Yesterday at 20:06
Photo Twitter/PACE
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued an official comment regarding the adoption of the resolution “Strengthening the decision-making process of the Parliamentary Assembly concerning credentials and voting” by PACE.
The Foreign Ministry noted the return of Russia to PACE is “an unacceptable concession for the Russian Federation that has been carrying out armed aggression against Ukraine since 2014, grossly violating the norms and principles of international law, including the Statute of the Council of Europe.”
The weakening of the sanctioning mechanism for PACE countries is taking place amid a backdrop of “… blatant non-fulfillment of the country’s commitments, as well as PACE resolutions approved in response to Russian aggression,” the comment adds.
“What happened today in PACE is evidence of the suspension from the declared standards, principles and values of the Council of Europe as a result of unprecedented pressure and financial blackmailing by the Russian Federation. Unfortunately, this was due to the frank sympathy of a number of countries, whose leadership, on the one hand, emphasizes the need to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine, and on the other — encourages the aggressor, making concessions to it,” the comment says.
The Foreign Ministry noted that the moral victory remains on the side of the countries which voted against this decision.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Serhiy Kyslytsia, thanked the countries which voted “for values when many chose valuables,” in a post on his Twitter page.
Image Twitter/dszligowski
The President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid wrote on her Twitter:
“Last night’s decision by #PACE — manuevering #Russia behind the table with procedural moves — is an embarrassment to PACE. None of the reasons Russia has been stripped of its voting rights has disappeared. #Crimea #WarInEasternUkraine.”
Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia, also responded to the return of the Russian delegation on Twitter.
“Regrettable and disappointing resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (@PACE_News), unconditionally restoring voting rights of the Russian delegation, #Latvia opposed the decision because it undermines respect for key values: democracy, rule of law and human rights,” he wrote.
According to Yevropeiska Pravda [European Truth], German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas congratulated Russia on its return to PACE.
“Russia belongs in the Council of Europe, with all the rights and responsibilities arising from it,” the minister said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky expressed disappointment with the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly to approve the credentials of the delegation of the Russian Federation without restrictions.
“The main argument in favor of the return of the Russian delegation was the need to protect human and civil rights as the highest democratic values. I hope that in the issue of protecting democratic values no one had any thoughts about material values. I also want to see how supporters of the return of the Russian delegation to PACE — an organization that has defended the rule of law in Europe for 70 years — will defend and demand another return — the return of captured Ukrainian sailors,” Zelensky said.
Earlier, a member of the Ukrainian delegation to PACE, Volodymyr Ariev, announced Ukraine’s intention to suspend Ukraine’s participation in PACE in the future, asking the Foreign Ministry and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to take appropriate action on the matter.
The statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered the next step, followed by the possible reaction of the Ukrainian Parliament. If these steps are taken, it could mean the eventual withdrawal of Ukraine from PACE at some point in the future.
