Kurt Volker: Sad that PACE abandoning its own principles on human rights

In a post on Twitter, he wrote: “Sad that CoE is abandoning its own principles on human rights...”

As Ukrinform reported, on June 25, the PACE adopted a resolution envisaging Russia's unconditional return to the Assembly.

The resolution provides for the introduction of amendments to the PACE rules of procedure, which may complicate or block the imposition of sanctions on the Russian delegation and ensure its return to the Assembly without fulfilling its international obligations. The resolution also provides for the introduction of an exclusive procedure for the Russian delegation, which allows participation in the work of the summer session.

Russia in June 2017 resorted to financial blackmail of the Council of Europe, explaining that sanctions were imposed on its delegation in the PACE. At the same time, sanctions against the Russian Federation in the Assembly have not been in effect since January 2015. Russia speculated on this issue and did not nominate its delegates to the session.