President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko had a meeting with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland who arrived to Kyiv.

The President informed the Secretary General on the recent developments in the Donbas. According to Petro Poroshenko, there are numerous proofs of Russian regular troops' participation in hostilities in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "It all points at direct military aggression," the President said. The Head of State emphasized critical importance of the position of the Council of Europe in condemnation of Russian aggression.

Petro Poroshenko focused the attention of Thorbjørn Jagland to the fact that there were numerous proofs that militants tortured detained civilians and servicemen.

The Head of State stressed that there was a problem of Ukrainians seized on the territory of Ukraine and taken to Russian prisons. He urged Thorbjørn Jagland to do everything to liberate Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko.

Petro Poroshenko emphasized the importance of coordination of actions with the Council of Europe for the solution of difficult situation Ukraine found itself in. Particularly, the President called on the Council of Europe to contribute to the humanitarian assistance for the occupied territories and IDPs.

Also, the Head of State informed on the appointment of extraordinary parliamentary elections for October 26. Petro Poroshenko invited PACE observers and assured of transparency of the election process in Ukraine.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe called the developments in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea a "tragedy" and expressed his full solidarity with the people of Ukraine. "It is also a tragedy for the European institutions that were established right after the Second World War for the prevention of new wars in Europe. Countering this situation is a big challenge for us," T. Jagland noted.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe underlined the importance of solving humanitarian problems in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as in the Crimea. He intends to discuss the way the instruments of the Council of Europe can be used for assisting Ukraine in the given situation, particularly in the issue of compliance with human rights and economic sphere. In addition, T. Jagland said that the Council of Europe supported Ukraine on the way of structural reforms implemented despite difficult situation in the country.

 

 

Assessoria de Imprensa do Presidente da Ucrânia