Russia suspends rule in Europe's human rights watchdog after being stripped of vote

STRASBOURG, France – The head of Russia's delegation to Europe's human rights watchdog says the country will suspend its role after losing its right to vote.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Wednesday voted to renew sanctions against Russia, which included stripping its voting rights over the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The decision was expected to stand until at least April. In response, Alexey Pushkov, the delegation chairman, wrote in a tweet Thursday that Russia would stop participating in the assembly.

Leaving the assembly "doesn't mean the self-isolation of Russia," he added.