Activity of the Russian Platform in PACE
Andriy Volna, a trauma surgeon and participant in the initiative, stated that the Platform of Russians in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) functions without any external funding. According to him, its activities are based on volunteer principles, and participants' work is unpaid. Volna noted that the Platform receives no grants or budgetary funds, and participation in its events is supported by political forces or paid for out of pocket.
Andriy Volna, who has treated wounded Ukrainian defenders in Kyiv for over two years, emphasized that many participants came to PACE at their own expense.
"We did not come for grants. We do not receive money for this activity; on the contrary, we spend our own so that our voice is heard and to help Ukraine," he added.The PACE Bureau views the Platform as a dialogue forum for Russians with anti-war views who fled the country in 2022. The Council of Europe is a key human rights body, making such platforms a rare channel for dissenting Russian voices.
Complexity of the Situation and Importance of Initiatives
According to Volna, the Ukrainian delegation in PACE does not support the idea of Russian representation in any format, highlighting the situation's complexity and the topic's sensitivity. Thus, the Platform of Russians in PACE continues its activities without financial support, remaining an important element of dialogue among those opposing the aggression.
This situation indicates that, despite the lack of funding, the Platform strives to preserve the voice of anti-war activists from Russia who are abroad. In a context where the Ukrainian delegation opposes any Russian representation, the importance of such initiatives may grow as they seek to engage the international community in discussions related to the war in Ukraine. This also underscores the tension in international relations, where the question of supporting or refusing cooperation with certain groups remains pertinent.