Macron: we want to avoid a complete withdrawal of Russia from the Council of Europe
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The President of France Emmanuel macron said he did not want to prevent the total withdrawal of Russia from the Council of Europe. He said this in Paris at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

“There is the issue of sanctions against Russia and here is France sticking to its line that must continue until the conditions are met. But as for belonging to the Council of Europe should not be perceived as sanctions. Because in fact, these sanctions do not suffer from the Russian state and Russian citizens. Because the membership of the Russian Federation to the Council of Europe is (for Russian citizens – ed.), belonging to the jurisdictional space. This means the opportunity to file claims against the Russian state. And if Russia is expelled from the Council of Europe, all this will be impossible,” said macron.

According to him, that is why the Finnish presidency in the Council of Europe “we started the consultation process in order to return to Russia”.

“That it (Russia – ed.) could pay the premiums. We want to avoid a complete withdrawal of Russia from the Council of Europe, because we believe that it will harm primarily the interests of Russian citizens, we want to ensure their ability to defend their rights. Just wish she was not an active member,” said macron.

We will remind, Zelensky said that the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has no grounds for return of the Russian delegation.