PACE President: Too erly to discuss Russia’s return to Council of Europe
It is still too early to talk about the possible return of Russia to the Council of Europe after the end of the war. The same applies to the lifting of certain sanctions, according to President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Theodoros Rousopoulos.
"It is too early, too premature to discuss this, because you know: Russia returned once, and after its return, started a war of aggression," he said.
Rousopoulos recalled that after the Cold War, many Russian generals visited NATO headquarters, which would have been unacceptable during the years of confrontation.
"I wouldn't ever imagine that the Cold War, the world divided in two sides, would lead to a day that Russian generals would enter the headquarters of their enemy. If you ask me for imagination, when I left politics, I think that I can write a novel, not about politics. I have a rich imagination, but let me not use it now. I can use it by finding solutions in the area that I have responsibilities in," the politician remarked.
The PACE president added that if the lifting of restrictions or other decisions against Russia would help, then Russians must demonstrate that they are determined to stop the war.
EU sanctions Against Russia
It should be recalled that by the third anniversary of the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the EU is preparing to adopt the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. According to media reports, the sanctions list may include more than 30 individuals and legal entities from Russia, as well as from China and North Korea.
As noted by Politico, the EU will not impose a total ban on the purchase of Russian liquefied natural gas but plans to introduce certain restrictions, although these will not significantly affect imports.
Additionally, Brussels will introduce restrictions on aluminum from Russia, as well as the sale of video game equipment.