Diplomat Yaremenko: Europe considers that Russia had better listen to the criticism in PACE than stay isolated and fail to understand what the world wants from it
The Russian delegation in the PACE does not sit idle but actively works with its supporters for the restoration of the right of vote, the Ukrainian diplomat Bogdan Yaremenko said in the comment to the GORDON .
"As far as the possibility of restoring Russia’s right of vote in the PACE is concerned, I can say that the Russian delegation does not sit idle, too. They work, and Russia has supporters who try to mitigate the situation for it. A dialogue-based approach is characteristic of the European legal democratic system. Many European politicians sincerely believe that they must find ways to talk to Russia and it should not be imposed sanctions that would deprive everybody of any communication channels with it. Some European politicians say that Russia had better come and listen criticism against it than stay isolated and fail to understand what the world wants from them," he reported.
According to the diplomat, Russia may be restored in its right to vote.
"There are many factors here suggesting that it may happen, but it is not the end of the world. Such meetings are held every six months and, accordingly, Ukrainian and other delegations must work to develop the legal field and adopt relevant decision, in particular regarding the Russian Federation," Yaremenko claimed.
In the expert’s opinion, the decision of the Ukrainian parliament on recognizing Russia as an aggressor is a political document.
"The decision of the Verkhovna Rada on recognizing Russia as an aggressor is not a legal but a political document. It is because there is no law that obliging the country to carry out any actions in relation to this decision. It is just a declaration. It is a powerful move for the statement of the fact, but it is a political rather than a legal move. From my point of view, in order to overcome the current crisis, Ukraine must admit that there is ongoing war, draw appropriate conclusions, and make appropriate actions. A right move has been made, but it is a half-measure and something must follow it. Further actions need to be taken to bring Ukraine to the legal field of war," Yaremenko stated.
Yaremenko mentioned that the legal field of war suggests both political decisions and the country’s fulfilling its obligations before its citizens.
"There are very many elements of the legal field of war. It is both recognition of the state of war in Ukraine, and introduction of martial law, and rupture of diplomatic relations, and restriction of trade relations. Besides, the legal field of war suggests not only major political decisions but also obligations of the country before its citizens. For example, recognition of mobilized and other ATO participants as participants of military operations. There are many major issues within the legal field of war that are widely discussed, but there are a lot of minor issues that are not mentioned but are closely related to this situation," he said.
According to him, the PACE resolution regarding Russia is undoubtedly important, but significance of this decision is not to be exaggerated.
"The PACE resolution is a political and legal document, too, however it is very important because it provides legal assessments that will be applied in European courts, which Ukraine as a state and its individual citizens will probably address to get compensation for losses from the Russian aggression and annexation of the Crimea. Conclusions contained in yesterday’s PACE resolution have long-term effect and will have a positive role for a long time. However, significance of this resolution is not to be exaggerated, either," Yaremenko noted.