Russia to Continue Repressive Policy Towards Ukrainian Communities

The Russian Federation is continuing the repressive policy against Ukrainian NGOs in the Russian Federation. In particular, it plans to close the “Siberian Center of Ukrainian Culture “Gray Wedge.'” The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba announced this.

According to the Minister, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry learned that a court hearing on the Omsk regional Ukrainian public organisation “Gray Wedge” disestablishment is scheduled for 28 August in Omsk.

Kuleba stressed that the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine protests against such actions and demands Russia to adhere to international law. He also noted that Ukraine monitors all the Russian Federation’s illegal actions precisely and will make efforts to ensure that Ukrainians retain the right to develop their traditions, language, culture and identity.

In addition, the Minister recalled that the Federal National Cultural Autonomy of Ukrainians in Russia was closed in 2010, the Association of Ukrainians in Russia in 2012, and the Library of Ukrainian Literature in Moscow in 2017. In 2019, the General Prosecutor’s Office recognised the World Congress of Ukrainians as an undesirable organisation in Russian territory.

According to Serhiy Vynnyk, the World Congress of Ukrainians in Russia and Central Asia’s regional vice-president, the reasons for the Siberian Center for Ukrainian Culture “Gray Wedge” disestablishment are not officially reported. But, in such cases, far-fetched causes are used.

Bohdan Marusyak