23/02/2022 (Agence Europe) – In a statement issued yesterday afternoon, Leendert Verbeek, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, like the Secretary General, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly and the President of the Committee of Ministers, condemned Russia’s recognition of the “so-called ‘people’s republics’” of Donetsk and Lugansk, “in flagrant violation of international law and the Minsk agreements”. He also wished to express “the Congress’ solidarity with the Ukrainian people and authorities at national, regional and local levels” and its “support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders”. An address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled for 22 March at 3.30 p.m. as part of the Congress plenary session in Strasbourg. However, it remains to be confirmed. (VL)