The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe suspended Russia’s right to vote in 2014. Since then, the Russian delegation has refused to participate in the work of the Assembly. In June, two years will have passed since the country stopped paying its financial contributions. The Committee of Ministers will have to deal with the case from that date at the latest. Russia has set conditions that it expects to be met before it resumes fulfilling its membership obligations. Otherwise, the country threatens to leave the organization. Instead of accommodating Russia as it has in previous months, the Council of Europe should consistently adhere to its principles and be prepared to bear the political and financial costs.
OP-ED
Susan Stewart: The Council of Europe and Russia
A picture taken on May 5, 2019 shows national flags during the open day marking the 70th Anniversary of the Council of Europe at the in Strasbourg, northeastern France.
