The European Union and the United Kingdom have announced increased support for Ukraine’s cultural heritage amid Russia’s full-scale war. The respective statements were made on 24 March by European Commissioner for Intergenerational Equality, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef and British Minister for Creative Industries, Media and the Arts Ian Murray.
The European Commission emphasised that support for Ukraine remains unchanged and that Russia’s war is not only directed against territory but also against the country’s identity.
“This war is not only fought on the battlefield. It is also directed against the soul of a nation, against its culture, memory and identity,” Micallef said.
He said that since the start of the full-scale invasion, the EU has already mobilised more than 50 million euros to support Ukraine’s cultural and creative sectors, as well as the preservation of cultural heritage.
In addition, the European Commission announced additional funding – another 250 thousand euros.
“This funding will help Ukraine to strengthen its disaster and crisis risk management capacity. It will support emergency response measures and ensure the protection of cultural objects, archives and works of art even in the most difficult conditions,” the European Commissioner said.
For its part, the UK announced a significant increase in its contribution to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund.
“The UK is more than doubling its contribution to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund. I am particularly pleased that the European Commission will make the same contribution as part of its Team Europe initiative,” Murray said.
The new funds are expected to be used to protect, restore and rehabilitate Ukraine’s cultural heritage – from preserving historical sites and museum collections to digitalisation, skills development and training for cultural professionals.
Murray also emphasised that this support is part of a wider partnership between Ukraine and the UK, particularly as part of the Centenary Co-operation Agreement.
“Together we are sending a clear message: culture matters. Heritage matters. And attempts to erase identity, history and creativity will not succeed,” the British minister emphasised.
According to the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, as of 24 February 2026, Russian strikes have destroyed and damaged 1,685 cultural heritage monuments and 2,483 objects of cultural infrastructure, of which 507 were completely destroyed.