In a move to protest the participation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Ukraine has announced that its foreign minister will not attend a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in North Macedonia this week. This decision comes amid the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has lasted for 21 months.
Lavrov has stated his intention to join the foreign ministers of the OSCE if Bulgaria grants permission for his aircraft to pass through its airspace. The closure of Bulgarian airspace to Russian aircraft is a result of European Union sanctions linked to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Oleh Nikolenko, a spokesman for the Ukrainian foreign ministry, made the announcement on Facebook, stating that Ukraine’s delegation will not participate at the ministerial meeting of the OSCE. The meeting is scheduled to take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 in Skopje.
Nikolenko also accused Russia of violating the organization’s rules of consensus, using “blackmail and open threats,” and holding three Ukrainian OSCE representatives in prison for over 500 days. He believes that the presence of a Russian delegation at the ministerial meeting will further deepen the crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia, on the other hand, has previously criticized the West for what it perceives as the “reckless enlargement” of NATO, which it believes undermines the effectiveness of the OSCE.
It is unclear how this boycott will impact the dynamics and outcomes of the OSCE ministerial meeting, but it underscores the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the broader geopolitical struggles between Eastern and Western powers.
The absence of the Ukrainian foreign minister at the OSCE meeting may complicate efforts to address key issues affecting Europe and beyond, as it is essential for all OSCE member states to engage in dialogue and diplomacy to foster peace and security in the region.
It remains to be seen how Bulgaria, as a key player in this situation, will respond to the request of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and how this will affect the larger geopolitical landscape in the region.
This decision by Ukraine highlights the deeply entrenched divisions and conflicts within the OSCE, and the challenges facing international efforts to address the crisis in Ukraine and promote peace and stability in Europe.
Amid these tensions, the OSCE will need to navigate complex political and diplomatic challenges to fulfill its mission of fostering security and cooperation in Europe and beyond.
(Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Max Hunder; Editing by Alison Williams, Alexandra Hudson)
