As delivered by Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

President Zelenskiy,

Distinguished participants,

The Council of Europe maintains its unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity –

Including Crimea.

In the coming weeks, our Committee of Ministers will discuss my second annual report on the human rights situation there –

An issue that remains central to our work.

Russia’s brutal, illegal and ongoing aggression against Ukraine has worsened the situation.

Harassment, selective prosecutions, and torture –

The denial of civil and political rights –

And the abduction of Crimean Tatars and ethnic Ukrainians.

These are among the many crimes committed –

And we are working with brave Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar human rights defenders to document and record what is happening –

Not least as we lack access to the territory and the victims –

Given the situation there.

More broadly, a direct line can be drawn between the annexation of Crimea and Russia’s appalling and evolving tactics in other parts of the country.

Illegal annexations –

Humanitarian and human rights violations –

And Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative –

Designed to hit the vulnerable – in Ukraine, in Europe and around the world.

At our recent Summit, heads of states and governments made clear their support for their fellow member state, Ukraine –

Including a new Register of Damage as the first step towards any future compensation mechanism for the harms being done –

And recognising that any peace must be a lasting peace, built on the foundation of accountability.

Alongside our other work, including a Joint Action Plan on Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction, we will walk with our member state Ukraine – all of Ukraine – as it builds a future underpinned by human rights, democracy and the rule of law.