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European commitment to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine

Doc. 16106: compendium of written amendments | Doc. 16106 | 30/01/2025 | Final version

Caption: AdoptedRejectedWithdrawnNo electronic votes

ADraft Resolution

1The Council of Europe is the institutional embodiment of the ideal of peace and unity on the European continent. However, this ideal continues to be dramatically challenged. For more than a decade, Ukraine has bravely defended itself against Russian aggression that began in 2014 and escalated into an unprovoked, full-scale war of aggression in 2022.
2The Russian Federation continues to violate international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, through the continuation of its aggression, its attacks on critical infrastructure and civilian populations, the displacement of millions of people, the illegal deportation of children, human rights violations, in particular against the population in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and executions of prisoners of war.
3The Russian Federation has also strengthened its defence partnerships with States seeking to undermine the international rules-based order, notably through agreements with Iran and the deployment of soldiers of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (“North Korea”) in this war of aggression. Hybrid warfare tactics employed by the Russian Federation through cyber-attacks, arson, disinformation campaigns and sabotage further threaten European security, including its energy and communications infrastructure. The Russian Federation's efforts to interfere in the political processes of Council of Europe member States also pose a growing threat to democratic security in Europe.

In the draft resolution, paragraph 3, first sentence, replace the words "defence partnerships" with the following words:

"military co-operation"

Explanatory note

Since these are not "defence partnerships"

4The Bürgenstock Summit on Peace in Ukraine, organised by Switzerland on 15 and 16 June 2024, was the most significant diplomatic initiative to date to inspire a future peace process. Its Joint Communiqué outlined several key priorities for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine: nuclear safety and security, food security and a human dimension. The follow-up conference held in Montreal in October 2024 defined concrete steps to support the return of prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians and deported children.
5Intensified diplomatic efforts towards peace should support and complement the principle of “peace through strength” as outlined by the Ukrainian authorities. The principle stresses, inter alia, that sustainable peace negotiations can only be conducted from a position of resilience and robust defensive capacity, and that a just and lasting peace can only be secured by adequate security guarantees for Ukraine. Any peace negotiations must involve Ukraine and respect its right to determine its own future.
6In a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment, now is a critical juncture for Ukraine and for Europe. European leaders should reinforce European unity and strengthen European support for Ukraine. They should act urgently and maximise efforts to support a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, Europe's long-term security and Ukraine's European future.
7Continued support to Ukraine is also crucial in order to strengthen its capacity to effectively uphold human rights, the rule of law and democracy, which remain key to its resilience, recovery and reconstruction.

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 7, insert the following paragraph:

"The Assembly recognises the critical importance of continued support for Ukraine, including military, humanitarian and economic assistance, which is essential for the country’s stability, reconstruction, and defence against Russian aggression. Therefore, the Assembly calls on the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, and the U.S. Department of State to renew funding for programmes crucial to Ukraine’s resilience, particularly those supported by USAID and other funding mechanisms."

Explanatory note

Self-explanatory

8In light of these considerations, the Parliamentary Assembly:
8.1refers to its previous resolutions addressing the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which constitutes a blatant violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It reaffirms its unequivocal condemnation of this war of aggression;
8.2strongly condemns the Russian Federation’s recourse to North Korea to provide troops to fight against the Ukrainian army, which is an escalation of the war of aggression and a further violation of international law;
8.3calls for unwavering European commitment and unity in support of Ukraine and a just and lasting peace;
8.4believes that a just and lasting peace in Ukraine is indispensable for the security of the entire European continent and more broadly, the world;
8.5stresses that any peace negotiations must involve Ukraine and respect its right to determine its own future;

In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 8.5, add the following words:

"including its sovereign right to continue its integration into the European Union as well as membership in other international organisations"

8.6considers that any settlement must uphold the principles of international law;

In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 8.6, insert the following words:

"including the right to national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the right of the victim of aggression to full reparation or compensation of the damage caused"

Explanatory note

Reiteration of what has already been stated in the previous PACE resolutions regarding compensations

8.7reiterates the need to ensure accountability in the context of the Russian Federation’s aggression, notably through the establishment of a comprehensive compensation mechanism and a special tribunal to prosecute Russian and Belarusian leaders for the crime of aggression against Ukraine;
8.8recognises that a position of resilience and robust defensive capacity is necessary to conduct sustainable peace negotiations (“peace through strength”);
8.9reiterates its solidarity with the Ukrainian people, pays tribute to their courage and resilience and calls for the immediate return of prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians and deported children, as well as the safe return of forcibly displaced persons, including children;
8.10calls for increased humanitarian assistance to address the urgent needs of civilians affected by the war of aggression;
8.11recognises and supports the tireless efforts of civilians, volunteers and NGOs in their support of Ukrainian society.

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 8.11, insert the following paragraph:

"recognises that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is a decisive enabler of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine and calls upon the PRC to cease providing a lifeline to the Russian war machine."

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 8.11, insert the following paragraph:

"recognises that Vladimir Putin shall be held accountable for the numerous acts of terror that have been committed against the civilian population under his rule"

9The Assembly also refers to its Resolution 2558 (2024) and Resolution 2540 (2024), which address, inter alia, Vladimir Putin's totalitarian regime and its war on democracy, as well as the necessity to counter the erasure of cultural identity in war and peace; it believes that a lasting peace is only possible if the Russian Federation abandons its imperial ambitions and performs decolonisation.

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 9, insert the following paragraph:

"The Assembly reiterates the need for the member States of the Council of Europe to prioritise investment in their own defence industries, ensuring that the production and development of military equipment and strengthening co-operation in this field enhance European self-reliability and defence autonomy, which will also strengthen regional security."

Explanatory note

Self-explanatory

10Consequently, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member States, as well as relevant European institutions and international partners to:
10.1remain resolute and united to secure Ukraine’s future within a stable, secure, and united Europe, as the outcome of the war against Ukraine will strongly impact the future of European and global security;
10.2maintain and, where necessary, enhance their comprehensive support to Ukraine, including political, economic and military support, to strengthen Ukraine’s position in any future peace negotiations and to uphold regional security and European values;
10.3strengthen the current sanctions regime against the Russian Federation, its allies, and their political and military leaderships, as outlined in Resolution 2557 (2024), by adopting the following measures:
10.3.1reduce the oil price cap, enlarge the listing of the Russian “shadow fleet” vessels and improve the actions taken against them, and completely ban the import of liquified natural gas and pipeline gas from Russia;
10.3.2enlarge the scope of sanctions to target a wider range of Russian economic sectors, pipeline gas and agricultural, metallurgical and nuclear industries;

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 10.3.2, insert the following paragraph:

"identify and improve targeted sanctions on individuals associated with Russian elites, including those who may directly or indirectly benefit from the war, to ensure they cannot exploit economic or legal loopholes to circumvent the existing sanction regime."

Explanatory note

The necessity to sanction individuals who share close ties with the Kremlin regime.

10.3.3harmonise national legislations and strengthen co-ordination efforts among national authorities responsible for enforcing the implementation of sanctions;
10.3.4double efforts to reduce sanctions circumvention, including through secondary sanctions against third countries facilitating it;

30 January 2025

Tabled by Ms Olena KHOMENKO, Mr Yuriy KAMELCHUK, Ms Lesia VASYLENKO, Ms Mariia MEZENTSEVA-FEDORENKO, Ms Iryna KONSTANKEVYCH

Votes: 83 in favor 0 against 11 abstentions

In the draft resolution, paragraph 10.3.4, after the word "third countries" insert the following words:

"and other economic actors"

Explanatory note

Not only countries circumvent sanctions

10.4in the context of accountability, establish without delay a comprehensive compensation mechanism, including the already established and fully functional Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, a future international claims commission and an international compensation fund, to ensure full reparation for victims and guarantee that those responsible for these illegal actions bear the financial costs of their wrongdoing;
10.5continue negotiations with a view to establishing a special tribunal to prosecute Russian and Belarusian leaders for the crime of aggression against Ukraine;
10.6ensure that all frozen Russian State assets are transferred to the international compensation fund, once it is established, in order to use them to compensate Ukraine and natural and legal persons affected by the Russian aggression in Ukraine;
10.7support the initiation of a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Ukraine, to be undertaken with European and international partners, encompassing, inter alia, the rebuilding of infrastructures, including restoration of the environment and removal of war debris, support for displaced persons, and the promotion of democratic institutions, human rights and rule of law;
10.8increase humanitarian assistance to address the urgent needs of civilians affected by the war of aggression, and support civil society in Ukraine;

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 10.8, insert the following paragraph:

"continue international support for demining efforts in Ukraine to address the significant threat posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance to civilian safety, agricultural recovery and economic development in the liberated areas."

Explanatory note

Self-explanatory

10.9strengthen measures to counter Russian disinformation and promote accurate information about the war and its consequences.
11Moreover, the Assembly commends Ukraine for its achievements in implementing the Council of Europe Action Plan “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026, and its progress in the European Union accession process, despite an unprecedented wartime situation, and stresses that adhering to European standards of human rights, democracy and the rule of law will further strengthen Ukraine’s democratic security and resilience and contribute to a peaceful future.
12The Assembly further calls on Council of Europe member States and international partners to seek the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples adopted by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, in the Russian Federation, starting from the condemnation of massive violations of human rights and the rights of indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation.
13Furthermore, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member States in particular to step up their support for the Council of Europe Action Plan “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 and further prioritise strengthening Ukraine’s capacity to effectively uphold human rights, rule of law and democracy, which remains key to Ukraine’s resilience, recovery and reconstruction and to its progress in the accession process to the European Union, and to also enhance their assistance concerning the children of Ukraine.
14The Assembly reaffirms its unwavering resolve to support peace, justice and the rule of law in Ukraine and across the continent.