On 23 February, the Ministers' Deputies held an extraordinary meeting on the occasion of the second-year anniversary of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
They recalled the measures already taken by the Council of Europe and adopted a series of decisions, including calling on the Russian Federation to cease the aggression against Ukraine and withdraw completely from its territory; expressing support to Ukraine and its people; welcoming the measures taken to ensure Russia's full accountability; calling for the release and return of deported and transferred civilians, particularly children; and condemning Russia's illegal conduct of so-called elections within the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine, as well as its attempt to prosecute judges and prosecutors of the International Criminal Court and officials of Council of Europe member States. The Deputies agreed to resume consideration of these issues at their forthcoming meetings, in accordance with the Reykjavík Declaration adopted at the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe.
