By Shweta Desai
PARIS (AA) – The Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly condemned Russia's military intervention in Ukraine on Thursday, calling it a “dark hour for Europe” and demanding that Moscow immediately cease hostilities and resume diplomatic engagement.
The top European human rights organization and its members said they have activated a coordinated response to discuss the “blatant aggression against Kyiv and inflict restrictive measures on Moscow.”
In a joint statement, members of the Strasbourg-based organization vowed to impose “massive and severe consequences on Russia for its action” in close coordination with NATO and the Group of 7 countries.
“We demand that Russia immediately ceases military actions, (and) unconditionally withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine,” the statement said, adding that “such use of force and coercion has no place in the 21st century.”
They also slammed Belarus’ involvement with Russia against Ukraine and urged the eastern European country to “abide by its international obligations.”
Belarus, however, denied Thursday its involvement, as President Alexander Lukashenko said the armed forces of Belarus were not taking part in the Russian operation.
The council’s Secretary-General Marija Pejcinovic Buric said the military intervention in Ukraine is a “dark hour for Europe and everything it stands for.”
She emphasized the need to protect civilian lives and called on Russian authorities to “immediately and unconditionally cease hostilities” to avoid further devastation.
Tiny Kox, president of the council's parliamentary assembly, also stated that an emergency meeting of the joint committee, which includes the committee of ministers and the parliamentary assembly, will be called on Friday to coordinate action on this "unprecedented crisis in Europe."
Early Thursday, Russia announced a military operation in Ukraine, drawing international condemnation and vows of tougher sanctions on Moscow.
Explosions were reported in several Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, and tanks reportedly crossed the border from Belarus into Ukraine.
In recent months Russia has amassed over 100,000 Russian troops around Ukraine, but repeatedly denied any intention of invading.