Countries on the Council of Europe 2025

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Strasbourg, France, the Council of Europe (CoE) is a 46-member international organization dedicated to the advancement of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The CoE’s values include freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of the media, equality, and the protection of minorities from discrimination and hate. It campaigns for causes such as improved safety for children and minorities and fights against societal evils including corruption, terrorism, hate speech, and domestic violence. Council of Europe countries do not practice capital punishment (the death penalty) for crimes. Although the two organizations are independent of one another, the CoE includes all 27 members of the European Union (EU). In fact, no country has ever joined the European Union without first joining the Council of Europe.

Russia’s expulsion from the Council of Europe

At the start of 2022, the Council of Europe had 47 members and six non-member observers. However, on February 24, 2022, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine. The Council of Europe suspended Russia’s membership a day later, on February 25, as the country’s actions served as a clear violation of the CoE’s humanitarian values. In response, Russia announced on March 15, 2022, that it would leave the Council of Europe. However, the CoE’s Committee of Ministers chose not to delay and instead voted unanimously that same day to terminate Russia’s membership in the Council of Europe. Russia had joined the CoE on 28 February 1996.

Countries on the Council of Europe