Russia, Ostracized, Withdraws from the Council of Europe

The Second Ouster After the Crimean Peninsula Incident

Russian President Vladimir Putin. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Russia, which has become an international pariah due to its invasion of Ukraine, has decided to withdraw from the Council of Europe (CoE).

Pyotr Tolstoy, Russia's representative to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), announced this on the 15th (local time) via his Telegram, according to major foreign media reports.

Representative Tolstoy said, "Russia is voluntarily withdrawing from the CoE," adding, "The decision was made amid escalating anti-Russian discussions within PACE."

He also stated, "All responsibility for the breakdown in dialogue between Russia and the CoE lies with NATO countries, which have long exploited human rights issues to serve their geopolitical interests and attacks against Russia."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

As a result, Russia will no longer be a member of the European Convention on Human Rights, and Russian citizens will be unable to file cases with the European Court of Human Rights.

The CoE, established in 1949 to promote European integration, is an international organization advocating for democracy and human rights protection, separate from the European Union (EU). Russia joined in 1996.

Earlier, the CoE suspended Russia's membership on the 25th of last month, the day after Russia invaded Ukraine.

This is not the first time Russia has been expelled from the CoE. The CoE excluded Russia during the 2014 Crimea crisis but allowed its return in 2019, five years later.

The New York Times stated, "Russia's withdrawal from the CoE highlights its international isolation," adding, "Due to the invasion of Ukraine, Russia is increasingly cut off from the global financial system, international organizations, and global sports and cultural events."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.