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Russia excluded from Council of Europe

17.03.2022

On 16 March 2022, at an extraordinary meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies in Strasbourg, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe unanimously adopted a resolution to exclude the Russian Federation from the Council of Europe as from that day. The resolution states that the Russian aggression against Ukraine constitutes a serious violation of Article 3 of the Statute of the Council of Europe, which obliges all member states to collaborate sincerely and effectively in the realisation of the aim of the Council.

Council of Europe

The resolution of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe was preceded by a firm opinion by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of 15 March 2022 which stated that Russia committed grave violations of the Council of Europe Statute, incompatible with the status of a Council of Europe member State. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe also voiced its support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

The Council of Europe is one of the most important international organisations whose main role is to uphold human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Its unanimous decision to exclude the Russian Federation from its membership sends a strong and clear message that countries which violate key principles underpinning the formation and functioning of the Council cannot be its members.

From the moment Russia attacked Ukraine, Poland has been calling on the international community, including the Council of Europe, to respond strongly to Russia’s aggressive and totally unacceptable actions. In the face of Russia’s flagrant violation of fundamental norms and values that shape peaceful relations between countries, a strong and joint response from the international community is of paramount importance.

 

Łukasz Jasina

MFA Press Spokesperson

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