It’s time to recognize Russia’s actions in Ukraine as genocide
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba calls on the world to recognize Russia’s actions in Ukraine as genocide in his op-ed for Der Spiegel.
“For us, Ukrainians, “genocide” is not just a term. It is part of our collective memory. During the last century, Ukraine experienced genocide twice,” said the minister.
Dmytro Kuleba underscores that the Russian leadership, officials, and public figures have long been laying the ideological basis for genocide. Among other things, he draws attention to last year’s article by Russian president Vladimir Putin “On the historical unity of Russians and Ukrainians,” in which the leader of the aggressor country once again stated that Ukrainians and Russians are “one people,” and “modern Ukraine is a complete product of the Soviet era,” while “true sovereignty of Ukraine is possible only in partnership with Russia.”
The minister emphasizes that the Russian leader has never hidden his intentions, thinking that the existence of Ukraine as a state is a mistake that needs to be corrected, and Ukrainians are, in fact, Russians, so they will either agree to be “one people” with the Russians or be subject to destruction.
According to Dmytro Kuleba, the actions of the Russian Federation and its officials, armed forces, and mass media against Ukrainians are genocide, and the world cannot keep silent about it. Kuleba also notes that Ukraine, together with international partners, lawyers, and experts, gathers all the necessary evidence to hold Russia, the Russian leadership, and the military to account for their war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.
