bohdan Stashynsky killed two Ukrainian émigré nationalists in Munich in the late 1950s...
Ambassador's Blog - Why European Governments Think Opposition Trials are Flawed
18.11.11

I’ve referred in two recent blogs, What next for Ukraine and What next for Ukraine #2, to what needs to happen in order to move towards the signature and ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukrainians Studying Worldwide #2
17.11.11

Three young Ukrainians approach me at a conference.  Having confirmed my identity, they take me to one side to say how much they have enjoyed doing Masters degrees in the UK and how different it was...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukraine on the way to London 2012
16.11.11

Combine hundreds of enthusiastic schoolchildren, top sporting figures signing autographs, music and razzmatazz and you’re guaranteed a lively event.  This was the scene at the “Ukrainian...
AUGB Stockport celebrates 60th Anniversary
14.11.11
Stockport

AUGB Stockport Branch held an evening of song and dance on Saturday evening to celebrate the 60th Anniversary since its formation.  Performing to a packed hall, the local Ukrainian choir, dance ensembles...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Finding Ukrainian President Yanukovych’s Book
13.11.11

WORLD NEWS.  I have some really swell news.I finally managed to get my hands on Viktor Yanukovych’s bestselling book, Opportunity Ukraine. No one I know in Ukraine has ever laid his or her eyes...
Formation of the Ukrainian Medical Association in the UK
11.11.11
London

The Ukrainian Medical Association of the UK (UMAUK) held its Inaugural Conference at The Ukrainian Institute in London  on Saturday 5th November 2011.  It attracted 68 delegates from...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukrainians... Together
10.11.11

The metal of the factory gleams in the sun.  Around it, gathered on walkways around three steel structures and massed in the space in front, stand hundreds of workers, some in hard hats, others in...
Ambassador's Blog - Why I Wear a Poppy
09.11.11

Once again, as November begins and temperatures dip towards freezing in Kyiv, Ukrainian friends and contacts are asking why I am wearing a small, red flower on my jacket lapel.  I can do no better...
Medical associationInaugural Conference of the Ukrainian Medical Association
04.11.11
London

The newly-formed Ukrainian Medical Association will hold it's inaugural conference on Saturday 5 November at the Ukrainian Institute in London.The aims of the association include: promoting the fellowship...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Are the Regionnaires Schoolchildren?
04.11.11

WORLD AFFAIRS. Funny you should ask, as a few weeks ago, in the immediate aftermath of the stupid Tymoshenko verdict and the subsequent cancellation of Viktor Yanukovych’s trip to Brussels, a raft...
Ambassador's blog - EU/Ukraine: Signing by Christmas?
04.11.11
Kyiv

"So it seems to me," the Ukrainian business leader says, "that Ukraine is so important to the EU that they'll overlook Mrs Tymoshenko and recent declines in democratic standards and we'll sign the Association...
Ambassador's blog - Making Chornobyl Safer
04.11.11
Kyiv

 Did you know that one of the largest moveable structures ever assembled is being created in Ukraine over the next four years?  That it will cost around Euro 1.54 billion?  And that the...
UK Government sends clear messages to President Yanukovych
03.11.11

Concern about the treatment and sentencing of Yuliya Tymoshenko shows no signs of abating. Following the Prime Minister's comment that the sentencing was "absolutely disgraceful" further questions and...
A guest blog by Miles Martin, UkrTashBud, Mo-Team, British Embassy Kyiv
01.11.11
Kyiv

 You may notice over the coming weeks (thirty days to be precise) that a number of the gentlemen of the British Embassy in Kyiv will be sporting an increased amount of facial hair.  Moustaches...
Ambassador's blog - Back to the cafe in Shanghai
31.10.11
Kyiv

Back in November 2009 I wrote an opinion piece in the magazine “Investgazeta” called “The Cafe in Shanghai”.  In the article I imagined hard-bitten investors sitting in Shanghai...
European Parliament supports resolution on Ukraine
27.10.11
Brussels

Kyiv Post | Interfax-Ukraine.  The European Parliament on Thursday supported a joint resolution on Ukraine by a simple majority.  The vote took place during a plenary session in Strasbourg without...
Ambassador's blog - What next for Ukraine #2
24.10.11
Kyiv

I was in London last week meeting ministers; experts dealing with Ukraine in a number of government departments; and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine, made up of members of the House of Commons...
Canadian Prime Minister Honoured with Shevchenko medal.
23.10.11

Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij joined a Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) delegation which met in Toronto with the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper. The meeting preceeded...
Going nowhere... fast
22.10.11

Hanna Herman, President Yanukovych’s PR rep last night insisted that Ukraine’s Euro-integration will take place because it is ”embedded in law”. Speaking on the Shuster Live...
No to freedom of speech bill
21.10.11
Kyiv

A proposed bill aimed at curtailing the powers of Ukrainian Secret Police officers (SBU) was rejected by Ukraine's parliament today. The bill, which was put forward by opposition MP Arseniy Yatseniuk,...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - The Serial Stupidity of Sentencing Tymoshenko
20.10.11

WORLD AFAIRS. The obtuseness of the Yanukovych regime appears to know no bounds. After a puppet court sentenced former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to seven years in jail on October 11th, after that...
UK Ambassador at AUGB Central Office
20.10.11
London

HE Leigh Turner, the UK's Ambassador to Ukraine, met with the AUGB's Vice President and CEO Iryna Terlecky and Fedir Kurlak yesterday morning at the organisation's Central Office in Notting Hill....
EU agrees Ukraine trade deal, but blocked politically
20.10.11

KYIV POST.  BRUSSELS - The European Union's trade chief said on Thursday he had concluded negotiations on a trade pact with Ukraine but it was now up to Kyiv to create the political conditions to...
As Poland shines, Ukraine sinks. Yet both their trajectories can be changed
20.10.11

 THE GUARDIAN.  While the EU is right to react firmly to the show trial of Tymoshenko, it shouldn't see history as a reason to give up on Kiev.In a welcome display of firmness, EU leaders this...
Ukraine's President Takes Defiant Stance: Rejects Western Pressure and won't review Tymoshenko Conviction ahead of EU visit
18.10.11
Kyiv

WALL STREET JOURNAL.  President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday rejected rising Western pressure to review the conviction of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, raising the stakes as he navigates between...
EU calls off Yanukovych visit
18.10.11

RT News.  Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovich will not visit Brussels on Thursday to discuss the EU Association Agreement. The visit was cancelled after a court sentenced former Ukrainian...
EU calls off Yanukovych visit
18.10.11

RT News.  Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovich will not visit Brussels on Thursday to discuss the EU Association Agreement. The visit was cancelled after a court sentenced former Ukrainian...
Ambassador's blog - Bessarabia, Ukraine and Europe
17.10.11
Kyiv

 The towers of the fortress rise above the Black Sea.  Within mighty walls, bastions soar.  Our guide says it's hard to be sure who built which bits: over the past two millennia, the site...
Chornobyl: 25 Anniversary Commemorated
17.10.11

A national commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Chornobyl catastrophe took place at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Manchester on Saturday.   Organised by the Association of Ukrainians...
Ambassador's blog - What Next for Ukraine?
14.10.11
Kyiv

This week, for almost the first time since I arrived in Ukraine in June 2008, Ukraine has been the number one item on the BBC World News website and in other media around the world.  Friends have...
Fresh criminal case against Tymoshenko
13.10.11
Kyiv

According to an AFP report released this afternoon, Ukraine's Security Service has said that it has opened a fresh criminal case against Ukraine's former PM, Yulia Tymoshenko.  The charges relate...
UK Foreign Secretary expresses deep concern
12.10.11

 FCO. 11 October 2011 Foreign Secretary William Hague calls the sentencing of Yuliya Tymoshenko, deeply concerning as she is sentenced to 7 years in prison. Speaking after the verdict the Foreign...
AUGB Letter to Ambassador Khandogiy
12.10.11

The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) has expressed its deep disappointment over the sentencing of Yulia Tymoshenko.In a letter to the Ukrainian Ambassador in London, Volodymyr Khandogiy,...
Amnesty InternationalUkraine must act to deal with endemic police criminality
12.10.11

Just when Ukrainians all over the world thought that international opinion about Ukraine had reached rock bottom, the nation is shamed once again by an Amnesty International report released today...
UPDATED: Tymoshenko sentenced to 7 years
11.10.11
Kyiv

(16.00 Kyiv time)  Ukraine's ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has been found guilty of exceeding her powers and causing an almost US$200 million loss to the Ukrainian budget when concluding...
Amnesty International: Tymoshenko's jailing is politically motivated.
11.10.11

Amnesty International has demanded the immediate release of Yulia Tymoshenko and has labelled the charges proferred against her as being "illegitimate".Europe and Central Asia Deputy Programme Director...
Yahukovych: Court ruling not final
11.10.11

During a press conference held this afternoon, Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych declared that the dicision of the Pechersk District Court regarding Yulia Tymoshenko was not final.According to Yanukovych,...
Ambassador's blog - Chornobyl: Safer Storage of Radioactive Waste
10.10.11

 How radioactive is the environment at the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone?  The question seems particularly pertinent when you’re planting a tree and the wind is blowing sand in your eyes. This...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - The underdevelopment of the Donbas
08.10.11

 WORLD AFFAIRS.  A just-released study by the International Center for Future Research has some bad news for southeastern Ukraine. According to the center’s calculations, the quality of...
"Germany - Nazi Probes Reopened." US Attorney's Response
07.10.11

An article published in a US newspaper, the Huffington Post, regarding the issue of Second World War war crimes and the most recent Demjaniuk trial has prompted a response from one attorney of...
Ambassador's blog - Is Kyiv worth a visit? Guest blog from from Mary and Detlef Golletz
06.10.11
Kyiv

The following is a guest blog from Mary and Detlef Golletz, friends of mine who visited in the summer.“Kyiv?” friends asked quizzically as we discussed plans for a short break.  A reasonable...
Ambassador's blog - EU jargon and Ukraine: what it means
05.10.11
Kyiv

A long time ago in a previous job I used to lecture students and bureaucrats on the EU budgetary process. I used to hand out a mind-bogglingly complicated diagram, filled with jargon, arrows and boxes,...
Ambassador's blog - Changing seasons in Kyiv... and Vienna
04.10.11
Kyiv

When I was posted in Vienna from 1984-7 I enjoyed watching the signs that the seasons were changing.  As an autumn chill crept into the air, the Viennese hailed the arrival of the “Russian crows”...
Ambassador's Blog - The UK, EU enlargement and Ukraine
01.10.11

The UK Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, made an important speech during the Eastern Partnership in Warsaw on 29 September.  Key sections include: “It is in the EU’s clear interests to...
EU keeps talks with Ukraine on track despite trial
30.09.11
Warsaw, Poland.

KYIV POST  | Associated Press  — The European Union says it expects to finalize association talks with Ukraine by the end of the year despite the imprisonment and trial of Ukraine's former...
Ukraine calls strategic pause in Tymoshenko trial
30.09.11

KYIV POST | Reuters  -  The trial of Ukrainian ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, on a charge of abuse of office, was adjourned on Friday for 11 days to give the political leadership time to...
A deserved recognition
29.09.11

During a celebration of the Divine Liturgy in Genk, Belgium, over the weekend, Rev Bohdan Matwijczuk of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the UK was bestowed with the title of Archpriest Mitrat...
Ukraine, EU brace for Tymoshenko trial outcome
29.09.11

 KYIV POST:  Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko gave an emotional, four-hour closing argument in her abuse of office trial approaching its denouement.  The state prosecutor asked a judge...
Ambassador's blog - Running the gauntlet: why English is wonderful
28.09.11
Kyiv

What is a “Chicken Chernobyl”?  How about “the Order of the Golden Toecap” or “buckets of sunshine”? I’ve blogged before the constant evolution of the English...
Ambassador's blog - How to make Ukraine more European
27.09.11
Kyiv

Negotiations at a summit later this week will revolve around the question of “how European is Ukraine”?  It sounds a bit academic, since anyone looking at a map can see that Ukraine is...
Celebrating Ukraine's Independence Day in Rochdale
26.09.11
Rochdale

Twenty years of Ukraine's Independence was marked with a celebratory concert at the Ukrainian AUGB Centre in Rochdale yesterday. The programme included performances by the local choir of the Association...
Ambassador's blog - Lviv Literature. (Guest blog by Martin Dowie, Director, British Council)
23.09.11

A guest blog by Martin Dowle, Director, British CouncilThe west Ukrainian city of Lviv is an intriguing location for a literature festival.  Breath-taking views of spires and domes, offset with hidden...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - The Regionnaires' Image Problem
23.09.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Take a close look at the three photos just below. They were taken in the week of September 5th by a friend in Kyiv, across the street from the spot where the Yulia Tymoshenko trial...
Ambassador's blog - Tymoshenko in Yalta
20.09.11

 The tiger is gigantic, looming against a glowing golden background.  Behind it, cubs frolic.  Near the work, Tiger Club by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, Ukrainian and foreign politicians...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Regionnaire Plagiarism Rears It's Head
17.09.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Who hasn’t heard by now of the charges of plagiarism made against President Viktor Yanukovych’s recently published English-language book, Opportunity Ukraine? The evidence...
Ambassador's blog - Kyiv: art, football and Charles Dickens
16.09.11
Kyiv

One of the most striking buildings in Kyiv is the Mystetskyi Arsenal, or "Art Arsenal", whose opening I attended back in August 2009.  Built between 1783 and 1801, it has been restored to provide...
EU official sees release of Tymoshenko
16.09.11

KYIV POST.  Today at 19:55 | Reuters YALTA, Ukraine, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Ukraine has assured the European Union that former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who is on trial on a charge of abuse-of-office,...
Ambassador's blog - Brilliant British Business in Ukraine #9
15.09.11
Kyiv

 The sun is setting magnificently over the skyline of Kyiv.  All around, commercial deals are being planned, connections established and views on business conditions exchanged.  We’re...
Ambassador's blog - Ukrainian sport and London 2012
12.09.11
Kyiv

One of the best things about being an ambassador is the opportunity to meet a wide range of people.  So I was delighted on 10 September to attend the Day of Physical Culture and Sport in Kyiv to talk...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - The Ukrainian Diaspora and Ukraine
11.09.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Boy, the Ukrainian diaspora must’ve really gotten under Viktor Yanukovych’s skin. It all began about a year ago, when Ukraine’s president wrote an open letter offering...
Ambassador's blog - Andy Warhol and Ukraine
09.09.11
Kyiv

 To the Mironova Gallery in Kyiv for the opening of the exhibition "Pop Art and its Kings", featuring rare, recently rediscovered 1963 and 1964 photos of cult pop artists Andy Warhol and Robert Indiana by...
Financial Times: EU warns Ukraine over Tymoshenko ‘show trial’
05.09.11

KYIV POST: European Union diplomats warned Ukraine’s leadership this weekend that integration with the 27-nation bloc could be jeopardized by a “show trial” against opposition leader...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Yanukovych turns West?
03.09.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  What is one to make of President Viktor Yanukovych’s recent entry into the ranks of the English-language commentariat? First he shocks the world with the announcement on August...
Ambassador's blog - Increasing Ukrainian gas production
02.09.11
Kyiv

A dozen TV cameras zoom in on a pen and an inch-thick contract.  Signatures are completed; contracts swapped; and more signatures added.  Eventually the process is complete and there are handshakes...
Tymoshenko trial - thoughts of UWC President and US Federal Court Judge
30.08.11
Kyiv

President Yanukovych heads off today for a meeting with his Polish counterpart, Bronislaw Komorowsi, who, according to one diplomat, intends to raise issues surrounding the arrest of former Ukrainian...
Ambassador's blog - Ukraine: hand grenades in the polygon
30.08.11

The wire is carefully concealed: stretched through the grass at ankle-height and attached at one end to a grenade.  When a soldier's boot connects with it there is a mighty explosion.  Nearby,...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Ukraine After Yanukovych
27.08.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  It’s become part of the conventional wisdom about Ukrainian politics that, for all the dissatisfaction with President Viktor Yanukovych, there is no alternative. He may be...
My Independence Day in Kyiv
26.08.11
Kyiv

It seems like an age ago since I landed in Kyiv one week ago with the AUGB’s President, Zenko Lastowiecki.  Countless meetings later (including the three-day World Forum of Ukrainians, the equally...
20th Anniversary of Independence marked in Keighley
25.08.11
Keighley

 Members of Keighley Town Council joined members of the Keighley Ukrainian Community last night to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Ukrainian Independence.  The event took place at the Ukrainian...
BBC Ukrainian Service on 20 years of Ukraine's independence
24.08.11

The BBC's Ukrainian Service carries an in-depth look at 20 years of Ukraine's independence.  Featuring various interviews and analysis, it is well worth a look.See:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/ukr...
V World Forum ends
22.08.11
Kyiv

The V World Forum of Ukrainians ended in Kyiv yesterday with the election of Mykhailo Ratushnyj as Chair of the Ukrainian World Coordinating Council (UWCC).  The three day event was attended by 300...
Controversy at V World Forum of Ukrainians
21.08.11

The V World Forum of Ukrainians in Kyiv has been marked by more controversy than many would have expected. First, President Yanukovych, who had been invited to give a keynote address to the Forum,...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Ukraine turns 20
21.08.11

 WORLD AFFAIRS.  Independent Ukraine turns 20 on August 24th. Some Ukrainians are celebrating, some are demonstrating. Most are too busy making ends meet, going on vacation, tending to their...
SFUZHOInternational conference of Ukrainian women's organisations in Lviv
19.08.11

Radio Liberty today carries an article about the World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organisation's conference in Lviv. Maria Finiw, Chair of the Association of Ukrainian Women in Great Britain and WFUWO...
Foreign Office Minister expresses concern at detention of Ukrainian opposition politician
18.08.11

Our apologies for the tardiness of this posting due to holidays.FCO 6 August 2011:  Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt has commented on the decision to detain the former Ukrainian Prime Minister...
AUGB at V World Forum of Ukrainians
17.08.11

AUGB's President and General Secretary, Zenko Lastowiecki and Fedir Kurlak, will fly out to Kyiv tomorrow to represent the AUGB in the fifth three-day World Forum of Ukrainians, which will bring together...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Ukraine's 'Loose' Cuture
07.08.11

 WORLD AFFAIRS.  Here’s a finding that may surprise you. According to a recently published multi-author study, Ukraine’s culture is the “loosest” of 33 countries examined...
Tymoshenko Arrest - AUGB letter to UK Foreign Minister for Europe
06.08.11

In the wake of Yulia Tymoshenko's arrest, the AUGB last night sent a letter to the Minister for Europe, David Lidington MP, asking him to seek a formal assurance and commitment from the Ukrainian...
Former Ukrainian PM, Yulia Tymoshenko arrested
05.08.11

BBC. A Ukraine judge has ordered that former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko be taken into custody during her trial on charges of abuse of office.Police escorted Ms Tymoshenko out of the courtroom,...
Inauguration of Apostolic Exarch
02.08.11
London

The recently elected Patriarch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church (UCC), Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, led a special service in Central London today to formally inaugurate the new Apostolic Exarch for...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - The Irrationality of Ukraine's Officialdom
30.07.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  A friend of mine in Kyiv who studies discourses thinks common sense is a “social construction.” I think it’s what you don’t find enough of in Ukraine. Take...
Ambassador's blog - London 2012... and legendary Ukrainian athletes
29.07.11
Kyiv

It’s always humbling to meet elite athletes.  So I am rather in awe when we bring together at the residence to mark the one-year countdown to London 2012 some truly great Olympians from Ukraine. ...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Ukraine’s New Left
22.07.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Are the sixties finally coming to Ukraine? The appearance of a New Left movement suggests that the answer may very well be yes. It’s still small and centered in Kyiv, but there’s...
Ambassador's blog - British Embassy Kyiv: if walls could talk
21.07.11
Kyiv

One of the striking things about Kyiv is the mixture of architectural styles across the city.  This is true of the Ulitsa Desyatinna, where the British Embassy is a stone’s throw from the...
Ambassador's blog - Kyiv beaches and gas #3
20.07.11
Kyiv

In June 2009 I wrote a blog extolling the virtues of Kyiv’s beaches and noting the challenges Ukraine was then having paying its monthly bills for gas from Russia.  I noted the views of the...
Ambassador's blog - Odesa Film Festival
19.07.11

The red carpet heaves with talent including John Malkovich, Russian filmmaker and actor Nikita Mikhalkov and many legendary Odesa comedy stars including the "Masks" of Chaos Shakespeare fame. Above, gleaming...
Herman "fully shares" concerns over closure of Ukrainian language broadcasts
18.07.11

In an letter to the Ukrainian World Congress, the deputy head of the presidential administration of Ukraine, Anna Herman, has emphasised that she "fully shares" the concerns of the UWC regarding the closure...
Ambassador's blog - Britain and Ukraine – Partners for Reform
18.07.11

Who said the following? - “Ukraine knows that it can count on Britain as its friend in the European Union.  We are, and will remain, enthusiastic advocates of Ukraine’s closer integration...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Donetsk Gets Ready for the Soccer Championship
16.07.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  One year from now, the UEFA soccer championship will come to Ukraine—in particular, to Lviv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk. Whether or not Ukraine will be ready to host more than...
Minister for Europe on Britain-Ukraine partnership
15.07.11
London

The UK's Minister for Europe, the Rt Hon David Lidington MP, delivered the fourth Yalta Memorial Speech on Wednesday evening under the heading: “Britain and Ukraine – Partners for Reform”....
Ambassador's blog - Swing dancing in Kyiv
15.07.11
Kyiv

The music is infectious.  The urgent rhythm sends dancers sweeping around the room, partners gyrating and in some cases being thrown bodily through the air.  At the end of the track, entitled...
Ambassador's blog - Ukrainians to Newcastle
14.07.11
Kyiv

You don’t get much better people-to-people links than by bringing a group of British and Ukrainian young people together to play football on the beach, explore theatre projects and check out urban...
"Molodtsi" Hoverla!
13.07.11

July 9th 1986 represents a very important date in Hoverla Ukrainian Dance Ensemble's calendar when it became only the second Ukrainian Dance group from England (and the first 2nd generation born...
Ambassador's blog - A moving human and military story
13.07.11

Four British medals are laid out on a Union Flag.  The family stand proudly as the Defence Attache says a few words, citing a moving text from the Polish War Cemetery at Monte Cassino in Italy which...
Ambassador's blog - the rollerblading bride (and groom)
12.07.11

I suspect it’s not easy, rollerblading in a wedding dress. It's probably even harder when you’re accompanied by several dozen smartly-dressed guests, also on rollerblades, and are taking a...
66th National Annual General Meeting of the AUGB
11.07.11
UK

Delegates from all over the UK took part in the AUGB's 66th Annual General Meeting, which was held and ably hosted in the AUGB's newly-built Branch hall in Manchester on Saturday. The event was chaired...
Ambassador's blog - Ukraine Joins EU Battle Group
11.07.11
Kyiv

It’s easy to see international cooperation in black and white terms: either you’re “in” a particular body or organisation or you’re “out”.  This is often...
Hoverla success Lllangollen Eisteddfod 2011
10.07.11

25 years after triumphing at the 1986 Llangollen Eisteddfod, Derby's Hoverla Dance Ensemble's latest generation of dancers achieved an excellent second place in the Choreographed Folk Dance Competition...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Yanukovych Shows Off His Estate to Select Journalists
09.07.11

WORLD NEWS.  After months of ignoring journalists asking to see his estate outside Kyiv, President Viktor Yanukovych finally broke down in late June and took six select representatives on a tour of...
Ambassador's blog - Justice and Politics in Ukraine
05.07.11
Kyiv

I first had the idea of writing a blog about justice and politics in Ukraine in autumn 2009.  At that time the campaign leading up to the presidential elections of February 2010 was in full swing....
Ukraine's Orange Blues - The Serial Stupidity fo Trying Tymoshenko
02.07.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Forgive the blunt question, but are the Regionnaires really that dumb? Evidently, yes. The latest bit of evidence for their serial stupidity is the trial of Yulia Tymoshenko. If you...
Ambassador's blog - Ukrainians Studying Worldwide
30.06.11
Kyiv

Nineteen young men and women stand in a semi-circle as various luminaries (including me) give short speeches about them and their plans. They then sign a contract under which, in return for financial assistance...
Ambassador's blog - Is Ukrainian Governance Improving?
29.06.11
Kyiv

How important is it that Ukraine clears away a major source of corruption? An apparently obscure piece of legislation offers a useful insight into the challenges facing the way Ukraine’s system of...
RL/RFE: U.S., EU Condemn Tymoshenko Trial
27.06.11

RFE/RL.  The United States and the European Union have condemned the upcoming trial of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko for alleged abuse of power. U.S. State Department spokeswoman...
Ambassador's blog - Wonderful kids in Ukraine
24.06.11

What do Arsenal Football Club, British and Ukrainian charities, the Chernihiv regional authorities and former British ambassadors in Kyiv have in common?  Answer: all have helped support a remarkable...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Yanukovych Losing Support in the Texas of Ukraine
18.06.11

WORLD AFFAIRS:  Just how deep is the hole President Viktor Yanukovych is in? Take a look at Luhansk Province, Ukraine’s easternmost. With a mostly Russian-speaking population of about 2.5 million...
Copy of 450-year old Ukrainian Gospel donated to British Library
17.06.11

The Chair and delegation of the Coordinating Council to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the Peresopnytske Gospel were in London earlier this week to donate a copy of the said Gospel to the British...
Ambassador's blog - Ambassadors in high heels #2
17.06.11
Kyiv

How much should an ambassador know about Louboutins?  My recent blog Ambassadors in high heels prompted some interesting comments (eg from one female British diplomat: "there is no doubt that when...
Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainian Catholics confirmed
15.06.11

 The official website of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) yesterday reported that Pope Benedict XVI officially ratified a recent decision of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC and appointed...
Service of Remembrance held at Tarasivka
13.06.11

Several hundred people from across the UK braved bad weather conditions yesterday to attend the annual Service of Remembrance held at Tarasivka in Weston-on-Trent, Derbyshire.  The event was organised...
Yulia rises to the challenge
13.06.11

Following the amazing success of her first year exhibiting in the UK, Yulia Podolska, resident artist at The School Creative Centre Rye, once again rises to the challenge of creating a new sculpture, this...
AUGB interview for BBC1's Heir Hunters programme
10.06.11

AUGB's CEO, Fedir Kurlak, today gave an interview for the latest series of Heir Hunters on BBC1. The series follows the work of probate researchers who trace the beneficiaries to estates, when people have...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Breaking the Myths of World War II's Bloodlands
10.06.11

WORLD AFFAIRS:  Take a look at a fascinating piece published in the May 27th New York Times Book Review by Adam Kirsch, a senior editor at the New Republic. Kirsch asks: “Is World War II...
Ambassador's blog - An excellent Ukraine-British Combo
10.06.11

It's a good feeling to speak first and have not one but two people speaking after you say something which dovetails perfectly with your opening remarks.  This happens on my first day back in Kyiv...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Regime Incoherence in Yanukovych’s Ukraine
03.06.11

WORLD AFFAIRS:  How can you explain the jaw-dropping incoherence of the Yanukovych regime? They blithely give away the store to the Russians in the April 2010 Kharkiv Accords, but they’re skittish...
Ambassador's blog - The teenage traffic victim
03.06.11

The teenager is lying motionless in the road.  The driver of the black Porsche Cayenne stands over him, horrified.  A couple of passers-by are on their mobile phones, perhaps calling the police...
Radio decision to be reviewed
31.05.11

According to a report in Telekrytyka (30 May), the chair of the State Committee for Television and Radio, Yuriy Plaksiuk, has halted the "reorganisation" of the Ukrainian language broadcast's on Ukraine's...
Mother's Day in Rochdale
29.05.11

Traditionally, Ukrainian Eastern Rite Churches revere the Mother of God during the month of May and many many years ago it became custom in Ukrainian towns and villages to designate one special day...
Representatives of AUTE at AUGB's Central Office
28.05.11
London

The chair and representatives of the Association of Ukrainian Teachers and Educators (AUTE) - Jaroslaw Wasyluk, Genia Mandzij, Maria Sawdyk and Maria Danylchuk - yesterday visited AUGB's Central Office...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - The Extreme Implications of the Demjanjuk Ruling
28.05.11

WORLD AFFAIRS. The May 12th sentencing of John Demjanjuk couldn’t have come at a better time. Just as Russia and Ukraine are experiencing a rehabilitation of Stalin and Stalinism, the Munich...
What is the difference between a British and Ukrainian cut?
27.05.11

Whatever the rights or wrongs, their justification or otherwise, the recent cuts to the BBC's World Service caused no small amount of controversy and opposition.  They were announced in advance and...
UWC urges Ukrainian authorities to reverse radio decision
27.05.11

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) has written to the President of Ukraine, Prime Minister, Chair of the Ukrainian Parliament and the Head of the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting in...
AUGB seeks Ambassador Khandogiy's assurance
27.05.11

In a letter to the Ambassador of Ukraine in London, Volodymyr Khandogiy, the AUGB today expressed its dismay at the unnanounced closure of Ukraine's World Service Ukrainian language broadcasts.  The...
Tymoshenko released but told: "arrest at any time if deemed necessary"
24.05.11

KYIV, May 24 (Reuters) - Ukrainian prosecutors accused former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko on Tuesday of hampering investigations for her trial on charges of abuse of power...
Prosecutors: Tymoshenko's case completed, no need to arrest her (LATEST)
24.05.11

Kyiv Post, Today at 18:46 | Interfax-UkraineThe investigative actions planned for Tuesday as part of the investigation into the criminal case involving Yulia Tymoshenko have now been completed and there...
AUGB: "Soviet flag incompatible with Euro values!"
23.05.11

The AUGB sent out letters today calling on leaders of various European institutions to urge Ukraine's President and Government to immediately review the amended Law of Ukraine, № 3298-VI, ““on...
Ambassador's blog - Visit Britain
23.05.11

I don't usually write about my holidays in this blog, and I won't make an exception now.  But by way of illustrating what terrific places there are to go on holiday in the UK, check out the photos...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Ukraine's Party of Regions Versus Truth, Decency, and Competence
20.05.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Still think that Regionnaire rule in Ukraine might be compatible with truth, decency, and competence? Here are four more pieces of evidence that’ll lay to rest whatever residual...
"NO"! to Stalin and his flag
19.05.11

In a letter dated 18 May 2011, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) has called upon the European community to demand that the Ukrainian government authorities immediately denounce the glorification of Stalinism...
Ukrainian docu-film on the Halychyna Division
19.05.11

The Ukrainian Division "Halychyna" has never been far removed from controversy.  Within the Ukrainian community it has been viewed as a formation that took up arms to fight only against Stalin's Red...
Lutsenko and Amnesty International
18.05.11

 AUGB has today written to Amnesty International's Urgent Action Network concerning the condition of Ukraine's ex-Interior Minister, Yuri Lutsenko, who has been held in prison since his arrest...
3 + 1 views... Post Demjaniuk Trial and US Ukraine relations
16.05.11

Visitors to this website may be interested to read three articles/opinions written in the aftermath of the Court ruling last week in Germany in the case of John Demjaniuk, which appeared on the websites...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Regionnaires to Ukrainians: Let Them Eat Red Flags!
13.05.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  The war over symbols continues in Ukraine—this time heatedly and violently—threatening to split the country into warring factions. The immediate pretext was the May 9th...
Ambassador's blog - UK-Ukraine military co-operation
12.05.11
Kyiv

A couple of people have commented on my recent Oxford speech that they were surprised to see how much military co-operation went on between Ukraine and the UK.  Having listed various other areas of...
Call for student volunteers
12.05.11

The Oxford Volunteers for Chornobyl Scheme is launching its call for applications for the summer of 2011. Every summer since 2007, Oxford University Ukrainian Society, together with its partners in Ukraine,...
Demjaniuk - Court decision today
12.05.11

BBC News Europe.  A court in Germany is expected to give its verdict in the case of alleged death camp guard John Demjanjuk. The 91-year-old is accused of having helped to murder 27,900 Jews at the...
Demjaniuk Court Ruling - Guilty.
12.05.11

BBC News Europe.  A German court has found John Demjanjuk guilty of helping to murder more than 28,000 Jews at a Nazi death camp in World War II. He was sentenced to five years in prison, one year...
Chornobyl 25 in Ashton
11.05.11
Ashton

AUGB Ashton Branch has erected a small display of facts, personal accounts, pictures and statements from the current Ambassador to Ukraine, Leigh Turner, and US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, in the...
Ukraine's piano players (AKA Parliamentarians)
11.05.11
Ukraine

It is some time since we flagged up a snippet of video-news from Ukraine.The link sent to us earlier today looks at the issue of voting in the Ukrainian Parliament, which we appreciate is already a known...
New website promoting friendship between England and Ukraine
10.05.11

The Southborough & Kaniv Association (SAKA) has launched a colourful new website, packed with information and photographs. Its objectives are to create an in-depth positive awareness of Kaniv in Ukraine...
Ambassador's blog - How Ukraine can lead Europe
10.05.11
Kyiv

Of what 47-member body is Ukraine about to assume the Chairmanship, followed by the United Kingdom?  The answer is of course the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE), whose Chairmanship...
Blessing of the new Hall in Manchester… and then the first "Zabava" (Dance)
10.05.11
Manchester

Bishop Hlib Lonchyna visited and blessed the newly built Hall in Manchester last Saturday. He was welcomed at the main door by AUGB Manchester Branch Chair, Wolodymyr Szlachetko, with a traditional Ukrainian...
Chornobyl 25 commemorated
06.05.11

The 25th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster was last night commemorated at AUGB's Central Office with the opening of an exhibition of original photographs from the collection of the National Museum...
Ambassador's blog - Life Lessons from Deep Purple
06.05.11

From the moment the lights go down and the familiar heavy metal chords ring out through the vast indoor space, it is clear that Deep Purple have lost none of their ability to rock.   We’re...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Kyiv City Authorities Capture Downtown
06.05.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Visitors to Kyiv will notice that the Regionnaire-controlled city administration has “captured” the downtown area, encompassing the capital city’s Broadway, the Khreshchatyk,...
Ambassador's blog - How to sell land
05.05.11
Kyiv

Is it good or bad for Ukraine to allow the sale of agricultural land and, if so, under what conditions? There is muted excitement in Ukraine that the authorities may soon bring forward proposals to allow...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Desperate Times: The Party of Regions’ Attempt to Prevent an ‘Arab Spring’ in Ukraine
03.05.11

WORLD AFFAIRS. The good news from Ukraine keeps getting better. I had reported in my last blog that President Viktor Yanukovych had admitted defeat. Now it’s the turn of the Party of Regions, his...
Ambassador's blog - Bad piano-playing in Kyiv
03.05.11
Kyiv

How can the Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, best ensure that it meets the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people? I've blogged before about the unfortunate propensity of members of the Rada to...
Bolton News on Chornobyl Anniversary Commemoration
03.05.11
Bolton

Bolton News today published an article entitled "Victims of Chernobyl Remembered", which details local commemorations of the 25th anniversary of the world's worst nuclear disaster.  It follows on...
Ambassador's blog - The longest walk in my life. (Guest Blog)
28.04.11

Guest blog by Liudmyla Bulychova, Entry Clearance Assistant and Chornobyl walk participant When I first heard about the idea of Charity Walk to Chornobyl, I was so excited about it that I immediately agreed...
World's worst nuclear disaster remembered
27.04.11
UK

Commemorative services and events were held in various cities around the UK yesterday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster. In central London an ecumenical service led by Bishop Hlib...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - The Yanukovych Bulldozer Breaks Down
26.04.11

Viktor Yanukovych made an astonishing admission recently. In his annual address to the Parliament on April 7th, Ukraine’s faltering president stated that “Of the intentions and plans we had...
Ambassador's blog: Chernobyl charity walk – last chance!
21.04.11
Kyiv

I blogged in March about the Chernobyl charity walk which members of the British and French embassies were planning for 22 April.  The great news is that the event, which is to help The Children of...
Ambassador's blog: Chernobyl 25th anniversary
21.04.11
Kyiv

This week Kyiv has seen one of its largest ever gatherings of international leaders as Presidents, Prime Ministers and other political figures and experts congregate on Kyiv for two conferences to mark...
Orange Blues -Ukrainians and Jews and Ukrainians and Jews and …
15.04.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Mossad’s apparent involvement in the recent kidnapping of a Palestinian in Ukraine—he was whisked off the Kharkiv-Kyiv train on February 19th—has raised important...
Ambassador's blog - What I think about Ukraine
14.04.11
Kyiv

 I’ve been blogging about Ukraine for a while now – over 170 entries, plus the web-diary I started in 2009 before the blog went live.  It’s been a fascinating time and I hope...
Shevchenko Concert in Rochdale
14.04.11
Rochdale

A concert about the life and works of Taras Shevchenko took place on the Saturday 26th March in the hall of the AUGB branch in Rochdale to mark 150 years since his death. The ladies of the Association...
Ambassador's blog - Ukraine in Oxford... and Europe
12.04.11
Oxford

I recently wrote about the centre of Kyiv turning British.  So it's good to find the centre of Oxford turning Ukrainian.  The occasion is the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Programme Oxford Model...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Was the Holodomor Genocide?
08.04.11

Here’s what got me thinking about this issue—again. A friend and colleague at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies and I are currently compiling a collection of documents on the Ukrainian...
Ambassador's blog - Where are you going, Ukraine?
05.04.11

I'm in the UK this week to speak at the Oxford Model Ukraine Conference "Ukraine's Domestic and Foreign Affairs: Quo Vadis?" (Quo vadis means "Where are you going?" in Latin.)  It will be good to...
Ambassador's blog - Is Ukraine really reforming?
04.04.11

I often ask business and political contacts what they think about the progress of reform in Ukraine.  Responses are mixed: some say things are getting better, some that they are getting worse, and...
Holodomor book presentation in London
01.04.11

A special book-launch of “Holodomor – the Great Famine in Ukraine 1932-33” took place last night at the AUGB’s central office in London.  It was presented by its authors -...
Oleksander Hryb's Blog - СБУ: Голодомор був геноцидом українського народу
01.04.11

 Olexander Hryb's blog focuses on two events this week that drew attention to the issue of the Holodomor.Дві події міжнародного життя привернули увагу цього...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Yanukovych vs. Kuchma-and Dershowitz
01.04.11

Jeesh, what is the world coming to? Just as you thought Viktor Yanukovych was settling into his role of sultan extraordinaire, there he goes charging former President Leonid Kuchma with complicity in...
Ambassador's Blog - Is closing a newspaper censorship?
31.03.11

I've been following with interest the debate around the recent closure of a Ukrainian newspaper, the Gazeta po-Kievski.  It's an important issue. The newspaper, which has existed for many years, was...
Letter of good wishes to new Church Leader
30.03.11

The AUGB has sent a letter expressing good wishes to the newly elected Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Major Archbishop and Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk.  The new Church leader takes over...
Ambassador's Blog - should Ukraine integrate with Europe?
30.03.11

I've been in Warsaw this week meeting Polish and British colleagues and having my first good look around the city since I first visited it in 1987.  It's always interesting to compare neighbours,...
Ambassador's Blog - Chernobyl Charity Walk
29.03.11

Can you walk 110 kilometres in 24 hours?  That’s the distance from the centre of Kyiv to the edge of the Chernobyl exclusion zone north of Kyiv.With the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster...
European, Canadian/US Experts to Gather in Oxford to Discuss Governance Model for Ukraine
29.03.11
Oxford

Oxford Conference brings together international experts to share knowledge, experience, and ideas in order to improve democratic governance in Ukraine6-8 April 2011 (Oxford) – experts from across...
Ambassador's Blog - Why I shouldn't watch The Boat Race
27.03.11

How much would it be worth Oxford paying me to watch next year's boat race against Cambridge?  Or how much would Cambridge be prepared to pay to stop me watching?It's Saturday night in Kyiv and the...
New book: The Jew Who Was Ukrainian by Alexander J. Motyl
26.03.11

The Jew Who Was Ukrainian by Alexander J. Motyl   Coming April 1st!   Cervena Barva Press Announces a New Book   from Alexander J. Motyl   "The...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Mistrusting Yanukonomics
25.03.11

 WORLD AFFAIRS.  You gotta see things in perspective, President Viktor Yanukovych’s apologists say. Sure, democracy may not be doing too well, but just look at the economy. Bold reforms...
Ambassador's Blog - Down Syndrome: “Let Us In!”
22.03.11

Imagine a child knocking on a door and being let in by a smiling family or friend.  That’s the scene from a moving film presented by the charity Down Syndrome Education International, featuring...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Viktor Yanukovych, Terminator
18.03.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  President Viktor Yanukovych’s main claim to fame is political stability. Say what you will about the rollback of democracy and the absence of economic reforms, his supporters...
Ambassador's Blog - Brilliant British Business in Ukraine
18.03.11

For a few days last week the centre of Kyiv turned British.  The “British Business Days in Ukraine”  running from 17-19 March  included:a business-to-business debate chaired...
Save our BBC World Service
07.03.11

In February the AUGB sent a submission to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Inquiry concerning the proposed closure of the BBC World Service's Ukrainian language radio broadcasts.As soon as...
London 2012 - Meeting with Ukraine's National Olympic Committee
05.03.11
London

Representatives of several Ukrainian organisations in this country, including the AUGB, attended a meeting with representatives of Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) held yesterday at the...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Ya-nuking Democracy in Ukraine
04.03.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  What’s the condition of democracy in Ukraine after one year of Viktor Yanukovych’s presidency? He and his supporters say democracy is alive and well. His critics say it’s...
Ambassador's Blog - How to make energy more transparent
02.03.11
Kyiv

“Transparency” is a big buzzword whenever people talk about improving the business climate in Ukraine.  Everyone agrees that if we can increase transparency in the way economy is run,...
AUGB submission to Foreign Affairs Select Committee
01.03.11
UK

Towards the end of January this year we reported that the BBC had announced that it would stop broadcasting in the Ukrainian language on April 1.Last week the AUGB sent a Submission...
Ambassador's Blog - How to sell your city
01.03.11
Kyiv

The chocolate flows down in an endless stream, pouring like a waterfall over the freshly-baked crispy wafers.  Further down the production line, individual sticks are wrapped and packed in boxes. ...
Ambassador's Blog - My Welsh Great-Grandfather
28.02.11

1 March is St David’s Day, named after the patron saint of Wales who died in 589.  I'm part-Welsh: my great-grandfather John Derfel (photo below) came from the the town of Llanderfel in...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Ukraine’s Non-Foreign Non-Policy
25.02.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Pity Ukraine’s foreign minister, Kostyantyn Gryshchenko. He’s a powerless official with a powerless portfolio claiming to speak for a government with no foreign policy....
Ambassador's Blog - Culture, diversity and art
25.02.11

What do an artist from Afghanistan and a Ukrainian dancer have in common?  The answer is that both are big fans of Ukraine who are enriching the country's cultural life. I'm delivering a short speech...
Ambassador's Blog - One Giant Leap for Business: VAT Refunds
24.02.11

What single thing could the Ukrainian authorities do to show foreign and domestic businesses that they are serious about improving the business climate?Ukraine faces a daunting list of reforms needed to...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Viktor Yanukovych, Revolutionary
18.02.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  President Viktor Yanukovych’s rhetoric has recently taken a scary turn. At a February 2nd Polish-Ukrainian economic meeting in Warsaw, he spoke like a bona fide revolutionary...
Ambassador's Blog - MI6, Art and Freedoms
18.02.11

Back in Kyiv after a holiday in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho and a short working visit to London, I am intrigued to see advertised on the Foreign Office website an exhibition by British artist James...
Cardinal Huzar resigns
10.02.11

The highly respected Patriarch and Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Cardinal Lubomyr Huzar, has resigned at the age of 77. According to the UNIAN news agency, Pope Benedict...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Viktor Yanukovych, Splittist
08.02.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Few things were worse in the Communist catalog of sins than “splittism” — or the promotion of splits within the “united front” of the proletariat. Splittists...
Ambassador's Blog - Skills for millions
07.02.11

A guest blog from Margaret Jack, Director, British Council Ukraine Sixty Education Ministers developing policies for half a billion young people to help ensure that progress beyond the United Nations'...
Ambassador's Blog - Brilliant energy-saving photography
04.02.11
Kyiv

Check out these terrific photographs.  They are the winners and honourable mentions of a photo competition called “Save Energy! Stop Climate Change! run by the British Embassy in Kyiv between...
Ambassador's Blog - How to resolve impossible disputes
03.02.11
Kyiv

Where is the world’s leading centre in dispute settlement?  In other words, where do you go if you want to resolve a commercial dispute and need top-quality advice from the world’s leading...
Got to Dance - "Swashbuckling Podilya"
31.01.11

The Ukrainian Youth Association's Podilya Dance Ensemble from Manchester "brought bags of Ukrainian heritage and culture to the stage with their colourful...performance" in the first of four semi-finals...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Potemkin Free Speech in Kyiv: Hanna and Her Speakers
28.01.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Hanna Herman, President Viktor Yanukovych’s deputy chief of staff and slick spokeswoman, recently had a bright idea: to transform Kyiv’s Independence Square into a “kind...
BBC Ukrainian Service Axed
27.01.11

The FINANCIAL.  The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has announced that it will stop broadcasting in the Ukrainian language on April 1.  The BBC’s Ukrainian service announced...
65th receptionAUGB 65th anniversary reception
25.01.11

On Saturday 22 January, AUGB's head office at 49 Linden Gardens hosted an exhibition and reception to mark the 65th anniversary of the Association, which was founded on 18-19 January 1946 in Edinburgh.Bishop...
Pressure on Ukrainian organisations in Russian Federation - UWC speaks out
24.01.11

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) has expressed its grave concern about pressure being exerted on three Ukrainian organisations based in Moscow.  In a letter to various International organisations,...
Ambassador's Blog - Is Ukraine free?
24.01.11
Kyiv

Which is the country which is most free in the CIS?  Can we say confidently that it is Ukraine?  Or how about a new pretender to that crown – Moldova? There are many ways to measure...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - A Ukrainian Martin Luther King?
24.01.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Now that Americans have finished celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it may be worth asking whether Ukraine could ever get such an inspired, and inspirational, leader.It certainly...
See all news
24.01.11

We have posted a number of items over the past 24 hours (including articles dated earlier).  Be sure not to miss anything by clicking "see all news".
Got to Dance - Got to Vote!
23.01.11

The Ukrainian Youth Association's Podilya Dance Group has successfully won through to the first of four semi-finals of the Got to Dance programme which will be screened live on Sky 1 on Sunday 30 January. ...
Olexander Hryb's blog - Interview with Vasyl Oleskiw on the 65th anniversary of AUGB
21.01.11

The BBC Ukrainian Service reporter, Olexander Hryb, describes in his latest blog how the Association of Ukrainians was established 65 years ago, and includes an interview with Mr Vasyl Oleskiw, who was...
Ambassador's Blog - Why the Constitutional Court matters
21.01.11
Kyiv

In a recent blog on human rights in Ukraine I noted that the British embassy in Kyiv had supported projects to help a number of different constituent elements of the Ukrainian legal system including the...
RFE/RL report on AUGB's 65th Anniversary.
20.01.11

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty yesterday carried a report about the 65th Anniversary of the Association of Ukrainians.Click here to view the full story. 
Ambassador's Blog - Swimming with icebergs
20.01.11
Kyiv

A guest blog from John Foreman, Defence Attaché, British Embassy19 January is Epiphany, an ancient Christian feast day which, in the Orthodox tradition, celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John the...
AUGB - 65th Anniversary Today
19.01.11

On 18-19 January 1946, the inaugural General Meeting of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain took place in St Mary’s church hall, Edinburgh.The participants of that Meeting, who through...
UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS CALL TO DENOUNCE THE UNDEMOCRATIC PRESSURE ON POLITICAL OPPONENTS IN UKRAINE
18.01.11

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) has called for the condemnation of politically motivated prosecutions in Ukraine with an appeal to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay, OSCE Director...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Shooting Fish in a Barrel
17.01.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Gosh, Viktor Yanukovych makes it too easy.Two of his latest doozies concern personnel appointments to important government jobs: the head of the National Bank and the general director...
Olexander Hryb's Blog - Holodomor.org.uk: США проти визнання Голодомору геноцидом в ООН
17.01.11

Olexander Hryb's blog looks at the US administrations' opposition to have the Holodomor recognised as genocide at the UN.Британський вебсайт Holodomor.org.uk оприлюднив...
Ukrainian Christmas in the North-West
17.01.11

Ukrainians in the North West saw another successful Christmas Concert at the AUGB Bolton Community Hall yesterday evening. The concert was organised by AUGB Manchester Branch with great support from the...
CNN heads to Ukraine for the first i-List of 2011
16.01.11

CNN brings its monthly i-List series to Ukraine for the week of Monday 17th - Friday 21st January.CNN’s focus on Ukraine comes as the region’s two primary geopolitical centres of gravity –...
Holodomor on Austrian radio
16.01.11

Austria's main radio station, Ö1, yesterday aired a 55-minute programme, Horbilder, on the Holodomor.You can listen to the broadcast by clicking on the following link:  http://oe1.orf.a...
Archbishop's visit
14.01.11
London (49 Linden Gardens)

The Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church's Archbishop of Kharkiv and Poltava, Ihor Isichenko, yesterday visited AUGB's Central Office where he met with the AUGB's CEO and Curator of the...
Bandera
14.01.11

According to a statement issued by the Press office of President Viktor Yanukovych, which has appeared on his website, a Decree issued by former President Viktor Yushchenko bestowing Stepan Bandera with...
KurkovStaying in power and corporate revenge
13.01.11

The BBC news website today carries a piece by the Ukrainian novelist Andrey Kurkov analysing President Yanukovych's first year in office. He describes the government's legal action against Yuliya Tymoshenko...
Ambassador's Blog - A way to improve Ukrainian democracy in 2011
13.01.11
Kyiv

In what world ranking of democracy does Ukraine score three of the top eight places?  As part of its end-year summary of the events of 2010, the respected British newspaper The Guardian recently published...
Sad loss. Svitlana Hluvko dead.
12.01.11

London born Svitlana Hluvko, a highly acclaimed restorer and expert in her field, passed away in Italy on 9 January 2011 aged 46.She authored/co-authored numerious academic works.Daughter of Ukrainian...
Ukrainian Catholic hierarchy in London
11.01.11
London

Patriarch Lubomyr Huzar is in London this week for meetings with bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.  Today and tomorrow have been set aside for a working group to meet, discuss and formulate...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Cracking Down and Cracking Up
10.01.11

WORLD AFFAIRS.  The dialectic was alive and well in Ukraine in 2010. On the one hand, the regime of President Viktor Yanukovych appeared strong, moving decisively toward authoritarianism. On the other...
Conference on Governance and guidelines for development of Ukraine
10.01.11

Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program (CUPP) www.katedra.org Alumni initiated a series of Conferences to develop a Model for Governance and guidelines for development of Ukraine, to be presented to the...
A Happy New Year and Apologies
04.01.11

We apologise for not being able to post news items onto the website over the past couple of weeks.  Regular features that have appeared on this site in the past will be posted here shortly according...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Latest from WikiLeaks: The Yanukovych-Santa Claus Correspondence
30.12.10

WORLD AFFAIRS:Dorogoi Santa,Before I tell you what I want for Christmas, permit me to tell you what I don’t want. Number one: I am sick and tired of being laughed at. Sure, I stole a few horses when...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Regionnaires’ Disease in Ukraine
28.12.10

WORLD AFFAIRS:  Last winter’s health scare in Ukraine was swine flu. This year’s is far worse: Regionnaires’ Disease, an illness that eats away at political organisms and turns them...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Who Needs Education?
20.12.10

WORLD AFFAIRS:  Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science is now the Ministry of Education, Science, Youth, and — no kidding, honest — Sports. This bizarre transformation took...
Ambassador's Blog - Holidays in Chernobyl
16.12.10

The UK and international press have reacted with intrigue to the suggestion that Chernobyl, site of the 1986 nuclear disaster, could be a new tourist hotspot.  In fact as some reports have noted,...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Holodomor, History, and Other Dilemmas
15.12.10

WORLD AFFAIRS.  This year’s Holodomor Remembrance Day, the November 27th commemoration of the Stalin-engineered famine of 1932–33 that killed between 3 and 4 million Ukrainians, took place...
Ambassador's Blog - Keeping Ukrainian families together
15.12.10
Kyiv

It’s not often that we charge people to enter my house.  But we make an exception when we host a charity reception in support of the Ukrainian charity EveryChild.Ukraine, like many other countries...
National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy to lose its independence?
12.12.10

Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of AmericaTel. 773-490-9797  Email: mail@kmfoundation.comwww.kmfoundation.com    Friday, December 10, 2010Chicago, IllinoisPRESS RELEASE HIGHER EDUCATION...
Ambassador's Blog - BBC Book of the Year 2010
11.12.10
Kyiv

The lofty, historic hall of the Kyiv Mohyla Academy is packed with journalists, TV cameras and microphones. The occasion is the prize-giving for the BBC Ukrainian Service Book of the Year Competition. ...
WikiLeaks: Is Ukraine still interested in continued missile defense cooperation with the U.S? In 2009 it was...
10.12.10

Ukrainians living in the diaspora could be forgiven for not knowing which leg to stand on with regard to Ukraine at present.  On the one hand everyone has been and is keen to support the country of...
Nalyvaichenko, former Secret Services chief, talks about corruption, shady gas trade, Gongadze murder
10.12.10

KYIV POST.  Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, the former head of the Security Service of Ukraine, is now the leader of Our Ukraine, the political party of his close ally, former President Viktor Yushchenko....
Ambassador's Blog - Human rights in Ukraine
09.12.10
Kyiv

In the mid 1970s I flew from London to Johannesburg via Madrid in order to get the cheapest fare.  During the stopover at Madrid airport I was waiting to buy a newspaper at a shop when I was elbowed...
Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union tells it how it is
09.12.10
Ukraine

An Open letter to Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kostyantyn Ivanovych (Hryshchenko)On 8 December 2010 the Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee informed that Ukraine was among 19 countries which...
WikiLeaks: Poland. A natural U.S Ally on Eastern Policy
08.12.10

According to a secret cable from the US Embassy in Warsaw dated 12/12/2008, the US looked on Poland’s Eastern Policy as “an excellent complement” to its own politics on the region.The...
Ukrainian ambassador not to attend Nobel Prize Ceremony
08.12.10

KYIV POST.  The official representative of Ukraine will not be able to attend the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony, which is traditionally held in Oslo (Norway), as he is to participate in a regular staff...
WikiLeaks: US fights flow of arms from eastern Europe to its enemies
07.12.10

The Guardian.  The US is fighting a constant battle to stem the flow of arms from eastern Europe to terrorist groups and unstable regimes in the Middle East, US embassy cables leaked tonight revealed.US...
Ambassador's Blog - Where everywhere is home
07.12.10
Kyiv

This year, the UK is between Turkey (fabulous balloons) and Egypt (delicious traditional snacks).  Yes, it’s the International Women’s Club of Kyiv (IWCK) annual seasonal charity bazaar. ...
Australian Minister with Ukrainian roots
06.12.10
Australia

Matthew Guy MLC has been sworn in as the new Minister for Planning in the Government of Victoria, Australia.In a press release issued by the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, Stefan Romaniw...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - The name is Bond, Val Bond
04.12.10

WORLD AFFAIRS.  A friend of mine, a Ukrainian diplomat, recently told me to “be careful” during my forthcoming visit to Kiev from December 6–20. “What exactly do you mean?”...
Delay in delivery of Dumka
03.12.10

Dumka went to print as normal on Wednesday evening but due to the bad weather, we have been advised by the printers that it will be delivered to us in London on Monday.  Subscribers should note that...
WikiLeaks: Russian gas supplies to EU, Ukraine linked to mafia
02.12.10

The Guardian.  US embassy cables show the Russian mafia boss Semyon Mogilevich is linked to RosUkrEnergo gas company. Gas supplies to Ukraine and EU states are linked to the Russian mafia, according...
WikiLeaks: Solzhenitsyn and Metropolitan Kirill on Russia (and Ukraine, NATO and Holodomor)
02.12.10

A newly released WikiLeaks cable purportedly classified in April 2008 by the US Ambassador in Moscow, William J Burns, details alleged separate conversations held between Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and...
WikiLeaks: Ukraine. Firtash uses crisis to expand into banking
02.12.10

Dmytry Firtash, "one of Ukraine's most wealthy and notorious oligarchs", was analyised in November 2008 in an alleged confidential cable written by the Acting Economic Counsellor at the US Embassy...
WikiLeaks: Russia-Ukraine relations. Yushchenko and Tymoshenko in Moscow
02.12.10

An allegedly confidential cable dated March 2008 purporting to be sent by the US Embassy in Moscow considered the Putin-Yushchenko Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) held on 12-13 February 2008.According...
Ambassador's Blog - Transcarpathia: castles, skis and the mayor's car
02.12.10

The walls of the castle rise sheer from the base of a deep, dry moat.  Three different batteries of cannon face the west.  To the east rise the Carpathians, dusted with snow.  Welcome to...
International "First National" channel launched
01.12.10

A new Ukrainian TV channel "First Ukraine International" began broadcasting FTA off the Sirius satellite at 4.8 degrees East earlier today.  The channel is an international version of "First National"...
New Ambassador at Buckingham Palace
01.12.10
London

The newly appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK, Volodymyr Khandogyi, today attended Buckingham Palace where he presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II.During the private audience...
WikiLeaks, Prince Andrew and the Holodomor
30.11.10

Whilst media observers are today focusing on certain passages attributed to Prince Andrew by the US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Tatiana Gfoeller, there is one reference in the WikiLeaks...
WikiLeaks: US Vershbow defends Ukrainian sovereignty in meeting with Russians
30.11.10

KYIV POST.  U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Alexander Vershbow last year raised concerns with senior Russian officials over Moscow’s respect for Ukraine’s...
Holodomor, WikiLeaks and Russia's Single Historical Space
30.11.10

KYIV SCOOP.  The Holodomor won’t go away. This past weekend, we marked the sad anniversary of the terror-famine that occurred nearly eighty years ago. And just when the Kremlin thought...
Eternal memory. Execution by famine: living pages
29.11.10

Illustration from the book Famine in the Soviet Ukraine: 1932-1933 (Harvard University, 1986) AN ILLUSTRATION BY HALYNA MAZEPA TO MYKOLA PONEDILKO’S COLLECTED NOVELLAS ONLY THE FIELD SPEAKS…...
Holodomor memorial plaque opened in Huddersfield
29.11.10

A memorial plaque to commemorate the millions of victims systematically starved to death in 1932-33 in Ukraine was officially unveiled and blessed in Huddersfield yesterday afternoon.  The event was...
Ambassador's Blog - St Andrew's Night in Kyiv: a Ukrainian-Scottish ceilidh
29.11.10

It's 9.30 p.m. and the Sancho Panza Restaurant is packed with Scots and Ukrainians in kilts and traditional embroidered linen shirts (actually most of the men in kilts are wearing Ukrainian shirts).  A...
1932-33 Holodomor commemorated in Manchester
28.11.10

Manchester's Ukrainian community yesterday paid its respects to the victims of the 1932-33 Holodomor by holding a Panakhyda Service of Remembrance and commemoration at the Church of the Assumption...
Rochdale remembers forgotten victims of ‘Holodomor’
27.11.10

ROCHDALE ONLINE.  The Rochdale Friends of Lviv group and the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain held a commemorative ceremony today (Friday 26 November 2010) at the Holodomor Memorial Stone...
Holodomor Press Release by Embassy of Ukraine in UK
27.11.10

The Embassy of Ukraine in London has issued a press release to mark the commemoration of the 1932-33 Holodomor in Ukraine, during which millions of Ukrainians were systematically starved to death.Memorial...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Madame Yanukovich Speaks Her Mind
26.11.10

WORLD AFFAIRS:  Viktor Yanukovich’s reclusive wife may have finally decided to become Ukraine’s First Lady, quite possibly in the hope of helping her harried husband save his stumbling...
Ambassador's Blog - Cyberpunks and the matrix: Online Kyiv offline
26.11.10
Kyiv

Science fiction has a fine record of guessing the future; but no-one saw the Internet coming.  Honourable mention should be made of the excellent works of William Gibson, credited with inventing the...
Barroso: EU-Ukraine Summit "successful"
23.11.10
Brussels

Represented by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the EC, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, the European Union yesterday hosted the 14th EU-Ukraine Summit in Brussels.  Ukraine...
UWC outraged by ban on public meetings in Kyiv
23.11.10

The Ukrainian World Congress has expressed its concern about reports that Kyiv’s District Administrative Court yesterday banned all protest meetings planned to take place in the capital between...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Remembering the Orange Revolution, somberly — yet hopefully
23.11.10

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Yesterday marked six years since the start of Ukraine’s Orange Revolution — the mass upheaval that reversed a fraudulent election, catapulted Viktor Yushchenko to the presidency...
Ambassador's Blog - Why school No.92 is brilliant
23.11.10

There's nothing like meeting lively young people to fuel your optimism about a country.  So I'm delighted to accept an invitation from Kyiv School No.92 to meet English language students of the 9th...
EU-Ukraine Summit today - what hopes?
22.11.10

The EU and Ukraine will hold their annual summit at the Chateau Val Duchesse in Brussels today. According to euobserver.com, the headlline deliverable at the summit is expected to be an Action Plan...
Ambassador's Blog - Please don't get a visa ban
22.11.10

I recently attended an event at a university in Kyiv where a dismayed student told me she had been subject to a ten-year visa ban by the UK.  This had been the result of misrepresenting a small piece...
General Council Meeting
21.11.10
London (49 Linden Gardens)

AUGB's General Council ("Rada SUB") held its second post-AGM meeting yesterday.  Also in attendance was the AUGB's honorary President, Wasyl Oleskiw, who raised a number of issues, including:  integration...
Ukrainian World Congress calls for signatures
21.11.10

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) is circulating an online petition which calls on Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych to "publicly recognise the Holodomor as an act of genocide against Ukrainian...
Shameful removal of Josyf Slipyj memorial plaque
19.11.10

It is a sad day indeed when my email inbox is inundated with messages from various organisations and individuals worldwide condemning the removal of an innocent memoral plaque embedded in the wall of a...
Ambassador donates large collection of books
19.11.10
London (49 Linden Gardens)

Ukraine's Ambassador to the UK, Volodymyr Khandogiy, visited AUGB's Central Office earlier today.  He was accompanied by First Secretary Dr Kateryna Bila and the Embassy's Cultural Attache, Orysia...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Is Yanukovich in Putin’s doghouse?
18.11.10

WORLD AFFAIRS.  That’s what a biting satire of the Ukrainian president on Russia’s state-controlled Channel One, the country’s most watched television station, suggests. Aired on...
Ambassador's Blog - Should Ukraine protect Horilka as intellectual property?
18.11.10
Kyiv

Ukraine and the European Union made good progress in October during the latest round of negotiations on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA).  Another round is due in December: both...
Ukraine local Election - unconfirmed results
16.11.10

Anyone wishing to know at a quick glance the unofficial results of the recent local election in Ukraine can do so by following this link to Ukrainska Pravda.  Simply hover your mouse over any...
Oleksander Hryb's Blog - Білу дачу врятовано, або як в Україні полюбили Чехова
16.11.10

  Olexander Hryb | 2010-11-14, 15:23Коли часопис "Івнінг Стендарт" вмістив статтю під заголовком "Хто врятував дачу Чехова -...
Ambassador's Blog - Boosting Ukrainian healthcare
16.11.10
Kyiv

How does the life expectancy of the average Ukrainian compare with the world average - or that of any other country?  To find out, check out this brilliant World Bank web-site.  All you have...
Visiting professor
15.11.10
London

Prof. Leonid Rudnytzky received a very warm welcome last Friday when he visited the AUGB's Head Office where he met with the AUGB's CEO and the Curator of the Shevchenko Library and Archive.  He...
Confounding those who prefer to avoid subject of Holodomor
15.11.10

In the lead-up to next Saturday's commemoration of the 1932-33 Holodomor, we are reproducing an article penned by Lubomyr Luciuk, a professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and co-editor...
Ambassador's Blog - Boosting skills for employability in Ukraine
15.11.10
Kyiv

I often host events in Kyiv highlighting and promoting the growing number of young Ukrainians who are obtaining top quality academic degrees through studying in UK universities or through distance programmes,...
Remembrance Day Panakhyda Service in London
15.11.10
London

The last Amen of our Sunday Service softly echoed across the incense filled air of the Cathedral.  The congregation readied themselves to step up to kiss the cross and head home for their Sunday lunch…Parish...
History of Ukrainian Community online
15.11.10

Petro Szczur has for many years been a prominent member of the AUGB's Branch in Keighley.  Earlier this year he published "A Short History..." of his local community covering the period...
Veselka Ukrainian Dancers & Musicians celebrate 30th Anniversary
15.11.10
Ashton-under-Lyne

Over 60 past and present dancers and musicians of the Veselka Dance Ensemble assembled at the Ukrainian Centre in Ashton on Saturday evening for a champagne reception dinner-dance to celebrate 30...
Ambassador's Blog - Remembrance Day in Kyiv
14.11.10
Kyiv

The British and Canadian embassies in Kyiv organised a short ceremony at the Park of Glory on 11 November to mark Remembrance Day.  There was a good turnout. The ceremony, which included prayers,...
Ambassador's Blog - Save Energy! Save Money! Win Prizes!
12.11.10
Kyiv

When I first arrived in Moscow on my posting to Russia in December 1992 I had a terrific view from my 13th-floor window of a sea of apartment blocks, beyond which a blood-red sun sank towards the dark...
Ambassador's Blog - Dynamism in Donetsk
11.11.10

I was recently privileged to attend the Champions League match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Arsenal at the splendid Donbass Arena in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk. You can see a photo from the...
Ambassador's Blog - Why I wear a poppy
09.11.10
Kyiv

Several Ukrainian friends have asked me recently why I am wearing a small, red flower – a poppy – on my jacket lapel.  It’s because the United Kingdom together with other Commonwealth...
Oleksander Hryb's Blog - ЄБРР: Реструктуризація економіки України покращить добробут
08.11.10

  Olexander Hryb | 2010-11-04, 19:08Європейський Банк реконструкції та розвитку передбачає економічне зростання в Україні...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Ukrainian FEMENists against Putin
08.11.10

WORLD AFFAIRS.  Ukraine’s wars of symbols took an especially interesting turn on October 27.Vladimir Putin, Russia’s prime minister, came to Kiev that day to pursue negotiations with his...
Europe keeps a close eye...
05.11.10

Radio Svoboda has tonight reported that the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, expressed concern at the reports of a number of observer missions, who flagged up violations...
Stop it now, Mr President!
05.11.10

Amnesty International (AI) yesterday urged Ukraine's authorities to stop the harassment of a trade union activist who remains in hiding after a court ordered him to undergo a forced psychiatric examination.AI's...
Burns collection launched in Kyiv
05.11.10

The National Museum of Print in Kyiv was the venue earlier this week for the launch of a unique book of Ukrainian translations.  “Robert Burns. Selected Works” is the result...
Germany's first female rabbi since 1935 is Ukrainian
04.11.10

A Ukrainian - Alina Treiger, born in Poltava in 1979 - will today be ordained as Germany's first female rabbi since 1935. Leading rabbis from around the world, together with the President of Germany...
Ukraine Local Election Results - Please wait.
02.11.10

So what did happen in the local elections that took place in Ukraine last Sunday?  Actually, it is still a bit too early to say.  In fact the final official results are unlikely to be out...
Ambassador's Blog - Kyiv fishing frenzy
02.11.10
Kyiv

People in Kyiv love fishing.  Whether in the summer, with blow-up boats dotting the Dnieper or in the winter with stoic mummified forms monitoring blow-holes in the frozen river, fishermen (sic) are...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Yanukovich Defines Freedom of Speech
30.10.10

WORLD AFFAIRS.  It’s official: freedom of the press has been rolled back in Ukraine.The 2010 World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters without Borders on October 20, notes that Ukraine...
UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS CALLS FOR FREE, FAIR, OPEN AND DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN UKRAINE
27.10.10

Elections to the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, local councils and the positions of village, township and city Mayors will be held across Ukraine on October 31, 2010. These are the...
"Democracy is good and healthy in my country" - Ukraine Foreign Minister
26.10.10

The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Baroness Catherine Ashton, met with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Anatoliy Gryschenko in Brussels earlier today.After the meeting K.Grishchenko...
Ambassador's Blog - Why Ukraine's security matters to the UK
26.10.10
Kyiv

How can the United Kingdom protect its security?  Why does the UK's security matter to Ukraine, and vice-versa?  To answer these questions the British Embassy in Kyiv organised a round table...
Canadian PM and Ukrainian President discuss Human Rights and Holodomor
25.10.10
Kyiv

Postmedia News (Canada).  Prime Minister Stephen Harper voiced Canada’s concerns here Monday to President Viktor Yanukovych about the deterioration of human rights since the February presidential...
EU will not compromise on freedoms in Ukraine
25.10.10

According to a report by UNIAN, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, told one of its correspondents that European Union is ready to compromise...
Ambassador's Blog - British Europe Minister in Kyiv and Warsaw
24.10.10
Kyiv

My blog of 13 October noted the imminent arrival in Kyiv of David Lidington, the British Minister for Europe.  The blog linked to an interview and article by Mr Lidington about the UK and Ukraine.David...
Olexander Hryb's Blog - Global Witness про "РосУкрЕнерго" та "прокляття ресурсів"
23.10.10

We continue our series of Olexander Hryb's latest blog (in Ukrainian only).Міжнародний аудит, проведений проти уряду Тимошенко, засвідчив численні...
Olexander Hryb's Blog - «Запорожець за Йорданом» Потьомкіна презентували у Лондоні
22.10.10

Olexander Hryb | 2010-10-15, 19:32У Лондоні авторську зустріч у бібліотеці імені Шевченка провів єрусалимський поет родом з...
Ukraine's Orange Blues - Counterrevolution in Ukraine
21.10.10

WORLD AFFAIRS:  Almost six years after it began, the Orange Revolution formally ended on October 1, 2010, when Ukraine’s constitutional court reversed the “political reform” imposed...
West ignoring Russian takeover says Tymoshenko
20.10.10

The Daily Telegraph has reported that the former Ukrainian PM, Yulia Tymoshenko has accused the West of turning a blind eye to a Russian takeover of the country.Click here to read the full report. 
More on Britain's Minister for Europe in Ukraine
20.10.10

Last week we reported on the visit to Ukraine of Britain's Minister for Europe, David Lidington. It was quite revealing that many Ukrainian news agencies and internet sites picked up on Mr Lidingham's...
Ambassador's Blog - Brainiacs, dwarf planets, podcasts and tweets in Kyiv
20.10.10
Kyiv

What do brainiacs, dwarf planets, podcasts and tweets have in common?  They're the top four new words added to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.  I am speaking at the Ukrainian launch...
Venice Commission working group to visit Ukraine
19.10.10

Last week we reported that during its 84th plenary session, the Venice Commission would additionally be looking at the constitutional situation in Ukraine following the recent decision by the Constitutional...
AUGB representatives meet with Ambassador Khandogyi
18.10.10
London

The AUGB’s President, First Vice-President and CEO (Z. Lastowiecki, I. Terlecky and F. Kurlak) met earlier this evening with the new Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, Volodymyr Khandogyi.  The...
Ambassador's Blog - Choose the best: British Education
18.10.10
Kyiv

It's autumn.  As temperatures plummet and the new academic year gets under way, students and parents across Ukraine are thinking about 2011-2012.  So it's good to welcome to the residence on...
Ambassador's Blog - Why HIV/AIDS in Ukraine matters to us all
18.10.10
Kyiv

Ukraine is the country worst affected by HIV/AIDS in Europe.  440,000 people aged 15-49 are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS.  Three regions - Kyiv, Odessa and Donetsk - have recently crossed...
Letter to Chilean Ambassador
14.10.10
UK

The AUGB has today sent a letter to the Chilean Ambassador in London, Rafael Moreno, expressing the following:"We have been totally moved and transfixed by events in your country to save the lives of the...
UK Minister for Europe in Ukraine
13.10.10

The Minister for Europe, David Lidington, is in Ukraine today on a 24-hour visit. In interviews with the BBC and with the Ukrainian newspaper Den', he has made clear that Britain supports Ukrainian moves...
OSCE Representative in Kyiv talks about media freedom in Ukraine
13.10.10

The OSCE representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, said today during a press conference held in Kyiv that Ukraine must take urgent steps to safeguard media freedom in Ukraine.She stressed...
European Council President meets Ukrainian PM
13.10.10

The European Council President, Herman van Rompuy, met in Brussels today with Ukraine's Prime Minister, Mykola Azarov.  In his remarks following the meeting, Mr van Pompuy said that the two men had...
VyshyvkaAssociation of Ukrainian Women unveil embroidery project
12.10.10

On Saturday 9 October during their annual conference in Bradford, the Association of Ukrainian Women unveiled their completed embroidery project which was begun in 2008 to coincide with the Association's 60th...
Ambassador's Blog - Cruel borders: Ukraine, Moldova and the EU
12.10.10
Kyiv

Which country cuts Ukraine in two?  The answer is Moldova, which I visited recently to discuss Ukrainian-Moldovan relations.  The Moldovan village of Palanca interrupts Odessa oblast in such...
Democracy Watch #9
12.10.10

The latest issue of Democracy Watch deals with issues surrounding the Constitutional Court's Judgment of 1 October.  For previous issues, go to: http://peoplefirst.org.ua/?lang=en
Book Review: "Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin" by Timothy Snyder
12.10.10

We recently posted an article reviewing historian Norman Naimark's book, "Stalin's Genocides", which concludes that there was more similarity between Hitler and Stalin than usually acknowledged:...
Ambassador's Blog - EU and Ukraine: What's happening?
11.10.10
Kyiv

What are the next steps on Ukraine's integration into the EU?  And what on earth does DCFTA stand for?  To help answer these questions, the British Embassy is funding a series of seminars on...
So long! Farewell...
11.10.10
London (49 Linden Gardens)

Good wishes abounded during a small but very special reception at Head Office last week for Anna Mikulin, who has now moved to another job.Anna first joined the AUGB's Head Office team back in 1989. ...
Lifeline Help for Ukrainian Children
11.10.10

Lifeline is a UK based charity that for 10 years has been supplying chemotherapy drugs & treatment to treat several hundred children with cancer in the Ukraine.  The number of requests has doubled...
Ambassador's Blog - Why Odesa drug busts are good news
11.10.10

Why are three huge drug hauls great news for Ukraine in general and Odesa in particular?  Because they show how practical law enforcement cooperation between Ukrainian and foreign agencies can bring...
Community fundraising success
11.10.10
Ashton

AUGB Ashton held its first table top sale yesterday to raise funds for the community. Proving a great success with a large number of visiting customers, the Branch is already considering plans to turn...
Hunger-strike in bid to expose electoral rigging
08.10.10
Ukraine

The Press Service of the BYuT-Batkivshchyna party has issued a statement on the use of “administrative resources” being directed against Ukraine’s largest opposition party ahead of the...
Deleting the Holodomor: Ukraine Unmakes Itself
06.10.10

WORLD AFFAIRS:  The first thing Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich did after his February 25 inauguration was delete the link to the Holodomor on the president’s official Web site. Yanukovich’s...
Yanukovych tells UK PM about Consitutional Change - but is he still legitimately the President?
06.10.10

According to the website of the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych held a telephone conversation with the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron.The site does not report when the conversation...
Ukrainian-born wins gold for England
06.10.10
India

A Ukrainian-born Greco-Roman wrestler, Myroslav Dykun, won a gold medal for England on day 3 of the Commonwealth Games in India.Dykun, 27, who now lives in Prestwich near Manchester, beat Canadian...
Ambassador's Blog - Beatles, fashion and bunkers in Kyiv
06.10.10
Kyiv

Commercial promotions come in all shapes and sizes.  So it's great to visit Atelier 1, a subterranean Kyiv fashion bunker which I am assured has been rated as one of the world's top 10 coolest shops,...
Olexander Hryb's Blog - «Керована демократія» по-українськи, або Путін-Light
06.10.10

Резолюція ПАРЄ стала символічним підсумком піврічного перебування при владі нового керівництва України. Реакція...
PACE backs resolution on functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine
05.10.10

Note:  We have inserted source links into this article.KYIV POST:  The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has supported a resolution on the functioning of democratic institutions...
Democratic Initiatives Foundation: Focus on Ukraine - 27 September to 1 October 2010
04.10.10

“Focus on Ukraine” is a weekly publication of the Democratic Initiatives Foundation that offers an insight into the main political events in Ukraine, as well as commentary and recommendations...
UEFA says all Euro 2012 hosts venues confirmed
04.10.10

REUTERS.  All eight proposed venues in Poland and Ukraine will host matches at Euro 2012 as planned ending months of doubt about the co-hosts' readiness for the event. "We feel that Ukraine is fully...
AUGB Conference
02.10.10
UK

Representatives from most Ukrainian communities in the UK converged at AUGB Leicester Branch earlier today to discuss the implementation of a programme of general internal restructuring.In the absence...
Ambassador's Blog - How to apply for UK visas under the Points Based System
02.10.10
Kyiv

The UK offers some of the best educational institutions in the world for children and adults.  So it’s no surprise that the Visa Section at the British Embassy in Kyiv receives many visa applications,...
Oleksandr Hryb's Blog - Діаспора відкинула історію від Януковича.
02.10.10

We continue our series of Olksandr Hryb's latest blog (in Ukrainian only).Кілька останніх англомовних публікацій поновили дискусію про те, чому...
Opinion: Playing hardball with Yanukovych
01.10.10

Opinion is divided as to what the diaspora's position should be with regard to the new President of Ukraine and his government.  On the one hand everyone would like to see a free and democratic...
Media freedom in Ukraine protected - Ambassador Khandogyi
01.10.10

Ukraine's Amabassador to the UK, Volodymyr Khandogyi, has replied to AUGB's recent open letter on Human Rights and Press freedom in Ukraine.  Coincidentally the ambassador's letter arrived today in...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukraine: How politics affects inward investment
30.09.10
Kyiv

I often feature in this blog "good news" stories about business in Ukraine.  That's because there are great business opportunities here.  And British businesses which are successful in Ukraine...
Ambassador's Blog - Freedom of speech - in Iran
30.09.10
Kyiv

Amidst the debate on freedom of speech and the media ahead of the local elections in Ukraine, I learn that Hossein Derakhshan, a well-known blogger in Iran, has been sentenced to 19 years of prison, banned...
Article in Mail on Sunday
28.09.10

Many of you will already be aware of an article by Peter Hitchins in the Mail on Sunday which was highly critical of Ukraine and virtually denied Ukraine's right to existence as an independent nation....
Ukraine Foreign Minister outburst: Diapora has stereotype mentality
26.09.10

Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Kostiatyn Hryshchenko, yesterday accused the Ukrainian diaspora of not having anything poignant to say ("нема що по суті сказати").  His remarks, which...
Permanent Ukrainian studies at Cambridge University
25.09.10

Professor Simon Franklin of the Russian Studies Department at Cambridge University told an UNIAN press conference yesterday that there will now be a permanent programme of Ukrainian studies at the University. ...
Stalin killed millions. A Stanford historian answers the question, was it genocide?
25.09.10

Stanford Report, September 23, 2010, When it comes to use of the word "genocide," public opinion has been kinder to Stalin than Hitler. But one historian looks at Stalin's mass killings and urges that...
Let's see it... this freedom and democracy
24.09.10

According to the website of the UN, the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, said last night that solidarity between States, mutual support and responsibility were essential to the world’s well-being. ...
Ambassador's Blog - How Britain is helping develop the heart of Ukraine
24.09.10
Kyiv

Many people (including me) like to follow the progress of large construction projects.  So perhaps it's not surprising that when I hold an event at the residence to present the Cherkassy Waterfront...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukrainian lessons #4
24.09.10
Kyiv

September 26 is "Multilingual Blogging Day".  Readers of this blog will know that it's been produced from the start in both English and Ukrainian, so this is a good occasion to express my thanks to...
Meeting at FCO
23.09.10
London

AUGB CEO, Fedir Kurlak, today met at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with the Head of the Eastern Europe and Neighbourhood Policy Team, Chris Kendall, and Ukraine Desk Officer, Richard Bielby. ...
New feature - Olexandr Hryb's Blog. Діаспора відкинула історію від Януковича.
23.09.10

Olexandr Hryb has worked at the BBC since 1997 as Radio, Internet and Multimedia producer for the BBC World Service's Ukrainian section.  He has a wealth of experience in monitoring, analysing and...
Disdain and irreverence for Holodomor victims are inappropriate
22.09.10
UK

The AUGB has written an open letter to Ukraine's Ambassador in London, Volodymyr Khandogiy, seeking clarity on the subject of the Holodomor posting on the President of Ukraine's official website. ...
"The future of our country" - Yushchenko's open letter to Yanukovych
22.09.10
Ukraine

Former President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko has written an open letter to his successor, Viktor Yanukovych, “about the future of our country”. Citing the words of Taras Shevchenko and...
Ambassador's Blog - Business in Ukraine: waiting to take off?
22.09.10
Kyiv

With the coalition government in the UK placing a high priority on business, we've been reviewing some of the most promising areas in Ukraine to promote to British businesses.  It's easy to draw up...
President's webmasters play games with Holodomor
21.09.10
Ukraine

Yesterday afternoon we reported on the reinstatement of the Holodomor portal on the website of the President of Ukraine.A number of sources who independently viewed the site yesterday said that...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukraine's nearly bonanza
21.09.10
Kyiv

If you want a reminder of how prosperous Ukraine could be and of some of the reasons why that desirable state has not yet been reached, try visiting some of the nation's fabulously rich farming country.  Farming...
Can you help?
20.09.10
UK

From time to time in the past we have highlighted issues relating to the deterioration of Human Rights, press freedom and democracy generally in Ukraine.Though President Yanukovych has repeatedly indicated...
Reinstatement of Holodomor portal
20.09.10
Ukraine

The website of the President of Ukraine has today reintroduced a Holodomor portal which was removed earlier this year shortly after President Yanukovych took the oath of office.The Ukrainian World Congress...
Ambassador's Blog - Can Ukraine learn from the Stasi?
19.09.10
Kyiv

Want to see how a Berlin schoolgirl volunteered to work with the East German State Security Ministry (Stasi)?  How Dynamo Dresden striker Peter Kotte was relegated to the 7th Division in 1980 on suspicion...
The Tailor of Inverness travels to Ukraine
18.09.10

It is not very often that UK theatre groups travel out to Ukraine so we were particularly delighted to hear that the Dogstar Theatre Company is preparing to tour Ukraine in October with...
'Investigation of Gongadze case is complete'
16.09.10
London

The Ukrainian ambassador to Britain told an NUJ delegation today that the investigation into the murder 10 years ago of internet journalist Gyorgy Gongadze has been completed and court proceedings could...
Seeking justice for murdered journalist Gongadze
16.09.10

These are the points an NUJ delegation wants to raise about the murder 10 years ago of internet journalist Gyorgy Gongadze in a meeting at the Ukranian Embassy in London today.General points on the Gongadze...
Academics petition Ukraine's Security Service
15.09.10

Kyiv Post today reported that the following open letter was sent to the State Security Service on Sept. 15.On 9 September 2010 SBU agents detained the historian Ruslan Zabilyi and confiscated...
Ambassador's Blog - Open and transparent energy licensing in Ukraine
13.09.10
Ukraine

Oil and gas industry executives are a hard-bitten lot.  Used to operating in some of the toughest environments in the world, they are a key group Ukraine needs to convince that the investment climate...
Open letter to Ambassador Khandogiy
10.09.10
UK

The AUGB has today sent open letter to the new Ukrainian Ambassador in London, Volodymyr Khandogiy expressing its extreme concern about the deterioration of press freedom and violations of Human Rights...
Manchester Branch hall-build - latest photo's
08.09.10

We are reproducing below four photo's sent to us by Martyn Senyk showing the current position on the hall-build in Manchester.
Latest "People First" newsletter
07.09.10

In May this year we wrote about a meeting with representatives of the People First Foundation.  About a month later we flagged up the Foundation's concerns about the deterioration of democratic principles...
Keighley Ukrainians celebrate 19 years of Ukraine's Independence
06.09.10
Keighley

The 24 August marked 19 years since Ukraine declared its independence from the then Soviet Union. The Ukrainian Community in Keighley gathered at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Henry Street to commemorate...
Thank you Canon!
06.09.10
Keighley

Sunday 5 September marked almost 10 years to the day when the Rev. Canon Shaun Gilligan arrived at the Catholic Church of St. Anne’s in Keighley.Peter Szczur, Chairman of the Ukrainian Association...
Ambassador's Blog - Gogolmania.2: cultural creativity in Kyiv
05.09.10

It's not often you see giant Catalan puppets and airborn acrobats perform alongside earthy Ukrainian ethno-music.  So I'm delighted to receive an invitation to this week's opening of the annual Gogolfest...
Ambassador's Blog - Opening the past: Ukraine to put Nazi archives on-line
04.09.10

The pages are yellowing but clearly legible.  The writing is in German.  The documents, setting out in detail the art, archives, books and other cultural valuables stolen in Nazi-occupied...
Ukrainian World Congress Annual General Meeting
01.09.10
Przemysl, Poland

More than 60 representatives from 12 countries took part in this year’s Annual General Meeting of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) held at National House in Przemysl, Poland, on 22-23 August. ...
Concerns grow over missing journalist
26.08.10

Radio Free Europe reports that the International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed concern about the safety of Ukrainian journalist Vasyl Klymentyev, who has been missing since August 11.Vasyl Klymentyev...
Ambassador's Blog - A Unique and Chilling Museum
18.08.10
Kyiv

Ever wondered what the button looked like which would signal armageddon?  Now you can find out.  Before 1991, Ukraine contained, on one estimate, enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world three...
Ambassador's Blog - Creating global IT jobs in Kyiv
10.08.10
Kyiv

It's always a good feeling to be in a room with a lot of brain-power.  When Barclays Capital and EPAM Systems recently held an event at the residence to mark the launch of their new global technology...
Pastoral visit to Scotland
06.08.10
Scotland

Scotland's Ukrainian Catholic community was delighted to recently welcome the Apostolic Administrator for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain and Ireland, Bishop Hlib Lonchyna.  It was the bishop's first pastoral...
Ambassador's Blog - Stopping bribery in Ukraine - and the UK
06.08.10
Kyiv

I blogged last December about the urgent need to tackle corruption in Ukraine, which had slid to place 146 (out of 180) in Transparency International's corruption index for 2009.  Since the election...
Media freedom battle grips Ukraine
02.08.10
Ukraine

“The World Today” programme broadcast earlier this morning on the BBC World Service carried a report by David Stern on a media freedom battle currently gripping Ukraine.  The piece...
E-Poshta collection of articles
02.08.10

The Ukrainian independent news magazine, e-poshta, regularly publishes articles relating to current affairs in Ukraine.  The latest issue covers a range of topics that visitors to this website...
Ambassador's Blog - Brilliant business people in Kyiv
29.07.10

The situation is a familiar one: a reception for a hundred-plus people is held in the garden of the residence.  After a day of constant summer sunshine, storm-clouds brew.  Thunder rumbles. ...
Yulia Podolska visits AUGB Head Office
29.07.10
49 Linden Gardens, London

The very talented young Ukrainian sculptor, Yulia Podolska, visited the AUGB’s Head Office earlier today and gave a lengthy interview for Dumka (see next issue).Yulia studied art and classical...
The Tablet publishes AUGB response
28.07.10

Two weeks ago we wrote about an article published in The Tablet about Fr. Borys Gudziak's and his Memorandum, penned shortly after a visit from Ukraine's Security Service.Under a sub-heading "University...
Get your kit off!
27.07.10

SOS/iRB Kit SOS Kit Aid was founded by a rugby dad, (John Broadfoot), who saw for himself the plight of Romanian youngsters during a school rugby tour to Romania. The sight of a smiling Romanian eight...
Congratulations to Stockport's "Sokil"
27.07.10
Llangollen

The "Sokil" Ukrainian Dance Ensemble from Stockport achieved a fantastic runner's-up spot in the Choreographed Folk Dance Competition at this year's Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.Finishing...
Manchester Hall build moving apace
26.07.10
Manchester

It is over five years since a fire destroyed the AUGB's community hall in Manchester.  Construction work on its replacement commenced earlier this year and, as these photos taken last week show, the...
Ambassador's Blog - Extreme climbing in Kyiv
26.07.10
Kyiv

There's sometimes an inverse relationship between the quality of an experience you're undergoing and your ability to photograph it.  Especially when the experience involves scrambling up a ladder...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukrainian high achievers
23.07.10
Kyiv

What do 11 Downing Street and the Ambassador's residence in Kyiv have in common?  One thing is that both get sweltering hot in warm weather.  Another is that both have in the past few weeks hosted...
AUGB response to The Tablet's denial
14.07.10

The AUGB has reacted to an article written by Jonathan Luxmoore and published in Saturday's edition of The Tablet (10 July) entitled: "Claims of state persecution dismissed".The full text of...
AUGB's 65th Annual General Meeting held in London
12.07.10
UK

Delegates from as far north as Edinburgh took part in the AUGB's 65th Annual General Meeting, which was held in London on Saturday and was very ably hosted by the Association's local London Branch. The...
Ambassador Kharchenko's message to Ukrainian community
12.07.10
London

The Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK, Dr Ihor Kharchenko, has sent out a message to the Ukrainian community in this country on the occasion of the 20th anniversary Ukraine's sovereignty (16 July 1990),Click...
HM Ambassador to Ukraine visits AUGB Head Office
09.07.10
London

AUGB’s First Vice-President, Iryna Terlecky, and AUGB CEO, Fedir Kurlak, yesterday held an hour-long meeting with the UK’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Leigh Turner.Various issues relating to the...
Ambassador Kharchenko to be replaced
08.07.10
London

Ambassador Ihor Kharchenko is set to leave his post at the Ukrainian Embassy in London later this month. He will be replaced by the current First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Volodymyr...
Ambassador's Blog - How to stop censorship in Ukraine
07.07.10
Kyiv

Is there a risk of an upsurge in censorship in Ukraine?  If there is, what can Ukrainians do about it? And what if anything should outsiders such as foreign governments and diplomats be doing? These...
Congress on diaspora held in Lviv
04.07.10
Lviv, Ukraine

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), of which the AUGB is a member organisation, has taken part in an International Congress -  the third of its kind - organised by the International Institute of Education,...
Apologies
03.07.10

Unfortunately we have been unable to update the website over the past 10 days.  Hopefully, normal services will now be resumed and we will start by bringing you up to date with the Ambassador's blogs...
Ambassador's Blog - UK visas: apply in good time
02.07.10
Kyiv

It's summer and the number of people wanting to travel is reaching a peak.  That's great, particularly for those of you travelling to the United Kingdom - we're looking forward to seeing you.The fact...
Ambassador's Blog - Connecting classrooms across Europe
01.07.10
Kyiv

Contacts with teachers and students are among the most rewarding aspects of work here in Kyiv.  So it’s a pleasure to attend the launch of the British Council’s ‘Connecting Classrooms’...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukraine and EU: How to make progress
30.06.10
Kyiv

How can we tell if Ukraine is serious about Europe?  A couple of weeks ago, when I blogged about a steamy event in Mariupol I noted that how Ukraine addressed economic reforms and took forward negotiations...
Ambassador's Blog - How to avoid being conned
30.06.10
Kyiv

Have you ever had someone contact you to offer you an attractive-sounding job overseas?  How about someone saying that you've won some money?  If so, you may have been in danger of falling victim...
Ambassador's Blog - How to make Ukraine stable, secure and prosperous
25.06.10
Kyiv

What are the threats to Ukrainian security?  How best to make the country  safe against these?   These are questions guaranteed to spark off a lively debate in almost any gathering...
UWC representatives meet with President Yanukovych
23.06.10
Kyiv

The President and General Secretary of the Ukrainian World Congress held a meeting on Monday with the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Costantin Hryshchenko, and with...
Ukraine’s fledgling democracy in chronic need of help says People First
22.06.10

The democracy foundation ‘People First’ has raised concerns over the erosion of democratic principles in Ukraine. In particular it has expressed growing alarm over the deterioration...
Ambassador's Blog - Village Green Cricket in Kyiv
22.06.10
Kyiv

"So," my Ukrainian friend asks me.  "What are the rules of cricket?""Well," I say.  "It's a lot simpler than football." One of the joys of being an ambassador is that people expect you to...
Surprise visitor
21.06.10
49 Linden Gardens, London

There was a surprise welcome visitor to AUGB’s Head Office late on Friday evening when a family member of the AUGB’s first President, Mykyta Bura, unexpectedly called.  Christopher...
Annual Report released
19.06.10

The AUGB released its Annual report yesterday, three weeks ahead of the forthcoming AGM.  The 40 page document highlights key areas of the AUGB’s activities over the past year and includes...
Ambassador's Blog - Castles, Caves and Cultures in Kamyanets-Podilsky
18.06.10

"This is the Bat-Cave," our guide Borys says.  "Turn off your lights."  30 metres underground, after an hour of squeezing through fissures in the Mlynky cave system, a dozen mostly-nervous novice...
Ambassador's Blog - World-class British universities in Kyiv
16.06.10

"So, just so I've understood this properly," the journalist asks, "you can study in Kyiv and receive a fully accredited degree from the University of Sheffield?"  "That's correct," the Vice Principal...
Ambassador's Blog - The toughest exam in Ukraine
10.06.10
Kharkiv

What's the toughest thing you can do to a Ukrainian student sitting an important English oral exam?  How about bringing in the British ambassador to watch your conversational efforts, together with...
Overcome evil with good!
09.06.10
Lviv, Ukraine

Fr Borys Gudziak has today sent out a letter of thanks in which he pays tribute to everyone for the massive outpouring of public support in prayer and action following his recent meeting with a representative...
Ambassador's Blog - Kharkiv, the World Cup, Euro 2012 and… rugby
09.06.10

With the World Cup about to kick off in South Africa, many people in Ukraine are hard at work trying to ensure that Euro 2012, due to be held jointly in four Ukrainian and four Polish cities in two years'...
Something new...
08.06.10

You might not have noticed that we have split Ukrainian TV and Radio into two seperate boxes to make them more manageable.  We hope that you now find them more user friendly, particularly the links...
Troubles in Ukraine
04.06.10

We are indebted to one reader who very kindly forwarded us a copy of an article published last week in the American National Review, written by George Weigel, who is a distinguished senior fellow...
Ambassador's Blog - Beautiful Ukraine
01.06.10

The pelican seems to have trouble getting airborne, powering along the surface of the water before lifting off with beating wings.  But in the air it soars and swoops, circling over our boat as the...
Ambassador's Blog - How to tell if Ukraine is serious about Europe
01.06.10

The room is sweltering.  Half a dozen EU ambassadors in their shirt-sleeves and about 80 Ukrainians are crammed into a sun-baked tent on the main square in Mariupol, in the bottom right-hand corner...
Ambassador's Blog - Closer to Europe in Sverdlovsk
31.05.10

What do a massive steelworks and children in traditional Ukrainian costumes have in common?  Answer: both feature in the second day of a visit by EU ambassadors to easternmost Ukraine. After a visit...
AUGB AGM date
30.05.10

The AUGB's General Council (Rada) met yesterday to discuss a range of issues.  One item that we should like to put out into the public domain immediately is that the date of the 65 AUGB AGM has now...
New book on Shukhevych
27.05.10
49 Linden Gardens, London

Jeanne Vronskaya is a Russian author of many books and writer of numerous articles that have appeared in most broadsheets in this country.Born in Russia but living in London since 1969, her latest work,...
Ambassador's Blog - Masters in five cities
27.05.10
Kyiv

It’s not often that when I give a talk I sit with my back to the audience. But that’s what happens when I visit the National Academy of Public Administration in Kyiv to address students doing...
Ambassador's Blog - Good news for Ukrainian democracy?
26.05.10
Kyiv

How healthy is Ukrainian democracy?  It's a question of immense interest not only in Ukraine but to countries elsewhere in the world, including the United Kingdom, which are keen to see a stable,...
Ambassador's Blog - XIII Century Kyivan Rus?
23.05.10
Kyiv

Two heavily-armoured knights close on each other in a wooden stockade.  In a flurry of swords they're at each other, hacking at shields, helmets, and anything else they can reach.  As smiting...
Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) begins to apply KGB methods on Rector of UCU
22.05.10
Lviv, Ukraine

Some six weeks ago we wrote about our meeting in Lviv with the Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), Fr. Borys Gudziak.  At the time we were also given a tour of the University itself...
Ambassador's Blog - Invest in Ukraine?
20.05.10

What contrasts.  Last year, when I flew into London for the 5th Ukrainian Investment Summit, a) I'd never heard of a volcano called Eyjafjallajökull; and b) investors at the conference were...
For democracy in Ukraine
20.05.10
London

AUGB's First Vice-President and CEO, Iryna Terlecky and Fedir Kurlak, met with key representatives of the People First Foundation yesterday (Victor Tkachuk, Martin Nunn and Neil Pattie) to discuss...
One special woman...
19.05.10
49 Linden Gardens, London

Guests, family and friends gathered at the AUGB’s Central Office last night for the book launch of Ivanna Maszczak's memoirs and the opening of an exhibition of her watercolours and sketches.The...
A guest blog by John Foreman, Defence Attaché, British Embassy Kyiv
19.05.10
Kyiv

What is 'Integrity'?  In English it's a rather abstract word.  The Oxford dictionary says that it is 'the quality of being honest and morally upright'.  Interestingly it has no exact equivalent...
Maria VolkovaOutraged Holodomor survivor's letter to the President
18.05.10

Maria Volkova was just a six-year old child when she was forced to live through the horrors of the 1932-33 Holodomor.  She survived the famine by eating roots, pumpkin flowers and even rats. ...
New Democracy Foundation Will Poll the People of Ukraine
17.05.10

A new non-political Democracy Foundation called ‘People First’ was launched last week in Ukraine’s capital. Its organisers aim to involve the Ukrainian people in shaping the country’s...
Holodomor Committee initiates "Prayer Candle" - change of date
14.05.10
World

The Ukrainian World Congress’ International Holodomor Committee is planning to launch a "Prayer Candle" in memory of the victims of the 1932-33 Holodomor.  Under the slogan “let us not...
Excellence at Sydenhurst
13.05.10
Chiddingfold

We are delighted to report that following an unannounced inspection today by the Care Quality Commission, Sydenhurst has once again been awarded the highest possible rating of 3* - "excellent".This...
Rebalancing of relations with Russia ‘no surprise’ says Foreign Office
13.05.10
UK

Replying today to AUGB’s open letter to President Yanukovych, the Foreign Office has set out what the UK Government presently believes is most important for their relationship with Ukraine. The letter...
Ukrainian Catholic University Rector at AUGB HQ
12.05.10

AUGB's CEO, Fedir Kurlak, today met with the Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), Rev. Borys Gudziak, who is a leading intellectual and historian in post-Soviet Ukraine.We have written...
Meeting in London protesting against Yanukovych and Ukrainian Government
12.05.10

Over 100 people gathered for a public meeting in Holland Park yesterday evening to protest against the current political administration in Ukraine.  A Resolution, addressed to President Yanukovych,...
Ukraine ponders Putin's gas deal 'impromptu'
11.05.10

The BBC's Business reporter, Konstantin Rozhnov, has reported that controversial talks between energy officials from Ukraine and Russia could take place soon.  Ukrainian politicians - both...
An open letter to President Yanukovych
10.05.10

The newly formed National Committee for the Defence of Ukraine is planning a day of protest in Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine on Tuesday 11 May.The Committee comprises members of 10 opposition parties and...
AUGB AGM date change
05.05.10
UK

The date of the 65th AUGB AGM, originally scheduled to take place at the end of this month, has been postponed and will now take place either on 19 June or 10 July.  Confirmation of the new date will...
Stalin not "bust"
05.05.10
Ukraine

The President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, last week told the Partliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) that he was "not aware of efforts to build a monument to Stalin" in Ukraine, "although...
New Committee formed
04.05.10
UK

On Saturday 1st May 2010, Tarasivka witnessed the inaugural meeting of the Bandera Action Committee.  Present at the meeting were representatives of all central hromadsky organisations. Throughout...
Shevchenko Concert in Rochdale
04.05.10
Rochdale

A commemorative concert to Taras Shevchenko took place at the Ukrainian Centre on Mere St. in Rochdale on the 28th March 2010.The concert opened up with the traditional singing of “Zapovit”...
Многая Літа пане Голово! Happy Birthday!
02.05.10

Very best wishes go out to AUGB President, Zenko Lastowiecki, who celebrates his 50th birthday today.Zenko is a longstanding active member of the AUGB and the Ukrainian community generally in the UK. ...
UWC response to recent events in Ukraine
01.05.10
Worldwide

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) has reacted angrily to this week's events in Ukraine.It condemned the Parliamentary ratification of the Kharkiv Agreement and President Yanukovych's remarks in Strasbourg...
Former Ukrainian Ambassador to UK demands removal of Yanukovych
01.05.10
Ukraine

A former Ambassador to the UK, Prof. Volodymyr Vasylenko, has signed a joint letter demanding the removal of President Viktor Yanukovych from power.Citing Article 17 of the Constitution of Ukraine, Prof....
Ambassador's Blog - 2012, 1948 and a Paralympic Quiz
30.04.10
Ukraine

When was the expression "Paralympic" first used?  What is its origin?  Who is Ukraine's most successful Paralympic athlete?  If you know the answers to these and 17 other questions you could...
PACE advocates establishing the full un-politicised truth on Holodomor... but rejects that it was genocide
29.04.10
Strasbourg

/PACE/  In a resolution adopted yesterday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) strongly condemned “the cruel policies pursued by the Stalinist regime” which triggered...
Ukraine's Day of Shame
29.04.10
Statement from AUGB's Governing Council

27 April 2010 – Ukraine’s day of shameUkrainians in the diaspora have always strived to uphold the good name of Ukraine. Through the dark days of Soviet rule, we defended the Ukrainian language,...
Yanukovich-Medvedev Pact to be followed by merger of Ukrainian and Russian Football Leagues?
29.04.10

According to the Ukrainian sports website, Champion, Ihor Surkis of the Ukrainian Football Federation announced that the issue of a unification of the Ukrainian and Russian Football leagues has been raised...
UPDATE (now including speech & q&a) - YANUKOVYCH: HOLODOMOR NOT GENOCIDE
28.04.10
Strasbourg

Whilst the Ukrainian Parliament breached Ukraine’s Constitution, President Yanukovych today single-handedly ignored a previous decision of the Ukrainian Parliament which recognised the 1932-33 Holodomor...
BBC World Service programme on Holodomor...TODAY
28.04.10
UK

Every day, the BBC’s World Service broadcasts a history programme, “Witness”, which hears from people who lived through world events.  In Ukraine in the 1930s millions of people...
Ганьба! Disgrace! Ukraine's Parliament flouts Constitution
27.04.10
Kyiv

Scuffles, fighting, eggs being thrown at the speaker, smoke-bombs, tug-of-war with the national flag and even one “model” deputy draped in a flag with hammer and sickle...  These were...
Remember victims of the Chornobyl Disaster
26.04.10
Bolton

Every day The Bolton News highlights top stories in the news and asks its readers for comments. You may be interested to read a comment posted by Yaroslav Tymchyshyn of AUGB Bolton Branch on the subject...
Chornobyl anniversary commemorated
26.04.10
Manchester

A Panakhyda (Memorial) Service was held yesterday at the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Manchester to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster.The service was attended by members of the...
Ambassador's Blog - English Lessons part 2
25.04.10
Ukraine

A long time ago on a faraway posting I went to address a group of young entrepreneurs on the subject of economic growth.  I spoke enthusiastically about different models of economic development, including...
Ambassador's Blog - Cleaning up in Kyiv
25.04.10
Ukraine

What do Pampers; Coca-Cola; Obolon, Lvivski and Tuborg beer; Marlboro cigarettes; and Nemiroff Vodka have in common?  They're all brands whose packaging (or in some cases, products) a team of volunteers...
Chornobyl anniversary
24.04.10
World

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) has called on Ukrainian communities worldwide to honour the victims of the Chornobyl disaster.26 April 2010 will mark the 24th anniversary since the world’s worst...
Hugh Masekela: Welcome to South Africa
23.04.10
UK

BBC 4 TV.  Friday 30 April 2010.  21.00 hrs.  South African musician Hugh Masekela celebrates his 70th birthday and reflects on his career in performance and interview, from first picking...
Nick Clegg - Ukrainian???
22.04.10
UK

At the outset I should make it very clear that the purpose of this piece is not an attempt to influence anyone on how to vote during the forthcoming General Election.  Everyone has a democratic right...
Ukrainian film wins top prize
21.04.10
World

The feature documentary film, "Bereza Kartuzka", produced and directed by Yurij Luhovy, has won first prize, a Platinum Remi Award, at the Worldfest Houston International Film Festival held in Texas. ...
Germany accused...
14.04.10
Munich

John Demjaniuk's attorney, Dr. Ulrich Busch, yesterday read out a two page statement on behalf of his client to a Munich courtroom questioning the legitmacy of the prosecution's case. Demjaniuk,...
Letter to PM on monuments to Stalin
13.04.10
UK

As indicated in a previous posting, the AUGB has written today to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, expressing its concern regarding reports which indicate that there are serious moves to erect one or...
Ukrainian World Congress message of condolences
13.04.10

The Ukrainian World Congress yesterday sent a letter of condolences to the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk.For details please follow the links for the press releases in English and Ukrainian.On Monday...
Polish air crash condolences
12.04.10
UK

The Association of Ukrainians has today sent a letter to the Polish Ambassador in London, Mrs Barbara Tuge-Erecińska, expressing deepest condolences to the Polish nation as it tries to come to terms...
Stalin Statue? UPDATED
10.04.10
UK

In any normal society it would be unthinkable for anyone to even ponder the possibility of erecting a statue to a mass murderer.Yet this is what is on the cards today in Ukraine.  There are serious...
UWC condemns proposed Stalin monument
09.04.10

In a letter to the President of Ukraine dated 9 April 2010, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), of which the AUGB is a member organisation, has expressed its “deep concern with regard to the...
Circular information
06.04.10
UK

A circular has been sent out to all AUGB Branches announcing that the date of the 65 AUGB AGM is to be the 29 May 2010.  The annual audit will now take place next week.  Paperwork formalities...
Ambassador's Blog - Ping-Pong Diplomacy
30.03.10
Kyiv

One of my great pleasures and privileges in Kyiv is inviting key senior contacts to a 1:1 lunch at the residence. Over a pre-dinner drink - perhaps by the open fire, if the day is snowy - and a light meal,...
"Be Thyself"- Ukrainian Catholic University exemplifies honesty, integrity and spirituality
29.03.10
Lviv

During the two day visit to Lviv for the opening of the Gregor Kruk exhibition of sculptures, AUGB’s CEO and the Curator of the Shevchenko Library and Archive held a working breakfast with the Rector...
Gregor Kruk returns home (cont.)
28.03.10
Lviv

The AUGB’s Shevchenko Library and Archive collection of Gregor Kruk’s sculptures, acquired in 1985 and displayed earlier this month in Kyiv during the highly prestigious Great Sculpture Exhibition...
Ambassador's Blog - Can human resources save Ukraine?
26.03.10
Kyiv

The display is outstanding.  On a giant screen are links to English language teaching resources for adults, children and teachers; podcasts; and details of English language teaching centres and exam...
Ambassador's Blog - The White Guard
24.03.10

Some people say you can measure the gravity of Shakespeare's  tragedies by the dividing the number of characters left standing at the end by the number of corpses strewn across the stage.  By...
BBC Wales programme on Gareth Jones
23.03.10

BBC Radio Wales aired a programme on Sunday in which Phil Carradice investigated the life and work of Gareth Jones, the Welsh journalist who courageously reported some of the key events of the early 30s.Contributors...
Ambassador Leigh Turner visits AUGB Manchester Branch
22.03.10
Manchester

Members of AUGB Manchester Branch committee met with Mr Leigh Turner, the British Ambassador to Ukraine, on Thursday 18 March 2010.  The Ambassador had specifically requested to meet with local officers...
Ambassador's Blog - Should we move the Foreign Office to Manchester?
19.03.10
Manchester

The Alla Horska Folk Art Museum is exquisite: rare Ukrainian embroidery; wooden ornaments, painted eggs, tapestries and pottery.  Where is it?  At the Manchester branch of the Association of...
Ambassador's Blog - What London thinks of Ukraine
18.03.10

"How do you think the election of President Yanukovych will affect the Ukrainian economy?  What about democracy and media freedoms?  How about relations with the EU, or Russia?  What will...
European Parliament Resolution on Bandera
15.03.10

Many will already be aware of the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 25 February about the situation in Ukraine, and the amendment which was added by a group of MEPs ‘deploring’...
Post-Election Round Table
10.03.10

Portcullis House, House of Commons, London, was the venue for a Round Table discussion on the Ukrainian Presidential Elections of 2010.  The event, which took place on the 8 March, was hosted by the...
Sad news from Canada - death of former UWC finance director
10.03.10

It is with regret that we have received the news of the demise of the former Ukrainian World Congress direcor of finance, Wasyl Samets, who passed away in Toronto on 6 March.May he rest in peace!
Comment - ‘A Week is a long time in Politics’
09.03.10

A week is a long time in politics, quoted by the UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1964 can aptly be applied to recent political events in Ukraine.Since his inauguration on February 25th, Ukraine’s...
Petition to Euro Parliament
09.03.10

A petition has gone into circulation calling on the European Parliament to revisit the content of its recent resolution on Stepan Bandera.We have already written about this previously following the Ukrainian...
Ambassador's Blog - Kruk, Chiparus and the Great Sculpture Exhibition
08.03.10
Kyiv

Anyone in easy reach of Kyiv who hasn't yet seen the "Great Sculpture Exhibition" at the Український дім (Ukrainan House) - it's worth a look.  I was fortunate to be able to...
UWC calls on Euro Parliament to dismiss groundless accusations
05.03.10

The Ukrainian World Congress has called on the European Parliament to "dismiss the groundless accusations (made) against the Bandera-OUN".Last week, 25 February, the European Parliament adopted 28 resolutions...
Ambassador's Blog - Inspirational Irish, Welsh and Scots in Ukraine
05.03.10
Kyiv

Friday morning starts with a meeting with NI-CO, a non-profit public body based in Northern Ireland; representatives from the Ukrainian Ministry of Family, Youth and Sport; and the embassy projects team. ...
2010 Great Sculpture Exhibition opens in Kyiv
04.03.10

The 4th “Great Sculpture Exhibition  2010”, organised by the National Centre “Ukrainian House” and the “ART-Ukraine” magazine opened in “Ukrainian House”...
Ambassador's Blog - A bad decision for Ukrainian democracy
03.03.10
Kyiv

Suppose a political party or parties in Ukraine voted to delay the presidential election by a few months, or a year, or two?  How democratic would that be?  Not at all, since the Constitution...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukraine: ski-ing, beaches and gas
01.03.10

Writing about enjoyable experiences is a delicate balance for an FCO blogger. You don't want to give the impression that you spend your time in distant countries living it up. Conversely, if your host...
Ambassador's Blog - Economic reform and corruption: what next for Ukraine?
25.02.10
Kyiv

It's a fine winter's day in Kyiv and I'm sitting down for a meeting with a couple of prominent business people on the eve of the inauguration of President-elect Yanukovych. The business folk explain the...
Gareth Jones on BBC Radio Wales
23.02.10

AUGB’s CEO gave an interview today to Geoff Ballinger, producer at BBC Radio Wales, for a programme about the life of Gareth Jones, which will be aired on BBC Radio Wales on 21 March at 2.00 pm. ...
Post-election articles
22.02.10

We are providing a link below to the latest "Action Ukraine Report" (#951) featuring 27 articles/analysis/commentaries written in the aftermath of the Ukrainian Presidential Election up to and including...
AUGB's collection of Kruk works to go on display in Ukraine
21.02.10

The fourth Great Sculpture Exhibition organised by the National Centre “Ukrainian House” and “ART-Ukraine” Magazine will open in Kyiv on 1 March.  This annual display of masterpieces...
Ukrainian militia, Euro 2012 and human rights: are they compatible? Guest blog by Svitlana Yavorska
19.02.10

Breaking racial and ethnic stereotyping is vital in every country.  So it was good to attend a press conference this week to mark the completion of a project funded by the Embassy to help Ukraine's...
Ambassador's Blog - Computer-aided Kyiv
19.02.10

I always enjoy presenting prizes to worthy winners.  So it's a pleasure to host at the residence a group of academics and students who have a real achievement under their belts.  It's the annual...
Visit to London - Guest blog by Katya Bykova, Political Assistant, British Embassy Kyiv
18.02.10

Last week I had the privilege of visiting London for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office locally-engaged Staff Familiarisation Tour.  It was my first ever trip to London – the heart of the UK...
Visit to Sydenhurst
12.02.10

AUGB's CEO Fedir Kurlak yesterday visited Sydenhurst (Residential Home) and met with managers, David White and Amanda Boxhall.  Discussions centred on matters arising out of Sydenhurst's annual...
Interviews for BBC's Russian Service
12.02.10

Following Sunday’s Presidential election in Ukraine, the BBC’s Russian Service is preparing a special edition of “Fifth Level” («Пятый этаж») live from Kyiv...
Ambassador's Blog - Prime Minister congratulates Viktor Yanukovych
12.02.10
Kyiv

Following the presidential election last Sunday and the report of the OSCE/ODIHR observers that the elections met most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has congratulated...
Ambassador's Blog - Why the election strengthens Ukraine's EU case
12.02.10
Kyiv

I wrote a couple of blogs last week anticipating the Ukrainian presidential election.  The first, Ukrainian election: best and worst outcomes noted that the best possible outcome of the election would...
Don't Bury Freedom and Democracy!
10.02.10

It is heartening to note the OSCE describe the run-off Presidential election in Ukraine as ‘an impressive display of democracy’. This represents very significant progress compared to the Presidential...
A day in the Ukrainian Countryside as an OSCE Observer - Guest Blog by Andrew Tate, Management Officer, British Embassy in Kyiv
10.02.10
Ukraine

05:15 Sunday 7 February, Cherkasy, Central Ukraine. It's 25 degrees below zero outside and the roads are icy. It's the start of a long day as part of the OSCE international election observer mission for...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukraine's inspirational electorate
10.02.10
Kyiv

Here's a link to a great article published by the Foreign Office Europe Minister, Chris Bryant, in the Guardian on 10 February, entitled "Ukraine's inspirational electorate".  I like it particularly...
Ambassador's Blog - Voting day in Kyiv #2
07.02.10
Kyiv

7 February, the day of the second round of the Ukrainian presidential elections, dawns clear and bright in Kyiv (weather forecast, for a perfect winter's day, is here).  I'm pleased to see press reporting...
Furthering cultural links with Ukraine
06.02.10
London

A delegation of 24 Ukrainians (art-curators, coordinators, journalists, artists, critics etc.), headed by the director of the Arts Support Fund (Kyiv), www.foundart.org.ua , Yuri Krulikovsky, arrived in...
Ambassador's Blog - More good news about electoral fraud?
05.02.10
Kyiv

As Ukraine moves closer to the decisive second round of the presidential election on 7 February the words of the European Commission after the first round might seem a distant memory.  In a statement...
Council gives Keighley community massive boost
02.02.10
Keighley

Leeds-Bradford International Airport was sold in 2007 by the 4 councils that owned it.  As a result, community projects in the Bradford District are benefiting from the sale.Keighley Ukrainian Community...
Ukrainian World Congress calls on all Ukrainian voters to vote
02.02.10

The Ukrainian World Congress has issued a plea for all Ukrainian voters in Ukraine and in the diaspora to cast their votes in Sunday's Presidential election.The statement highlights the fact that there...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukrainian election: best and worst outcome
02.02.10
Kyiv

What are the best and the worst possible outcome of the Ukrainan presidential election on 7 February?  The best is pretty clear.  This is that the elections are recognised by the OSCE/ODIHR observer...
Ukraine's Presidential Election: Information for voters in UK
01.02.10

A notice to citizens of Ukraine who will be in the UK at the time of the 2nd round of presidential elections on 7 February. The law on presidential elections allows Ukrainian citizens who are living...
FT - Lviv aims for ethics and expertise
01.02.10

The Financial Times has today published an article written by Yuri Bender which we trust will be of some interest to visitors of this website.  Please click on the link below:http://www.ft.com/cm...
TELEVISED DEBATE TODAY: Tymoshenko-Yanukovych
01.02.10

Ukraine's "First National" channel will be broadcasting a live televised debate today between the two candidates for President of Ukraine:  Yulia Tymoshenko and Victor Yanukovych. The programme will...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukraine votes for democracy: Europe Ministers speak
31.01.10
Kyiv

One week ahead of the decisive second round of the Ukrainian presidential elections on 7 February, Europe Ministers from four EU countries have published an excellent article in Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (Weekly...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukrainian Lesson #3: Crisis vocab?
31.01.10
Kyiv

My first ever blog entry last April noted my efforts not to be discouraged when I attempted to speak Ukrainian and people burst out laughing.  In a later entry, I noted learning the invaluable phrases...
Embassy meeting
29.01.10
London

AUGB's Chief Executive, Fedir Kurlak, and the Curator of the Shevchenko Library & Archive, Dr Ludmila Pekarska, today met with the Ukrainian Ambassador, Dr Ihor Kharchenko.The purpose of the meeting...
New links
27.01.10

We have today added two new menu options to visit on the AUGB's homepage (see left hand side):  "Quick Links" and "Ukrainian Radio and TV". These areas will be populated further over the coming days...
Ukraine's Foreign Minister meets with British Ambassador on eve of visit
26.01.10
Kyiv

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Petro Poroshenko, met today with Britain’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Leigh Turner.Mr. Poroshenko expressed his gratitude for Britain's consistent support of Ukrainian...
Ambassador's Blog - Afghanistan: Why Ukraine has a special role
26.01.10

One of the most haunting sights in Kyiv is the monument to Ukrainians who fell in Afghanistan during the Soviet intervention from 1979-89.  It shows three soldiers, one sat on the ground with his...
Vera Rich Obituary
25.01.10
London

An obituary of Vera Rich has been published in today's issue of The Times.See:  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article7000659.eceThe text of it reads:Vera Rich: translator, journalist,...
Ambassador's Blog - Bulgakov? Be happy.
25.01.10
Kyiv

A chilly Sunday in Kyiv: perfect for a visit to the Bulgakov Museum at 13 Andriyivsky Uzviz.  The novelist Mikhail Bulgakov is a symbol of many things, including the complex relationship between Russia...
Stefan Bandera - "Hero of Ukraine"
22.01.10

The President of Ukraine has today posthumously honoured Stefan Bandera with the title "Hero of Ukraine".Speaking during commemorations marking the 91st anniversary of the proclamation of Ukrainian Statehood,...
Anniversary
22.01.10
London

To mark the 91st anniversary of the Act proclaiming the union of the Ukrainian National Republic and Western Ukraine's National Republic into one free and independent sovereign Ukrainian state, the Ambassador...
BBC1 Heir Hunters on the case of a Ukrainian
21.01.10

George Reminnij passed away in Cardiff. He was a well liked, hard-working man but also one full of mystery. His friends knew nothing about his past and as Celtic Research investigate his case they begin...
Election afterthought...
21.01.10
London

One overriding memory that followed President Bill Clinton’s victory over George Bush senior during the US Presidential campaign of 1992 was the latter’s graciousness in defeat.  When...
Ambassador's Blog - Edinburgh Business School in Kyiv
20.01.10
Kyiv

Tuesday night at the residence and another great British export to promote.  We're here with a group of students, education experts and business people to mark the launch of the Edinburgh Business...
A day in the Ukrainian Countryside as an OSCE Observer - Guest Blog by John Foreman, Defence Attache, British Embassy in Kyiv
19.01.10
Kyiv

It’s 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning at a small Ukrainian polling station.  The local election commission has given one of their volunteers the honour of being first to vote.  The clock ticks,...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukrainian Election. Is that it? No it's not.
19.01.10
Kyiv

Is that it?  After all the build-up of the past few months, the first round of the presidential election in Ukraine on 17 January seems to have been... normal.  I've spoken to several OSCE/ODIHR...
Ambassador's Blog - Good news about electoral fraud?
14.01.10
Kyiv

For months now, Ukrainian political parties have been accusing each other of preparing massive fraud during the first and second rounds of the Ukrainian presidential election on 17 January and 7 February. ...
Vera Rich's last poem - "Belated Greetings"
13.01.10

Entitled "Belated Greetings", the poem below is regarded as Vera Rich's final farewell poem seemingly written shortly before she died on 20 December.  (Note the reference to "five...
An opportunity to be a research assistant
12.01.10

Dear Colleagues,Click here on a link for further details about a call for Research Assistants (paid hourly) to help run a survey (in Ukrainian and/or Russian) of Ukrainian voters who are migrants...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukrainian Election Interview
11.01.10
Kyiv

I've blogged before about the importance of the OSCE/ODIHR electoral observer mission for the Ukrainian presidential elections on 17 January and 7 February and how all the parties in Ukraine can use OSCE/ODIHR...
Ambassador's Blog - If you love somebody set them free
10.01.10
Kyiv

Is the heavy winter snow of the past few weeks being cleared effectively in Kyiv?  How has it been in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk or Lviv?  Is there more that could be done at local level? ...
Ambassador's Blog - Is there a "real" Christmas?
06.01.10
Kyiv

I was interested to see Chris Wilson's blog about snow in Beijing.  It's been chilly in Kyiv too: when I arrived back from London this week the day-time temperature was minus15 degrees Celsius. ...
God rest her soul!
04.01.10
London

Mourners gathered today at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Mayfair, London, for the funeral service of Vera Rich, who peacefully passed away in her sleep on 20 December 2009.The Parastas (Eastern Rite...
Ambassador's Blog: East or West - not a zero-sum game?
04.01.10

A common theme running through Ukraine's history is its position at a crossroads between Europe and Asia, or between East and West.  The concept has come up in the presidential election campaign,...
Ambassador's Blog - I Can Burn Your Face
28.12.09

You've got to admire the Dutch secret service, the AIVD, for their low profile.  In fact when I see references to them in a show by US artist Jill Magid at the Tate Modern in London I log onto...
Funeral Arrangements for Vera Rich
26.12.09

Click here for the funeral arrangements for Vera Rich.
Holodomor on the South Bank Show
24.12.09

On Monday 28 December, the last ever South Bank Show will feature the work of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and will focus on the preparations for the production of The Grain Store by Natal'ia Vorohzbit....
Very sad news...
23.12.09

It is with great sadness that we write this news item to inform everyone of the unexpected death of Vera Rich.  An obituary and details of her funeral will appear on this website in due course but...
Ambassador's Blog - Ukraine: The World Is Watching
21.12.09

"I'm sorry," my host says, "but quite a few people are away.  I'm not sure how big your audience will be."  In London for Christmas, I'm visiting the HQ of a major news organisation.  I've...
Blog from Kyiv by Ambassador Leigh Turner - A win for Ukraine (aka 906 days to go)
17.12.09
Ukraine

Here's some unalloyed good news about Ukraine: UEFA, the governing body of European football, has confirmed that four Ukrainian cities, along with four in Poland, will host the finals of the Euro 2012...
VIP Visit
17.12.09
London

The Chair of the British Ukrainian All-Parliamentary Group, John Grogan MP, visited the AUGB’s Head Office this afternoon during which he gave a comprehensive interview to the editor of “Ukrainian...
Bradford Council Recognises Holodomor as Genocide
16.12.09
Bradford

Last night, a full meeting of the City of Bradford Council considered a motion to recognize the Holodomor as an act of genocide.The motion was presented by Cllr Ian Greenwood, leader of the Council Labour...
Blog from Kyiv to appear on AUGB website and in Dumka
16.12.09

During a meeting last week with the AUGB's CEO, the British Ambassador to Ukraine, HE Leigh Turner, very kindly agreed for his blog from Kyiv to be regularly published in the Ukrainian Thought and for...
Brief visit to Ukraine (updated)
15.12.09

As has already been reported, a conference marking the 110th anniversary of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine (NMHU) took place in Kyiv last week (9-11 December).  Academics and representatives...
Bolton Ukrainian Social Club - A Unity of Purpose
14.12.09

Click here to read Bolton Ukrainian Social Club press release.
ChristmasChristmas celebrations
13.12.09
Nationwide

Ukrainians everywhere are preparing for Christmas. Many branches will be celebrating the feast of St Nicholas, where St Nicholas himself will be giving presents to those children who have been good all...
Beer offer NottinghamA special limited offer for lovers of Ukrainian beer
11.12.09
Nottingham / Midlands

Please note that orders must be placed by Sunday 13 December.
Kirklees Council recognises Holodomor as genocide
10.12.09

This evening, at a full meeting of Kirklees Council, over 20 members of the Ukrainian community in Huddersfield attended the Council Chamber to present a motion to recognise Holodomor as genocide. This...
National MuseumAUGB CEO in Ukraine
09.12.09

The Association's CEO, Fedir Kurlak, is on a two-day visit to Ukraine at the invitation of the National Museum of History of Ukraine, who are holding a conference to celebrate their 110th anniversary.Since...
Dima KostenkoBBC announces death of Ukrainian journalist
09.12.09

The BBC World Service has announced that Dima Kostenko, producer with BBC Learning English, died on 7 December.Dima worked for the BBC for 17 years, starting in 1992. He joined the BBC as a producer...
John Demjaniuk Jr issues statement on Demjaniuk trial in Germany
07.12.09

We are a little belatedly publishing the following statement issued on 3 December by John Demjaniuk Jr concerning the trial in Germany of his father, John Demjaniuk:  The Munich prosecution...
UWC Newsletter for November 2009
06.12.09

The Ukrainian World Congress has issued a newletter for November 2009 covering a number of issues which it has dealt with over the past month.Click here for the full text (Ukrainian language only).
Holodomor commemoration at UN
02.12.09
USA

ACTION UKRAINE HISTORY REPORT (AUHR) #13Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 OPENING OF EXHIBITION AT THE UNITED NATIONS, 76TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1932-33 HOLODOMORYuriy Sergeyev, Ivanka Zajac,...
Sad news from Cananda - Victor Pedenko dead... UPDATED
01.12.09
Canada

Former Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) General Secretary, Victor Pedenko, passed away on 29 November aged 72.A recipient of many merited awards, Victor Pedenko worked tirelessly throughout his life for...
Ukrainians hold Day of Sorrow in Bradford
01.12.09
Bradford

The Ukrainian Community in Bradford commemorated a Day of Sorrow on Saturday 28th November 2009.  The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford, Cllr John Godward  and Mrs  Jean Godward, ...
Holodomor Anniversary Commemorated
30.11.09
Huddersfield

On Sunday 29th November the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Kirklees Council, together with Councillors from all political parties attended the Ukrainian Centre to view the Holodomor Exhibition and...
Ukrainians in Edinburgh and Scotland
30.11.09
Edinburgh

For more information about current (and forthcoming) Ukrainian activities and events in Scotland, click here to read the latest newsletter produced by AUGB Edinburgh Branch.
Ukrainian World Congress call on Holodomor Anniversary
27.11.09

The Ukrainian World Congress has called on all Ukrainians to continue to raise awareness about the 1932-33 Holodomor.In a statement issued yesterday, it emphasised that future generations will only know...
Presidential Election Observers
23.11.09

There is an opportunity to be an accredited observer during the forthcoming Presidential elections in Ukraine, scheduled to take place on 17 January 2010.  By registering as an impartial observer,...
Holodomor Memorial unveiled in Rochdale - UPDATED TO INCLUDE SPEECHES
21.11.09
Rochdale

A large gathering of dignitaries together with Ukrainian and other community representatives and members assembled at the Memorial Gardens in Rochdale yesterday for the official unveiling of a memorial...
Embassy reception for European delegates
14.11.09
London

Representatives of Ukrainian organisations from across Europe attended a reception held yesterday evening at the Embassy of Ukraine in London.  They are in the capital to attend the 12th General...
Obama Holodomor message and more articles on Gareth Jones
14.11.09

ACTION UKRAINE HISTORY REPORT (AUHR) #976th Commemoration of the Holodomor, Death by Starvation, Millions Died, Genocide.Washington, D.C., Saturday, November 14, 2009 1.  STATEMENT...
Two important articles appear today about Gareth Jones
13.11.09
London

ACTION UKRAINE HISTORY REPORT (AUHR) #8Washington, D.C., Friday, November 13, 2009  TWO IMPORTANT ARTICLES ABOUT GARETH JONES:  Fearless young British reporter who exposed the true horrorof the manmade...
More on Gareth Jones in the Daily Telegraph
13.11.09
London

The Daily Telegraph has today published an article about the diaries of Gareth Jones going on public display for the first time.Jones risked his own life in exposing the 1932-33 Holodomor famine in Ukraine...
Mayor's reception for Bradford & District European Forum
12.11.09
Bradford

Members of the Ukrainian communities of Keighley and Bradford attended a Civic reception held in the banqueting hall at Bradford City Hall on Tuesday evening in honour of the Bradford & District European...
London gears up for arrival of European delegates
10.11.09

Delegates representing over 20 member organizations of the European Ukrainian Congress (ECU) will begin arriving in London from Thursday this week to attend the XII General Meeting of the ECU,...
More on A/H1N1 virus in Ukraine
05.11.09

In light of the outbreak of the A/H1N1 virus in Ukraine, the Embassy of Ukraine wrote to the AUGB on Tuesday asking for assistance in the form of humanitarian aid.  As reported, the AUGB immediately...
AUGB asks UK Government to help
03.11.09

The AUGB has today written to the Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP at the Department for International Development (DFID) seeking an assurance that HM Government (1) is aware of the current flu epidemic in...
Frost interview with Yushchenko
31.10.09

David Frost's interview with Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko can now be seen online.  Question ranged from current opinion polls to Ukraine's present day relations with Russia.Simply click here...
Meeting with Stefan Romaniw
30.10.09
London (49 Linden Gardens)

The General Secretary of the Ukrainian World Congress and Leader of the OUN, Stefan Romaniw, yesterday visited AUGB's Head Office where he held talks with AUGB's CEO, Fedir Kurlak.In the evening Mr Romaniw...
AUGB in talks over TV programme
28.10.09
London

Flame Television's Assistant Producer, Mandeep Dillon, of the TV programme "Heir Hunters", which is screened on BBC1, met yesterday with AUGB CEO Fedir Kurlak and the SHevchenko & Archive Curator,...
Bandera and OUN Anniveraries commemorated in UK
25.10.09
Bradford

AUGB Bradford’s Cultural Centre was the venue for a concert yesterday to commemorate three key anniversaries:  80 years of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), 100 years since the...
Photos from Bandera exhibition opening ceremony in Kyiv
22.10.09
Kyiv

We have added a selection of photographs from the official opening ceremony held at the National Museum on 15 October.  Please view homepage slideshow.Tomorrow you will be able to download pdf's of...
Pastoral visit
21.10.09
Nottingham

Nottingham’s Ukrainian Catholic parish and community was delighted to welcome the new Apostolic Administrator for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain, Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, over the weekend. ...
Bandera exhibition opened in Kyiv
19.10.09
Kyiv

The official opening ceremony of the “Stepan Bandera – documents testify” exhibition took place in Kyiv last Thursday, 15 October.Organised and hosted by the National Museum of the History...
UWC calls on Ukrainians worldwide to commemorate Bandera anniversaries
12.10.09
London

The Ukrainian World Congress has issued a statement calling on Ukrainians worldwide to honour Stepan Bandera as a National Hero of Ukraine and to follow his example of service to his homeland.Bandera...
Strike actions means late Dumka
10.10.09

Due to strike action by postal workers in London yesterday, Dumka subscribers will not receive their newspaper today or Monday. The precise delivery date is beyond our control and we apologise to readers...
Collections from UK at Bandera Exhibition in Kyiv
05.10.09
London

Stepan Bandera was born on 1 January 1909. His name became synonymous with Ukraine’s struggle for Freedom and Independence.  He was assassinated by a Soviet agent in Munich on 15 October 1959.The...
Joy as new Bishop is installed
28.09.09
London

The Permanent Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, headed by Patriarch and Cardinal Lubomyr Huzar, took place in London last week.  The three day meeting discussed matters concerning...
Cardinal Huzar in London
25.09.09
London

The Patriarch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Cardinal Lubomyr Huzar, addressed a packed hall at the Ukrainian Institute in Holland Park last night.  Speaking with very purposeful and thoughtful...
Link to BBC Holodomor report
24.09.09
London

BBC Radio 4's "Today" programme broadcast a piece by Nick Higham this morning about the Holodomor and the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "The Grain Store".Click below for the link to the...
New Press Attache visits Central Office
24.09.09
London, 49 Linden Gardens

The Ukrainian Embassy's newly appointed Press Attache, Mr Rostislav Ohryzko, visited AUGB Central Office earlier today.  He met with the Editor of the Ukrainian Thought, ("Dumka"), Oleksa Semenchenko,...
Maria Volkova recounts horrors of Holodomor
23.09.09
Nottingham

The BBC's respected Arts and Media correspondent, Nick Higham, travelled to Nottingham today to meet up with and interview Holodomor survivor, Maria Volkova.The "Today" programme on 24 September (0600-0900...
Dobrovolsky and Kozlov exhibition opens at AUGB Central Office
18.09.09
London (49 Linden Gardens)

AUGB's Central Office was the venue yesterday evening for the opening of an exhibition of the fabulous works of two prominent artists of Ukraine, Dmytro Dobrovolsky (paintings) and Leonid Kozlov (drawings...
Manchester and Bolton jointly celebrate 18 years of Ukraine's Independence
17.09.09
Bolton

On 13 September AUGB Manchester and Bolton Branches jointly celebrated 18 years of Ukraine’s Independence with a major concert at AUGB Community Centre in Bolton. The concert was well attended...
Silver Medal for Alexej Gorlatch
16.09.09
Leeds

Playing Beethoven's Concerto no. 5 in E flat major, op. 73 Emperor, the talented young Ukrainian musician, Alexej Gorlatch, won the silver medal in this year's final of the prestigious Leeds...
Ashton remembers 1932-33 Holodomor victims
15.09.09
Ashton

Around 70 members of the Ukrainian community in Ashton-under-Lyne attended their Cultural Centre on Stockport Road last Saturday (12 September) to witness the official unveiling and blessing...
President of World Congress of Ukrainians in Britain
14.09.09
London

Accompanied by the AUGB's CEO, the President of the World Congress of Ukrainians (WCU), Eugene Czolij, today met with representatives of the BBC's Ukrainian Service in London, Marek Bekerman, Oleksandr...
An award
10.09.09

The Embassy of Ukraine yesterday confirmed that by a Decree signed by President Yushchenko, the AUGB's CEO, Fedir Kurlak, has been awarded an Order of Merit (III) for his contribution to the strengthening...
Young talented Ukrainian musician reaches prestigious Final
09.09.09
Leeds

An extremely talented Ukrainian musician, Alexej Gorlatch, has made it through to the Finals of the prestigious Leeds Pianoforte Competition.  On 12 September at 6 p.m., he...
Government stance on Holodomor dismays Bolton Council
08.09.09
Bolton

In July HM Government issued a written statement concerning the 1932-33 Holodomor (http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page20199), in which it stated that it “does not judge the evidence is sufficiently...
Ukrainian World Congress President to attend events in UK this weekend
08.09.09

The President of the World Congress of Ukrainians, Eugene Czolij, will take part in a ceremony unveiling a plaque to commemorate the millions who died during the 1932-33 Holodomor. ...
Special visitor
04.09.09
London

AUGB's Chief Executive, Fedir Kurlak, held a meeting today at AUGB Central Office with the new Apostolic Administrator for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain, Bishop Hlib Lonchyna.  The meeting...
Sydenhurst celebrates in style
03.09.09
Chiddingfold, Surrey

A very successful two-day event marking Sydenhurst Residential Home’s 60th anniversary took place over the bank holiday weekend (for photo's see slide-show on augb hompage - more photos will follow...
Sydenhurst - down memory lane
02.09.09
Chiddingfold, Surrey

In preparation for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations which took place at Sydenhurst over the weekend (report to follow), we looked back through the Ukrainian Thought ("Dumka") and discovered a very well...
Sydenhurst Nursing HomeSydenhurst ready to celebrate
28.08.09
Chiddingfold, Surrey

Final preparations are taking place to welcome guests and all arriving to join in Sydenhurst's 60th anniversary celebrations this coming Sunday and Monday (30-31 August).The fabulous "Hoverla" Ukrainian...
Visitors to Central Office
29.07.09
London

The past few days have seen an influx of visitors to AUGB Central Office.  Amongst them were members of the AUGB's Finance Committee, Zenko Lastowiecki and Wolodymyr Karpynec, who yesterday principally...
Royal Shakespeare Company world premiere on the Holodomor
24.07.09
Stratford-upon-Avon

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will present a world premiere by Ukrainian playwright Natalia Vorozbhit, "The Grain Store", which is set in Ukraine in 1929.  "As Stalin launches the...
London to host next General Meeting of the European Congress of Ukrainians
23.07.09
London

Following the recent decision by the AUGB's Executive (Presydia) Council, the date of the General Meeting of the European Congress of Ukrainians (ECU) has now been confirmed and will take place on 14 November...
Visit of Ukrainian Charges d'Affaires to AUGB Central Office
23.07.09
London

AUGB's Central Office was delighted to welcome and host a meeting today between the AUGB's Chief Executive, Fedir Kurlak, and the Ukrainian Embassy's Charge's d'Affaires, Viacheslav Yatsiuk, and Second...
24 hour strike by postal workers affects Dumka delivery
17.07.09

Due to a 24 hour strike by members of the Communication Workers Union, the London postal service is not operating today, Friday 17 July.  This means that this week's edition of Dumka will not be sent...
World Light Welterweight Boxing Champion Andriy Kotelnik visits Bolton Ukrainians
15.07.09

On 12th July 2009, Andriy Kotelnik visited the Ukrainian community centre in Bolton. He is in the UK to defend his WBA light welterweight world title against Britain’s Amir Khan and came to Bolton,...
HOLODOMOR DVD Promo on YouTube
06.07.09
London

A promotion extract of the newly released DVD of the Holodomor Commemorations held in London last November can now be seen on YouTube.  Simply click here to view.Contact 020 7229 8392 to purchase the film.
AUGB Presydia meeting
02.07.09
Nottingham

The Presydia of the General Council held its first post-AGM meeting last Saturday, 27 June, in Nottingham.Items on the agenda included: • Release of the DVD film documenting the commemoration...
Sydenhurst retains "excellent" rating
02.07.09
Chiddingfold, Surrey

Sydenhurst Residential Home has again received a glowing report following a recent inspection carried out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which is the independent regulator for health and social...
Job opportunity
24.06.09

AUGB Nottingham Branch recently secured funding to employ a Centre Manager. Anyone interested in applying can find out more by clicking here for further details.  Please note that the closing date...
Holodomor DVD Release date
24.06.09
London

The AUGB commissioned film of the Holodomor National Remembrance Day held in London last November will be released on 2 July.  Price:  £10 + p&p.  We hope to sell this...
Visitors from Lviv at Central Office
19.06.09
London

Members of Lviv-Ratusha’s Rotary Club visited AUGB’s Central Office earlier today and held a meeting with the AUGB’s CEO and were given a tour of the Shevchenko Library and Archive by...
National Committee to commemorate Bandera anniversaries
12.06.09

A National Committee has been formed to celebrate 100 years since the birth and commemorate 50 years since the death of the former leader of the OUN, Stefan Bandera.The committee will be chaired by Mr...
Annual Service of Remembrance at Tarasivka
08.06.09

Several hundred people braved the poor weather conditions yesterday to attend the annual Service of Remembrance held at Tarasivka in Weston-on-Trent, Derbyshire.The event was organised by the Association...
New Apostolic Administrator for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain
02.06.09

The Vatican  announced today that Pope Benedict XVI has ratified Bishop Hlib Lonchyna as the new Apostolic Administrator for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain. The Ukrainian Catholic community...
64 AUGB AGM
30.05.09
Stockport

Delegates from across the country took part in the AUGB's 64th Annual General Meeting over the weekend which was this year very ably hosted by the Association's Branch in Stockport. The event was...
Ukrainians in Parliament
21.05.09
Westminster

Politicians, diplomats and representatives of various businesses and organisations with an interest in Ukraine took part last night in a Ukrainian Beer and Wine Evening held in the Houses of Parliament. ...
Bradford & District European Forum continues to develop
19.05.09
Bradford

Members of the Ukrainian Communities of Bradford and Keighley attended the AGM of the Bradford & District European Forum held on 18th May 2009 at the Serbian Church Hall, Bradford.  It was...
AUGB to screen award winning film, "The Soviet Story"
15.05.09

The AUGB is to screen the recently released award-winning documentary film, "The Soviet Story".  It is to be shown in English with Ukrainian sub-titles.The film features interviews with both...
Lviv Ukrainian Catholic University's rector and post-grads in London
12.05.09
London

AUGB Central Office today welcomed the rector and post-graduate students of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU). Fr Borys Gudziak PhD, who is a leading intellectual and historian in post-Soviet...
Successful IT Mission
30.04.09
London

As part of the European Union’s Programme for Ukraine, representatives of 10 Information Technology Companies from Ukraine attended an IT Mission in London 28-29 April 2009.The 10 participating...
Manchester community commemorates Chornobyl
26.04.09

Ukrainians in Manchester held a special service to commemorate the known and unknown victims of the Chornobyl disaster.It is 23 years since an explosion and fire at the Chornobyl nuclear power...
New Press Release for forthcoming International Ukrainian Football Tournament
09.04.09

The organisers of the International Ukrainian Football Tournament have issued a press release providing further details about the forthcoming Ukrainian football tournament which is to take place in Nottingham,...
Preparations afoot for Ukrainian week in Bradford
07.04.09

AUGB in Bradford has been working with the City Council’s Civic Affairs Office to organise a programme of events to celebrate the presence of Ukrainian communities in the Bradford district for the...
Ukraine succumb to late England winner
01.04.09
London

Ukraine succumbed to a late 85th minute goal by John Terry to lose 2-1 against England's all-stars at Wembley tonight.  A Peter Crouch goal in the 29th minute separated the sides at half time.  ...
British Ambassador visits AUGB Central Office
27.03.09

The UK's Ambassador to Ukraine, HE Leigh Turner, yesterday held a meeting at AUGB Central Office with the AUGB's General Secretary, Fedir Kurlak.  A number of issues were discussed and the...
AUGB's Annual Report for 2008
27.03.09

The AUGB's Annual Report for 2008 will appear as a supplement in the next issue of Dumka (28.03.08.).  The special 12 page pullout contains information on some of the Association's main activities...
Documentary film aimed at students
26.03.09

Stuart Wells, a documentary film maker from SAE Institute in London, recently approached the AUGB’s Shevchenko Library and Archive in London to help him research the 1932-33 Holodomor.  Since...
England v Ukraine info
26.03.09

The Ukrainian Sports Supporters Club have issued details for Ukraine fans attending next Wednesday's World Cup Qualifier beween England and Ukraine.  For full details see:   http://www.ukrainiansupporters.org.uk/england.htmlFor...
Bradford Council recognises Holodomor as Genocide - UPDATED
05.03.09

Bradford City Council has formally acknowledged the Holodomor of 1932-33 as a genocide inflicted upon the Ukrainian nation.This formal acknowledgement is the culmination of a campaign by the Bradford Branch...
Bolton Council recognises 1932-33 Holodomor as Genocide - UPDATED
04.03.09
Bolton

At a plenary session of Bolton Council on 4 March, the Executive formally responded to Bolton Ukrainian Community’s ‘recognition and condemnation’ Holodomor petition, as was submitted...
AUGB Rada Meeting
10.02.09
Nottingham

The AUGB General Council held its first meeting of the year in Nottingham on 31 January.Among the items discussed were AUGB finances and structure, sale of property in Cheltenham, Holodomor, website, proposals...
Law Society looks to strengthen links with Ukraine
06.02.09
London

In actively looking to strengthen links between the UK and Ukraine in 2009, the Law Society last night co-hosted an event with the British-Ukrainian Law Association (BULA) and the British Ukrainian Society...
Launch of "Ukrainians in the UK" encyclopaedia website
30.01.09
London

The launch of a new website - an internet-encyclopaedia “Ukrainians in the UK” - took place last night during a meeting held at the Ukrainian Institute in Holland Park.  The website is...
British Ukrainians honoured
22.01.09
London

During a celebratory evening held at the Embassy of Ukraine in London tonight, two leading figures within the Ukrainian community in the UK were honoured with awards for their services to Ukraine. Anna...
Ukrainian intelligentsia calls for unity in face of "Gas Blackmail"
19.01.09

During a meeting of the Executive of the Ukrainian World Coordination Council held on 15 January 2009, the Ukrainian intelligentsia adopted a statement in which it calls on Ukrainians in Ukraine and throughout...
President Yushchenko on his meeting with Gordon Brown
16.01.09

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko held a 50 minute meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown here in London late yesterday afternoon.Mr Yushchenko followed this up with a meeting with journalists outside...
President Yushchenko on one day visit to UK
15.01.09

President Victor Yushchenko of Ukraine arrived in London earlier today for a meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown to discuss the gas-crisis.In an interview with journalists from Ukrainian and Russian...
Celebration of Christmas in local news
14.01.09
Bolton

Click here to read the article (in pdf format) that appeared in the Bolton News, 13 January. 
New Human Rights Thriller set in Ukraine
14.01.09

Fair game: THE  STEPS OF ODESSA (Spire Publishing: ISBN: 1-897312-72-5; £7.99) is James Watson's 10th novel aimed at Young Adults. Previous settings of his stories have been Spain (The Freedom...
More moves to recognise Holodomor
22.12.08
Bradford

Following the Holodomor commemoration held in Bradford on 23 November, the local AUGB Branch Chair, Orysia Chymera, presented a petition regarding recognition of Holodomor to the leader of Bradford...
Settlement Agreement
18.12.08

A mediation meeting took place on 4 December in Manchester to consider the AUGB's claim in respect of under insurance on the premises damaged by fire in February 2005.It was agreed that the sum of £350,000...
Bolton Council to consider Holodomor motion
11.12.08

On 10 December a delegation from AUGB Bolton Branch comprising Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, Oksana Jurczyszyn and Petro Hrycaj handed over a “Holodomor recognition and condemnation”...
Ukrainian Youth Associations releases calendar of events
08.12.08

The Ukrainian Youth Association has released the dates of events it plans to hold in 2009. For full details (Ukrainian language only), click here.  
Bolton community receives prominent feature in local news
08.12.08

Bolton's Ukrainian community was prominently featured in the local newspaper, The Bolton News, following the National Holodomor commemoration held in London on 22 November.  Click here to read the...
Keighley news - 4 December
08.12.08

Local civic dignatories from Keighley were very warmly welcomed at the Holodomor commemorations in London.  Their participation in the national event was rightfully reported on by the local Keighley...
Mediation meeting in Manchester
03.12.08

A Mediation meeting is to take place in Manchester on Thursday 4 December to consider AUGB's insurance claim on the property at Smedley Lane following the fire which destroyed the community hall there...
Holodomor Commemorations in Edinburgh
28.11.08

The 75th anniversary of the Holodomor was commemorated at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Pochayiv and St Andrew in Edinburgh on Sunday 23 November 2008. The Sunday Liturgy at 11 am was followed...
Prayers at Westminster Abbey for Holodomor victims
27.11.08
London

As the commemoration drew to a close at Westminster Central Hall, the Dean of Westminster Abbey, Dr John Hall and Canon Robert Reiss were preparing for Evensong in Westminster Abbey which those attending...
UK Holodomor Commemoration Report
26.11.08
London

Around 2000 people attended Saturday’s National Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor at Westminster Central Hall and Westminster Abbey.  Among distinguished guests were representatives...
National Day of Remembrance
24.11.08

The National Day of Remembrance of the Holodomor took place on Saturday before a large gatherings at Westminster Central Hall and Westminster Abbey.  Details and photos to follow soon.
UK Government to be represented at Holodomor commemoration
21.11.08

It has now been confirmed that Tim Hitchens will represent HM Government at the Holodomor commemorations taking place in Wesminster Central Hall on 22 November.  Mr Hitchens is the Director of...
Ukrainian Churches issue joint Holodomor declaration
21.11.08

Representatives of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic and Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Churches in Great Britain issued a joint declaration today to mark the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor.In it,...
Prime Minister reaffirms commitment to promote remembrance of Holodomor
21.11.08

In a letter to the AUGB's Chief Executive Officer, the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has reiterrated the UK Government's positive position on honouring the memory of those who perished during the Holodomor...
British PM sends message of deepest sympathies
20.11.08

In a historic message, the UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has extended his deepest sympathies on the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor.  In his brief but very sincere message the Prime Minister...
Holodomor Commemoration - full capacity attendance
19.11.08

The commemoration of the Holodomor on Saturday will take place before a capacity audience of 2000 people.  There are no more tickets available for the event at Westminster Central Hall. Among...
Holodomor message from UK Foreign Secretary
19.11.08

On the eve of the worldwide commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Holdomor, the Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon David Miliband MP, has issued a message in which he reaffirms that the United Kingdom...
Bilozir cancels
19.11.08

Three weeks after agreeing to take part in the forthcoming Holodomor National Day of Remembrance, Oksana Bilozir has announced that she has cancelled all plans to attend the event in London this weekend. ...
Holodomor Exhibition opens in Parliament
17.11.08
London

An exhibition, “Holodomor: Through the Eyes of Ukrainian Artists”, was officially opened today in Parliament by the Rt Hon William Hague MP.  The exhibition, organised by the...
Holodomor Committee publishes Newsletter #6
11.11.08

The Holodomor Committee today published more details about the 75th Anniversary National Holodomor Commemoration due to take place in London on 22 November at Westminster Central Hall and Westminster Abbey.Click...
Manchester Branch hall-build UPDATE
05.11.08

Following the public meeting held in Manchester on Oct 19th in relation to the community hall rebuild, an article appeared on the AUGB website and was subsequently re-printed in the Ukrayinska Dumka...
Oksana Bilozir to take part in UK Holodomor Commemoration
29.10.08

The Embassy of Ukraine in London confirmed this evening that Oksana Bilozir will take part in the forthcoming Holodomor National Day of Remembrance which will take place in Westminster Central Hall...
European Parliament recognises Ukrainian famine of 1930s as crime against humanity
27.10.08

The European Parliament approved a resolution on 23 October 2008 on the Holodomor but stopped short of using the word "genocide".  The EP's press office issued the following statement:In...
AUGB Rada meets with Manchester community to discuss new hall project
21.10.08

The President and Members of the AUGB General Council (Rada SUB) held a meeting with the Manchester community on Sunday Oct 19th to discuss issues relating to the construction of a new community hall.This...
Historic Day as Rochdale Council Remembers Holodomor
17.10.08

Rochdale Council has unanimously called upon the Government to recognise ‘Holodomor’ as an official act of genocide. Holodomor was the systematic starvation to death of at least 7,000,000 Ukrainians...
More information on Holodomor Commemoration
16.10.08

The AUGB has today sent out a further circular regarding the National Holodomor Commemoration which is due to take place in London on 22 November.Tickets for the event are now available and can be obtained...
Fall-out continues - President calls fresh Election
09.10.08
Ukraine

Ukraine`s President Viktor Yushchenko has called a snap election to take place on 7 December after dissolving the Ukrainian parliament on Wednesday evening.  The move means that Ukrainians will...
Holodomor Committee releases details of National Commemoration
24.09.08

The Holodomor Committee has released details of the National Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor which will take place in London on 22 November.A commemorative programme in Westminster...
Nottingham 08.09.21Weekend of celebrations in Nottingham
21.09.08

AUGB Nottingham Branch held a weekend of celebrations to mark the long-awaited opening of its community hall.  On Saturday evening the new hall buzzed to full capacity as the people of Nottingham...
NEWS FLASH... Ruling Government Coalition in Ukraine at an end
16.09.08

The ruling coalition in Ukraine was officially dissolved today during a morning session of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament).  The announcement was made by the Speaker of the House,...
Holodomor film-makers ask for help
16.09.08

Holodomor the Movie LLC is appealing to Ukrainians worldwide to support its documentary film project “HOLODOMOR; Ukraine’s Genocide of 1932-33” .  This is the...
Representatives of British Ukrainian Society and AUGB meet to strengthen ties
11.09.08

The Chair of the British Ukrainian Society (BUS), Richard Spring MP, hosted a meeting today with the AUGB Secretary, Fedir Kurlak, and the Editor of the Ukrainian Thought, Oleksa Semenchenko.  The...
Holodomor - Keighley Town Council takes historic decision
05.09.08

Keighley Town Council has made history by becoming the first Council in the UK to pass a motion unanimously condemning the 1932-33 Holodomor in Ukraine as genocide.During an emotional evening...
Donations for flood victims continue but more rain predicted
07.08.08

While cleanup operations continue in all areas of Ukraine affected by severe flooding, weather forecasters predict more heavy rainfalls over the Carpathian mountains.  Further downpours are also...
AUGB publishes five year report for forthcoming WCU... UPDATE... Now with link to report...
04.08.08

The AUGB has today released a report (in Ukrainian) highlighting its main activities over the past five years.  It includes details on some of the AUGB's educational and cultural joint ventures...
AUGB joins World Congress of Ukrainians call for aid to flood victims
30.07.08

The AUGB has joined the World Congress of Ukrainians in calling for aid to areas of western Ukraine that have been affected by severe flooding.  Five days of heavy rain have caused...
UK Government urged to provide emergency assistance to flood victims
30.07.08

The AUGB has raised the issue of the severe floods in Ukraine in a letter to the Secretary of State of the Department for International Development, Mr Douglas Alexander.  It calls...
AUGB Council meets for the second time in two months
28.07.08

On 26 July 2008 the AUGB's General Council ("Rada SUB") held its second post-AGM meeting.   Matters discussed/ratified: A new sub-committee has been formed to review the whole...
Maria VolkovaHolodomor witness speaks out
24.07.08

A British journalist, Donna Richardson, has uncovered yet another witness testimony about the horrors of the Holodomor. In an exclusive interview with eighty-two-year old Maria Volkova, the voice...
Welsh Assembly Members call for Holodomor Recognition.
11.07.08
Cardiff

The visit of the Holodomor Torch to the Welsh National Assembly on July 3 produced an immediate result. The Assembly Members who received the Torch are calling for recognition of the Holodomor as genocide....
OSCE Draft Resolution on Holodomor
10.07.08

According to a BBC report dated 9 July, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) during its Annual Meeting in Astana in Khazakhstan ratified...
AGM Minutes reach wider audience
09.07.08

The minutes of the 63 AUGB AGM which took place on 31 May were released late last week.  This year, possibly for the first time in the AUGB's history, they were sent out to every subscriber of Dumka...
Torch of Remembrance - the end of the journey around Great Britain
05.07.08

  On Saturday July 5 2008, over 1000 people gathered at Tarasivka in Derbyshire, at the Ukrainian Youth Association’s 60th anniversary national rally, which was also the culmination of the Torch...
The Torch of Remembrance in Nottingham
04.07.08

“Everywhere the cry, we have no bread, we are waiting for death”. These are the ‘lost’ voices of Ukrainian peasants who were starved to death during the Soviet attempt to achieve...
London 08.09.04The Torch of Remembrance at the London Assembly
03.07.08
London

Ukrainian Londoners, although they had greeted the Torch at its arrival at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral and then at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Sunday 29 June had been disappointed that Boris...
Torch of Remembrance in Gloucester
03.07.08
Gloucester

 Yaroslav Nebesniak received the memorial torch on behalf of the Ukrainian community in Gloucester, from Askold Lozynsky, President of the Ukrainian World Congress, Vladislav Rohoviy from the Ukrainian...
Holodomor Torch in Edinburgh
02.07.08
Edinburgh

The Holodomor torch was received by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh in the very grand and appropriately named European room at the City Chambers. Amongst the local Ukrainian Community present were invited...
The Torch of Remembrance in Stockport
01.07.08
Stockport

Around 100 members of the Ukrainian community in Stockport, together with the Lady Mayor of Stockport, Councillor Pam King, gathered at the Ukrainian centre to receive the Torch of Remembrance on Tuesday...
The Torch of Remembrance in Manchester
01.07.08
Manchester

On 1 July 2008, at 19.00, the Holodomor Torch of Remembrance arrived at Manchester Town Hall in Albert Square in the hands of the representative of AUGB Stockport Branch, Mr Mike Kuziw, who handed the...
AshtonThe Torch of Remembrance in Ashton
01.07.08
Ashton

On 1 July 2008,on the steps of the Ukrainian centre and in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Tameside, local Councillors, distinguished guests and three generations of the Ukrainian community,...
The Torch of Remembrance in Rochdale
01.07.08
Rochdale

On Tuesday 1 July, in front of Rochdale Town Hall, members of the Rochdale, Bury and Todmorden Ukrainian communities, together with guests, welcomed the Torch of Remembrance. As the town hall bell...
AUGB and others react to Russian accusations of 'historical revisionism' on Holodomor
30.06.08

On Monday 23 June, the Times published an excellent article on the Holodomor entitled "The Ukrainian ‘genocide by starvation’". On Friday 27 June a letter from the Russian Ambassador denied...
DerbyThe Torch of Remembrance in Derby
30.06.08
Derby

The Torch was greeted officially by The Mayor of the City of Derby, Councillor Barbara Jackson, on the steps of the historical Council House Building. Joe Kupranec ((Branch Vice-Chairman) handed...
Bradford TorchThe Torch of Remembrance in Bradford
30.06.08
Bradford

Around 250 Ukrainians from Bradford and neighbouring communities gathered in Centenary Square, at the bottom of the stairs into City Hall. Miss Natalka Pylak began by explaining why the Torch was coming...
The Torch of Remembrance in Barnsley
30.06.08

The Holodomor Commemorative Torch was received by the Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr Kenneth Sanderson.  He was accompanied by Cllr Stephen Houghton, Leader of Barnsley Council and Mr Phil Coppard, Chief...
The Torch of Remembrance in Keighley
30.06.08
Mayor of Keighley addresses guests in Keighley Town Hall Council Chamber

On the morning of the arrival of the Torch, Mykola Lajszczuk, Peter Szczur and Stefan Pryimuk from AUGB Keighley Branch were interviewed for 20 minutes on BCB (Bradford Community Broadcasting), to...
CoventryThe Torch of Remembrance in Coventry
29.06.08
Coventry

Over 100 people gathered at the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Coventry to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor. Neighbouring communities from Rugby, Leicester and Wolverhampton were also represented....
Ukrainian-AmbassadorsThe Torch of Remembrance in Great Britain: The Journey Begins
29.06.08

Following weeks of preparations, the Torch of Remembrance has arrived in Great Britain after a journey which has so far included Australia, Canada, the United States and Ukrainian communities in Latin...
Annual General Meeting 2008
31.05.08
Nottingham

'Honouring our past – facing the challenges of the future'One of the few sunny days in recent weeks saw almost 100 AUGB branch delegates and guests, including representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine,...
AUGB Annual Report issued
24.05.08

“A year of change, a turning point in the development of AUGB…”, says AUGB President, Zenko LastowieckiThe Annual Report for 2007 (PDF, 4.74Mb) was published on 24 May, ahead of the...
22 November commemoration details released
06.05.08

We can now confirm that the commemoration will be held at Westminster Central Hall, starting at 14.00 on Saturday 22 November (at the same time as commemorations will be starting in Kyiv and in many other...
Torch Rally dates confirmed
04.05.08

The UK dates have now been confirmed. The torch will arrive here from Chile on Saturday 28 June and leave for Sweden on Saturday 6 July.We have looked at several options for getting the Torch to as many...
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Great Britain The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain has many branches throughout the country. Select a branch below to find out more information.