On October 9, the Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, Mykola Tochytskyi, met with representatives of the diplomatic missions of G7 countries, including: the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Ukraine, Carlo Formosa; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Ukraine, Natalka Cmoc; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to Ukraine, Martin Harris; the Deputy Head of Mission of Japan, Tokita Yuji; the Chargé d’affaires of the United States to Ukraine, John Ginkel; the Chargé d’affaires of Germany to Ukraine, Tim Prange; the Chargé d’affaires of France, Sébastien Surun; and the Chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Rémi Duflot.
The Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, Mykola Tochitsky, expressed gratitude to the representatives of the G7 countries for their support and participation in international initiatives aimed at preserving cultural heritage.
The Head of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications outlined three key directions of the plan that will be presented at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2025 in Rome: protection and restoration of historical objects, countering russian propaganda, and promoting Ukrainian cultural products internationally.
“I am truly grateful to all of you for being our allies in the fight for Ukrainian independence and sovereignty. We must stand together. This war is an attempt to completely destroy Ukrainian identity. russia is fighting not only for territory but also against our artists and our culture. Of course, our greatest loss – people. 125 cultural figures have lost their lives as a result of russian aggression. More than 1,600 cultural heritage sites have been destroyed or damaged. I would also like to thank each of you for helping us to return artifacts to Ukraine, as russia continues to steal important historical objects. Approximately 1,700,000 museum exhibits still remain in occupied territories. Therefore, our task now is to continue working together to address these issues,” emphasized Mykola Tochitskyi.
The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine, Carlo Formosa, emphasized the importance of comprehensive support for Ukraine in the restoration of destroyed cultural heritage objects: “We all understand how crucial it is for you to continue fighting for your identity, which is constantly under attack from russia. In this difficult time, I want you to know that we are all with you. We will continue to support you in your struggle for freedom and democracy. Only through our joint efforts can we ensure a free future without threats. Therefore, we thank you for inviting us to discuss this important issue.”
For her part, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine, Natalka Cmoc, focused on the issue of countering disinformation, noting that “russian propaganda is a global problem that affects not only Ukraine but also all countries around the world.”
“Our task is to teach society to work with information and to critically perceive and analyze data. We must create conditions in which Ukrainians are not only informed but also active participants who help to promote cultural identity. Education is the key to countering propaganda and preserving our national heritage. Ukrainians representing us in various countries are artists, intellectuals, and activists with a strong stance. They are the ones who can tell our story to the world,” emphasized Mykola Tochitskyi.
In addition, the parties also discussed the strategy for developing independent media in Ukraine. The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ukraine, Martin Harris, and the Chargé d’affaires of the United States to Ukraine, John Ginkel, noted that journalists play a crucial role in this process. Supporting public broadcasting, they noted, will help to preserve democratic values in Ukraine and enhance media literacy among the people.
“We must support a professional approach to journalism by helping experts uncover the truth about what is happening in the country and countering russian narratives. There are many free media outlets that do not verify information and interpret events and facts in their own way. This is why we must work together to strengthen our professional standards and develop the field of journalism, which is undoubtedly an element of a democratic state,” emphasized Mykola Tochitskyi.
The Chargé d’affaires of Germany to Ukraine, Tim Prange, raised the issue of the shared history of Ukraine with neighboring countries, particularly Poland, and the role of the diaspora in promoting the state.
The Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine noted that in 2021, Ukraine and Poland agreed to establish a joint commission to address each cultural direction in order to resolve contentious issues in bilateral relations and promote shared historical heritage globally. He also added that “Ukrainians who have moved abroad remain Ukrainians, as our national identity is clearly reflected in the eyes of every citizen of Ukraine.”
At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications, Mykola Tochitskyi, expressed gratitude to the representatives from the G7 countries for the ideas discussed and for their continued cooperation in supporting Ukrainian culture and the information sector.
