Top EU diplomat: Russia needs to hear why it is condemned, isolated

The EU’s top diplomat said on Wednesday that Russia needs to hear why it is being condemned and isolated from ministers at the world’s largest regional security body’s next summit.

Ministers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will meet in Skopje on Thursday and Friday to discuss the organization’s future as well as the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, have all stated their intention to boycott the annual ministerial conference following the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who has stated his intention to attend.

Josep Borrell said he understood some countries’ concerns but applauded North Macedonia’s decision to allow Lavrov to participate, saying it was in line with the common goal of keeping multilateralism alive.

“It will be a good occasion for him (Lavrov) to listen directly from the participants at this meeting why Russia is being condemned and isolated”, Borrell told media after meeting with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski of North Macedonia.

Lavrov would then be able to return to the Kremlin and claim that the European Union and the OSCE remain united in condemning Russia’s aggressive, unlawful behavior.

The institution, which includes both Russia and Ukraine, was founded in 1975 as a platform for communication between the Eastern and Western blocs. It has been working with extra-budgetary funds, but tensions are high.

After months of negotiations, Malta agreed on Monday to take up the rotating chair of the body next year, rather than NATO member Estonia, which Russia explicitly refused.

The resolution is anticipated to be adopted during the two-day ministerial meeting, preventing the pan-European security body from collapsing.

Also read: Equity markets continue to rise on third day despite extremely tumultuous trading