On 29 May 2019 a round table discussion on theme: “Sightings of Crimea and current state of the cultural heritage of Ukraine” was organized by the civic organization “Crimean Center for Business and Cultural Cooperation” with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Fund in Kyiv. The discussion brought together the interlocutors from the Ministry of TOT and IDPs  of Ukraine and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Mission of the President of Ukraine AR of Crimea, the Prosecutor’s Office of AR of Crimea, and experts on archeology and cultural heritage.

The interlocutors highlighted irreparable damage of many archeological historical and cultural sites, caused by the Russian authorities due to their actions in the territory of AR of Crimea and Sevastopol City during the five years of occupation by illegal movement of the museum objects of Ukraine from Crimea to the territory of the RF.

The Head of the Department of International Connection of the Mission Yevhen Samukha mentioned the flagrant examples of turning the museum – reservation “Khersones Turian”, known as the UNESCO heritage into religious Russian Orthodox institution and the place of entertainment for the Kremlin’s higher authorities.

The efficiency of implementing the national and international sanctions against the violators and the possibility to bring the perpetrators to responsibility has been also discussed, including the need to join Ukraine to the Second Protocol of Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict to provide the work of Special UNESCO Mission, created for Crimea as soon as possible.