They fear that Russia, in connection with the restrictions, can withdraw from this organization, and this, in their opinion, could be a blow to the protection of human rights in the world. As Secretary General of the organization Thorbjorn Jagland stated on Sunday, November 26, Moscow now requires the restoration of the right to vote at the CE Parliamentary Assembly, which oversees the European Court of Human Rights, as well as compliance with the 1949 Human Rights Convention.

The rights of this vote Russia lost after the annexation of the Ukrainian Crimea in 2014.

Nobody says that we are accepting the annexation of the Crimea, it is not a matter of undermining this principled position, "Jagland said, adding that the representatives of the Council of Europe should" in the future keep in mind the mandate "of the organization, which provides for" the protection of human rights in Russia, Crimea and wherever on the continent ".

He also expressed the opinion that this would be a negative event for Europe, since it would be Europe without Russia. This will be a big step backwards,.

Recall, as reported URA-Inform, the president of the European Council Donald Tusk expressed support for sanctions against Russia.