CoE calls for immediate de-escalation around Ukraine

That’s according to a joint statement of the leadership of the Council of Europe on Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

The Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chair of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, Luigi Di Maio, the President of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, have all expressed extreme concern over the latest developments

"We are dismayed by the prospect of a major conflict on our continent between our member States. We reaffirm our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders," the statement said.

The leadership of the Council of Europe called on concerned Member States to “redouble their efforts to avoid further aggravation of the situation and possible armed conflict."

They also called for "the immediate de-escalation of rhetoric and actions and the pursuit of dialogue".

"This dialogue must be based on and respect the principles enshrined in the Statute of the Council of Europe, and in the European Convention on Human Rights which all Council of Europe member States are obliged to respect, uphold and implement,” the statement concluded.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, 119,000 Russian servicemen have been deployed near the borders of Ukraine in the Russian Federation and Belarus, as well as in the temporarily occupied areas. Together with the aerial and maritime components, their number amounts to 140,000.

Ukraine and Russia are both member states of the Council of Europe.

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