1654: Danylo Apostol, the future Hetman of the Zaporizhian Host, was born in Sorochyntsi, Cossack Hetmanate (modern day Poltava Oblast). Apostol became Hetman in 1727 and remained in power until his death in 1734. He is best known for protecting Ukrainian merchants and opposing Russian elements in the Hetman state administration.
1918: The final Ukrainian Hetmanate fell, thus ending the second form of government in independent Ukraine. Pavlo Skoropadsky, a member of one of Ukraine’s most prominent families and the last elected Hetman of Ukraine, renounced his power and fled Kyiv on Dec. 14 after the success of an anti-Hetmanate putsch. Skoropadsky came to power earlier that year in a coup of his own when he ended independent Ukraine’s first form of government, the Mykhailo Hrushevsky-led Ukrainian People’s Republic. After the fall of Skoropadsky’s Hetmanate, independent Ukraine adopted its third form of government, Symon Petliura’s “Directorate.” This lasted until the Bolsheviks consolidated their conquest of Ukraine.
1989: Just two years before Ukraine would regain its independence, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Ukrainian-Canadian lawyer and politician Ray Hnatyshyn as Canada’s 24th Governor-General. During his seven years in the role, he was in office for Canada’s 125th anniversary of Confederation, met Prince Charles and Princess Diana at Rideau Hall, and made an official state visit to his motherland, Ukraine. Hnatyshyn was awarded the Ukrainian World Congress’ St. Volodomyr the Great Medal for his significant contribution to the development of the Ukrainian community in both the diaspora and Ukraine.
Commentary:
Dec. 14 is a date when we remember leadership and the different roles it can play. From the cold attention to the administrative bureaucracy of Apostol to the quiet, behind-the-scenes coalition approach of Hnatyshyn – gaining and wielding of power can look very different. Skoropadksy’s example seems especially pertinent at the moment – and not just because of last month’s talk of a modern coup against President Zelensky. Skoropadsky’s reliance on foreign aid led to his downfall. Perhaps a lesson can be learned from that?
