Ukraine Says OSCE Faces 'Slow Death' if Russia Remains Member

Ukraine on Monday called for Russia to be excluded from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), warning the body faced a “slow death” if Moscow remains a member.

The OSCE was founded to ease tensions between East and West during the Cold War, and helps its members coordinate on issues like human rights and arms control.

“Everything Russia does in the OSCE nowadays is killing this organisation,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said at a press conference also attended by OSCE chair Bujar Osmani.

“The situation in the OSCE is very complicated, painful, but the choice is very simple – either a slow death with Russia, or a new life without it,” Kuleba said.

Ukraine has repeatedly called for Russia to be excluded from international organizations over its full-scale invasion, including the G20, UN Security Council and all major sporting bodies.

Russia has itself repeatedly accused the West of trying to undermine and “seize” the OSCE, arguing the group has turned away from its founding principles.

The organization sends observers to conflicts, as well as elections around the world. It also runs programs that aim to combat human trafficking and ensure media freedom.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, it has struggled to operate as Russia has blocked all major decisions, which require consensus.