Ukraine is ready to suspend membership in PACE if the Russian Federation returns to the 'club of decent countries'
Ukraine is ready to suspend its membership in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in the event of Russia's return to PACE without the implementation by Moscow of the Assembly’s resolutions, reported LB.ua news website, citing diplomatic sources.
"A return of the aggressor country, Russia, which has not fulfilled any European resolutions, to the club of decent countries will force Kyiv to take retaliatory actions. We are not talking about a withdrawal of Ukraine from PACE – no such mechanism exists. But at present, Kyiv is already considering the option to suspend its participation in PACE," - the publication writes.
In addition, Kyiv will begin to form a club of European countries that will do the same. Moreover, some countries have previously promised to do so.
The publication’s source replied that PACE is currently important for several reasons. The main reason is that PACE offers the opportunity through its platform to commit to resolutions and statements important for Ukraine regarding the continuing occupation of the Ukrainian territories by Russia and the behavior of the occupation authorities in relation to the local population (for example, repression in the Crimea). The media backdrop created at the same time makes it possible to pressure Russia at this and other international venues. The loss of such an opportunity would be unpleasant.
"Forgiveness" of the violator of international law would also hurt PACE itself. "The return of Russia to the Council of Europe without the implementation of the adopted resolutions will lead to a) huge scandal, and b) will deal an irreparable blow to the authority and reputation of the Parliamentary Assembly. Another scandal and the Council of Europe will not survive and will be finally discredited. Not even speaking about the fact that all of the member states of the Council of Europe would receive a clear signal that PACE resolutions cannot be implemented,” the article says.
As previously reported, after a visit by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Jagland to Moscow, the basic algorithm for Russia's return to PACE was determined, despite the fact that Russia has refused to comply with PACE resolutions related to the occupation of Ukrainian territories. Russia has blackmailed the Council of Europe, refusing to pay its share of the budget of the Council of Europe, which is equal to €33 million.