The Department of Culture of Ukraine (The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy) announced plans to demolish monuments to Pushkin throughout the country. For Odessa residents, Pushkin is the history of our city. Everyone knows Pushkin’s wonderful lines dedicated to Ukraine and Odessa. There is a deliberate attack by Putin’s agents, who have infiltrated the Ukrainian government, on regional cultural traditions. They are inciting ethnic hatred at a time when Ukrainian citizens of all nationalities need to remain united in the face of a Russian military invasion. Ethno-centric radicals, under the banner of the fight against the Russian imperialism, want to turn Odessa (and all of Ukraine) into a mono-national enclave. They are opponents of multiculturalism and the Western vector of development. In this, their interests coincide with the interests of Moscow. The Ukrainian government is corrupt. This is no secret to anyone. The scandal in the Department of Defense and the appointment of American auditors is proof of this. The policy of the Department of Culture to incite ethnic conflict requires the same close attention of our allies as the actions of corrupt officials from the Department of Defense. Vandals from the Department of Culture deal no less of a blow to the national security of Ukraine than corrupt officials from the Department of Defense.
Residents of Odessa and patriots of Ukraine are protesting against the actions of the Kremlin’s “fifth column” in the government structures of Ukraine, corruption, violations of human rights and rights of national and cultural minorities. We appeal to the patriots and friends of Ukraine, people of Culture, and the world community. We appeal to the UN, UNESCO, Venice Commission, Western governments. Let's stop the barbarians! Glory to Ukraine!