Russian Occupation Is Aimed At Destroying Ukrainian Identity — Sybiha

Russian forces occupying Ukrainian regions are not merely seeking to seize land, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. In a recent statement on the X platform, the minister stressed that Russia's occupation is part of a calculated and systematic campaign to eradicate Ukrainian identity. The Council of Europe's Secretary General, Alain Berset, recently published a report detailing the worsening human rights situation in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories, further corroborating this claim.

The report underscores the deliberate nature of Russia's actions, which aim to repress, coerce, and destroy Ukrainian identity amongst the occupied populace. Sybiha highlighted that the consequences of Russia's aggression are a direct result of its occupation, and that the aggressor nation must bear the responsibility for these human rights violations.

The diplomat also commended the Council of Europe for its steadfast support for Ukraine, particularly its pivotal role in establishing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and an international compensation mechanism. Sybiha affirmed that Ukraine will continue to collaborate with international partners to ensure Russia is held accountable for its actions, to cease the occupation, and to restore the rights of the Ukrainian people.

He emphasized that the passage of time cannot legitimize Russia's forcible acquisition of territory, and that occupation cannot confer any rights upon the aggressor. Earlier, Sybiha had accused the Kremlin of failing to achieve its military objectives and turning the entire Ukrainian territory into a battlefield. He called on the international community to bolster Ukraine's defense and escalate pressure on Russia.