UN commission says it does not yet have sufficient evidence to conclude genocide is taking place in Ukraine

The UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has so far not received enough evidence to conclude that genocide is taking place in Ukraine, chairman Erik Møse said at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday, according to RFE/RL’s Ukrainian service, Radio Svoboda.

“We are perfectly aware of the concerns and allegations concerning that crime. We are investigating this step by step. As of now, we do not have sufficient available evidence to meet the legal qualifications in the Genocide Convention,” Møse said, noting that investigators must establish intent before Russia’s actions in Ukraine can be classified as genocide.

The chairman said the UN will continue its investigation in Ukraine. “There have been certain statements in Russian media which could, perhaps, be relevant to the issue of incitement to genocide,” he said.

Møse cautioned against considering the current status of the commission’s genocide investigation separately from its other findings. “As you know, we found a large number of war crimes. [...] The question is whether they should be considered crimes against humanity. [...] And we have determined that there are indications that this may be a crime against humanity,” he said.