Russia’s war against Ukraine: Latest news
Congress assists Ukraine in updating its long-term vision for multilevel governance system
Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori outlined the unwavering support the Congress offers to Ukraine and priorities of co-operation for advancing Ukraine’s reform agenda at the International Cohesion Forum “Creating the Future”. One of the main such priorities of co-operation is the revision of...
Official visit to Paris by Secretary General: support for Ukraine and New Democratic Pact for Europe
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has concluded an official visit to Paris during which he discussed support for Ukraine, democratic security and the Council of Europe’s role on the European and international arena. In his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, the...
PACE calls for accountability and justice for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
“More than eleven years after its start, the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine continues to rage, causing endless damage and suffering to Ukraine and its people,” today reaffirmed PACE following an urgent debate. The Assembly warned...
Citing Russia, PACE urges resilience against ‘foreign interference’ aimed at undermining democracy in Europe
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has urged European countries to build resilience against “foreign interference” which aims to undermine democracy in Europe – calling for transparency in government and politics, stronger democratic institutions and an informed and...
Ukraine: Council of Europe Congress assesses local capacities to protect human rights during the war
The impact of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine on human rights delivery in Ukrainian communities was the focus of an assessment report prepared by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The report assessed the role and capacities of...
Launch of European Youth Capital in Lviv, Ukraine
On 5 April in Lviv, Ukraine, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge took part in the launching event of “Lviv, the European Youth Capital” together with thousands of youngsters and government representatives, the mayor of Lviv, international organisations and non-governmental...
'The outcome of the war of aggression against Ukraine is bound to shape the future of our continent', Parliamentary Assembly President says
“The outcome of the war of aggression against Ukraine is bound to shape the future of our continent. European democracies must continue to fully support Ukraine in its fight against the brutal and illegal aggression by the Russian Federation and strengthen this support as much as needed,” said...
Congress reaffirms its solidarity with the Ukrainian people and its commitment to a just and lasting peace
During its 48th session, the Congress held a debate on the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine, focusing on Ukraine’s decentralised recovery and reconstruction with a human-centred, inclusive, transparent and sustainable development approach. Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of...
Congress: Local and regional authorities will play a crucial role in decentralised recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe adopted on 25 March 2025 a Declaration on recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, presented by Martine Dieschburg-Nickels (Luxembourg, L, ILDG) and Gunn-Marit Helgesen (Norway, R, EPP/CCE). The Congress reaffirmed its...
Secretary General’s Special Envoy on the situation of children of Ukraine carried out her first visit to Ukraine
Following her nomination as Special Envoy of the Council of Europe Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine in February 2025, Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjord Gylfadóttir engaged in her first fact-finding mission to Ukraine on 19-20 March 2025. “I am committed to making every possible...
Special Tribunal for Ukraine: Secretary General welcomes completion of technical discussions
Commenting on the completion of the final meeting of the Core Group* on a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, Secretary General Alain Berset said: “I welcome the successful outcome of the Core Group’s meeting and the finalisation of the necessary technical legal...
Ukraine’s Speaker urges continued support: ‘We will never stop defending democracy’
Addressing the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, appealed for unwavering support in Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. “No matter how hard it gets, no matter what we face, we will never stop. We will not stop fighting...
Register of Damage for Ukraine announces the opening of new claim categories for involuntary internal displacement and violations of personal integrity
In a significant step toward justice and accountability, the Register of Damage for Ukraine (RD4U) has announced the opening of new claims categories for individuals who have suffered grave violations as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The announcement was made at a high-level...
Register of Damage for Ukraine Now Accepting Claims for Missing Immediate Family Members
As of today, individuals whose immediate family members have gone missing due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine can submit claims for compensation under Category A2.2 to the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (the Register). The launch...
Crimea: Russia must release Ukrainian political prisoners and respect human rights, says Committee of Ministers
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has urged the Russian authorities to immediately restore application of the Ukrainian law in Crimea, to cease all administrative practices found by the ECHR to be in breach of the European Human Rights Convention and to release all Ukrainian...
Open Day at the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine: sharing values and achievements
The Council of Europe Office in Ukraine opened its doors for the Open Day to showcase its work dedicated to supporting reforms in human rights, democracy, and the rule of law as part of Ukraine’s path to European Union accession. The event, held on 27 February 2025 in Kyiv, brought together...
Council of Europe marks third anniversary of start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
To mark the third anniversary of the start of the Russian Federation’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, the Ministers’ Deputies (ambassadors) have held an extraordinary meeting focusing on Ukrainian civilians held prisoner by the authorities of the Russian Federation. At this meeting, a...
Ukraine: ‘Peace must not only be lasting; it must be just’, Parliamentary Assembly President says
“Peace must not only be lasting; it must be just. Justice for Ukraine has been at the heart of the Council of Europe’s mission over these past three years. And today, with the controversies that surround possible peace talks, more than ever, we must stand firm in upholding it,” the Parliamentary...
The fight for Ukraine is a fight for justice: Secretary General releases report on Council of Europe’s response to Russia’s war on Ukraine
Ahead of 24 February 2025, that marks the third anniversary of the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has released a report highlighting the organisation’s action since the first day of the war to help its member state...
Three years of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine: Statement by Congress President
The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has made the following statement: “24 February 2025 marks three years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, in blatant defiance of international law and the core...