On April 9, Andrii Nadzhos, Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine for European Integration, and Anastasia Bondar, Deputy Minister for Digital Development, Digital Transformations, and Digitalization, held a meeting with Stefan Rüssel, the Commissioner for Culture at the German Federal Foreign Office.
The discussion focused on the challenges of protecting Ukraine’s cultural heritage and potential ways to collaborate through international cultural initiatives.
Stefan Rüssel highlighted the importance of the First International Conference “Cooperation for Resilience” in Uzhhorod, which helped gain global support for restoring Ukraine’s cultural sector. He also emphasized the need to continue developing cultural initiatives internationally, especially at upcoming conferences in Kyiv, Rome, and Warsaw.
Anastasia Bondar discussed the severe losses faced by Ukrainian museums due to russian aggression and stressed the importance of international cooperation in protecting cultural heritage and fighting the illegal trafficking of cultural assets. She also highlighted the MCSC’s efforts to make culture a priority in national security and its role in Ukraine’s recovery.
Andrii Nadzhos expressed gratitude to Germany for its strong support of Ukraine and emphasized the need for broader sanctions against those illicit trafficking of Ukrainian cultural property.
“Culture should rise above politics, but during times of aggression, it often becomes a tool for propaganda. Ukraine is committed to working together to protect its heritage, including through sanctions”, he said.
The Deputy Minister also invited the German delegation to join the Kyiv StratCom Forum 2025, set for the end of April. The Forum will play an important role in boosting Ukraine’s global informational support.
The meeting also addressed the urgent issue of funding for Ukrainian media after the halt in support from USAID. Ukrainian representatives shared their ongoing efforts and thanked the EU for its continued support of independent media.
