On May 16, 2024 on the margins of the 133rd Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (Strasbourg), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Iryna Borovets held a meeting with President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Theodoros Rousopoulos.
During the meeting, the Deputy Minister thanked the Council of Europe and its member states for their ongoing, effective support and solidarity with Ukraine.
The parties discussed the creation of a comprehensive compensation mechanism for victims of Russian aggression, as well as the role of the Council of Europe in its establishment and further functioning.
The Deputy Minister used the opportunity to meet with the head of one of the most influential parliamentary assemblies to consolidate parliamentary circles in supporting additional air defense means, particularly Patriot systems, to protect civilians from Russian attacks. As President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that day, Russians will not be able to occupy Kharkiv if Ukraine has at least two additional Patriot systems.
During the meeting, Iryna Borovets also emphasized the importance of the highest possible level of representation of foreign states and international organizations at the inaugural Peace Summit, which will be held next month in Switzerland.
Iryna Borovets also highlighted that on May 18, Ukraine and the entire world will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the deportation and genocide of the Crimean Tatar people in 1944. "This reminds us of the tragic events of the past, which, unfortunately, have a tendency to repeat in the modern world," she noted.
Theodoros Rousopoulos assured continued support for Ukraine. He also noted that the introduction of the position of Special Rapporteur of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the issues of deported Ukrainian children will become an effective mechanism and emphasized the importance of the activities of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, illegally taken to Russia.