On February 24, on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine — day 1,462 — a special open meeting of the Committee of Ministers took place at the Council of Europe.
The meeting, dedicated to this tragic date, was held at the Palais de l'Europe in Strasbourg with the participation of Permanent Representatives of the Organization's member states. The focus was on the consequences of the ongoing military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territories, and further steps by the international community to strengthen support for Ukraine and ensure the inevitability of accountability.
Following the meeting, the Committee of Ministers adopted a decision which:
Strongly condemned Russia's ongoing full-scale war against Ukraine and reaffirmed unwavering solidarity with the Ukrainian people;
Emphasized that this aggression poses an unprecedented threat to peace in Europe and undermines the continent's democratic foundations;
Reaffirmed support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders;
Condemned systemic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the temporarily occupied territories;
Strongly condemned illegal deportations, forced displacement, and identity alteration of Ukrainian children, calling for their immediate return;
Condemned Russia's targeted attacks on civilian critical infrastructure;
Reaffirmed Russia's full accountability for destruction, loss of life, and damages caused;
Welcomed progress toward establishing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine;
Noted the development of an international compensation mechanism, specifically the creation of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine.
During the meeting, the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe delivered a statement. In his address, he emphasized that February 24, 2022, was not the beginning, but a drastic escalation of Russia's aggression, which has been ongoing against Ukraine since 2014. He stressed: today's war represents one of the deepest human rights crises in the heart of Europe. Systemic attacks on civilians, torture, unlawful detentions, child deportations, and the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals are not incidental consequences of war, but deliberate crimes.
Special emphasis was placed on the role of the Council of Europe in documenting violations, providing legal assessment of crimes, and ensuring accountability. There can be no lasting peace without justice. There can be no stability without accountability. Impunity only invites further aggression. The Permanent Representative underlined: for Ukraine, protecting human rights is a constitutional duty of the state and an integral part of the struggle for freedom, which simultaneously forms the foundation of the European order.
The special open meeting of the Committee of Ministers on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war sent a clear political signal: the Council of Europe stands united with Ukraine in the fight for justice, accountability, and the restoration of international law.