Ukrainian parliamentary delegation begins work at PACE spring session: russia’s accountability for its crimes in focus

Press Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
20 April 2026, 16:40

On April 20 2026, the Permanent delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to PACE began its work as a part of the PACE spring session which takes place in Strasbourg, France, where it will consider key issues of the Assembly's agenda.

Head of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to PACE and PACE Vice-President Mariia Mezentseva-Fedorenko stated that a number of important debates and resolutions are expected as part of the Assembly’s work, including on the following issues:

  • Special Tribunal (international mechanism to ensure accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine);
  • Register of Damage and Compensation Mechanism (international instruments for recording and documenting damage caused to Ukraine as a result of the russian federation’s aggression);
  • Frozen assets (russian state and private assets blocked in partner jurisdictions, including with a view to their further use for compensating damage to Ukraine);
  • Resolution on the Magnitsky case (enabling a direct link between corruption and money laundering in russia and the financing of armed aggression against Ukraine);
  • Resolution on the Istanbul Convention (the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence);
  • Resolution on freedom of religion in Europe (addressing the use of religion by russia for ideological influence, propaganda, and the conduct of hybrid warfare, including the role of the “russian Orthodox Church” as a de facto instrument of the aggressor state).
“We will also host the exhibition ‘Women Against War,’ dedicated to 257 civilian women held in captivity, as well as those missing. In addition, a film screening on the impact of russia’s war on civilians will be held,” said Mariia Mezentseva-Fedorenko, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming week.

It is also worth noting that Yevheniia Kravchuk, a member of the Permanent Ukrainian parliamentary delegation to PACE and Deputy Chair of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, will present the Committee’s position during the debate on violence and hate speech against politicians.

“On Thursday, I will also take part in the side event ‘How the “Russkiy Mir” Works: The Ideology and Practices of Hybrid Aggression Against Europe,’ together with colleagues from the Swedish and Polish delegations, as well as representatives of the belarusian democratic opposition,” Yevheniia Kravchuk added. She noted that the discussion will focus on how the ideology of the “Russkiy Mir” is transformed into concrete tools of hybrid aggression against European states, including disinformation and election interference.

The Ukrainian side will also present the films Under the Sound of Sirens, Fight and Dance, and The Last Family, which tell the stories of Ukrainians who survived russian attacks. The screenings are scheduled for April 21.

The participation of the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation in the PACE session reflects ongoing efforts to maintain international attention on key issues of russia’s accountability, achieving a just peace for Ukraine, and restoring the international legal order.