On Monday, 16 February, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha welcomed Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in Kyiv.

Andrii Sybiha briefed Alain Berset on the situation on the battlefield and in the energy sector following Russia’s barbaric strikes, as well as on ongoing peace efforts and international pressure on the aggressor. The Minister expressed particular gratitude to the Council of Europe for its solidarity and support since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The Foreign Minister held detailed talks with the Secretary General on key areas of cooperation, in particular holding Russia accountable, the Council of Europe’s project activities, and strengthening Ukraine’s institutional resilience.

“The Council of Europe was the first international organization to terminate Russia’s membership. This was a strong decision. At a defining moment in history, you chose not silent neutrality but principles. You stood on the side of justice, law, and human dignity,” Andrii Sybiha emphasized.

The Minister noted that Alain Berset’s personal leadership has been an important factor in strengthening European unity in defence of international law, human rights, and democratic values.

The parties also paid particular attention to the issue of accountability for Russian crimes. Ukraine highly values the central role of the Council of Europe in this area, including the establishment of the Special Tribunal, the International Compensation Commission, and the Register of Damage.

Andrii Sybiha noted that the past year had been a breakthrough in establishing the infrastructure for accountability, and that the current year should become the year of its practical implementation.

“A key element of a just peace is accountability for the crime of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of genocide, as well as compensation for the damage caused,” the Foreign Minister stressed.

The Minister thanked the Council of Europe for its support within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine. According to the Foreign Minister, this cooperation serves as a driver of reforms, long-term support, and resilience.

“We are committed to further developing relations between Ukraine and the Council of Europe. We will continue to expand practical cooperation for the sake of security, stability, and a democratic European future,” the Minister noted.