Ihor Dolhov, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Georgia assessed the decision by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to approve a resolution allowing the Russian Federation to return to the organization, as a betrayal of European democracy and European values. He is convinced that the political elite of the Council of Europe will soon realize what a mistake it has made.

“European deputies, those who supported Russia, will be ashamed. We are pleased with the fact that Georgia and Ukraine, together with the Baltic States and Poland, have a unanimous position in this situation. In fact, the Russian Federation bought an indulgence in the Council of Europe for 70 million euros and paid money for the blood of Georgians and Ukrainians. Russia paid the sum for the occupation of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, the annexation of the Crimea, and the war in Donbas. Today Citizens of Ukraine, border guards are serving sentences in Russian prisons illegally, they are in captivity and Russia paid money for it, paid bloody money, ” – the Ukrainian diplomat said in an exclusive interview with the Georgian First Channel.

According to the ambassador, it is not surprising that those countries whose part of the government is close to Vladimir Putin voted for the return of Russia.

“This organization is based on three values ​​- justice, human rights and the rule of law. Name me any value that Russia carries? Russia can satisfy neither one, nor the second, and nor the third. On the part of the Council of Europe, this is a betrayal of principles and European democracy. It is not by chance that those countries whose part of the government is close to Vladimir Putin voted for the return of Russia, and all those countries that have ever become the target of Russian aggression have voted against. We all understand the threats come from the Kremlin”, – said Ihor Dolhov.

Georgia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom were against the return of the voting right to the Russian Federation.

“You perfectly saw the reaction of the people when the brazen State Duma deputy Gavrilov arrived in Georgia. I want to address Russia, Georgia and Ukraine do not need your guardianship. Leave us alone! We do not need such so-called friends like you! “- says Ukrainian diplomat.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) voted for the resolution to make it possible for Russia to return to the chamber.

A total of 118 parliamentarians agreed to welcome Russia back into PACE, 62 members voted against and 10 – abstained.

The vote took place early on June 25 following debate during PACE’s opening summer session in Strasbourg.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe deprived the Russian delegation of its voting rights in the body over the annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region in March 2014.