“Democratic representation cannot be built behind closed doors — legitimacy requires transparency, inclusiveness, and trust.”
“Democratic representation cannot be built behind closed doors — legitimacy requires transparency, inclusiveness, and trust.”
This statement is issued to clarify Free Russia Foundation’s position regarding the formation of the platform of Russian democratic forces within PACE, and to address recent public misrepresentations concerning FRF’s role and intentions in this process.
FRF remains committed to transparency, inclusiveness, and democratic legitimacy in all engagement with European institutions.
Since 2022, Free Russia Foundation (FRF) has been systematically involved in building a platform for Russian democratic forces within PACE and has consistently advocated for transparent and clear principles for its formation, in line with European democratic standards and PACE’s own institutional values.
All of us who have left Russia know how easily democracy can be lost if openness and transparency are sacrificed in favor of the interests of a narrow group of actors. We all understand too well what happens when “a certain monopolist” takes control of the decision-making process and substitutes inclusive governance with informal control.
We are firmly opposed to any de facto cartel-like practices that concentrate decision-making among a narrow group of actors, conducted over “closed dinners,” as such processes undermine trust, legitimacy, and democratic accountability.
This statement is issued to clarify Free Russia Foundation’s position regarding the formation of the platform of Russian democratic forces within PACE, and to address recent public misrepresentations concerning FRF’s role and intentions in this process.
FRF remains committed to transparency, inclusiveness, and democratic legitimacy in all engagement with European institutions.
Since 2022, Free Russia Foundation (FRF) has been systematically involved in building a platform for Russian democratic forces within PACE and has consistently advocated for transparent and clear principles for its formation, in line with European democratic standards and PACE’s own institutional values.
All of us who have left Russia know how easily democracy can be lost if openness and transparency are sacrificed in favor of the interests of a narrow group of actors. We all understand too well what happens when “a certain monopolist” takes control of the decision-making process and substitutes inclusive governance with informal control.
We are firmly opposed to any de facto cartel-like practices that concentrate decision-making among a narrow group of actors, conducted over “closed dinners,” as such processes undermine trust, legitimacy, and democratic accountability.
Since the very first discussions on creating the platform, FRF has been directly involved in negotiations with PACE leadership, rapporteurs, and parliamentarians, acting transparently and in good faith throughout the process.
We are convinced that the Russian democratic opposition must have representation in leading European institutions — this is critical for the future of a democratic Russia and for resisting the Putin regime, and such representation must be built on legitimacy, inclusiveness, and trust.
Since the very first discussions on creating the platform, FRF has been directly involved in negotiations with PACE leadership, rapporteurs, and parliamentarians, acting transparently and in good faith throughout the process.
We are convinced that the Russian democratic opposition must have representation in leading European institutions — this is critical for the future of a democratic Russia and for resisting the Putin regime, and such representation must be built on legitimacy, inclusiveness, and trust.
From the start, FRF has advocated for an open and transparent process in forming the platform, rather than closed agreements between selected groups, precisely to ensure credibility vis-à-vis European partners and the public.
We believe the platform should include all major forces of the Russian democratic opposition that share the values of democracy, respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and oppose Putin’s aggression, without artificial exclusions or informal gatekeeping.
From the start, FRF has advocated for an open and transparent process in forming the platform, rather than closed agreements between selected groups, precisely to ensure credibility vis-à-vis European partners and the public.
We believe the platform should include all major forces of the Russian democratic opposition that share the values of democracy, respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and oppose Putin’s aggression, without artificial exclusions or informal gatekeeping.
Many key organizations have expressed interest in participating in the platform, underscoring the need for a transparent and inclusive mechanism for participation, , rather than closed deals among a chosen few, which risk undermining the platform’s legitimacy.
In the absence of electoral democracy in Russia, civic leaders fulfill the same representative role as opposition politicians. Their voices are legitimate, and their work is vital for the future of a free Russia, particularly in the eyes of European institutions seeking credible interlocutors.
We support the platform reflecting the full diversity of the Russian democratic opposition: political activists and human rights defenders, Anti-Corruption Foundation, Memorial and independent media, expert organizations, and civil society representatives, on the basis of transparent and equal criteria.
We fully support a dedicated quota for representatives of Russia’s indigenous and numerically small peoples.
Many key organizations have expressed interest in participating in the platform, underscoring the need for a transparent and inclusive mechanism for participation, , rather than closed deals among a chosen few, which risk undermining the platform’s legitimacy.
In the absence of electoral democracy in Russia, civic leaders fulfill the same representative role as opposition politicians. Their voices are legitimate, and their work is vital for the future of a free Russia, particularly in the eyes of European institutions seeking credible interlocutors.
We support the platform reflecting the full diversity of the Russian democratic opposition: political activists and human rights defenders, Anti-Corruption Foundation, Memorial and independent media, expert organizations, and civil society representatives, on the basis of transparent and equal criteria.
We fully support a dedicated quota for representatives of Russia’s indigenous and numerically small peoples.
At the same time, we recognize the need to uphold the key principles outlined in the PACE resolution, which serve as a unifying foundation rather than a source of division:
At the same time, we recognize the need to uphold the key principles outlined in the PACE resolution, which serve as a unifying foundation rather than a source of division:
- Recognition of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova;
- Support for establishing a Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine;
- Payment of reparations and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
- Recognition of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova;
- Support for establishing a Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine;
- Payment of reparations and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
Claims by Khodorkovsky-affiliated structures that we allegedly attempted to undermine the PACE platform are factually inaccurate and misleading.
Representatives of the Anti-War Committee have publicly confirmed that the conflict over the platform was initiated by them in response to our clear and consistent stance on open procedures and broad representation, not due to any attempt by FRF to weaken or sabotage the initiative.
Claims by Khodorkovsky-affiliated structures that we allegedly attempted to undermine the PACE platform are factually inaccurate and misleading.
Representatives of the Anti-War Committee have publicly confirmed that the conflict over the platform was initiated by them in response to our clear and consistent stance on open procedures and broad representation, not due to any attempt by FRF to weaken or sabotage the initiative.
FRF’s goal is not to compete for positions within the platform, but to create an effective mechanism for the Russian opposition to engage with European institutions, in a manner consistent with democratic norms.
The platform should serve as a tool for advancing sanctions against the Putin regime, supporting Ukraine, defending human rights, and preparing for Russia’s democratic transformation — not as an arena for backroom deals or monopolizing influence.
We will continue working to strengthen this initiative and call on all forces of the Russian democratic opposition to engage constructively and abandon opaque practices and disinformation, in pursuit of the common goal: a free and democratic Russia.
FRF’s goal is not to compete for positions within the platform, but to create an effective mechanism for the Russian opposition to engage with European institutions, in a manner consistent with democratic norms.
The platform should serve as a tool for advancing sanctions against the Putin regime, supporting Ukraine, defending human rights, and preparing for Russia’s democratic transformation — not as an arena for backroom deals or monopolizing influence.
We will continue working to strengthen this initiative and call on all forces of the Russian democratic opposition to engage constructively and abandon opaque practices and disinformation, in pursuit of the common goal: a free and democratic Russia.