30/09/2026 | 18:58:31 Today's debate raises important legal challenges that Europe must address. When we speak about the European legal order, we need to pay closer attention to Russia's actions and to what they are telling us. Russia is trying to convince Europe that law no longer matters, that judgments can simply be ignored, that borders can be changed by force and that elections can be held under occupation. Every unanswered violation tests the limits of our response. Russia is testing how much Europe is... 30/09/2026 | 17:41:24 Dear colleagues, I just would like to cite someone: "Gentlemen, everyone walks under God and missiles. It is quite possible to imagine the targeted use of hypersonic Oniks from the North Sea by a Russian ship at the Hague Court building. Unfortunately, it cannot be shot down". This is the statement of the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Mr Dmitry MEDVEDEV. The International Criminal Court (ICC) embodies globally the belief we all share that impunity for... 23/04/2026 | 10:49:28 Dear colleagues, After more than 11 years of Russian crimes of aggression, attacks against civilians and systematic threats to the democratic order of Europe as we know it, the decisiveness of the Parliamentary Assembly to hold the architects of this war to account must be non-negotiable. We have spoken a lot about The Hague for Mr Vladimir PUTIN and his friends, but only our co-operation and determination in working towards a common goal make it possible to happen. The Special Tribunal for... 22/04/2026 | 19:18:08 Dear colleagues, I would like to begin by thanking my colleague, our rapporteur, for her thorough work on this report. The concern brought up is live, urgent and connected to the war of aggression being waged against Ukraine. Mr Sergei MAGNITSKY became a target for the Russian oppression machine for denouncing one of its biggest financial crimes known to this day. Three years after his death in imprisonment, the Russian authorities put him on posthumous trial, the first in Russian history... 27/01/2026 | 18:19:32 Dear colleagues, I want to thank the rapporteur for this resolution and for clearly linking peace in Ukraine with the security of the entire European continent. These two cannot be separated. In 2026 we are reaching the 12th year of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the fifth year of the full-scale invasion. The start of 2026 turned out to be devastating for millions of Ukrainians. Right now, Ukraine is facing a humanitarian emergency. Millions of people are without... 24/06/2025 | 17:31:18 Mister President, distinguished colleagues, dear rapporteurs, During the recent months, we've observed a meaningful increase in prisoner exchanges – numerous Ukrainian servicemen returning from long-term captivity, including the severely wounded and families receiving the remains of their loved ones. While it’s indeed important developments, yet, we cannot let relief overshadow reality. Ukrainian prisoners of war continue to endure systematic torture and humiliation. Over 90% of our returned... 10/04/2025 | 19:02:32 Thank you, Mister President. I would like to begin, honourable members, by thanking the rapporteur for preparing this timely and important report. Today's international co-operation is being tested. Alliances are shifting and the rules-based international order is increasingly under threat. It is more important than ever that we stand united and strengthen our ties with partners who share our commitment to international law, democracy, and human rights. I fully support the report's call to... 10/04/2025 | 10:34:06 Distinguished members of the Assembly, The adoption of this draft convention and draft explanatory report to it will mark a turning point for international environmental law. This is the first legally binding instrument that meets the demand of the time and treats environmental crimes, including ecocide and the deliberate use of environmental destruction during armed conflict, with the seriousness they deserve. The inclusion of provisions applying the convention in times of war and occupation... 28/01/2025 | 19:48:33 Madam President, I congratulate you on your first chairing of your first debate in this Parliamentary Assembly. Dear colleagues, When I crafted the motion that led to today’s resolution, I had the Wagner Group in mind. Wagner disrupted the East of Ukraine in 2014 and remained engaged throughout the entire decade of war in Ukraine. But their operations did not stop there. They expanded across Africa, Latin America, and Asia, essentially spreading their malign influence across the globe. These... 28/01/2025 | 12:23:54 Ladies and gentlemen, Today we need to ask ourselves, what do we expect from human rights organisations like the Council of Europe and how we can keep them efficient. First, we must ensure that there is no impunity for the worst human rights violations. A key step for ensuring justice for victims of the Russian war of aggression was establishing the compensation mechanism and the Register of Damage. The Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression is what must be put in place now. War...