Poland: Foreign ministers and other representatives of Europe's top security organization at their opening session on Thursday described Russia's war against Ukraine as the biggest challenge in the group's nearly 50-year history.
Along with the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe was established to maintain peace and stability on the continent and has been a rare international forum where Russia and Western powers have been able to hold talks to discuss security issues Huh. The two-day high-level gathering in Lodz, Poland, is the first of its kind since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
But since the war began, the 57-nation OSCE has also evolved into another area where bitter conflict between Russia and the West has unfolded, revealing the grouping's own shortcomings in assisting with conflict resolution.
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Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was conspicuously absent as Poland, the current chair of the OSCE, refused him entry into the nation. Lavrov is listed on a sanctions list maintained by the 27-member European Union, which also includes Poland.
On Thursday, Lavrov criticized the sanctions and Poland. In the history of the OSCE, Lavrov said, "I can say with responsibility that Poland's anti-chairmanship will take the worst place ever." No one has ever led the OSCE like this and caused it so much damage.
In a video call with reporters, he claimed that "our Polish neighbors are digging a grave for the organization by destroying the last vestiges of a culture of unanimity."
The current president of the OSCE, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, claimed that he had a duty to uphold the organization's "core principles" and claimed that it was Russia, not Poland, that had denied the OSCE funding, appointments, and other important functions. Was harmed by obstructing. aspects of its operation.
He alleged that Russia had spread false information about Poland. Rau said: "I would say that it is outrageous to hear Russia accusing Russia of pushing the OSCE into the abyss, tearing down its foundations and breaking its procedural rules.
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The OSCE served as a mediator in Ukraine before Russia's invasion, negotiating a peace deal for eastern Ukraine in 2014 in the wake of a Russian-backed separatist conflict in the Donbass. The OSCE ended its special monitoring mission to Ukraine in March.
Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei, who died unexpectedly late last week at the age of 64 and was buried earlier this week, was also absent from the Lodz meeting.
No known cause of Mecki's death was given by the Belarusian authorities, and the fact that he had no chronic illness led to rumors of possible foul play.
Speaking on behalf of Belarus, Andrei Dapkinas read the note that he claimed Mecki had written before he passed away.
He regretted Lavrov's exclusion, claiming it was "killing the OSCE," and he accused Western powers of undermining Europe's security system by unfairly isolating Russia and Belarus.
Hungary's foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, appeared to criticize Poland for ousting Lavrov. Hungary, an unusual ally of Poland, maintains close economic and diplomatic ties with Russia.
Communication channels must be kept open, Szijjarto said. Hungary wants peace in Ukraine, Szijjarto said at the meeting, but he refrained from naming Russia.
In 1975, during the Cold War period, the OSCE was established. Its security strategy is supported by a focus on human rights and economic development alongside military security. Although it is best known for its election monitoring work, it has also been involved in peacekeeping and conflict prevention missions in countries such as Bosnia, Moldova, Georgia and Tajikistan.
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The US delegate, under secretary of state for political affairs, Victoria Nuland, said she left the conference in Lodz with renewed optimism for the OSCE, noting that 55 of its 57 members – excluding Russia and Belarus – Looking for new ways of doing things. Together to defend democratic principles.
Vladimir Putin, according to Nuland, "has failed to defeat Ukraine." "Despite his brutal war of aggression, his war crimes and his vicious fight against civilians now trying to freeze them in the middle of winter, Putin has also failed in his attempt to split and destroy the OSCE."