Ukraine's new ambassador to the United States meets with Ukrainian community in New York

by Roma Hadzewycz

NEW YORK - Ukraine's new ambassador to the United States, Mykhailo Reznik, 53, paid a visit to New York City, where he met with Ukrainian American community leaders and activists during a reception at the Ukrainian Institute of America on a busy pre-Christmas Sunday afternoon, December 21.

An economist by training and a diplomat who had served as Ukraine's envoy to China and Mongolia since 2001, and prior to that as ambassador to South Korea, he was named Ukraine's ambassador to the United States on November 10.

Speaking before a full house at the Ukrainian Institute of America, Mr. Reznik painted a picture of Ukraine as an integral part of Europe, and a strong economic partner. "Ukraine is and will be an active participant of all economic projects in the world," he stated confidently.

He also stated that Ukraine has plenty to offer to the United States, which granted it the status of a strategic partner in 1996. He explained that Ukraine also has a lot to do in this sphere, especially as relations with the United States in recent years have undergone a change, and not for the better.

Ambassador Reznik said he had already met with President George W. Bush and other administration officials and that he sensed "a signal that they were awaiting us." President Bush, he noted, offered "positive expressions about our future relations."

The envoy added that President Bush said "our relations are at a turning point." He agreed with that characterization of the U.S.-Ukraine relationship and commented that Ukraine must do everything possible to ensure that we are heard and to restore trust.

Turning to his relations with the diaspora, or more specifically Ukrainian Americans, Ambassador Reznik said: "I need your help, I need your advice." Noting that the next day, December 22, was the Day of the Diplomat, which is being celebrated for the fifth year, he added, "you, too, are diplomats" who represent Ukraine in the humanitarian, cultural and other spheres.

He informed metropolitan New York area Ukrainians that he had already met with UCCA President Michael Sawkiw, Ukrainian American Coordinating Council President Ihor Gawdiak and The Washington Group President Ihor Kotlarchuk, among others, and expressed his readiness "to listen to all ideas and to share my own opinions."

The new ambassador also stated that he was lucky to have "a wonderful team in Washington" and that he had met with Ukraine's consul general in New York, Serhiy Pohoreltzev, and would soon meet with Ukraine's representatives in other U.S. cities. "We will coordinate all our activities," he explained.

He went on to state that the Embassy of Ukraine under his leadership will work in all spheres - economic, humanitarian, cultural and others. Ambassador Reznik also emphasized to his audience that "we were, are and will be one family" and observed that eventually the law on the rights of diaspora Ukrainians will be passed. He referred also to scholarships that will be made available to Ukrainian American students for study in Ukraine.

Mr. Reznik was born in the Orenburg Oblast of Russia in 1950. He graduated from the Kyiv Trade and Economic Institute in 1973 and afterwards worked in various positions at the Ministry of Trade of the Ukrainian SSR. He became vice minister of foreign economic relations after Ukraine re-established its independence in 1991, and was named to lead Ukraine's trade mission to the United States in 1994-1997.

Present with the new envoy at the UIA reception were the ambassador's wife, Iryna, and Counselor Oleksander Potekhin and Second Secretary Nataliia Holub of the Embassy of Ukraine. Consul General Pohorelzev also attended.

At the conclusion of the official part of the program, officials of the Embassy of Ukraine presented gifts to their host for the afternoon, the Ukrainian Institute of America. Guests lingered to speak personally with the new ambassador and to partake of refreshments.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, December 28, 2003, No. 52, Vol. LXXI

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