The first meeting of a new dialogue platform between the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and Russian democratic forces in exile took place in Strasbourg on the margins of the Assembly’s winter plenary session. The platform, established in October last year, is designed to facilitate two-way exchanges between Assembly members and Russian opposition figures on issues related to democracy, human rights and Russia’s future.

Opening the meeting, PACE President Petra Bayr expressed support for Russians opposing the war and respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, stressing Europe’s readiness to assist democratic transformation. The next meeting of the platform is expected to take place during the Assembly’s April session.