It was a clinic in Realpolitik:
“Some people have urged the United States to choose between supporting President Mikhail Gorbachev and supporting independence-minded leaders throughout the U.S.S.R. I consider this a false choice. We will maintain the strongest possible relationship with the Soviet Government of President Gorbachev. But we also appreciate the new realities of life in the U.S.S.R. And therefore, as a federation ourselves, we want good relations – improved relations – with the Republics. In Ukraine, in Russia, in Armenia, and the Baltics, the spirit of liberty thrives. Yet freedom is not the same as independence. Americans will not support those who seek independence in order to replace a far-off tyranny with a local despotism. They will not aid those who promote a suicidal nationalism based upon ethnic hatred. We will support those who want to build democracy. So many Ukrainian-Americans are with me in the remarks I’ve made here today.”
Just one week before the speech was delivered the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America had transmitted a letter to President in which the UCCA stated:
“Despite the United States’ longstanding policy on the inviolability of the Soviet Union, it is the position of our member organization that this policy is not only unprincipled, but that it is also, in the long run, destabilizing.”
President Bush’s speech in Kyiv was received by the Ukrainian American community with concern (mildly put). The UCCA voiced this concern:
“Our member organizations had hoped that the President would use the occasion to express American support for all those who have suffered in the past and continue to suffer today as a result of Moscow’s colonialist policies. Furthermore legitimate aspirations to decolonize the USSR cannot be characterized as ‘suicidal nationalism based on ethnic hatred.’ Despotism is the foundation upon which empires are built. Indeed the history of the Soviet Union is replete with not only blatant ethnic hatred, but also the execution of millions of innocents through acts of genocide. Advocates of Ukrainian independence, on the other hand, have been and continue to be profoundly democratic and ethnically broad based. In fact the reestablishment of an independent Ukrainian state will guarantee the rights of all minorities which reside within its borders. We were further surprised when the President concluded his assertions by stating that Ukrainian-Americans support him in these remarks. The Ukrainian American community is united in its support for the promotion of democracy and freedom in Eastern Europe. The Ukrainian American community has been united in its support for full Ukrainian independence. Only an independent Ukrainian state can ‘restore power to citizens demoralized by decades of totalitarian rule’. Only an independent Ukrainian state can give the people ‘hope, inspiration, determination.’ Unfortunately, the President chose to promote the interests of Mikhail Gorbachev rather than the aspirations of the freedom loving Ukrainian people.”
On the eve of President Bush’s speech “The New York Times” had reported that President Bush would come to Kyiv as President Gorbachev’s emissary and that he would be denounced by Ukraine’s independence movement as having been hypnotized by Gorbachev. “The Times” stressed the fact thateven the visit to Ukraine itself would be “on his way home from Moscow.”
The declaration of Ukraine’s independence came some three weeks later on August 24, 1991.
The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America met Ukraine’s Declaration with a greeting and an immediate appeal to the government of the United States: “We appeal to the United States government to support the Ukrainian people and recognize the Declaration of its Independence. Today much depends upon the position of the United States. We turn to President George Bush and the Government of the United States to manifest unequivocal support to the democratic forces in Ukraine, establishing direct relations and assistance in overcoming the vestiges of the occupational regime and strengthening the independence of Ukraine within the world community of democratic states.”
Within only a few days the leadership of Russia proper manifested an age old propensity towards disrespect for its neighbors’ sovereignty, leveling territorial claims. The UCCA responded with an appeal to the President of the United States:
“The Ukrainian American community is deeply concerned over a recent statement by the Russian Federation’s President , Boris Yeltsin, about possible territorial claims on Ukrainian lands. We appeal to you Mr. President and to the government of the United States to manifest support for and recognition of an independent Ukraine and intervene on behalf of stability and democracy. The territorial integrity of independent Ukraine as that of any independent state must be the concern of our government.”
The UCCA pursued Ukraine’s recognition when it learned that Ukraine’s Parliament Chair, Leonid Kravchuk was traveling to the United States and Canada in September 1991:
“On Sept. 25 and 26, Leonid Kravchuk, head of the Ukrainian parliament, will be in Washington. On behalf of Ukrainian-Americans, we urge you to meet with Leonid Kravchuk, as the representative of the government of newly independent Ukraine, to begin the process of direct relations between the United States and Ukraine. While Leonid Kravchuk faces significant democratic opposition in a presidential election on December 1, he does enjoy the support of the democratic opposition in Ukraine for this visit to the United States. The relations between the new nations which could be initiated next week would be continued by the President popularly elected on December1.”
Chairman Leonid Kravchuk met with President George H. W. Bush at the White House on Sept. 22, 1991.
In addition to direct pressure on the administration of President Bush, the UCCA reached out to its friends on Capital hill. In October 1991 a concurrent resolution was submitted to both houses of the U.S. Congress, expressing the sense of Congress that the President:
“Should recognize Ukraine’s independence and undertake steps toward the establishment of full diplomatic relations with Ukraine should the December 1, 1991 referendum confirm the Ukrainian parliament’s independence declaration; and should use United States assistance, trade and other programs to support the Government of Ukraine and encourage the further development of democracy and a free market in Ukraine.”
Further the UCCA attempted to sway public opinion through public rallies for international recognition of Ukraine’s independence, the first of which was held in New York City on August 27, 1991, across the street from the United Nations and three major rallies which were held simultaneously in Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Los Angeles on October 1, 1991.
In October 1991 the Parliament of Ukraine voted to create its own army, navy and air force with an aggregate strength of 420,000. The U.S. Department of State overreacted, stating that the Ukrainian plan appears “to run counter to the efforts of all the nations of Europe and North America to reduce military forces and enhance stability.” The UCCA responded to State’s assessment:
“Ukraine’s need for armed forces is not a concern for the United States nor for Europe as Ukraine does not pose a threat to either. Ukraine’s need is strictly self-preservation. Ukraine declared its independence on August 24, 1991. Within four days President Boris Yeltsin asserted claims against Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Unfortunately, Mr. Yeltsin’s example is not an aberration. Russia has historically manifested an aggressive posture. Perhaps if Ukraine were to feel that it has an ally in the United States, its people might sense that their freedom is secure. However, that sense of security was proven false in Hungary in 1956, Czechoslovakia in 1968, and more recently, although on a smaller scale, in Tbilisi in 1989 and the Baltic States in 1990. Given incessant American pronouncements in support of Moscow and central control and negative assertions on whether to recognize independent Ukraine, there is no reason for the Ukrainian people to believe that American policy has changed. For that reason the people of Ukraine have to be prepared to defend themselves.”
The Referendum on Ukraine’s independence was scheduled for Dec. 1, 1991. Several days prior thereto a delegation of the Ukrainian American community met with the President of the United States at The White House. At that time a Memorandum was delivered to the President urging recognition, assistance, bilateral relations, trade, credits, democracy and free market development programs, sponsorship in international structures (IMF, World Bank, GATT, OSCE), Most Favored Nation trade status,a Ukrainian Trade Mission in the U.S.,“adversely affected” categorization for immigration purposes, a Peace Corp for Ukraine, humanitarian assistance for Chornobyl victims and technical assistance for Chornobyl cleanup, and more.
During “The White House” meeting, President George H.W. Bush assured the community that recognition of Ukraine by the United States would be forthcoming imminently, depending upon the Referendum result.
On Dec. 1, 1991, the people in Ukraine voted overwhelmingly (more than 90 percent) to ratify the August 24th Declaration of Independence.”
Still there was no recognition.
On Dec. 8, 1991, Belarus, Russia and Ukraine issued a Declaration establishing the “Commonwealth of Independent States, de facto bringing about the end of the U.S.S.R. The UCCA was concerned since this new C.I.S. was perceived at the outset as some form of successor to the U.S.S.R.The UCCA issued a statement:
“While it is still too early to fully comprehend the impact of the Dec. 8 joint Byelorussian-Russian-Ukrainian declaration of the Establishment of a ‘Commonwealth of Independent States,’ it appears to contravene Ukraine’s Declaration of Sovereignty of July 16, 1990, its Declaration of Independence of August 24, 1991, the recently concluded referendum and recent legislation. That legislation gives tangible substance to Ukraine’s independence by providing for the introduction of Ukrainian currency, the formation of its own armed forces, border control, foreign affairs, etc.”
The United States recognized Ukraine on Dec. 25, 1991, the same day that U.S.S.R. President Mikhail Gorbachev formally announced his resignation and thus the de jure dissolution of the U.S.S.R. This simultaneous recognition of the U.S.S.R.’s demise and Ukraine’s existence was classic Realpolitik. Simply put, reality had a new player. The United States simply acquiesced.
This year Ukrainians mark the 20th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence and the 70th anniversary of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.
Askold S. Lozynskyj was executive vice president from 1990-1992 and President from 1992-2000 of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.
