Council of Europe summit participants call on Russia to withdraw troops from three countries

This was reported in the final document of the Council of Europe summit in Iceland “Reykjavik Declaration - United Around Our Values.”

The document states that the leaders of the Council of Europe member states met in Reykjavik on May 16-17, 2023 to unite against Russia's aggression in Ukraine and to determine future priorities.

“We stand in solidarity with those affected by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

and Russia’s aggression against Georgia which we condemn in the strongest possible

terms. We call, collectively, on the Russian Federation to comply with its international

obligations and to immediately withdraw completely and unconditionally its forces

from Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. We reassert our unwavering support

for their sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, within their internationally

recognised borders,” the statement says.

The leaders of 46 member states noted that Russia's war against Ukraine has violated the “never again” promise on which the peace project in Europe after World War II was built.

The summit also emphasized the determination to unite around common values and oppose the war, which is a gross violation of international law and an attack on their democratic systems.

For reference. On May 16-17, the Icelandic capital Reykjavik hosted a two-day summit of the Council of Europe, where participants discussed the most important global issues and questions of international relations, including the consequences of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and the search for a just peace.

It is the fourth in history since the organization was founded in 1949. The last time the leaders met was 18 years ago.

The Summit brought together leaders from 46 countries, including: Olaf Scholz, Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, Giorgia Meloni, Andrzej Duda, as well as Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel from the EU.

The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

• In his address to the Council of Europe summit, Zelenskyy emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense, in particular by providing Western fighter jets. Participants also signed a declaration on the creation of a register of damages for Ukraine as a first step towards an international mechanism of compensation for victims of Russian aggression.