Russia has once again struck Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, just days after its previous deadly attacks. Deliberately targeting civilians does not demonstrate strength—it only deepens suffering and undermines respect for international law.

‘All men are created equal with certain unalienable rights, such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ – these words pronounced in the city of Philadelphia on that day 250 years ago gave birth to the United States of America.

Kyiv has endured another night of brutal Russian drone and missile attacks, including on residential buildings. While Ukraine acts in self-defence and strikes military targets, Russia again attacks civilians and terrorises. I stand in full solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Thank you, Numan Kurtulmuş for a productive discussion during at #IPU152 on current developments in the region and strengthening our relationship as well as the rule of law. 🇪🇺🤝🇹🇷 #Türkiye #PACE #CouncilofEurope #IPU

PACE President: Knesset vote ‘seriously jeopardises’ Israel’s observer status with the Assembly “I am deeply disappointed by last night’s vote in the Knesset, which seriously jeopardises Israel’s observer status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,”

Thank you, Nikolla Camaj, for a productive and engaging discussion at the Austrian Parliament. I commend Montenegro’s continued efforts toward European Union accession, as well as its strong commitment to gender balance in parliament and the protection of minority rights. 🇪🇺🤝🇲🇪 #Montenegro #PACE #CoE

Today, I joined a discussion at the German Bundestag on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. Alongside committed speakers, including Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig, we shared a key conviction: multilateralism remains essential to effectively ⬇️

Thank you Nikos Christodoulides for our exchange today. Together with the PACE Presidential Committee, we discussed key political challenges, including the situation in the Middle East and its implications for Europe. ⬇️

Thank you Igor Grosu for the engaging and insightful discussion on Moldova’s path toward EU integration, its resilience in the face of foreign election interference, and the role of Council of Europe in ensuring accountability for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. 🇲🇩🤝🇪🇺 #moldova #CoE #PACE

Many thanks to Austrian President @bundespraesident.at for our exchange. As an Austrian myself, I am particularly encouraged by our shared commitment to fundamental values, whether at Vienna’s Hofburg or within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. 🇪🇺🤝🇦🇹 #PACE #CouncilofEurope #Austria

Alexander Van der Bellen @bundespraesident.at · 6mo ago

Ich gratuliere Petra Bayr @pace-president.bsky.social zu ihrem neuen Amt als Präsidentin der Parlamentarischen Versammlung des Europarates @pace.coe.int. Die Entscheidung der Versammlung ist Ausdruck großer persönlicher Wertschätzung – und auch eine Anerkennung für Österreich. 1️⃣

Thank you, Annalena Baerbock, for a thoughtful and engaging discussion today with Secretary General @alain-berset.coe.int. It was encouraging to reaffirm our shared understanding of several pressing challenges and our commitment to addressing them together. #CSW70 #CSW #PACE #CouncilofEurope

Press freedom online is not only threatened by overt censorship. Subtle pressures, restricted access to information and hostility toward journalists are eroding transparency. On the World Day Against Cyber Censorship, I urge democracies to remain vigilant. #InternetFreedom

Work continues at #CSW70: dynamic meetings, engaging exchanges and a strong focus on promoting women’s participation in public life. #CSW #PACE #CouncilofEurope

Day two at #CSW70: a full agenda of meetings, discussions and valuable exchanges, all driven by positive energy and a shared purpose. #CSW #PACE #CouncilofEurope

More on PACE President Petra Bayr's meeting, yesterday in New York, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres...

Petra Bayr@pace-president.bsky.social · 7mo ago

UN and PACE share the same objectives and concerns: consolidating the rules-based international order, ensuring the protection of human rights in every corner of the world, protecting the environment, and addressing the impact of AI on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. ⬇️

UN and PACE share the same objectives and concerns: consolidating the rules-based international order, ensuring the protection of human rights in every corner of the world, protecting the environment, and addressing the impact of AI on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. ⬇️

The Bureau of @pace.coe.int meeting yesterday expressed strong support to any member states of the @coe.int that might be threatened in the course of the current military escalation in the Middle East. 🇪🇺🤝 #CouncilofEurope

Following the attacks in Iran and the shelling of civilian infrastructure, I call on Israel and the US to spare and protect the lives of civilians, who are already suffering under the Iranian regime.

Yesterday, I joined the March of Light in Vienna to show unwavering solidarity and support for Ukraine and its people. We shall never forget the sacrifices they have made – for a free Ukraine and Europe, protecting all of us. 🇪🇺🤝🇺🇦 #CouncilofEurope #PACE #Ukraine

As we mark four years since the start of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression on Ukraine, Ukrainians face relentless hardship while Europe is called to defend its fundamental principles. As PACE President, I honor those who gave their lives for a free Ukraine and Europe.

I welcome the release of Mikola Statkevich and Natallia Levaya for medical recasons. However, none of the political prisoners in #Belarus should have been in prison in the first place. They should be all released immediately.

Today in Vienna’s Hofburg, in my address to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and during bilateral meetings with the OSCE PA President Pons and Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, I stressed that defending democracy required multi-layered international co-operation ⬇️

It was a pleasure to engage in a meaningful discussion with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. I would also like to commend the Co-ordination Council delegation at PACE for their proactive and significant contributions. Their work continues to have a valuable impact. 🇪🇺🤝 #CouncilofEurope #PACE #Belarus

Honored to begin my journey as President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. I am committed to defending human rights, freedom of expression, and true equality for all.