"An act of genocide": The Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on Putin’s decree on the expulsion of Ukrainians

"An act of genocide": The Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on Putin’s decree on the expulsion of Ukrainians

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considers the decree by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on the forced expulsion of Ukrainian citizens from the occupied territories and the territory of the Russian Federation as null and void. The ministry indicated that this step is part of a deliberate Russian policy of genocide, discrimination, persecution, and displacement of Ukrainians.

This was stated by the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Heorhiy Tykhyi at a briefing on Friday, March 21. He emphasized that this document contradicts international law and undermines any peace initiatives.

"We consider this an act of no force. It is another step in the Russian campaign of discrimination, persecution, and forced displacement of Ukrainian citizens from their homeland or forcing them to acquire the status of foreigners," he stressed.

The ministry reminded that the deportation of Ukrainians is a continuation of the Kremlin’s historical policy aimed at destroying national identity. Russia does not adhere to its international obligations, repeating repressive practices from Soviet times.

"We know that the Kremlin has historically used mass deportations as a means to destroy the national identity of various peoples, including Ukrainians. In regard to Ukrainians, this policy was applied especially intensively, and all the crimes of the Soviet regime during the twentieth century demonstrated this exact approach. Today, Russia consciously continues these repressive practices and violates its international obligations," Tykhyi noted.

He added that with such actions, the Russian authorities demonstrate their true intentions, which are not aimed at peace but at further destruction of Ukrainian statehood and the persecution of Ukrainians. Moreover, Putin’s decree contradicts Russia’s statements about readiness for peaceful resolution and undermines any initiatives to establish peace, including efforts by the USA.

According to the Foreign Ministry spokesman, "these systematic deportations and persecutions are part of the Russian policy of genocide against the Ukrainian people."

With such actions, Russia continues to violate the fundamental norms of international law. Tykhyi emphasized that with the decree, it violates at least three international legal documents:

• The Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, which contains Article 49, explicitly prohibiting the deportation or transfer of civilian population from occupied territory, and Article 147, which defines forcible transfer of civilian population as a grave war crime.

• The Convention respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land, known as the Hague Convention of 1907. Article 46 guarantees respect for nationality and the rights of persons in occupied territories, while Article 50 prohibits collective punishment and coercive treatment of the civilian population.
• The UN General Assembly Resolution of 2022, which requires Russia to stop violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including through the forcible deportation of the population.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already appealed to international partners to strongly condemn this act and introduce new sanctions against those involved. The department insists on increasing pressure on Russia due to its systematic violations of international law.

It should be recalled that on March 20, it became known about another Russian decree, which provides for the forced expulsion of citizens of Ukraine who are on temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and on the territory of the Russian Federation without so-called "legal grounds." They are required to leave these territories by September 10 or "settle their legal status." Thus, the dictator resorts to the forced passportization of Ukrainian citizens who find themselves in occupation.