PACE has called for the recognition of Putin as illegitimate and declared Russia a dictatorship

The resolution, passed unanimously, urges Council member states to recognize Vladimir Putin as illegitimate after the end of his current presidential term and declares Russia a dictatorship. The resolution also calls for the cessation of all contacts with Putin, except for humanitarian contacts and efforts towards peace.

The Assembly emphasized that Vladimir Putin has been in power as president or prime minister since 2000. Amendments to the Russian Constitution in July 2020 extended his potential presidency until 2036, raising concerns about the lack of checks and balances. This, combined with growing repression against internal opponents and Russia's actions in Ukraine, highlights the cost of unchecked presidential power, as underscored by the Parliamentary Assembly.

«The predominant power of the president, stemming from an extraordinarily long tenure, combined with the absence of any checks and balances, such as a strong parliament, an independent judiciary, free media, and an active civil society, has transformed the Russian Federation into a de facto dictatorship.»

The project «Ukraine: realities» is implemented by the News agency «Konkurent» together with the Civic Movement «SVIDOMI» and the charity organization Global Empowerment Mission in English for readers from other countries to tell the stories of people who survived the horrors of the Russian occupation.

Проєкт «Ukraine: realities» реалізовується Інформаційним агентством «Конкурент» спільно з Громадянським Рухом «СВІДОМІ» та благодійною організацією Global Empowerment Mission на англійській мові для читачів з інших країн аби розповісти історії людей, які пережили жахи російської окупації.