Kremlin Reacts to Transfer of Crimean Treasure to Kiev- Analysis

The Dutch Allard Pierson Museum has handed over a collection of Crimean gold jewelry and antiquities to Ukraine, despite objections from Russia. The collection, known as the Scythian gold collection, consists of hundreds of artifacts, including ceremonial helmets, gemstones, and ancient swords dating back to the 6th century BC to the 7th century AD.

The controversy surrounding the collection began in 2013 when four Crimean museums sent the artifacts to the Netherlands for display at the Allard Pierson Museum. After the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, both Ukraine and Crimea claimed ownership of the treasures and demanded their return. In 2016, a court in the Netherlands ruled that the collection should be handed over to Ukraine, a decision that Russia appealed. However, in June 2023, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands rejected the appeal.

On Monday, Ukraine’s customs service announced that a truck containing 2,694kg of Scythian gold had arrived at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, an Orthodox monastery in the capital, Kiev. The National Museum of the History of Ukraine will store the items until Crimea is “deoccupied.”

The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the Scythian gold belongs to Crimea and should be kept there. Sergey Aksenov, the head of the Crimean republic, expressed the belief that Crimea would regain the treasures only after achieving its military goals against Kiev. He also warned that the collection could end up in private collections, potentially risking the cultural heritage value of the artifacts.

In a similar incident, the Spanish police recently arrested five individuals attempting to sell 11 Greco-Scythian artifacts allegedly stolen from Ukraine in 2016. However, experts have raised doubts about the authenticity of these artworks, suggesting that they could have been created specifically for private collectors.

Overall, the article presents information about the ongoing controversy surrounding the Scythian gold collection. It includes statements from both sides – Ukraine and Russia – providing a balanced view of the situation. The inclusion of the incident in Spain adds additional context to the issue of stolen artifacts and their potential circulation in the art market. However, it is important to note that the article is sourced from RT, a Russian state-funded media outlet known for its pro-Kremlin bias. Therefore, readers should approach the information with caution and seek additional sources to form a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Source: RT news: Kremlin comments on Crimean treasure transfer to Kiev