Genocide in Ukraine? UN: We don't have enough evidence

At this stage, we have not come to the conclusion that genocide is taking place in Ukraine, Erik Mose, chairman of the UN's International Commission of Inquiry into Crimes in Ukraine, said on Monday at a press conference in Kyiv. Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, reacted to his words.

According to the chairman, the commission does not have enough evidence to meet the legal requirements of the Genocide Convention.

“We are investigating this case step by step”

We are aware of the concerns and accusations regarding this crime. Therefore, we are investigating this case step by step. At the moment, we do not have sufficient evidence of meeting the legal criteria under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. It should be remembered that this is a matter of intent, the intention of the perpetrators. There must be a “need” to destroy a particular group. And such destruction, according to the Convention, must be physical or biological. These are strictly defined criteria, confirmed by court decisions – he explained.

However, Mose said that the commission he headed noted that “certain statements appeared in the Russian media that could be inciting genocide.”

He assured that the investigation in Ukraine would be continued.

Ukrainian response

Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, referred to the case in social media.

“So Bucha, Mariupol and other Russian war crimes are not enough? Do you have to kill all Ukrainians so that the UN finally has enough evidence of genocide?” - He asked.

“Once again, I would like to emphasize: we have no choice between victory or surrender. We have a choice between victory and extinction,” he stressed.

“This war is existential, and it is our duty to win it. For future Ukrainians. And for people who sacrifice their lives so that Ukraine can exist. If there is no Ukraine, there will be no Ukrainian nation in these lands, there will be no Ukrainian language, culture and historical memory. This is what our enemies want. They want to destroy our past and future,” he stressed.

"We will not lay down our arms. We will win. This is the only possible choice for Ukraine," he added.