Russia may refuse to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights
Russian permanent representative to the Council of Europe Ivan Soltanovsky said that Moscow could not only refuse membership in the Council of Europe but also withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights. According to RIA Novosti, the diplomat did not exclude such a possibility if the parties will not come to a compromise.
"We are considering all possible scenario, keeping in mind foreign policy consequences for both Russia and international relations on the European continent," he said.
Three years ago Russia, after the Council of Europe did not recognize Peninsula of Crimea integration into the Russian Federation, refused to participate in the Parliamentary Assembly of Europe (PACE). The country, in particular, has ceased to pay membership fees; the amount of debt has already equaled 60 million euros.