The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the adoption of the Declaration "The Destruction of Cultural Heritage in Ukraine" by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

The Congress once again strongly condemned the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine and the destruction of Ukraine's cultural heritage.

The document states that over 1,169 cultural heritage sites including the historic centers of Lviv and Odesa have been destroyed or damaged as a result of deliberate Russian actions.

The Congress emphasized that these attacks on cultural heritage may be viewed as an attempt to destroy Ukrainian identity, which falls under the definition of genocidal policy.

The Declaration, among other things, calls for reparations for the damage done to Ukraine's cultural heritage and demands that the Russian Federation acknowledge its responsibility for these unlawful actions.

The document also highlights that the ratification of the Faro and Nicosia Conventions by Council of Europe member states will contribute to strengthening the protection of cultural heritage and countering the illegal trafficking of cultural assets.

The Declaration underscores the importance of enhancing international cooperation and supporting Ukraine's local and regional authorities in the restoration and reconstruction of damaged cultural sites.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe believes that the destruction of cultural heritage is part of Russia's broader aggressive policy, which includes violations of international humanitarian law and systematic breaches of human rights.