Dmitry Novikov, a deputy of the Russian State Duma, first deputy chairman of the chamber’s committee on international affairs, proposed defending the main values of PACE to proceed from the priority of human rights. So he commented on the statement of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmitry Razumkov that Kiev is ready for a dialogue with PACE, but does not agree to a compromise on the issue of territorial integrity in the context of returning to the organization of Russia.
As Novikov noted, one of the most important human rights is the right to self-determination of citizens of certain territories. In this regard, he recalled that Crimea returned to the Russian Federation through democratic means.
In his opinion, if politicians in Kiev are going to continue to use this “card”, they will act contrary to the interests of the Ukrainian people. “Because everything that splits, brings discord between Russia and Ukraine, this in no way meets the interests of our, in fact, united people,” RT quoted the Russian parliamentarian as saying.
Razumkov at a meeting with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Maria Peichinovich-Burich ruled out a compromise on the issue of Russia’s return to PACE.