Russia expelled from Council of Europe over invasion

Strasbourg, France, Mar 16 (EFE).- The Council of Europe on Wednesday formally terminated Russia’s membership after 26 years in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The organization, which now has 46 member states spanning Europe, Turkey and the Caucasus, was formed after World War II to safeguard human rights and uphold democracy.

In a statement, the council said its decision-making committee of ministers used article 8 of its statute to expel the Russian Federation.

Russia first joined the Council of Europe in 1996 but had been suspended since February 25, the day after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. EFE

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