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continued from p.11 The Patriarch has been deeply concerned by recent threats to Ukrainian Catholic churches that have been issued by Russian troops in Crimea and the continuing pro-Russian military aggression in Eastern Ukraine. Grod said being one of the "infamous 13" was more a reflection of how much Putin was concerned about the Ukrainian Canadian Congress than of him as an individual. "The Ukrainian community in Canada is so active with the government and the government of Canada has taken such a moral high ground with regards to the situation in the Ukraine that I think Putin views our organization as a very influential organization so he wants to keep us out of Russia," Grod said. "It's a reflection of the significant role that our community plays both at home and abroad. We have a very active and proud community that cares deeply about its ancestral homeland. "Putin is most afraid of that what happened in the Ukraine with the overthrowing of the president will also happen in Russia. The overthrow in the Ukraine was not a military operation, but a people's movement where they had enough and, in fact, the Pa- Those familiar with Ukraine prepare for the worst triarch told us that it was a `struggle for human dignity' during his address. "People were tired of the corruption and the oppression. They wanted a better life for their children." The travel ban will prevent Grod from going to Russia this summer to help organize the Ukrainian community. "The Ukrainians in Russia are very much under the authoritarian fist of Putin," Grod said. "They don't have the opportunity to cherish their language and their culture like Ukrainians in Canada do. They were hoping I could provide them moral support and unfortunately, I won't be able to do that now." As the world watches the increasingly volatile situation in Eastern Ukraine, there has been fear a civil war could break out. If the situation becomes worse, Grod doesn't see it turning into a traditional civil war where half the country fights the other half. "This isn't a war among people. This is a war where you have Russian foreign agents, who are well-armed and well-trained trying to take over," he said. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is part of a larger umbrella called the 21 | Friday, May 9, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), the Archbishop Major of Kyiv and the world-wide spiritual leader of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, visited Oakville's St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church Wednesday. | photo by Michael Ivanin - special to the Beaver Ukrainian World Congress, which has more than 30 congresses around the world. It will be sending about 250-300 observers to Ukraine for the pending May 25 election. "What I fear is Putin will continue to destabilize and provoke violence to make sure these elections don't take place because if they do there will be a legitimate democratic president in place and not just an acting one," Grod said. "We don't know what he has planned, but we are expecting the worst. "If Ukraine is democratic then those countries around it will eventually become democratic and one day so will Russia. That is when we will have true peace and stability around the world. To have a democratic Ukraine is very critical for global security." On Sunday, a referendum, which Putin wants to see postponed, is scheduled to take place in Eastern Ukraine. Many fear it could instigate further violence between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian militants, who have seized government buildings in about a dozen cities. It is considered the first step for whether Eastern Ukraine wants independence, greater autonomy with Ukraine or annexation by Russia. Invest in your home during our annual.. 3 3 3 SAVE up to 30 Best Windows & Doors 2002-2013 Best Awnings 2013 Best Sunrooms 2006-2013 % Call for details R0012692727 e it s b e W W E N r u o it is V ive MEMBERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE NEW FOR 2014 - INTERMEDIATE MEMBERSHIP Ages 19 to 34, $2,500, No Initiation Fees WYLDEWOOD GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB HOME SH S OWROOM and rece Book Online com qsiwindows. n, has not r of this promotio FREE!*** 6198 TRAFALGAR ROAD, HORNBY, ONTARIO www.wyldewoodgolf.com Tee Times Available Throughout the Season - 48 hour advanced booking is not a sponso orse it in any way. end *** Tim Horton's zes and does not provided the pri . 175 Nebo Rd 905-575-8078 Hamilton Toll-Free 1-866-575-8078 Burlington 905-639-8078 Pro Shop: 905-878-4848