Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ihor Zhovkva, held a meeting with Piero Fassino, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy and Member of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), who is visiting Ukraine on a preparatory mission as part of his work on the PACE report “Political Consequences of the Russian Federation’s Aggression against Ukraine.”
Ihor Zhovkva expressed gratitude to Piero Fassino for his personal and active position in support of Ukraine, both within PACE and among Italian parliamentarians.
The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office provided an update on the security situation in Ukraine, including the consequences of large-scale Russian attacks targeting civilians. He emphasized that Ukraine, more than any other nation, seeks a just and lasting peace. The parties discussed efforts by our state, as well as by American and European partners, to establish peace.
The meeting also addressed the issue of holding Russia internationally accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Ihor Zhovkva thanked PACE for its consistent support of the creation of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Russia’s Aggression against Ukraine, and for the Council of Europe’s efforts concerning the Register of Damage caused by the war.
“Work is currently underway on an expanded partial agreement to establish the Special Tribunal. We expect that by the end of this year, states will be able to join the agreement, and the tribunal will begin functioning in practice,” noted the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office.
Ihor Zhovkva stressed the importance of maintaining focus on the issue of Ukraine at PACE. This can be achieved by including the topic of Ukraine in the agenda of every Assembly session.
Piero Fassino reaffirmed PACE’s full support for Ukraine on its most urgent priorities: strengthening military assistance, introducing tougher sanctions against Russia, and ensuring accountability for its crimes.