The Head of the Parliamentary Delegation to PACE, Irakli Chikovani emphasized the developments in Ukraine at the extraordinary session of the Assembly and expressed his position concerning the violation of the fundamental principles of the international law by Russia.

“An unprecedented aggression and full-fledged war by the Russian Federation against Ukraine has breached every principle of international law and rules governing international relations. This is happening in Europe, in 2022. This is happening despite the efforts to give peace a chance. It is almost impossible to find consoling words or grasp the magnitude of pain, Ukrainians are going through. I once again reaffirm our solidarity with Ukraine. We have been witnessing Russia’s full-scale military attack against Ukraine, breaching the basic principles of international law and causing disastrous consequences, including flagrant human rights violations, massive human suffering and forced displacement. We have all been appalled by witnessing the casualties of peaceful civilians. We Stand with Ukraine & strongly condemn the attacks. This must end immediately”.

He expressed his concern about the claims of the peaceful population and recalled August war 2008 and the terrible consequences of the military attack of Russia on Georgia.

“The current situation in Ukraine brings flashbacks of Russian aggression on Georgia in 2008. Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova for decades have faced acts of aggression and war with devastating effects that resulted in hundreds of thousands and now millions of fragmented families, occupation and annexation of territories, hundreds of thousands, and now millions of refugees/IDPs and countless enforced disappearance of civilians. And it is with great sorrow I say that we did not mitigate or respond adequately”, - he stated.

According to him, the bloodshed shall be immediately stopped. “This will not be tolerated. The situation is very grim, and we have to face it. I would like to once again commend and support the immediate action of the Council of Europe. After consulting the PACE, the Committee of Ministers made a decision at the end of February on suspending Russia’s rights of representation under Article 8 of the Statute. Georgia supported the above decision”.

CoE was one of the first organizations, he said, immediately responding against the aggression.

“The report and the draft opinion have been rather unifying for the assembly and not divisive. I am sure we will all act together. We need to stop the war, stop the aggression, and make sure that atrocities and aggression will not have their way in our common home – Europe”.