This war is genocidal in its essence. Russia seeks to destroy Ukraine as a state and Ukrainians as a national group. 

In the course of this war, at least 20.000 Ukrainian children were forcibly transferred and adopted by Russian families in order to be raised as Russians. 

People in Russia-occupied territories face systematic oppression and murder simply because they identify as Ukrainians. 

Constant and relentless Russian bombing of civilian infrastructure throughout Ukraine in an effort to create unbearable living conditions.  

Systemic torture and murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as well as other grave violations of international humanitarian law. 

Last but not least, decades-long Russian state propaganda, inciting genocidal hatred against Ukrainians. 

In fact, all of these Russian crimes and policies are covered by the articles of the Genocide Convention. Such actions should come as no surprise to anyone who knows even the most basic facts about Ukrainian history.  Hundreds of years of oppression by Moscow. 

134 attempts to ban the Ukrainian language, as well as deliberate policies to erase Ukrainian culture and identity. 

Stalin’s genocide by hunger in the 1930s. The entire Ukrainian elite, including artists, intellectuals, and activists, eliminated by the Kremlin. The list can go on. 

This context is important to understand why people in Kherson and other liberated areas greeted Ukrainian soldiers with such a relief when Ukraine reclaimed control in 2022. 

This is why, today, Ukraine wants peace more than anyone else in the world. 

And works together with our American and European partners to achieve it. For us, such peace must be a guarantee of our state and national survival, as well as long-term security for our people. 

We are well aware of what Moscow intends to do to our people if there is insufficient strength, security, or protection. We will not allow this to happen.