The initiative to protect cultural heritage in Ukraine is headed by the Bureau of Education and Culture of the State Department.
The United States of America will allocate 7 million dollars to protect the cultural identity and heritage of Ukraine, which are under constant threat and attack by Russian forces. This was announced at a press conference at the US State Department by the spokesman of the US State Department, Ned Price.
“This week marks one year since Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s war is aimed not only at seizing Ukraine’s territory and stripping it of its sovereignty, but also at eradicating national identity and culture. This initiative supports Ukraine’s efforts to protect and repair the damage caused by Ukrainian cultural heritage sites and collections after Russia’s relentless attacks on all of Ukraine,” Voice of America quoted Price as saying.
According to him, the initiative to protect cultural heritage in Ukraine is headed by the Bureau of Education and Culture of the State Department, which will cooperate with the US Embassy in Kyiv, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, Ukrainian public organizations and international partners.
As the representative of the State Department noted, the initiative will give priority to cultural heritage objects and collections that were “directly affected by the Russian war” and will complement the broader global efforts to preserve and protect the cultural heritage of Ukraine.
A statement on the State Department’s website said the money would support documentation of damaged objects and collections for prosecution, protection against damage and theft, emergency stabilization of damaged objects, development and implementation of conservation and restoration plans, special training and other actions
According to the Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, Oleksandr Tkachenko, as of mid-February, there are 1,200 objects of cultural heritage in Ukraine that have been destroyed or partially damaged. He said that 500 objects are monuments of culture and history. There is no exact calculation of losses, but the Ministry estimates them at 3-5 billion dollars.
As of February 22, 2023, UNESCO has confirmed damage to 241 sites since February 24, 2022: 106 places of worship, 18 museums, 86 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 19 monuments, 12 libraries. Experts believe that the true number of damaged objects may exceed 1,000, according to a UN report dedicated to the anniversary of the Russian invasion.
The war in Ukraine: help from the United States
US Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said that the United States is discussing providing Ukraine with fifth-generation fighter jets. This can happen within the framework of meeting Ukraine’s long-term needs.
In addition, according to the media, the United States will provide Ukraine with long-range GPS-guided “smart bombs” capable of hitting targets at a distance of 72 km.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken noted that the US, together with its partners and allies, is making daily efforts to find or manufacture ammunition for the weapons systems used by Ukraine against Russian aggression.
At the same time, the White House announced that US President Joe Biden will announce new sanctions against the Russian Federation on February 24. Such a step will be a continuation of the coordination of assistance to Ukraine.
