Russia may suspend payment of membership fees to Council of Europe - Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW. March 2 (Interfax) - Russia may suspend the payment of membership fees to the Council of Europe due to the restriction of its rights in the organization, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said.

"Obviously, if we don't fully participate, why should we pay for all this?" Grushko said on Rossiya-24 (VGTRK) television.

He called the Council of Europe's decision "a shot in the foot" and said the existence of the Council of Europe will become pointless if Russia leaves it.

Last Friday, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe refused to cooperate with Russia, suspending Russia's membership in the organization.

Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy chairman of the Federation Council International Affairs Committee, earlier told Interfax that Russia had the right to demand a refund of the annual fee of 32,500 euro paid to the Council of Europe due to the suspension of its membership in the organization.