Mike Reader MP has spoken at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, condemning Russia’s forced deportation of Ukrainian children and calling for accountability to be central to any peace process. PACE met this week (26th-30th June) for the first part-session of 2026.
Speaking during a debate on supporting a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine, Mike warned that peace cannot be negotiated while civilians are under attack, and that Europe’s security is inseparable from Ukraine’s.
In his speech, he told the Assembly:
“Peace cannot be built whilst a country is negotiating under fire, and a just peace must not reward aggression.”
Mike highlighted one of the most serious crimes identified in the report: the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children. Ukrainian authorities have verified that at least 19,000 children have been taken, with credible evidence that the real figure is far higher.
He said:
“These children should not be bargaining chips in any future negotiation. Justice for them must be central to peace, not deferred, not diluted and not ignored.”
Mike also underlined the role of the UK and its European partners in backing Ukraine’s sovereignty, supporting accountability mechanisms, and ensuring that crimes against humanity are not normalised.
Commenting afterwards, Mike said the issue matters directly to people in Northampton.
“Security in Europe is not abstract. It affects our economy, our energy bills, and our safety at home. If aggression, war crimes, and the theft of children are tolerated abroad, it weakens the rules that keep people safe everywhere. Standing up for justice in Ukraine is part of standing up for security and decency here in the UK.”
Mike is attending the Council of Europe Part Session as a UK parliamentary delegate, contributing to debates on European security, democratic standards, and accountability for international crimes.
