Russia faced sharp criticism at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday when Poland’s foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, compared the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine to the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany. In a passionate speech, Sikorski condemned Moscow’s invasion and highlighted the forced abduction of Ukrainian children, calling it a war crime and “Russia’s shame.”
Sikorski’s remarks come as concerns grow about Russia’s ongoing justification for its invasion. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly claimed that the war is an effort to “denazify” Ukraine, accusing the country of being run by neo-Nazis. However, Sikorski rejected this narrative, stating that Russia’s actions more closely resemble the crimes of Nazi Germany.
During his speech, Sikorski highlighted the plight of thousands of Ukrainian children who have been taken to Russia. “Ukrainian children are not just targeted with bombs,” he said. “Thousands have been kidnapped and taken into Russia, where they are brainwashed and stripped of their national identity.”
The Polish minister explained how Russia falsely claims these children are orphans. In reality, many were separated from their parents, either accidentally during attacks or deliberately by Russian forces. He further explained that these children are being given Russian citizenship and placed with Russian families.
“This is not accidental,” Sikorski added. “It was planned before the war and is being ruthlessly carried out.”
Sikorski also reminded the assembly that the United Nations has called these actions war crimes. He pointed out that there is an international arrest warrant for Putin related to the abduction of Ukrainian children. He then compared Russia’s actions to those of Nazi Germany during World War II, when thousands of Polish children were forcibly relocated to be “Germanised.”
“How is what you are doing to Ukrainian children any different from what the Nazis did to your children and ours?” he asked, addressing the Russian delegation. He also demanded that Russia return the remaining kidnapped children to Ukraine.
Sikorski’s speech took an even sharper tone when he referred to a historic moment. He displayed a photograph of a Soviet-Nazi military parade in Poland after the two countries invaded in 1939. The Soviet Union did not turn against Nazi Germany until 1941. This visual reminder of Soviet collaboration with the Nazis helped to drive home Sikorski’s message.
“This is Russia’s shame,” he said in closing. “It will not be forgiven or forgotten.”
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