Council of Europe plays “leading role” in bringing Russian aggressor to justice - PM Shmyhal

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Council of Europe has been a leader in immediately condemning the brutal and unprovoked Russian aggression, and continues to play a leading role in holding the aggressor state accountable as the latter must also compensate for all the damage caused to Ukraine.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal of Ukraine said this today during a speech at the Council of Europe summit in Reykjavik, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"For years, the Council of Europe has played a crucial role in promoting democracy, upholding human rights, and ensuring the rule of law in Europe. Today, Europe faces an extraordinary challenge in the face of the Russian Federation’s full-scale, protracted, and brutal aggression against Ukraine. This aggression is affront to all the principles for which the Council of Europe stands and which were the foundation of the European multilateral security architecture. Our common response must be resolute. The aggressor must not be allowed to prevail. Ukraine must restore its sovereignty over its entire territory," Denys Shmyhal stressed.

He noted that the Council of Europe had already taken a number of decisive measures to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine. The Council of Europe was the first international organization that advocated the establishment of a broad international compensation mechanism, as well as the creation of a special international tribunal to condemn Russian crimes. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe was the first international body that called on the member states of the Council of Europe to recognize the Russian regime as terrorist.

Noting that Ukraine is grateful for such leadership, Shmyhal added that the Council of Europe should maintain and strengthen its leadership role in the future, setting a good example for other international organizations. “The fourth summit should have the ambition to set a forward-looking agenda for the Council of Europe.”

Ukraine expects that the CoE will continue to take a strong position on the issue of Russian aggression against Ukraine, according the government chief.

He noted that the creation of an international register of damage inflicted on Ukraine by Russian invaders is the first step toward holding the aggressor accountable.

"Today's decision to establish this register is, without a doubt, historic. After that, we should prepare the necessary legal framework for the confiscation of Russian assets and establishment of a compensation fund. So comprehensive approach includes the creation of an international tribunal, and this should include all the rest needed issues that we discussed during round tables," said Prime Minister of Ukraine.

He thanked the Government of Iceland for organizing the CoE summit.

"Let us work together to build peace and justice in Europe, let us work together to build a better future for all Europeans. This is not only our responsibility but also our shared opportunity to shape a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous continent," added Denys Shmyhal.

As reported earlier, today the Council of Europe summit continues in Reykjavík, where the participants discuss the most critical global challenges and issues of international relations, including the implications of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and the search for ways toward a just peace.