Ukraine on Monday demanded that Russia be immediately expelled from the Council of Europe (COE), saying it had no right to remain a member of the pan-European rights body after invading its neighbour, APA reports citing AFP.
The council’s executive body, the committee of ministers, had suspended Russia from all its rights of representation a day after the invasion — but an expulsion would be unprecedented.
“We urge you to take a decision on the immediate expulsion of Russia from the Council of Europe,” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, eastern France, via video link.
He added that Russia’s attack meant it “cannot stay in the European family”.
“Ukraine is on fire, hundreds of houses have been destroyed, millions of Ukrainians lack electricity, heating,” said the premier, addressing the session in place of President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was said to be handling urgent developments amid talks with Russia.
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