Reykjavik (dpa) – At the Council of Europe summit Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a consistent approach to punishing Russian war crimes. He also warned against closing off channels to “another Russia” beyond President Putin and his regime. Speaking at the summit in Reykjavik, Scholz stressed that Russia’s war against Ukraine would eventually come to an end, but it would not end with a victory for “Putinist imperialism”. “As the Council of Europe, we should keep channels with representatives of another Russia, another Belarus until that happens, keeping the prospect open of a democratic and peaceful future for both countries, no matter how unlikely that may seem to us today.”
A register is to document war damages in Ukraine so Russia can be held to account for them. The aim here was to create a basis for the reconstruction of Ukraine, said Federal Chancellor Scholz. He said the register was essential to work on shared data.
The Council of Europe and its 46 members firmly took the side of Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia. “Ukraine is fighting for democracy and freedom. It is our shared fight,” said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The Council of Europe was set up in 1949 to be the guardian of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe. It is independent of the European Union. Its members include many countries which are not in the EU. Ukraine has been a member since 1995. Russia was excluded after the invasion of Ukraine. Belarus is suspended and is only represented by an observer at the summit.
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