The Council of Europe has marked the second anniversary of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine by holding a special ceremony in front of its main headquarters building in Strasbourg, France. Taking part in the ceremony were Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Theodoros Rousopoulos, Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein, Ambassador Domenik Wanger (on behalf of the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers), and Ambassador Borys Tarasyuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe.
The national anthem of Ukraine and the European anthem were both performed during the ceremony, which is being followed by an extraordinary meeting of the Ministers' Deputies (ambassadors), to be broadcast live. The meeting will discuss the consequences of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine.
After the meeting, an artwork entitled "Guernica: Ukraine" by French artist Jean-Pierre Raynaud will be inaugurated in the Committee of Ministers lobby. This contemporary reinterpretation of the legendary painting by Pablo Picasso will remain on display until 22 March.
From 19 to 23 February the Council of Europe is also hosting an exhibition by the Franco-Ukrainian photographer Youry Bilak, containing 23 photographs of children. The images were taken after 24 February 2022 in several Ukrainian towns (Boutcha, Irpin, Hostomel, Borodyanka, Tchernihiv, Vinnytsia, etc.).
Speech by the Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Speech by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Theodoros Rousopoulos
