The Council of Europe on Wednesday expelled Russia from the continent’s foremost human rights physique in an unprecedented transfer over Moscow’s invasion and conflict in Ukraine.
The 47-nation group’s committee of ministers mentioned in an announcement that “the Russian Federation ceases to be a member of the Council of Europe as from today.”
In a extremely symbolic transfer after the choice, Council of Europe employees went exterior of its headquarters in Strasbourg and took down the Russian flag, neatly folding the tricolor earlier than it was taken away.
Despite the pomp, it was an unceremonious finish to 26 years of membership within the group.
But many mentioned it was totally deserved.
Tiny Kox, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, mentioned the expulsion “was necessary, and I am glad we dared to do so.”
Kox mentioned his group “remains on the side of the victims of this unprovoked war of aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and all our thoughts are now with the Ukrainian people.”
Member nations additionally spoke out. “Russia’s actions alone have led to this outcome,” Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde mentioned. “We sincerely hope that Russia will one day return to the ideals of peace and democracy, and regain its membership.”
Earlier this week, the group’s parliamentary meeting already initiated the method of expulsion and unanimously backed that Russia can be kicked out.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov insisted Wednesday that it might have left the physique regardless. In an interview with Russian broadcaster RBK, he accused NATO and EU nations of “abusing their majority in the council, eventually transforming it into a tool for anti-Russian policy.” Ukraine can also be a member of the Council of Europe.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba instantly welcomed the choice, tweeting that there was “no place for Russia in European bodies as it wages a barbaric war of aggression against Ukraine and commits multiple war crimes.”
It was unclear what the extent of help was for the expulsion, because the Committee of Ministers arrived at a “consensus” behind closed doorways, making it unimaginable to have a full breakdown of votes.