EU Delegation hosted an exchange of views with the Free Russia Foundation President Natalia Arno and Vice-president Vladimir Kara-Murza

On 20 April, the EU Delegation hosted an exchange between the EU Heads of Mission and the Free Russia Foundation President Natalia Arno and Vice-president Vladimir Kara-Murza on the work of the PACE Platform for Dialogue with Russia’s Democratic Forces in exile. The exchange took place in the context of Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Spring session week.

During the exchange, President Natalia Arno and Vice-president Vladimir Kara-Murza explained how Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is tightly linked to its internal repression, including thousands of political prisoners and the criminalisation of dissent. They described the value of the PACE Platform for Dialogue with Russia’s Democratic Forces in Exile in raising these issues within European institutions and contributing to discussions on accountability and a just peace for Ukraine. The speakers stressed the need for better‑targeted sanctions, sustained diplomatic attention to political trials, and continued cooperation with PACE and Council of Europe delegations to prepare for future democratic change in Russia and support Europe’s long‑term security. 

Looking ahead, the Free Russia Foundation representatives viewed the Platform as a key mechanism for structured cooperation with PACE and Council of Europe delegations, enabling joint planning for future democratic transitions, strengthening links with civil society actors inside and outside Russia, and supporting accountability efforts for crimes committed in Ukraine.

The exchange provided the opportunity to EU Heads of Mission to interact with the speakers that encouraged continued engagement from EU member states, noting that such cooperation would be indispensable both for Russia’s future democratic trajectory and for Europe’s long‑term security.