The destruction of Ukrainian cultural values is a deliberate and cruel act of the Kremlin, Polish Ambassador to the UN Krzysztof Szczerski said during the Friday meeting of the UN Security Council dedicated to the military destruction of cultural heritage in Ukraine. The meeting was held at the initiative of Albania, Poland and Ukraine.
KYIV. UkraineGate. 17. July . 2022 | World News .
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“In its military propaganda, Moscow stands out by inciting hatred, slander and contempt for everything Ukrainian. We saw today that it does not end with people, but extends to monuments, theaters, schools, youth centers and cemeteries. They are being destroyed and looted before our eyes. These are not military goals, unless the goal is the destruction of the nation,” Shchersky argued.
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Deputy Culture Minister of Ukraine Kateryna Chuyeva, speaking via video link, said that “according to Putin, Ukrainian culture and national identity are the goal of this war.”
She also reported that Russian forces shelled and damaged 423 cultural sites in Ukraine, including 128 monuments, 127 places of worship, 46 memorials, 33 museums and 59 cultural centers such as theaters, cinemas and libraries.
According to Shcherskyi, “the large-scale destruction of the cultural heritage of Ukraine, which we just heard about, testifies to the true goals of the aggressor.”
“In Poland, we are very sensitive to the issue of destruction of cultural heritage, mainly because of the turbulent history of our country. (…) We share our knowledge with full dedication and provide all the necessary support in reconstruction, and I am very proud of the opening of the Polish Center for Cultural Assistance in Ukraine, which should play such a role,” said Schersky.
According to the permanent representative of the Republic of Poland at the UN, “eliminating the damage caused by the Russian aggressors will require a huge expenditure of time and financial resources.”
“Holding Russia to account for all crimes committed in Ukraine, including against its cultural heritage, requires Ukrainians to receive appropriate military reparations that will ease the burden of rebuilding their homeland. We call on the entire international community to go towards this goal,” Shchersky urged.
Source: Ukrgate