European Council announces suspension of Russia’s membership

BRUSSELS, Feb. 26 (YPA) – The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided to suspend Russia’s membership in the Council, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio announced on Friday.

Di Maio indicated that the committee composed of foreign ministers of the member states of the organization took this decision on the basis of Article 8 of the Charter of the Council of Europe, which stipulates the possibility of suspending the membership of any state in the event of a “grave breach” of its obligation to respect the principle of the rule of law.

“Italy considers this measure necessary in light of the unacceptable Russian military aggression against Ukraine, which is a grave breach of international law,” he added.

In a speech to the Russian people at dawn Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a special military operation to protect Donbass in southeastern Ukraine.

Putin stressed that Russia would work to disarm Ukraine, prevent nationalism in Ukraine, and bring to justice the perpetrators of bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation.

YPA