On October 1, 2025, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a Resolution establishing a “Platform for Dialogue with Russian Democratic Forces.”

https://pace.coe.int/en/files/35684

The Platform will operate under the Chairmanship of the President of PACE and serve as a forum for bilateral engagement between the Assembly and Russian democratic forces on matters of common concern. These include issues related to visas and residence permits, cultural cooperation, academic and student exchanges, the rights of Russian-speaking residents of Europe, support for independent media, political discussions, and other areas of shared interest.

The composition of the Russian democratic forces participating in the Platform will be approved by the PACE Bureau upon the recommendation of the President of PACE. The Platform will include between 12 and 14 participants who meet the criteria set forth in the Resolution.

Negotiations on the establishment of the Platform have been conducted over the past two years by representatives of interested organisations, based on a shared commitment to common democratic values. This initiative stems from the adoption of the Berlin Declaration of Anti-War and Democratic Forces in 2023, which remains open for signature.

https://www.change.org/declaration_rusdem

The Anti-War Committee of Russia welcomes this decision by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and intends to take an active part in the dialogue. We are confident that other Russian democratic forces will join the Platform, and we look forward to constructive cooperation with them.