10/10/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 10 October, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe announced that it would be creating a “recurring contact platform” with representatives of Russian democratic opposition forces who share the values of the Council of Europe, respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine and condemn Russia’s war of aggression. The aim will be to generate ideas for a democratic transition in Russia “in such a way that the country no longer poses a threat to its neighbours and to international law, as well as to its citizens”, said Tiny Kox, president of the assembly. The ultimate aim is also to ensure that Russia is fully accountable for its war crimes. The meeting was attended by Evgenia Kara-Murza, wife of Vladimir Kara-Murza, winner of the Vaclav Havel Prize 2022 and currently imprisoned (see EUROPE 13195/2), and Mikhail Khodorkovsky of the Russian Anti-War Committee. (VL)