RUSSIANS GET BACK TO WORK IN THE PACE – OUR FAILURE OR NEW OPPORTUNITIES? – UIF EXPERTS EXPRESSED SUGGESTIONS

Russia’s return to PACE sparked a wave of discussions, accusations and disappointments in Ukrainian society. According to the majority, this decision is the result of the lack of a correct foreign policy of Ukraine. And is that really the case? Can we consider the decision of the Assembly in Russia`s favor to be a failure for Ukraine? Could Ukraine really prevent the return of the Russian delegation to PACE? What should be the next move to win this “game”? What are the functions of the PACE, and does it stray from the European values? We have collected comments about this made by the experts of the Ukrainian Institute for the Future.

“Therefore, Ukraine cannot buy out Russia’s share of financing in PACE, and this is the main motive why Europe wants to return Russia there.”  Yuri Romanenko, the director of the “International and domestic policy” programme of UIF

“If we were preventing future problems during 2017, 2018, today there would be no need to talk about revenge.” Ihar Tyshkevich, the expert of the “International and domestic policy” programme of UIF

“The return of the Russian Federation to PACE will not bring anything bad. PACE is an advisory body that makes decisions that have no legal force”. Iliya Kusa, expert of the “International policy” programme