President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Theodoros Rousopoulos, believes the way Russia’s war against Ukraine ends will ultimately shape the future of the entire continent.
Rousopoulos spoke at the opening of the PACE spring session in Strasbourg on April 7, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“It is clear the outcome of this war is bound to shape the future of our continent and from that perspective this is our war too,” he said.
“The war for values and principles that constitute the spine of our European identity. Let us not have any illusions: once a dictator, always a dictator,” the PACE president added, referring to Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
He noted that therefore, European democracies must continue to fully support Ukraine in its fight against the brutal and illegal aggression by the Russian Federation and strengthen this support as much as needed.
The Assembly “firmly and decisively stands against those who undermine democracy, the rule of law and human rights”, Rousopoulos said.
The PACE President underlined that the principles of democracy “may be deeply rooted in time and very old, but not old-fashioned. And there are many in our world who turn to Europe for the courage and strength to believe once again in principles and values such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The world is watching us, and people are looking for prudent leadership in this era of the backsliding of democracy,” he concluded.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, during the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which began today in Strasbourg, delegates will discuss preventing Russian impunity, combating foreign interference in Europe’s security, as well as the issue of Ukrainian journalists being held by Russia.
Source: Outcome of Russian war in Ukraine to shape continent’s future – PACE President
