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Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine: special page

Following the launch of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Assembly - at an extraordinary plenary session on 14 and 15 March 2022 - unanimously adopted an historic Opinion recommending Russia be asked to “immediately withdraw from the Council of Europe”.

A day later, on 16 March, the Committee of Ministers decided to expel Russia from the organisation, ending its 26-year membership.

Within months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had addressed the Assembly, stressing the “power of dialogue” in a “united and strong Europe”.

Since then, PACE has adopted a series of strong resolutions in support of Ukraine, advocating for accountability and calling for:

  • an ad hoc international criminal tribunal: on 24 April 2022, the Assembly was the first to call for the establishment of such a tribunal to "investigate and prosecute the crime of aggression allegedly committed by the political and military leadership of the Russian Federation”.

  • the creation of an international Register of Damage: on 13 October 2022, the Assembly called for the establishment of a Register of Damage for Ukraine as “a first practical step” towards obtaining reparation for the damage caused to the Ukrainian people by Russia’s war of aggression. Ukrainians can submit claims for the value of their destroyed property.

  • a total ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in the Paris Olympics and Paralympics: on 26 June 2023, PACE called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its constituent sports bodies to prohibit the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games “as long as Russia’s war of aggression continues”.

  • non-recognition of Vladimir Putin’s legitimacy beyond 2024: on 13 October 2023, PACE called on the member states of the Council of Europe “to recognise Vladimir Putin as illegitimate after the end of his current presidential term and to cease all contact with him, except for humanitarian contact and in the pursuit of peace”.

  • action to find and assist the forcibly transferred and deported children of Ukraine: on 25 January 2024, the Assembly called on the international community to collaborate with Ukraine “to identify, locate and return children to Ukraine”. Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska addressed PACE during the debate.

  • the use of seized Russian assets to support Ukraine's reconstruction: on 16 April 2024, PACE called for the use of seized Russian state assets to fund these efforts and supported the establishment of “an international compensation mechanism” under Council of Europe auspices.

PACE remains committed to supporting Ukraine through accountability mechanisms and promoting international co-operation to ensure a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.

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Adopted texts

26/06/2024 | Resolution | Recommendation | Legal and human rights aspects of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine

26/06/2024 | Resolution | The role of sanctions in countering the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine

26/06/2024 | Resolution | Recommendation | Countering the erasure of cultural identity in war and peace

17/04/2024 | Resolution | Alexei Navalny's death and the need to counter Vladimir Putin's totalitarian regime and its war on democracy

16/04/2024 | Resolution | Recommendation | Support for the reconstruction of Ukraine

25/01/2024 | Resolution | Recommendation | Situation of the children of Ukraine

13/10/2023 | Resolution | Examining the legitimacy and legality of the ad hominem term-limit waiver for the incumbent President of the Russian Federation

12/10/2023 | Resolution | Ensuring a just peace in Ukraine and lasting security in Europe

22/06/2023 | Resolution | War of aggression against Ukraine – Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics?

22/06/2023 | Resolution | Political consequences of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine

26/01/2023 | Resolution | Legal and human rights aspects of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine

13/10/2022 | Resolution | Further escalation in the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine

23/06/2022 | Resolution | Ensuring accountability for the downing of flight MH17

22/06/2022 | Resolution | Humanitarian consequences and internal and external displacement in connection with the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine

22/06/2022 | Resolution | Justice and security for women in peace reconciliation

21/06/2022 | Recommendation | Resolution | Recent challenges to security in Europe: what role for the Council of Europe?

28/04/2022 | Resolution | Recommendation | The Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine: ensuring accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and other international crimes

27/04/2022 | Resolution | Recommendation | Consequences of the Russian Federation's continued aggression against Ukraine: role and response of the Council of Europe

27/04/2022 | Resolution | How to put confiscated criminal assets to good use?

15/03/2022 | Opinion | Consequences of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine

27/01/2022 | Resolution | Ending enforced disappearances on the territory of the Council of Europe

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