Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Iryna Borovets, met with Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, on the margin of the 133rd Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Iryna Borovets thanked the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for her leadership in supporting Ukraine. She expressed positive appreciation for the Council of Europe’s active involvement in the establishment of a Special International Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Iryna Borovets emphasized the crucial role of Marija Pejčinović Burić and the Council of Europe’s expert and organizational potential in developing the architecture for the future legal framework of the special tribunal.

Both parties agreed on the productive year the Council of Europe had in supporting Ukraine. The creation of the Register of Damages and the opening of its satellite office in Kyiv in April this year marked a milestone decision and strengthened joint efforts in documenting and overcoming the consequences of Russian aggression.

Iryna Borovets stressed that the Register of Damages is the first legally endorsed decision by a group of states aiming to ensure justice and accountability for the aggressor state.

During the meeting, the participants discussed further steps towards creating a comprehensive compensation mechanism. Iryna Borovets noted that the fund for such a mechanism could, among other sources, be replenished through the frozen sovereign assets of the Russian Federation.

An important part of the discussion was the ways to return illegally deported Ukrainian children. The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of practical implementation of the PACE Recommendation “On the Situation of Ukrainian Children” regarding the appointment of a Special Rapporteur by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to address the situation and return of Ukrainian children deported and forcibly displaced by Russia.