The United States has announced new initiatives to support the protection of Ukrainian cultural heritage. This announcement was made by Acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Lee Satterfield during the United Nations General Assembly.
Satterfield revealed two projects funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Ukraine Cultural Heritage Response Initiative. The first project, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania’s Cultural Heritage Center, aims to equip Ukrainians with data and skills necessary for repairing and restoring damaged cultural heritage. It also seeks to counter false narratives about Russia's actions and highlight Ukraine's unique cultural identity.
The second project involves cooperation between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, prosecutors from the U.S. Department of Justice, and Ukraine’s Prosecutor General. This initiative is designed to enhance Ukraine's ability to investigate, prosecute, and trace looted, stolen, and trafficked cultural property from Ukraine.
Satterfield emphasized the significance of emergency import restrictions imposed on September 10 on certain categories of Ukrainian cultural property into the United States. These restrictions will be in effect until March 2029 and aim to prevent illicit removal and sale of Ukrainian cultural heritage while facilitating its rightful return.
Additionally, ahead of the G7 Culture Ministerial in Naples, Italy, Satterfield announced a $1 million contribution to the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). This funding is intended for a project aimed at safeguarding Ukrainian cultural heritage at risk from conflict and other crises.
