The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has launched a platform for dialogue with Russian democratic forces. Participants discussed the platform’s priorities, the situation of political prisoners in Russia, and the war against Ukraine.
The platform was established as an advisory format for interaction between PACE and representatives of the Russian opposition and anti-war movement in exile. Its declared areas of focus include expert work, counter-propaganda, international advocacy in defense of political prisoners, and participation in discussions on possible peace mechanisms.
Following the launch of the platform, participants issued a joint statement in support of Ukraine, clearly outlining their position on the war and Russia’s responsibility:
- Russia, described as a fascist state, represents a systemic threat to European security as an aggressor state.
- International support for Ukraine, including military assistance from PACE member states and their allies, is fundamental to sustainable peace in Europe.
- The platform supports initiatives by states, intergovernmental organizations, volunteer structures, and individuals aimed at resisting Russian aggression.
The statement emphasizes that European security is impossible without supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities, including military aid. Russia is called an aggressor state, and any attempts to equate the parties in the conflict are unacceptable. Participants reaffirmed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is defined by its internationally recognized borders as of 1991.
The statement also addresses the urgent need for the release of civilian hostages, the return of illegally deported Ukrainian children, and the liberation of people persecuted in Russia for their anti-war stance. It stresses that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without accountability for committed crimes.
The platform expressed support for the creation of a special tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the work of international judicial mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court. The statement also notes the legitimacy of using frozen assets of the Russian state to help rebuild Ukraine as a form of material accountability for the aggressor state.
Participants highlighted that abandoning imperial practices and acknowledging colonial legacies is an essential part of Russia’s future democratic transition and the establishment of good-neighborly relations with other European countries.
Statement by Russian participants of the PACE Platform