Russia Revokes EU Court Of Human Rights Jurisdiction

Two significant events in EU-Russian relations today. First, EU Council President Charles Michel condemned Russia's role in a food crisis at a United Nations meeting. Second, the Russian Duma has voted to revoke the European Court of Human Rights’ jurisdiction in Russia.

• On the food crisis, Michel said: "Russia is solely responsible for this looming food crisis."
• Michel continued: “[Russia is] using food supplies as a stealth missile against developing countries.”
• EU Court of Human Rights vote will end a strained relationship between the court and the Kremlin. Moscow refused to comply with a ruling last year calling for the release of opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
• The move continues a Russian institutional de-coupling from Europe. On March 15 the Council of Europe expelled Russia from the court's parent organisation in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• Reuters: "Russia has said that it independently decided to leave the Council of Europe, with former President Dmitry Medvedev saying that Russia’s exit from the organisation represented an opportunity to restore the death penalty, which the Council of Europe’s rules prohibit."