The Council of Europe is meeting for the fourth time in history. There is almost only one topic: Ukraine’s defensive struggle against a country that is no longer at the table.
At the start of its first summit in 18 years, the Council of Europe, with its 46 member states, clearly supported Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russia. “Ukraine is fighting for democracy and for freedom. It is our common struggle,” said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the opening session, to which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj was also connected via video from Kiev.
Scholz speaks of “Putinian imperialism”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) called for Russian war crimes to be punished, but also spoke out in favor of not breaking the bridges to the “other Russia” beyond President Vladimir Putin and his government. At some point, Russia’s war against Ukraine will end, and it will not end with a victory for “Putinian imperialism,” he said.
“Until then, as the Council of Europe, we should maintain bridges to the representatives of another Russia, another Belarus – and thus keep the prospect of a democratic, peaceful future for both countries open – no matter how improbable it may seem to us today.”
Historical meeting
The Council of Europe was founded in 1949 as the guardian of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe and is independent of the European Union. It also includes significantly more countries than the EU – almost all European countries. Ukraine has been a member since 1995. Russia was excluded after the invasion of Ukraine, Belarus is suspended and is only represented at the summit as an observer.
It is only the fourth summit of the group of states in its more than 70-year history. More than 30 heads of state and government are taking part. In addition to Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Richie Sunak are also present. In contrast, pro-Russian heads of state and government such as Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban did not come to Iceland.
Thanks from Zelenskyj to allies
A register for recording war damage in Ukraine is to be launched at the summit on Wednesday. “I call on all states to join it and actively contribute to its elaboration,” Macron said. The Council’s recognized technical expertise on legal and institutional issues will support Ukraine’s resilience.
Zelenskyj, who had solicited support during visits to Rome, Berlin, Paris and London in recent days, thanked the allies for their help. “Russia is trying very hard to improve its ability to kill. We are trying very hard to improve the protection of our population,” he said, referring to the delivery of air defense systems. “We show what our 100 percent means and what the power of the free world means,” emphasized Zelenskyj.
Source: Stern
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