Resolution 2516 (2023)1Provisional version

Ensuring a just peace in Ukraine and lasting security in Europe

Parliamentary Assembly

1. The Parliamentary Assembly reiterates its firmest condemnation of the Russian Federation’s ongoingbrutal war of aggression against Ukraine – which is a crime in itself – and of the serious, persistent andwidespread atrocities and other violations of international law, international humanitarian law and humanrights of which the Russian Federation is responsible, through its political and military leadership, militaryforces and proxies.

2. Reaffirming its solidarity with the Ukrainian people and echoing the Reykjavík Declaration which wasadopted by the Heads of State and Government at the 4th Council of Europe Summit (16-17 May 2023), theAssembly states, once again, its unwavering commitment to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes for itsvictory, and its support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within itsinternationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters.

3. The Assembly reiterates its non-recognition of the attempted illegal annexation by the RussianFederation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as parts of the Donetsk,Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine, which violates international law, and poses a directthreat to international security with serious consequences for the international community. It reaffirms itsreadiness to continue exerting restrictive pressure on the Russian Federation to counter its illegal actionsthrough undertaking further measures against the Russian Federation.

4. The Council of Europe was established in the aftermath of the Second World War as a peace project, inthe conviction that the pursuit of peace based upon justice and international co-operation is vital for thepreservation of human society and civilisation. Since its foundation, the Council of Europe has contributed tostrengthening human rights, democracy and the rule of law in its membership, which was substantiallyexpanded following the end of the Cold War so as to embrace nearly all European countries.

5. Thirty years since the 1st Council of Europe Summit of Heads of State and Government in Vienna,which gave a signal of hope to all European States who shared the political aspiration to establish a commonlegal space, a common area of peace and a community of values, a full-scale war of aggression has takencentre stage in the heart of the continent, against the backdrop of a deteriorated security situationcharacterised by open and frozen conflicts, escalating tensions and hybrid threats. This state of affairsconfirms the need for firmness in demanding that Council of Europe States fully uphold their commitmentsand obligations as members of the Organisation, as their adherence to Council of Europe standards is also aguarantee of security for each other, as inherent in the principle of democratic security.

6. As the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine has continued for more than nine years and itsfull-scale military invasion of Ukraine enters its 20th month, the international community should not lose sightof its primary objective: presenting a united front to stop the aggression and win a peace which iscomprehensive, just and lasting, ensuring that the rule of law prevails over the rule of force. Without acomprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine there cannot be durable security in Europe; without aneffective system of global governance based on international law, there cannot be international peace andsecurity.

1. Assembly debate on 12 October 2023 (23rd sitting) (see Doc. 15842, report of the Committee on Political Affairs andDemocracy, rapporteur: Mr Iulian Bulai). Text adopted by the Assembly on 12 October 2023 (23rd sitting).

II SÉRIE-D — NÚMERO 18 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

136