PACE to create platform for dialogue with Russians seeking "regime change" in Russia

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has decided to establish a platform for dialogue between the Assembly and "Russian democratic forces in exile".

PACE unanimously adopted a resolution based on a report by Eerik-Niiles Kross (Estonia, ALDE), which states that participants of the platform must be "persons of the highest moral standing" who, among other things, share the values of the Council of Europe, unequivocally recognise Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and work towards "regime change" in Russia.

The new platform is expected to strengthen the capacity of Russian democratic forces to "bring about sustainable democratic change in Russia and help achieve a lasting and just peace in Ukraine, alongside ensuring the responsibility of Russian actors for the international crimes committed".

"The Assembly said it honours the commitment of 'those Russian human rights defenders, democratic forces, free media and independent civil society who oppose the totalitarian and neo-imperialistic Russian regime, fight for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and support Ukraine, sometimes at the risk of their lives and freedom'."

Meanwhile, the Assembly underlined that unlike Belarusian democratic forces, "Russian democratic forces do not have a single, unified political structure".

Therefore, PACE called on Russian groups and initiatives in exile to unite in order to advocate for democratic change in Russia, expose the crimes of the Russian regime, and support Ukrainians.

Participants of the platform – whose composition is yet to be determined according to certain criteria – will be able to engage in bilateral exchanges with the Assembly on matters of common interest, as well as take part in meetings of specific committees during sessions.

Earlier, PACE supported the creation of an International Claims Commission for Ukraine to consider Ukraine's claims against Russia.

On 13 September, it was reported that the Council of Europe had completed work on a draft convention for such a commission.