Council of Europe signs declaration holding Russia fully responsible for its aggression against Ukraine

This information is available on the Council of Europe's official website.

The document that was adopted has been named the "Riga Principles."

These principles emphasize the need for a victim-centered approach within the Register of Damage for Ukraine, particularly focusing on the well-being of women and children.

Furthermore, these principles stress the importance of supporting national authorities in coordinating their efforts to ensure the effective functioning of the Register. They also highlight the significance of engaging in meaningful consultations with civil society and non-governmental organizations.

The Council of Europe stated, “The ministers recalled the importance of the Register of Damage as the first step to ensure that Russia will pay for the damage it has caused in Ukraine through its unlawful war. The work of the Register, including its digital platform with all data about claims and evidence recorded, is intended to constitute the first component of a future international compensation mechanism.”

It was noted that this approach will contribute to achieving “full and effective reparation for Ukraine and the victims through a separate international instrument to be established in cooperation with Ukraine.”

The ministers stressed the importance of thoroughly investigating all allegations of crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, committed by Russian forces in Ukraine “must be fully investigated and, where warranted, prosecuted at national and international levels in order that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”

Additionally, the Ministers of Justice from Council of Europe member states expressed their support for Ukraine's investigative and evidence-gathering efforts conducted by Ukraine, other national authorities and the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

The ministers called upon all concerned parties, including international organizations operating in Russia and Belarus, to actively participate in locating Ukrainian children who have been illegally deported or displaced. They urged for assistance in ensuring the safe return of these children.

What we know about the BRICS summit and Putin's arrest

On March 17, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova. They are suspected of forcibly deporting Ukrainian children. Russia, on the other hand, denies the involvement of its military in war crimes or the forcible relocation of Ukrainian children.

Brazil hinted that Putin could be arrested in the country on the basis of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

Commenting on the decision of the International Criminal Court, Ukraine's Foreign Minister said that "the wheels of justice are turning," while Human Rights Watch called the arrest warrant for Putin a "wake-up call" for those who commit or conceal abuses

Later, these countries' comments were joined by representatives of the United Kingdom and Canada, who unequivocally supported the court's position. Also, US President Joe Biden said that the ICC's arrest warrant for Putin was justified because the Russian president had committed war crimes.

Lawyer Kateryna Busol believed that South Africa would try to persuade Putin not to attend the BRICS summit in August. Later, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he planned to attend a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in South Africa on June 1-2.

In mid-April, South Africa emphasized that the arrest warrant for Russian leader Vladimir Putin issued by a court in The Hague was putting a spoke in their wheel before the BRICS summit in August.

On April 26, South Africa announced that it will not withdraw from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, which issued the arrest warrant for Putin. 

On May 1, the South African authorities informally warned Russia that they would be forced to arrest Putin under an ICC warrant if he entered the country for the BRICS summit.

On May 30, South Africa announced that it would not overturn the ICC's decisions, but would grant diplomatic immunity to participants in the BRICS summit in August.

Later, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated under oath that the Kremlin had threatened him with war if Putin was arrested during the BRICS summit.

On July 19, it became known that Russia was to be physically represented at the BRICS summit, which took place on August 22-24 in South Africa, by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Russian President Vladimir Putin took part online. The US State Department called Putin an "international pariah."

Subsequently, the South African Prosecutor's Office received an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin: he could be arrested if he comes to South Africa.

In August, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said that he could issue new arrest warrants for Putin, in particular for war crimes committed by Wagner PMC.

Subsequently, Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated that Putin would not face arrest if he attended the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro in 2024.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva has changed his mind about the likelihood of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's arrest. Now he says that these issues are up to the courts