Council of Europe Congress unanimously adopts declaration in support of Ukraine

The declaration was adopted as a final document following the debate on the situation in Ukraine at the 42nd session of the Congress in Strasbourg, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The final version of the document was presented by President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe Leendert Verbeek, who stressed that all Congress members should unanimously condemn the war waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

The declaration contains six main appeals and ideas.

The declaration condemns in the strongest terms the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, which constitutes a blatant breach of international law.

The Congress calls on the Russian Federation to cease its war in Ukraine, withdraw its troops, ensure humanitarian corridors, and stop human rights violations.

The Congress deplores the loss of life, human suffering and destruction caused by the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine.

The Congress expresses its unwavering commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

The Congress stresses that democracy, multilevel governance and human rights are stronger than war.

The Congress calls on all local and regional communities of Europe, and beyond, to stay united and determined in their solidarity and support for the Ukrainian nation, its people and its authorities.

“With this declaration, we show the aggressor that we are united and that its actions are condemned by the international community. And our voices will merge with other voices in this international global condemnation. With this document, democratically elected representatives of hundreds of thousands of local regional authorities in Europe are speaking out and supporting Ukraine, condemning this war and calling for peace,” Verbeek said.

According to him, the voice of Congress is important because local and municipal authorities are at the forefront of this struggle, including by accepting refugees, and the world sees the role they play.

“We show Ukrainian citizens and our Ukrainian friends, colleagues and counterparts – the mayors and regional governors – that we will do everything in our power to support them,” the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe added.

Earlier, Minister of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine Oleksiy Chernyshov appealed to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe to help Ukraine defend itself from Russian aggression and win the war with Russia.

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