63. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she is supporting the Council of Europe's engagement with members of the Russian opposition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50134/26]

Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe on 16 March 2022. Consequently, direct dialogue between Council of Europe and Russian authorities has all but ceased. The Council of Europe has, however, engaged with the Russian opposition, primarily through the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

Following the adoption of resolution 2540 (2024), PACE established a Contact Group in late 2024 and instituted a Platform for Dialogue with Russian Democratic Forces in January 2026. With the establishment of this Contact Group, PACE committed to pursuing dialogue with Russian Democratic Forces which ‘share values of the Council of Europe and recognise the rules-based international order, including the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine’. Participants in the Platform for Dialogue can attend meetings of PACE’s committees, sub-committees, and networks during part-sessions, facilitating dialogue on issues of common concern.

I consider exchanges with anti-war and pro-democracy groups and individuals important to maintaining an open dialogue and advancing the core values of the Council of Europe. As such, I welcome this continued engagement with Russia’s opposition by PACE and the wider Council of Europe.

Notwithstanding its expulsion from the Council of Europe, Russia remains bound by its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights concerning events that occurred up until its withdrawal from the Convention on 16 September 2022, both generally but also specifically in relation to the human rights of members of its domestic opposition and vis-à-vis Ukrainians under its temporary occupation. Furthermore, the country must fully implement the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights that emanate from events that occurred prior to its withdrawal from the Convention, including the inter-state case of Ukraine and Netherlands v Russia in which Ireland has intervened as a third-party.