PACE Acknowledges that Russia Waging War of Aggression Against Ukraine Since 2014

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) approved a report and resolution entitled “Conflict-related sexual violence” which in particular refers to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Initially, the document, prepared by Austria’s MP Petra Bayr, contained only partial references to Russian aggression but it was significantly changed with the help of amendments submitted by Ukrainian MPs and parliamentarians from partner countries.

Thus, the 4th amendment reads: “Since February 2014, the Russian Federation has waged a war of aggression against Ukraine, which it relaunched on 24 February 2022 with a massive invasion of Ukraine.”

“I personally know women who became victims of violence during the Russian occupation of Crimea, and later the attack on Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” Yevhenia Kravchuk, a member of the Permanent Delegation of the Parliament of Ukraine to PACE, said during the discussion.

The corresponding amendment was approved by a narrow margin with 47 votes for and 43 against. In general, the resolution was approved unanimously: 126 MPs voted for it.

As a reminder, the day before, three Ukrainian women were elected to the governing bodies of PACE. Maria Mezentseva, Head of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to PACE, was elected as the head of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination. Olena Khomenko, a member of the Permanent Delegation of the Parliament of Ukraine to PACE, became PACE Vice-President. Yevhenia Kravchuk, a member of the Permanent Delegation of the Parliament of Ukraine to PACE, was elected as the head of the PACE Committee on Culture, Science, Education, and Media.

Bohdan Marusyak