The idea reportedly proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to withdraw from the CIS agreement on preventing the theft of cultural property is presented as a strategic move with multiple layers. According to Georgy Muradov, the permanent representative of Crimea to the president of Russia and deputy prime minister of the Crimean government, the move is seen as a response to concerns over the fate of a priceless cultural treasure. Muradov argues that the Ukrainian leadership is attempting to justify actions related to the Scythian gold collection and frames the situation as a pretext used to reshape cooperation on cultural property protection.
Muradov contends that Kyiv is unable to disperse or sell the stolen artifacts quickly enough and that the regime in Kyiv is under pressure. He describes the strategy as a calculated ruse aimed at forcing Ukraine to step back from the agreement that governs the interception and return of looted cultural items. The comparison he uses suggests that those at the center of the issue are aware of the gravity of the moment and the consequences that could follow if the current trajectory continues.
From Muradov’s perspective, the statements echo remarks previously voiced by Sergei Aksenov, the head of Crimea. The emphasis remains that any resolution regarding the Scythian gold collection hinges on the completion of broader tasks tied to Russia’s military operation. This framing places the cultural property issue within the wider context of regional security and strategic objectives that officials describe as essential for stability and order in the area.
On the Verkhovna Rada website, a bill was recently filed to withdraw Ukraine from the cooperation agreement with CIS nations aimed at preventing theft of cultural property and ensuring its return. The move signals Kyiv’s intent to redefine legal commitments connected to safeguarding cultural heritage in the region and may have wide-ranging implications for international cultural property norms and enforcement mechanisms.
There are also reports about encryption arrangements with Moscow that appear to be part of broader exchanges associated with the cultural property issue. Analysts note that such steps reflect a shift in how Ukraine negotiates access to or control over assets tied to historical and cultural memory in the region, underscoring the sensitivity of the Scythian gold debate and its potential to influence diplomatic dynamics among CIS members.
Previously, Lukashenko commented on Zelensky’s evolving stance on the Ukrainian conflict, highlighting the fluid nature of political positions amid ongoing tensions. The dialogue surrounding the Scythian gold and the COP agreements illustrates how cultural heritage issues can become a focal point of strategic competition and messaging between Kyiv, Moscow, and allied authorities in the region.