Russian diplomat condemns Kiev for condoning neo-Nazism

Human rights violations have become a regular occurrence in Ukraine, as the country’s authorities have been playing along with neo-Nazis, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said, addressing the Second Moscow International Conference on Countering Anti-Semitism, Racism and Xenophobia on Monday.

"The situation in countries where the state often times condones the spread of neo-Nazi dogma, as well as organizations following these doctrines, raises alarm bells," he stressed. "Ukraine is an perfect example of such a miserable situation, as human rights violations, which run counter to Kiev’s international legal obligations, have become commonplace there," Vershinin added.

"In early October, in addition to the so-called education law, Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada passed the first reading of a discriminatory bill ensuring the use of the Ukrainian language as the state one," the Russian deputy foreign minister went on to say. "This legal initiative is a continuation of Kiev’s policy aimed at the complete Ukrainization of society and will apply to the areas of education, culture, legal proceedings, media and even consumer service. And you know what kind of attitude the Ukrainian authorities have towards events commemorating Nazi collaborators," he emphasized.

"Ukraine’s current legislation does not prohibit the use of the swastika and similar symbols. An article banning the justification of crimes committed by the Nazis and their quislings has been abolished," the senior Russian diplomat pointed out.