A Sputnik correspondent reported on Tuesday that Russia had failed in its bid to get elected to the UN Human Rights Council for 2024-2026. Albania and Bulgaria won the two seats intended for Eastern Europeans countries, having gained 123 and 160 votes, respectively. Russia secured 83 votes.
"The unscrupulous anti-Russian campaign launched by Washington, London, Brussels and their allies had its effect, during which unprecedented pressure was exerted on UN member states, and often overt economic and political blackmail, to prevent Russia’s return to the Human Rights Council," the ministry said in a statement.