PACE: any peace agreement must include the release of illegally detained Ukrainians and Russian citizens jailed for anti-war speech

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted Resolution 2637 (2026) — ‘Supporting the commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine and the security of the European continent.’

The resolution sets out clear conditions for any future peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. PACE stresses that peace cannot be reduced to a ceasefire alone and must be grounded in justice, accountability and respect for human rights.

In particular, the Assembly insists that any negotiation process or peace agreement must include:

— The exchange of prisoners of war and the release of all illegally detained civilians

— The return of forcibly deported Ukrainian children and displaced persons

— Accountability for war crimes committed during the aggression

— The release of political prisoners in Russia imprisoned for opposing the renewed illegal invasion of Ukraine

A year ago, human rights defenders from multiple countries, including Oleg Orlov of the Memorial Human Rights Defence Centre, launched the People First campaign. The initiative argues that the highest priority of any negotiated agreement must be the liberation of all victims of Russia’s war against Ukraine: forcibly transferred children, hospital patients, prisoners taken from Ukrainian detention facilities, prisoners of war, and all civilians unlawfully detained. The same unconditional release is demanded for Russians imprisoned for opposing the war.