The Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN, Serhiy Kyslytsia, stated this during an informal meeting at the UN Security Council on the topic "Destruction of cultural heritage as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine," Ukrinform reports.
The motives of Putin and his henchmen are clear and simple, he explained: "If you are going to destroy the national identity, then you have to deprive the people of their culture, in particular, by destroying the objects of their heritage."
The Russian Federation began the destruction of Ukrainian cultural heritage in Crimea immediately after its annexation, Kyslytsia emphasized. "The full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine led to the further consolidation of the practice of cultural genocide. None of the guilty should go unpunished," he said, recalling the statement of the President of Ukraine regarding the need to create a special tribunal regarding Russian aggression against Ukraine. This tribunal should become a tool for "ensuring fair and legal punishment of those who started the chain of tragedies and catastrophes - the biggest since the Second World War", the post-predator added.
The diplomat recalled that, at the Nuremberg trial, crimes against culture had a special place and were included in the group related to material damages.
"We will rely on the legacy of Nuremberg, which remains relevant, although it needs development and adaptation to modern realities," the diplomat noted, expressing his conviction that today Ukraine has become "a shield against modern barbarian tribes."
He also indicated that the representative of the aggressor state, Ambassador Kuznetsov, is currently the chairman of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. "Morality is at the very bottom, isn't it?" he added. "Welcome to the absurd and contradictory world of the United Nations!"
Thus, Kyslytsia noted, the followers of Goebbels, the Minister of "Public Education and Propaganda" and his henchmen from the Reich Chamber of Culture "continue to scandalously preside over the UNESCO World Heritage Committee!".