International justice must demonstrate its ability to punish criminals and restore justice. The aggressor state must be held accountable for its crimes.

This was emphasized by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during the final press conference following the Fourth Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik.

"Today, Europe is facing extraordinary challenges in the face of russia's full-scale, barbaric and brutal aggression against Ukraine. This aggression contradicts all our values and principles, as well as the foundations of the European architecture, which was formed to avoid a repeat of the atrocities of World War II. I am convinced that in these dark times for our continent, the unwavering commitment of the Council of Europe to these values and principles is more important than ever," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Denys Shmyhal highlighted the importance of implementing the Peace Formula of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and called the decision to create a Register of Damage Caused by Aggression of russian federation against Ukraine a historic one. 

"The clear message of the Council of Europe Summit in support of further efforts to establish a Special Tribunal to punish the russian political and military leadership for the crime of aggression is of utmost importance. I would like to thank all friends of Ukraine for their effective manifestation of solidarity," said Denys Shmyhal.

Following the Summit, 46 Member States adopted a Declaration in which they

- supported the Ukrainian Formula for Peace;

- welcomed the progress in establishing a Special Tribunal for the russian leadership; 

- agreed to set up a Register of damage caused by russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as the first component of the International Compensation Mechanism;

- expressed their willingness to engage in international initiatives to further developing such a mechanism, which may include a claims commission and compensation fund;

- called on the russian federation to release civilian Ukrainians, in particular deported Ukrainian children.