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Russian diplomat slams UNESCO’s decision on Odessa as politically motivated

According to Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCO Tatyana Dovgalenko, the goal was to blame Russia for destroying Ukraine’s historical heritage

MOSCOW, January 26. /TASS/. UNESCO’s decision to declare the historic city center of Odessa a World Heritage site was politically motivated, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCO Tatyana Dovgalenko said on Thursday.

"As for the reason behind this decision, it clearly was entirely politically motivated. Those who initiated the decision aren’t concerned about preserving Odessa, to say nothing of Kiev. It’s clear from their policy," she told the Rossiya-24 TV channel.

According to Dovgalenko, the goal was to blame Russia for destroying Ukraine’s historical heritage. "They only sought to accuse Russia, claiming that the goal of our special military operation is to, so to say, destroy Ukrainian identity rather than demilitarize and denazify [the country]," she added.

On Wednesday, the UNESCO press service announced its decision to include the historic center of Odessa on the World Heritage List. The organization noted that "under the terms of the World Heritage Convention, the 194 States Parties of the Convention commit not to undertake any deliberate step that may directly or indirectly damage the World Heritage site and to assist in its protection." In addition, the move to inscribe downtown Odessa on the List of World Heritage in Danger makes it possible for Kiev to request additional financial and technical assistance to ensure its preservation. The Ukrainian authorities filed an application for Odessa to be included on the list in October 2022 but the decision was made under a fast-track procedure.