Volodin: Russia should say goodbye to OSCE PA because of its lack of independence

Russia should say goodbye to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) because of its lack of independence and politicization, said Speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin during a plenary session of the chamber, Report informs referring to TASS.

“Let’s make a decision for ourselves, it’s time for us to say goodbye to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The organization is absolutely not independent, politicized. They dance to the tune and perform all the dances of Washington - what should we do there?” Volodin noted.

He added that “the worst thing in this situation” is that the Russian delegation must fulfill its financial commitments to the assembly. “And we are one of the largest payers,” Volodin emphasized. Therefore, the transfer of funds to the OSCE PA should be stopped, he said. “And proceed from the fact that until they come to their senses, we have nothing to do there. Because there must be principles at the basis of the work of any interparliamentary structure,” Volodin added.

Earlier today, the head of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Leonid Slutsky, said that the State Duma and the Federation Council will simultaneously announce on February 21 their position on suspending participation in the work of the OSCE PA, but before that, at a meeting on February 13, the Duma will do this separately.