The unit that investigated alleged war crimes in Ukraine has ceased to function independently within the State Department. This was stated by Michael Rigas, the first assistant secretary of state for management and resources.
“I think that this unit is being merged with another structure. The work of this unit will be carried out by the regional bureau and the staff of the foreign mission“, he said at a hearing before the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. Rigas did not specify which specific structures of the State Department will be involved in this. The press service of the Foreign Policy Department has not yet provided details about these changes.
Rigas was asked by Congressman Bill Keating why the entire group of employees that investigated war crimes in Ukraine was fired from the State Department. After hearing the explanation, Keating said that the wording used by the first deputy secretary of state actually meant the dismissal of employees and the elimination of the aforementioned department.
As Reuters reported on June 26, the White House recommended that the State Department stop funding for programs seeking evidence of alleged war crimes in Ukraine, as well as in some other countries. Citing sources and internal US government documents, the agency specified that the aforementioned recommendation was sent by the White House Office of Management and Budget. The recommendation concerns programs implemented in Ukraine and Sri Lanka, as well as in Gambia, Iraq, Myanmar, Nepal and Syria.