KYIV, 31 March 2026 – The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Pere Joan Pons participated in the Bucha Summit and a series of high-level engagements in Kyiv today, including a meeting hosted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reaffirming the Assembly’s unwavering support for Ukraine and underscoring the importance of accountability, justice, and continued international solidarity.

Addressing the Bucha Summit, the President stressed that accountability remains indispensable for achieving justice and lasting peace. Delivering a clear political message, he stated that “what is at stake goes far beyond Ukraine” and called for a firm and collective response to ongoing violations of fundamental norms.

Meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kyiv, 31 March 2026Participants at the Summit also heard testimonies from survivors of the 2022 events in Bucha and from those who lost their loved ones. These powerful and deeply moving accounts underscored the importance of preserving the memory of the victims and the shared moral duty to ensure that such atrocities are neither forgotten nor repeated.

Recalling his previous visits to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, as well as his recent engagements with victims of violence in Bucha, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza and Srebrenica, the President underlined the Assembly’s continued unity and support, emphasizing the importance of preserving the memory of victims across conflicts. “I represent more than 300 parliamentarians, who in turn represent over one billion citizens. Throughout these years of aggression, we have stood by your side — united in the belief that supporting Ukraine means defending democracy, international law, and territorial integrity,” he said.

“Four years later, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly remains united in our firm stand with Ukraine. Not with weapons — we are not a military alliance — but with political resolve,” Pons added. “We represent our societies, and together we can mobilize that resolve in our parliaments, our governments, and in our public debate. We raise awareness, mobilize resources, apply pressure, and defend what matters.”

President Pere Joan Pons at the Bucha Summit, 31 March 2026Particular attention was drawn to the fate of Ukrainian children taken by Russia. “Every day they remain away is a day too long. They must be brought back — all of them,” he stated. “I also call for the immediate release of the three OSCE officials detained by Russia: Dmytro Shabanov, Maksym Petrov, and Vadym Golda. Their continued detention is unacceptable.”

The President also emphasized the importance of accountability and international justice, stating: “Finally, there can be no lasting peace without accountability. Sooner or later, the Putin regime must be held accountable before international courts.” Referring to upcoming efforts, he added: “This summer, in The Hague, we will again remind the world that these crimes must be judged.”

He further joined a meeting of Heads of Delegation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which participants exchanged views on the current security situation, Ukraine’s ongoing needs, and the importance of maintaining strong international political support. The President reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring that Ukraine’s voice continues to be heard globally.

The Bucha Summit concluded with the adoption of a Joint Statement by participating parliamentary leaders and international parliamentary organizations, reaffirming their condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression and their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the principles of the UN Charter. The statement also underscored the need for full accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including through international mechanisms, and called for the return of deported Ukrainian children.

The Summit brought together Speakers of Parliament and senior representatives from across Europe and partner organizations, reflecting broad international support for Ukraine.

Concluding his visit, the President emphasized continued support for Ukraine and its people.