Russia wants to return to the United Nations Human Rights Council after being kicked out last April over its invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow is listed on the United Nations website as a candidate for the election of members of the Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 term, which is to be held on October 10, Index reports.

Membership is based on geographic distribution, with two vacant seats in the group of Eastern European countries, and so far Russia, Albania and Bulgaria have announced their candidacy for that region.

In a document sent to UN members, reported by CNN, Russia said it considers the Human Rights Council a key body in the United Nations system.

Official Moscow says it is important to stop the growing trend of turning the Human Rights Council into an instrument that serves the political will of a group of countries and punishes disloyal governments for their independent domestic and foreign policies.

The United Nations General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council in April 2022.