Following a press conference on the results of the PACE winter session, Leonid Slutskiy
Leonid Eduardovich
said that it “was, despite all the problematic issues, successful. In politics,
as in sports, you must compare yourself with yourself. The Russian delegation
is integrating step by step into the PACE workflow and is regaining its
influence in the Assembly after a five-year absence.”
“Very good voting results on the ratification of the credentials of the delegation of the Russian Federation. It is significant that the Baltic Plus group remained in the minority, and the national delegations of the countries of “developed democracies” such as Italy, Germany, France (the main payers) and others voted unanimously for the ratification of Russia's credentials in the Assembly. We actively worked with all country delegations. The more of us among them, the more of them among us. But this is not a reason for dizziness from success, we are moving forward, and the Russian line is giving results,” the parliamentarian said.
“We are ready for a constructive consideration of all problems and for discussions, including on the Crimean issue. As for Crimea, of course, perhaps for a long time, we are doomed to disputes in PACE. But I dare to suggest that in 10–15 years, and maybe even earlier, the number of those who, having studied the history of the peninsula and having talked with the Russian delegation to PACE, agree with our position will increase significantly. I am sure that without utopias, it is in the Assembly, as on the most wide-reaching European parliamentary platform, Russia will find support on the Crimean issue. And this will become a factor of powerful positive feedback for recognizing Crimea as Russian. You have to be realistic — this will not happen today or tomorrow, but it will certainly happen,” said Leonid Slutskiy.
