PACE fails to register amendment recognizing Putin as terrorist
Photo: MP Oleksandr Merezhko (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) did not register the proposed amendment that would have recognized Russian President Vladimir Putin as a terrorist. As a result, a new wording was proposed, said Ukrainian MP and head of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Oleksandr Merezhko.
He reminded that earlier there was a corresponding appeal from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian Parliament - ed.) on the need to recognize the Putin regime of Russia as a terrorist state.
"I have the right to propose my own amendment, which I did. It clearly stated that Putin is a terrorist because he commits numerous acts of terrorism against civilians. That was the essence of my amendment," Merezhko explained.
He said that when he arrived at the PACE Committee meeting in the morning to defend the amendment, he found that it was missing from the list. He then approached the Committee leadership but received no response.
"I had to go to the PACE Secretariat, where these amendments are officially registered. I spent over an hour trying to find out why this happened because I believe it is a violation of the democratic principles on which the Council of Europe and PACE operate," the MP said.
Eventually, he managed to defend his position. The main argument against his amendment was that the term "terrorist" was allegedly "offensive" and "violated PACE procedural rules."
"This is not true because 'terrorist' is a recognized international legal term found in numerous international conventions and treaties," he emphasized.
Moreover, PACE has already recognized Russia as a terrorist regime in a previous resolution. It is therefore logical to conclude that the head of this regime is also a terrorist, Merezhko noted.
"When we talk about acts of terrorism committed by the Russian army under Putin’s command, a logical question arises: who is committing these acts of terrorism? Isn't this person a terrorist then? This is basic logic, not just a matter of law. I defended my position, and we reached a compromise," Merezhko said.
In the end, a new wording was proposed. While it does not include the word "terrorist," it describes Putin’s actions and states that he must be held accountable for acts of terrorism against civilians.
"Essentially, PACE has recognized him as a terrorist, and this is the most important thing. However, some of my colleagues in the delegation disagreed with my approach and voiced disagreement. I'm trying to find out what is the reason," Merezhko concluded.
PACE Winter Session in Strasbourg
The winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe started on January 27, 2025. On the first day, Theodoros Rousopoulos was re-elected as PACE President. RBC-Ukraine spoke with him on the sidelines of the session.
Today’s session was particularly significant for Ukraine, as it focused on the Ukrainian issue. Following the debates, delegates overwhelmingly voted in favor of the resolution European Commitment to a Just and Lasting Peace in Ukraine.
The document underscores the importance of European unity and unwavering support for Ukraine. It also emphasizes the principle of "peace through strength" as the foundation for achieving a just and lasting peace.
