The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has said that Russia can no longer be a member State of the Council of Europe and in the Assembly's opinion, the Committee of Ministers should request the Russian Federation "to immediately withdraw from the Council of Europe," according to a PACE press release distributed on Tuesday.

"The Russian Federation "committed grave violations of the Council of Europe Statute incompatible with the status of a member State, does not bear its undertakings before the Council of Europe and does not comply with the commitments before it." Therefore, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) considers that the Russian Federation "can no longer be a member State of the Organisation." In the Assembly's opinion, the Committee of Ministers should request the Russian Federation "to immediately withdraw from the Council of Europe." If the country does not comply with the request, the Assembly suggests that the Committee of Ministers "determines the immediate possible date" from which the Russian Federation would cease to be a member," PACE said in the resolution voted on Tuesday.

According to the press release, the document was adopted unanimously at the end of an extraordinary plenary session and expresses solidarity with Ukraine, the Ukrainian people and PACE's Ukrainian members, reaffirming "unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders."

"The Assembly is deeply disturbed by evidence of serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the Russian Federation, including attacks against civilian targets and humanitarian corridors, "indiscriminate use of artillery, missiles, and bombing" as well as hostage taking. It notes with shock the "reckless attacks" by Russian armed forces on nuclear facilities in Ukraine. Accordingly, it supports "all efforts aimed at ensuring accountability," the statement said.

At the same time, PACE believes that in the event that the Russian Federation ceases to be a member of the Organisation, the Council of Europe should, according to PACE, envisage initiatives to be able to continue "to support and engage with human rights defenders, democratic forces, free media and independent civil society."