PACE adopts resolution on achieving peace through strength in Ukraine
Photo: Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (Getty Images)
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted the resolution European Commitment to a Just and Lasting Peace in Ukraine by a convincing majority. 86 PACE delegates voted in favor of the resolution, no one spoke against it, and 6 delegates abstained, RBC-Ukraine's correspondent reports from Strasbourg.
The document was supported by all political groups (factions) of PACE, except for the United European Left.
During the debate, many European delegates, including Lord Richard Keane of the United Kingdom, emphasized that the war in Ukraine cannot end with a mere ceasefire and that Ukraine must be provided with serious security guarantees.
The resolution itself emphasizes that Russia continues its efforts to undermine the international order, including by involving Iran and North Korea in its aggression against Ukraine.
The peace summit held last summer in Switzerland is called the most significant diplomatic initiative to date to inspire the future peace process. The resolution also emphasizes that any peace negotiations must include Ukraine and respect its right to determine its future.
The resolution says that PACE recognizes that a position of strength and credible defense capability ('peace through strength') is necessary for sustainable peace negotiations, and it calls on the West to increase its support for Ukraine.
PACE also emphasized that a lasting peace is possible only when Russia abandons its imperialist ambitions and decolonizes, and called Vladimir Putin's regime totalitarian.
The resolution calls on Europe and its European partners to strengthen the sanctions regime against Russia, in particular, to completely ban Russian gas imports, to establish a special tribunal to prosecute the Russian and Belarusian leadership for aggression against Ukraine, and to transfer all frozen Russian assets to a special international fund for further compensation to Ukraine and all victims of Russian aggression.
In addition, an amendment calling on the US government to resume financial support for Ukraine, including through USAID, was rejected.
At the same time, the delegates supported an amendment recognizing China as a decisive factor in the Russian Federation's aggressive war against Ukraine and calling on China to stop supporting the Russian military machine.
According to polls, Ukrainians remain flexible and open to discussions on the parameters of peace agreements. But they do not agree to peace on any terms. If Ukraine gains NATO membership (in addition to EU membership), 64% are ready to support this option even if the liberation of the currently occupied territories is postponed.
