“European Leaders Discuss Russian Aggression and Unity at Council of Europe Summit”

There is strength in European unity, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized in a video address at the Council of Europe summit in Reykjavík on Tuesday.

On Tuesday night, Kyiv experienced another Russian missile strike, but Ukrainian anti-aircraft gunners shot down all the Russian missiles.

“Russia is trying very hard to improve its ability to kill. We are trying very hard to improve the protection of our people,” Zelensky said. “I am grateful to all the countries and leaders who are helping us together improve our air defenses.”

During the summit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for the creation of an international register of the damage caused by Russia, which would serve as a basis for the reconstruction of Ukraine and international level negotiations.

French President Emmanuel Macron supported the design of the war damage register and called on countries to actively participate in it.

Macron also emphasized that the international community should support Ukraine “as long as it takes.”

The French president also called for the creation of mental health centers in Ukraine, with the help of the European Development Bank Council, to help those who “suffer every day from severe trauma caused by the violent conflict.” He added that the Ukrainian side also requested such help.

Macron acknowledged that the Council of Europe must address the “threat of the century” by resolutely continuing to protect “freedom of expression, free elections, free media, the independence of the justice system and the fight against corruption, persistently supporting Ukrainians, strengthening human dignity, eradicating torture and degrading treatment, and fighting against the death penalty worldwide”.

Meanwhile, Scholz called for keeping contact with the “other Russia” that opposes dictator Vladimir Putin, because someday the war will end.

“Until then, we as the Council of Europe must maintain bridges with the representatives of the other Russia, the other Belarus, and keep the door open for the possibility of a democratic, peaceful future in both countries, no matter how improbable it may seem at the moment,” said the German Chancellor.

At the first summit of the Council of Europe since 2005, around 30 leaders of European countries gathered in Reykjavík. The two-day summit continues on Wednesday.

The Council of Europe was founded in 1949 as a defender of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe. It is an organization independent of the European Union.

After Russia launched its repeated invasion of Ukraine on February 24 last year, it was expelled from the Council of Europe. On the other hand, Russia’s ally Belarus is participating in the summit as an observer.

There are currently 46 member states in the Council of Europe.