Ukraine seeks peace, however, it will not agree to amnesty for the aggressor or impunity for war criminals — Oleksandr Korniienko met with the GR-DEM delegation.
The First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko held a meeting with the delegation of the Group of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on Democracy (GR-DEM), with the participation of representatives of parliamentary factions and groups of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
The event was attended, in particular, by Chair of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation Oleksandr Merezhko; Deputy Chair of the Committee on Human Rights, De-occupation and Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, National Minorities and Interethnic Relations Nelli Yakovleva; Member of the Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy Antonina Slavytska; Deputy Chair of the Committee on Budget Andrii Lopushanskyi; and Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe Borys Tarasyuk.
Oleksandr Korniienko expressed his gratitude to the delegation GR-DEM for the visit to Ukraine, which became an important manifestation of solidarity of the Council of Europe with the Ukrainian people and reaffirming our commitment to the shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. He emphasized the significant role of the Council of Europe in supporting Ukraine at all levels — interparliamentary, intergovernmental, and interregional — as well as in the process of aligning Ukrainian legislation with European standards in the context of EU accession. «I am assured that our state continues to advance reforms and implement the necessary changes required for joining the EU, NATO, and other international organizations. At the same time, one of the priority issues remains support for the military, particularly the strengthening of our armed forces,» said the First Deputy Speaker, highlighting the role of the Verkhovna Rada in driving these reforms.
He separately underscored the importance of cooperation with the Council of Europe in the return of Ukrainian children who were deported and unlawfully displaced by the russian federation. «This is evidenced by the Council of Europe's accession to the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and the appointment of the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the situation of Ukrainian children,» noted Oleksandr Korniienko.
He also recalled that in April, the Verkhovna Rada adopted at first reading a draft law establishing liability for the unlawful displacement, deportation, unjustified delay in the repatriation of a child, as well as for the recruitment and use of children for military purposes (including participation in hostilities) by a representative of a foreign state (draft law No. 12170). These acts are defined as war crimes.
The First Deputy Speaker also emphasized the vital importance of the Council of Europe’s work on establishing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression committed by the russian federation against Ukraine, as well as the Register of Damage caused by the war, noting the broad international political support for these initiatives. According to him, the establishment of the Special Tribunal is an essential step toward achieving justice for the Ukrainian people, who have endured immense suffering and losses as a result of russia’s aggression, even if the process of holding perpetrators accountable may not be swift.
Oleksandr Korniienko also highlighted the significance of the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Ukraine 2023–2026 as a key instrument for reforms and recovery, covering areas such as justice, media, child protection, and support for internally displaced persons.
In concluding his remarks, he expressed gratitude to the member states represented in the delegation for their support, underscoring that Ukraine seeks peace but will not accept amnesty for the aggressor or impunity for war criminals. The First Deputy Speaker described the visit of the GR-DEM as not only a valuable gesture of solidarity, but also an opportunity to strengthen cooperation in the context of Ukraine’s European integration.