OREANDA-NEWS. The speech of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) did not take place. It is reported by TASS.

It was assumed that the Ukrainian head will speak on Monday, March 14, via video link. However, by the appointed time, Zelensky did not get in touch.

Speaker of the Assembly Tiny Kons confirmed that Prime Minister Denys Shmygal would take the place of the President of Ukraine in the evening.

Zelensky's live address to the participants of the PACE session was on the agenda. It was supposed to start at 2:00 pm. At the moment, the reason for the changes in the program with the participation of the head of state of Ukraine is unknown.

The session is expected to start at 18:00 Moscow time. After Shmyhal's address, members of the assembly will give the floor.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had decided to conduct a military special operation to protect Donbass in response to a request for help from the heads of the LPR and DPR.

Ukraine severed diplomatic relations with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has submitted a bill on general mobilization to the Verkhovna Rada.

Earlier, Zelensky discussed with the head of the European Council the strengthening of sanctions against Russia and assistance to Ukraine.