Russia ceased to be a member of the Council of Europe on Wednesday, after more than a quarter-century membership in the pan-European rights body, the council said in a statement.

Moscow announced its withdrawal from the council on Tuesday, ahead of the council’s committee of ministers’ formal decision to expel Russia for its invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday.

In a hugely symbolic moment, the flag of Russia was lowered and removed from its staff outside the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg, eastern France, at around 1430 GMT.

The flags of the 46 remaining member states were kept flying.