At a special meeting to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has reaffirmed its unwavering support the country and its people.
In a decision published today, the Committee of Ministers – which brings together representatives of 46 European countries – reiterated that the Russian Federation bears full responsibility for its war of aggression against Ukraine, in violation of international law, and for all the destruction and loss of life it has caused. It reaffirmed the Council of Europe’s central role in advancing a comprehensive accountability framework in this regard.
The Council of Europe: ensuring accountability
The Committee of Ministers welcomed progress made in 2025 towards setting up the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and underlined the need to accelerate the process leading to the formal establishment and operationalisation of the Special Tribunal. The Committee encouraged member states to actively contribute to this process, and welcomed the signing of the agreement between the Council of Europe and the European Union on the financing of an advance team for the Special Tribunal, which started work in January 2026.
The Council of Europe’s decision-making body also welcomed the opening for signature of the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, a key element of a comprehensive compensation mechanism, and the fact that 35 states plus the EU have already signed the convention.
In addition, the Committee of Ministers condemned the Russian Federation’s systemic targeting of vital civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, especially in extreme winter conditions.
The Committee also condemned the unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, as well as practices aimed at changing their personal identity, called for the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred by the Russian Federation.
Russia remains obliged to implement European Court judgments
Furthermore, the Committee of Ministers expressed its strong concern about continuing grave violations by the Russian Federation of human rights and international humanitarian law in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, as underlined by the European Court of Human Rights in the interstate cases Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia and Ukraine v. Russia (re Crimea).
The Committee of Ministers reiterated that, although the Russian Federation ceased to be a party to the European Convention on Human Rights on 16 September 2022, it remains obliged to implement relevant judgments of the European Court. In this regard, the Committee of Ministers reaffirmed the importance of continued international monitoring, reporting and accountability.
Lastly it stressed that a just and lasting peace for Ukraine must be based on full compliance with international law and accountability for serious violations of that law.
Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
The Council of Europe’s support for Ukraine
Unprecedented support for new convention launching an International Claims Commission
Advance team set up for Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression
