PACE Spring Session: Debates on Holding Russia Accountable, Hearings on Ukrainian Journalists Held by the Aggressor

These will be the “Ukrainian” accents of the PACE spring session, which will begin its work on Monday, April 7, in Strasbourg, Ukrinform reports.

An urgent debate and resolution on Russia's aggression against Ukraine – the need for accountability and prevention of impunity – is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday.

The resolution “Foreign Interference: A Threat to Democratic Security in the Era” will discuss Russian propaganda as an element of hybrid warfare against democracies.

Read also: Mezentseva: The key event in PACE should be the debate on holding Russia accountable for the crime of aggression

The Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media will hold a hearing on the need to step up efforts to free Ukrainian journalists held by Russia, initiated by MP Yevgeniya Kravchuk. The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty will take part in the hearing. He is also due to present his annual report.

Among other issues is an urgent debate on the topic “The situation in Georgia and the preparations for Resolution 2585 (2025) “Challenge on substantive grounds of the still unratified credentials of the parliamentary delegation of Georgia”.

PACE delegates will also examine the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul and the state of democracy and human rights in Turkey.

The PACE spring session will last until April 11, and the final agenda will be approved on the opening day of the session.

As reported by Ukrinform, on April 7, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will consider the issue of holding an urgent debate on the inevitability of Russia's responsibility for aggression.