UKRAINE: Futher news

- COUNCIL OF EUROPE

The Russian Federation is excluded from the Council of Europe

Strasbourg, 16.03.2022 – In an extraordinary meeting this morning, the Committee of Ministers decided, in the context of the procedure launched under Article 8 of the Statute of the Council of Europe, that the Russian Federation ceases to be a member of the Council of Europe as from today, after 26 years of membership.

Note to editors

• On 15 March, the Parliamentary Assembly unanimously adopted an Opinion which considered that the Russian Federation can no longer be a member State of the Organisation.

• On 15 March, the Government of the Russian Federation informed the Secretary General of its withdrawal from the Council of Europe in accordance with the Statute of the Council if Europe and of its intention to denounce the European Convention on Human Rights.

• On 10 March, the Committee of Ministers decided to consult the Parliamentary Assembly on potential further use of Article 8 of the Statute.

• On 25 February, following an exchange of views with the Parliamentary Assembly, the Committee of Ministers decided to launch the procedure provided by Article 8 of the Statute and agreed to suspend the Russian Federation from its rights of representation in the Council of Europe, in accordance with its relevant Resolution on legal and financial consequences on the suspension.

Russia joined the Council of Europe on 28 February 1996.

- COUNCIL OF FOREIGN RELATIONS

Eastern European Leaders Visit Kyiv Amid Shelling

The prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovenia departed for Kyiv (NYT) to voice European support for Ukraine. It will be the highest-profile visit to the country since Russia invaded on February 24. Meanwhile, virtual talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations are due to continue today (RFE/RL).

Russia has stepped up its siege of Mariupol and shelling of Kyiv’s suburbs. Kyiv’s mayor announced that a thirty-five-hour curfew will begin tonight. Around four thousand people were able to evacuate (Reuters) frontline cities yesterday, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister said. In Russia, a woman was detained after displaying an anti-war protest sign (RFE/RL) during a live evening news broadcast on state television.

Analysis

“The people, army, and leadership of Ukraine, backed by the West, continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience. An unwarranted war of choice is morphing into an open-ended war of perseverance,” CFR President Richard Haass writes.

“Western leaders have shown firmness and unity in their support for Ukraine in the face of [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s assault. They can and should do more. But they should also, with the Ukrainians, begin working on the peace they want to see if the Russian occupation can be beaten back,” the Financial Times’ Martin Sandbu writes.

CFR provides analysis, explainers, podcasts, and more on the war in Ukraine.

- MEMORIAL

Russian language: Война, развязанная путинским режимом против Украины, – это преступление против мира и человечности. Эта война останется позорной страницей в российской истории. Мы против войны с Украиной и требуем немедленного прекращения агрессии.

Правление Международного Общества Мемориал Правозащитный Центр Мемориал 24 февраля 2022 года

English language: The war unleashed against Ukraine by the Putin regime is a crime against peace and humanity.

This war will remain a shameful page in Russian history.

We are against the war with Ukraine and demand an immediate end to the aggression.

The Board of International Memorial Memorial Human Rights Center February 24, 2022