US rejects Kremlin’s attempts to deny Ukrainian and Belarusian sovereignty and cultural identity

US Ambassador to the OSCE Michael Carpenter told the OSCE Permanent Council on Thursday that Russia’s actions in Ukraine are aimed at “destroying the sovereignty of an entire independent country”.“The United States categorically rejects Russia’s attempts to deny (the existence of) a distinct Ukrainian culture, history and state (Ukraine). … We also strongly support the sovereignty and independence of Belarus, which has a proud history and a rich culture of its own,” Carpenter said.The ambassador recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘s statements that “modern Ukraine was created entirely by Russia” are used by the Kremlin to justify the atrocities committed by Russian troops in Ukraine.”This way of thinking allows the Kremlin to deny any significance to the thousands of Ukrainian civilians, including children, who have been killed by Russian forces since the full invasion 11 months ago,” Carpenter said. “It is this state of mind that allows Moscow to try to justify the deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia. And this mindset drives Russian troops to act in the barbaric way we are witnessing in Ukraine, where there are over 60,000 reports of war crimes.Last week, Russia seized OSCE vehicles and transported them across the international border into Ukraine, Carpenter said. The ambassador said that these vehicles are the property of the OSCE and that Russia’s actions constitute another violation of the rules of this organization.”Given the constant lies – consistent in every word spoken in this advice – by Russia – and the various propaganda statements it has made, we are seeking additional information from other parties on this matter,” the statement said. US Ambassador to the OSCE.