““Russia must answer for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and all the atrocities that followed it, including the crime of genocide””, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
In his speech, he pointed to the historic task of the commission on freedom, human rights and international law, which “is especially important now.”
Sybiga pointed to the cooperation of Russia, Iran and North Korea, which undermines the international order and destabilizes Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region.
“All three regimes violate human rights on an industrial scale. This is what they want to impose on the world. They pretend that they are fighting against the USA and the West, but in fact the only thing that unites them is lawlessness,” the minister said.
According to Sibiga, in this context, the United States “cannot afford to look weak.” After all, any manifestation of weakness will be perceived by Russia and its allies as an invitation to directly harm American interests.
The diplomat also mentioned Moscow’s renewal of its nuclear doctrine, calling it “nothing more than blackmail,” and warned against half-measures regarding the war in Ukraine. He also called for responsibility for Russia for aggression.
“There can be no alternative for justice. Russia must answer for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and all the atrocities that followed it, including the crime of genocide. We call on the US Congress to pass legislation that recognizes Russia’s actions in Ukraine as genocide of the Ukrainian people,” he said.
According to the minister, there are sufficient legal grounds for such a decision. He mentioned, in particular, the deportation of at least 20,000 Ukrainian children, “propaganda of genocide” on Russian television, and murders with “the intent to destroy the national group of Ukrainians.”
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“Millions of Ukrainians are subjected to torture, repression and human rights violations in the occupied territories. This includes the persecution of minorities, religious leaders and communities. The largest Muslim community in Ukraine – the Crimean Tatars – were deprived of their homes for the second time in a century. This indigenous people has no other homeland except Crimea,” Sibiga added.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the idea of ”land in exchange for peace”, noting that such an exchange would leave millions of people under Russian occupation, where they would be tortured and oppressed:
“The Ukrainian people are paying the highest price for this war. But the price of appeasement will be even higher. That is why we need real peace, not peace at any price.”
Sybig visited Washington on November 19 – earlier the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that he would hold a series of meetings, as well as take part in “special hearings of the Helsinki Commission of the US Congress before 1,000 days of a full-scale Russian invasion.”