Official Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
regarding the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria draws attention to the recent decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to establish a platform for dialogue with Russian democratic forces in exile.
The Ministry deems it necessary to clarify that this decision has no relation whatsoever to the status, representation, or legal position of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
The Chechen Republic of Ichkeria is not and cannot be regarded as part of the Russian Federation. It is an independent state temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation—a fact that was officially recognized by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on 18 October 2022.
The PACE initiative pertains exclusively to internal Russian political processes, as well as to organizations and individuals who identify themselves as part of the Russian political sphere, even while residing outside the territory of the Russian Federation. Accordingly, any Chechen individuals, movements, or associations that decide to participate in this PACE platform as representatives of the so-called Russian opposition must clearly understand that by doing so they become participants in an internal Russian political process—one that has no relevance to the de-occupation of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria or to its legitimate representation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria reaffirms that the issue of de-occupation and the restoration of Ichkeria’s sovereignty will be addressed exclusively through international legal mechanisms, bilateral diplomatic relations, and cooperation with recognized states and institutions, rather than through structures dealing with the internal affairs of the Russian Federation.
The Ministry expresses its gratitude to all governments, parliaments, and international organizations that continue to uphold the principles of de-occupation, justice, and accountability, and calls upon international partners to clearly distinguish between the legitimate institutions of the temporarily occupied Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and entities operating within the political framework of the Russian Federation, even if they oppose the current Kremlin regime.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
6 October 2025
