On the 15th local time, Peter Tolstoy, Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma, said on social media that Russia had decided to withdraw from the European Commission, and the relevant letter from Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov had been handed over to the Secretary-General of the organization.
Tolstoy said the full responsibility for undermining the dialogue with the Council of Europe lay with NATO countries, which have always used human rights as a theme to pursue their geopolitical interests and attacks on Russia. Given the unprecedented political and sanctions pressure on Russia, it does not intend to continue paying dues to the organization.
Tolstoy stressed that Russia's voluntary departure from the European Commission was a balanced and deliberate decision.
