Chairman of the Russian State Duma (lower house) Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky did not rule out the Russian delegation’s participation in the June session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), but for this to happen, the assembly should make a decision on the inadmissibility of sanctions against national delegations, TASS reports.

"I admit that Russia’s delegation could take part in the June session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. We will go there, if the PACE Committee on Rules of Procedure and the assembly itself will make a relevant decision on the inadmissibility of imposing sanctions on national delegations on the first day of the session’s work," he told reporters on Saturday.

According to Slutsky, intense negotiations with members of European political forces are in progress. "In particular, a conversation with leader of the Unified European Left Group Tiny Kox took place recently. I do not rule out that a meeting between Russian lawmakers and PACE’s top officials could be held after the meeting of the (PACE) Committee on Rules and Procedure. So far, the tone and nature of discussions indicate the growing likelihood of a constructive decision," he pointed out.

Slutsky stressed that PACE’s potential decision to abandon sanctions against national delegations would benefit both Russia and the Council of Europe in order "to preserve its role in the new 21st-century architecture."

"As you remember, the Council of Europe Secretary General will be elected at the June session. Russia’s participation in the election is important for continuing legitimate cooperation with that organization. This is understood by Moscow and, I hope by Strasbourg too," he concluded.