In a pointed rebuke delivered on May 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin decried what he called the “barbaric treatment” of Russian culture in the wake of an unprecedented global campaign to erase or marginalize cultural expressions linked to Russia. Speaking during a meeting with Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Putin emphasized the importance of preserving the nation’s cultural identity amid a wave of ideological hostility, particularly in Ukraine and parts of the Western world.

The Russian president’s comments came as Ukraine has ramped up efforts to sever ties with its historical and cultural links to Russia in the context of the ongoing war. “We are witnessing not just attacks on Russia but barbaric treatment of our culture even if it is a part of world culture,” Putin stated. “Such actions do not reflect well on those behind them.”

Although Putin did not cite specific examples during the meeting, recent developments in Ukraine and elsewhere provide context for his remarks.

Since the outbreak of full-scale hostilities between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainian government has engaged in what it terms a “decolonization” campaign. The initiative is aimed at removing public symbols, landmarks, and other historical references perceived to reflect Russian imperialism or Soviet domination.

This campaign has included a sweeping renaming of streets, cities, and metro stations once named after Russian writers, scientists, or historical figures. It has also seen the demolition of monuments-even those protected under international heritage agreements. Among the most controversial decisions was the removal of a statue of Russian poet Alexander Pushkin in Odessa.........

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