The Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States (IPA CIS) has issued a statement in response to reports circulating on social media and Telegram channels regarding the Ukrainian flag that was displayed on the grounds of its headquarters near the Tauride Palace in St. Petersburg. IPA CIS clarified that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has not withdrawn from its membership agreement with the Assembly, and therefore, the use of the Ukrainian flag is legally required. Although the headquarters is located in the Russian Federation, this does not invalidate this requirement. IPA CIS highlighted that the Ukrainian flag has been present at its headquarters for a number of years, including in 2014 and 2022. On April 15, an activist who identified himself as a member of the unregistered party “The Other Russia of E.V. Limonov” removed the flag from the headquarters, and guards were unable to apprehend the activist and his cameraman. However, another member of the party was caught in the vicinity and subsequently released by the police without any charges filed. The statement also emphasized that in order to leave the organization, notification of withdrawal from the agreement must be sent, which has not been done by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The author of this content is Leonid Uvarchev.
The Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States (IPA CIS) responded to messages in social networks and Telegram channels regarding the Ukrainian flag on the territory of its headquarters near the Tauride Palace in St. Petersburg. The structure noted that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine did not withdraw from the agreement on the assembly. The day before, April 15, an activist made his way to the headquarters and removed the flag.
The Verkhovna Rada joined the agreement in 1999. To leave the organization, you must send an appropriate notification. “Until now, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has not sent any notice of withdrawal from the CIS MPA agreement and, therefore, is an active member of the Assembly,” the statement says. message IPA CIS.
Therefore, the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly must use the flag of Ukraine for legal requirements. The fact that the headquarters is located in the Russian Federation does not cancel them.
The flag was in the CIS IPA for many years, including in 2014 and 2022, draws attention Fontanka. On the eve of the headquarters, a man who calls himself a member of the unregistered party “The Other Russia of E. V. Limonov” (founded by followers of the recognized extremist and banned National Bolshevik Party) made his way to the headquarters. After that, the guards failed to detain the activist and the cameraman, but another member of the Other Russia was caught in the vicinity (their names were not disclosed). According to the St. Petersburg edition, he was released from the police without drawing up a protocol.
In summary, the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member States (IPA CIS) has responded to the removal of the Ukrainian flag from its headquarters in St. Petersburg, stating that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has not withdrawn from the agreement on the assembly, and therefore, the use of the flag is legally required. The fact that the headquarters is located in the Russian Federation does not cancel this requirement. It is noteworthy that the flag has been present in the CIS IPA for many years. The incident involving the removal of the flag was initiated by a member of the unregistered party “The Other Russia” and has caused controversy. It remains to be seen whether any further developments or repercussions will arise from this incident.