Decision to return Russia to PACE made long ago - Zelensky
He stated this at a briefing on Thursday, June 27, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
"In addition to meetings with [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel, [French] President [Emmanuel] Macron, I had seven meetings a day [during the foreign visit]. At every meeting, I raised this issue - the issue of Russia's return to the PACE. I asked this question, and believe me, each of these people [with whom there was a meeting] told me: 'Volodymyr, realize this situation, PACE is a platform for negotiations.' That is, this decision was made a long time ago for every person with whom I discussed this question. They knew the answer one hundred percent. By the way, I talked about it abroad. Unfortunately, they did not hear me. That is, the decision was made long ago," Zelensky said.
He added that he did everything he could, but "all this is post factum."
At the same time, according to the president, in response to a question from Ukrainian parliamentarians regarding what steps he made before his overseas visit in resolving the issue of Russia's return to the PACE, he said he could ask them the same thing.
"If our dear deputies address me about what I have done before, I can also ask them what they have done to prevent this from happening?" Zelensky said.
Early on June 25, the PACE adopted a resolution allowing the Russian delegation to return to work in the Assembly for the first time since 2015. The document was supported by 118 deputies, 62 voted against it, and ten abstained. The resolution amends the PACE rules and excludes the possibility of depriving any delegation of voting rights even if the credentials of members of the delegation are appealed or revised. They also cannot be deprived of the right to speak and to have representation in the assembly and its structures.
The Ukrainian delegation suspended its work in the summer session as a sign of protest, but it will participate in the consideration of the credentials of the Russian delegation.
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