International humanitarian law prohibits the forced displacement of civilians and the destruction of cultural identity. When the Russian Federation deliberately dismantles the language, traditions, and freedoms of Ukrainians, it falls under the definition of genocide according to the UN Convention. The international community must act — consistently and without delay — to stop forced assimilation and prevent the ethnic cleansing of Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories.
This was stated in a comment to Guildhall by German Member of the European Parliament Lukas Sieper.
«No one who believes in the rule of law and the dignity of every human being can remain silent in the face of what is happening in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. With Presidential Decree No. 159 from 20 March 2025, the Russian Federation is forcing Ukrainian civilians to take Russian citizenship. Those who refuse are threatened with displacement from their homes, property confiscation, denial of healthcare, and exclusion from basic services. These are not measures of order. They are tools of forced assimilation and repression. This is not only morally wrong. It violates international law. Humanitarian law forbids the forced displacement of civilians and the destruction of cultural identity. When a state systematically targets a people’s language, traditions, and freedoms of a group and its children, it may amount to genocide under the UN Genocide Convention. These are also signs of ethnic cleansing, incompatible with a rules-based international order», — the politician stated.
«In my work, I am committed to supporting Ukraine and to helping bring back the abducted Ukrainian children. These unlawful acts are the result of the impunity Russia has gotten away with for decades. And if the international community tolerates this again, we risk seeing it spreading further. Let us not be silent. At the Party of Progress, we believe that defending human rights, democracy, and international law is not optional—it is our responsibility. The international community must act — consistently and without delay to stop forced assimilation and prevent ethnic cleansing, restoring justice before it is too late», — the MEP concluded.
Earlier, Bundestag member from the CDU/CSU party, Roderich Kiesewetter, also accused Russia of committing genocide against Ukrainians in the occupied territories. In his view, Russia’s actions in these areas are genocidal in nature. Forced assimilation and ethnic cleansing are taking place there. The occupying authorities are coercing the Ukrainian population into Russification under threats of deportation, torture, and death. Ukrainian culture, nationality, and identity are being systematically destroyed. Therefore, the liberation of the occupied territories must remain an absolute priority for the international community.
Member of the European Parliament from Poland, Piotr Müller (Conservatives and Reformists Group), called on the West to increase pressure on the Russian Federation over the ongoing genocide of Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories. In his opinion, the actions of the Russian Federation in the occupied territories of Ukraine meet the legal definition of ethnic cleansing and must be classified as acts of genocide. Only a firm and unambiguous stance by the international community, backed by decisive action, can stop the escalation of Russian crimes and ensure justice for the victims. Another effective step, he added, would be to tighten sanctions against those responsible for deportations, the policy of Russification, and the destruction of Ukrainian identity.
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