In an article entitled “Russia & the Council of Europe: Staunch support for pan-europeanism”, Dr. Alexander Yakovenko, Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and former Deputy foreign minister from 2005-2011, writes for RT that the Council of Europe is “one of the most respected and representative regional organizations on the continent, its mission to contribute to the creation of a Europe whole and free without dividing lines, to strengthen democratic values, human rights protection mechanisms and the rule of law, including international law.”
However, today “Russia’s cooperation with CoE is, regrettably, being “rolled back” by problems that have emerged between Russia and the West over the Ukraine crisis. Under this circumstance Moscow stands firm on the point there is no alternative to the implementation of all provisions of the Minsk agreements, including those on dealing with acute humanitarian problems, lifting the economic blockade, and reforming the constitution in keeping with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.”
Sergei Oznobischev, Director of the Institute of Strategic Assessment (studio guest), James Drew, Production Editor at the EU Reporter (Brussels) and Jan Van Benthem, foreign commentator, the Nederlands Dagblad, (The Netherlands Daily) commented on the issue.